From: MilBal [mailto:MilBal@iiss.org]
Sent: יום ו 28 יוני 2019 11:43
To: Defence - Attache - Embassy of Israel - London <defence-attache@london.mfa.gov.il>; Defence-Admin - Embassy of Israel - London <defence-admin@London.mfa.gov.il>
Subject: The Military Balance 2020- information request

 

Dear Colonel Dar,

 

The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) is currently updating its annual publication The Military Balance, which is used as the primary source of reference internationally by governments, academics and the public on questions of military capabilities and defence economics.

 

Dr Robert Gates, former US Secretary of Defense, said that 'amid continuing conflict and broadening insecurity, The Military Balance provides essential facts and analysis for decision-makers and for better informed public debate’. Furthermore, the book is ‘an absolutely key tool for informed and sober decision making’, according to the Rt Hon Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, former NATO Secretary General and UK Secretary of State for Defence.

 

With this authoritative standing, The Military Balance makes an important contribution to a transparent and balanced defence debate. Meanwhile, the capabilities of our database, The Military Balance+, have served to enhance the utility and accessibility of our defence data and military analysis.

 

As part of our information gathering process, I am writing to seek your assistance in ensuring that our entry for Israel is as accurate as possible.  I would be very grateful for any help that you and your staff can offer in this process.

 

Please find attached to this message the following documents for amendment, where necessary.

 

A.        A draft entry for your country, to be used in compiling the new edition. To ensure accuracy we would be grateful if any amendments could be indicated either in the draft or by letter. A series of specific information requests, concerning matters such as defence policy and training, can be seen at the start of the draft entry.

 

B.         A defence economics questionnaire.

 

I would like to thank you for assisting the IISS to enhance the accuracy of Military Balance data, and would be grateful if completed replies could be sent to: milbal@iiss.org, or hackett@iiss.org, or by post, before 1 September 2019. (We shall also send this document electronically, copied to your London-based defence staff.)

 

Yours sincerely