Press Releases

March 16, 2025

January 8, 2025

The president of Israel, Isaac Herzog, awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor to Sir Frank Lowy, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), along with six other global leaders, recognizing their longstanding contribution to the State of Israel and the Jewish people. Against the backdrop of a challenging war, President Herzog selected the honorees for their unwavering commitment to Israel and exceptional support for the Jewish people through decades of activity, particularly since October 7, 2023.

October 31, 2024

In response to recent reports regarding espionage activities against one of our employees, the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) extends its deep gratitude to the Israeli Security Agency for preventing a planned attack against one of its employees. INSS Executive Director, Major General (res.) Tamir Hayman, remarked: “It is no surprise that INSS experts are targeted by Iran and its proxies. While INSS is an independent research institute and not part of Israel’s defense establishment, it is the country’s leading security research institute, and as such, Iran seeks to harm its people. We are in continuous coordination with relevant authorities and are following all security directives accordingly.”

July 25, 2024

The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), Sir Frank Lowy, Chairman of INSS Board of Directors, Members of the Board, Maj. Gen. (res.) Tamir Hayman, INSS Executive Director, management and staff mourn the passing of INSS Board Member Ambassador Martin Indyk and extend their condolences to his wife Gahl and entire family

January 24, 2024

Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg, Executive Director of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), announced yesterday that he will end his tenure as head of the Institute on May 1, 2024, at the close of a three-year appointment. He will be succeeded by Maj. Gen. (res.) Tamir Hayman, who today serves as Managing Director of INSS. Before joining INSS, Maj. Gen. (res.) Hayman served in the IDF for 34 years. In his last post he served as head of the Intelligence Directorate, and before that served as commander of the National Defense College and commander of the Northern Corps. During most of his career Hayman served as a soldier and commander in the Armored Corps.

September 7, 2023

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), Sir Frank Lowy, members of the INSS Board of Directors, INSS Executive Director Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg, and the INSS management and staff mourn the passing of former Executive Director of INSS Ambassador Dr. Oded Eran and extend their condolences to the Eran family.

March 15, 2023

Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) Executive Director Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg, expresses his support for the President’s efforts to reach an outline that will be based on the broadest common denominator.

March 7, 2023

INSS staff met with Maj. Gen. (ret.) Yitzhak Brick to examine IDF preparedness for possible war.

February 21, 2023

Members of the INSS Board of Directors and the INSS staff met with former Minister Ms. Tzipi Livni, who discussed the broad implications of the judicial reforms in Israel.

February 12, 2023

The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) supports the principles and compromise outline presented by President Herzog for immediate talks between the parties that will lead to broad agreements and reduce tensions in the Israeli society.

January 3, 2023

Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak met with the staff of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS).

The meeting focused on the strategic challenges facing the State of Israel. Barak noted the importance of think tanks in Israel, chief among them INSS, the leading think tank in Israel and the region in the field of national security.

December 27, 2022

INSS team met with former head of the Mossad, Tamir Pardo, to Discuss national security challenges in light of the political changes in Israel. The meeting was held in the framework of the Tuesday Luncheon series coordinated by Dr. Yoel Guzansky.

December 6, 2022

The INSS team met with Efraim Halevy, formerly head of the Mossad and head of the National Security Council, in the framework of the Tuesday Luncheon series. Halevy spoke about intelligence as a central tool in reaching political arrangements in the Middle East – and included anecdotes from his illustrious past.

November 29, 2022

The INSS team met with Prof. Emeritus Asa Kasher in the framework of the Tuesday Luncheon series. Prof. Kasher painted a worrisome picture of Israeli society and some of the state authorities, but stated that this imbalance can be repaired.

August 4, 2022

On August 1, 2022, the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and the Diane and Guildford Glazer Foundation launched a joint initiative, the Israel-China Policy Center.

May 16, 2022

Sir Frank Lowy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), announced today the appointment of Maj. Gen. (res.) Tamir Hayman, former head of Military Intelligence, as the new Managing Director of INSS. Maj. Gen. (res.) Hayman assumes his position on May 15, 2022, succeeding Brig. Gen. (res.) Udi Dekel.

