The First Circle of Military Challenges Facing Israel: Multiple Arenas and Diverse Enemies

This article surveys the large number of theaters and the differences between the enemies in Israel’s first circle of conflict. The analysis highlights the uniqueness of the various theaters in which the IDF operates, and stresses that the diversity of the challenges in the respective spheres requires rethinking the adapted response patterns. A concept that gives preference to response formulation and force buildup tailored to the specific needs of the various theaters (e.g., the West Bank; borders with the countries having a peace treaty with Israel), combined with the IDF’s multi-purpose forces, can help improve routine security, while at the same time free up resources to improve the readiness of other forces for the next war.