Israel’s Strategic Challenge, by Blaise Misztal
Determining how to reestablish deterrence against other Iranian-backed groups, principally Hizballah in the north, is the more urgent challenge for Israel.
Determining how to reestablish deterrence against other Iranian-backed groups, principally Hizballah in the north, is the more urgent challenge for Israel.
Mark Toth and Jonathan Sweet write: Netanyahu views this war as Israel’s “second War of Independence.” It can and should also be the Middle East’s own war of independence from extremism. Biden can help make that happen by ensuring that Hamas is destroyed, Iran marginalized and a glidepath set in motion leading to a two-state solution between the Israelis and Palestinians. – The Hill
Urban Warfare, Sieges, and Israel’s Looming Invasion of Gaza by Amos Fox
The siege is a critical component of urban warfare, yet it is often overlooked in today’s analysis of armed conflict.
The siege is a critical component of urban warfare, yet it is often overlooked in today’s analysis of armed conflict.
Rewind and Reconnoiter: Hamas and the Dangerous Diffusion of Basic Infantry Tactics with Leo Blanken, Kai Thaxton, and Michael Alexander
In light of the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, we asked Leo, Kai, and Michael to reflect on their piece,
In light of the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, we asked Leo, Kai, and Michael to reflect on their piece,
- "Israel May Tread Carefully With a Two-Front War Threat,"
- "What should become of Gaza the day after Israel’s decisive victory?"
- "Iran FM in the US as proxies plot multi-front war – analysis,"
- "Iran-backed Iraqi militia says it is ‘ready for a war of attrition,’ called Israel its ‘enemy’,"
- "Israel Launches Second Stage of War Against Hamas,"
The Four Questions The U.S. Military Should Be Asking About Operation Swords of Iron by Raphael S. Cohen and Gian Gentile
Even though Swords of Iron is likely still in its infancy, this war is shaping up to be a watershed moment for the Middle East, and for the United States’ role in the region.
Even though Swords of Iron is likely still in its infancy, this war is shaping up to be a watershed moment for the Middle East, and for the United States’ role in the region.
Don’t Rely on U.S. Law to Prevent Escalation in the Middle East by Brian Finucane and Michael Wahid Hanna
As U.S. domestic law is unlikely to prevent America sliding into war, potentially without congressional authorization, action needs to be taken now to forestall U.S. entry into yet another Middle East war and a wider, destabilizing conflict.
As U.S. domestic law is unlikely to prevent America sliding into war, potentially without congressional authorization, action needs to be taken now to forestall U.S. entry into yet another Middle East war and a wider, destabilizing conflict.
Michael Rubin writes: While the White House is reticent to sanction Turkey given its role in NATO and its potential to disrupt, withholding the economic boon of a port call is not a sanction; it is simply a judgment call that Turkey merits no reward. Turkish authorities will notice as they struggle to fill hotel rooms by tourists spooked by regional developments. In recent years, Turkey has even delayed the start of the school year to encourage domestic tourism. At the same time, Greece and Cyprus are now open for business, unabashedly pro-American in foreign policy, cooperative militarily, and far more deserving of the Navy’s economic largesse. It is time to replace Antalya with Athens or Bodrum with Larnaca. It is time the Big Navy sees the big picture. – 19FortyFive
Abraham D. Sofaer writes: Given this context, it is profoundly wrong to think that the Saudi-Israeli normalization process be put on hold. The Saudi leadership should see through Hamas’s destructive purpose and affirm support for normalizing relations with Israel. Saudi’s interests strongly favor that objective. And by continuing to pursue a normalization agreement with Israel, Saudi Arabia will be able, more effectively than any other country or group of countries, to advance legitimate Palestinian interests, minimize the dangers triggered by Hamas’s attack and greatly enhance its own international stature. – The Hill