(Jerusalem Institute for Strategic Studies) Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman - The measured and effective use of military force does not run counter to diplomacy; on the contrary, it facilitates diplomacy. Recent events in Syria and the confrontation with Hamas in Gaza have involved three-cornered diplomacy, in which the use of a small fraction of Israel's military power is what enabled the mediators - Russia and Egypt - to "explain" what is at stake to their interlocutors. In these cases, powerful external players are made to understand that if they do not act to achieve moderation, their essential interests are liable to be affected and will certainly suffer if Israel decides to use all the force at its disposal. For this message to be convincing, it must be demonstrated, even if at first Israel prefers to act with limited force. The writer, vice president of JISS, held senior posts in IDF Military Intelligence for over 20 years.
2018-08-07 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive