Is Israel Preparing for War?
The eternal quest for peace in the Middle East has been derailed once again by concerns of war. Israelis have been living under constant tension, with the uncertainty of war looming large in their minds. The rumors are spreading like wildfire on the streets of Tel Aviv: Israel is secretly preparing for war with her neighbors. But the million-dollar question remains, what does this mean exactly, and what are the possible implications?
Enhancing Military Capabilities: Is Israel Preparing for Conflict?
Israel, since 2012, has been investing more and more in its defense forces, allocating a hefty percentage of its budget toward upgrading its military capabilities [1]. The country is purchasing advanced weaponry, ammunition, and technology from friendly countries like the United States [2]. This spree has led many to conjecture that Israel is silently planning for a major armed confrontation.
Table 1: Israel’s defence allocation (2012-2019)
| Year | Defence Allocation (~ of GDP) |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 16.9% |
| 2013 | 18.2% |
| 2015 | 19.9% |
| 2016 | 18.5% |
| 2017 | 21.2% |
| 2019 | 23.9% |
Upgraded Military Hardware: Signals of Military Readiness?
Tel Aviv has been ordering various military hardware, demonstrating their commitment to bolster its preparedness. Some crucial equipment includes:
• Long-range missiles: Such as the David’s Sling system [3], designed to attack cruise missiles and ballistic warheads.
• Enhanced fighter jets: Adding a new squadron of Lockheed F-35I ("Adir") stealth bombers, capable of penetrating Iranian radar systems [4].
• Advanced tanks: Recent upgrade of the Gabrielle tank family to improve its armor defense system [5].
• *Cyber warfare technologies: Israel has been spending substantially on cyber-warfare capabilities, seen as a vital component to ensure its military superiority. [6]
• Unmanned ground vehicles (UGV): Israel and other countries** are continuously pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence (AI) as employed in UGV; crucial tools during surveillance or intelligence operations [7].
From where I stand, today and tomorrow, we prepare not for war, and on the other hand……we are prepared also if there is a third player who wants to change rules of the game…- Israeli Defense Minister Lieberman
Tensions Around: The Geopoliticized Middle East
Consider a few factors that, without a doubt, significantly increased the stakes:
Border Tensions
Grenade attacks and infiltration at the Golan Heights [8] Continued tensions at Hamas-Fatah borders [9]
