Col. (res.) Shay Shabtai’s opinion piece outlines a strategic transition for Israel, arguing that the country’s military campaign since October 2023—focused on Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Iran—is approaching a conclusion. Shabtai proposes that Israel should now shift from a “Strike Force” approach focused on immediate security threats to a “Prime Force” model focused on long-term national strength, echoing David Ben-Gurion’s post-1948 vision.

The core of this transition includes five major “national projects”: 1) building an integrated public transportation network, 2) expanding national digital infrastructure, 3) developing advanced computing and AI capabilities, 4) improving health and welfare systems in response to population growth, and 5) establishing a sustainable and robust long-term security strategy.

In parallel, Col. (res.) Shay Shabtai highlights five “national challenges” that require legislative leadership: rebalancing powers among Israel’s government branches, integrating the ultra-Orthodox population into the workforce and national service, tackling organized crime in Arab society, reducing the cost of living through enhanced market competition, and rebuilding Israel’s North and South regions post-conflict.

The overall message is a call for Israel to refocus on building national resilience and societal strength, with clear execution, legislative reforms, and strategic foresight guiding the country into its next phase.

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