Toward a New Iran Policy

US-Iran Negotiations: Simulation Exercise at INSS

Ephraim Asculai, Emily B. Landau, and Tamar Malz-Ginzburg

INSS Insight No. 154, December 29, 2009

Despite the tendency to denote any simulation exercise on security issues a "war game," the recent simulation designed and held at INSS did not focus on the option of a military attack. Rather, it developed the scenario of a bilateral US-Iranian negotiation over Iran's nuclear program.

A Strategic Alliance Central to Regional Stability

When Turkey barred Israel from a joint military exercise earlier this October, there was a great deal of speculation about the seriousness of a rift between the two allies. Although the strategic relations between the two regional superpowers is critical to both nations it also transcends the bilateral benefits that Turkey and Israel individually derive from it, as their alliance is fundamental to the region's balance of power and political stability.

Hezbollah Report on the IDF Presence on the Lebanese Border; The Hezbollah-Iran Relationship

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) maintains a large presence on the Lebanese border. This includes watch posts, fences, radar stations (both land and air) and the use of numerous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Unfortunately for Israel, Hezbollah has a very good idea of the extent and capabilities of the IDF. Ronen Bergman in today’s Yedioth Ahronoth has an important article detailing Hezbollah penetration and observation of IDF activities and presence along the border. Bergman notes:

Professors Gary Sick and Mohsen Milani: On Iran and the Nuclear Negotiations

On Thursday October 15, Israel Policy Forum held a conference call briefing to discuss the ongoing negotiations over the Iranian nuclear program. The panelists were Professors Mohsen Milani and Gary Sick. Professor Steven L. Spiegel moderated the call. The following is a summary of their remarks.

Is Iran doing all it can to get a nuclear weapon?

Report of Israel-Iran secret meeting

According to the Israel Atomic Energy Commision Spokesperson Yael Doron, Israeli and Iranian representatives participated in a nuclear non-proliferation conference in Egypt this past September. Iran has denied that the meeting took place; however Egypt's foreign ministry confirmed the report.

Ha'aretz reports:

What's Behind the Israel-Turkey Rift?

On December 22, 2008, outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert travelled to Turkey to meet with Prime Minister Tayyep Erdogan to discuss efforts to launch direct Israel-Syria peace talks. Days earlier, Olmert had expressed optimism that talks could resume with Turkey’s mediation, and there were reports that Syria had produced a document outlining its terms for direct negotiations.