Within Israel’s intelligence community, the prevailing view is that Israel’s strategic partnership with Azerbaijan is a model for the nascent relations with Somaliland

A recent diplomatic—and strategic—initiative by Israel late last month caught much of the world by surprise. This was its decision to recognize the independence of the East African country of Somaliland, strategically located on the west coast of the Gulf of Aden and the southern mouth of the Red Sea, including the maritime chokepoint of the Bab-El-Mandeb straits.

Behind the exchanges of diplomatic pleasantries 

According to an Atlantic Council article, this  “recognition  elevates Israel–Somaliland relations from [previous] informal coordination to institutionalized state-to-state ties, enabling formal bilateral channels for security exchanges, economic cooperation, and diplomatic presence.” Indeed, Israel Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, issued a statement, announcing “an [Israeli] intention to expand cooperation in areas such as agriculture, health, technology, and economic development with Somaliland.”

But behind the cordial exchange of pleasantries and expression of mutual goodwill, there is also a hard-headed rationale that indicates an onset of a new, more muscular approach to foreign policy on the part of Israel, and a more assertive and wide-ranging international presence by the Jewish state.

The principal driver behind the timing of Israel’s decision is rooted…