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

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

3. ISRAEL
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4. OVERVIEW
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5. Overview

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. UNCLASSIFIED
Geographic Interests

11. Demographic Interests
6 Administrative Districts
Population 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)
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12. 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

13. 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

14. Economic
Ranked 41st in GDP per capita
4th in Middle East
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15. National Will 8 Wars 2 Palestinian uprisings Terrorist threats
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16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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.
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20. International Strategy
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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

21. 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
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22. 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

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

24. UNCLASSIFIED
Questions

25. UNCLASSIFIED
Conclusion