Podcasts about Hamas

US officials have uncovered a million more documents which could be connected to the dead sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Department of Justice said that given the volume of material, its full release may take a few weeks. Also: Israel's parliament approves the first reading of legislation for a politically controlled inquiry into the October 7th Hamas-led attacks, disappointing families of the victims; Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank celebrates Christmas for the first time since the war in Gaza began; Californians evacuate their homes as an intense storm approaches; we look back on a year of AI; and tracking Santa's sleigh, will he deliver all those presents on time? The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Senate Democrats fail to stop the confirmation of Kash Patel as FBI director. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has decided to call it quits … in two years. Civics lesson for members of the White House press. Update on ending the income tax. DOGE dividend checks coming? DEI is withering on the vine … or is it? Update on the asteroid's chances of hitting Earth. Hamas celebrates the deaths of innocent Israelis while releasing remains of hostages. Vice President JD Vance discusses his faith and tries to encourage young people in America. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) says we don't need a refund check from the government. Democrats are in disarray. President Trump wants to inspect Fort Knox to see if there's any gold in there. KFC moving to Texas! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Legal and settlements reporter Jeremy Sharon joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Defense Minister Israel Katz told settlements leaders on Tuesday that, “With God’s help when the time comes, we will also establish… pioneer groups in northern Gaza, in place of the settlements that were evacuated.” He later walked back his statements, but not before Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich doubled down on them and also pushed for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convince US President Donald Trump to recognize annexation of the West Bank in his upcoming US trip. We dive into the issues of Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and West Bank in the first half of the program. The IPC famine monitoring organization stated on Friday that food security conditions in the entire Gaza Strip “remain critical,” in a new report covering the second half of October and all of November that classified the territory as being in its “Emergency” Phase 4 category — the fourth highest of its five levels of food insecurity. Sharon explains Israel's criticism of the report and raises the question of whether the Hamas-run Gazan Health Ministry has been manipulating its numbers of war casualties. Earlier this month, the High Court of Justice ruled unanimously 7-0 to annul the government’s decision to fire Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, asserting that the government had failed to provide legal justification for its decision to change the way an AG is fired, and determining that the new system it designed was fundamentally flawed. Sharon reviews the decision and updates us on the ongoing existential crisis between the government and the court. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Katz vows Israel will build settlements in northern Gaza, later walks back comments Dozens of settler activists enter Gaza, plant Israeli flags in bid to resettle enclave PA accuses Israel of ‘tightening colonial control’ over West Bank with new settlements Government announces 19 new West Bank settlements and legalized outposts IPC monitor says ‘famine conditions’ over but Gaza food security still ‘critical’; Israel rejects findings Israel says famine monitor did not seek aid facilitators’ input for upcoming Gaza report High Court annuls firing of attorney general; cabinet ministers urge defiance of ruling Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: A tent camp for displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, December 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Durante l'ultimo conflitto, tra Israele e Hamas a Gaza, proprio nei giorni in cui veniva siglata una fragile tregua, siamo andati in Israele a incontrare tre donne israeliane. In una guerra in cui l'inizio e la fine sono stati decisi dagli uomini, ci siamo rivolte a tre donne che hanno avuto e continuano ad avere azioni e gesti di pace, senza risparmiare critiche al governo israeliano. A Tel Aviv, a due passi dalla piazza Dizengoff, dove la fontana è un sepolcro di volti di uomini (cfr. foto), donne e bambini uccisi il 7 ottobre, abbiamo incontrato Manuela Dviri, scrittrice e giornalista che nel 1998 ha perso il giovane figlio Yonathan che prestava servizio nell'esercito israeliano. A partire da questo lutto Dviri non ha mai smesso di criticare le azioni guerrafondaie del suo governo. E poi Ketty Bar, un'artista che ha fondato il movimento “Madri contro la violenza”, che conta 10mila donne in Israele e che mette al centro il ruolo delle madri nell'educare i figli alla non violenza. Ogni week end le “Madri contro la violenza” si recano in Cisgiordania per incontrare e sostenere le donne palestinesi. E, infine, proprio nei giorni in cui venivano restituiti gli ostaggi israeliani vivi e i prigionieri palestinesi, nella piazza degli ostaggi di Tel Aviv, abbiamo incontrato Efrat Machikawa, la nipote di una coppia che abitava nel kibbutz Nir Oz, un kibbutz prossimo alla striscia di Gaza, dove il 7 ottobre 2023 , 47 persone sono state uccise e 76 sono state prese in ostaggio. Lo zio di Efrat è stato rilasciato dopo 281 giorni di prigionia mentre la zia è stata uccisa.

