In this episode of The Middle East Breakdown, hosts Dan Feferman and Hayvi Bouzo examine the ongoing U.S. and Israeli military campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran, now entering its second week at the time of recording. The discussion covers the strategic objectives driving the strikes, the state of Iran's degraded military capabilities, and the critical question of what comes next for the Iranian people and the broader region.Joining the discussion are Dr. Walid Phares, author of "The Future Jihad," renowned Middle East expert and former Middle East advisor to the first Trump campaign; and Gazelle Sharmahd, human rights activist, spokesperson for the Kingdom Assembly of Iran, and director of the Iran desk at the International Freedom Coalition. Sharmahd brings extraordinary personal testimony as the daughter of Jamshid Sharmahd, a democracy activist abducted, tortured, and executed by the Islamic Republic regime.The panel examines the scope of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran's navy, air defenses, ballistic missile infrastructure, and senior IRGC leadership. The conversation addresses the appointment of Mujtaba Khamenei as successor, the organized nature of the liberation movement inside Iran, mass defections from the armed forces, and the transitional leadership framework coalescing around Crown Prince Pahlavi. The panel also assesses the strategic transformation underway in Lebanon, where Hezbollah is at its weakest point in decades and Lebanese voices are speaking with unprecedented openness against the group, and what a post-Hezbollah order could realistically look like.Watch, listen, and subscribe for full episodes and regional analysis.🌐 Website: https://middleeast24.org▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MiddleEast 24📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middleast24🐦 X: https://x.com/middleeast24🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZJcMz0

In this episode of The Middle East Breakdown, hosts Dan Feferman and Hayvi Bouzo examine the profound political, security, and social transformation Israel has undergone since October 7th exploring how the country's pre-existing fractures shaped its response to the Hamas attack, what the ongoing war has revealed about Israeli strategic doctrine, and where the country is headed as it approaches a pivotal election cycle.Joining the discussion is Yakov Katz, former longtime Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post, current fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, host of the JPPI podcast, and co-author of the national bestselling book "While Israel Slept: How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East." Katz brings decades of experience covering Israeli security, politics, and regional affairs, as well as firsthand insight into Israeli decision-making at the highest levels.The panel examines Israel's failed containment policy toward Hamas and the deeper doctrinal failures that enabled October 7th, drawing parallels to the conceptzia of the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The conversation explores Israel's pre-war political trauma —five elections in three and a half years, the judicial reform crisis, and deep societal polarization and how that instability compounded the national shock of the attack. The discussion addresses the ongoing psychological and physical toll of the war, the rehabilitation of communities in the north and south, and the challenge of national healing following the return of the remaining living hostages. On the political front, the panel analyzes the upcoming Israeli elections, the absence of new political figures, tribal voting patterns, the ultra-Orthodox draft controversy, and the strategic calculations of key figures including Netanyahu, Bennett, Lapid, and potential new entrants. The episode also addresses the Iran nuclear negotiations under the Trump administration, the risk of a repeat of JCPOA-style compromises, and what a military strike or diplomatic deal would mean for Israeli domestic politics and regional security. Finally, the panel reflects on the broader transformation of the Middle East the weakening of Iran's axis, the fall of Assad, Arab world engagement in Gaza's future and what Israel's 80th anniversary in 2028 could look like depending on the choices made in the coming months.Watch, listen, and subscribe for full episodes and regional analysis.Website: https://middleeast24.orgYouTube:    / @middleeast 24  Instagram:   / middleast24  X: https://x.com/middleeast24Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZJcMz0

This week on The Weekly Squeeze, I’m walking you through what is actually happening across the Middle East, without the spin, without the academic jargon, and without pretending any of this is normal. We start with Iran, where protests have turned deadly, rumors are darker by the day, and a regime is openly waging war on its own people. From there, I zoom out to the rest of the region, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and then bring it home to life inside Israel, the security reality, the internal political battles, the UNRWA fight, the cost of living, and the constant background noise of living in a country that never gets a quiet week. This episode is for people who hate politics and hate the news but still want to understand what is going on without losing their minds. It is honest, blunt, unapologetically pro Israel, Torah grounded, occasionally dark, sometimes funny, and very much how Israelis actually process the world around us right now. Follow and explore more: My Beautiful Land of Israel (Instagram): https://instagram.com/mybeautifullandofisraelME24 Instagram: https://instagram.com/middleast24ME24 X: https://twitter.com/MiddleEast 24ME24 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MiddleEast 24ME24 Website: https://www.middleeast24.orgOlim Advisors Instagram: https://instagram.com/olimadvisorsOlim Advisors, trusted Aliyah guidance with real expertise and real support.www.olimadvisors.com Loved the episode? Wanna share your thoughts? Send me a message here! Support the show

Loved the episode? Wanna share your thoughts? Send me a message here! Loved the episode? Wanna share your thoughts? Send me a message here! Help Equip Civil Security SquadsDonate NOW!https://www.civilsquadisrael.com/"We are a 100% volunteer initiative, with all funds going directly towards the civil squads of the affected communities."Follow them here for training footage:https://www.facebook.com/CivilSquadsofIsraelJoin Chanale in A Shared Mission to Equip Heroes For The War Against HezbollaPitch in for HELMETS:www.my.israelgives.orgClick and Help Raise 10K!Follow My Beautiful Land Of Israel On Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/mybeautifullandofisraelAdvertisers: Grab a ONE MINUTE SPOT on the podcast:Email [email protected] or WhatsApp for details:https://wa.link/efqjihHave an opinion you want to share?Leave me a voice note on SpeakPipe!No app needed. Tap and Record.Follow Eitan Chitayet INSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/eitanchitayat wordsTWITTERhttps://twitter.com/EitanChitayatFACEBOOKhttps://www.facebook.com/eitanchitayatLINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/eitanchitayat/YOUTUBEyoutube.com/@EitanChitayat WordsPATREON to support my advocacy https://www.patreon.com/EitanChitayat236

