In this enlightening interview, we dive deep into the world of foreign policy analysis with Dr Eldad Ben-Aharon. Navigate through a range of critical topics from defining foreign policy to contemporary research methodologies. Learn about the role of individual actors versus institutional frameworks and how emerging global factors like technology and climate change are reshaping the landscape of international studies.
This interview also features two compelling case studies. The first unpacks the methodology behind oral history research with Israeli elites, while the second offers a rare glimpse into the challenges and ethics of interviewing high-ranking intelligence officials, including a former Mossad Director.
With timestamps to guide you through each segment, this is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the intricacies of foreign policy analysis and research.
Case Studies Articles:
Doing Oral History with the Israeli Elite and the Question of Methodology in International Relations Research (Case Study 1)
Methodological and epistemological reflections on elite interviews and the study of Israel’s intelligence history: interview with Efraim Halevy (Case Study 2)
Content
- Defining Foreign Policy
- Diplomacy vs. Policy
- Evolution of Foreign Policy Analysis
- Theories and Frameworks
- Western Centrism in Policy Analysis
- Actors vs. Institutions
- Trends in Methodology
- Technology and Climate Change in Research
- Theoretical Stance Importance
- Case Study 1: Article Description, Methods, Challenges, Tech Tools
- Case Study 2: Intro & Methods, Interviewing Mossad Director, Handling Sensitivity, Post-Interview Protocol
- Eldad’s Research Motivation
Eldad Ben-Aharon
Dr. Eldad Ben-Aharon is currently (2023–25) an IRC Post-Doctoral Fellow in International Security at Dublin City University. He is also a researcher at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF). Dr. Ben Aharon earned a Ph.D. in History from Royal Holloway, University of London in 2019. His primary area of interest revolves around the international history of the Middle East during the Cold War, which he explores through the lens of archival research, foreign policy analysis, and interviews with prominent diplomats and intelligence figures.
