Brigadier General in reserve Professor Yaakov Nagel, former acting head of the National Security Council, says Israel must adopt a doctrine of 'prevention and offense' in the wake of the October 7 attacks. In an interview, he described an intense security environment marked by accelerated weapons shipments and rising tensions with Iran, alongside strong military deployments by the United States in the region. He argued that sustained economic pressure on Iran is currently the most effective strategy and warned against renewed negotiations, saying past talks have consistently favored Tehran.

Nagel said Israel will never have unlimited interceptor missiles but will ensure it has what it needs, emphasizing the country’s multi-layered air defense system and efforts to strike missile stockpiles before launch. He defended past decisions to prioritize the Iron Dome system while continuing to invest in laser-based defenses, which he said will soon complement existing systems. He also acknowledged gaps exposed by drone threats and called for faster deployment of practical, cost-effective solutions.

Rejecting the pre-October 7 concept of a 'small and smart army,' Nagel called for a 'large and smart army' with expanded ground forces, armor, and manpower. He stressed that equal civic rights must come with equal obligations, arguing that broader military service is essential for national security. Ultimately, he said Israel can no longer rely on containment or deterrence alone and must proactively eliminate emerging threats before they escalate.