Yasser Arafat: Leadership, Legacy, and the Quest for Peace in the Middle East

Abstract:  In this sweeping and dramatic work, Beverly Milton-Edwards and Stephen Farrell astutely assess the rise of Yasser Arafat, his long struggle as leader of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, and the legacy of the man who dominated the politics of the Middle East for almost five decades. We investigate the complexities and inconsistencies of Arafat’s rule from his roots as a rebel icon through his troublesome commitment to the Oslo peace arrangement and on to a definitive weakness investigation of his political logic, strategic attempts, and enduring effect on Palestinian governmental issues. The innovative frame that the study uses to interpret the narrative can be summed up by considering Arafat in terms of more than his political failures but also as an image of hope in the struggle of the Palestinian nation. It does this by tapping into academic research and historical knowledge. Recalling Arafat’s leadership and legacy helps to make sense of the continuing agonizing struggle for peace, justice and self-determination in the Middle East.