Israel Is Fighting Spies at Home While It Battles Coronavirus

Dr. Edy Cohen
April 22, 2020
Paper No. 1538

While most of the world is focused on combating the coronavirus, Israel is fighting both the virus and terrorism. Israel’s enemies are exploiting the instability caused by the pandemic in a variety of ways. In the past week alone, Gaza-based terrorist organization Hamas fired a barrage of rockets into southern Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah infiltrated Israel’s airspace with a drone from the Golan Heights. Part of the efforts of terrorist organizations bent on Israel’s destruction is the recruitment of Israeli Arab spies.

Coronavirus, Security, and the Cyber-Order

The coronavirus crisis represents an opportunity to analyze the concept of security beyond military might. The pandemic, which resembles a form of biological warfare, is being accompanied by incessant cyberattacks, and most countries are showing themselves unable to tackle asymmetric threats effectively. International cooperation on internet governance will not be easy. In December 2019, the UN General Assembly adopted a Russian-backed resolution on fighting cybercrime. The debate on cyber governance will highlight differences between Western and non-Western countries and complicate the post-coronavirus order.

Coronavirus: A Sputnik Moment for Science Education

The coronavirus pandemic has tragically revealed the shortcomings of many institutions, but it has also exposed how poorly science and technology education have shaped the understanding of both policymakers and the public. Like the Sputnik satellite launch in 1957, the coronavirus pandemic is an opportunity to transform science and technology education—but powerful institutional and cultural forces are working against such a goal.

The Fauda Effect: Israeli Active Defense on the Screen

Strategically, Israel’s fundamental military premise is defensive but its tactics are offensive—a result of its geography and absence of territorial depth. Israeli decision-making has always been driven by the active defense ethos, and this is reflected in Israeli filmmaking and TV-making.

Coronavirus Is Hitting Russia on More than the Economy

The coronavirus pandemic is causing Russia fundamental problems and putting its entire political system under intense scrutiny. As the death rate rises across its far-flung territories, troubles between Moscow and the regions are increasing. The crisis is prompting questions about the recent set of proposed constitutional changes, and the economy is likely to experience deep shocks—particularly when the effects of the pandemic are combined with those of the recent oil price war with Saudi Arabia.

Why Coronavirus Hasn’t Stopped Iranian Aggression

In sum and substance, Iran has a clear objective, a strategy, and the willingness to invest and take risks to fulfill it. The US demonstrates exactly the opposite in every respect. Thanks to its unswervable focus and determination even in the face of calamity, the Islamic Republic's march through the Middle East is likely unstoppable.

The Quds Force Commander’s Visit to Iraq

The recent visit to Iraq by the new Quds Force commander, Esmail Qaani, had several purposes: to display the continuity of Tehran’s involvement in the country, to rally the Shiite factions against the formation of a pro-US government by Adnan Zurfi, and to enable Qaani to stake a claim as a worthy successor to Qassem Soleimani. Yet Zurfi’s abdication and his replacement by Mustafa Kadhimi does not necessarily constitute an Iranian achievement because of Kadhimi’s diverse political associations and ties across the Middle East and the international arena.

Coronavirus Reveals the Lack of Unity at the EU and the UN

Dr. Edy Cohen
April 15, 2020
Paper No. 1531

The coronavirus crisis is rattling 19 highly indebted European nations and exposing a potentially fatal lack of communitarian spirit within the EU. European countries have applied a me-first response, imposed export bans on vital medical equipment, and put up border controls that have left European citizens stranded. In a particularly shameful abdication of responsibility, EU members failed to give desperately needed medical assistance and supplies to Italy during the outbreak. The UN, meanwhile, has performed no genuinely helpful service whatsoever during the global crisis.

UN Treaty Body Promotes BDS at Urging of Norwegian NGO

Anne Herzberg
April 15, 2020
Paper No. 1530

UN treaty bodies are increasingly violating their mandates as part of discriminatory anti-Israel campaigns. In March 2020, the UN Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) embraced this disturbing trend by adopting a BDS agenda after being convinced to do so by the NGO Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA).

Political Leadership During the Coronavirus Crisis

During major crises, those in power have increased advantages over their opponents. A structural handicap of those leading the opposition is that the only tool they have at their disposal is their words. Furthermore, during a crisis the media mainly focus their attention on those who are in charge and the measures they are taking.

Perspectives Papers