Louis René Beres
Israel’s survival ‘in time’
In essence, time represents the most critical determinant of Israel’s survival as a state. This is true not just in relation to operational requirements of counterterrorism and nuclear war avoidance, but also because Israel’s policies reflect...
Impending War with Iran: Israel’s Lawful Opportunity to Prevent Iranian Nuclear Weapons
Abstract: Israel’s “no choice” Gaza War has been fought primarily against sub-state terrorist adversary Hamas. In the coming weeks, however, a threatened “retaliation” from Iran for Israel’s recent self-defense killing of a senior Iranian commander...
Destabilizing Israel and the Middle East; America, “Palestine” and Regional Nuclear War
“All people…who dare not defend themselves when they know they are in the right, who submit to punishment not because of what they have done but because of who they are, are already dead...
Israel and “Palestine”: What international law expects
International law reveals a curious debility: No matter how complex the pertinent issues, virtually any interested adult seemingly feels competent to offer an authoritative legal opinion. Though no sane medical layperson would ever presume...
Israel “Palestine” and the law of nations
The Gaza War has re-ignited shrill calls for Palestinian statehood. But how should the expected benefits for Palestinians be compared with expected harms to Israel? And what does international law (aka the law of nations)...
Enforcing the Law of Nations
"Each state is expected to aid and enforce the law of nations, as part of the common law, by inflicting an adequate punishment upon the offenses against that universal law."William Blackstone, Commentaries on the...
Managing nuclear risk: Intellectual obligations for the U.S. and Israel
World politics remain rooted in anarchy. This means that almost every nation-state’s security is ultimately contingent on the uncertain dynamics of military threat. It also means variously expanding state dependencies on military alliance, counter-proliferation and...
Navigating Chaos: Israel, Nuclear Ambiguity and the “Samson Option”
Israel’s ship of state, facing rough seas, is at high risk and requires clearer rules of navigation. During this period of deep complexity, Israel will need to clarify its strategic direction. The terrorists of...
Nuclear War with Iran: Israel’s science-based options
“I learn a science from the soul’s aggressions.” - St. John Perse
The evidence is compelling.
In various parts of the world, including the Middle East, a nuclear war is increasingly plausible. Still, identifying meaningful time...
The Order of Chaos: Israel Should Clarify Its Nuclear Doctrine and Strategy
HAMM: “What’s happening, what’s happening?
CLOV: “Something is taking its course.”
Samuel Beckett, Endgame
Abstract: Though seemingly paradoxical, even chaos can exhibit a determinable order or “course.” Understood in terms of Israel’s survival in the chaotic Middle...