Israel has spent weeks living with a question that has become part of everyday life: What happens tonight? Will Iran attack? Will there be another escalation? Can people fly? Should they leave? Should they stay? In this episode of Tel Aviv Diary, I am joined once again by veteran journalist Dan Perry, who spent many years leading the Associated Press’s coverage of the Middle East, for a wide-ranging discussion about where Israel finds itself after months of war—and where it may be heading next.

We begin with Iran. What was supposed to alter the strategic balance of the Middle East now looks far more complicated. The Iranian regime remains in power, the Strait of Hormuz has become a central strategic problem, and the United States appears increasingly reluctant to continue the confrontation. Dan and I examine how Washington and Jerusalem entered a conflict in which one of Iran’s most predictable responses—the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz—appears not to have been adequately planned for. We also discuss the dangers of a prolonged war of attrition and the enormous military and economic costs that Israel will ultimately have to pay.That leads inevitably to Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel placed enormous strategic weight on its partnership with the Trump administration, but what happens when American and Israeli interests—or simply their willingness to continue fighting—begin to diverge? We discuss the consequences of relying so heavily on Washington and whether Israel abandoned one of the central principles that guided its military doctrine for decades: wars should be fought decisively and kept as short as possible because a small democratic country cannot sustain endless conflict.

From there, we turn to the Israeli election. After October 7, the prolonged war and the events of the past several years, one might have expected the coming election to be a foregone conclusion. It isn’t. Netanyahu’s coalition is substantially behind, yet a remarkably large portion of the electorate continues to support the parties that make up the current government. Dan and I discuss why modern elections increasingly resemble contests of identity rather than arguments over policy—and why that makes predicting Israel’s political future so difficult.

We also examine a deeper struggle over the meaning of democracy itself. What does “liberal democracy” actually mean? Why have courts, the military, the Shin Bet, the Mossad, the civil service and the press become targets in Israel’s political struggle? And what happens when citizens come to believe claims about institutions that simply are not supported by the historical record? The debate is no longer merely over left and right; it is increasingly about the institutions, checks and balances, and individual rights that define a democratic state.

The conversation then moves beyond Israel’s borders to a rapidly changing Middle East. Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan are moving toward a new security alignment—far removed from the hopes, before October 7, that Israel and Saudi Arabia might become pillars of a new regional architecture. We discuss what that emerging Sunni alignment could mean for Israel and whether it represents a genuine strategic threat or, at least for now, something more declarative than operational.

We also confront the unresolved Palestinian question and the demographic reality that Israeli governments have spent decades trying to postpone. There may be little prospect of a Palestinian state in the immediate future, but postponing a solution indefinitely is itself a policy, with consequences. Dan argues starkly that continuing down the present path risks Israel’s long-term viability, including the possibility that the high-tech sector and many of the Israelis who sustain the country’s economy will eventually look elsewhere.

It is, admittedly, not an especially optimistic conversation. But we end on a more hopeful note. Both of us believe the coming election could mark the end of the Netanyahu era. Dan is more optimistic than I am about how quickly the damage can be repaired, but we agree on something more fundamental: Israel’s problems are not necessarily irreversible. A different government could begin the long process of rebuilding institutions, restoring confidence and changing the country’s direction.

And perhaps there is another reason for optimism. As traditional media changes, podcasts, newsletters and independent journalism are creating new places for serious political discussion—places where ideas can still matter and where thoughtful people can still influence the direction of public debate.

A candid, sometimes sharp, and deeply concerned conversation about Iran, Trump, Netanyahu, Israeli democracy, the coming election, the changing Middle East—and the fundamental question facing Israel today: Can the country still change course before the consequences become irreversible?

n this episode of Tel Aviv Diary, I am joined by historian and author Dr. Sara Yael Hirschhorn., whose work explores Zionism, Israeli society, the settlement movement, and the evolving relationship between Israel and the Jewish diaspora.

We begin with the dramatic developments surrounding President Trump’s last-minute decision to halt a planned military strike on Iran, examining whether diplomacy has any realistic future, what six weeks of bombing achieved, the strategic lessons of modern warfare, and the dangers posed by Iran’s continued regional ambitions. We also discuss the widening gap between political decision-making and strategic planning in both Washington and Jerusalem, the implications for the Strait of Hormuz, and whether the West has developed a coherent strategy for dealing with Tehran.

