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Meir Ben Shabbat

Meir Ben Shabbat is head of the Misgav Institute for Zionist Strategy & National Security, in Jerusalem. He served as Israel’s national security advisor and head of the National Security Council between 2017 and 2021. Prior to that, for 25 years he held senior positions in the Israel Security Agency (Shabak).

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (right) embraces Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Source: Khamenei's Twitter account, posted May 24, 2021.

Iran knows this war will cost it some of its proxies

With Hamas effectively neutralized, Israel is now freer to confront Tehran's other regional tentacles and establish a regional anti-Iranian coalition from a position of strength.

Meir Ben Shabbat

August 4, 2024

Armed Palestinians attend the funeral of terrorists killed during an Israeli military operation in Kafr Dan, west of Jenin, June 12, 2024. Photo by Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90.

The imperative of preventing the ‘Gazafication’ of Jenin

Successfully addressing the challenges in the West Bank will help prevent the area from deteriorating into a situation that Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas would like to see.

Meir Ben Shabbat

July 5, 2024

Smoke billows following an Israeli airstrike that targeted a house in the Southern Lebanese village of Khiam, June 21, 2024. Photo by Rabih Daher/AFP via Getty Images.

Decisive victory over Hamas will impact Hezbollah as well

Success in the Gaza Strip could shake Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah's confidence and demonstrate the consequences of war with Israel.

Meir Ben Shabbat

June 24, 2024

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant speaks with troops near the Gaza border, Oct. 15, 2023. Photo by Ariel Hermoni/Israel Ministry of Defense.

Rafah operation must take place—even in defiance of the US

The deadlock in negotiations for the release of Israeli captives, coupled with American accusations against the group, has paved the way for the offensive.

Meir Ben Shabbat

April 30, 2024

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with U.S. President Joe Biden about the Iranian attack on April 14, 2024. Credit: Prime Minister’s Spokesperson.

Iran’s attack has left it vulnerable

Tehran is now in a worse geopolitical position than prior to the strike.

Meir Ben Shabbat

April 16, 2024

IDF soldiers in the Gaza Strip, March 3, 2024. Credit: IDF.

Israel must act wisely as key moment arrives in Gaza war

Enemies, friends and neutrals are keeping a watchful eye: The Jewish state has no alternative but to pursue its goals until they are fully met.

Meir Ben Shabbat

March 3, 2024

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on a phone call with U.S. officials, including the president, about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategy against Hamas on Oct. 11, 2023, in the Oval Office. Credit: Adam Schultz/White House.

Without total victory, there can be no new regional order

All that glitters is not gold, and what might appear to be a good way forward on paper is far from providing even an adequate solution to the deeply entrenched, fundamental problems.

Meir Ben Shabbat

February 12, 2024

Israeli troops operating in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, Dec. 28, 2023. Credit: IDF.

State of war should continue until tunnels are destroyed

Israel should seek consensus regarding the idea that Gaza's residents will not be able to live their lives in areas that have not been cleared of tunnels.

Meir Ben Shabbat

January 1, 2024

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv on Nov. 3, 2023. Credit: Amos Ben-Gershom/GPO.

America wants to help, but is undermining the war effort

Constraints imposed by the U.S. will prolong the conflict, which is something Washington doesn't want.

Meir Ben Shabbat

December 10, 2023