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 Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Saudi Arabia’s former intelligence chief, Prince Turki bin Faisal, spoke with Magid on Sunday and said that Riyadh is currently not even entertaining the idea of normalizing relations with Israel and will only do so if Jerusalem begins acting like a “normal country.” We hear how Israel could behave more "normally" and what else the royal family member said. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee held a rare meeting with Palestinian Authority Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh in Ramallah last Wednesday to discuss ongoing tensions in the West Bank. We speak about the fraught US-PA ties and how this meeting comes on the heels of increased cooperation surrounding ceasefire efforts in the Gaza Strip. And finally, US Vice President JD Vance claimed in an interview on Sunday that almost no Americans are antisemitic and that concerns about antisemitic voices are raised as a way to avoid discussing “a real backlash to a consensus view in American foreign policy” on Israel. Magid delves into this thorny issue, even as attacks against Jews in the US continue to be at a high since the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Ex-Saudi intel chief to ToI: Riyadh will consider normalization when Israel acts normally Huckabee holds rare meeting with PA official to discuss West Bank tensions — officials Huckabee: Iran ‘didn’t get the full message’ when US bombed its nuclear sites Vance: Almost no Americans are antisemitic, real issue is ‘backlash’ to US policy on 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 Podwaves. IMAGE: Illustrative: Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal talks to the Associated Press in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, November 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are we in a 'plastic moment,' an inflection point where the future of the Middle East can finally be reshaped? Veteran peace negotiator Dr. Tal Becker joins the podcast to analyze the shifting tides of regional diplomacy. Reflecting on his recent discussions in Abu Dhabi, Becker describes the Abraham Accords as an emerging "Judeo-Muslim civilization" where the focus isn't on "who the land belongs to," but the realization that "we all belong to the land."  Beyond geopolitics, Becker addresses the trauma of rising Western antisemitism—which he likens to a "zombie apocalypse"—and calls for a resurgence of liberal nationalism. This episode is a masterclass in navigating a zero-sum world to build a future of prosperity, courage, and shared belonging. Key Resources: The Abraham Accords, Explained AJC CEO Ted Deutch Op-Ed: 5 Years On, the Abraham Accords Are the Middle East's Best Hope AJC's Center for a New Middle East Listen – AJC Podcasts: Architects of Peace The Forgotten Exodus People of the Pod Follow People of the Pod on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod You can reach us at: peopleofthepod@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Transcript of the Interview: Manya Brachear Pashman:   As the international community looks to phase two of the cease fire between Israel and the Hamas terror group in Gaza, the American Jewish Committee office in Abu Dhabi invited Dr Tal Becker to participate in discussions about what's next for the region. Dr Becker is one of Israel's leading experts on international humanitarian law and a veteran peace negotiator with Palestinians, Lebanese and Syrians. He is currently vice president of the Shalom Hartman Institute, and he joins us now right after the conference in Abu Dhabi to share some of the insights he contributed there.  Tal, welcome to People of the Pod. Tal Becker:   Thank you very much, Manya. Manya Brachear Pashman:   So Tal, you have just returned from a conference in Abu Dhabi where you really took a deep dive, kind of exploring the nature of Arab-Israeli relations, as we are now entering the second phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza.  So I'm just curious, you've been steeped in this for so long, for decades, do you sense, or did you sense a significant shift in the region when it comes to Arab-Israeli relations and the future? Tal Becker:   So I think Manya, we're at a very kind of interesting moment, and it's hard to say exactly which direction it's going, because, on the one hand, we have had very significant military successes. I think a lot of the spoilers in the region have been significantly set back, though they're still there, but Israel really has had to focus on the military side of things a lot. And it, I think, has strained to some extent, the view of what's possible because we're being so focused on the military side.  And I think it is a moment for imagining what's possible. And how do we pivot out of the tragedy and suffering of this war, make the most of the military successes we've had, and really begin to imagine what this region could look like if we're going to continue to succeed in pushing back the spoilers in this way.  