The Western Powers Are Marching to the Houthis’ Tune

It appears that the Western powers do not intend to exceed the parameters they have set for themselves in terms of military activity against Houthi rebel strongholds. Alarmingly, the West would prefer to be enslaved to the formula according to which only treatment of root causes – i.e, the cessation of the war in Gaza – will result in the cessation of the Houthis' violent disruption of security in international shipping lanes. This serves the interests of the Houthis’ state sponsor and terrorist enabler, Iran, and ensures the continuation of the Houthi threat to international shipping and to Israel.

Limited Nuclear War
and Israel’s National Strategy

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. Israel will need to find the best way of communicating a credible threat of limited nuclear war such that Iran and its proxies are deterred from continuing to escalate their aggressions.

Hezbollah Must Be Fought Like a State Army, Not Like a Terrorist Organization

The IDF’s recent spectacular successes in the north, while refreshing and very much worthy of praise, also revealed limitations. The pager operations were not carried out as part of a broad move; neither was the elimination of Aqil and his gang. Precision factories in Lebanon were not destroyed in the manner of the destruction of the Syrian facility in Masyaf. Years spent fighting the war on terror and the “war between the wars” have influenced Israeli strategic thinking. Hezbollah is a military force, but the war is still being conducted as a series of counter-terrorism operations.

The Uprisings in Bangladesh Are a Test for India

The large protests that have occurred in Bangladesh in recent weeks in the wake of economic decisions by the Bangladeshi government have implications for India's position in the region. The internal instability in Bangladesh brings new political and geopolitical challenges to India.

Washington’s View of Gaza Truce Does Not Align with Israel’s Security Interests

The US has spent months trying to pressure Israel into a long-term ceasefire with Hamas that would serve American interests by reducing the danger of regional war that could drag in the US. But Washington’s view of a ceasefire in Gaza and subsequent regional de-escalation fails to address three of Israel’s critical security needs: to ensure the IDF’s freedom of operation in Gaza to prevent Hamas from regrouping; to counter Hezbollah’s massive military-terrorist infrastructure and stop its 11-month-long assault on northern Israel; and to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which are intended to provide a protective cover to the entire jihadist Iranian axis.

The Politics of Flooding and Stability in North Korea

In July 2024, torrential rain poured down on North Korea. Thousands of homes were flooded, and more than 40,000 people in North Pyongang Province and other nearby provinces had to be evacuated. This was not the first natural disaster North Korea has experienced during the tenure of Kim Jong-un. Under his father's rule, drought, heavy rains, and a dysfunctional government that was unwilling to allow foreign non-governmental organizations to directly assist North Korean citizens led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands. Kim Jung-un's decision on how to cope with this summer’s natural disaster gives us indications of how he governs the country.

Governing the Sacred: A New Toolbox for Resolving Conflicts over Contested Sacred Sites

The Temple Mount, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher - these are places of utmost importance to multiple religious groups, and they often give rise to bitter disputes and even acts of violence. The question of how to effectively govern and manage such sites is of paramount practical significance. Until recently, no systematic models of governance for contested sacred sites have been proposed. This article describes a typology of five governance models in terms of their attributes, advantages, and disadvantages so that decision-makers, scholars, religious figures, and other stakeholders can apply them as needed to different sacred sites.

Israel Must Defend Itself on Its Own – While Cooperating with Allies

"Defending itself with its own forces" is a key principle in Israel's national security concept. There is no contradiction between this basic principle and Israel’s comprehensive cooperation with the US.

Old Allies, Close Friends: The Strategic Importance of Bulgaria for Israel

Bulgaria is one of Israel’s most reliable partners in the world, particularly in southeastern Europe. The two countries enjoy excellent relations and cooperate in the fields of politics, security, economy, trade and tourism, as well as in the fight against antisemitism. Bulgaria exerts influence in the Balkan region and helps mitigate the negative impact on Israel deriving from Israel’s complicated relationship with Turkey. Bulgaria serves as a gateway through which to introduce Israeli policies, business initiatives, and energy projects to the Balkan region and Europe as a whole.

The North Korean Coronation Process: Who Will Become Regent After Kim Jong-un?

Kim Jong-un's health problems and their implications for the continuity of the Kim family’s dynastic regime are critical issues for the North Korean dictatorship, which must prepare the next generation to rule the state. The question is, who will become the next leader if Kim Jong-un dies – his daughter or his sister?

Perspectives Papers