January 24, 2022

A delegation of researchers at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), led by the Chairman of the INSS Board of Directors Sir Frank Lowy, and including INSS Executive Director Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg, INSS Managing Director Brig. Gen. (res.) Udi Dekel, and INSS senior researchers former head of the National Security Council Mr. Meir Ben Shabbat, former head of the IDF Intelligence Research Division Brig. Gen. (res.) Dror Shalom, Ms. Sima Shine, Dr. Anat Kurz, Dr. Shira Efron, Brig. Gen. (res.) Assaf Orion, and Dr. Meir Elran, presented to H.E. Mr. Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel, the annual Strategic Survey for Israel at his office.

January 16, 2021

Sir Frank Lowy, Chairman of the Board of Directors, members of the Board of Directors, Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg, Executive Director, and the INSS team mourn the passing of a dear friend, David Kolitz, a long-serving member of the INSS Board of Directors and a generous supporter of the Institute’s activities

December 27, 2021

On Thursday, December 23, 2021, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid held a roundtable discussion at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) at Tel Aviv University on his “Economy for Security” plan. INSS, a central platform for national bodies to discuss issues of strategic, military, political, and economic national security, was represented by the Executive Director of the Institute, Prof. Manual Trajtenberg; senior research fellow and former IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. (ret.) Gadi Eisenkot, INSS Managing Director Brig. Gen. (res.) Udi Dekel, and selected researchers. Among the other participants were Minister of Economy Maj. Gen. (ret.) Orna Barbivai, Director General of the Foreign Ministry Alon Ushpiz, and additional figures from the Foreign Ministry.

November 16, 2021

Tzipi Livni and Dorit Beinisch Become Members of the INSS Board; Meir Ben-Shabbat, Mark Regev, Haggay Etkes, and Esteban Klor Join the Institute as Research Fellows

October 11, 2021

On Monday, October 11, 2021, as part of her visit to Israel, German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel met senior figures from the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS). During the meeting, Merkel addressed remarks to the Israeli public.

August 11, 2021

Bahrain’s Undersecretary for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Bahraini think tank Derasat H.E. Sh. Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa visited the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) today, August 11, 2021. Accompanying the Undersecretary was Dr. Hamad Ebrahim Al-Abdulla, Executive Director of Derasat.

 During the visit, the two think tanks signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation and closer ties between them, with the main objective to promote the long-term conditions for peace, security, and sustainable development in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

July 28, 2021

At the start of H. E. President Isaac Herzog’s term of office, and following the many global and local developments and changes over the past six months – including a new administration in Washington, President Biden’s decision to try to return to the nuclear deal with Iran, the formation of a new government in Israel, and growing tensions in Israeli society, including clashes between Arabs and Jews in Israeli cities – the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) presented to President Herzog highlights on the main strategic challenges facing Israel and policy recommendations for addressing those challenges.

June 3, 2021

Former MK Ofer Shelah, who in the Knesset served as a senior member of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and related subcommittees, has joined the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) as a senior research fellow. At INSS, Shelah will engage in areas relating to policy and security, led by IDF force buildup; the IDF service model; and Israel-China relations.

May 25, 2021

The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) mourns the untimely passing of our friend and colleague Col. (ret.) Dr. Shmuel (Shmulik) Even.

May 3, 2021

The appointment signals greater emphasis by the Institute on socio-economic issues, which constitute a central layer of Israel’s national security, along with continued work on traditional core research areas.

April 30, 2021

Maj. Gen. (ret.) Amos Yadlin came to the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) after an illustrious career in the IDF spanning four decades. Retirement from the military, however, proved to be anything but retirement in his decade at INSS. Rather, Amos exchanged his military uniform for a civilian uniform, while continuing to dedicate himself and his work to the security of the State of Israel.

March 1, 2021

Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg is selected by the INSS Board of Directors to head the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), replacing Maj. Gen. (ret.) Amos Yadlin, who is completing a decade as Executive Director of the Institute.

February 10, 2021 

Maj. Gen. (ret.) Amos Yadlin, Executive Director of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) for the past decade, informed the INSS Board of Directors that he has decided to step down from his post on May 1, 2021, upon the termination of his contract.

February 1, 2021 

With the entry of President Biden into the White House, the Atlantic Council (Washington, D.C.), the Emirates Policy Center (Abu Dhabi), and the Institute for National Security Studies (Tel Aviv) presented a policy memo to the new administration, entitled “How President Biden Can Tackle the Middle East’s Biggest Problems”. The memo presents guidelines for US policy in the Middle East, while taking into account the interests of the different regional allies.

