Israel Should Make the Ceasefire with Lebanon Permanent
The election of the Christian Commander of the Lebanese Army, Joseph Aoun, as Lebanese president is an important milestone for Lebanon and a positive geopolitical development for Israel. It
What Israel can learn from the US-led coalition’s attacks on the Houthis
The sea may develop into an arena requiring greater Israeli effort, but could also create additional opportunities for international cooperation, and not only in the Red Sea.
Democracy and Foreign Affairs in Israel
The following paper explores the relationship between Israel’s democracy and its foreign policy. It analyzes the state of Israel’s democracy and foreign relations, the role of Israel’s internal
To the Middle East and beyond! Israel’s new connectivity
After decades of limited contact, Israel is connecting with its region at the strategic level. It seems safe to assume that more is yet to come. Largely rejected by its neighbors for decades,
What does it mean for Israel to undermine the liberal global order?
Tensions over a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine are honing a fundamental question facing Israeli decision-makers: How does the undermining of the liberal world order impact Israel and how
Israel’s Strategic Interests in the Eastern Mediterranean
**The article was published by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) as an FES Southern Perspective publication The Eastern Mediterranean emerged in the last decade as a new focus of Israeli strategic
Israel Must Restore Bipartisanship in the US Political System
or Israel, maintaining bipartisan support has traditionally been a central pillar of its relations with the US. Regrettably, this core component of the Jewish state’s most crucial alliance has
The Broader Drivers of Biden-era Israeli-American Relations
Much of the discussion in Israel about the future of US-Israel relations in the wake of the new administration focuses on a narrow set of issues: President Joe Biden’s personal feelings toward
The Foreign Ministry deserves support from the Knesset
Op-ed by Dr. Ehud Eiran
Ashkenazi revitalized the IDF, now he can do the same to Foreign Ministry
Op-ed by Dr. Ehud Eiran
The New Israeli Government: Preliminary Implications and Long-Term Effects
A new Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to take office on 17 May 2020 following the March elections, the third vote in eleven months. Initially, it seemed these had ended
Structural Shifts and Regional Security: A View from Israel
Israel is still holding to its traditional security maxim. Based on a perception of a hostile region, Israel’s response includes early warning, deterrence and swift – including pre-emptive –
Coronavirus Outbreak: An Important Test for Globalization
The quick-fire coronavirus spread and the response of different countries to it, not only highlight immediate concerns about public health, but also have a significant impact on the evolving
Democracy is Essential to Israel’s National Security
Israel’s democratic qualities have played an important role in its military achievements over the years. This lesson arises not just from Israel’s wars, but also from 200 years of global great
The Perils of Netanyahu’s “Monarchic Diplomacy”
Prime Minister Netanyahu used foreign policy as major theme in the 2019 election campaign. Giant billboards depicted him standing alongside President Trump. His aides pointed to his diplomatic
The Israeli Election Results and Israel’s Foreign Policy
Benjamin Netanyahu won Israel’s election and declared he would form a new rightwing government. This will affect diverse aspects of Israel’s foreign policy. This document includes commentaries by
Guiding Principles for Israel’s Foreign Policy toward the Eastern Mediterranean
In recent years, the Eastern Mediterranean has become a central focus of world powers, of states in the Middle East, Europe, and beyond, and of international corporations. Regional geopolitical
Why Israel Needs a Strong Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was once one of Israel’s crown Jewels. Managing Israel’s foreign relations and the exposure that the office of the foreign minister offered, attracted
Netanyahu’s New Iran Approach: YouTube Diplomacy
Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership style always includes dramatic warnings about threats to Israel. For more than a decade now, Israel’s prime minister warns that Iran – in particular its nuclear
Doctor, Minister, Soldier, Spy: Tehran’s Man in Tel Aviv
On June 15, the Israeli state prosecution indicted a former minister, Dr. Gonen Segev, for spying for Iran. Israeli authorities arrested him about a month earlier. His arrest and indictment were
The Art of the (Israeli-Russian) Deal
On June 1, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya told the press that he “believes” that his country and Israel reached an agreement regarding “certain disengagement in the southwest of
The President’s Speech and the Prospects of an Iranian-Israeli War
The evening US President Donald J. Trump took the United States out of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), it smelled in Israel as if war was coming. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut
The JCPOA Crisis and Israeli-Iranian Relations
Much of the discourse on the future of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear agreement between the P5+1 powers and Iran, has centered broadly on two issue sets. The first
In With the Arabs: The Joint List Should Be Part of the Coalition
The rejection of the mostly-Arab Joint List as a legitimate coalition partner, not only by the Israeli right, but also by (at least) three members of center-left parties reflects three concerns:
The Eastern Mediterranean: New Dynamics and Potential for Cooperation
New dynamics are taking place in the Eastern Mediterranean. Signs of increased political cooperation between different countries, new opportunities for economic cooperation due to natural gas
An Outward-Looking Israeli Foreign Policy
Israeli foreign policy should shift from contrarianism to integration, and work toward a more committed role in international institutions and increased share in foreign and humanitarian aid. The
Netanyahu Goes to China: Three Questions
Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu’s March visit to China seemed to revolve around economic issues. The Israeli media reported that the main goal of the visit was to advance IsraeliChinese economic
The UN Security Council Resolution on Israeli Settlement
UN Security Council Resolution 2334, adopted on December 23rd 2016, is not the first international decision against the Israeli settlements. It is aligned with previous criticisms voiced against
Eastern Mediterranean: Do Not Write Off States Just Yet
Do not write off states as power brokers in the Eastern Mediterranean maritime arena just yet. It is easy to do so. Great powers (past, present and aspiring) as well as non-state actors seem to
The Egypt-Saudi Agreements: Policy Analysis and Regional Implications
The first visit by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman to Egypt has led to the signing of significant agreement between the two countries. The visit and its consequences signal a new phase in the
Egypt and Saudi Arabia’s island diplomacy
The Egyptian transfer of the islands of Tiran and Sanafir in April 2016 to Saudi Arabia can be understood from at least four separate perspectives. First, the agreement between the parties is
The Threat From Iran Has Been Greatly Reduced
Pessimists, like Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, say that the deal between Iran and major powers to curb its nuclear capabilities will only enhance Iran’s threat, by lifting
Israeli-U.S. Relations May Deteriorate at the Foundation, Not the Surface
A fourth Netanyahu government, even with its conservative bent, should not by itself be a cause for immediate concern, at least not more than the third Netanyahu government. But long-term trends
5 Arab Spring Opportunities For Israel
The Arab Spring was initially embraced with much enthusiasm and hope in the West. In Israel, however, it has been generally perceived as a threat to national security. Israel’s official policies
Why Israel Shouldn’t Consider a ‘Security Zone’ in Syria
With the chaos of the Syrian civil war escalating, tensions on the Israeli-Syrian ceasefire line on the Golan Heights are running high. Israeli defense officials stated just over a week ago that
Israel and Weak Neighboring States:
Lessons from the Israeli Experience in Lebanon
The Arab Spring reshaped the set of threats that Israel is facing. Rather than fearing the strength of their Arab neighbors, Israelis are now concerned by their weakness. Israel has a long and
What Happens After Israel Attacks Iran
Since its birth in 1948, Israel has launched numerous preemptive military strikes against its foes. In 1981 and 2007, it destroyed the nuclear reactors of Iraq and Syria, operations that did not
