Welcome to The Times of Israel's newest podcast series, Friday Focus. Each Friday, join diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman and host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe.

The "Peace Agreement between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the State of Israel" was signed on March 26, 1979, following three wars and decades of bloodshed.

In today's Friday Focus, we delve into the history of bad blood between the two ancient nations and how a handful of pragmatic leaders curtailed further violence.

We also learn about Egypt's role as a mediator between Israel and the armed Palestinian terrorist groups that have ruled Gaza for the past two decades.

Likewise, even as reports accumulate that Egypt is building up its military forces on the border with Israel, Berman weighs in on whether, if pressed, the Jewish state could still handily defeat the Muslim giant next door.

And finally, we hear whether the peace with Egypt -- as cold as it is -- could be a blueprint for similar future truces with the nations on Israel's north.

This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. 

IMAGE: Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, left, US president Jimmy Carter, center, and Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin clasp hands on the north lawn of the White House after signing the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel on March 26, 1979. (AP Photo/ Bob Daugherty)