Yossi Alpher and his daughter, Daniella Alpher, discuss the strategic aspects of the Middle East in their pilot episode. Yossi, an Israeli with extensive experience in the Mossad and a strategic thinktank, explains the complexities of the Israel-Arab conflict, including the role of Iran and the US. They delve into Trump's peace forum for Gaza, criticizing its structure and potential members, particularly Qatar and Turkey, who support Hamas. Yossi recounts historical attempts to resettle Gazans and shares personal experiences in Gaza, highlighting the region's challenges and the lack of a viable strategy for its governance.

Episode summary:

• Introductions: Israeli strategic lens, intelligence-to-think-tank background
• Qatar/Turkey/Egypt: competing interests and unintended consequences
• UNRWA: what it does, what it doesn’t do, and why its mandate matters
• Gaza’s structural reality: resources, governance, and recurring conflict cycles