Ehud Barak is a former Prime Minister of Israel and the leader of the Israeli Labor Party. He is also the defense minister of Israel. Barak had frequent conflicts with former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and called for his resignation on numerous occasions. The Labor Party was one of four parties which formed a coalition with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the 2009 elections in Israel. Barak remains the defense minister under the new government.

Barak began his career in the Israeli Defense Forces, and is one of the most decorated soldiers in its history. During his service, he was instrumental in many high profile operations against terrorist cells and organizations.MSN Encarta: Ehud Barak

Barak initiated Israel's withdraw from Lebanon, the resumption of peace talks with the PLO and the Camp David Summit 2000. Despite presiding over a period of economic prosperity, the failure of peace efforts and the announcement of the Second Intifada during his term led to his defeat by Ariel Sharon in 2001. After losing reelection, Barak worked as a business analyst and public speaker.