On October 6, 1981, Egyptian President Anwar el-Sadat was assassinated by Muslim extremists during a military parade commemorating the 1973 Yom Kippur War against Israel. The assassins, posing as soldiers in the military procession, attacked Sadat's reviewing stand with machine guns and grenades. The president was struck by bullets and shrapnel, suffering massive injuries. He was pronounced dead upon his arrival by helicopter at a nearby hospital. Seven other people on the reviewing stand were also killed. A leader of humble origins, Anwar el-Sadat was known for his daring actions while president of Egypt. After succeeding Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1970, he distanced Egypt from the Soviet Union and courted the West. On October 6, 1973, Egypt and Syria launched a joint surprise attack against Israel on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Although the Arab armies were eventually repulsed, they made impressive gains against the formidable Israeli army. The episode greatly...