Brig. Gen. (res.) Dror Shalom, the outgoing head of the Political-Security Branch at the Defense Ministry, said the current war is a 'resounding strategic failure' with no decision reached in any theater. In a rare interview at the INSS National Security Conference, Shalom called the idea of toppling the Iranian regime through airstrikes and the Kurds 'delusional' and argued that Israel's strategic standing is at an unprecedented low. He also said more hostages could have been brought back earlier and called for a state commission of inquiry on both the Palestinian and Iranian fronts. The interview was reported by Moriah Asraf and Doron Kadosh (N13/Army Radio).
Brig. Gen. (res.) Dror Shalom, who served as the head of the Defense Ministry's Political-Security Branch for most of the war until a few months ago, delivered a sweeping critique of Israel's strategic conduct in a rare interview at the INSS National Security Conference on Monday.
Shalom described the war as a 'resounding strategic failure,' asserting that no front has been decisively resolved: Hamas remains on its feet, Hezbollah is far from disarmed, Iran's nuclear program — while set back — still exists, and Israel's international standing is at an unprecedented low, including strained ties with the United States. He characterized the entire strategic tier in Israel as 'weakened, or rather — being weakened.'
Addressing the Iran operation, Shalom said he supported the launch of Operation Roaring Lion (Sha'agat HaAri), calling the timing and operational maturity appropriate. However, he dismissed the notion that the regime in Tehran could be toppled by airstrikes and Kurdish proxies as 'delusional,' adding that such thinking is part of the weakening of Israel's strategic posture. He noted that while enriched uranium remains in Iran, the targeting of scientists was a significant achievement.
On the hostage issue, Shalom stated that more captives could have been returned earlier and that the protests pushing the U.S. administration contributed to the deals that did happen. He called for a state commission of inquiry on both the Palestinian and Iranian fronts, saying he would be the first to testify.
Shalom also urged the government to strengthen ties with Egypt and Jordan, which he said are being neglected, and to pursue a political initiative to create an alternative to Hamas, citing a historic opportunity in Syria and Lebanon.
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