BICOM’s Podcast

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks with Shiri Fein-Grossman about Israel’s strategic challenges three years after the October 7th attacks. Shiri reflects on Iran’s regional strategy, the prospects for disarming Hamas and rebuilding Gaza, and Israel’s approach to the information war. She also assesses the threat posed by the Houthis, Turkey’s regional ambitions, and the security of Syria’s Druze community.

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks with Marc Sievers about the current status of the Abraham Accords. Marc assesses the growing economic and security ties between Israel and the UAE, the impact of Iranian attacks on the Gulf, and the prospects for Saudi–Israeli normalisation. He also discusses the experience of Israelis and Jewish communities in the UAE, Oman’s approach to Israel, and the potential for expanding the Accords.

Marc Sievers is an Abu Dhabi based business consultant and Middle East policy analyst. He is a former US ambassador to Oman and a veteran diplomat with over three decades of experience across the Middle East.

In this episode, Daniel J. Levy speaks with Edmund Fitton-Brown about the UK’s sanctions on Israeli settlements and its implications for UK–Israel relations. Fitton-Brown assesses the domestic political drivers behind the decision, the potential impact on bilateral trade and security cooperation, and the possible US response. He also discusses the challenges of implementing the sanctions and the prospects for repairing the diplomatic rift.

Edmund Fitton-Brown is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. A former British ambassador to Yemen, he subsequently served as coordinator of the UN Security Council’s monitoring team on sanctions against Al-Qaeda, ISIS and the Taliban.

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks with Dr Simon Waldman about Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s grip on power, the erosion of Turkish democracy and Turkey’s neo-Ottoman ambitions. Waldman examines antisemitism in Turkish society, Ankara’s support for Hamas and its growing influence in Syria. He also assesses Turkey’s potential return to the F-35 programme, its naval ambitions in the eastern Mediterranean and the prospects for repairing relations with Israel.

Dr Simon Waldman teaches in the Defence Studies Department at King’s College London. His research focuses on Turkish history and politics, international diplomacy in the Middle East, state-building and leadership, and the Arab Israeli conflict. He is the author of Anglo-American Diplomacy and the Palestinian Refugee Problem and co-author of The New Turkey and Its Discontents.

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks with Herb Keinon about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approach to Britain, Hamas and Israel’s regional manoeuvring. Keinon examines the Likud primary results and how Netanyahu is positioning the party ahead of Israel’s general election. He also assesses Western engagement with Hamas, US policy towards Iran, Turkey’s ambitions in Syria, and the implications of the emerging Saudi–Pakistani alliance for Israel.

Herb Keinon is a veteran diplomatic correspondent and senior contributing editor at The Jerusalem Post. He has covered Israeli diplomacy, politics and regional affairs for more than three decades.

In this episode, Daniel J. Levy speaks with Dr Lynette Nusbacher about Israel, US, and Iranian strategic considerations against the backdrop of rising escalations across the region as Pakistani mediators are attempting to revive June's Islamabad MOU.

Dr Lynette Nusbacher is a former British Army intelligence officer and served as the Cabinet Office's national security strategy lead.

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks with Professor Eyal Zisser about the US-Iran MOU, political developments in Syria and Lebanon, Turkey’s regional ambitions, and Israel’s relations with its Arab neighbours. Professor Zisser also discusses Israel’s challenge of translating military achievements against Hezbollah and Hamas into lasting political gains.

Prof. Eyal Zisser is Chair of Contemporary History of the Middle East and Vice Rector at Tel Aviv University. He is also the author of several books and a prominent columnist for Israel Hayom, and previously served as Director of the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies.

In this episode, Dan Ritterband speaks with Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman about the new Israel-Lebanon framework agreement, the US-Iran MOU, and the state of US-Israel relations. Lerman assesses Lebanon’s commitment to disarming Hezbollah and discusses the ambiguities in the US-Iran MOU, the risks to American deterrence, and the possibility of renewed escalation over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman was Deputy Director for foreign policy and international affairs at Israel’s National Security Council. Prior to this he held senior posts in IDF Military Intelligence for over 20 years. He is currently Vice President of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security.

In this episode recorded during a media briefing, Richard Pater speaks with Brig. Gen. (res.) Assaf Orion about the fallout from the US-Iran MOU. Orion assesses Israel’s concerns over premature sanctions relief, the absence of restrictions on Iran’s missile programme and proxy network, and the inclusion of Lebanon in the agreement. He also discusses Israel’s campaign in Lebanon, Hezbollah’s degraded but persistent threat, and the challenge of turning operational success into strategic victory.

Brig. Gen. (res.) Assaf Orion is an international fellow at the Washington Institute and a senior researcher at INSS. He previously served as head of the Strategic Division in the IDF Planning Directorate. He led the IDF team in the tripartite mechanism in Lebanon with UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces, took part in the US-Israel Security Dialogue, and represented the IDF in negotiations with the Palestinians.

In this episode recorded during media briefing, Daniel J. Levy speaks with Dr Ilan Berman for a first reaction to the US-Iran ceasefire announcement and the 60-day nuclear negotiation period now ahead. Dr Berman assesses Washington’s political calculations, the pressure of energy markets and the midterm elections, and why he believes the framework currently gives Tehran the advantage. He also discusses Iran’s internal instability, the role of the IRGC, and what the deal could mean for Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon.

Dr Ilan Berman is Senior Vice President of the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington, DC, and an expert on regional security in the Middle East. In the past he has consulted for the CIA as well as the US Departments of State and Defence.