The conversation then turns to Israel itself. We examine the approaching elections, Benjamin Netanyahu’s political future, Gadi Eisenkot’s rise in the polls, and whether Israelis are ready to choose hope over fear. Hirschhorn. also discusses her acclaimed book City on a Hilltop, offering historical insight into the American role in the settlement movement, the reality of settler violence, and why today’s debates have deep historical roots. Finally, we explore her forthcoming book on Zionism and identity politics, the changing relationship between Israel and American politics, and why—despite the uncertainty—she remains optimistic about the resilience, unity, and future of Israeli society.

This week on Tel Aviv Diary, Marc Schulman returns with a wide-ranging solo episode examining the forces shaping Israel, the United States, and the rapidly changing world of artificial intelligence.

Marc begins with the uneasy calm that has settled over Israel after weeks of uncertainty surrounding Iran. While the missiles have temporarily stopped, few Israelis believe the crisis has truly passed. He explores the growing divide inside Israel over the possibility of renewed war with Iran, the exhaustion of Israeli society after nearly three years of conflict, the unprecedented signs of strain within the IDF, and the strategic dilemmas surrounding Gaza, Hamas, Lebanon, and the country’s broader security doctrine. He also discusses why military victories alone cannot resolve Israel’s long-term challenges and why diplomacy remains an essential—if politically difficult—part of the equation.

The conversation then turns to Israeli politics as the October elections approach. Marc explains why he believes Israel needs not only a change of leadership but a restoration of competence throughout government. He analyzes Benjamin Netanyahu’s political strategy, Gadi Eisenkot’s growing appeal, the country’s search for national unity after October 7, and the deeper structural problems that have accumulated after decades of one-party dominance. He also compares developments in Israel with the approaching U.S. midterm elections and the broader state of American democracy.

Finally, Marc devotes an extended segment to what he believes is the most transformative story of our time: artificial intelligence. Drawing on his own experience using AI to complete and fact-check his forthcoming book Between Hope and Fear: Israel from Oslo to October 7th, he explains how the newest generation of AI systems is becoming dramatically more capable. He discusses recent security concerns involving frontier AI models, the emergence of powerful open-source Chinese models, the opportunities AI creates for writers, researchers, and programmers, and the growing need for thoughtful regulation before the technology advances even further.

If you’re looking for thoughtful analysis that connects today’s headlines with the larger historical picture, this episode offers a wide-ranging look at one of the most consequential moments in recent history.

#Israel #Iran #Gaza #Netanyahu #Eisenkot #Politics #Election #Trump #AI #Claude #OpenAI #History #MiddleEast #Technology #Podcast

In this episode of Tel Aviv Diary, Marc Schulman is joined by strategist, former National Security Council official, and Eisenkot campaign leader Lianne Pollack-David for an in-depth discussion about one of the most consequential moments in Israel’s modern history.

Drawing on years of experience in the Prime Minister’s Office, the National Security Council, and international diplomacy, Pollack-David argues that Israel faces not only a military challenge, but a profound strategic and political one. She explains why she believes Israel has missed critical opportunities following its military successes against Iran’s regional proxies, how relations with Lebanon and Syria could still be transformed, and why the Abraham Accords can evolve into a broader regional security architecture if accompanied by the right diplomatic strategy.

The conversation also explores the growing crisis in Israel’s relationship with the United States and the Jewish Diaspora, the rise of antisemitism abroad, the damage caused by the collapse of bipartisan support in Washington, and why Israel’s international standing cannot be repaired through public relations alone. Pollack-David argues that policy—not messaging—must change if Israel hopes to rebuild its alliances and restore its legitimacy.

Finally, she discusses why she entered politics after October 7, the personal experiences that drove her decision, and why she believes Gadi Eisenkot is uniquely positioned to unite a deeply divided country. This is a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation about leadership, diplomacy, security, and the choices that will shape Israel’s future long after the current wars have ended.

