Past

Geopolitical Changes at the Global Level and in the Middle East and Their Impacts on Israel

31 March, 2025
The James J. Shasha Center convened a group of leading experts from the Prime Minister's Office, the Defense Ministry, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Intelligence Division and Planning Division at the IDF, the Ministry of Intelligence Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, and academia to explore the global, regional, and intra-state geopolitical changes affecting Israel. This team examined current processes and future trends, developed several scenarios, and identified future challenges. Based on the first round of this work, the James J.

Planning and Spatial Development

31 March, 2025
The James J. Shasha Center collaborated with the Planning Division at the Finance Ministry to produce a planning agenda for Israel in the year 2048. Following this joint effort, the two organizations published the book Israel 2048: Strategic Spatial Development and Planning (2016), edited by Shlomo Hasson, Oded Kutok, Doron Drukman, and David Roter.

Preparedness for Future Crises

31 March, 2025
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the James J. Shasha Center presented a roadmap to the National Economic Council at the Prime Minister's Office and other sections within the office regarding short-, mid-, and long-term recovery strategies. Following this publication, the James J. Shasha Center was asked by the head of the National Economic Council to advise on the development of strategies regarding the COVID-19 crisis and to present its work to the deputy director generals of planning in government offices. Building on this experience, the James J.

Restoring Governance and Democracy

31 March, 2025
The James J. Shasha Center convened a group of experts from the government and academia to review the current situation in Israel in the fields of governance and democracy. The group held a conference at the Hebrew University on this topic and published a book titled Governability or Democracy? The Struggle over the Public Interest and the Rules of the Israeli Political Game (2020), edited by Gail Talshir and published by Resling Publishing. The book was launched through a joint webinar held by the James J.

Climate Change

31 March, 2025
At the request of Prof. Asher Cohen, President of the Hebrew University, the James J. Shasha Center produced a report on The Contribution of the Hebrew University to Climate Change and Sustainability: Research and Initiatives. Following this report, the James J. Shasha Center initiated a new project: Climate Change in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and National Preparedness. This work examines the following areas using various methodological tools:
a. Analysis of existing processes and future trends in the field of climate change in MENA.

Innovation, Science, and Technology

31 March, 2025
The James J. Shasha Center’s interest in science led it to explore the future of higher education in Israel, culminating in the publication of Lighthouse or Ivory Tower? The Israeli Academy: Between Challenging Openness to Defensive Seclusion (2019), edited by Israel Katz and Gail Talshir.