Itai Shapira

eBook, PDF

Israeli National Intelligence Culture (eBook, PDF)

Problem-Solving, Exceptionalism, and Pragmatism

Beschreibung

The book offers a novel conceptualization of Israeli national intelligence culture, describing the way in which Israelis perceive and practice intelligence.

Different nations have different national intelligence cultures, relying on different ideas of intelligence, perceiving and practicing intelligence in different ways. Written by a former senior intelligence officer, this book is the first study dedicated to Israeli intelligence culture and the way it reflects Israeli strategic culture. Relying on more than 30 elite interviews with acting and former Israeli practitioners, the book highlights the Israeli aversion to intelligence theory and scientific methods, as well as to the structured management of the intelligence system at the national level. It describes the intelligence system's emphasis on contrarian thinking and moral courage as the foundations of intelligence professionalism, and the growing inclination of Israeli intelligence toward action and influence. Intelligence is perceived and practiced by Israelis as a tool for problem-solving, addressing unique Israeli challenges. While some traits of the Israeli national intelligence culture have contributed to its high reputation and its 'success story', others might have also contributed to its failure in anticipating the Hamas terrorist attack on October 2023 or have remained aspirational norms rather than realized practice. The October 2023 failure, as that of the Yom Kippur War in 1973, will undoubtfully influence Israeli national intelligence culture for many years to come.

This book will be of much interest to students of intelligence studies, Israeli politics, strategic studies, and international relations.

Technische Details

• Geräte: PC
• mit Kopierschutz

Barrierefreiheit

• Text-to-Speech
• E-Mail des Verlags für Barrierefreiheitsfragen: [e-mail]
• Seitennummerierung folgt dem gedruckten Werk
• Kurze Alternativtexte für nicht-textuelle Inhalte vorhanden
• Navigierbarer Index mit direktem Zugriff auf Indexbegriffe
• Navigierbares Inhaltsverzeichnis für direkten Zugriff auf Text und Medien

Autor

Itai Shapira has served for more than 25 years in the Israeli Defense Intelligence on the strategic, operational, and tactical levels, retiring as a colonel. He holds a BA in Economics and Philosophy and an MBA from Tel Aviv University and is a graduate of the Israeli National Defense College. He earned his PhD from the University of Leicester, studying Israeli national intelligence culture.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Taylor & Francis eBooks
• Seitenzahl: 270
• Erscheinungstermin: 30. September 2024
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781040153192
• Artikelnr.: 72276557

Rezensionen

'Itai Shapira's study of Israeli intelligence culture is a major contribution to the field of Intelligence Studies, one that advances the subject in terms of conceptual approach and geographical focus. It is set to become an essential reference point for practitioners, academics, and students seeking to understand Israel's intelligence environment.'

Mark Phythian, University of Leicester, UK

'Itai Shapira's groundbreaking analysis of the strategic culture of Israel's intelligence community will be the go-to resource for scholars seeking to explain the intelligence failure of October 7^th. Shapira's exhaustive research provides stunning evidence of the impact of organizational culture in shaping

intelligence and policy outcomes, and is a critical addition to the bookshelves of all national security professionals.'

Jeannie Johnson, Utah State University, USA

'Shapira's book provides a broad and systemic analysis, using the new conceptual framework of 'intelligence culture'...This book is especially important after the events of October 7th...as a foundation for a critical discussion in the intelligence community and all those engaging in security matters in Israel.'

Brigadier General (IDF, res.) Me'ir Finkel, Dado Center Journal, Israel

'This book is expected to become an essential resource for academics, students, and practitioners seeking a deeper understanding of the complexities of Israel's intelligence community and its broader implications. Through a blend of expert perspectives and analysis, Shapira offers a unique look into the cultural, organizational, and strategic forces that shape Israeli intelligence.'

Evangelia Akritidou, INSS, Tel Aviv University

'Regardless of whether one agrees with his assessment of these failures, Shapira's book will surely become the ''go to'' work on Israeli national intelligence culture. It will appeal most directly to fellow intelligence professionals, but interested laypersons stand to learn much from its pages if they so desire.'

David Rodman, Israel Affairs 1-2, April 2025

'[This book] succeeds in bringing to life the concept of national intelligence culture through the Israeli case. With its empirical insights, theoretical framing, and timely reflection, the volume will be of great interest to scholars, students, and practitioners concerned with the cultural underpinnings of intelligence.'

Hamilton Bean, Intelligence & National Security, 10 July 2025