Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies

What Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies does

The Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (BESA Center) is an independent, non-partisan Israeli think tank founded in 1993 by Dr. Thomas O. Hecht and affiliated with the Political Science Department at Bar-Ilan University in Ramat Gan. Named in memory of Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat, the center produces policy-relevant research on Middle Eastern strategic affairs, Israeli national security, and global strategic issues. Its product surface is built around several publication lines — Perspectives Papers, Mideast Security and Policy Studies, BESA Geo Energy Insights, Newsletters, podcasts, videos, and books — together with specialized research programs including the Hybrid Warfare Program (EU-funded), the BESA Geo Energy Program, the Post-Soviet Conflicts Research Program, the ISF Grand Strategy Workshop, and the BESA Intern Program. It has produced more than 2,000 original research and policy papers and 25 books, and conducted over 800 symposia and international conferences.

The center's business model is a hybrid of philanthropic donations, government contract research, and competitive grants. It is funded through private donations — publications are explicitly enabled by the generosity of Saul Koschitzky and family, with additional support from founder Dr. Thomas O. Hecht — and generates service revenue through specialized contract research for the Israeli foreign affairs and defense establishment and for NATO. Distribution is multi-channel: direct publication through besacenter.org, an email newsletter, active social media presence (Facebook, Twitter/X, YouTube, LinkedIn), Hebrew- and English-language podcasts, a video archive of events, and conference-based engagement. The center does not sell a priced product; instead it monetizes influence, expertise, and access through research mandates and donor relationships.

BESA serves a concentrated customer base anchored by Israeli defense and foreign affairs decision-makers and the IDF National Defense College, supplemented by NATO, the international academic community, press and media, and Jewish communities worldwide. Its research network includes formal partnerships with RAND Corporation, Johns Hopkins SAIS, the Carnegie Council on Ethics in International Affairs, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, RUSI, the AIR Center in Baku, and Strategy International. Day-to-day operations are led by Managing Director Prof. Eitan Shamir, with the center drawing on a bench of 40+ research associates that includes former IDF general officers, ambassadors, and senior Bar-Ilan University faculty.

Name

Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies

Legal name

Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies

Website

https://besacenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (BESA Center) is an Israeli non-partisan think tank affiliated with Bar-Ilan University that produces policy research on Middle East security, defense, and strategic affairs. It serves Israeli defense and foreign affairs decision-makers, NATO, and the international academic community through publications, conferences, and contract research.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Strategic Studies and Policy Research

NAICS

International Affairs (928120), National Security (928110), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), International Affairs (9721), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)

Keywords

• Strategic research services
• Policy analysis publications
• Middle East security
• National security research
• Geopolitical research

Headquarters

HQ city

Ramat Gan

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research Contracts: Conducts specialized research on contract to the Israeli foreign affairs and defense establishment, and for NATO
2. Donations and Charitable Support: Funded through private donations; publications made possible by generosity of Saul Koschitzky and family; founded by Dr. Thomas O. Hecht

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies is a non-partisan Israeli think tank that produces policy-relevant research, strategic analysis, and publications on Middle Eastern security, Israeli national defense, and foreign policy. It delivers Perspectives Papers, Mideast Security and Policy Studies, BESA Geo Energy Insights, newsletters, podcasts, videos, and books, and conducts specialized contract research for the Israeli defense and foreign affairs establishment and NATO, complemented by conferences, symposia, and academic programs at Bar-Ilan University.

Product overview

The Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (BESA Center) is a non-partisan think tank affiliated with Bar-Ilan University that produces policy-relevant research publications on Middle Eastern and global strategic affairs. The organization operates as a unified research center offering multiple publication types (Perspectives Papers, Mideast Security and Policy Studies, BESA Geo Energy Insights, Newsletters, Podcasts, Videos, and Books) alongside specialized research programs including the BESA Intern Program, Hybrid Warfare Program, BESA Geo Energy Program, Post-Soviet Conflicts Research Program (PSCRP), ISF Grand Strategy Workshop, and the Debunking Genocide Allegations project. Publications are directed toward senior Israeli decision-makers, defense establishments, diplomatic corps, and the academic community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BESA Geo Energy Program: Research program focused on energy geopolitics in the Eastern Mediterranean and broader regions
• Post-Soviet Conflicts Research Program (PSCRP)
• Hybrid Warfare Program
• BESA Intern Program

