Born amidst the ruin of World War II and into the Cold War environment of realpolitik, Israel has, since its earliest existence, commanded a place on the international stage out of all relation to its size, population or ambitions. This work, part of the series "Israel: The First Hundred Years", examines Israel's experience in foreign affairs in its first 50 years of existence. Contributors ask to what extent an Israeli foreign policy can be said to be a Zionist foreign policy and analyse Israel's international role in the Cold War era. They also explore Israel's foreign policy relationships within the Middle East region and with great powers such as the United States and China and the newer power bloc of Europe. In doing so they give a comprehensive account of Israel's foreign policy history and Israel's place in the international political system at the end of this most tumultuous of centuries.