210: Or Yissachar: "Israel needs a National Security Doctrine to define what kind of nation it should be in the world"

Find all of Jonny's latest articles and over 220 podcast interviews recorded over seven years via his ⁠Substack⁠. What should Israel’s long-term security strategy actually look like? For nearly 80 years, Israel has fought wars, responded to terror and dealt with one existential threat after another. Many of these conflicts are called “operation something or other”, and are often forgotten by the blinding lights of bigger wars fought either side of them. Nevertheless, they are still part of the same war. But unlike countries such as the United States or the United Kingdom, Israel has never adopted a formal National Security Doctrine. So, as the Jewish State approaches its 80th anniversary, is it finally time to define one? My guest is Or Yissachar – one of Israel’s sharpest strategic thinkers. He’s a geopolitical and security analyst, the host of the Underscore podcast, and co-founder of the David Institute for Security Policy with the Israel Defense and Security Forum, IDSF. Together with a team of experts, Or has helped produce a proposed Security Doctrine for Israel. It’s about much more than military strength. It asks what kind of country Israel wants to be, exploring everything from education and national identity to strategic alliances, energy and manufacturing independence, and the enduring relationship with the Jewish diaspora. We’ve always kept in touch over the years, so it was a real pleasure to sit down with Or in London during his busy schedule. I think you’ll find this a fascinating conversation about Israel’s future—not just how it survives, but how it thrives. Jonny Gould is supported by Dangoor Education and UK Toremet, promoting philanthropy. Find all of Jonny's latest articles and over 220 podcast interviews recorded over seven years via his ⁠Substack⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices