Meet Israel's Controversial New Defense Minister

Some Israelis say he sows “the seeds of fascism.” Others insist he’s more “pragmatic” than you’d think.

Avigdor Lieberman, the Soviet-born, West Bank-settled politician, has just been named as Israel’s next defense minister. His agreement to join the cabinet of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is rattling many in the Middle East but is being hailed in Israeli officialdom as an important step toward a broader and more stable governing coalition.