The most powerful in the Middle East: IDF stronger than ever

[tinnypriv]

Note: There was a press conference in Tel Aviv last night promoting the release of the new annual report of the Jaffee Centre For Strategic Studies: 'The Middle East Strategic Balance 2002-2003' (Ephraim Kam, Yiftah Shapir). I can't find anything in English yet, so excuse the lame links.

The most powerful in the Middle East
Ma'ariv, 22 September 2003

| IDF stronger than ever | Strategic Studies report: Gulf between the Arabs grows larger | After Iraq, Israel stronger; her neighbours weakened

"The gap between Israel and the Arab States is larger than ever", according to the report of the Centre for Strategic Studies, presented yesterday.

The report indicates that Israel now has a "window of opportunity", following the American victory in Iraq. With the threat from the eastern front eliminated, the report concludes that it is possible and feasible for Israel to reduce the size of the IDF.

...

According to the centre, based at Tel-Aviv University, the victory in Iraq demonstrates the disparity between modern armies and those of the Arab states. "4 combined US/British divisions succeeded in defeating 23 Iraqi divisions - erasing one of the largest armies in the Middle East", according to retired Brigadier-General, Shlomo Brom.

...

The report also states that the US victory in Iraq demonstrates the strength of US power, redrawing the deterrence map towards Iran, Syria and Hizbollah.

...

The report also says that Israel has a huge advantage in space development.

...

Links:
http://images.maariv.co.il/cache/ART543405.html (Ma'ariv, translated above)
http://www.tau.ac.il/jcss/news.html (JCSS website in English)
http://www.tau.ac.il/jcss/balance/presentation/index.html (the presentation given at the press conference)
http://www.tau.ac.il/jcss/images/MESB.pdf (PDF, english extracts from the report, excludes Chpt3 which includes the Arab World - Israel comparision)