The high price of forever wars

Binyamin Netanyahu is quick to start conflicts, but shows no ability to end them

NOT ALL wars are fought alike. One reason for the 78-year survival of Israel, a small democratic country in a mostly hostile region, is that its leaders long grasped that fact. They saw how big gains come from preventing wars but, when necessary, fighting them quickly, with clearly defined and realistic aims. Short conflicts, they believed, should be a prelude to something much more valuable: a flourishing civilian life. In times of peace a country may best grow, building up its economic and technological prowess. For these reasons, over decades, Israel’s military doctrine wisely (if not always successfully) set out that wars should be limited and based on deterrence, early-warning and decisive action.

This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “The price of forever wars”

From the April 25th 2026 edition

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