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About Don Radlauer
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I`m originally from the United States, and now make my home in Israel - after living for some years in Hong Kong and England. In addition to handling general questions about Israeli life and history, I can field questions relating to strategic aspects of terrorism and counter-terrorism, as well as some tactical aspects. As an Associate of the International Policy Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT), I can draw on ICT`s accumulated expertise in this area. As the Lead Researcher for ICT`s "al-Aqsa Intifada" Database Project (and author of "An Engineered Tragedy", ICT`s report on the findings of this project), I have become the world`s leading expert (indeed, as far as I know, the world`s only expert) on the demographics of the victims of the phase of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that began in September 2000. Going beyond terrorism per se, I can answer questions regarding pretty much all aspects of the Israeli-Arab conflict.

Experience

Experience in the area
I've lived in Israel for over eight years.
For more than five years, I have been associated with the Institute for Counter-Terrorism at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Israel. My own role there is, to a degree, that of "expert in everything else" - that is, I'm less of a security expert than many of the other researchers there, but I have a broader background in other areas, including banking and finance, general scientific subjects, and so on. I also can draw upon the knowledge of other ICT staff.

Publications
ICT website, http://www.ict.org.il

My blog, "On the Contrary: Don's Mideast Musings" is at http://radlauer.blogspot.com .
   

You are here:  Experts > Arts/Humanities > Political Science > Israel/Middle East (News & Politics)

Questions Answered By Expert  Don Radlauer 
In Category  Israel/Middle East (News & Politics)

SubjectDate Asked

Failed Nations11/10/2009
  Q: how would failed nations in the middle east prove to be a threat to united states interests?
  A: Failed states present a number of problems to the United States and other developed nations. They ...
law and terrorism9/4/2009
  Q: what can you tell me about israelian antiterrorism law?
  A: I'm not particularly an expert on the legal aspects of Israeli counter-terrorism, but between what I ...
You miss understood me6/3/2009
  Q: You see I am going to make a presentation to a large group in my school and I'm trying to gather ...
  A: Your question is so broad that even to begin to answer it, I'd have to write a book or two. Instead, ...
Hi5/21/2009
  Q: continuing my study, i have one more question that i hope you answer.i'm sorry if i'm bothering ...
  A: I'm not really an expert on battlefield tactics; my expertise is more on the political side of ...
Hello5/19/2009
  Q: i'm hearing on the news and my friends in israel told me that there's a HUGE maneuver that's gonna ...
  A: I don't think that an exercise like this is any indication of an impending war. It's important to ...
Israeli intelligence training4/23/2009
  Q: I'm writing a mystery novel that takes place in about 1992. One character is a man in his 50's who ...
  A: I'm afraid there are some serious problems with your premise. The main one is that there is a strict ...
jihad3/2/2009
  Q: what is jihad? Is it a holy war? If so, what are some examples of jihad that still occur today? For ...
  A: Jihad is usually understood to mean "holy war", although it can also be understood, in some ...
Trying to get clued up on the war....1/30/2009
  Q: Please excuse my ignorance, but why is it that the Hebrews no longer live in Israel/Palestine and ...
  A: The Jews were never entirely exiled from the Land of Israel; there has been a continual Jewish ...
U.S. Terrorism Policy1/14/2009
  Q: I'm doing research on National Security and U.S. Foreign Policy and currently reading Robert Jervis' ...
  A: The Bush counter-terrorism doctrine is rooted in the euphoria of the early 1990's, which had been ...
in Israel...1/12/2009
  Q: in Jerusalem, can you see the entire constellation of stars at night? Can you even see the degree ...
  A: Ah - a good question asked for a good reason, then! Well, in David's day stargazing would have been ...
in Israel...1/9/2009
  Q: in Jerusalem, can you see the entire constellation of stars at night? Can you even see the degree ...
  A: I don't live in Jerusalem, and in fact I normally don't even go there more than once or twice a ...
Middle East re: gaza1/8/2009
  Q: To end the bloodshed, why can't Hammas just stop shooting rockets into Israel? To me this is the ...
