מר לייזר ברמן

Expert in military theory, Kurdistan, and the Middle East.

Email: lberman@jiss.org.il

Mr. Berman was the foreign and defense policy research manager at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington DC, and news editor of The Times of Israel. He commanded a Bedouin unit during his active IDF service. He taught for four years at Salahuddin University in Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, and studied the Kurdish language. He holds an MA in military operations from Georgetown University’s Security Studies Program, where he wrote his thesis on IDF innovation. He has published in The Journal of Strategic Studies, Small Wars Journal, Weekly Standard, Mosaic, and other journals.

Scholarship

The US-Iraq Strategic Dialogue and Israel’s Security

Iraq is ripe for a nationalist, public-service driven politics where good governance is more important than identity. If Iraqi leaders, with US support, can move the country in a new direction, Iran’s ability to take advantage of Iraqi state weakness to threaten Israel will be drastically curtailed.

Mr. Lazar Berman

Scholarship 05.08.2020

Iraq

Egypt’s Strategic Balancing Act between the US and Russia

Since 2014, Sisi and Putin have brought Egyptian and Russian interests into closer alignment. While Egypt wants to maintain its strategic relationship with the US, it desires to diversify its sources of support. It is in Israel's interest that America maintains its influence in Egypt, and that the common Egyptian and Russian effort in Libya will prevail over Turkey's influence.

Mr. Lazar Berman , Dr. Moshe Albo

Scholarship 05.04.2020

Egypt

US America and Iran Kings Chess Fighting over a Chess Board on a white background. 3d Rendering

Rearranging the Board: Regional Power Dynamics after the Killing of Qassem Soleimani

Most of the regional players are wary an escalation between the US and Iran, a conflict which would be conducted across the Middle East and will have wide implications. If Iranian miscalculation leads President Trump to commit to a significant campaign against Tehran, countries wary of Iranian influence could change their posture, and become more explicitly in line with American positions and interests.

Mr. Lazar Berman , Dr. Moshe Albo

Scholarship 29.01.2020

Iran US Middle East Policy

The Rise of Iraq’s Shia Militias: An Emergent Threat to Israel

The Iraqi Shi'ite militias form a single, numerous and increasingly able component of the military and paramilitary assets available to Iran in its efforts. They substantially increase the scope for Iranian disruption in the region, and may significantly increase Iranian capabilities in the event of a war on Israel’s northern front

Dr. Jonathan Spyer , Mr. Lazar Berman

Scholarship 20.02.2019

Iraq

After the Debacle: Obstacles and Opportunities for Kurdish Independence

The recent referendum on Kurdish statehood is an unmitigated failure and seems to have set the Kurds back once again. The Kurds have fundamental issues to sort out, both at home and abroad, before anyone will take a bid for independence seriously.

Mr. Lazar Berman

Scholarship 31.10.2017

Kurdistan

Policy Papers

No Reason for Kurdish Surprise

Once again, Kurds are complaining of “betrayal.”

Mr. Lazar Berman

Policy Papers 24.10.2019

Kurds Syria

Israel’s New Adversary: Iran’s Shi’ite Militias and the Next War in the North

The Shi'ite militia threat isn't a mere thought exercise about a worst-case scenario. Iranian-controlled Popular Mobilization Forces leaders have already threatened Israel only miles from Israeli homes.

Mr. Lazar Berman

Policy Papers 26.12.2018

Israel Defence Policy

The Holy Sepulchre Wake-up Call

Crises between the State of Israel and Christian institutions will continue to arise, unnecessarily, until Israel creates a central authority to manage a coordinated strategy regarding relations with Christians.

Mr. Lazar Berman , Dr. David Gurevich

Policy Papers 12.04.2018

The Christian World

Commentary

Israel insists it’s emerged from Gaza fight with diplomatic ties largely intact
Dr. Emmanuel Navon: A clear pro-Israel bloc in Europe stood firm.

TIMES OF ISRAEL | 26.05.2021 | Mr. Lazar Berman

Independence for the Kurds? Not so fast. Interview with Mr. Lazer Berman (i24news)

Mr. Lazar Berman