The Afghanistan war dragged on for 20 futile years. Ridding the country of Taliban control and nation-building led to thousands of American troop deaths and trillions of dollars lost when the Taliban almost effortlessly reclaimed control. What were the fundamental mistakes in Afghanistan? Do they also apply to Iraq? What lessons should be learned?

Iran’s new president is a hardliner picked by the Supreme Leader to send a message to the West: we do not need the JCPOA. Simultaneously, Tehran has escalated its nuclear provocations – enriching uranium purity, producing uranium metal, and limiting monitoring by international inspectors. Despite this, the Biden Administration still hopes to rejoin the JCPOA. What happens next?

The budget has finally arrived to the Knesset floor. The Coalition just barely has the numbers to pass it. Can the Opposition stop it and thereby send Israel to its fifth elections in three years?

The seemingly bureaucratic step of setting up a U.S. consulate in Jerusalem serving the Palestinians has, in fact, far-reaching implications about U.S. policy toward the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. What are these and how far should the Bennett government go to fight it?

Discontent appears to be growing in the Likud party as its MKs get restless in the opposition. Could the budget passing mark the end of Bibi's political career?

Raised as a Palestinian Christian with negative stereotypes concerning Jews and Israel, Khalil Sayegh was also discriminated against and threatened by many Muslim neighbors. What is his personal story to attain peace with both Jews and Muslims? What lessons can be drawn from that experience?

Prime Minister Bennett demands absolute coalition discipline ahead of the budget votes. If he gets it, could Israel actually be on the cusp of its first government budget in 3½ years?

Disagreements on policy and on diplomacy are straining intra-governmental relations. Is this a serious threat or merely growing pains ahead of the budget vote?

Top-ranking officials of the Israel Defense Force in 2019 started to embrace Israel Victory vis-à-vis the Palestinians, only to regress recently to the old and familiar tune of appeasement. What brought about this change? What will it take for the IDF again to speak of Victory?

Serious cracks in the ruling coalition are beginning to emerge (the embrace of Mahmoud Abbas, differences over the Family Reunification Law); how significant are they? And where are the indirect Israel-Hamas talks leading?