  A: A.M. - It may appear to Westerners that Hamas isn't being "sensible" - after all, they're choosing ...
HAMAS/ARAB - ISRAELI CONFLICT1/6/2009
  Q: I AM A CITIZEN JOURNALIST IN CANADA AND SEEING SOME DISTURBING HEADLINES ATTACKING ANYONE WHO IS ...
  A: I'm not entirely certain precisely whose "ultimate goal" you're referring to; and while there is no ...
israel's air strike12/31/2008
  Q: i'm just curious as to why egypt helps israel in this fight against the palestinians. I'm so far ...
  A: As I understand it, Egypt's motivation in maintaining its (rather leaky) version of the blockade of ...
Israeli political structure12/13/2008
  Q: actual stucture of politic in israel
  A: Your question is so broad that I can't give a detailed answer in this format - it would take a book ...
question about middle east conflict11/19/2008
  Q: I have a question about the middle east and I am curious if you perhaps know the answer for me or ...
  A: I'm afraid that you're rather mistaken about the history of the establishment of the State of ...
EU's mission on counter terrorism11/1/2008
  Q: Radlauer, I'm Lucia Russo, a student of Political Sciences of Rome. I decided to write you 'cause ...
  A: Can you be a little more specific about what you're asking? From what you've told me so far, I'm not ...
Nuclear Iran10/18/2008
  Q: Why is a nuclear Iran so horrible? What is the worst case scenario? Is there any reasonable evidence ...
  A: First, if Iran builds or acquires a nuclear weapon, it will already have shown its willingness to ...
Iran strikes10/14/2008
  Q: I have a few short questions, if you know somewhere I can go to find out more that would be great. ...
  A: The questions you've asked - like many short questions - are much more complex and difficult than ...
Israeli Reaction/s to Iranian Nuclear Program4/19/2008
  Q: Greetings Mr. Don Radlauer! I am Thomas dela Cruz, a Filipino AB-Consular and Diplomatic Affairs ...
  A: I will be happy to offer you what help I can - although of course I have no official position, so ...
ayuda11/1/2007
  Q: please help me: I am a 44 years old man living is Venezuela with wife and two children, but this ...
  A: It's very difficult for me to advise you on this question, since I don't know enough about you - or ...
islam9/25/2007
  Q: I was told that Ishmael is the forefather of the arabs - would you be able to tell me where I can ...
  A: I don't believe you'll find exactly what you're looking for in the Bible, for the simple reason that ...
Hezbollah9/19/2007
  Q: Contrary to popular US perception, I've heard that Hezbollah is not a terrorist group (though they ...
  A: Hezbollah is sort of a multi-function organization - that is, they are a political party, a media ...
Statistical Analysis of Casualties in the Palestinian - Israeli Conflict,7/1/2007
  Q: From the logic displayed in the Statistical Analysis of Casualties in the Palestinian - Israeli ...
  A: and was stupid enough to spend my time and effort answering your question rather than simply ...
problem solving5/21/2007
  Q: Sir,my question is that,how do you recommend in your own view the political and diplomatic means in ...
  A: Your question sounds simple enough - but in reality it's an extremely difficult and complex one! I'd ...
politicians bodyguards4/20/2007
  Q: What branch of the IDF provides the bodyguards for Israeli politicians? How ´elite´ are they? ...
  A: 1) It's not done by a branch of the IDF; it's done by a division of the ISA, the Israeli Security ...
Israel/Syria2/1/2007
  Q: Good after noon Mr. Radlauer, I have a question concerning Israel and Syria. What are the Israel ...
  A: Sorry for the slow response - I don't usually deal with questions on Friday and Saturday, so yours ...
Visa to Israel12/11/2006
  Q: I am a Belgian native who is currently working and living in Ireland since mid 2004. After more than ...
  A: De Feyter - Israel's Law of Return (the law that provides automatic Israeli citizenship for people ...
Reality of Israel's Disengagement Plan10/18/2006
  Q: In Asaf Abir's answer regarding the israel/palestine crisis he writes: "The Arab states have out ...
  A: I don't know who Asaf Abir is - I didn't see him on the list of experts in "my" category. I also ...
arab peace initiative10/3/2006
  Q: i was wondering, what is israel's "excuse" for not accepting the arab peace initiative? it seems ...
