Brig. Gen. (res.) Dror Shalom: "Strategically - the war is a resounding failure"

Brigadier General (res.) Dror Shalom, former head of the Research Division of Aman and head of the Political-Military Bureau at the Ministry of Defense, was interviewed for the first time since his release from the IDF. Shalom claimed that it was possible to return the hostages earlier, and in greater numbers. On a strategic level, we are failing to achieve a decisive outcome in any of the arenas. Shalom called for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry. Iran is negotiating with the Americans over Hormuz, not the nuclear program.

Brigadier General (res.) Dror Shalom, former head of the Research Division of Aman and head of the Political-Military Bureau at the Ministry of Defense, harshly criticized Israel's strategic situation today (Monday). During a conference of the INSS and Yedioth Ahronoth, Shalom said that alongside impressive operational achievements, the state is failing to achieve a decisive outcome in the various arenas. Shalom, who currently serves as a senior advisor at JP Morgan globally, has not given many interviews since the end of his term in 2020.

"There are exceptional achievements here, the things speak for themselves," explained Shalom in a conversation with host Sharon Kidon. "But from a strategic point of view, there is a resounding failure here on all fronts. Hamas is still on its feet, Hezbollah is far from disarming, and Iran is negotiating with the Americans over Hormuz and not the nuclear program."

"It was possible to bring them back earlier, and more"

Regarding the issue of returning the hostages, Shalom stated that it is a deep moral obligation of the state. He noted that thanks to President Donald Trump and the public pressure of the protesters, the American administration pushed for a decision. "Without this support, I doubt we would have received the hostages back," he claimed regarding the American involvement.

"It was possible to bring them back earlier and more," said Shalom. "I think they could have made earlier decisions in terms of timing to return the hostages, but that is water under the bridge." He asks to look forward to creating a new order in the Gaza Strip and argues that this is not happening due to a lack of strategy. Shalom called for advancing the 20 points of President Donald Trump and creating an alternative governing body to Hamas, in parallel with the elimination of the organization's members abroad.

"Israel's status in the world must be improved"

Regarding the issue of the Iranian nuclear program, Shalom referred to the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal during his tenure. He noted that he raised a warning sign and wondered what the alternative plan of Israel and the US was for that move. "The withdrawal from the nuclear deal was without an alternative plan," he explained. "It was clear that from that moment on, Iran would start violating the agreement and it would bring the military option closer." He called for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry to examine the discourse between the political, military, and intelligence echelons on the Palestinian and Iranian issues over the years.

Shalom added that Israel's status is at an unprecedented low and relations with the US are not at their best. "We invested a lot of kinetic energy, we received potential energy in return," described Shalom. "Contrary to the laws of physics - we are losing this energy and it is a pity."

In conclusion, Shalom suggested a series of steps to improve the strategic status, including strengthening relations with the US, Egypt, and Jordan, and deepening the Abraham Accords into regional alliances. He emphasized that alongside increasing the defense budget, it is necessary to invest in the education system and academia to prevent brain drain. "National security is a much more holistic thing," concluded Shalom. "If we do not invest in the engineers and geniuses of the next generation, we will not be able to make the quantum leap that is required."