The Decline of the Arab-Israeli Conflict addresses the changing political behavior of the regional Arab system in the Palestine conflict, from total enmity to negotiated peace with Israel. This change is explained as a reflection of state formation process and constant thrust of ruling elites to disengage from compelling supra-state commitments stemming from Pan-Arab nationalist ideology and Islamic political culture. The book scrutinizes the role of Arab summit conferences which, since 1964, became the main collective Arab institution for decision making on common core issues - foremost of which was the conflict with Israel.

Introduction: explaining regional Arab politics -- The regional Arab system -- The emergence of a regional conflict system -- For the sake of Palestine: "Unity of Action" -- Collapse of Summitry and the road to war -- A turning point in Khartoum -- The beleaguered Nasir -- The road to the October War -- The divisive peace diplomacy -- The Lebanese Civil War: brokers and pawns -- The burden of Arab Consensus : Egypt-Israel Peace Accord and Arab response -- The Iraq-Syria conflict and the Gulf War -- Crossroads of the Lebanon War -- In search of another Peace process -- The Intifada and new regional alignment -- The Kuwait Crisis and the peace process: toward a new Middle East order?