Conference

The International Working Group on Subterranean Warfare

The working group held its inaugural meeting in December 2019 at  Reichman University as part of the Subterranean Threats in War and Peace Conference, co-sponsored by the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy, the Harry Radzyner Law School, the Sammy Ofer School of Communications, and the International Institute of Counter-Terrorism at Reichman University; as well as the Embassy of the United States, the Modern War Institute at West Point, and the Lieber Institute for Law & Land Warfare.

 

The Subterranean Challenges in War and Peace Conference was the first academic conference ever held on subterranean warfare. Conceived as an interdisciplinary undertaking, it brought together experts from all over the world for two days of panels and informal gatherings, along with an exclusive look at the Hezbollah-dug tunnels at Israel's northern border.

 

  • אביב אמיר

    LTC Aviv Amir


    LTC Aviv Amir explains how Israel detected and destroyed the tunnels in five stages.

  • ישי באר

    Prof. Yishai Beer


    Prof. Beer argues that tunnels are not legally that different from other means of warfare.

  • רון בן ישי

    Ron Ben Yishai


    Ron Ben Yishai reviews how Israel has contended with underground threats since they appeared in the region.

  • קצין בצבא

    Maj. Gen. Michael Edelstein


    Maj. Gen. Edelstein discusses how modern warfare has come closer to civilians, particularly via the use of tunnels and cyber tactics.

  • גילעד מרצה

    Prof. Gilad Hirschberger


    Prof. Hirschberger discusses the psychological aspects of subterranean threats.

  • מיכאל מאייר

    Michael Meier


    Michael Meir discusses the US classification of subterranean threats.

  • איש בחולצת משבצות

    Maj. Emmanuel Sioson


    Maj. Sioson discusses the siege of Marawi.

  • סגן אלוף בצבא מדבר

    LTC Ittai


    LTC Ittai discusses tunnel detection and the role of technology in countering subterranean threats.

  • עקיבא קליין

    Achiya Klein


    This is the personal account of a former soldier injured while neutralizing a subterranean threat.

  • אישה מדברת למיקרופון

    Prof. Laurie R. Blank


    Prof. Blank provides an overview of the legal questions that arise in subterranean warfare.

  • אישה מדברת למיקרופון

    Dr. Sasha Radin


    Dr. Radin discusses the unique character of subterranean warfare from a legal perspective.

  • איש מדבר על הפודיום

    Maj. (ret.) John Spencer


    Maj. Spencer reviews the evolution of tunnel bombs, a unique use of the underground.

  • איש במכופתרת מדבר על הפודיום

    Prof. Daniel Statman


    Prof. Statman addresses the question of whether there is something inherently objectionable in the use of tunnels.

  • איש מחייך מדבר למיקרופון

    Dr. Jacob Stoil


    Dr. Stoil gives an historical overview of underground warfare.

  • מורן ירחי מדברת למיקרופון

    Dr. Moran Yarchi


    Dr. Yarchi presents the way in which underground threats are portrayed and framed in the media.

  • אישה מדברת עם הידיים

    Prof. Rivka Weill


    Prof. Weill discusses the risks of terrorist kidnapping associated with tunnel warfare, and the underlying policy and legal ramifications.

  • אישה מחייכת

    LTC Rebecca White


    LTC White discusses legal challenges arising from underground warfare.

  • איש מבוגר מדבר לטלפון

    Prof. Dan Zakay


    Prof. Zakay discusses how underground warfare challenges the psychological welfare of soldiers.

  • פאנל מרצים

    Fighting In and Under Cities - Panel


    The discussion analyzes operational and legal issues that arise when underground warfare meets urban warfare.

  • פאנל כנס ארהב

    Closing Plenary:


    Contending with Underground Threats

  • פאנל כנס ארהב

    Are all tunnels created equal?


    How do law and strategy account for different types of tunnels (smuggling, cross-border, etc.)?