GREEK-ISRAEL STUDIES

Dan Schueftan

Dan Schueftan is the director of the National Security Studies Center at the University of Haifa, the director of the International Graduate Program in National Security at that university, a visiting professor (2012–2014) at Georgetown University in Washington DC, and a lecturer at the IDF National Defense College. For the last four decades he has been a consultant to Israeli decision makers and to the top echelon of Israel's government, military, and intelligence establishments. Dr. Schueftan has published extensively on contemporary Middle Eastern political history. His most recent book (2011) is Palestinians in Israel—The Arab Minority and the Jewish State.

Copyright: Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs (http://www.israelcfr.com)
Publication on RIEAS web site: www.rieas.gr on 2 March 2015.

Note: RIEAS received the permission from the author, Dr. Dan Schueftan to repost the article from the Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs.

Israel's national security challenges are unique in the sense that no other open society has ever been surrounded by active and potential enemies and subjected to threats with an existential dimension for generations. Open societies, which maintain a democratic regime and a pluralistic way of life, impose strict limitations on their own conduct, even vis-à-vis their worst enemies, and consider upholding their core values and standards of conduct no less important than safeguarding their security and wellbeing. These restrictions on the part of Israel motivate its enemies and adversaries, unburdened as they are by equivalent inhibitions, who hope to use them to secure immunity from Israeli retribution and countermeasures. An effective response to Israel's national security challenges is, thus, more difficult than it is for other nations for three reasons: first, Israel must fight, so to speak, with one hand tied behind its back; second, its enemies are encouraged by this and forge their strategy around it; and third, Israel's partners-in-values, never having confronted a generations-long challenge of this magnitude and ferocity, are often appalled by what it takes to survive this unique challenge... Read more

George X. Protopapas
(RIEAS Media Analyst)

Copyright: Geopolitical Monitor on line (Publication Date on RIEAS web site: 13 July 2014)

The European Union is looking for supply alternatives in order to reduce its energy dependence on Russian gas, particularly after relations between the West and Russia deteriorated following the Ukraine crisis.

One could say that relations between the EU and Russiaare characterized as a paradox: both parties seem reluctant to abandon their energy relationship. To be more precise, the relationship is kind of symbiotic. The EU continues to be the best customer, constantly requesting more energy resources, and making the huge European market indispensable for Russia. Undoubtedly, suppliers and buyers constantly generate pretexts and arguments that ultimately aim to achieve better market placement, terms, and conditions.....  Read more

Dr. Thomas B. Hunter, DSS
(Former senior intelligence analyst with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in the United States, focusing on terrorist tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP). He has published numerous articles on topics relating to civilian and military special operations, counterterrorism, counterproliferation, and hostage rescue. He has also published an introductory book on international targeted killing operations titled “Targeted Killing: Pre-emption, Self-Defense, and the War on Terrorism.")

Copyright: The Journal of Counter-Terrorism and Homeland Security Journal IACSP (Vol. 20, No.2, 2014, pp: 18-21) – RIEAS received permission from IACSP Editor to repost the article in RIEAS web site on 28 June 2014)

Introduction

Since the first international recognition of the state of Israel in 1949, that nation has been embroiled in a constant state of conflict, not only in overt wars between itself and its Arab neighbors, but also against numerous terrorist organizations seeking its demise as a nation. Regardless of the political landscape by which one views the conflict, the United Nations has recognized Israel’s right to exist as a country, as well as its right to self-defense. In this latter aspect, the nation has been forced to adapt to virtually all forms of armed conflict in the defense of its borders....  Read more

Panos Nastos  
(Εxpert Μilitary Analyst, he received his B.A. in Army War College and M.A. in the National Security School)

Copyright: www.rieas.gr

Introduction

On the chessboard of international power, the control of terrestrial and marine energy routes conveying crude oil and natural gas, from production to consumer areas, play a very influential role. Due to its geographical position, the region of the eastern Mediterranean has always been one of the most important points of the globe, as far as the distribution of raw energy materials is concerned.

Christodoulos Ioannou
(Security Analyst & RIEAS Research Associate)

Copyright: www.rieas.gr

Cyprus and Israel entered a new phase in their relations recently. The development of the Cypriot-Israeli relations is a fact that has been warmly welcomed by the people of the two countries, since their long lasting friendly views on each other. Even though the populations of the two countries shared a sympathetic view of each other, the state relations were never as good and close as they have become recently and this was mainly due to the close relations and military cooperation between Turkey and Israel since the mid 1990’s.