Former IDF General Warns Israel Against Overdependence on US and Calls for Strategic Reassessment
Retired Brigadier General Assaf Orion, a senior researcher and head of the Dian and Gilford Glazer Center for Israel-China Policy at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), warned in a recent interview about Israel's growing strategic dependence on the United States, particularly on the personal relationship with the sitting US president. Speaking at the Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth National Security Conference, Orion highlighted that this shift from broad institutional reliance to dependence on a single individual poses significant risks to Israel's long-term strategic autonomy. He cited former President Trump’s unilateral decisions on ceasefires and diplomatic agreements as examples of how this dependence can undermine Israel’s ability to shape its own future.
Orion also addressed the deteriorating perception of Israel in Europe following the October 7 attacks and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, describing a "persistent trauma" that has deepened mutual misunderstandings. He stressed that Israel must reposition itself within the international community, particularly Europe, which remains its main trading partner. He warned against dismissing Europe as lost or dominated by Islamic influence, calling such attitudes a luxury Israel cannot afford.
Regarding military self-sufficiency, Orion cautioned against adopting a North Korean-style model of complete independence in arms production, emphasizing Israel’s limited resources and the critical role of American military aid. Quoting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call for Israel to become a "super Sparta," Orion argued that such a model is unrealistic and that maintaining strong alliances is essential.
Looking ahead, Orion proposed a five-step plan for the incoming government to restore Israel’s standing: reassessing the current security doctrine to consider political solutions, deciding on the future conduct of the war with attention to resource constraints, strengthening the US alliance with a long-term perspective, diversifying international partnerships, and adopting a more proactive approach toward Washington by contributing to US strategic interests, especially in technology and innovation amid US-China rivalry.
