Since the wave of uprisings started rolling across the Middle East some 19 months ago, Israel has looked like the relatively quiet eye of a giant, fast-moving storm. The region’s raging winds of revolution have not battered Israel's territory with great intensity, but as they whip furiously from one country to another, they are transforming the landscape, demolishing long-standing structures, igniting fires and creating a new level of anxious uncertainty.
Israel rightly sees itself as a strong country, but one facing numerous enemies and a growing list of threats. That perception could have major implications.
Israel continues to possess on balance (.pdf) the most powerful military force in the Middle East. But the country faces countless dangers, old and new, as well as others that could be in their earliest stage of incubation and as such imperceptible.