January 31, 2021

The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) is proud to announce that in the 2020 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report released by the University of Pennsylvania, INSS continues to rank as the leading think tank in the Middle East and North Africa.

January 6, 2021

On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, senior figures from the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) presented the “Strategic Survey for Israel 2020-2021” to the President of the State of Israel, HE Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin.

November 5, 2020

A delegation from Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) traveled to UAE capital Abu Dhabi for a three-day visit at the invitation of the Emirates Policy Center (EPC) in order to advance cooperation between the institutions and between countries. The members of the delegation included Executive Director of the INSS Maj. Gen. (ret.) Amos Yadlin, Vice Chairman of the INSS Board of Directors Prof. Itamar Rabinovich, Managing Director of the INSS Brig. Gen. (ret.) Udi Dekel, Deputy Director of the INSS Brig. Gen. (ret.) Itai Brun, and several additional researchers.

October 28. 2020

At INSS, Mr. Bar Siman Tov will head the research that examines the central role of the healthcare system in Israel’s national security concept. A profound understanding of Israel’s healthcare system can help achieve the correct balance between necessary steps in a multidimensional crisis – economic, health, societal, and leadership-related – such as the current pandemic. Together with senior INSS researchers, Mr. Bar Siman Tov will write policy papers that will be presented to decision makers, as well as to the general public.

October 15, 2021

The August 2020 announcement of the Abraham Accords marked a historic moment for relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. The agreement is a significant and exciting accomplishment. In addition to normalizing relations, the UAE and Israel have opened the door for cooperation and collaboration across economic, political, and security issues. Now is the time for the hard work of implementation, to make this agreement into a real and lasting avenue for cooperation.

July 1, 2020

Amb. Dr. Eyal Propper has joined the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) as a Senior Research Fellow and head of the China Program.

May 7, 2020

National Security Adviser and head of the National Security Council Meir Ben-Shabbat and INSS Director Maj. Gen. (ret.) Amos Yadlin, joined by senior figures from both organizations, held a Zoom-based meeting on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 on the coronavirus crisis. The meeting was designed to exchange ideas and views on the lessons and significance of the crisis, and preparations for the coming phases. The meeting also dealt with the political and security implications of the crisis.

As in previous years, the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) has been ranked as the leading think tank in Israel by the most recent Global Go To Think Tank Index Report on think tanks around the world, prepared annually by the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, the Institute is named as the leading think tank in the Middle East and North Africa. For INSS, this represents a rise from last year’s ranking, when it was listed as the second leading think tank in the region.

INSS mourns the passing of Dr. Emily B. Landau, a senior research fellow and head of the Arms Control and Regional Security Program at INSS.

Former IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. (ret.) Gadi Eisenkot has joined the research staff at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) as a Senior Research Fellow. At INSS Lt. Gen. (ret.) Eisenkot will head strategic research on Israel’s security concept and security policy, civil-military relations, and the IDF budget.

Senior members of the INSS executive team met with National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat and a senior forum from the National Security Council. The meeting focused on the security-political challenges facing the State of Israel, including the northern front, the Iranian issue, and the Palestinian issue in general and Gaza in particular. It was decided that there would be increased cooperative work between INSS and the National Security Council.

INSS took part in a special Knesset session, led by MK Merav Michaeli, marking 25 years since Israel signed the peace agreement with Jordan. Members of INSS attending included Brig. Gen. (res.) Udi Dekel, Managing Director of INSS, and Dr. Oded Eran, former Israeli ambassador to Jordan, who also presented at the session. Joining the session were Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz, head of the Labor Party Amir Peretz, and MKs Revital Swid and Omer Bar-Lev. Dekel emphasized that for Israel, peace with Jordan is a strategic asset that must be preserved, and not taken for granted. Eran spoke about the pressures facing the Jordanian government arising from its relations with Israel.

On October 30, the INSS Israel-China program hosted a delegation from CICIR of Beijing. Discussions focused on China’s role in the Middle East and in the world at large.

The INSS recently hosted a distinguished delegation of former senior politicians and party leaders from Australia, led by John Howard  (PM from 1996-2007) for a policy-security briefing. Present at the meeting was INSS Chairman, Sir Frank Lowy AC, who recently made Aliyah from Australia.