For nearly forty minutes, I sat down with former Knesset Member, journalist, and Middle East expert Ksenia Svetlova for one of the most candid discussions we’ve had on Tel Aviv Diary. Drawing on decades of reporting across the Arab world and years in Israeli politics, Ksenia offers a sobering assessment of where Israel stands after the wars in Gaza and Iran—and why she believes the country faces one of the most significant strategic challenges in its history.

We examine how the recent conflict with Iran has reshaped the regional balance, why Tehran may view the outcome very differently than many Israelis do, and how emerging cooperation between countries such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan and others is changing the Middle East. Ksenia argues that Israel’s diplomatic standing has deteriorated sharply and discusses why the opportunity for normalization with Saudi Arabia may have slipped away. We also explore the widespread misconceptions within Israel about regional politics and why so many of the assumptions made before both October 7 and the Iran war proved disastrously wrong.

The second half of our conversation turns to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We discuss whether any realistic path exists after October 7, the future of the Palestinian Authority, why Hamas can never be a negotiating partner, and whether gradual confidence-building measures could eventually create conditions for separation rather than perpetual conflict. Ksenia reflects on lessons from Egypt, the Oslo years, and decades of Israeli decision-making, while we debate whether Israel’s political leadership—and its opposition—failed to confront strategic realities before it was too late.

Whether you agree with every conclusion or not, this conversation challenges many assumptions that dominate public debate today. It is a discussion about history, diplomacy, security, and the difficult choices Israel will face long after the current headlines fade. If you’re looking for a thoughtful, in-depth conversation rather than political slogans, I hope you’ll find this episode worthwhile.

n this episode of the Tel Aviv Diary Podcast, I am joined once again by veteran Washington diplomatic correspondent Laura Rozen for a wide-ranging discussion of the renewed confrontation between the United States and Iran, the danger that Israel could be drawn back into the fighting, and the growing political uncertainty in both Washington and Jerusalem.

We begin with the immediate question facing Israelis: will Iran decide to attack Israel, and will the Netanyahu government choose to enter the conflict even if Tehran continues to avoid a direct confrontation? From Tel Aviv, where the computer remains packed beside the door in case the sirens sound, I explain why most Israelis have little appetite for another round of war, even as Netanyahu may believe renewed military action could serve him politically before the election.

Laura and I examine the surprisingly limited Iranian response to sustained American attacks, the pressure Iran can exert through shipping lanes and oil markets, and the possibility that Tehran may prefer economic disruption to a direct military escalation. We also discuss the collapse of the latest U.S.-Iran understanding, the ambiguities surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, and the dangers of attempting to negotiate highly complex agreements through vague memoranda and intermediaries who may not speak for all the parties involved.

The conversation then turns to President Donald Trump and the increasingly unpredictable political environment in the United States. Laura describes what she is seeing from Washington, including the administration’s focus on domestic political enemies, immigration enforcement, the approaching midterm elections and growing concerns about whether Trump will accept political setbacks. We discuss the extent to which foreign policy decisions are being shaped by domestic politics, personal grievances and the president’s own perception of strength.

We also explore the broader regional picture. In Lebanon, new diplomatic efforts may allow the Lebanese Armed Forces to move into areas currently held by Israel, but serious doubts remain over whether the Lebanese government has the power to confront Hezbollah without provoking internal conflict. In Syria, Israeli forces continue to hold strategic positions, including territory near Mount Hermon, while Israeli officials remain deeply suspicious of Syria’s new leadership. The position of the Druze community adds another layer of complexity, linking domestic Israeli pressure with events across the Syrian border.

Turkey is another growing concern. Laura asks why Israel views President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as a potential threat and what the possible sale of F-35 aircraft to Turkey would mean for Israel’s military advantage. We discuss the long deterioration in Israeli-Turkish relations, Erdoğan’s ambitions in the region and the extent to which genuine strategic concerns have become intertwined with Netanyahu’s political need to emphasize external enemies.

The conversation also examines the future of Saudi-Israeli normalization following the sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Washington’s leading advocates for a regional agreement. We consider whether normalization remains possible under Netanyahu and whether a different Israeli government could reopen the path toward an agreement with Riyadh.

