CV

    Dr. Yoel Guzansky is a senior researcher and the Head of the Gulf Program at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), as well as an associate fellow at the Middle East Institute (MEI) in Washington, D.C.

    Prior to joining INSS, Dr. Guzansky coordinated Iran and Gulf-related affairs at the National Security Council in the Prime Minister’s Office, serving under four National Security Advisors and three Prime Ministers. He has also advised government ministries, including the Ministry for Strategic Affairs and the Ministry of Intelligence, as well as leading private-sector companies.

    His research focuses on the security, politics, and economy of the Arab Gulf states and encompasses broader strategic issues in the Middle East, primarily nuclear proliferation. Dr. Guzansky has been a visiting fellow at Stanford University and is a recipient of a Fulbright Award. He regularly participates in international conferences and is a visiting scholar at international research institutes.

    Dr. Guzansky is a regular columnist for Yedioth Ahronoth and Haaretz, and contributes to the Jerusalem Post, alongside publications in leading international academic journals such as Foreign Affairs, Middle East Journal, Survival, Foreign Policy, Middle East Policy, Mediterranean Politics, Journal of Arabian Studies, and Middle Eastern Studies.

    He has authored and co-authored 16 books and memoranda, hundreds of policy papers, book chapters, and academic peer-reviewed articles.

    Yoel Guzansky
    Yoel Guzansky
    Senior Researcher
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    yoelg@inss.org.il
    03-640-0461
    Memoranda
    Israel in the Red Sea Arena: An Updated Maritime Strategy
    In the Red Sea region, significant geo-strategic processes have unfolded over the past decade, manifested in political, security, economic, and technological shifts. This area—stretching between the Middle East in the north, the Arabian Peninsula to the east, the Horn of Africa to the south, and East Africa to the west—has become a focal point of both global and regional power struggles. At the same time, it has also generated opportunities for complex civilian and security cooperation. These developments present Israel with a significant opportunity to leverage its geo-strategic assets in order to strengthen its status and expand its influence on its surroundings. In recent years, there has been a global resurgence of attention to maritime domains, which have once again taken center stage due to their centrality in major conflicts now unfolding around the world. This renewed focus highlights the vital importance of the maritime sphere to the global economy and its role as an arena where the ability to operate effectively is essential to the great powers, nations, and organizations. Israel is currently facing the need to formulate a security concept that takes into account the transformations and shifts shaping the entire region in the wake of the Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, and the ongoing multi-arena campaign. As part of this effort, Israel should also address the maritime domain. This memorandum offers insights and ideas aimed at broadening the understanding of the opportunities and challenges of the Red Sea region and assisting in incorporating this arena into Israel’s updated national security concept.
    10 December, 2025
    INSS Insight
    The Washington–Riyadh Axis: The Alliance Shaping the Middle East and the Challenge for Israel
    What are the implications of the Saudi crown prince’s historic visit to Washington, both for Saudi Arabia and for the United States, and what risks and opportunities does it create for Israel?
    27 November, 2025
    INSS Insight
    Gulf Involvement in Africa: Motives and Implications
    The growing involvement of the Gulf states in Africa: interests, opportunities, and implications for the region and for Israel
    11 November, 2025
    INSS Insight
    Regional Involvement in the Gaza Strip: Scenarios and Implications
    The differing positions and interests of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Turkey regarding the shaping of the Gaza Strip—and their implications
    4 November, 2025
    INSS Insight
    The Saudi–Pakistani Agreement: A Signal to Rivals and a Reminder to the United States
    How will the new security agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan affect the balance of power in the Middle East?
    15 October, 2025
    Strategic Assessment
    The UAE as a Leading Force in the Arab World