Samenvatting

Marcel de Goedes perspective on the 2006 war is that of IDFs strategic culture, meaning the ideas, attitudes, traditions, habits of mind and preferred methods of operation that have been developed during its unique historical experience. He lists explanations for IDFs disappointing performance, describes how its strategic culture developed and how it determined the way Israel fought the war. Time-honoured principles that worked well against its neighbouring countries do not necessary lead to clear-cut successes against a non-state adversary like Hezbollah. IDFs problems during the war highlighted the transformation it is going through. It has not yet found the balance needed to cope with the wide range of threats facing the country. What this balance should look like remains subject to debate. The war, furthermore, exemplifies the difficulty of tackling security strategy primarily from a military angle, so prominent a feature in Israels strategic culture. External and domestic reality at times force Israel to resort to military action, while, in doing so, short-term imperatives conflict with longer-term objectives.