Opinions

IDF activity along the Israel-Lebanon border (Photo: AP)

Operation Northern Shield: Q&A

The IDF has launched an operation to uncover and neutralize Hezbollah terror tunnels in the north. Amir Rapaport's weekly column attempts to answer questions arising from the operation: Why now? Is this operation really necessary? And who actually deters the other side more effectively – Israel or Hezbollah?

Amir Rapaport | 7/12/2018 Contact author

Smoke rises from a mortar attack by Gaza militants on Israel (Photo: AP)

It’s Not Just the Sentry's Fault

How has an operational entanglement led to the resignation of the Minister of Defense and to a resounding Hamas victory, and what really deters Israel? Amir Rapaport's weekly column tackles the burning questions that arise after the dust of war has settled

Amir Rapaport | 16/11/2018 Contact author

Photo: IDF

The Next War

The events and developments of the last few days indicate that the next war in Gaza will not necessarily be similar to the last rounds of fighting against Hamas. Amir Rapaport's column discusses the possible characteristics of the next confrontation in the south

Amir Rapaport | 19/10/2018 Contact author

Israel currently ranks 3rd strongest AI ecosystem in the world. Image from the Cybertech startup pavilion (Credit: Gilad Kavalerchik)

A.I. Superpower in the Making

Eight years after the launching of the cybernetic project that established the State of Israel as a global cyber superpower, a new national plan is currently under development. Its objective is to position Israel within the world's top five artificial intelligence leaders. The path to achieving this goal, at least for now, looks promising

Amir Rapaport | 6/10/2018 Contact author

Mossad Chief Yossi Cohen (PR photo: Tamir Bargig)

IsraelDefense’s Best of the Year: The Mossad

As the Jewish year comes to a close, the IsraelDefense staff picks the most influential or noteworthy people or entities in the defense realm this year. Amir Rapaport chose the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency. Special project

Amir Rapaport | 9/09/2018 Contact author

Israel's Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman with IDF Chief Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot (Photo: AP)

The Race is On: Who will be the Next IDF Chief?

The race for the IDF Chief of Staff's position seems to be progressing "by the book": The Minister of Defense has already interviewed the four candidates, and the Prime Minister will interview them very soon. But contrary to prevailing impressions, the race is not really wide open. Amir Rapaport’s weekly column

Amir Rapaport | 17/08/2018 Contact author

The riots along the Gaza border fence opposite the celebrations of the Syrian army reentering Quneitra (Photo: AP)

On the Other Side of the Fence

Between the tension opposite Hamas in the south and the situation along the border with Syria, Amir Rapaport attempts to examine Israel's policy through the perspective of Hamas in Gaza and Iran in Syria

Amir Rapaport | 3/08/2018 Contact author

Arson kite flyers in Gaza (Photo: IDF)

Fire Weaver vs. Arson Terror

The events of the last week in the south indicate that Israel and the Palestinians have embarked on a path of no return leading to a full head-on collision. Also, Israel seeks to position itself as a global power in the field of 'intelligent systems,' and the US faces a dilemma regarding the sale of F-35 stealth fighters to Turkey. Amir Rapaport's weekly column

Amir Rapaport | 22/06/2018 Contact author

Photo: Israel Defense

Record Number of Israeli Exhibitors at Eurosatory 2018

Seventy-three Israeli industries exhibited their products and services in one of the most important defense exhibitions in the world. Fifty-two of those companies presented their technologies at the Israeli National Pavilion. The Head of IMOD’s SIBAT, Brig. Gen. (res.) Michel Ben-Baruch: “Our advantage opposite the superpowers is in our quality and cutting-edge technology.” Special coverage from Paris

Amir Rapaport | 16/06/2018 Contact author