CAMP DAVID the BROOKINGS CLASSICS Thoughtful, relevant, and timely books have been the hallmark of the Brookings Institution Press since its founding, and the press has been fortunate to count among its authors some of the most important thinkers of the twentieth century. With The Brookings Classics the press draws on its vast library of original work to reintroduce some of its most influential books to new audiences. Each book in the series has made important contributions to policy debates and scholarly discourse and has stood the test of time to remain relevant in today’s world. Each Classic also includes a foreword written by an influential thinker in his or her field, explaining the book’s significance while grounding the work in a contemporary context. Check out the Brookings website to learn more about the individual titles in the series: www.brookings/edu/classics. The Irony of Vietnam: The System Worked Leslie Gelb with Richard K. Betts Development Projects Observed Albert O. Hirschman Red Tape: Its Origins, Uses, and Abuses Herbert Kaufman Equality and Efficiency: The Big Tradeoff Arthur M. Okun Camp David: Peacemaking and Politics William B. Quandt Systematic Thinking for Social Action Alice M. Rivlin WILLIAM B. QUANDt CAMP DAVID Peacemaking and Politics ForeworD by MArtIn InDyk brookings institution press Washington, D.C. Copyright © 2016 THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION 1775 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 www.brookings.edu All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the Brookings Institution Press. First Brookings edition published 1986 The Brookings Institution is a private nonprofit organization devoted to research, education, and publication on important issues of domestic and foreign policy. Its principal purpose is to bring the highest quality independent research and analysis to bear on current and emerging policy problems. Interpretations or conclusions in Brookings publications should be understood to be solely those of the authors. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data Names: Quandt, William B., author. Title: Camp David : peacemaking and politics / William B. Quandt ; foreword by Martin Indyk. Description: 2nd edition. | Washington, D.C. : Brookings Institution Press, 2016. | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Description based on print version record and CIP data provided by publisher; resource not viewed. Identifiers: LCCN 2015045077 (print) | LCCN 2015040106 (ebook) | ISBN 9780815726760 (epub) | ISBN 9780815726814 (pdf) | ISBN 9780815726753 (pbk. : alk. paper) | ISBN 9780815726760 (ebook) | ISBN 9780815726814 (pdk) Subjects: LCSH: Israel-Arab War, 1973—Peace. | Camp David Agreements (1978) | Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty (1979 March 26) | United States— Foreign Relations—Middle East. | Middle East—Foreign relations— United States. | United States—Foreign relations—1977–1981. Classification: LCC DS128.183 (print) | LCC DS128.183 .Q36 2016 (ebook) | DDC 327.73056—dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015045077 Typeset in Sabon Composition by Cynthia Stock Silver Spring, Maryland To Helena Contents Foreword xiii Martin Indyk Preface to the Classic Edition xvii Author’s Preface xxi one Introduction 1 two American Politics and Foreign Policy 7 The Role of Congress | The Electoral Cycle | The President and His Role | The Pattern of the First Year | The Pattern of the Second Year | The Pattern of the Third Year | The Pattern of the Fourth Year | Conclusion three Getting Started, Getting Acquainted 32 The Arab-Israeli Conflict in Early 1977 | The Middle East Team | Received Wisdom on the Middle East | Setting the Course | On-the-Job Education | Rabin’s Visit and Adventures in Public Diplomacy | Carter Meets the Arabs | Conclusion four Meeting Menachem Begin 65 Who Is Begin? | Fahd’s Visit | Preparing for Begin | Carter Meets Begin | Vance to the Middle East, August 1977 | Conclusion ix