Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS)
Abstract:
Despite their mutual support throughout the first hundred days of the war, Russia and China continue to have competing interests. Whereas Israel needs to be more responsive to Washington’s concerns about its two global competitors, it must also be mindful of populist calls to destabilize relations with Moscow and Beijing.
Topic:
Security, Defense Policy, Military Strategy, Conflict, and Russia-Ukraine War
Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS)
Abstract:
A notable change of the rules of engagement has taken place, in which the totality of Iranian actions will now be opposed, also on Iranian soil. The strike on the UAV fleet at Kermanshah and the assassination of Colonel Khodai in Tehran were the first manifestations of this new approach.
Topic:
Security, Defense Policy, Military Strategy, and Conflict
Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS)
Abstract:
Israel should prepare for a prolonged crisis. The Russians might want to delay or accelerate the legal process to exploit the elections period. The verdict will not constitute the final word. The government is advised to navigate the crisis behind the scenes: publicity might accelerate escalation.
Topic:
Security, Defense Policy, Military Strategy, Conflict, and Russia-Ukraine War
Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS)
Abstract:
The idea that a Jewish and a Palestinian state will coexist peacefully is widespread in contemporary academic and political circles but ignores the reality on the ground.
Topic:
Security, Diplomacy, Territorial Disputes, Conflict, and Nation Building
Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS)
Abstract:
We should not forget that moderate Arab states are watching Israeli behavior, especially in the Gulf. Without determined and effective action, Israel’s allies in the region, wary of American withdrawal and fearful of Iran, will be reluctant to rely on Israel and could later move closer to Tehran.
Topic:
Security, Diplomacy, Military Strategy, and Conflict
Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS)
Abstract:
The delineation of the Libyan and Turkish Exclusive Economic Zones was and remains essential not only for Israel and Egypt but also for others in the region who seek to curtail Erdogan’s ambitions and shore up Egypt’s economic and political stability.
Topic:
Security, Diplomacy, Territorial Disputes, and Conflict
Political Geography:
Europe, Turkey, Middle East, Israel, and Mediterranean
For Israel, warming relations with China has, in large part, been driven
by pragmatic and enticing economic prospects, with policies focused
on seizing the economic opportunity. For Xi and the Chinese
Communist Party, the rationale for strengthening relations with Israel
has been equally pragmatic, if of a different nature. China has long
sought access to Israel’s vaunted innovation and technology sector –
one of the most advanced in the world. For these reasons, China-Israel
relations have accelerated dramatically, in areas ranging from trade
in goods, to investment deals, to diplomatic relations, and beyond.
However, over the last few years, and partly in response to mounting
US pressure on Israel to reconsider its relations with China, there has
been a noticeable cooling of economic activity between the two
countries. That being said, if Israel wants to solidify its relationship
with the US while limiting the gateways China could conceivably use
to access or acquire the country’s technology and innovation in
certain dual-use domains, it must also ensure the country’s research,
intellectual property, and expert knowledge in these areas is
sufficiently protected.
Topic:
Security, Science and Technology, Bilateral Relations, Intellectual Property/Copyright, Innovation, and Strategic Interests
The negotiations between the United States and Iran on renewing the
nuclear agreement have run into serious difficulties following the
opposition by the United States and the European partners to Iran's
demand that the IAEA close the open files on the Iranian nuclear
program before the implementation of the agreement (120 days after
signing). At the same time, Iran continues to accelerate the program,
including the enrichment of uranium using cascades of advanced
centrifuges. Three scenarios are possible: a resolution of the crisis and
achievement of an agreement; continued stagnation, i.e., lowintensity talks; or the collapse of the negotiations. The worst scenario
for Israel is a continuation of the current situation, in which Iran could
in a short time accumulate enough fissile material for weapons-grade
enrichment for several nuclear facilities, while the temptation of a
nuclear breakout increases. Thus, Israel should immediately
formulate a new strategy regarding Iran. The government should
conduct a discreet dialogue with the US administration and focus on
proposals that seek to advance Israel’s military and strategic needs,
including consolidating covert and effective cooperation with the
countries of the region under the auspices of the United States.
Topic:
Security, Diplomacy, Nuclear Weapons, Negotiation, and Strategic Interests
The threat of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has recently figured in
the headlines, following UAVs launched by Hezbollah in July 2022
aimed at the Israel natural gas platform in the Karish field, reports of
a Hamas project to develop UAVs, a UAV attack against the American
al-Tanf base in Syria, and reports that Russia has purchased Iranian
UAVs. Such an arsenal in hostile hands constitutes a mounting threat
to Israel. Assuming that UAVs, especially offensive ones, will join any
high-trajectory fire against Israel, new thinking about the ways of
dealing with the threat in the spheres of doctrine, development, and
operations is needed. Technological and operational solutions for
both the more conventional threat and a scenario of massive UAV
attacks in combination with high-trajectory barrages are required.
Inter alia, there should be greater reliance on lasers as a cheap
solution with much higher output than the current solutions. In
addition, preparations should be made for handling extreme
scenarios, however unlikely.
Topic:
Security, Defense Policy, Military Strategy, and Drones