Military Intelligence Warns Netanyahu of Israel’s Waning Deterrence Power

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Justice Minister Yariv Levin (L) attend a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, 02 April 2023. (EPA)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Justice Minister Yariv Levin (L) attend a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, 02 April 2023. (EPA)
TT
20

Military Intelligence Warns Netanyahu of Israel’s Waning Deterrence Power

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Justice Minister Yariv Levin (L) attend a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, 02 April 2023. (EPA)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Justice Minister Yariv Levin (L) attend a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, 02 April 2023. (EPA)

Israel's strategic position has experienced a “serious decline” in recent months, according to a warning from the research department at the Military Intelligence Directorate in the Israeli Defense Forces (Aman).

The decline is attributed to a significant rift within the Jewish community resulting from the government's plan to overthrow the governance system and overhaul the judiciary.

These policies are impacting the military and Israeli-US relations, but have also seen intensified Israeli airstrikes on Syria.

Israel’s enemies have taken note of its weakened state, particularly in relation to the “distance between Tel Aviv and Washington,” said Aman’s report.

The report highlighted Iran as the primary beneficiary, given that Israel is unable to confront its nuclear program or engage it in battle without US support.

However, other actors may also be taking advantage of the situation.

Aman’s research department prepared an official memorandum warning of the serious decline in Israel’s deterrence power.

The memorandum was submitted to the Israeli army and political-security leadership, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, reported Israel Hayom on Tuesday.

The Aman report stated that “the deterioration of Israel's strategic situation is reflected in all elements of the axis hostile to Israel, led by Iran.”

“Evidence of this appears in the successive meetings between Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad to coordinate positions,” claimed the report.

“Iranian officials are conducting similar contacts, and it is likely that Iran has increased its pressure on various parties in the axis to carry out armed operations in Israel,” it added.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that “consecutive Israeli attacks on Syria in recent days are an attempt to restore Israel’s deterrence power and reinforce the balance of fear against Iran and Hezbollah.”



South Korean President Lee, Xi Pledge Closer Economic, Security Cooperation 

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, 10 June 2025. (EPA/Yonhap)
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, 10 June 2025. (EPA/Yonhap)
TT
20

South Korean President Lee, Xi Pledge Closer Economic, Security Cooperation 

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, 10 June 2025. (EPA/Yonhap)
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, 10 June 2025. (EPA/Yonhap)

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged on Tuesday to work for substantive advances in economic ties and peace and security on the Korean peninsula, Lee's office said.

In their first phone call since Lee took office last week, the South Korean president told Xi he hoped the two countries would pursue a more active exchange and cooperation in the areas of economy, security and culture, his spokesperson said.

"President Lee requested China to play a constructive role for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and peace and security," Kang Yu-jung told a briefing.

"President Xi in response said the Chinese side would make efforts for the resolution of the issues ... as they are matters of common interest to the two countries," Kang said.

Lee took office on June 4 after winning the presidency in a snap election called after the ouster of Yoon Suk Yeol over a failed martial law attempt in December. Lee has since spoken to US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

Chinese state media earlier said Xi told Lee that the two countries should respect each other's core interests and major concerns, and ensure ties move forward "on the right track."

A strategic cooperative partnership between both countries would bring more benefits to both and "inject more certainty into the chaotic regional and international situation," Xi was quoted as saying by state broadcaster CCTV.

China is South Korea's biggest trading partner and diplomatic relations between the two have improved since a 2017 spat over South Korea's installation of a US missile defense system that Beijing opposed.

While reiterating the importance of the US-South Korea alliance, Lee has also expressed more conciliatory plans for ties with China and North Korea, singling out the importance of China as a major trading partner while indicating a reluctance to take a firm stance on security tensions in the Taiwan Strait.