Netanyahu Employs Sequential Strategy in Politics and Security, Eyes Iran as Final Goal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is managing his political and security challenges through a sequential, focused strategy, addressing one issue at a time before moving to the next. This approach, described as a "serial strategy," concentrates resources and attention on a single front to maximize impact, rather than dispersing efforts across multiple arenas simultaneously. Netanyahu first announced Oran Dobronski, a tech entrepreneur from the show "The Sharks," as a key addition to the Likud party ahead of the August 17 primaries, marking the initial phase of his political focus.

Following the primaries, Netanyahu plans to shift his attention to consolidating the right-wing bloc, a coalition model he pioneered since 2015 that treats right-wing parties as a unified front rather than mere competitors. This bloc is critical for forming a government, akin to a federated party structure with different brands but shared goals. After securing the bloc, Netanyahu’s next target is the prime ministership itself, where he faces a contrasting leadership model represented by Gadi Eisenkot, who advocates cautious risk management and measured steps.

Netanyahu’s strategy contrasts with Eisenkot’s approach, especially after the October 7 events, as Netanyahu now seeks transformative leadership that changes the rules of the game rather than merely managing risks. He views time as a weapon, willing to wait for conditions to mature before acting decisively. However, this sequential method carries risks of delay, potentially allowing opponents to regroup and strengthen.

The ultimate test of Netanyahu’s strategy will be Iran, which he regards as his legacy project. Success depends on turning time from a waiting tool into a decisive factor, especially after the November 3 U.S. midterm elections reshape Washington’s political landscape. The recent removal of two Mossad officials linked to a failed regime change operation in Iran highlights the complexity and long-term nature of such efforts, requiring intelligence, armaments, planning, and U.S. cooperation.

These upcoming elections are crucial for Israel’s security future, encapsulating two competing leadership visions: Eisenkot’s risk management versus Netanyahu’s transformative agenda. Netanyahu’s sequential strategy aims to first secure political power and then address Iran, but its effectiveness hinges on closing each stage successfully without delay.