| ID | 109490 |
| Title Proper | What happened to Israeli military thought? |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Kober, Avi |
| Publication | 2011. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | This article addresses the following question: how can one explain the neglect of the intellectual aspects of the profession on the part of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)? The explanations offered for that neglect are a mixture of cultural and societal factors. The cultural explanation focuses on Israeli strategic culture; the traditional Israeli perception of the combination of rich experience and experience-based intuition as a winning ticket; the tendency to extol improvisation; a cult of material strength; and a strong belief in technology. The social explanation stresses the declining attractiveness of a military career for qualitative young Israelis. The article contends that change can take place only if the IDF undergoes a process of institutional intellectualism - if not willingly then one imposed by the political echelon. |
| `In' analytical Note | Journal of Strategic Studies Vol. 34, No. 5; Oct 2011: p.707-732 |
| Journal Source | Journal of Strategic Studies Vol. 34, No. 5; Oct 2011: p.707-732 |
| Key Words | Israeli Military Thought ; History - Based Military Theory ; Practical Soldiers |