National Security Strategy
1948-1973
MVZ248 week2
Strength
Create an ‘emergency’ conceptual culture in state building and defense
“Israel” is under attack BUT Jews will no longer be victims
Consolidation of paramilitary organizations into the IDF
Irgun and Haganah folded into Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
Strategic bases throughout the country
North, West, South
Quest for best arms (weapons)
Czechoslovak, French, American
Realism
The centuries-old application of realpolitik (Morganthau)
Geographical location conforms to the IR paradigm: word is chaotic and anarchy
Ego and emotion of world leaders
Neo-realism (Waltz)
Structural constraints such as regional stability and superpower rivalry
BUT nation-states seek self-interest first and foremost
1948-1956
Rejection of Israel by Arab neighbors
War for Independence
No peace treaties despite diplomatic efforts
Neutral or indifferent Western power responses
Arms embargo
UN and national capitals favored Arab nationalism in post-war years
Division of world between USA and USSR
Arms race: small to BIG
Small-arms
Czechoslovak, British
Tanks
Patton tanks
Missiles
American HAWK missile system 1967
Planes
French Mirage to American Phantom and Skyhawk
Nuclear weapons
“Elephant in the room” unspoken acknowledgement by world powers that Israel has
nuclear weapons. Policy of ‘nuclear ambiguity’
Dimona (city in Negev)
Preventive (pre-emptive) policy for rest of region. Known as the Begin Doctrine
Iraq in 1981
Iran (present)
Defensible Borders
Each victory in war expanded boundary for Israel
Sinai and Golan (1948, 1967) from Egypt and Syria
West Bank (1967) from Jordan
Each boundary was defensible AND buffer
Internationally recognized treaties with Arab neighbors create formal borders
Egypt
Jordan
1967
Six-Day War was significant since Israel doubled in size
Gained further territory in Sinai and the strategic Golan
Buffer zones with Egypt and Syria
Captured East Jerusalem and West Bank of Jordan river
Reunified Jerusalem and controlled biblical Judea and Samaria
1973
‘Holocaust’ or watershed moment
generational
Survival of nation in the hands of 20-something year olds…..
Security strategy failed
Invincible/inconceivable
New national security strategy
Peace-treaties and consolidation of territory