ABSTRACT
Among knowledgeable Israelis there exists a wide consensus on the need for change — a consensus shared by almost all participants, past and present, in the decisionmaking process. The creation of a central national security staff should not be seen as a step involving major manpower or budgetary costs. This chapter presents three possible models for the structuring of a national security staff. They are: a prime ministerial model, an Ministerial Defense Committee staff model, and a cabinet secretariat model. The most simple and straightforward model — and the one most recommended by those interviewed — is the prime ministerial one. The main advantage of this model lies in its high acceptability to the prime minister. One of the key issues, and a vital factor in the success of any major reform in the decisionmaking process, is how to meet structural needs while adjusting to the personalities involved.
