Abstract:

This paper traces the significant change that has occurred in the balance
between offense and defence in Israel’s ‘hybrid’ military strategy in recent
decades. Relying on fresh materials concerning the organizational, doctrinal,
and procurement processes of Israel’s military, we identify a shift from offense
towards defence as the preferred way to protect Israel in the face of new
security threats. We also show that due to rapidly changing security challenges,
limited resources, and the military’s organizational culture, this change has
been gradual, incremental, improvised, and largely informal. We propose that
similar changes may characterize other states facing new security challenges.

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