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The Effectiveness of the Tools of Statecraft Used by Israel

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The Effectiveness of the Tools of Statecraft Used by Israel

Fulfilling foreign policy objectives has proven to be a difficult and complex affair due to

Israel's geographical location in the Middle East. Israel has had to use a variety of instruments of

statecraft to safeguard its national security, advance its economic interests, and win worldwide

support and credibility since it is a small state surrounded by antagonistic neighbors. Israel has

successfully pursued its foreign policy objectives while navigating a difficult and unstable

geopolitical context by combining a number of these statecraft instruments.

Israel has always used diplomacy as a key strategy to gain legitimacy and international

support. Israel has also utilized military action to safeguard its interests in national security,

repelling possible belligerents, and safeguard itself from terrorist assaults. States that sponsor

terrorism or pose a security danger to Israel have been singled out and subjected to pressure

through economic penalties. Public diplomacy has been a crucial technique for influencing

public opinion worldwide and combating unfavorable impressions of Israel. Critical information

has been gathered through intelligence operations to foresee future dangers. Partnerships with

other countries with similar interests and values have been developed via strategic alliances.

Israel has employed military aggression as one of its most effective instruments of

statecraft. The country has displayed dominance in the area and intimidate possible belligerents

because of its overwhelming military prowess. Military operations by Israel, including the 1981

bombardment of Iraq's nuclear reactor and the 2007 attack on Syria's purported nuclear facility,

have proven that Israel is prepared to act decisively to safeguard its security concerns (Lobell,

2020). Thus, despite Israel successfully employing military force in the past, it does not signify

that the approach is always the right course of action. The emergence of non-state entities like

terrorist establishments and the interdependence of international politics provide new dimensions
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that necessitate new strategies for statecraft. Therefore, the deployment of military action may

also be costly and have unexpected repercussions since it usually results in heightened regional

instability, civilian fatalities, and diplomatic fallout.

Subsequently, to further its foreign policy objectives, Israel may have to depend on other

instruments of statecraft in the future, particularly diplomacy, economic statecraft, public

diplomacy, and intelligence sharing. For instance, Israel has already invested significantly in

public and digital diplomacy to sway public opinion worldwide and combat unfavorable

impressions of Israel. Trade treaties and investment collaborations are examples of economic

statecraft which may be utilized to forge relationships with other nations and advance economic

development. To foresee threats and combat non-state actors like terrorist groups, intelligence

collection and strategic alliances may be deployed.

Israel has successfully used several statecraft techniques to further its foreign policy

objectives. Building friendships, negotiating peace deals, and advancing Israel's interests in

international fora have all required diplomacy. Military force has been majorly utilized to

counter its aggressors. Besides, states that threaten Israel's security have been targeted with

economic sanctions to isolate and pressure them to dissuade possible attackers, protect against

terrorist assaults, and project dominance in the area. Global viewpoints have been shaped, and

possible threats have been anticipated and neutralized through public diplomacy and intelligence

collection. Building relationships that advance common interests and values has benefited the

country significantly through strategic alliances with nations with common principles.

Nonetheless, although Israel has historically used military power as a successful tool of

statecraft, the evolving nature of international politics and new difficulties that may arise in the
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future may necessitate alternative statecraft instruments. Hence, Israel must be flexible and

inventive in its foreign policy strategy to accomplish its objectives.

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References

Lobell, S. E. (2020). Why Israel launched a preventive military strike on Iraq’s nuclear weapons

program (1981): The fungibility of power resources. Journal of Strategic Studies, 1-26.

https://doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2020.1837116.