
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


In this special episode, Noam Weissman sits down with Middle East expert and former Israeli intelligence official Avi Melamed to unpack the forces driving the Israel–Iran–U.S. confrontation. From the Sunni–Shiite split to Iran’s 1979 Islamic takeover, Avi explains how theology, grievance, and ideology shaped the Islamic Republic. He explores how Tehran’s proxy network, from Hezbollah to the Houthis, turned the Israeli–Palestinian conflict into a driver of regional escalation. They also confront the urgent question: What happens next?
The New York Times article:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/02/25/opinion/iran-protests-doctors.html
Inside the Middle East:
https://insidethemiddle-east.com/intelligence-experiences-meet-avi-melamed/
This episode is dedicated in memory of Armand Lindenbaum, the grandson of Rav Avigdor Amiel, by his wife, Jean, and children, Felice, Amiel, and Ariel Lindenbaum-Sebag
Visit jewishlives.org to explore and buy books from the Jewish Lives book series. Use the discount code JLIFE to get a discount.
Check out this episode on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand
.-------------------
Visit jewishlives.org/ to explore and buy books from the Jewish Lives book series. Use the discount code JLIFE to get a discount.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Wondering Jews
By Unpacked4.8
11731,173 ratings
In this special episode, Noam Weissman sits down with Middle East expert and former Israeli intelligence official Avi Melamed to unpack the forces driving the Israel–Iran–U.S. confrontation. From the Sunni–Shiite split to Iran’s 1979 Islamic takeover, Avi explains how theology, grievance, and ideology shaped the Islamic Republic. He explores how Tehran’s proxy network, from Hezbollah to the Houthis, turned the Israeli–Palestinian conflict into a driver of regional escalation. They also confront the urgent question: What happens next?
The New York Times article:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/02/25/opinion/iran-protests-doctors.html
Inside the Middle East:
https://insidethemiddle-east.com/intelligence-experiences-meet-avi-melamed/
This episode is dedicated in memory of Armand Lindenbaum, the grandson of Rav Avigdor Amiel, by his wife, Jean, and children, Felice, Amiel, and Ariel Lindenbaum-Sebag
Visit jewishlives.org to explore and buy books from the Jewish Lives book series. Use the discount code JLIFE to get a discount.
Check out this episode on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand
.-------------------
Visit jewishlives.org/ to explore and buy books from the Jewish Lives book series. Use the discount code JLIFE to get a discount.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Wondering Jews

1,204 Listeners

29 Listeners

317 Listeners

580 Listeners

202 Listeners

448 Listeners

3,305 Listeners

1,077 Listeners

582 Listeners

27 Listeners

8,490 Listeners

31 Listeners

30 Listeners

201 Listeners

166 Listeners

439 Listeners

146 Listeners

3 Listeners

66 Listeners

1,103 Listeners

888 Listeners

513 Listeners

142 Listeners