The Blogs: Israel’s National Security Strategy

In the 21st century, as terrorism spreads globally, national security has become a fundamental aspect of states’ foreign policies. The methods and tools used to counter existential threats depend not only on the specific regions involved but also on each country’s status in the international arena. Studying the approaches to national security adopted by regional middle powers highlights and clarifies the distinct mechanisms required for survival and stability.

As a middle and regional power, Israel faces persistent threats in the Middle East, addressing them through decisive military actions and modern methods such as cybersecurity.

The aim of this analysis is to explore Israel’s national security approach, offering insights into how a middle power adapts its strategy in response to evolving international dynamics. The study will examine decision-making processes, the influence of domestic policy on foreign strategy, and the historical context that shapes Israel’s foreign policy direction.

Theoretical Foundations of National Security Strategies

A state’s status on the political stage and its national security strategy can be analyzed through the lens of international relations theories. Foundational theories such as realism, liberalism, and constructivism help us understand how states shape their strategies according to their position on the global stage. These theories are essential to analyze how Israel, operating as a regional middle power amid global uncertainty, develops its security strategy.

Realism, one of the oldest and most established theories in international relations, gained particular prominence in the 20th century, especially during the Cold War. According to realism, state power, national interests, and survival are key factors in shaping national security. While great powers pursue expansive strategies of power balancing and intervention, middle powers like Israel face heightened vulnerability to external threats. For Israel, the struggle for survival is a central element of foreign policy formulation, making military superiority, robust deterrence, and strategic alliances absolute top priorities.

Liberalism is a well-established theory emphasizing individual freedom, economic benefits, and cooperation. The inter-liberal security dilemma suggests that ties with like-minded democracies create opportunities for mutually beneficial trade and alliances. From a liberal perspective, increased interdependence reduces the reliance purely on power-based diplomacy. For a regional middle power like Israel, engagement extends to strategic economic frameworks, energy partnerships (such as offshore gas developments), and international cooperation, helping protect national interests and ensure long-term stability.

Constructivism, distinct from a rational approach, emphasizes that a state’s identity and its perception of the international order shape national security. Traditional practices of rivalry and warfare are subject to change if the global and regional order, with its norms and diplomatic breakthroughs such as the Abraham Accords, undergoes transformation. To ensure national security and address persistent threats, Israel must continuously take into account changes in both its domestic political environment and evolving regional identity shifts.

Israel as a Regional Middle Power

Historical Context:

Israel possesses a history that spans millennia, with its capital, Jerusalem, declared as such over 3,015 years ago. The modern state of Israel was founded in 1948 following its War of Independence. Within a short period, Israel achieved significant victories in wars against powerful coalitions that greatly outnumbered its own forces, including conflicts involving seven countries. Key events, such as the Six-Day War (1967) and the Yom Kippur War (1973), had a profound impact on shaping the country’s military and diplomatic strategy. Over time, however, the situation evolved.

Egypt and Jordan’s recognition of the Jewish state and their peace agreements with Israel were testaments to Israel’s power in the region. Furthermore, the Abraham Accords signed in 2020 with the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco marked a new phase in Israel’s relations with Arab states (US Department of State, 2020).

In the 21st century, Israel bolstered its position on the international stage through economic alliances and strategic partnerships with the US, EU, India, Singapore, and various Asian countries. Simultaneously, the country achieved significant success in high technology and military industries, which has become a crucial factor in enhancing its security.

However, the horrific massacre and incursion of Hamas and other Gaza-based terrorists on October 7, 2023, as well as Hezbollah’s attacks from the north starting October 8, highlighted persistent security challenges in the region. These events call for Israel to not only strengthen its defensive capabilities but also enhance its preparedness to respond to threats and direct attacks from terrorist groups and states like Iran and its satellites (Bennett, 2024).

Security Strategy:

Israel’s national security strategy is aimed at balancing defensive and offensive approaches to ensure survival, deter aggression, and enable rapid response to threats. Israeli security is based on a realist approach, whereby the protection of national interests is achieved through military superiority and the deterrence of adversaries. The defensive strategy includes civil defense, intelligence, and maintaining combat readiness, while the offensive component focuses on preemptive measures to neutralize threats and, if necessary, shift conflicts to enemy territories.

Cooperation with the United States in strategic alliances is critical to maintaining the regional balance of power. Technological superiority and intelligence capabilities solidify Israel’s status as a dominant military force in the Middle East, where strength is paramount for survival.

The ongoing threat of Iran’s nuclear development remains a grave concern for Israel. In response, Israel continues to take action on multiple fronts to counter this threat. Its comprehensive approach combines military, economic, and information measures to protect and ensure the nation’s resilience (Meridor & Eldadi, 2019).

Policy Shifts:

Since its founding, Israel has adjusted its foreign policy to strengthen its regional position. In the 20th century, the country depended on alliances and arms supplies from nations like the UK, the US, and France, a characteristic typical of smaller powers.

In 1977, the right-wing Likud party came to power, and in 1979, Prime Minister Menachem Begin signed a peace treaty with Egypt. Later, when the left-wing forces returned to power, the Oslo Accords (1993) were signed, and the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza (2005) was carried out, which had catastrophic consequences for national security.

Since 2009, right-wing parties, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have once again taken the lead. Recognizing that a nation’s strength and power define its international relationships, Netanyahu has applied a realist approach to foreign policy. He focused on enhancing Israel’s defensive capabilities and expanding its international alliances, allowing the country to emerge as a regional power and key player in the Middle East.

Gas exports from offshore fields fostered alliances with Greece and Cyprus, bypassing Turkey. Active foreign policy, the Abraham Accords, a strong alliance with the US, and good relations with India, Japan, and other Asian nations have enabled Israel to attain a significant international standing on the global stage.

Successes and Challenges in Adaptation:

Israel has adapted its foreign policy and reinforced its position as a regional middle power through powerful military development, technological superiority, economic innovation, and international cooperation. The establishment of modern military and technological advancements, such as the Iron Dome air defense system, have ensured a high level of security.

A realist approach to international relations has led to successes in counterterrorism efforts, including the targeting of Hamas leaders like Yahya Sinwar and Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah, along with other terrorists. Peace agreements with Arab countries and the discovery of gas fields have contributed to regional stability and energy independence. However, the threat posed by Iran and its proxies, as well as Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, necessitates ongoing vigilance and readiness to confront regional threats.

Conclusion

Examining Israel’s national security strategy through the lenses of realism, liberalism, and constructivism highlights the complex mechanisms required for a regional middle power to ensure survival and stability. Operating in a volatile environment, Israel has successfully combined military superiority, technological innovation, and strategic alliances, such as the Abraham Accords and partnerships with global democracies, to navigate persistent existential threats. While ongoing challenges from Iran and its proxies, alongside the severe security tests of October 7, 2023, demand continuous vigilance, Israel’s pragmatic adaptation demonstrates how a middle power can effectively safeguard its national interests and project resilience on the international stage.

For those interested in a more detailed examination of this subject, the full article, “Confronting National Security Threats: A Comparative Analysis of Great Power United Kingdom, Middle Power Israel, and Small Power Singapore,” is available on SSRN.