Ronen Itzik

Col. (Res.) Dr.

Col. (Res.) Dr. Ronen Itzik currently serves as CEO of the IDSF, following a long series of senior command positions in the IDF. During his service he commanded the Harel reserve brigade and led Battalion 77 in major battles during Operation Defensive Shield. In the Second Lebanon War he played a central role in the fighting against Hezbollah forces as a deputy brigade commander. Beyond being an experienced combat officer, Dr. Itzik is a dedicated researcher who has written some six books to date, among them "The Man in the Tank". His books and research focus on leadership, the IDF's fighting spirit and the processes of moving from crisis to growth at both the personal and organizational levels. This rare combination of combat experience in the field, senior management in civilian life and academic research allows him to break down strategic issues for a wide range of audiences.

Topics

Decision Making
Personal Story
Uncertainty

Languages

English
Hebrew

Lectures:

Crisis or Failure?

Did October 7 completely shatter Israel's security doctrine, or was it "only" a painful failure of implementation? Col. Ronen Itzik takes audiences on a gripping historical and contemporary journey, from David Ben-Gurion's original vision, through the events of October 7, to the war with Iran. In this revealing and incisive lecture, audiences will understand how patterns of thinking and force building that took shape over many years collapsed and failed the test at the moment of truth in the face of new threats. The lecture dives deep into the strategic, military and social meaning of the greatest breaking point in Israel's history, and asks whether the entire security paradigm must be replaced. A fascinating wake-up call for anyone who cares deeply about the country's future.

A Necessary Transition

This is an inspirational lecture that weaves the entire Israeli story into a single story, the personal story of a senior officer whose whole life is turned upside down. Everything safe and familiar slips out from under his feet, and from the low point he reaches he must make hard decisions about family, Zionism, national resilience and personal leadership in the midst of a deep crisis, and above all about a child who is enlisting in the army and the difficulty that brings. This powerful lecture brings together the thoughts, feelings and dilemmas all of us have faced during the last three years of war. It is more relevant than ever for every Israeli who has ever been called to serve, in the reserves or in regular service, and speaks to life's hardest decisions and the impossible choice between home, country and the personal self.