  A: I just happened to notice that there's a relevant article in today's Jerusalem Post - see ...
General information9/11/2006
  Q: Could you enlighten another ignorant fellow as to why the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is so dense ...
  A: You've asked an incredibly difficult question! A good answer could easily take up a book or two - ...
Israeli occupation9/10/2006
  Q: I hope you don't interpret my questions as hostile, I'm just wondering what the Israeli point of ...
  A: Whether Israel's presence in the West Bank constitutes an occupation is a surprisingly complex ...
UN agreement8/11/2006
  Q: If the majority of participants refuse to agree to a Chapter 7 resolution (which seems to be the ...
  A: U.N. Security Council resolutions under Chapter VII are a fairly rare phenomenon; they normally are ...
What next?8/8/2006
  Q: Radlauer, Is this war likely to end without the launching of Zelzals or lethal attacks on Tel Aviv? ...
  A: It's pretty much impossible to predict the future with any accuracy - particularly when one is ...
Demographics of Israel and the Israeli MIlitary8/7/2006
  Q: I remember seeing an HBO documentary a couple of years ago on life in Gaza. At the end, after the ...
  A: I came across this Jerusalem Post article today, regarding an all-Druze unit that was involved in ...
Israeli-Hizbollah War8/2/2006
  Q: I might add that I saw our last correspondence on your blog and am now feeling like a celebrity. ...
  A: You're most welcome. Answering questions like yours is helpful to me as well as (I hope!) to the ...
israel/hezbollah conflict8/2/2006
  Q: Who should pay for the reconstruction of Lebanon after this conflict ends and why?
  A: Your question calls for a value judgement - and I can't claim to be a neutral observer here, so ...
Who is winning the war?7/27/2006
  Q: There are many contradictory opinions on cable news networks and it is hard to know what to believe. ...
  A: I'm a natural optimist, so my inclination is to believe that Israel will win - certainly in the ...
Israeli conflict7/27/2006
  Q: Why is hezbollah making terrorist attacks against Israel
  A: Like many short questions, yours has a long answer! I'll try to give a condensed version, but please ...
End to the War?7/26/2006
  Q: The American newspapers say the war is probably going to drag on and the Israelis acted without an ...
  A: I'm really not sure what kind of exit plan, if any, Israel's leadership had when they began the ...
Looking for a stringer for radio news7/18/2006
  Q: Mr. Radlauer; My name is Curtis Jenkins. I am working with a media company in Colorado Springs on ...
  A: I would indeed be interested in working with you. Before you proceed, you might want to read some of ...
The Latest Mideast Happenings7/14/2006
  Q: Do you think this is a war that could end within the next few weeks or one that will continue for a ...
  A: I'm very reluctant to predict the future of my happy little corner of the world; there are simply ...
Travel to Israel7/14/2006
  Q: I would like your opinion/any advice you have about my plans for travel to Israel this summer. I ...
  A: Your question is a very difficult one to answer! Your scheduled arrival is around three weeks away, ...
Kidnapped Soldier7/3/2006
  Q: Was the Israeli soldier kidnapped to retaliate for the shelling by Israel on the Gaza Strip a few ...
  A: I don't think that the kidnaping of the IDF soldier (and the killing of two others) was a ...
Oil7/1/2006
  Q: Don would you tell me where Israel gets its' oil, gasoline, and gas? Their courage shows that they ...
  A: As far as I know, Israel imports crude oil and refines its own gasoline. Our suppliers for crude ...
Israeli-Palestinia conflict/ war in Iraq6/15/2006
  Q: First, could you give me a brief history into the Israeli-Palestnian conflict? And second - I'm ...
  A: 1) I'm afraid that even a "brief" history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would be far too long ...
Israeli Life4/23/2006
  Q: You've been great so far but I thought of some more questions, Hamas is now in power in Palestine, ...
  A: It's very difficult to predict the future - or, rather, it's very easy to make predictions but very ...
Israeli Life4/21/2006
  Q: Shalom Don, Just one more question to ask you, in the media you dont really see how the israelis ...