Help the local security force of Modiin Elite purchase surveillance equipment and tactical gear to replace ancient gear. Tap the link and donate now!www.Charidy.comhttps://charidy.com/konenutModiin/41459Order a Rockets To Roses Necklace (and more!)https://theisraelboutique.com/product/rocket-rose-necklace/Join Chanale in A Shared Mission to Equip Heroes For The War Against Hezbolla. Pitch in for HELMETS: https://my.israelgives.org/en/members/helpidfsoldiersnowListen to THE KIDDUSH CLUB PODCAST Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiddushclubpodcast/Twitter: https://twitter.com/kiddushclubcastSubscribe to Eitan Chitayat on YoutubeWatch "I'm That Jew"https://www.instagram.com/eitanchitayat words/Join The Weekly Squeeze WhatsApp Chathttps://chat.whatsapp.com/I7fhs9clBTi3Vc9SJv2yxUFollow My Beautiful Land Of Israel On Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/mybeautifullandofisraelAdvertisers: Grab a ONE MINUTE SPOT on the podcast:Email [email protected] or WhatsApp for details:https://wa.link/efqjihHave an opinion you want to share?Leave me a voice note on SpeakPipe!No app needed. Tap and Record.

Help Equip Civil Security SquadsDonate NOW! https://www.civilsquadisrael.com/"We are a 100% volunteer initiative, with all funds going directly towards the civil squads of the affected communities."Follow them here for training footage:https://www.facebook.com/CivilSquadsofIsrael Join Chanale in A Shared Mission to Equip Heroes For The War Against HezbollaPitch in for HELMETS:www.my.israelgives.orgClick and Help Raise 10K!Follow My Beautiful Land Of Israel On Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/mybeautifullandofisraelFollow Yechiel on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/jacobsyechiel/Subscribe to Yechiel's Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@YechielJacobsAdvertisers: Grab a ONE MINUTE SPOT on the podcast:Email [email protected] or WhatsApp for details:https://wa.link/efqjihHave an opinion you want to share?Leave me a voice note on SpeakPipe!No app needed. Tap and Record.

Help Equip Civil Security SquadsDonate NOW!  https://www.civilsquadisrael.com/"We are a 100% volunteer initiative, with all funds going directly towards the civil squads of the affected communities." Follow them here for training footage: https://www.facebook.com/CivilSquadsofIsrael Join Chanale in A Shared Mission to Equip Heroes For The War Against HezbollaPitch in for HELMETS:www.my.israelgives.orgClick and Help Raise 10K!Follow My Beautiful Land Of Israel On Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/mybeautifullandofisraelAdvertisers: Grab a ONE MINUTE SPOT on the podcast:Email [email protected] or WhatsApp for details:https://wa.link/efqjihHave an opinion you want to share?Leave me a voice note on SpeakPipe!No app needed. Tap and Record.

Join Chanale in A Shared Mission to Equip Heroes For The War Against Hezbolla.Pitch in for HELMETS:https://my.israelgives.org/en/members/helpidfsoldiersnowHelp the local security force of Modiin Elite purchase surveillance equipment and tactical gear to replace ancient gear. Tap the link and donate now!www.Charidy.comhttps://charidy.com/konenutModiin/41459Order a Rockets To Roses Necklace (and more!)https://theisraelboutique.com/category/rocket-art/all-rocket-artFollow Z.E. Silver on TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@silver z.e? t=8l8qe6cUAt4& r=1Join The Weekly Squeeze WhatsApp Chathttps://chat.whatsapp.com/I7fhs9clBTi3Vc9SJv2yxUFollow My Beautiful Land Of Israel On Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/mybeautifullandofisraelAdvertisers: Grab a ONE MINUTE SPOT on the podcast:Email [email protected] or WhatsApp for details:https://wa.link/efqjihHave an opinion you want to share?Leave me a voice note on SpeakPipe!No app needed. Tap and Record.

Loved the episode? Wanna share your thoughts? Send me a message here! Help Celebrate 400 Golani Soldier Families  With A "Yom Kef" in Mid-JulyPLEASE donate here!https://amuta-golani.co.il/sayeret-carmeli-eng/Israel is BURNING from wildfire terrorism!Help Equip The Civil  Squads With Fire Protective Gear 🧑‍🚒🔥🚒Donate NOW!The Civil Squads of Israel is a 100% volunteer initiative with all funds going directly towards the civil squads of the affected communities."Follow for Training Footage:Facebook - Civil Squads of IsraelSponsor a Helmet for a soldierJoin Chanale in A Shared Mission toEquip Heroes For The War Against Hezbolla and HamasPitch in for HELMETS:Donate Helmetshttps://my.israelgives.org/en/fundme/helpidfsoldiers?team=chanaleAdopt A Soldier Struggling With PTSD:Support a Soldier***************************Loved the episode? Wanna share your thoughts? Send me a message here!Listen to Chanale’s music!https://open.spotify.com/artist/1uBRKUZIzJB4FEbAjjgQAg?si=lWFZjdQzT-yXXDbafRaaxQ Join The Weekly Squeeze Whatsapp Chat:Join NowFollow My Beautiful Land Of Israel On Instagram:Instagram - My Beautiful Land Of IsraelAdvertisers: Grab a ONE MINUTE SPOT on the podcast:Email: [email protected] for details: https://wa.link/efqjihHave an opinion you want to share?Leave me a voice note on SpeakPipe! No app needed.Tap and Record