The role of the IDF in Israeli life cannot be overstated, past and present. But the country, and the army, are changing. So are the missions Israel undertakes and the nature of warfare. Why is the famous people's army seeing fewer and fewer Israelis turn up for the draft? What are the demographic characteristics of those who do serve, is the army a melting pot or a social hierarchy and what about the "P" word - a professional army?

Yuval Shany & Amichai Cohen of the Israel Democracy Institute discuss their research.

This episode of the Tel Aviv Review was brought to you by the Israel Democracy Institute, an independent center of research and action dedicated to strengthening the foundations of Israeli democracy.