  A: I don't think there is really such a thing as "Israelis in general" - Israel is a new country, with ...
Israeli Life4/18/2006
  Q: I want to ask you since the latest suicide bombing that happened in Tel-Aviv on Monday, do you think ...
  A: I'm afraid I don't think that the latest suicide bombing makes a difference one way or the other in ...
Islam and terrorism3/19/2006
  Q: Don, Thank you for your thoughtful, intelligent answer. My nephew is fighting in Iraq, and he ...
  A: I think that a clear majority of Israelis now see the creation of a Palestinian state as beneficial ...
Islam and terrorism3/17/2006
  Q: I am a 9th grade geography teacher in the Chichester public school system near Philadelphia,PA in ...
  A: Your question is a very good one - but it's one that is almost impossible to answer with any kind of ...
Conflict2/24/2006
  Q: Seems like you'll have many interesting things to say, I hope we talk for a while I guess to start ...
  A: You've asked some very good questions - but they are so broad that there is simply no way I can even ...
settlements1/8/2006
  Q: could you tell me about the process of founding a settlement? who funds it? does the israeli ...
  A: Good question! I don't believe that any "official" settlements have been established since I've been ...
Israeli Mentality1/1/2006
  Q: My impression of the Israeli mentality is that it is arrogant, militant and hard-nosed. This seems ...
  A: No, I don't think your impression is a fair one - although there are aspects of the behavior and ...
Current news about Israel8/22/2005
  Q: Like everyone with a computer, I see daily photos of the people leaving, and some being carried out, ...
  A: I previously wrote: "In the four settlements being given up in the northern West Bank, I believe ...
Dismantling Al Qaeda in Afghanistan7/11/2005
  Q: Radlauer, Thank you for taking my question. It is my opinion that the US action in Iraq was ...
  A: Englund - I'm afraid that my own opinion is a bit different from both yours and your friend's - so ...
Book recommendation7/8/2005
  Q: Could you recommend a book or reliable site for a young adult (15 years old) to read and understand ...
  A: I saw that you mentioned the Tellure book. I'm not familiar with it (or with any of the "for ...
RE: Terrorism7/1/2005
  Q: I am a high school student who is writing a report on terrorism. Where and when was the word ...
  A: I assume that you actually want to know when the term "terrorism" was *first* used - as opposed to ...
why would sharon giving away israel4/7/2005
  Q: do you believe that the land of israel belongs to the jews, as is stated in the bible/torah? and do ...
  A: You're correct about the maximum extent of the Biblical Jewish kingdoms - although it's also ...
why would sharon giving away israel4/6/2005
  Q: do you believe that the land of israel belongs to the jews, as is stated in the bible/torah? and do ...
  A: I'm quite familiar with the relevant Biblical promises and commandments regarding the Land of Israel ...
why would sharon giving away israel4/5/2005
  Q: since in 2003 & many times prior, Sharon stated that no part of Israel would be given away --what is ...
  A: This is a very good question - and one that deserves a much longer answer than I can give in this ...
Hypthetical Questions3/7/2005
  Q: I have been reading quite a bit lately about what constitutes terrorist demands, what it is they ...
  A: Beast - As I understand bin Laden's goals, he wishes to recreate the Caliphate of the early days of ...
gaza strip withdrawl2/25/2005
  Q: What is the main idea most israelis have about the gaza strip withdrawl plan living there and in ...
  A: Public opinion polls here are fairly consistent in showing that from 60 to 65 percent of the Israeli ...
Descrption or photos of Israeli-Palestininan Border and some description of some posh areas of paleistinian refugee camps1/2/2005
  Q: I am writing a book where an event is set in the geographic area of Israeli-Palestinian border and ...
  A: I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "posh areas" of Palestinian refugee camps. While the "camps" ...
Iraqi "Insurgents"1/1/2005
  Q: This questions involves the strategy of the so-called insurgents in Iraq. If they wish to take over ...
  A: Good question! I'm not sure that the various insurgent factions in Iraq have as clear-cut a ...
journalism student assessing Israel12/8/2004
  Q: My name is Natalie Kaiman and I am a fourth year journalism student at Carleton University in ...
