The study of civil-military relations in Israel: A new perspective

Because of its theoretical and practical significance and implications, in recent decades civil-military relations in Israel have been the focus of extended debates among analysts from different academic disciplines.1 That more than a half-century after its establishment, Israel lacks clearly defined and internationally recognized borders; that it is still engaged in an unending conflict with its neighbors; that many of its citizens continue to believe that it is facing existential threats; and that its security sector² and especially the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) play a major role in almost all spheres-all these have made this topic perennially relevant and debatable. In fact, various writers imply clear causal links between some or all of these factors.