The National Security Studies Center

Society, Economy and Nasional Security in Israel: July 30, 2015

Guest lecturer: MK Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg

Twisting the Image of Israel: June 10, 2015

Guest lecturer: Ben-Dror Yemini

Europe, the Czech Republic and Israel: May 21, 2015

Guest lecturer: Ivo Schwarz, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Israel.

Society and Economy in a Changinf Middle East: April 30, 2015

Guest lecturer: Prof. Onn Winckler

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Case Histories in Demographic Suicide: Some Strategic Lessons: April 30, 2105

Guest lecturer: David P. Goldman

Egyptian - Israeli Relations and the Arab Peace Initiative: April 19, 2015

Guest lecturer: Mohammed Mustafa Orfy

The Media and National Security: March 30, 2015

Guest lecturer: Aluf Benn, editor-in-chief of Haaretz Newspaper 

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The Middle East in the Eye of the Storm: January 28, 2015

Guest lecturer: General (res.) Yaakov Amidror, former National Security Advisor of Israel

The seminar was held in memory of Nir Regev who was killed at the terrorist attack at Maxim restaurant in Haifa. A scholarship was awarded by his family.  

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Russia between Ukraine and the Middle East: December 30, 2014

Guest lecturer: Mr. Zvi Magen, former ambassador to Ukrine and Russia

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Upheaval in the Region and Israel National Security: November 6, 2014

Guest lecturer: Prof. Gabriel Ben-Dor and Dr. Dan Schueftan

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National Security 2014: General Assessment: April 8, 2014

Guest lecturer: Major General (res.) Uzi Dayan

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National Security: Practical and Normative Aspects Inspired by David Ben Gurion: February 26, 2014

Guest lecturer: Major General Gershon Hacohen, commander of the IDF Northern Command.

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Challenges in the Navel Arena: January 1, 2014

Guest lecturer: Major General (res.) Eli Marom (Cheney), former Commander of the Israeli Navy.

The seminar was held in memory of Nir Regev who was killed at the terrorist attack at Maxim restaurant in Haifa, a scholarship was awarded by his family.

To watch the video press here

Technology, Law and National Security in a Changing World: October 29, 2013

The seminar was held in cooperation with The Haifa Center for Law and Technology and the Minerva Center for Rule of Law under Extreme Condition 

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The Theory of Israel's National Security: A Symposium to mark 25 years to the security studies programs at the University of Haifa: May 21, 2013

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Economy and National Security: February 6, 2013

Guest lecturer, David Brodet, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi 

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2013 Security Challenges: December 25, 2012

Guest lecturer, Major General (res.) Amos Yadlin. Opening words by Mr Amos Shapira, president of the University of Haifa.

The seminar was held in memory of Nir Regev who was killed at the terrorist attack at Maxim restaurant in Haifa, a scholarship was awarded by his family

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Stratgy at the top: November 27, 2012 

Guest lecturer, Prof. Uzi Arad from the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya

 To watch the video press here

The Challenge of the Palestinians in Israel: June 12, 2012

Speakers, Prof. Sammy Smooha and Dr. Dan Schueftan

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Europe Day Celebration:  May 3, 2012

The National Security Study Center hosted the Europe Day Celebrations at Haifa University, together with the Haifa Center for German and European Studies (HCGES) and sponsored by the European Union. The events included a public lecture on the topic of Europe and Israel, guest speakers included Ambassador Andrew Stendley, Ambassador of the European Union to Israel, Ambassador (ret.) Shimon Stein Senior Research Fellow, INSS, former Ambassador to Germany, and Bastiaan Belder, Head of the delegation of the European Parliament to Israel.

Following that a formal reception took place for the European Ambassadors, Haifa dignitaries and honor students. Among those who participated in the reception were Mr. Yona Yahav Mayor of Haifa, Mr. Ami Ayalon, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the University of Haifa, Prof. David Faraggi, Rector of the University of Haifa and several European Ambassadors. After the reception a formal dinner was held at Dan Carmel Hotel in Haifa which included officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Security Council and the University of Haifa as well as nine European Ambassadors. The participants had a candid debate about Israel-Europe relations.

To watch the video press here

A Different Middle East: April 16, 2012 

Guest lecturer, Major General (res.) Amos Gilad, The Director of Political Military and Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Defense

The Transition to Democracy: a comparative look: March 7, 2012 

Guest lecturer, zech ambassador to Israel, Tomasz Feuer, renown author Amos Oz, and Prof. Shlomo Avineri from the Hebrew University (In memory of the former president of the Czech republic Vaclav Havel)

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A strategic overview: January 23, 2012

Guest lecturer, Gabi Ashkenazi, former Chief of Staff and chairman of Shemen, Oil and Gas Resources.

(The seminar was held in memory of Nir Regev who was killed at the terrorist attack at Maxim restaurant in Haifa, a scholarship was awarded by his family)

The “Arab spring”: January 3, 2012

Speakers, Prof. Eyal Zisser, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Tel Aviv University, Prof. Gabriel Ben-Dor, head of the National Security Studies Program, and Dr. Dan Schueftan Head of the National Security Study Center

To watch the video press here

War and Peace: What Can You Learn from Game Theory? May 31, 2011

The seminar was conducted along with the Executive Program for Negotiating and Decision-Making and the School of Political Science at the University of Haifa. Guest lecturer, Prof. Israel Aumann from the Hebrew University (laureate of the 2005 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics)

National Security in the Regional and Global Arena, an Asian Perspective: May 3, 2011

Guest lecturer, Mr. Peter Ho, the Director of the Defense Ministry of Singapore.

