Institute for National Security Studies (Israel)

INSS Logo

The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) is an independent^[1] Israeli research institute and think tank affiliated with Tel Aviv University dealing in areas of national security matters such as military and strategic affairs, terrorism and low intensity conflict, military balance in the Middle East, and cyber warfare.^[2]

Headed by former IDF Military Intelligence Chief, General (ret.) Amos Yadlin,^[3] INSS research is published worldwide including in books, academic articles, news media, and used by government officials. INSS holds seminars and conferences in various fields of strategic affairs such as the annual Defensive Cyber Intelligence Security conference and Aerial Threat Seminar. Additionally, INSS publishes peer reviewed journals including Military and Strategic Affairs.

In the University of Pennsylvania's 2014 Global Go To Think Tanks Report, INSS was ranked as the fifth best think thank in the Middle East and North Africa. Among all think tanks worldwide, it ranked 42nd among "Top Defense and National Security Think Tanks" and 80th among "Top Foreign Policy and International Affairs Think Tanks". The institute's study "The History of Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations" was among the list of "Best Policy Study/Report Produced by a Think Tank" for the 2013-2014 term.^[4]

In August 2015, INSS signed an agreement to collaborate with the Center for Israel Studies (Jordan).

Mission Statement

INSS launches and engages in innovative, relevant, high-quality research that explores public discourse issues on security strategic challenges, and provides policy analysis and recommendations to decision makers, public leaders, and the strategic community, both in Israel and abroad. As part of its mission, it is committed to encourage new ways of thinking and expand the traditional contours of establishment analysis.

INSS researchers are guided by the four core values of professionalism, relevance, intellectual independence, and teamwork. Adhering to the highest standards of research and analysis, they are engaged in delving into the most pressing issues of security matters, and contribute in creative and innovative ways to national security policymaking. INSS emphasizes professional integrity and intellectual rigor, as colleagues seek to share ideas and learn from one another.

History

General (ret.) Amos Yadlin the head of the Institute

Originally, INSS was founded as the Center for Strategic Studies in 1977, as part of Tel Aviv University. General (ret.) Aharon Yariv, former IDF Military Intelligence Chief, 1964–1972, was the founding father of Center for Strategic Studies and headed the Institute until his death in 1994. The Center served as a pioneer in redefining the field of Israeli security studies and producing research in the fields of defense and national security that began being used by academic and policy makers.

In 1983, the Center changed its name to the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies, following a donation from Melvin Jaffee who resided in California.

In October 2006, the Jaffee Center changed its name to the Institute for National Security Studies, after INSS was officially granted independence from the Tel Aviv University and became an affiliate. Additionally, the contribution from Frank Lowy, INSS transferred to renovated building near Tel Aviv University on Haim Levanon Street 40, Tel Aviv. Currently the head of INSS is Major General Amos Yadlin.

Research Programs

INSS is a publisher and conducts research in a variety of areas, specializing on issues relevant to the national security. The results of INSS work are published in books, articles, special reports and memos. Most of the publications are published in Hebrew and English. They are distributed in print to subscribers, sent via hardcopy to key decision makers in the Israeli government, as well as uploaded electronically to INSS website. Likewise, the Institute hosts seminars and conferences on various security topics. Open to the public, the conferences are taken and recorded, allowing anyone to watch them online.

• Military and Strategic Affairs is headed by Dr. Colonel (res.) Gabi Siboni and studies the strategic changes and trends in the military framework and operation of armies globally, both past and present. Military and Strategic examines trends and issues from militaries worldwide from war to fighting terrorist organizations. The goal of the program is to identify the various components impacting directly the IDF's military structure, the way it functions, and its evolution. The program studies universal military theory, in an effort to provide a conceptual framework for meeting Israel's military needs and challenges. A primary focus of the INSS program is the relationship between the political and military levels. As such, the INSS program aims to enhance the public discourse on political-military relations, with the ensuing ramifications for decision making on force buildup and operation. Additionally, the Military and Strategic Affairs program publishes periodically three times a year the peer reviewed academic journal, Military and Strategic Affairs edited by Gabi Siboni.

• Cyber Warfare is headed by Dr. Colonel (res.) Gabi Siboni and is a research program dealing with a number of areas in the field of cyberspace, including: conceptualizing the effect of cyber in national security, defense, and intelligence, as well as the development of national policies and doctrines in response to cyberspace. The goal of the program is to contribute to the public debate on cyber security while developing and examining national policy by creating a common language on the issues. The program promotes public policies on the issue at a national and inter-organization level. Research is aimed in examining the cybernet dimension, identifying features and highlighting relevant issues significant to national and international security. Every half year, the Cyber program holds a conference on themes in cyber issues. Previous themes have included fundraising in cyberspace. Speakers have included General (ret.) Michael Hayden and Ralph Langer. The research program is a joint endeavor of INSS and the Blavatnik School of Compu

Chechic Award

The Chechic Award is given annually for the most outstanding research in security studies.^[5]

References