A Clean Break: A New Strategy for Securing the Realm – Detailed Analysis
Background and Context
“A Clean Break: A New Strategy for Securing the Realm” is a policy paper written in 1996 by a group of American neoconservatives for then-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The report was prepared by the Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies (IASPS), a conservative think tank. The study group that authored the report was led by Richard Perle, a prominent U.S. defense policy advisor, and included figures such as Douglas Feith, David Wurmser, and Meyrav Wurmser—all of whom later played influential roles in U.S. foreign policy during the George W. Bush administration.
The document was meant to serve as a strategic roadmap for Netanyahu’s new government, arguing for a fundamental shift in Israeli foreign policy, one that would reject past peace processes (such as the Oslo Accords) and instead adopt a more aggressive, self-reliant stance to ensure Israel’s security and regional dominance.
---
Key Recommendations and Strategic Shifts
1. Abandoning the Oslo Peace Process and the “Land for Peace” Paradigm
The document recommended that Israel no longer engage in land-for-peace negotiations with the Palestinians and Arab states, arguing that such agreements weakened Israel and emboldened its enemies.
Instead of making concessions, Israel should assert its power and dominance in the region through proactive military and economic strategies.
2. Regime Change in Neighboring States (Particularly Iraq)
One of the most controversial aspects of the report was its call for the removal of hostile regimes in the Middle East, particularly that of Saddam Hussein in Iraq.
The authors argued that overthrowing Saddam Hussein would benefit Israel strategically by weakening Syria and reducing threats from Palestinian militant groups, which received support from Baghdad.
The report suggested that Israel work closely with the U.S. and pro-Western opposition groups to undermine hostile governments in the region.
3. Weakening Syria and Expanding Israel’s Regional Influence
Syria was identified as a key regional adversary, and the report suggested that Israel could weaken Syria through diplomatic, economic, and military means.
One strategy proposed was supporting anti-Syrian factions in Lebanon to destabilize Syrian influence there.
Another was using military deterrence to push Syria out of the Golan Heights negotiations permanently.
4. Strengthening Ties with Turkey and Jordan
The authors emphasized the importance of building strong alliances with pro-Western Arab states, particularly Jordan and Turkey.
These partnerships would serve as a counterbalance against Syria, Iraq, and Iran.
Israel should work with Turkey and Jordan to build a new regional order that isolates hostile actors and prevents the rise of radical Islamist movements.
5. Shifting the Israeli Economy Toward a Free-Market Model
The document also recommended domestic economic reforms, particularly the promotion of free-market principles and the reduction of reliance on U.S. economic aid.
The authors argued that a stronger economy would make Israel less dependent on foreign assistance and improve its military capabilities.
6. Preemptive Military Action and Strategic Defense
The report advocated for Israel to take proactive military steps rather than wait for threats to materialize.
This included preemptive strikes against enemy forces and infrastructure when necessary.
It also emphasized missile defense systems and cyber capabilities as crucial to Israel’s long-term security.
---
Influence and Long-Term Impact
While A Clean Break was written specifically for Israel’s policy under Netanyahu, many of its ideas later influenced U.S. neoconservative foreign policy, particularly during the George W. Bush administration.
1. Influence on U.S. Middle East Policy
Several key contributors to A Clean Break, including Richard Perle, Douglas Feith, and David Wurmser, held influential positions in the Bush administration.
The 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq echoed the report’s call for removing Saddam Hussein as a way to reshape the Middle East.
The push to confront Syria and Iran also reflected themes from A Clean Break, as seen in the increased U.S. sanctions and pressure on these countries during the early 2000s.
2. Impact on Israeli Policy
Though Netanyahu did not fully implement A Clean Break during his first term (1996-1999), elements of its strategy influenced Israeli policies in later years.
Under Netanyahu’s later terms as prime minister (from 2009 onward), Israel has increasingly adopted preemptive military actions, economic liberalization, and closer ties with regional allies like the UAE and Saudi Arabia (as seen in the Abraham Accords).
Israeli airstrikes against Syrian and Iranian targets, as well as its policy of preventing Iranian entrenchment in Syria, align with A Clean Break’s emphasis on containing regional threats.
---
Criticism and Controversy
While A Clean Break was influential, it has also been widely criticized:
1. Accusations of Advocating U.S. Intervention for Israeli Interests
Critics argue that the report laid the groundwork for the Iraq War, with neoconservative policymakers in the Bush administration pushing for regime change in Iraq in ways that aligned with the document’s recommendations.
Some view this as evidence that neoconservative thinkers blurred the lines between U.S. and Israeli interests, leading to costly military interventions in the Middle East.
2. Undermining Peace Efforts
By explicitly rejecting the Oslo Accords and diplomacy with the Palestinians, the document advocated a hardline stance that many believe contributed to continued regional instability.
Critics argue that this approach escalated conflicts instead of resolving them.
3. A Blueprint for Perpetual Conflict?
Some analysts contend that A Clean Break encouraged a zero-sum, militaristic approach to Middle East geopolitics, which ignored potential paths to peaceful coexistence.
By pushing for preemptive military action and regime change, the document’s philosophy may have contributed to prolonged cycles of war and instability.
---
Conclusion
A Clean Break was a highly strategic and ambitious document that sought to redefine Israel’s approach to security and geopolitics. Its recommendations emphasized military assertiveness, economic independence, and regional power maneuvers rather than diplomacy or concessions.
Though written for Israel, the report had significant implications for U.S. policy, especially during the early 2000s. Many of its core ideas—such as preemptive regime change, weakening Syria, and countering Iran—became central to both Israeli and American foreign policy in the following decades.
However, its legacy remains controversial, with critics arguing that it contributed to regional instability, prolonged conflicts, and misguided interventions in the Middle East. Whether seen as a strategic masterplan or a dangerous ideological framework, A Clean Break remains an important document in understanding modern Middle Eastern geopolitics.