Invited Commentary: The October 7th Surprise: Hamas Invades Israel By R.M. Huffstutler

Rae Huffstutler has a distinguished career in the Intelligence Community. He served as the Executive Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Director of the National Photographic Interpretation Center, and as the Director of Soviet Research at the Agency. Among his many accolades are twice being awarded the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal and in April 2003 he was inducted into the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Hall of Fame for his contributions to imagery collection and intelligence.

July 15, 2021 – NSF Virtual July Forum: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

As challenging as politics have become in the United States, nothing holds a candle to the tumult that Israel has been through over the last three years. With four elections proving indecisive and Benjamin Netanyahu being pushed out as Prime Minister in May, after 12 years at the helm, Israel is contending with internal upheaval at the same time as it navigates external challenges. Meanwhile Palestinian political paralysis and division persists, with long overdue Palestinian legislative elections scheduled then ultimately canceled at the eleventh hour, and Hamas and Fatah continuing their rift and divided rule.