The inaugural meeting of the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) between India and the United States was held in January 2023. The initiative represents the desire of the United States to deepen its influence in the Indo-Pacific region and weaken India’s ties with China and Russia, notwithstanding the ideological differences between the two countries, This occurs within the framework of the “friendshoring” policy and reliance on the production of critical technological components in friendly countries. The...
The United States recently imposed a record fine on an overseas company that manufactures its products outside the borders of the United States, for violating US export controls. The incident demonstrates how the extraterritorial nature of the US rules of oversight over exports becomes a significant potential problem for Israeli companies, which could pay a hefty price for violating US export rules – even if they have not broken any Israeli laws. This case can also inform the conduct needed from Israeli oversight authorities to...
In the last two years, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has announced three global initiatives: the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). These new initiatives are a means of bolstering the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party, with Xi at its head. More importantly, they reflect how China’s foreign policy has evolved and the lessons learned from its global engagement in the ten years since the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was launched. Due to the...
In a telephone conversation on March 19, 2023, President Biden relayed his concern to Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding events on the Palestinian front and Israel’s judicial overhaul. The conversation follows a series of developments in the United States that should lead the Israeli government to realize that its actions and rhetoric could lead to a deterioration in bilateral relations. Even if Israel has the right to protect what it considers vital to its national security, the importance of the United States to Israel’s national...
In a surprising announcement, Iran and Saudi Arabia announced a resumption of relations (which were severed in 2016) and a return of ambassadors, which will take place in two months at the latest. The announcement was surprising both in its timing and in the identity of the mediator – China. The move reflects Beijing’s increased involvement in the Gulf and strengthens its position vis-à-vis the United States in the region. While the US administration welcomes the decline in tensions in the Gulf and seeks to continue efforts to...
Current Situation – Great power competition · Struggle over world order · Technology core issue · Potential escalation (Ukraine, Taiwan) · Less collaboration · Middle East lower priority | Current Israeli Strategy – “Between the raindrops” maneuver · Rely on the US while advancing relations with other powers | Recommended Strategy – Alternative 2: Strengthen the US strategic mainstay · Stand by the US as a member of the Western camp · Pursue differential foreign policy, adjusted to era of great power competition
The visit to Israel by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and the expected visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken are intended for coordination of policy with Israel on a range of issues, above all Iran. In addition, they aim to clarify concerns over the possibility that moves by the Israeli government will breach the status quo on the Palestinian issue. While Biden and his administration, friendly toward Israel, are not seeking confrontation, steps that conflict with US interests and values could lead in this...
The United States administration is careful to stress that it respects the democratic elections held in Israel and that it intends to relate to “the policies it pursues rather than individual personalities.” However, the impression is that there is growing concern in Washington over the possible implications of Israel’s expected policies for the bilateral relations. Even if the new government does not implement all the moves that members of the emerging coalition present as essential in the context of the Palestinian issue, the...
While the international system, led by the United States, is preoccupied with the tension with China and the war in Ukraine, Iran has taken escalation measures in its nuclear program, is aiding Russia by selling drones to attack critical infrastructure in Ukraine, and continues to suppress and even kill people protesting against the regime. Under these circumstances, the chances of continuing the dialogue with the Iranian regime and consequently also of returning to the nuclear agreement are very slim, even if the sides are not in a...
Following the national security strategy of the Trump administration, the Biden administration places even greater emphasis on the challenge posed by China. It describes this challenge as a competition between democracies and autocracies over shaping the global order, even as it decreases the emphasis on the challenge posed by Russia. The administration identifies the coming decade as critical in shaping the century, in relation to both the struggle against climate change and the US contest with China. The strategy seeks to base a...
The emerging results of the midterm elections in the United States depict the polarization of the American political system in recent years. No less, they are evidence of the growing public concern over the implications of the conduct of former President Trump and his supporters for the future of American democracy. Experience shows that this does not necessarily portend the outcome of the presidential election in 2024. However. the campaign for that election will likely start earlier than usual and will be charged and stormy. The...
