Military

Israel’s Military Is World-Class. But Is It Ready?

The Israel Defense Forces are widely respected as a cutting-edge military machine. The IDF is equipped with extremely lethal cyberwar capacity, eyes-on-the-world intel, star-wars level missile defense systems, a justly famous air force, and a small but superbly trained cadre of special forces troops.

But a scathing critique of the IDF’s culture and readiness from a retired general has created a debate within Israel about whether the country has become complacent. It’s a debate worth having, even if some of the fears are likely overblown.

The criticism came earlier this month from Yitzhak Brick, a hero of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, who has been the IDF ombudsman for the past decade. He is not a member of the IDF general staff, but an independent actor who is leaving his post on Jan. 1, after a 10-year stint.