Why Time Is on Israel’s Side: A Long-Term Perspective on Israel’s Security Challenges

Despite the current Palestinian, Arab and Iranian threats, Israel’s generational prospects for peace and security as a Jewish and democratic country are quite good; assuming that America will act to roll-back the Islamic jihadist threat to Israel and the West over the next decade.

No to the Reconstruction of Gaza

The developing international campaign to reconstruct Gaza is strategic folly; is unlikely to be effective; and, under current circumstances, in which Hamas inevitably will benefit from the global largess, is also immoral.

Obama and the Muslim Cold War

Throughout the Middle East, deep Muslim political divide could stymie President Obama’s well-intentioned Mideast efforts. Mainstream Arab countries, like Israel, seek US resolve in confronting the Iranian-led axis, not an "outstretched American hand" to the radical part of the Muslim world.

The Domestic Dimension of Operation Cast Lead in Israel and in Gaza

The impending Israeli elections played a role in the decision to go on the offensive against Hamas; and this partially explains why the Israeli media was supportive of the war. For its part, Hamas completely misread the Israeli political mindset.

Egypt Is Not Going to Stop the Smuggling into Gaza

Egypt does not mind if Hamas bleeds Israel a little; it gains domestically by indirectly aiding Hamas; gains internationally by playing a mediating role (in a conflict which it helps maintain on a "low flame"); and is incapable of stopping the Sinai Bedouins who smuggle weapons into Gaza.

Europe May Yet Long For George W. Bush

Hatred of, and disdain for, George W. Bush was the European excuse for refusing American requests for diplomatic and military cooperation. How will Europe, which is in love with Obama, now justify saying no?

מבצע עופרת יצוקה בראי אתרי החמאס

מבצע "עופרת יצוקה" מאפשר לבחון את יחסו של החמאס לישראל ולזירות השונות ומעניק לחמאס הזדמנות תעמולתית להציג עצמו בעמדת המיעוט המתגונן לא רק למול ישראל, אלא גם מול הזירה הפלסטינית והערבית, ובמקביל לפעול למען ערעור הלגיטימיות השלטונית של הרשות הפלסטינית ושל העומד בראשה על-ידי הצגתם כמשתפי פעולה עם ישראל, וכבעלי אינטרס בקיומו של המבצע על מנת שיוכלו לרשת את שלטון החמאס לכשייפול. מנגד משתמש החמאס באירוע להדגשת היותו חלופה אותנטית לשלטון הרשות שהזניח את הפלסטינים, תוך קריאה לתושבי הגדה לפתוח באינתיפאדה שלישית כנקמה על מבצע צה"ל ברצועה.

The Need for a Decisive Israeli Victory Over Hamas

A decisive, concretely visible Israeli victory over Hamas – which means pursuing the enemy into its hideouts in Gaza urban areas and refugee camps and bringing about its surrender – is critical to rolling back the march of Islamic fundamentalist political power in the Middle East.

Why Israel Must Have Victory in Gaza

Israel cannot achieve total military victory against Hamas, but there are many kinds of victories it can achieve before the Palestinians change enough to make peace possible.

Hamas: A Case of Strategic Suicide

Hamas miscalculated its strength and support; erred in ending the six-month ceasefire with Israel; unwisely offended and threatened Egypt; and misread Israeli politics.

Perspectives Papers