Centuries of Arab-Israeli enmity has re-erupted into crisis, Hamas militants from Gaza unleashing an unprecedented attack on Israel and the Israelis fiercely striking back. Political and humanitarian ramifications ripple across the globe.

Understanding the conflict is not easy. In a special and timely Library event, military historians from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth examine its historical roots – how medieval times continue to inform modern beliefs about rights and ownership in the Holy Land – and explore the perspectives of both sides today. Why do they disagree on everything from the setting and characters to objectives, God's will, and the conflict’s origins? To understand the animosities, one must comprehend the context.

Joining the conversation are two authorities on the region:

• John Hosler, a professor of military history at the Command and General Staff College, is an expert on medieval warfare in Europe and the Near East and the author of seven books including Jerusalem Falls: Seven Centuries of War and Peace, released late last year. Holder of a doctorate in European history from the University of Delaware, he is a trustee of the U.S. Commission on Military History, a fellow of the British-based Royal Historical Society, and past president of De Re Militari: The Society for Medieval Military History.
• Brian Steed is an associate professor of military history at the Command and General Staff College, where he has taught since 2013. He served in the Army as an armor officer and Middle East foreign area officer, living and working there for 8½ years. He retired from active duty as a lieutenant colonel and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in political science and history.