Israel Archives - Defense Opinion

Why Israel Should Avoid a Major War with Hezbollah

Ehud Eilam September 18, 2024

The sophisticated attack this week in which Israel is suspected of detonating pagers carried by Hezbollah members could bring a serious escalation in the attrition war between the two sides that started following the Hamas terror strike on Oct. 7, 2023. One of the options Israel is weighing is conducting a large-scale war in Lebanon. But this would be a huge gamble and a grave mistake, for several reasons.

With Focus on Red Sea, U.S. Navy has an Aircraft Carrier Gap in the Pacific

Rebecca Grant, Ph.D. August 27, 2024

Sending the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier at high speed to the Middle East has created an aircraft carrier gap in the Pacific. The carrier fleet is stretching to perform its global role.

Israel’s Strategy for Nuclear Deterrence Needs an Update

Louis Rene Beres January 5, 2024

The murderous terrorist attack of Oct. 7 by Hamas, coupled with daily rocket strikes into Israel from Gaza and from Hezbollah in Lebanon and constant threats by Iran to destroy it, shines a light on how Israel’s nuclear strategy requires an update and might be optimized for deterrence.

Unpacking What Motivates Jihadist Movements Like Hamas

Louis Rene Beres November 6, 2023

Terrorists are not interested in a cessation of hostilities with Israel, nor are they interested in Palestinian statehood when the presumed rewards of martyrdom seem vastly greater.

Difficulties, Constraints and the Cost of Removing Hamas from Power

Ehud Eilam October 29, 2023

Israel is stepping up its ground attack in the Gaza Strip, but destroying a powerful movement like Hamas is a tall order due to several difficulties and constraints. Furthermore, achieving this goal might ultimately be counterproductive for Israel.

Deployment of U.S. Forces into Israel is Rare During Conflict

Dan Arbell October 24, 2023

Israel has always prided itself on not asking the U.S. to send soldiers to fight on its behalf. If another front opens up, if U.S. forces in the Mediterranean fail to deter, it may have to reverse its longstanding policy.

The End of the Status Quo Between Israel and Gaza

Alex Lederman and Rebecca Mandelbaum October 12, 2023

Before any Israeli boots hit the Gazan ground, there are a handful of strategic challenges that Israel’s leadership must address if it hopes to put an end to the bloodshed and achieve meaningful victory for Israelis in the wake of such devastating loss.

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