Research at the Chair

The Chair publishes academic articles and research studies on its core areas of focus.
• Roundtables: The Chair hosts at least two roundtable discussions per year, convening researchers and senior defense and political officials to discuss a research paper authored under the auspices of the Chair. The final document and its outputs, including recommendations, are published following the roundtable session.
• Monthly Position Papers: The Chair also publishes monthly position papers in collaboration with student interns.



The 40th Anniversary of the First Lebanon War

 


June 14, 2022

 

The policy paper, authored by Prof. Kobi Michael under the auspices of the Ariel Sharon Chair for National Leadership and Military Thought, summarizes the insights gained during the roundtable marking the 40th anniversary of the First Lebanon War. Held at Reichman University, the roundtable brought together senior defense officials, government representatives, researchers, and academics.


The paper addresses issues of national leadership, government responsibility, decision-making processes when initiating and conducting a war, relations between the political and military echelons, and the war's effects on Israeli society, civil protest, and the political landscape. It also offers practical recommendations for decision-makers, including the formulation of a national security doctrine, the establishment of clear objectives for military operations, and the formalization of  relations between the political and military echelons.

 

Read more about the event >>



Paper on Principles for Formulating the Defense Budget

 

August 28, 2024

 

The final paper, prepared by the Head of the Chair, Maj. Gen. (res.) Moshe Kaplinsky, consolidates the insights gained during the roundtable discussion, addressing security, economic, and other relevant issues within the participants’ respective areas of expertise.


The paper was submitted to decision-makers, the government committee established to address the issue, and relevant members of the Reichman University faculty, with the aim of informing the decision-making process regarding the defense budget.

 

Read the full paper >>

 





Israel–Syria: Risks, Opportunities, and Policy Recommendations

 

December 2025

 

The final paper, prepared by Dr. Carmit Valensi in collaboration with the Chair, aggregates the insights that emerged from the roundtable session "A New Era in Syria and its Relations with Israel," held under the auspices of the Ariel Sharon Chair for National Leadership and Military Thought.


The paper was distributed to decision-makers and relevant stakeholders to assist in the policy formulation and decision-making process concerning Syria and its new regime.



 

Read the full paper >>