Israel is a regional power, and I think it for all our vulnerability that requires, to some extent, for Israel to really articulate a vision that it has for the region. And it's going to take a little bit of time, I think, for everybody to really internalize what's just happened over these last two years and what it means for the potential for good and how we navigate that. So I really think it's kind of like what they call a plastic moment right now. Manya Brachear Pashman:   A plastic moment, can you define that, what do you mean by plastic? Tal Becker:   So what I mean by a plastic moment, meaning it's that moment. It's an inflection point right where, where things could go in one direction or another, and you have to be smart enough to take advantage of the fluidity of the moment, to really emphasize how do we maximize prosperity, stability, coexistence? How do we take away not just the capabilities of the enemies of peace, but also the appeal of their agenda, the language that they use, the way they try to present Muslim Jewish relations, as if they're a kind of zero sum game. So how do we operate both on the economic side, on the security side, but also on the imagining what's possible side, on the peace side. As difficult as that is, and I don't want to suggest that, you know, there aren't serious obstacles, there are, but there's also really serious opportunities. Manya Brachear Pashman:   So what did you sense when you were there, in terms of the perception of Israel? I mean, were people optimistic, for lack of a better term? Tal Becker:   So first of all, it was, you know, a great opportunity to be there. And having been involved, personally, very intensively in the Abraham Accords, I always feel a bit emotional whenever I'm in the Emirates in particular, and Morocco and Bahrain and so on. And to be honest, I kind of feel at home there. And so that's a lovely thing.  I think, on the one hand, I would say there's a there's a relief that hopefully, please God, the war in Gaza is is behind us, that we're now looking at how to really kind of move into the phase of the disarmament of Hamas and the removal of Hamas from governance, you know, working with the Trump team and the Trump plan. And I think they have a bunch of questions. The Emiratis in particular, are strategic thinkers. They really want to be partners in advancing prosperity and stability across the region in pushing back extremism across the region, and I think they're eager to see in Israel a partner for that effort. And I think it puts also a responsibility on both of us to understand the concerns we each have. I mean, it takes some time to really internalize what it is for a country to face a seven-front war with organizations that call for its annihilation, and all the pressure and anxiety that that produces for a people, frankly, that hasn't had the easiest history in terms of the agenda of people hating the Jewish people and persecuting them. So I think that takes a bit of appreciation.  I think we also, in the return, need to appreciate the concerns of our regional partners in terms of making sure that the region is stable, in terms of giving an opportunity for, you know, one way I sometimes word it is that, we need to prepare for the worst case scenario. We need to prevent it from being a self fulfilling prophecy.  Which really requires you to kind of develop a policy that nevertheless gives an opportunity for things to get better, not just plan for things to get worse. And I think our partners in the Gulf in particular really want to hear from us, what we can do to make things better, even while we're planning and maybe even a bit cynical that things might be very difficult. Manya Brachear Pashman:   So you mentioned the Abraham Accords, and I'm curious if you feel that Israel, I know Israel has felt isolated, at times, very isolated, and perhaps abandoned, is even the correct word.  Do you feel that is the case as we enter the second phase of the ceasefire? Do you feel that is less so the case, and do you feel that that might be less so the case because of the Abraham Accords existence? Tal Becker:   Well, so let's first talk about the Abraham Accords and their significance.So I think a lot of people present the Abraham accords as kind of an agreement that is about shared interests and shared challenges and so on, and that's definitely true. But they are, in my view, at least aspirationally, something much bigger than that. First of all, they are almost the articulation of what I call a Judeo Muslim civilization, the view that Jews and Muslims, or that all different peoples of the Middle East belong to this place and have a responsibility for shaping its future. The way I describe the Abraham Accords is that they're a group of countries who basically have said that the argument about who the land belongs to is not as important as the understanding that we all belong to the land. And as a result of that, this is kind of a partnership against the forces of extremism and chaos, and really offering a version of Israeli Jewish identity and of Muslim Arab identity that is in competition with the Iranian-Hezbollah-Hamas narrative that kind of condemns us to this zero sum conflict.  So the first thing to say is that I think the Abraham Accords have such tremendous potential for reimagining the relationship between Muslims and Jews, for reimagining the future of the region, and for really making sure that the enemies of peace no longer shape our agenda, even if they're still there. So in that sense, the opening that the Abraham Accords offers is an opening to kind of reimagine the region as a whole. And I think that's really important. And I think we have now an opportunity to deepen the Accords, potentially to expand them to other countries, and in doing so, to kind of set back the forces of extremism in the region. In a strange way, I would say Manya that Israel is more challenged right now in the west than we are in the Middle East. Because in the West, you see, I mean, there's backlash, and it's a complicated picture, but you can see a kind of increasing voices that challenge Israel's legitimacy, that are really questioning our story. And you see that both on the extreme left and extreme right in different countries across the West, in different degrees. In the Middle East, paradoxically, you have at least a partnership around accepting one another within the region that seems to me to be very promising.  