Section: Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (Israel)
Ten Tips for Israel when Negotiating with Saudi Arabia and the Arab World
Dove of peace, image by VimeoBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 697, December 24, 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Speculation is rife about the possibility of normalizing relations between Israel and the nations of the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar). If such negotiations do take place, the Israeli government will need to...
Trump Should Aid Czech President Zeman in Fighting the “Munich Attitude”
Milos Zeman, photo via Wikimedia CommonsBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 694, December 20, 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: In a December 6, 2016 telephone conversation, then President-Elect Donald Trump and Czech President Milos Zeman agreed to meet in April 2017 – but the visit appears to have been indefinitely postponed. This is unwise. Zeman, like...
Russia’s Unlikely Withdrawal from Syria
Russian soldier with PKM machine gun (Modernizirovanniy Pulemyot Kalashnikova), image via Wikimedia CommonsBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 636, November 7, 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Moscow’s intervention in the Syrian civil war boosted the reputation of the Russian military, afforded it valuable training, and enhanced Moscow’s...
The Puzzle of the North Korean ICBM
Kim Jong-un with alleged miniaturized thermonuclear device, screen capture from YouTube video by Right WingBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 634, November 5, 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Uncertainty remains about North Korea’s technological maturity and ability to launch nuclear warheads that could hit the US homeland, even after its recent...
Between the Iranian Threat and the Palestinian State Threat
Making Palestine map, photo by AL Eyad via Flickr CC BESA Center Perspectives No. 621, October 20, 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: In his recent visit to Washington and speech to the UN, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu focused his diplomatic efforts on the Iranian threat. Meanwhile, as President Trump looks for a breakthrough on the Palestinian...
The Militia Option in Syria
Free Syrian Army rebels take up positions against Assad militias on the outskirts of Maraat al-Numan, Idlib, Syria, image via Syria Freedom House Flickr CCBESA Center Perspectives No. 616, October 16, 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The war in Syria has focused attention on the role of militia forces. Although we may see the phenomenon as entirely...
Ukraine Won’t Be Solved Any Time Soon
Russia-backed rebel guards his position near division line with Ukrainian army with anti-tank missile near Dokuchaevsk, eastern Ukraine, image by Mstyslav Chernov via Wikimedia CommonsBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 611, October 11, 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The conflict in East Ukraine has reached a frozen phase in which neither side is making...
Putin’s Next Presidential Term Will Be Different
Vladimir Putin meeting with students from Sirius Educational Centre, photo via Office of the President of RussiaBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 601, October 1, 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Russia will hold its next presidential elections in March 2018, and current president Vladimir Putin has yet to announce his intention to run. Russians are...
Erdoğan’s Turkey: A Step Closer to the Orient
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, photo via Office of the President of RussiaBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 564, August 20, 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Despite Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s charisma as a politician, he has failed to promote stability in the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East due to his maximalist ideas. Erdoğan’s negligent...
Russia Feels American Pressure
Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump meet at G20 summit, photo via Office of the President of RussiaBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 561, August 16, 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Russian-US relations have reached their lowest point since the end of the Cold War. President Donald Trump has signed a new package of anti-Russian sanctions into law and...
