Section: Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (Israel)
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...
Russian Strategic Logic
Russian soldiers after the seizure of Perevalne military base, Crimea, 9 March 2014, Wikipedia CCBESA Center Perspectives No. 549, August 2, 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Western observers are often astonished by Russian military decision-making, which defies the principle of waiting for full knowledge of the enemy before acting. The Russian approach...
Another Attempt to Solve the Cyprus Problem Ends in Failure
UN Secretary-General António Guterres (left) with Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades (center) and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, photo by Jean Marc Ferre via UN image libraryBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 526, July 12, 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Another round of talks attempting to solve the Cyprus problem has ended in resounding...
What Trump Can Learn from Oliver Stone’s “Putin Interviews”
Oliver Stone and Vladimir Putin, screen capture from RT.com YouTube video, courtesy ShowtimeBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 520, July 6, 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The July 2015-February 2017 interviews with Vladimir Putin by US filmmaker Oliver Stone, now streaming on Showtime, provide surprising insights into the mind of the Russian leader. “We...
Washington and Moscow: Confrontation or Cooperation?
Executive Summary: Behind the ongoing media frenzy, America seems deeply divided over whether to pursue a hard line with Russia or to cooperate with it. With Donald Trump favoring the latter course, Moscow “voted” for him in the 2016 elections. But the Kremlin’s cybernetic interference in the election has led to ongoing Russo-gate and...
