BESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 2,377, April 22, 2026
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: US Vice President J.D. Vance returned from Pakistan without achieving an Iran war settlement. For Israel, this failure is concerning not just because it signifies continuing nuclear danger from …
BESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 2,352, November 5, 2025
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Though an increasing number of states plan to recognize a Palestinian state, no such action—even in large numbers—can confer sovereignty. Under international law, statehood is “independent of recognition by …
Mideast Security and Policy Studies No. 206
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Israel is currently at war with Iran. Despite being non-nuclear, Iran could draw Israel into a protracted conflict involving “only” conventional missile and drone weaponry. Quickly, any such conflict in which …
ESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 2,343, May 8, 2025
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: It is the obligation of every state to enforce the law of nations. This means there is a universal legal responsibility to support Israel’s ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the …
BESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 2, 309, October 1, 2024
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Once Israel has decided (as it should) to shed its traditional policy of deliberate nuclear ambiguity, it will have to consider how to selectively disclose its nuclear capabilities. …
Mideast Security and Policy Studies No. 207
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: A direct and protracted war between Israel and Iran is now very likely. Whatever its nuances, any such conflict will drive each adversary to seek “escalation dominance.” For the moment, such …
BESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 2,296, August 7, 2024
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: In world politics, it would seem obvious that sanity is better than madness. Upon reflection, however, the risks of nuclear war could be as high or higher among “sane” …
Mideast Security and Policy Studies No. 206
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: For the most part, Israel’s no-choice Gaza War has been fought against sub-state terrorist adversary Hamas. But on April 13, 2024, Iran launched a first-ever direct missile and drone attack upon …
BESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 2,274, April 7, 2024
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Under authoritative international rules, Israel’s mid-March targeting of senior Hamas commander Marwan Issa was law-enforcing. Among other egregious crimes, Issa was a key planner of the October 7 rampage …
BESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 2,268, March 10, 2024
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Israel’s ship of state, facing rough seas, is at high risk and requires clearer rules of navigation. During this period of deep complexity, Israel will need to clarify its …