And in part, I have to say it's really important to understand, for all the tragedy and difficulty of this war, Israel demonstrated an unbelievable resilience, unbelievable strength in dealing with its its adversaries, an unbelievable capacity, despite this seven front challenge, and I think that itself, in a region that's a very difficult region, is attractive. I think we do have a responsibility and an interest in imagining how we can begin to heal, if that's a word we can use the Israeli Palestinian relationship, at least move in a better direction. Use the Trump plan to do that, because that, I think, will also help our relationship in the region as a whole, without making one dependent on the other. Manya Brachear Pashman:   So I want to follow up with what you just said, that Israel faces perhaps many more challenges in the west than in the region. What about the Jewish people, would you apply that same statement to the Jewish people? Tal Becker:   Well, I think, you know, we've seen, we've seen the rise of antisemitism. And in my view, one way to think about October 7 is that October 7 marks the end of the post-Holocaust era. So there were a few decades there where, even if antisemitism existed, there were many circles in which it was socially unacceptable to give it voice. And something has shattered in the West in particular that it seems to be more socially acceptable to express antisemitism or antisemitic-adjacent type views, and that, I think has has really shocked and shaken many Jews across the western world.  I guess the thing I would say about that is, you know, some of the Jews I come across in the West were under, in my view, a bit of an illusion, that antisemitism had somehow been cured. You feel this sometimes in North America, and that essentially, we had reached a stage in Jewish history where antisemitism was broadly a thing of the past and was on the margins, and then the ferocity with which it came back on October 8 was like a trauma. And one of the definitions of trauma is that trauma is a severe challenge to the way you understand the world and your place in it.  And so if you had this understanding of your reality that antisemitism was essentially a thing of the past in North America in particular. And then all of a sudden it came back. You can see that traumatic experience. And what I want to argue or suggest is that the problem isn't that we had the solution and lost it. I think the problem was we had an illusion that there was a solution in the first place. Unfortunately, I think the Jewish people's history tells the story that antisemitism is kind of like the zombie apocalypse. It never exactly disappears. You can sometimes marginalize it more or marginalize it less. And we're now entering an era which I think Jews are familiar with, which is an era that it is becoming more socially acceptable to be antisemitic. And that to some extent, Jewish communal life feels more conditional and Jewish identity, and while being accepted in the societies in which you live also feels more conditional.  And while that is a familiar pattern, we are probably the generation of Jews with more resources, more influence, more power, more capacity than probably at any other time in Jewish history. And so it would be a mistake, I think, to think of us as kind of going back to some previous era. Yes, there are these challenges, but there are also a whole set of tools. We didn't have the F35 during the Spanish Inquisition.  So I think that despite all these challenges, it's also a great moment of opportunity for really building Jewish communities that are resilient, that have strong Jewish identity, that are that have a depth of Jewish literacy, and trying to inoculate as much as possible the societies in which we live and the communities in which we live from that phenomenon of antisemitism perhaps better than we had had done in previous iterations of this.  Manya Brachear Pashman:   I also want to go back and explore another term that you've used a couple of times, and that is enemies of peace. And I'm curious how you define the enemies of peace. Who are you talking about? And I'm asking you to kind of take a step back and really broaden that definition as much as possible. Tal Becker:   I mean, it goes back to that idea that I mentioned about the Abraham Accords, which is an understanding that there are different peoples in the Middle East that call it home, and each of those peoples deserves a place where they can nurture their identity and cultivate it and have their legitimacy respected, and in that sense, those who are engaged in a kind of zero sum competition, that feel that their exist, existence depends on the obliteration of the other. I see those as enemies of peace.  Now, I believe that both Jews and Palestinians, for example, have a right to self determination. I think that both belong in the sense that both deserve the capacity to cultivate their own identity. But the right to self determination, for example, the Palestinian right to self determination doesn't include the right to deny the Jewish right to self determination. It doesn't include the right to erase Jewish history.  