Dr. Doron Itzchakov
Research Fellow at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) at Reichman University
Dr. Doron Itzchakov is currently a Research Fellow at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) at Reichman University, where he specializes in Iranian politics, foreign policy, and regional security dynamics. In this capacity, he contributes to cutting-edge research on Iran’s geopolitical aspirations, its evolving role in the Middle East, and the broader implications for Israel and regional stability. Prior to joining ICT, Dr. Itzchakov held several key research positions at leading academic institutions in Israel. He served as a Senior Research Associate at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (BESA) at Bar-Ilan University, where he published extensively on Iran’s foreign policy and military strategy. He was also a Research Associate at both the Dayan Center and the Alliance Center for Iranian Studies (ACIS) at Tel Aviv University, where he focused on Iran’s historical development, domestic politics, and international relations.
Dr. Itzchakov specializes in Iran’s history and politics, Iran-Israel relations, and Iran’s foreign policy in the Middle East, with a particular focus on the intersection of ideology, strategy, and national interest. His research delves into Iran’s geopolitical ambitions, the evolution of its strategic alliances, and the internal and external factors that shape Tehran’s regional policies. He is also recognized for his expertise in interpreting the implications of Iran’s actions on Israel’s security landscape and regional stability.
Dr. Itzchakov holds a Ph.D. in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University. His doctoral dissertation, titled Iran-Israel Relations 1948–1963: The Iranian Perspective, explored the early bilateral relationship between the two states, analyzing how internal Iranian politics and regional developments shaped Tehran’s approach to Israel. The dissertation was supervised by Professors David Menashri and Uzi Rabi. Dr. Itzchakov earned his M.A. cum laude in Middle Eastern Studies from Bar-Ilan University, and his B.A. summa cum laude in Middle Eastern Studies from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Ben-Gurion University.
His scholarly work has resulted in the publication of multiple books and book chapters. His two-volume study on Iran-Israel relations—Iran-Israel 1948–1963: Bilateral Relations at a Crossroads in a Changing Geopolitical Environment(2nd edition, Tel Aviv: Dayan Center, 2020) and Iran-Israel 1948–1963: Bilateral Relations in the Shade of Reciprocal Interests in a Changing Geopolitical Realm (1st edition, Tel Aviv: Dayan Publishing Center, 2019)—has been widely recognized for offering a nuanced historical perspective. He also contributed the chapter titled “Iran’s Recognition of Israel: Internal Politics and National Interests” in the volume Iran Then and Now: Society, Religion, and Politics(Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 2017), edited in honor of Prof. David Menashri.
Dr. Itzchakov is also a prolific contributor of analytical articles and research perspectives on contemporary Iranian affairs. His recent article, “Ayatollah Khomeini’s Approach to the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict and Its Longstanding Ramifications,” was published in Israel Affairs (Vol. 29, Issue 6, October 2023) by Routledge. He has also published timely analyses through the ICT and BESA, addressing key developments such as “The Hijab Protest: Between Continuity and Change” (ICT, 2023), “Iran’s Power Structure” (ICT, 2024), “Continuity and Change in Iran’s ‘Axis of Resistance’” (ICT, 2025), “Iran’s Public Diplomacy in Latin America” (ICT, 2025) and “Iran and the Israel-UAE Deal” (BESA, 2020).
Among his other notable publications are: “The Quds Force Commander’s Visit to Iraq” (2020), “Tehran and the Restive Iraqis” (2019), “Turkey’s Invasion of Syrian Kurdistan as Seen from Tehran” (2019), “The Implications of Sanctions for the Iranian Oil Market” (2018), and “Iran’s Quds Day: Ideology or Interests?” (2018). He has also explored broader themes in Iranian regional strategy through pieces like “Iran’s New Anti-Israel Resistance Axis” and “The Goal: A Regional Iranian Umbrella,” published in Israel Defense. In his work for the Dayan Center, he authored “Al-Hashd Al-Sha’abi: Mediating between Iranian Aspirations and Geostrategic Changes in Iraq and Syria” (2017), reflecting his deep engagement with Iran’s proxy networks and strategic depth.
With a solid academic foundation and extensive publication record, Dr. Itzchakov continues to be a leading voice in the study of Iran’s regional policies and their implications for Israeli national security. His work bridges historical analysis and contemporary developments, providing valuable insights for academics, policymakers, and security professionals alike.
