National Security
and Grand Strategy
American and Israeli Perspectives
Aims and Goals
✕ Israeli national security is influenced by Israel's
strategic situation, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and
the rejection of Israel by most of the Arab states.
✕ The goals of Israeli security policy is both
military and diplomatic.
✕ Part of strategy = Avoid isolation and achieve
recognition.
✕ Protect Jewish ancestrial homeland.
✕ Advance national interests in Middle East and
beyond.
Weekly Themes
Week 1: Introduction and definitions
Week 2: Israeli National Security Policy (1948-1973)
Week 3: ‘What is Grand Strategy’?
Week 4: Wars and Peace (1948-1993)
Week 5: Friends and Enemies
Week 6: Nuclear weapons in NSS
Week 7: ‘Grand strategy in age of Terrorism’
Week 8: Security Strategy and making Peace (1979-)
Week 9: Low-Grade conflict (post-Oslo)
Week 10: Enemies and friends (post 2010)
Week 11: Israel’s asset and liabilities
Week 12: Changing role of security and strategy
Contact Information
Dr. Aaron T. Walter
Rm 4.05
aaronwalter@mail.muni.cz
aaronwalter@gmail.com
Exams
Hand written
Exam guidelines provided in advance.
OR
Paper assignment due final day of class at time of final
lecture.