IDF

The Debate over Military Rules of Engagement

The photo of the two terrorists in the shootout with the IDF looked more like models than killers – well-groomed and affluent – and points to the limits of Israeli attempts to assure Palestinian economic well-being to reduce terrorism.

Operation “Breaking Dawn” achieved its military and political goals. But it also demonstrated the neck to neck race between the growth rate of the Palestinian’s rocket capabilities and Israel’s defensive capabilities. Israel should prepare for a situation where the current configuration of missile defense will not be sufficient to contain the rocket offensive.

Israel must learn the lesson of ‘Guardian of the Walls’

The IDF, police, and other security forces must grasp that modern conflicts lack a distinct frontier. The frontline may simultaneously be inside and outside the country.

Another Former General Joins the Political Fray: Will the Eizenkot Effect Make a Difference?

Israel's decision to launch a preemptive military operation in the Gaza Strip only because of threats against it sent a deterrence message to Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and even Hezbollah. The operation significantly damaged the organizational and military capabilities of Islamic Jihad. Still, Israel should have continued extensively damaging the organization's military infrastructure.

Restoring Public Trust: A Challenge for the Next Israeli Chief of Staff

What are the implications, consequences of Israel's Gaza operation?

Photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Lapid must proceed with caution with Hezbollah

Iron Beam: How Israel’s New Laser Weapon Works

Israeli forces, again, consistently entered these towns and their environs almost daily to make arrests, which led to a 90% decrease in terrorism.

It is time to revive the spirit of Ben-Gurion’s famous dictum from the days of WWII regarding the stance toward the British: “We will fight the war as if there were no White Paper, and we will fight the White Paper as if there were no war.” This makes sense concerning Israel’s dilemma towards the US in the context of the renewal of the JCPOA.

Military diplomacy as a national security asset: Israel’s widening array of joint exercises
Article by Dr. Eran Lerman republished at JNS

Israel has an unwritten but broadly accepted national security doctrine. These are its parameters and practical applications.

The IDF has chosen to enjoy the advantages of both a volunteer military and a conscript “people’s army,” by piecemeal combination of elements of both

In recent years, there has been a lively debate regarding the “Operational Doctrine for Victory” advanced by the current IDF Chief-of-Staff. The changes inherent in this doctrine have far-reaching implications for the IDF’s order of battle and approach to the use of force. The doctrine itself has many vulnerabilities that must be fixed.

Hamas Committing War Crimes By Hiding Behind Civilians: Israel Security Experts
Profs. Siboni and Inbar: Hamas commits international war crimes by striking Israel's civilian community centres and by using humans as a shield against counter-attack.

IDF strikes on Gaza's terrorists should be intense and aimed at causing severe damage to the intermediate level of command, infrastructure and weapons.

The power of the IDF, the potency of Israeli deterrence, the health of Israeli society, and the stability of Israel’s newest peace agreements with Arab counties – all are impacted negatively by continuing electoral indecision.

Jerusalem views with trepidation the possibility that the Biden administration will embark on a human rights crusade in the Middle East.

On Israel’s Decision to Purchase New Jets and Helicopters from the US
Prof. Efraim Inbar: This weapons procurement is long overdue.

Reported Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in Syria
Interview with Prof. Efraim Inbar

The IDF Prepares for Tensions with Iran
Interview with Dr. Eran Lerman

Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets in Syria
Interview with Dr. Eran Lerman, ILTV 27.12.2020

As the largest arms supplier to the Middle East, America plays a critical role in ensuring that its sales uphold and do not adversely affect Israel’s security.

On Israeli strikes in Syria against terror targets
Interview with Prof. Efraim Inbar

Mideast Arms Race: Is Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge Eroding?
Prof. Efraim Inbar: Part of the price of peace is that the Arabs receive American weapons. It happened with Egypt and Jordan. It’s nothing new.

Will war erupt on Israel’s northern border?
Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman interview for i24 news

Soldiers in uniform for less time means the army has less time to train them and can make use of their skills for a shorter period. In addition, there is no benefit in releasing potential young workers early at a time of rife unemployment.

Excluded from Netanyahu’s annexation plans, military must somehow prepare anyway
Prof. Inbar and Dr. Lerman of JISS: While Israeli security forces must prepare for a potential outbreak of violence, the response by Palestinians may not be as bad as others expect and would give Israel a clear upper hand in future negotiations.

Ex-NSC chief Amidror: IDF will have to destroy Hezbollah ‘beast’.
Amidror of JISS: But let’s keep ‘cautious’ Nasrallah around; ‘He lives in a basement, why eliminate him?’

The IDF must return to the fundamentals: ground maneuver to achieve “hachra’a” – decisive outcomes.

The new JISS national security plan says avoid risky diplomatic escapades and prepare for war.

The generals got it right.
General Yair Golan: The IDF is battle ready but the political echelons and the general staff fear deploying the IDF’s ground forces, even when necessary and justified.

Is it time for the IDF to inflict ‘massive damage’ on Hamas?
Prof. Inbar: The IDF concept of using accurate intelligence for pinpoint airstrikes has proven deficient. A land incursion may be needed to convince Israel’s enemies that we are ready to pay a price in casualties in order to secure the well-being of our citizens.

Clear understandings between the political and military echelons are essential in employment of military force and readiness for the next war.

Israel’s successful response to the underground threat has significantly limited the strategic abilities of its enemies, just as Israel has severely hampered the efficiency and purposefulness of rocket launches by terrorist organizations. This affords Israel room to maneuver if and when it decides to launch a wide-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip or Lebanon.

The IDF’s Anti-Tunnel Operation is Not about Tunnels.
General Amidror: It is important to build a legitimacy case against Hezbollah as a criminal terror organization hiding behind and under civilians, exploiting its citizens as human shields.

The IDF under newly appointed chief of staff.
Prof. Efraim Inbar comments on the most urgent tasks facing the incoming chief of staff of the Israeli Defense Forces, Major General Aviv Kochavi.

Defense minister accidentally reveals sensitive ‎information.
Speaking at event hosted by Jerusalem ‎Institute for Strategic Studies, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman details IDF ‎deployment in exact ‎numbers, which are classified • As minister outranks military censor, it is unclear if he violated guidelines.

PM Netanyahu: Israeli Air Force is now at peak capability. General Golan at JISS: Israel must do everything within its power to curb Iran's ambitions to cement regional hegemony.

The IDF is building an impressive capacity to crush Hezbollah, Hamas and Iranian assets in future fighting. But it must not neglect defense of the periphery or go soft on its ethos and fighting spirit.

Question of IDF Readiness For Next War Is Unanswerable. .Amidror, Lerman and Golan at JISS conference

Former Security Chief Amidror: Netanyahu Right to Push for Submarines

Why Some Religious Israelis are Saying Women are Weakening the Army

The momentum of recent years must be capitalized upon to better integrate Ultra Orthodox Jews into the workforce and institutions of higher education. With sensitivity, Israeli institutions society and Haredi society can move towards fuller integration of the Haredi community, including in the army.