Iran and the United States have returned to military confrontation around the Strait of Hormuz, while both sides appear—for now—to be limiting the conflict. Israel Insider host Ashley Perry examines what could turn this “controlled escalation” into a wider war and bring Israel back into the fighting.

Perry also analyzes Israel-Lebanon negotiations, pressure on Israel to reposition in Lebanon and Syria, Israel’s newly announced October 27 election, the ultra-Orthodox enlistment debate, Gadi Eisenkot’s challenge to Benjamin Netanyahu, Turkey’s shifting rhetoric, and Rep. Ro Khanna’s West Bank visit.

Subscribe to the Middle East Forum for new episodes of Israel Insider and expert analysis from across the region.

Award-winning investigative journalist Lisa Daftari joins Lauri Regan to assess Iran’s leadership, the expanding role of the IRGC, and the regime’s strategy toward the United States and Israel. They discuss Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, its use of negotiations and narrative warfare, and the risks of allowing the regime to remain in power. The episode also examines the Iranian protest movement, the possibility of security-force defections, and what may come next in the war.

In this episode of Israel Insider, Ashley Perry examines the collapse of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, and what President Trump's shifting approach to Tehran means for Israel.

He also analyzes Washington's warming ties with Turkey, the debate over F-35 sales to Ankara, developments on Israel's northern border, and the latest political battles shaping Israel ahead of expected elections.

In this episode of Israel Insider, host Ashley Perry examines the new Israel-Lebanon-U.S. trilateral framework and its implications for Hezbollah and Iranian influence.

Perry explains why the agreement gives Israel control over the pace of withdrawal and could create a path toward normalization with Lebanon.

The episode also covers UNRWA’s possible exclusion from Gaza and the political battles preceding Israel’s expected October election.

In this episode of the Middle East Forum Podcast, host Michael Rubin speaks with Joel Finkelstein about how hostile foreign networks exploit antisemitism, social media, and political unrest.

Finkelstein explains how funding networks, coordinated protests, and manipulated algorithms spread anti-American narratives while disguising their origins.

The discussion also examines TikTok, foreign influence investigations, government failures, and why exposing the truth may work better than conventional campaigns against hate.

In this episode of Israel Insider, host Alex Selsky examines Israel’s reaction to the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, its failure to address ballistic missiles and proxies, and whether President Trump may be pursuing a broader strategy involving China, Russia, energy routes, and the Strait of Hormuz.

Selsky examines Israel’s determination to preserve its freedom of action in Lebanon, the possibility of Syrian involvement against Hezbollah, and why remaining outside the agreement may provide Israel greater room to defend its interests.

The episode also covers Netanyahu’s negotiations with the ultra-Orthodox parties, Gadi Eisenkot’s rise in the polls, Naftali Bennett’s decline, concerns about Turkey, and prospects for regime change in Tehran.

In this episode of the Middle East Forum Podcast, Dexter Van Zile speaks with Asra Nomani about the limits of the alliance between Islamists and the political left.

Nomani explains how small, organized networks create a “myth of the marching millions” through coordinated protests, media imagery, and political alliances.

The discussion also covers foreign funding, Islamist institutions, political candidates, and the need for transparency, law enforcement, and assimilation.

Recorded days after Washington and Tehran announced a new agreement, host Lauri Regan joins Middle East Forum experts Gregg Roman, Michael Rubin, and Jonathan Spyer to assess whether the deal secures victory—or gives Iran time to recover.

The panel examines the immediate consequences for Israel, Hezbollah, Lebanon, Iran’s proxy network, the Kurds, Turkey, and the Abraham Accords.

The discussion asks whether Israel can still achieve a strategic victory, whether Tehran will rebuild its regional forces, and whether this ceasefire is ending the war—or merely setting the stage for the next one.

In this episode of Israel Insider, host Ashley Perry examines the newly released U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding and why Israel views its sanctions relief, oil provisions, Strait of Hormuz framework, and lack of restrictions on missiles and proxies as deeply troubling.

Perry examines the risks to Israel’s position in Lebanon, including possible pressure to reduce operations against Hezbollah, withdraw from territory, and accept a prolonged negotiation period while Iran rebuilds its nuclear and economic strength.

The episode also covers Netanyahu’s political vulnerability, Trump’s comments on Syria and Hezbollah, Israel’s ties with Gulf states, prospects for covert action against Iran, and whether Netanyahu can resist U.S. pressure ahead of the elections.

In this episode of the Middle East Forum Podcast, host Lauri Regan speaks with Aryeh Green about his new book, Finding Peace in the Promised Land.

Green outlines five principles he believes can move the Arab-Israeli conflict from hatred toward coexistence.

The discussion also examines October 7, the Abraham Accords, Palestinian rejectionism, and the need to support moderate Arab and Muslim voices.