Retired Brigadier General Dror Shalom Calls Israel's Strategic Position a Resounding Failure

Retired Brigadier General Dror Shalom, former head of the Research Division in Israeli Military Intelligence (AMAN) and former head of the Political-Security Department at the Ministry of Defense, delivered a critical assessment of Israel's strategic situation during a conference hosted by INSS and Yedioth Ahronoth on July 27, 2026. Speaking publicly for the first time since his 2020 military retirement, Shalom acknowledged operational achievements but stated that Israel has failed to achieve decisive outcomes across all fronts, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. He emphasized that Hamas remains operational, Hezbollah retains its weapons, and Iran is negotiating with the U.S. over the Strait of Hormuz rather than its nuclear program.

Shalom criticized the handling of hostage returns, asserting that more hostages could have been recovered earlier. He credited former U.S. President Donald Trump and public pressure for pushing the American administration to secure the hostages’ release but said Israel lacked a clear strategy for Gaza’s future. He advocated implementing Trump’s "20 points" plan and creating a political alternative to Hamas while targeting its operatives abroad.

Regarding Iran, Shalom condemned the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal as lacking a backup plan, predicting it would accelerate Iran’s violations and increase the likelihood of military conflict. He called for a state commission of inquiry to examine the political, military, and intelligence decision-making on Palestinian and Iranian issues over the years.

Shalom also warned that Israel’s international standing is at a historic low and relations with the U.S. are strained. He urged strengthening ties with the U.S., Egypt, and Jordan and deepening the Abraham Accords into regional alliances. He stressed the need to invest not only in defense budgets but also in education and academia to prevent brain drain and ensure future technological breakthroughs, describing national security as a holistic challenge.