Geostrategic Security Analysis of Israel
Abstract
The above variation on the venerable (albeit not politically correct) maxim about homes being a "man's castle" is apt insofar as it describes the perennial fortress or siege mentality that necessarily grips the nation of Israel in relationship to its fifty-three year geo-political history, and its current and projected geostrategic context. Whereas security analysts may speak in terms of generations when speculating about a peaceful resolution to the China-Taiwan reconciliation toward the "One China policy, or an ultimate reunification of North and South Korea, analysts are granted no such luxury of contemplating gradual time-lines drawn with respect to a peaceful co-existence of Israel with its Semitic neighbors and most assuredly with its Palestinian antagonists and competitors. While other regions of the world also provoke U.S. security interests and the imperative for long-term, diligent, and deft diplomacy both hard and soft events within Israel and the Middle East often happen in pell-mell fashion and with such a cacophony of non-linear and often violent surprises, that this region virtually defies reliable forecasting. Nevertheless, it is the purpose of this paper to organize this brief security country analysis in accordance with Core Course 5604 requirements in the following manner: (1) Provide a background of the context of the salient security issues, for both Israel and the United States; (2) describe and analyze the challenges and opportunities that confront the United States regarding Israel and the Middle East; (3) explicate U.S. strategy for dealing with these key issues; and (4) submit pertinent questions (as an annex) that are central to the political, military, economic and cultural dimensions under review. This discussion will seek to take account of the "common points for regional analysis" provided by the Syllabus such as Context, Interests, Threats and Challenges, Objectives, Means of Influence/Instruments of Policy, and Strategy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA441496
Entities
People
- Mel Ferguson
Organizations
- National War College