This year was marked by our ongoing efforts to address issues on Israel’s national security agenda with fresh, creative ideas that support innovative policy recommendations. The Institute’s strong learning environment enables informed, up-to-date, and relevant policy-oriented research. We invite you to look at some of our achievements of the past year. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the friends and supporters of INSS that have helped the Institute, Israel’s leading think tank on security, reach many important goals.

On July 10, INSS held a seminar with the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem. Within the framework of the seminar, led by Amb. Dr. Oded Eran and INSS Deputy Director Brig, Gen. (res.) Udi Dekel, members of the INSS research staff met with Foreign Ministry representatives in roundtable discussions related to Israel’s strategic situation. The primary topics covered were US policy in the Middle East; energy and diplomatic triangles; and changes in the Arab world – challenges and opportunities. Among the Foreign Ministry participants were Noam Katz, Deputy Director General and Head of Public Diplomacy.

INSS was honored to host US Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt at the Institute for a meeting with Executive Director Maj. Gen. (ret.) Amos Yadlin, INSS researchers, and INSS trustees. The main topics discussed were the Peace to Prosperity Workshop in Bahrain, and the efforts to bring peace to the region. During the meeting, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Yadlin presented Mr. Greenblatt with A Strategic Framework for the Israeli-Palestinian Arena, the INSS plan for Israel on the Palestinian issue.

On May 20, INSS held an event in New York for its supporters, which included conversations with U.S. Special Representative for Syria Amb. James Jeffrey and President of the Council on Foreign Relations Dr. Richard Haass. Earlier that same day, INSS donors and trustees participated in a roundtable discussion with Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer to discuss the future of U.S.-Israel relations.

The exhibition “The Negotiated Path” opened on April 21 at Georgetown University in Washington, in a central space of the building housing the Department of Government, the School of Foreign Service, and the History Department. A preview of the exhibition was held on April 17 in the auditorium where the Department of Government held its annual event, which featured a discussion between former Ambassador Dennis Ross and head of the Center for Applied Negotiations Gilead Sher.

A new book by Professor Zaki Shalom, a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies, a professor emeritus at Ben-Gurion University, and a member of the academic staff at Ashkelon Academic College.

The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) is pleased to announce that the 2017 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report has been released by the University of Pennsylvania and the Institute’s ranking has improved in several key areas:

• INSS continues to rank 1^st among Israeli think tanks.
• In the field of Defense and National Security, INSS has moved up two spots to 14th in the world.
• In the Middle East and North Africa rankings, the Institute retains number two spot.
• Among non-US think tanks worldwide, INSS retains at the same ranking in the top 50 .

INSS Director Amos Yadlin presented Strategic Survey for Israel 2018-2019, the newest volume in the INSS annual series, to Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on January 22, 2019. In their joint meeting, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Yadlin and PM Netanyahu discussed the insights formulated at INSS regarding the objectives and conduct of the campaign in the northern arena against Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah.

On Thursday, December 6, 2018, INSS researchers submitted a study to Israeli President Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin on the relationship between Israel and American Jewry and its impact on the national security of the State of Israel. The study, conducted in cooperation with the Ruderman Family Foundation, is titled The American Jewish Community and Israel’s National Security.

U.S. Special Representative on Iran, Brian Hook, delivered a statement at the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), on November 13, 2018 in Tel Aviv. Appointed in August 2018, this is Mr. Hook’s first visit to the region. It is aimed to advance the U.S. President’s Iran strategy and to increase pressure on the Iranian regime to cease its destructive policies.

The Israeli Board of Trustees of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) met in an evening event on Tuesday, October 23 at the home of Board Chairman Pini Cohen. Special invited guests were Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon and Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva, head of the IDF Operations Directorate. At the event, INSS Director Maj. Gen. (ret.) Amos Yadlin presented the “INSS Plan: A Strategic Framework for the Israeli-Palestinian Arena.” INSS has worked on this plan over the past two years, and it is now being presented to government figures in Israel, senior figures in the US administration, and the Israeli public. Among those attending the event: Yehudit and Yehuda Bronitzky, founders of Ormat Technologies; Yona Fogel, CEO of Paz; Rony Hizkiyahu, Finance Ministry Accountant General; Dana Azrieli, Chair of the Azrieli Group; Boaz and Varda Dotan, among the founders of Amdocs; Gilad Altshuler, of the owners of Altshuler Shaham Investment House; Yodfat and Pini Buchris; Gabi and Ronit Ashkenazi; Sima Shine; former US ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro; Avraham Kosnitzky, Chairman of Minrav Holdings; Dan Harel, Chairman of Israel Railways; Adv. Yehuda Raveh; Yair Hamburger, Chairman of Harel Group; and more.

