Securing America • Strengthening Israel
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Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs Securing America • Strengthening Israel Annual Report 2011 supports a strong America “For more than three decades, the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs has been a strong supporter and defender of America’s military might – and of America’s long-standing friendship with Israel. I thank you all for your contribution to the debate over our nation’s foreign policy.” ~ The Honorable Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense “It is institutions like JINSA that bring our military and our society closer together and unite us in common purpose, thought and deed.” ~ Admiral Mike Mullen, USN, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff “In my long relationship with JINSA, I have been consistently impressed by this effective and committed organization. I believe their work is important and that JINSA has a unique and essential role on behalf of our security partnership with the United States. A partnership that is critical to both countries. JINSA should be both applauded and thanked.” ~ Major General Amos Yadlin, IDF (ret.), Former Director of Israeli Military Intelligence “[JINSA] created a crucial forum that exists nowhere else that keeps our nation and its leaders focused on the threats, challenges and opportunities that we face from a combination of sworn enemies, emerging rivals and evolving alliances.” ~ Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) “I would like to thank JINSA for recognizing these great young men and women that wear the uniform in our time.” ~ Admiral Gary Roughhead, USN, Chief of Naval Operations “I note with interest that JINSA was founded in our American bicentennial of 1976. How appropriate that an organization like yours, dedicated to a strong national defense and an open and strong interchange among free peoples, is connected in such a way to our nation’s birth... I am also truly grateful to this organization’s contributions to global freedom and a strong military.” ~ Lieutenant General George J. Trautman, USMC, Deputy Commandant for Aviation Today, America is called upon again to take a leadership role in protecting those freedoms against the jihadist threat comprised of networks of terrorist organizations and the countries that harbor and support them. Every day, those who hate the United States, Israel and other democratic nations move closer to gaining access to nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. We also face a revanchist Russia; a terror- sponsoring Iran that seeks to join the nuclear club; a series of movements that are deceptively called the Arab Spring; growing hostility from Turkey, a former ally that seeks to be a regional power at the expense of its former friends; an authoritarian China using its wealth to dramatically increase its military forces; and the United Nations, which Dear JINSA Supporter and Friend, has devolved into a trans-border forum for anti- Americanism and anti-Semitism. Why should you support JINSA? Disappointingly, in the face of all these threats, Momentous decisions that affect your future are America has declared that it will lead from behind. made in Washington every day. Leading from behind, as a Presidential adviser Today, two central issues are on the minds of recently described the White House’s Libya policy, Americans. The first is the economy. The second is quite simply not leading at all. America must is national security. These are not totally separate reassert its position as the leader of the free world issues. In fact, a weak economy affects our - one that leads from the front. national security, and vice versa. If you believe in the importance of American leadership And the truth is, our country is in trouble. and the promise of American exceptionalism—that the ability to defend our freedom, wisely exercised, The economic forecasters are preaching doom is as important to present and future generations and gloom. It is the same doom and gloom that as it has been to past generations—then you have national security experts are worrying about. your answer to our opening question: why should you support JINSA? Everyone understands that the economic crisis affects him or her personally, but it is far less clear Because times like these call for well-thought-out that national security has a direct effect on our and clearly-defined policies. lives. It does. JINSA is a non-partisan voice for a strong national Imagine what the world would have been like if security policy. We work closely with the military, America had been unable or unwilling to militarily law enforcement, and the policy community to respond to the scourge of Nazism or Japanese inform and to advocate policies that will ensure imperialism. Or what the world would look like if our ability to secure the American people and the we had failed to promote freedom and democracy treasure we call the American way of life. during the Cold War with the Soviet Union. Respectfully, If you can imagine that, then you can understand that national security is as personal as the economy. It was American leadership – leadership with Tom Neumann, JINSA Executive Director muscle and commitment behind it – that is responsible for the freedoms we enjoy today and which we so frequently take for granted. Yes, we are still at war. A war that is being waged David Ganz, JINSA President against us, and one to which we do not have the luxury to fail to respond. 1 5 Reasons to Support JINSA Flag & General Officers Trip to Israel “… I have made it one of my goals after attending the JINSA trip to persuade our 1Navy leadership to continue high level engagement with the Israeli Navy and encourage port visits to foster relationships with a critical maritime ally.” For any retired Flag and General Officer, this trip is a must. Just to have the opportunity to sit with the key members of the Israeli government and national security team is in a word... priceless. You can read about the situation in the Middle East in the newspapers, but to witness firsthand the challenges that Israel faces day in and day out was simply remarkable. The United States is faced with the challenges of war thousands of miles away. Israel is faced with survival across a simple border crossing. Even with all our differences, there is no more important ally in the Middle East than Israel. In the years following the Arab Spring we must strive to maintain the strongest of relations with the government of Israel and its military. When you go on the JINSA trip and tour the border regions, the picture becomes crystal clear why it is important for the United States to provide the Israeli military with the latest in defense technology and weapons systems. As a retired Flag Officer I have made it one of my goals after attending the JINSA trip to persuade our Navy leadership to continue high level engagement with the Israeli Navy and encourage port visits to foster relationships with a critical maritime ally. ~ Rear Admiral Terrence E. “Terry” McKnight, USN (ret.), 2011 trip participant Twenty-nine years ago, JINSA recognized the importance of creating a vehicle by which American and Israeli defense establishments can build relationships, establish trust and create alliances. It was from this understanding that the JINSA Flag and General Officers trip to Israel was born, ensuring that for the generations to come, the U.S. military and the Israel Defense Forces continue to speak to each other as allies and friends. In today’s environment, where U.S.-Israeli political relations are at best shaky, military to military cooperation has not only endured, but has been strengthened. One of the keys to our success has been sustainability. Next year, we will be celebrating our 30th anniversary of the Flag and General Officers Trip. To date, more than 400 military officers have traveled with us to Israel. We have come a long way in eliminating barriers and ensuring cooperation, but critical work remains and JINSA is fully prepared for the future. 12 5 Reasons to Support JINSA Military Academies Program “The Middle East proves to be an area of continued interest and tension in 2 American politics. My experience in Israel has helped me understand a piece of the puzzle, and a critical one at that... I hope that I may be able at some point in my career to help commanders understand the consequences of various policies on the Israeli-American relationship from the Israeli point of view. I am also hopeful that I may one day benefit from my connections to the young IDF officers who helped introduce us to Jerusalem. Perhaps one day our countries could be working together in some operational or strategic capacity where I could facilitate communications between the two militaries.” ~ U.S. Air Force Academy trip participant For an incoming American military generation with no memory of the numerous defensive wars Israel was forced to fight, let alone a personal knowledge of the post World War II era, how can one expect them not to be tainted by the insidious anti-Israel campaign championed by most of the world’s media and political leadership? For the military-to-military alliance between the U.S. and Israel to endure, the relationship among its young officers must be forged early in their careers. JINSA’s Military Academies Program does exactly that: every summer American cadets and midshipmen participate in a three-week work and study program in Israel that aims to build lifelong relationships with young Israeli military officers. Over the years, this program has become so well established within the American military academies that each year the number of applicants increases substantially. Participants now receive course credit for their participation.