Shagiv Assouline, a former senior Mossad officer and researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Foreign and Security Affairs (JCFA), says changes in American policy require a sober reassessment. 'US policy has shifted at this juncture, and we must recognize that. Israel must remember it should rely first and foremost on itself,' he said. He assesses the coming months until the US midterms will be critical for reshaping American policy.
Shagiv Assouline, a former senior Mossad official and a researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Foreign and Security Affairs (JCFA), argued Friday that Israel must prepare for a period in which it will stand increasingly on its own. In remarks published by the center, Assouline said the shift in US policy is real and must be acknowledged: 'Israel must remember it should rely first and foremost on itself.'
Assouline assessed that Iran has succeeded in positioning itself in regional consciousness as having stood up to the United States and Israel, creating a complex diplomatic and security challenge for Jerusalem. He called the coming months, leading up to the US midterm elections, critical for reshaping American policy toward the region.
The analysis joins a growing debate among Israeli security experts, as reported by The Zioneer, over the implications of US-Iran diplomatic moves and reported American pressure on Israel regarding Lebanon and freedom of action against Hezbollah.
2 developments
- DevelopingThe Zioneer editorial: Israel must build long-term foreign policy foundation amid US shift
- DevelopingGoldblatt: Israel cannot defeat Hezbollah while its hands are tied by US pressure
- DevelopingFormer Israeli intel official: US miscalculates expecting Iran to change course amid rhetorical escalation
- DevelopingAnalyst warns Israel won militarily but may lose the political aftermath
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