Strategic Assessment

In contemplating a possible military attack on Iran, the Israeli decision maker must weigh the element of international legitimacy. Though only one consideration among many and not necessarily the most crucial, legitimacy is nonetheless a major factor in the web of considerations accompanying any decision. There is currently diminished legitimacy for an Israeli attack on Iran, and therefore Israel must understand that building and maintaining a cloak of legitimacy is an integral part of the military effort. This article will analyze what a legitimacy-promoting campaign can and must achieve, namely, understanding among others – as opposed to approval – regarding the attack. It sketches a framework for campaigns before, during, and after an attack to cultivate and strengthen the perception of legitimacy for an attack among select key audiences.