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On Psychological Warfare, Negotiations, and What Lies Between

(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Aviram Balleishe - There should be an additional, proactive move by Israel indicating the intelligence penetration of Iran. Although this was demonstrated in the case of Haniyeh, this additional move should show Israeli capabilities and the fact that the Iranians have not yet seen even a fraction of those capabilities, forcing the Iranians to change their threat assessment, adjust their counterattack preparations and, most of all, inducing fear and panic among the Iranian people. Such an attack must target Iran's National Oil Company's oil and gas fields. Significant damage to Iran's central economic artery will harm terror financing. In addition, in light of Iran's economic crisis, the number of Afghan immigrants, the ethnic diversity, and the Iranian people's discontent with the regime's financial support for terrorist organizations and "Palestine," it might lead them to the streets. The situation in Lebanon is similar. An offensive blow against Hizbullah is needed, not a declaration of defensive passivity. The Lebanese people are in fear of a war that will deal the final blow to their economy, and clear messages should be conveyed to them. It should be emphasized that the Iranians did not significantly respond to the assassination of Qasem Soleimani (apart from a limited attack on American air force bases in Iraq). Why? Because they feared Trump and the expected response. This means that in the Middle East, if the strong are perceived as strong and behave strongly, they deter even the most crucial revenges by the humiliated side. The writer, Senior Director for Security, Diplomacy, and Communications at the Jerusalem Center, has served in senior government positions for over 25 years.
2024-08-13 00:00:00
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