FISK: The '73 war, the crossing of the Suez Canal, the taking of Israeli prisoners, was a unique moment in both the history of the Arabs, of Egypt in particular, and also of course for the Israelis.

Egypt and Syria launched the war on Oct. 6, 1973, Yom Kippur, with surprise attacks. The United States airlifted arms a week later. Some media reports at the time blamed Schlesinger for the delay ...