Publications

Every state defines its basic self interests and what in its mind constitutes existential threats. On the basis of these definitions, the state formulates the relevant responses, whether military, diplomatic, economic, or other, to events and developments. For years, the Israeli military response relied on three basic principles: deterrence, warning, and decision. The three principles implied that Israel must deter the Arab states from starting wars. Should deterrence fail, then Israel’s intelligence must supply a timely warning of an impending war in order to allow the army time to prepare. Once the war has erupted, Israel must have the capability of moving the fighting onto enemy territory and wrest a quick decision in the campaign, given Israel’s lack of strategic depth and limited capacity for endurance.