In 'Crossing the Rubicon', the author argues that American policy in the Middle East underwent a transformation as a result of a long-forgotten, but ultimately fateful, battle which took place in 1981. The book also considers the debate over Ronald Reagan's approval of the sale of the Airborne Warning and Control System to Saudi Arabia. In 'Crossing the Rubicon', the author argues that American policy in the Middle East underwent a transformation as a result of a long-forgotten, but ultimately fateful, battle which took place in 1981. The book also considers the debate over Ronald Reagan's approval of the sale of the Airborne Warning and Control System to Saudi Arabia.