This year was marked by our ongoing efforts to address issues on Israel’s national security agenda with fresh, creative ideas that support innovative policy recommendations. The Institute’s strong learning environment enables informed, up-to-date, and relevant policy-oriented research. We invite you to look at some of our achievements of the past year. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the friends and supporters of INSS that have helped the Institute, Israel’s leading think tank on security, reach many important goals.

On the occasion of 70 years of Israeli independence, and with the support of the Israeli Embassy in Vienna, the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) took part in the annual European Forum Alpbach 2018 in Austria on the topic of “Diversity and Resilience.” Senior research fellow Dr. Oded Eran and research associate Adi Kantor, both representing the INSS Europe Research Program, organized and participated in a simulation “European Security and the Mediterranean” (together with senior figures from the EU, Israel, and Egypt) and in a panel titled “Israel: Can Democracy Exist Without Peace.” Among the distinguished guests in this year’s conference: Austria’s Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (KOR), and former Federal President Heinz Fischer (AUT).

On May 21, 2018 the Institute for National Security Studies presented to the Knesset the results of its research project identifying the strategic challenges, security threats, and potential policy responses in a range of scenarios on the Palestinian front. Click here for highlights from the presentation.

The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) hosted a major policy program at the Harvard Club in New York on May 7, 2018, co-chaired by Chairman of the INSS Board of Directors Sir Frank Lowy and INSS Director Maj. Gen. (ret.) Amos Yadlin. In his opening remarks, Sir Frank spoke of the challenges faced by research institutes, including the need “to observe well, identify early, analyze deeply, recommend wisely, and deliver effectively, always seeking impact and relevance.” He continued, “Tonight we have a rare opportunity to learn together about the main crises facing Israel and the US: Israel and Iran on the verge of conflict in Syria; JCPOA, the quest for Israeli-Palestinian peace; and the ongoing Korean challenge.”

The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) is pleased to announce that the 2017 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report has been released by the University of Pennsylvania and the Institute’s ranking improve in several key areas:

• INSS ranked 1st among Israeli think tanks.
• In the field of Defense and National Security, INSS has moved up four spots to 16th in the world.
• In the Middle East and North Africa rankings, the Institute jumped up to the number two spot in the region.
• Among non-US think tanks worldwide, INSS moved up 11 spots and was ranked 49th .

The 11^th annual INSS conference opened with a keynote address by the Hon. Jason D. Greenblatt, Assistant to U.S. President Donald Trump and Special Representative for International Negotiations. Mr. Greenblatt’s address was followed by a keynote speech by the Chief of General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Gen. Gadi Eizenkot. The evening concluded with a panel discussion, moderated by INSS Executive Director, Gen. (ret.) Amos Yadlin, and featuring the Hon. Michèle Flournoy, Prof. François Heisbourg, Gen. David Petraeus, and Mr. Thomas Friedman.

Since 2017 the INSS has been engaged in a joint research project with the Ruderman Family Foundation, focusing on American Jewry’s importance and contribution to Israel’s national security. On Thursday, January 4^th 2018, some of the project’s team members interviewed H.E. President Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin on the issue. The President emphasized the importance of enhancing Israel’s relations with Jewish communities in the Diaspora and especially with American Jewry. The President also conveyed his appreciation of the INSS’s research on the subject. A session dealing with “American Jewry and Israel’s national security” will be featured as part of the INSS 11^th annual conference at the end of January.

The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) congratulates Prof. Itamar Rabinovich, Deputy Chairman of the INSS Board of Directors, for winning the Washington Institute’s 2017 Book Prize for his new book, Yitzhak Rabin: Soldier, Leader, Statesman, published by Yale University Press. In announcing the award, Washington Institute Executive Director Robert Satloff said, “The Washington Institute Book Prize has always highlighted books that both illuminate the Middle East for an American audience and provide practical insights for policymakers. It is fitting that Ambassador Rabinovich, a man who is both a scholar and a diplomat, receives the gold prize for this outstanding work.” Click here for the full announcement of the prize.

The INSS and Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs annual US-Israel Tack II Dialogue took place on November 10-11, 2017, at Harvard University.

On July 5, 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India met with the heads of Israel’s leading think tanks.