Products and services

• Perspectives Papers
• Perspectives Papers Policy analysis papers providing in-depth analysis on important issues pertaining to Israel and the Middle East, authored by BESA Center research associates and outside experts.
• Mideast Security and Policy Studies Forum for publication of research conducted by BESA Center research associates, covering security and policy topics related to the Middle East.
• BESA Geo Energy Insights Focused research publication examining geopolitical and strategic aspects of energy in the Eastern Mediterranean and wider Eurasian region.
• Books Books published by BESA Center researchers on topics including US foreign policy, Arab Spring, Israeli security, and regional strategy.
• Newsletters Periodic newsletter providing updates on BESA Center activities, events, and new publications.
• Podcasts Audio content featuring discussions on strategy, security, diplomacy, and regional affairs in Hebrew.
• Video Archive Video archive of BESA Center conferences and events covering strategic topics from civil war avoidance to US elections.
• Hybrid Warfare Program International research initiative addressing challenges posed by hybrid warfare, funded by the EU with 380,000 euros.
• Post-Soviet Conflicts Research Program (PSCRP) Research initiative analyzing politics, society, and international relations of former USSR successor states.
• BESA Geo Energy Program Research program focused on geopolitical and strategic aspects of energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean and broader Eurasian region.
• ISF Grand Strategy Workshop Workshop program addressing grand strategic concepts for regional security.
• Debunking the Genocide Allegations Research project reexamining claims related to the Israel-Hamas conflict through historical and quantitative analysis.
• BESA Intern Program Internship program providing students opportunities to engage in strategic research at the BESA Center with associated publications.

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Konrad Adenauer FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaborative project between the BESA Center and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, including research on Israeli gas exports to Syria
• RUSI Military SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBESA Center welcomed a delegation from RUSI Military Sciences research group and an expert from Exeter University for strategic dialogue on modern warfare
• Association of Civil-Military Studies in IsraelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBESA Center conducted a conference in collaboration with the Association of Civil-Military Studies in Israel
• AIR Center (Baku)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBESA researchers participated in strategic dialogue with colleagues from Turkey, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Georgia and Qatar, hosted by the AIR center in Baku, Azerbaijan
• RAND CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBESA Center has partnered in conference and research activity with RAND Corporation as part of global network of strategic studies centers
• Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in conference and research activity with Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
• Carnegie Council on Ethics in International AffairsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConference and research partnership with Carnegie Council on Ethics in International Affairs
• IDF National Defense CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with IDF's National Defense College for research and conference activities
• Strategy InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint webinar on 'The Impact of the War with Iran on the Eastern Mediterranean' organized by Strategy International and the BESA Center
• NESA (Naval Education and Training Authority)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Shamir met with a team of NESA researchers led by Col. David Lamm for strategic dialogue collaboration

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• RAND Corporation: Major US-based policy research institution with a global defense and security portfolio and active partnership with BESA on conferences and research, making it a direct collaborator and broad incumbent comparable in scope.
• Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs): UK-based international affairs think tank with similar convening, publication, and policy advisory functions applied to global security issues including the Middle East.
• Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): Major US bipartisan policy organization covering defense, security, and international affairs with comparable government-contract research, conferences, and global partnerships.
• International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): London-headquartered global think tank producing strategic analysis, an annual Military Balance assessment, and high-profile defense conferences closely paralleling BESA's defense and security focus.
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Global think tank with programs on Middle East and security policy, working in adjacent spaces to BESA and connected via shared partnership channels such as the Carnegie Council.

Regional players

• Fathom Journal (BICOM): UK-based publication and research platform focused on Israeli and Middle Eastern strategic analysis, comparable to BESA in its policy advocacy and research-driven approach from a UK vantage point.

Direct peers

• Institute for National Security Studies (INSS): Israel's flagship national security think tank, also affiliated with Tel Aviv University. Directly comparable to BESA in producing strategic analysis for Israeli defense and government clients and convening defense conferences.
• Middle East Institute: Washington-based policy center focused on Middle East economics, politics, and security, with similar convening and publication functions and a comparable donor-supported revenue model.
• Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS): Israeli security-focused think tank publishing policy papers and briefings for Israeli and international audiences on Middle East strategy, regional security, and Israeli foreign policy.
• Washington Institute for Near East Policy: US-based think tank producing policy analysis on Middle Eastern affairs and US engagement in the region, competing for similar Western government, media, and donor attention as BESA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BESA_Center
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCaw3KLDsRGzAXekg61B-IMA
• Facebookfacebook.com/BESA.Center
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/begin-sadat-center-for-strategic-studies

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies