Description
Book SynopsisThis book details the history and, in many cases, the chronic inadequacies in the making of Israeli national security policy, as well as its strengths: rapid and flexible responses, generally pragmatic decision-making, and effective planning.
Trade ReviewZion's Dilemmas is the most detailed analysis to date of the inner workings of Israel's national security establishment. It presents seven case studies: the two Lebanon wars (1982 and 2006); the peace processes with Egypt and the Palestinians; the unilateral withdrawals from Lebanon, in 2000, and Gaza, in 2005; and the failed Lavi fighter jet project, an ambitious attempt to build an indigenous warplane with U.S. funding, which was canceled in 1987.
-- Aluf Benn * Foreign Affairs *
Freilich's book, which furnishes a unique glimpse into the Israeli national security decision-making process, is sure to become the 'go to' work on the subject. It is a must read for anyone interested in how and why Israeli governments have made—and continue to make—the national security decisions that they do.
-- David Rodman * Israel Affairs *
How often is a reviewer assigned a book he or she can confidently predict will become not only an indispensable reference work but the essential reference point for future research on a given subject? Zion's Dilemmas is one such instance, and its author is to be congratulated for his outstanding scholarly contribution to the field of contemporary Israel studies writ large, and more specifically to the analysis of the country’s internal policymaking processes and status as a highly controversial yet formidable Middle Eastern and global state actor.
* Israeli Journal of Foreign Affairs *
The author... presents a very informative account of how Israel formulates its national security policy.... The book also presents an in-depth analysis of the DMP in several major case studies in Israel's national security history.
-- Efraim Inbar * Political Science Quarterly *
This volume is by one of the foremost analysts of Israel's national security policy (NSP).... It analyzes seven case studies dealing with NSP toward the Palestinians, Gaza, and Lebanon, and the building of the Lavi jet fighter.... Freilich argues that it is imperative for Israel to correct its NSP failures in order to meet expected strong challenges in the future. Those interested in Israel's NSP and its foreign policies will benefit greatly from this study.... Summing Up: Highly recommended.
* Choice *
Table of ContentsIntroductionPart I. The Setting1. Constraints and Players: The External Environment, Proportional Representation System, and National Security Establishment
Israel's National Security Environment
The Proportional Representation System
The National Security Establishment2. The Decision-Making Process: How the System Actually Works
Pathology 1: An Unplanned Process
Pathology 2: A Highly Politicized Process
Pathology 3: Semi-organized Anarchy; or, Is Anyone at the Helm?
Pathology 4: An Uninstitutionalized Process
Pathology 5: Primacy of the Defense Establishment
Something Must Be Good: Strengths of the Israeli SystemPart II. The Case Studies3. Camp David I: Making Peace with Egypt, 1977–19794. The Makings of a Young Lion: The Lavi Combat Aircraft, 1980–19875. The Invasion of Lebanon, 19826. Leaving Lebanon: The Unilateral Withdrawal, 20007. Camp David II: The Israeli- Palestinian Negotiations, 1999–20008. Disengaging from Gaza, 20059. Back Again: The Second Lebanon War, 2006Part III. Final ThoughtsConclusions and Recommendations
The Case Studies in Comparative Perspective
Key Findings
Past Attempts at Reform
Failings Tolerable No Longer
Future ReformsAppendix 1: The INSC Law, 2008
Appendix 2: Recommendations of the Winograd Commission and the Shahak CommitteeList of Interviews
Notes
Bibliography
Index
