Dr. Ofek Riemer
Ben-Gurion Institute for the Study of Israel and Zionism
My Life Before BGU:
I was born in Petach Tikvah and grew up in Kfar Ma’as. I began my academic career in the IDF’s academic reserves, completing an undergraduate degree in Middle Eastern history at Tel Aviv University. During my military service, I studied for a master’s in diplomacy and security, also at Tel Aviv. I earned my PhD in international relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Why BGU?
In my view, the Ben-Gurion Research Institute for the Study of Israel and Zionism at BGU is one of the most exciting places in Israeli academia today. It’s a place that combines studies of the past, debates on the challenges of the present, and a hope for a better future. The Institute is located in one of the most beautiful places in Israel, and is made up of faculty and students who are excellent researchers as well as good people.
My research:
My work deals with the roles of intelligence in foreign and defense policy, with an emphasis on Israel and the Israeli-Arab conflict. My doctoral dissertation, and part of my current research, focus on intelligence as a tool of foreign policy and its impact on players in the international system and domestic politics. In the wake of October 7, my studies mainly deal with core questions in intelligence studies, such as the relations between intelligence and political leadership, and the effects of failure on intelligence organizations.
A key insight from my research:
History doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes. Scholarly knowledge, historical research, and general and comparative theory can shed light on fleeting events and processes, locate them within their broader context, identify - and when needed, warn about - possible developments, and offer a critical perspective. This was true both before October 7 and afterwards, for example when the government deliberately weakens intelligence organizations as part of an effort to concentrate more power in the hands of the executive - something happening not only in Israel, but also in other countries, first and foremost the United States - with destructive consequences.
Something you won’t find on my CV:
I have a certificate in oenology (winemaking). I don’t currently make wine, but I volunteer at wineries, mainly during harvest season, and taste a lot of wines and sometimes write reviews.
If I wasn’t a researcher, I’d be…
A winemaker.
In brief:
- Morning or night? Morning
- Summer or winter? Winter
- Car or train? Train
- Classical Europe or the Far East? Classical Europe
- City or country? Country
