link to article: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-694022
Summary: Recently, Israel signed a deal with Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and agreed to develop and produce three advanced submarines that will be used in the Israel Navy. This deal will cost the Israelis more than double the original estimated cost of 3 billion euros. Israel did this in hopes of strengthening their national security and they also hope to up their capabilities and strategic superiority now and in the future. They call the submarines Dakar in honor of a mysteriously disappeared submarine that had 69 Israeli crew members on it. Germany says the first submarine will be delivered within nine years. This deal also included a training simulator in Israel, and also spare parts. It is rumored that these submarines will give Israel with Nuclear second-strike capabilities.
Analysis: Israel was been heavily reliant on the United States militarily since we became allies. It would be good for them to have their own strike force and be able to handle issues on their own. This will help Israel become more of a country to talk about and they’ll have more influence in the world because of this. This will also help America step away from a liberal Hegemony approach to the world they have right now and be able to move to more of an off-shore balancing approach. The stronger America’s allies get the less the need for them personally to be there is. If Israel with these Submarines are able to protect themselves then America doesn’t need to waste time or money protecting them. This deal will be good not only for Israel but also America.
How this relates to class: This gives us an insight into how less powerful countries go about protecting themselves. For countries like America or China three more submarines isn’t going to majorly change where they stand in terms of power, for a country like Israel however this could be what gives them more of a say in the world. Also as I said earlier this deal could help America transition from the Liberal hegemony system it’s been using for so long and move into a system that is shares more traits with off shore balancing.