The lost years : radical Islam, intifada, and wars in the Middle East, 2001-2006 / Charles Enderlin ; translated by Suzanne Verderber.

"First published in 2006 as Les années perdues: intifada et guerres au Proche-Orient 2001-2006 by Librairie Arthème Fayard, France"--Title page verso.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 321-333) and index.

Lies and truths -- Let's act like we didn't know -- 9/11 -- Hamas -- A strong hand and an outstretched arm -- The failure of Abbas -- Withdrawal from Gaza -- Olmert -- Epilogue -- Chronology of major events -- Appendix.

From Ariel Sharon's ascent to power in February 2001 to the Israel-Lebanon conflict in July 2006, the Middle East has seen the most murderous years of a feud which is, today, half a century old. After the monumental convergence of powers at Camp David, the world watched with bated breath as hope for a peaceful resolution to the long, bitter dispute between Israel and Palestine was lost in the wake of the Intifada. Following years of searching for an end to the bloodshed, how did the tragic blindness of both parties throw this region into such chaos? In The Lost Years, Charles Enderlin presents a scrupulous chronicle of the Israeli and Palestinian descent into hell. Political leaders and secret negotiators, military chiefs and CIA agents, Enderlin has met them all - Israelis and Palestinians -and he accounts for all sides, including U.S. and international involvement. He trails the bad political calculations of the Palestinians, which led to the defeat of Fatah and to the victory of the Islamists. And he exposes Israel's unilateral political approach and new military doctrines that had disastrous consequences for both camps. Intifada, September 11th, war in Iraq, the construction of the wall, the withdrawal from Gaza, the end of the reigns of the two old enemies, Arafat and Sharon, the electoral victory of Hamas, and the war in Lebanon; Enderlin reveals the implacable logic at work behind the crucial events of a confused period. The Lost Years, the sequel to Enderlin's bestselling book, Shattered Dreams, is an essential work for those who try to understand without judging, but still want to believe in peace. -- Publisher's Description.