A major portion of the episode focuses on Israel’s deteriorating position in the United States. Laura argues that Israel’s greatest problem may not be organized opposition or traditional anti-Israel groups, but the loss of sympathy among ordinary Americans who no longer feel emotionally connected to Israel. We discuss the damage caused by the prolonged Gaza war, the influence of images from the conflict, changing attitudes among younger Americans and the difficulty of rebuilding bipartisan support once it has been lost.

We also return to the central strategic question of the Iran war. The first round of fighting demonstrated Israel’s military superiority and left Iran economically and militarily weakened. In my view, that was the moment to negotiate from a position of strength. Instead, the conflict expanded, the threat of renewed war was converted into an actual war, and the possibility of regime change was pursued without a realistic plan for what would follow.

Laura and I close by reflecting on the frustration of journalists and analysts who can describe the dangers but have little ability to influence the leaders making the decisions. Both Israel and the United States may eventually have the opportunity to rebuild damaged institutions, restore public trust and change political direction—but the scale of that task will be enormous.

This is a conversation about war, diplomacy, political survival and the uncertainty of living through events whose outcome no one can confidently predict.

Topics discussed include:

Iran’s limited response to American attacksThe risk of Israel entering the warThe future of the Strait of HormuzOil prices and pressure on the Trump administrationThe collapse of U.S.-Iran negotiationsTrump, the midterms and American political instabilityIsrael’s military presence in Lebanon and SyriaThe Druze community and Israel’s Syrian policyTurkey, Erdoğan and the possible sale of F-35sSaudi-Israeli normalization after Lindsey GrahamIsrael’s deteriorating standing in the United StatesThe prolonged Gaza war and the loss of American supportNetanyahu’s political calculations before the electionWhether the United States and Iran have any path back to diplomacy

The End of Reading is Here

What if It's Not the Phones

In this episode of the Tel Aviv Diary podcast, Marc Schulman speaks with former Israeli intelligence official Ehud Haik about Israel’s deepening political and strategic crisis. They discuss the collapse of trust in institutions, the conspiracy narratives surrounding October 7, Netanyahu’s war with the judiciary, and the danger of a political system increasingly shaped by one man’s survival.

The conversation turns to Iran, the United States, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Israel’s exhausted army. Haik argues that Israel’s first priority after Netanyahu must be repairing the strategic relationship with Washington, ending the open-ended war, rebuilding the IDF, and restoring decision-making norms that once constrained even Israel’s most powerful prime ministers.

In this reflective episode of Tel Aviv Diary, Marc Schulman marks two historic milestones: 1,000 days since October 7th and the 250th anniversary of American independence. Speaking from Tel Aviv, Marc reflects on a lifetime lived between two countries—born and raised in America, shaped by American history, but rooted in Israel as home.

The episode moves between personal memory and national reckoning: the meaning of July 4th, the legacy of America as a haven for Jews, the rescue at Entebbe during the U.S. Bicentennial, and the very different mood surrounding America’s 250th year. Marc examines the parallels between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, the politics of division, the erosion of democratic norms, and the weakening of America’s role as a moral force in the world.

Turning to Israel, Marc reflects on the thousand days since October 7th, the hostage crisis, the strategic failures of the war, and the growing recognition that Israel’s diplomatic position has rarely been worse. He discusses the Herzliya Conference, Nitzan Alon’s remarks on the hostage negotiations, the launch of Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party, and why the coming Israeli election may be one of the most consequential in the country’s history.

This is a more personal and historical episode—about patriotism, disappointment, memory, responsibility, and the urgent need for new leadership in both Israel and America.

Marc Schulman speaks with Devora Mason, a Canadian-Israeli tech and capital strategist whose career has moved from Jerusalem’s startup scene to venture capital, infrastructure, and AI-driven investment. Mason discusses her new venture, Acadia Green, which focuses on the physical infrastructure behind artificial intelligence: data centers, energy, and the capital needed to build them.

The conversation ranges widely: why AI is becoming an energy and sovereignty issue, why family offices are looking for direct access to infrastructure deals, and why Israel remains central to the technologies that power data centers even when most of the projects are abroad. Marc and Devora also discuss the shift of talent from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, the decline in foreign delegations since the war, the challenges facing women founders in Israeli tech, and the broader question of whether AI represents a new industrial revolution—or something far more disruptive.