The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

Available Episodes

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Day 637 - John Spencer and Lazar Berman: Is the IDF winning in Gaza?
Welcome to The Times of Israel's newest podcast series, Friday Focus. Each Friday, join diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman and host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe. This week, we're joined by John Spencer, the chief of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point, a research center dedicated to the study of war and warfare. Spencer is a retired Major in the US Army and is a leading expert in military operations in dense and subterranean urban areas. Spencer reached out to us after we released a Friday Focus podcast, "10 truths about the Gaza war, 20 months in," based on Berman's in-depth analysis, "For now, victory is still within reach: 10 truths about the Gaza war, 20 months in." Today's conversation is a meeting of the minds in which Berman and Spencer delve into the nuts and bolts of the war in Gaza so far. Friday Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves and the video was edited by Thomas Girsch. IMAGE: IDF forces operate in the Gaza Strip in this July 3, 2025, handout photo. (IDF)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Day 636 - Will PM mark the war's end at the White House?
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. As Israel is said to be hoping to finalize a comprehensive Gaza deal before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the White House next week, Magid discusses the details and complexities of the ongoing hostage negotiations, including a framework of a two-month truce in which 10 living hostages would be returned and the bodies of 18 deceased hostages. Magid reports on the political implications of Netanyahu's upcoming visit to the White House next week, and the possibility of the two leaders celebrating the successful military campaign against Iran. He also notes that while a ceasefire is being negotiated for Gaza, Netanyahu's rhetoric still suggests an ongoing military campaign. The humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza continues to be exacerbated by the conflict and Magid discusses the Ha'aretz report of excessive IDF fire at aid distribution sites, leading to an IDF investigation into potential war crimes. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Trump says Israel ‘agreed to necessary conditions to finalize’ 60-day Gaza ceasefire Trump says he will be ‘very firm’ with Netanyahu on ending Gaza war Netanyahu set to visit White House July 7 as US pushes for end to Gaza war IDF confirms probe into killings near Gaza aid site, denies troops ordered to shoot civilians Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Mothers protesting the war in Gaza call on IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to end the war, holding posters that read: 'How do you dare to send our children to die?', 'We don't have children for a political war', 'Zamir, the soldiers are dying in vain.' (Credit Danor Aharon/Pro-Democracy Protest Movement)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Day 635 - How did an anti-Israel candidate win NYC's primary?
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. New York reporter Luke Tress joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. US President Donald Trump threatens to arrest New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani should he win the mayoral elections in November, and Tress discusses the president's repeated comments about the anti-Zionist candidate and Mamdani's proposed plan to oppose Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in New York City. Tress offers an overall look at the trajectory of Mamdani's political ascent and his surprise upset of former New York governor Andrew Cuomo during last week's New York City Democratic party mayoral primary. He discusses the likelihood of Mamdani winning the November general election in the mostly Democratic city, and how Mamdani's anti-Israel activism, a facet of his political life since his college days, will challenge New York City's Jewish dwellers, who comprise the world's largest Jewish population outside of Israel. Tress examines Mamdani's opponents, including former governor Cuomo, who leaned into the Jewish vote, and current New York City mayor Eric Adams, who kicked off his independent candidacy after Mamdani won the primary. He discusses the pro-Jewish initiatives rolled out by Adams during his mayorship and in recent months, and that Cuomo and Adams share a similar voter base in New York, an overwhelmingly Democratic city. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Trump threatens to arrest anti-Israel New York City mayoral candidate Mamdani Jewish political organizers grapple with fallout from Mamdani’s NYC primary victory Do Zohran Mamdani’s opponents have a path to defeating him in NYC mayoral election? After NYC primary upset, anti-Israel activist Mamdani vows not to ‘abandon my beliefs’ Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani takes selfies with supporters after speaking at his primary election party, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Day 634 - Could Syria be next in joining the Abraham Accords?
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will embark on his third trip to to Washington early next week to meet with US President Donald Trump. This comes alongside increased pressure to end the war in Gaza and perhaps the potential of a domino-type deal between Israel and regional players. Berman speaks about reports that Israel and Syria are holding “advanced talks” on a bilateral agreement halting hostilities between the countries. Could this lead to Syria joining the Abraham Accords? And what position does this put Turkey in, even as its neighbor, Iran, just suffered a defeat at the hands of the US and Israel. Israel’s military chief has advised cabinet ministers against ordering the Israel Defense Forces to expand operations in the Gaza Strip, over fears that doing so could significantly endanger the lives of hostages still held in the Palestinian enclave, according to Hebrew media accounts Monday. Berman speaks about the terrible decision that has faced Israel's political echelons for almost 21 months -- hostages or defeating Hamas -- and how Israeli soldiers in Gaza will likely increasingly be on Hamas's radar as long as no decision is taken. At least 11 people in Gaza were killed yesterday in the area of a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution center, according to local Palestinian media outlets. Also Monday, the military admitted in a statement that it has killed several civilians near aid sites in recent weeks and said it has learned lessons that will avoid similar incidents in the future. Berman recently spoke with the head of GHF, Reverend Johnnie Moore Jr. He brings us highlights from their conversation. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Netanyahu set to visit White House July 7 as US pushes for end to Gaza war Israel in ‘advanced talks’ for deal to end hostilities with Syria, says senior official Israel says Hezbollah must disarm before any Lebanon peace talks can advance Dozens said killed in Gaza; IDF admits it has killed several civilians near aid sites Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 14, 2025. (Bandar Aljaloud/Saudi Royal Palace via AP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Day 633 - Rioting settlers torch IDF facility meant to protect them
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Political correspondent Tal Schneider and settlements reporter Jeremy Sharon join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Israeli settlers torched a multi-million-shekel security installation used to “thwart terror attacks and maintain security” in the Ramallah area of the West Bank overnight, according to the IDF. This came after a riot by settlers outside a military base in the West Bank, where, according to the IDF, settlers attacked security forces, sprayed mace and vandalized army vehicles. Sharon and Schneider delve deeply into the issue of settler violence and how it is being fostered -- and even potentially funded -- by members of the coalition. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer is now in Washington, DC, where he is expected to face pressure from the Trump administration during his meetings tomorrow in Washington to end the war in GazaIt appears from statements made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday that he, too, is on board with winding down the Gaza war. Schneider explains which ministers are against ending the Gaza war and whether this coalition crisis in the making could lead to early elections. Top security officials told judges presiding over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial in a closed-door meeting yesterday that Netanyahu must be released from his testimony for the week because there is an opportunity to change the face of the Middle East and for Israel to expand its circle of peace, including with Syria. Sharon discusses the mechanisms of canceling the trial for the week. Then, Schneider speaks about reports claiming that Syria would be willing to give up its claim to the Golan Heights in exchange for a peace agreement. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Settlers torch West Bank security site, riot against ‘traitor’ IDF officer; no arrests PM: Iran war opened broad regional possibilities, ‘first we need to free the hostages’ Court agrees to cancel PM’s testimony this week after briefing by security chiefs Report: Syria not demanding Golan Heights as part of deal with Israel Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: A West Bank security installation that was torched overnight by settlers on June 30, 2025 (Israel Defense Forces)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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