This week’s Tel Aviv Diary reflects on a turbulent moment for Israel’s leadership and diplomacy. Host Marc Schulman opens with a deeply personal vignette from Hostage Square — a reminder of families still waiting to bring their loved ones home — before turning to the political missteps that defined the week.

Vice President J.D. Vance’s visit, meant to strengthen ties, was overshadowed by a sovereignty bill that managed to offend both Vance and Donald Trump, prompting a rare public rebuke from Washington. Schulman dissects how Israel’s right wing has become detached from reality, how domestic politics continue to dictate foreign policy, and why the government’s lack of strategic planning has left the nation dependent on the U.S.

Later in the episode, Schulman explores Marco Rubio’s visit, Israel’s ongoing regional challenges, and the broader shifts in U.S. politics under Trump’s second term — from the White House ballroom to fears of growing authoritarianism. He closes with reflections on AI’s promise and peril, and the uneasy balance between technological progress and human control.

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