  A: I'll try to answer your questions one by one. 1) I don't think the "Intifada" is over just yet, ...
Usa & First Intifada11/17/2004
  Q: During First Intifada what did the USA or other states do to try to defuse the situation and as the ...
  A: As far as I recall - and I wasn't living in the area at that time - the U.S. and other countries ...
How is the Iraqi government...11/16/2004
  Q: How is the Iraqi government oraganized?
  A: I must admit that I'm not much of an expert on Iraqi politics - so I can't give you an answer as ...
major issues in the Israel/ Palestine conflict.11/7/2004
  Q: 1.)Can you please outline for me the major issues which are preventing a peace agreement from being ...
  A: It's a little difficult to come up with a full list of issues for you, because there are many ...
iraq11/5/2004
  Q: what do the colors and design on the new flag of iraq meen thanks dean
  A: Until I read your question, I hadn't paid any attention to the issue of the new Iraqi flag - somehow ...
PALESTINIANS11/5/2004
  Q: Are Palestianians just uninformed of Arafat's wealth, or are the "deluded" into supporting him just ...
  A: Well, the U.S. doesn't have a "venture" going on in Israel, so we don't have to worry about that ...
PALESTINIANS10/31/2004
  Q: Are Palestianians just uninformed of Arafat's wealth, or are the "deluded" into supporting him just ...
  A: Sorry for the slow response. It appears that for all practical purposes, your question may now be ...
Arab/Israeli Conflict10/6/2004
  Q: Shalom Don, Do you think that coexistence is possible or ever will be? I'm apart of an ...
  A: Sorry for the slow response. The first couple of days' delay were my fault (I wasn't on computer ...
Arab/Israeli Conflict10/4/2004
  Q: I am originally from Israel but now I live with my family in the states and I want to ask you a ...
  A: Shalom Michal, v'hag sameach! I'm well aware that Michal is a girl's name - my oldest daughter (who ...
War in Iraq8/15/2004
  Q: I don't know if you know the answer and I'm sure really no one does for sure but when do you think ...
  A: I wish I could give you a satisfactory answer to your question! Sadly, I don't have any better way ...
Perception of my country7/30/2004
  Q: Mr. Radlauer, I wish to enquire about what perception, if any, people in Israel have of my country ...
  A: I'm not especially in touch with Israeli public opinion regarding Norway, or with the extent of ...
Mossad7/9/2004
  Q: Did the Mossad receive help from the CIA when they captured Eichmann?
  A: The Mossad didn't receive any help from the CIA in capturing Eichmann, and in fact the relationship ...
Sharon's anti-terrorist policies5/31/2004
  Q: Is there, in your opinion, a valid justification for the wall being built? Is the Israeli minister's ...
  A: 1) I'm not a huge fan of the "separation fence" (of which about 95-97% is a fence rather than a ...
current events and war5/25/2004
  Q: i am not sure if i am asking the right expert, but i am 13 years old and very scared and confused by ...
  A: I'm probably the "right" expert, more or less, but some of your questions are difficult even for ...
voting5/25/2004
  Q: Do the people of Israel get to vote for their leaders?
  A: Yes, Israel is a functioning democracy. Its structure is rather different from that of the United ...
Shas Israel5/20/2004
  Q: Generally speaking what is the relationship between Ariel Sharon and the Shas party of Israel. What ...
  A: The Shas pary is not part of the current governing coalition, which means that their relationship ...
Pakistan5/19/2004
  Q: Greetings….. I have a question regarding Pakistan….What is the possibility of Pakistan becoming a ...
  A: I'm not especially a Pakistan expert, so I can't claim specialist knowledge here. (Pakistan is ...
iraq/ 9/115/11/2004
  Q: 1. the 9/11 conncetion to the iraq war? is there any solid eveidence to the two events? 2. what ...
  A: You've asked some very good questions - most of which can't be answered (at least so far) with ...
suicide bombers5/11/2004
  Q: if male suicide bombers are promised nirvana and 72 virgins for this act, what are women promised?
