the State of Israel remains curiously (and among Western-style democracies, uniquely) immature. The social transformations of the country - and its many economic achievements - have not brought the political wisdom that usually accompanies age. Seen from the outside, Israel still comports itself like an adolescent: consumed by a brittle confidence in its own uniqueness; certain that no one "understands" it and everyone is "against" it; full of wounded self-esteem, quick to take offense and quick to give it. Like many adolescents Israel is convinced - and makes a point of aggressively and repeatedly asserting - that it can do as it wishes, that its actions carry no consequences and that it is immortal.

Yes, we did try to place it in the US. I'm not sure I should publish the names of the outlets that passed on it, because in a couple of cases the editor in question would have liked to take it but for the usual considerations. But you could correctly write that various US periodicals (weeklies, monthlies) were asked and declined. It is, by the way, about to appear in Switzerland and Spain.