“A New Middle East”? April 12, 2011

Guest lecturer, Prof. Eyal Zisser, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Tel Aviv University, Prof. Gabriel Ben-Dor, head of the National Security Studies Program, and Dr. Dan Schueftan Head of the National Security Study Center

Europe’s Security and the Middle East: February 22, 2011

Guest lecturer General Kersten Lahl, President of the Federal Academy for Security Policy in Germany.

Simulation  the 10^th and the 17^th of February 2011

The NSSC conducted a Strategic-Political simulation that examined the possibility of a military confrontation at the North front. The simulation examined the policies and behavior of the parties directly involved in the Conflict, Israel, Hezbollah (Lebanon), and Syria. It also examined the reactions and involvement of regional actors, the Arab states, Iran and Turkey, as well as the involvement of the international powers, the U.S., Russia and Europe. At the end of the simulation an extended debate was held with the participation of the audience and the representatives of the parties involved. As part of the debate every group presented the principal policies of the party it represented and explained the actions taken in order to achieve these policies.

The participants that took part in the simulation were: from the NSSC: Dr. Dan Schueftan, head of the NSSC, Major General (res.) Eyal Ben-Reuven, Dr. Israel Feldman, Col.(res.) Amir Yarom, Gadi Sena, Brigadier General (res.) Ruth Yaron (Former IDF spokesperson), Erez Koren. Representing Israel: Tzachi Hanegbi, Brigadier General (res.) Michael (Mike) Herzog, Ilan Mizrahi. Representing the U.S.: Salai Meridor, Israel's ambassador to Washington, Dr. Dov Zakheim, Daniel Fltka. Representing the U.S.: U.S. Ambassador Samuel Lewis, Dr. Elliott Abrams, Prof. Steven Spiegel. Representing Europe: Dr. Oded Eran, Dr. Mark Heller, Dr. Alexander Jacobson, Lt. Col. (ret.) Michael Segall. Representing Russia:Zvi Magen (former Israeli ambassador to Russia), Jacob Kadmi. Representing Egypt and the Arab arena: Zvi Mazel (Israeli Ambassador to Sweden), Prof, Uzi Rabi, Jacob Rosen (ambassador to Jordan). Representing Iran: Prof. Meir Litvak, Dr. Solly Shahvar. Representing Hezbollah and Lebanon: Prof. Martin Kramer, Brigadier General (res.) Dr. Shimon Shapira, Dr. Eitan Azani, Harel Horev. Representing Syria: Prof. Eyal Zisser. Representing Turkey: Prof. Ehud Toledano. The Palestinian Authority: Brigadier General (res.) Shlomo Brom, Arie Shpitzan. Hamas: Michael Milstein. The Media: Dan Williams.

 Research

The core of the NSSC research consists of a number of exclusive studies that examine the ability of the Israeli society to cope with the state’s national security challenges. The most prominent project is an ongoing, systematic in-depth study, examining various aspects of Israel's national resilience. The study brings together extensive data concerning patriotism, optimism, fear, militancy and trust in Israel’s institutions, to construct an index of Israel’s national resilience. The cumulative contribution of these data and insights for over a dozen years, provides a rare opportunity to systematically follow the long term trends of Israel’s society coping with the threats and challenges to its national security. In addition to this major project, the NSSC also conducted more focused studies on related issues, including political extremism and patterns of coping with terrorism, examining the tension between Israel’s unique security needs and the constraints embedded in its open society characteristics. The products of the national resilience and political extremism studies were recently published by leading academic publishers.

Contribution to Strategic and Public Discourse 

For over a decade the NSSC and its researchers have contributed significantly to the strategic and public discourse on national security in Israel, by way of direct contacts with decision makers, senior officials and public opinion leaders, as well as through professional simulations, large scale public seminars and media exposure. The findings of the studies conducted at the NSSC, primarily those relating to national resilience, are presented annually to Israeli and foreign decision-makers, officials, academics and experts, generating extensive discussions concerning their policy relevance.

Cooperation with Foreign National Security Establishments

The NSSC strives to develop and cultivate cooperation with national security establishments, as well as with senior government officials, in America, Europe, Asia and the Arab world. This includes professional visits, lectures and longstanding teaching by senior NSSC members at research centers and governmental institutions abroad, as well as hosting leading experts and directors of national security institutions in Israel, introducing them to senior officials in the defense, foreign relations and economy establishments. NSSC contacts in the Arab World include meetings with senior government officials and public figures (recently in Qatar and Jordan), as well as regular meetings in Europe, twice a year, which bring together hundreds of prominent participants from Arab countries and Iran, including many of the instigators of the latest dramatic changes in the region (the “Arab Spring"). In addition the NSSC closely works with ambassadors, security and military attaches and senior diplomats accredited to Israel, briefing them about the Middle East and Israeli society and introducing them to the findings of the Center’s research projects.

Training Senior Officials of Israel’s Defense and Foreign Policy Establishment

Since its establishment, the NSSC has been working closely with the National Security Studies Program headed by Prof. Ben-Dor (who is also a senior researcher at the NSSC and heads the national resilience study). Students from the program, in particular at the senior level, including students from the National Security College participate in a variety of NSSC forums and are exposed to the products of the Center’s research. Many of those went on to hold senior positions in the Israeli defense and in foreign affairs establishments, including a Defense Minister, Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs of the IDF General Staff, Major Generals, Ambassadors and heads of divisions.

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