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National Security Affairs Briefing

THE STATE OF ISRAEL

SGM Evert Soderholm

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

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ISRAEL

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OVERVIEW

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OVERVIEW

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NATIONAL PURPOSE Basic Laws

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.

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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.

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NATIONAL INTEREST

Defense Economic World order Ideological

Major Adversary Minor Adversary U.S. Interest

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NATIONAL POWER

Geographic, Demographic, Political, Military, Economic and National will

Major Adversary

Minor Adversary

U.S. Interest

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GEOGRAPHIC INTERESTS

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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)

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POLITICAL

Parliamentary Democracy Legistative

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

Prime Minister Binyamin NETANYAHU

President Shimon PERES

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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

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ECONOMIC

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

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NATIONAL WILL

8 Wars 2 Palestinian uprisings Terrorist threats

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NATIONAL POWER

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.

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THREAT

Palestinian Uprising

Lebanon 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.

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DOMESTIC FACTORS

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West Bank Gaza Strip

Major 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.

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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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INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY

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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

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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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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

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

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QUESTIONS

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CONCLUSION