INVESTIGATIVE PROJECT
by Yaakov Lappin
June 12, 2015

If you ask defense officials in Israel today for a short-term security forecast, chances are good that you will hear an optimistic outlook and an expectation of relative quiet and stability. Yet a longer-term glance at the next four to five years is less rosy, and suggests the approach of storm clouds, driven by violent, radical Islamic winds. That’s why defense chiefs are keen to use the coming years to improve the Israeli military’s readiness, build up intelligence and firepower capabilities, and improve civil defenses, while the “sun is still out.”..Speaking this week at the 2015 Herzliya Conference, which focused on the issue of Israeli deterrence, retired Maj.- Gen. Amos Gilad offered a mixed message: “Our security situation hasn’t been so good in a long time. We are enjoying good deterrence on the northern front.” Despite Hizballah’s massive rocket and missile arsenal pointed at Israel, the Lebanese terror organization remains deterred by Israel. READ MORE