National Security Affairs Briefing THE STATE OF ISRAEL SGM Evert Soderholm UNCLASSIFIED

AGENDA National Purpose Ideology National Interest National Power Threat Domestic Factors Military Strategy International Strategy Foreign Policy U.S. Military Involvement UNCLASSIFIED

ISRAEL UNCLASSIFIED

OVERVIEW UNCLASSIFIED

Overview

National Purpose Basic Laws Sovereign Jewish State Equality Human Dignity and Liberty Freedom of Occupation Sovereign Jewish State Equality Major Adversary – Arab World Minor Adversary – Palestinians U.S. Interest – Israel is the United State’s biggest ally in the Middle East and wants to preserve Israels sovereignty. UNCLASSIFIED

Ideology Zionism Major Adversary - Islam Minor Adversary – Muslim citizens U.S. Interest – The US has been supportive of the Jewish State. This has caused tensions with Muslim countries and sparked terrorist attacks. UNCLASSIFIED

National Interest Defense Economic World order Ideological Major Adversary Minor Adversary U.S. Interest UNCLASSIFIED

National Power Major Adversary Minor Adversary U.S. Interest Geographic, Demographic, Political, Military, Economic and National will Major Adversary Minor Adversary U.S. Interest UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED Geographic Interests

Demographic Interests 6 Administrative Districts Population - 7.6 million Population growth – 1.5% 76.4% Jewish 67.1% Israeli born 22.6% European/American born 5.9% African born 23.6% Non Jewish (mostly Arab) UNCLASSIFIED

Political Parliamentary Democracy Legistative Executive Judicial Knesset – 120 member Executive President – Chief of State Elected by Knesset Ceremonial Role Prime Minister – Head of Government Nominated by President and voted in by Knesset Judicial Magistrate Courts District Courts Supreme Court President Shimon PERES Prime Minister Binyamin NETANYAHU UNCLASSIFIED

Military 176,500 Active military 3 Branches Israeli Defense Force (IDF) Israeli Naval Force (IN) Israeli Air Force (IAF) All Jewish citizens must enlist Males – 36 months Females – 21 months Nuclear Power UNCLASSIFIED

Economic Ranked 41st in GDP per capita 4th in Middle East UNCLASSIFIED

National Will 8 Wars 2 Palestinian uprisings Terrorist threats UNCLASSIFIED

National Power Major Adversary – Iran, Palestine Geographic, Demographic, Political, Military, Economic and National will Major Adversary – Iran, Palestine Minor Adversary - Terrorism U.S. Interest - The US has provided billions of dollars in military aid to Israel. Israel is also a nuclear power and is strategically located in the Middle East. UNCLASSIFIED

Threat Palestinian Uprising Lebanon War Gaza War Summer 2006 – Hezbollah Gaza War Dec 08-Jan 09 - Hamas Major Adversary - Iran Minor Adversary – Hamas, Hezbollah U.S. Interest - The United State may find itself pulled into a war with Iran if Israel were to take preemptive military action. UNCLASSIFIED

Domestic Factors West Bank Gaza Strip Major Adversary Minor Adversary Palestinian Organizations Minor Adversary Drought U.S. Interest Despite being one of Israel’s main allies, the US has different views on the occupied territories. Israel’s policies may hurt ties with the U.S. in the future. UNCLASSIFIED

Military Strategy Heavy Handed Forceful preemption Defend the homeland Major Adversary - Iran Minor Adversary – Palestinian groups U.S. Interest - May be roped into a war with Iran if Israel falls back on its forceful preemption strategy. UNCLASSIFIED

International Strategy UNCLASSIFIED International Strategy Strengthen partnership with US and UK Major Adversary - Iran Minor Adversary – Palestinian Groups U.S. Interest - : United States could distance itself from Israel if our relationship were to tarnish international relations throughout the world

Foreign Policy Achieve recognition and friendly relations with as many nations as possible Major Adversary – Arab nations Minor Adversary – Palestinian groups U.S. Interest - : Israel as its primary ally in the Middle East, based on "common democratic values, religious affinities, and security interests UNCLASSIFIED

U.S. Military Involvement Major purchaser of US military equipment Joint development of military technology Joint military training exercises US and Israel share intelligence Major Adversary – Arab nations, Iran Minor Adversary - Palestinian U.S. Interest – The US sees Israel as a strategic partner in the Middle East UNCLASSIFIED

SUMMARY National Purpose Ideology National Interest National Power Threat Domestic Factors Military Strategy International Strategy Foreign Policy U.S. Military Involvement UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED Questions

UNCLASSIFIED Conclusion