If there is one Israeli who deserves to be the proverbial man who needs no introduction, it is Ehud Barak. For some 35 years a soldier, in the next 25 years or so moving in and out of politics, Barak has served in virtually every senior position, up to Prime Minister.
He has led the most elite of units, Sayeret Matkal, on both clandestine intelligence missions and lethal commando raids. Rushing home from abroad to take part in war, he commanded a tank battalion in fierce battle. As a General officer he had five key posts, was Director of Military Intelligence, headed Central Command and eventually was promoted to Ramatkal, Chief of General Staff. Drawn into the cabinet by Yitzhak Rabin, a mentor, he was Foreign Minister, Leader of the Opposition and in 1999-2001 Prime (and Defense) Minister. He later held the Defense portfolio for another five years.
