Israel’s Asymmetric Wars [electronic resource] /
Cohen, S.author.
This book is devoted to Israel's asymmetric wars, those conducted against irregular armed groups that have attacked it. It seeks to understand the Israeli strategy in the fight against terrorists acting under the guise of civilians or using the population as human shields. The army has implemented a loosely devised, if not simplistic, doctrine of "disproportionate response" since Israel's founding. The results have been mediocre, nearly always leading to the death of innocent Arab civilians and exacerbating anti-Israeli sentiment. Each time it has led to an escalation that is difficult to control and thrown the entire country into an increasingly inextricable situation. Practically every time it has made Israel, the aggressed party, look like the aggressor. What explains such perseverance? This research is based on vast documentation collected in Israel as well as on more than 60 in-depth interviews with officers and simple soldiers, senior counterterrorism officials, politicians, journalists and NGOs.
Description based upon print version of record.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
pt. 1. A genealogy of "disproportionate response" -- Asymmetric warfare : a challenge for democracies -- The roots of a doctrine -- "Peace for Galilee," or, The making of a new insurgency -- How the IDF popularized the First Intifada -- pt. 2. The handling of the Second Intifada -- Botched engagement in the Intifada -- Tightening the screws -- The counter-productive virtuosity of targeted killings -- The resilience of Israeli democracy -- Strategic Inconsistencies -- Conclusion: "The only enemy that can defeat the IDF."
This book is devoted to Israel's asymmetric wars, those conducted against irregular armed groups that have attacked it. It seeks to understand the Israeli strategy in the fight against terrorists acting under the guise of civilians or using the population as human shields. The army has implemented a loosely devised, if not simplistic, doctrine of "disproportionate response" since Israel's founding. The results have been mediocre, nearly always leading to the death of innocent Arab civilians and exacerbating anti-Israeli sentiment. Each time it has led to an escalation that is difficult to control and thrown the entire country into an increasingly inextricable situation. Practically every time it has made Israel, the aggressed party, look like the aggressor. What explains such perseverance? This research is based on vast documentation collected in Israel as well as on more than 60 in-depth interviews with officers and simple soldiers, senior counterterrorism officials, politicians, journalists and NGOs.
Israel. Tseva haganah le-Yiśraʼel.
Middle East—Politics and government.
International relations.
Politics and war.
Diplomacy.
Terrorism.
Political violence.
Peace.
Middle Eastern Politics.
International Relations.
Military and Defence Studies.
Diplomacy.
Terrorism and Political Violence.
Peace Studies.