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Perspectives Papers

Perspectives Papers provide analysis from BESA Center research associates and other outside experts on the most important issues pertaining to Israel and the Middle East.

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Empty Words: Saudi Blustering

The Saudis are all bark and no bite. Despite occasional public "outrage" from Saudi officials about US policy regarding the Arab unrest, Israel, Iraq, Iran, or Afghanistan, Riyadh and Washington are still very distant from the parting of ways threatened by some Saudi officials.

Get Tough With Turkey

Turkish demands are unreasonable and an apology will not change the anti-Israeli policy of an increasingly authoritarian and Islamist Turkey. Israel’s reluctance to criticize Erdogan’s government is construed as weakness and Jerusalem should take off its gloves in dealing with Ankara.

Halting the Egyptian Drift

Developments in post-Mubarak Egypt are beginning to mirror the process of Islamization that took place in Iran following the 1979 revolution. The Muslim Brotherhood is gaining support, while progressive forces – those that hoped to bring democracy to Egypt – have fallen silent.

Netanyahu Turns Centrist and Triumphs

Netanyahu went to Washington with a centrist message, parried the attempts of Obama to extract additional concessions, and signaled to the world that its expectations about the shape of a future agreement must be calibrated in accordance with the wishes of the Israeli electorate.

Towards Responsible Sovereignty

Armed non-state actors who fight from within the territory of weak or failed states are undermining the concept of sovereignty. A new standard should be set for states requiring them to adhere to "responsible" sovereignty, and this should preclude the establishment of a new failed state in the West Bank and Gaza.

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