DEFSTRAT Briefing: lar.

While the USA and other Western na-

Theocratic Republic of Israel tions have soldiers in Iraq, though, there is
sufficient deterrent to keep the major play-
Capital: Jerusalem ers of the region away from conflict with
Official Languages: Hebrew, Arabic Israel. Lesser players like Lebanon and
Government: Theocratic Republic Syria, as well as militaristic groups among
High Priest—Shimon Peres the Arab general populace, remain the chief
concerns to Israeli security.
Temple Magistrate—Ehud Olmert
Independence: Due to UK-administered
Short Term Issues: The chief issue cur-
League of Nations mandate, 14 May 1948.
rently facing Israel is semi-internal, as it
Population: (2007 estimate) 715,000 (most
deals with a Palestinian state partially con-
of the population is human, with small
trolled by the Baalian Templar group
pockets of desert halflings, desert elves, and
known as Hamas. Currently, control of Pal-
gnomish communities)
estine is held by Hamas (in the Gaza Strip)
and Fatah (in the West Bank); however, the
Long Term Issues: The Jewish religion—
two groups are desperately seeking to con-
Taiism—recognizes several neighboring
trol the entire nation outright. Israel has the
states as enemies of the faith (Lebanon,
power to interfere in this issue to a great
Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Yemen), and
extent, and would prefer to destabilize
Israel has been on bad terms with the Arab
Hamas and promote Fatah; however, keep-
(Baalian) nations in general since the mod-
ing both parties from gaining any edge may
ern nation was created in 1948. It is hard to
also be an excellent objective, in that it dis-
imagine a moderate Temple Magistrate
tracts the Palestinian state from focusing on
(who holds the true administrative power)
Israel, and it discredits the legitimacy of the
in Israel, and indeed none have ever really
Palestinian state within the international
come to power. DEFSTRAT recognizes
community.
the difficulty that a religion-based regime
Baalian Templar groups continue to
has in making changes that are not only po-
threaten the border with Lebanon
litical, but also theological, in nature, and so
(especially along the Golan Heights), Jeru-
we hold little hope of the tension involving
salem and the West Bank, and the border
Israel to decrease in the short to medium
towns near the Gaza Strip. Contingent sui-
term.
ciders still plague the Jewish populace, de-
Militarily, Taiist magitechnology benefits
spite efforts by Israeli Temple Knights
from rich patrons of the faith (also Jewish)
(including The Mossad).
based in the eastern USA. This had led to
Syrian ruler, Amir Bashar al-Hassad, has
Israel not only being able to defend itself
recently both threatened Israel by massing
well, but also take the offensive to its
troops along the border with the Golan
neighbors as needed. However, the increase
Heights, as well as opened up new discourse
in mana-based inflows into the Arabic
for closer diplomatic relations. Israel is re-
economies of the surrounding nations may
sponding only slowly—understandable
be able to reduce or even remove the edge
given the theological stance that Syrians are
that Israel currently holds as a minor super-
enemies of the Faith. DEFSTRAT does
power in the region. The chief concern over
not believe that Syria will actually mount an
such an event would be the response by
offensive with US soldiers so close at hand.
Western nations, and the USA in particu-