  A: I'm not aware of any specific equivalent promise made to women in the Koran. The assumption, I ...
Please read this article.5/8/2004
  Q: ..thanks for your last answer and the link it was very helpful. If you are able could you give this ...
  A: The article as a whole is, indeed, both anti-Semitic and rather deranged. I don't think it's worth ...
Israeli and Arab Palestinian conflict.4/30/2004
  Q: Hope you have been keeping well. My E-mail has changed since I last got in touch. I was in Israel a ...
  A: Sorry for the slow response. The best place, I think, to get accurate information about "Intifada" ...
Israel striking in Damascas4/19/2004
  Q: What do you think will happen if Isreal goes into Damascas and takes out more hamass leadership?
  A: It's very difficult to predict exact outcomes in situations like this. Even the people in charge of ...
What role would Israel assume...3/29/2004
  Q: What role would Israel assume in counter-terrorism if a pullout from Gaza and the West Bank were to ...
  A: Your question is slightly outside the area of my expertise - that is, I deal mostly with strategic, ...
The Basis for Israel's right to Exist3/23/2004
  Q: Why did the United Nations Security Council, in effect, say that "the permanent borders of Israel ...
  A: Sorry for the slow response. It's been a busy week! I'm not aware of any specific legal precedent ...
The Basis for Israel's right to Exist3/22/2004
  Q: By the authority of the United Nations, Israel was proclaimed a state May 14, 1948. Arabs rejected ...
  A: Good question! The United Nations did not in fact provide the original legal basis for Israeli ...
Factions within Governments3/20/2004
  Q:
  A: I'm afraid I can't help you much on the details of the Pakistani government; as far as I know, it's ...
Real Roots of Terror3/11/2004
  Q: Does your study of terrorism consider the roots of it? I realize that this question can create a lot ...
  A: The answer to your question depends on what we identify as the "roots" of terrorism. My guess, from ...
Saddam Hussein3/9/2004
  Q: Would you consider Saddam Hussein a terrorist? Also do you think that Saddam Hussein is directly ...
  A: I wouldn't consider Saddam Hussein to be exactly a terrorist in that he didn't (as far as I know) ...
Provocation3/8/2004
  Q: Were any of the major Arab attacks against Israel unprovoked?
  A: I'm not sure what "major Arab attacks" you're referring to. Do you mean terror attacks, or military ...
Voter turnout3/8/2004
  Q: Do you believe that the overall benefit of such a system outweighs the possible drawback of not ...
  A: I am not a fan of proportional representation, at least as it exists in Israel. My view of the issue ...
Voter turnout3/7/2004
  Q: What is the average voter turnout (% of registered voters) in an Israeli election?
  A: Voter turnout in Israel for Knesset elections is normally pretty high - in recent years, generally ...
Israeli counter-terrorism3/5/2004
  Q: i am a student in terrorism and have a couple of questions if that is ok? 1. What is the official ...
  A: Wilson - (Sorry I'm answering these out of order!) 1) As with so many questions, this one is ...
9/112/23/2004
  Q: What do you personally think the causes of the September 11th were and/or what lead up to the ...
  A: There are many factors that led up to the 9/11 attacks - some factors that were causative, and ...
daily life2/18/2004
  Q: Radlauer, I have to write a research paper about daily life in Israel. Could you maybe state your ...
  A: Your question is a very difficult one to answer, in that there is really no answer that would be ...
Politcal, Social, Economical, and Religious status of Israel pre-19482/9/2004
  Q: Mr. Radlauer, I am writing a high school term paper on Golda Meir. One of the components I most have ...
  A: I'm afraid I can't be of very much help to you here, as I'm not really an expert on the particular ...
Anti-Americanism12/7/2003
  Q: I have a question for you if dont mind responding...regarding the Anti-American attitude. Why is ...
  A: You'll get different answers to your question depending on whom you ask. The standard Moslem answer ...
Israeli policy.12/4/2003
  Q: I've been having some humdinger arguments and discussions with masses of pro-Palestinian supporters ...
  A: 1) I've only skimmed snippets of Said, Chomsky, and Shahak. A) Said was a fine wordsmith, but as far ...

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