The Middle East Now Runs on Netanyahu’s Security-by-Strength Doctrine
Benjamin Netanyahu's security-by-strength doctrine, rooted in deterrence through military power, has reshaped Israel's foreign policy and the broader Middle East. Despite criticism over failures like the October 2023 Hamas attack, Netanyahu has positioned Israel as a dominant military force confronting Iran and its regional network. His vision has effectively sidelined the Oslo peace process and redefined regional alliances through sustained conflict and strategic deterrence.
- ▪Netanyahu outlined his 'peace of deterrence' doctrine in his 1993 book, emphasizing military strength over reconciliation.
- ▪The Axis of Resistance, led by Iran, includes groups like Hezbollah, the Houthis, and allied militias in Iraq and Syria.
- ▪Israel has engaged in prolonged military campaigns against Iran's network, marking its deadliest and longest war to date.
- ▪The Oslo-era peace process aiming for Palestinian statehood has effectively collapsed under Netanyahu's leadership.
- ▪Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the U.S., compares Netanyahu to Winston Churchill, describing him as a 'leader of history.'
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Illustration by Gregori Saavedra for NewsweekBy Tom O'ConnorSenior Writer, Foreign Policy & Deputy Editor, National Security and Foreign PolicyShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Three years before becoming Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu laid out a worldview in his 1993 book, A Durable Peace: Israel and Its Place Among the Nations, that would come to define both his leadership and the region around him.
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