Evolution of Israel's National Security Policy.

摘要

This paper focuses on the evolution of Israeli political and military doctrine. The paper examines the basic factors that determine the development of doctrine on strategic and operational levels. After examining the permanent factors that define doctrine, particular attention is given to recent changes and the dynamic nature of the Israeli doctrine. Israel's policy and military doctrine have essentially remained the same since the 1950's, despite the impact of far-reaching changes. These changes include: increased involvement of superpowers in the region; Israel's increased dependence on U.S. aid; Israel's international isolation; the peace agreement with Egypt; the increasing importance of the Arab World and oil power; Israel's demographic and economic difficulties; the decreasing military threat to Israel's existence; and an increasingly divided Israeli society. Other problems discussed are the development of new military technology, and the ability of the Arab nations to counter Israeli offensive military doctrine. The paper concludes that Israel must increase the importance of the political component relative to the military component in its national security policy. Israel must begin to take political risks for peace at the expense of its quest for absolute security, while still retaining its military power as the most significant factor to guarantee its existence. (sdw)