In the same way that we as Jews need to come to terms with the fact that the Palestinian people feel a real connection to this place. Now, it's very difficult, given how radicalized Palestinian society is, and we have to be very realistic about the threats we face, because for as long as the dominant narrative in Palestinian society is a rejection of Jewish belongingness and self determination, we have a very difficult challenge ahead of us. But I essentially, broadly speaking, would say, the enemies of peace are those who want to lock us into a zero sum contest. Where essentially, they view the welfare of the other as a threat to themselves. Y You know, we have no conflict with Lebanon. We have no conflict with the people of Iran, for example. We have a conflict, in fact, a zero sum conflict with an Iranian regime that wants to annihilate Israel. And I often point to this kind of discrepancy that Iran would like to destroy Israel, and Israel has the audacity to want not to be destroyed by Iran. That is not an equivalent moral playing field. And so I view the Iranian regime with that kind of agenda, as an enemy of peace. And I think Israel has an obligation to also articulate what its aspirations are in those regards, even if it's a long time horizon to realize those aspirations, because the enemies are out there, and they do need to be confronted effectively and pretty relentlessly. Manya Brachear Pashman:   For our series on the Abraham Accords, Architects of Peace, I spoke with Dr Ali Al Nuami, and we talked about the need for the narrative to change, and the narrative on both sides right, the narrative change about kind of what you refer to as a zero sum game, and for the narrative, especially out of Israel, about the Palestinians to change. And I'm curious if you've given that any thought about changing, or just Israel's ability or obligation to send a message about the need for the Palestinians indeed to achieve self determination and thrive. Tal Becker:   Well, I think first, it's important to articulate how difficult that is, simply because, I mean, Israel has faced now two years of war, and the sense that I think many Israelis felt was that Palestinian society at large was not opposed to what happened on October 7, and the dominant narratives in Palestinian society, whether viewing Israel as some kind of a front to Islam, or viewing Israel as a kind of colonial enterprise to then be like in the business of suggesting a positive vision in the face of that is very difficult, and we do tend Manya, in these situations, when we say the narrative has to change, we then say, on the other side, they have to change the narrative, rather than directing that to ourselves. So I think, you know, there is an obligation for everyone to think about how best to articulate their vision.  It's a huge, I think, obligation on the Palestinian leadership, and it's a very one they've proved incapable of doing until now, which is genuinely come to terms with the Jewish people's belongingness to this part of the world and to their right to self determination. It's a core aspect of the difficulty in addressing this conflict. And having said all that, I think we as Israeli Jews also have an obligation to offer that positive vision. In my mind, there is nothing wrong with articulating an aspiration you're not sure you can realize, or you don't even know how to realize. But simply to signal that is the direction that I'm going in, you know?  I mean Prime Minister Netanyahu, for example, talks about that he wants the Palestinian people to have all the power to govern themselves and none of the power to threaten Israel. Which is a way of saying that the Palestinian people should have that capacity of self determination that gives them the potential for peace, prosperity, dignity, and security, But not if the purpose of that is to essentially be more focused on destroying Israel than it is on building up Palestinian identity. Now that I think, can be articulated in positive terms, without denying Israel's connection to the land, without denying the Jewish people's story, but recognizing the other. And yes, I think despite all the difficulties, victory in war is also about what you want to build, not just what you want to destroy. And in that sense, our ability to kind of frame what we're doing in positive terms, in other words, not just how we want to take away the capacities of the extremists, but what we want to build, if we had partners for that, actually helps create that momentum. So I would just say to Dr Ali's point that, I think that's a shared burden on all of us, and the more people that can use that language, it can actually, I think, help to create the spaces where things that feel not possible begin to maybe become possible. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Which in many ways Trump's 20 point plan does that. It doesn't just only talk about disarming Hamas. It talks about rebuilding Gaza. Are there other ways in which Israel can assure the success of the Palestinian people and push forwards. Can you envision other ways? Tal Becker:   Well, I mean, I'm sure there's lots that people can do, but there is a burden on the Palestinian people themselves, and I do find that a lot of this discourse kind of takes agency away from the Palestinian people and their leadership. In a way, there's a kind of honesty to the Trump plan and the Security Council resolution that was adopted endorsing the plan that has been missing for quite a while. The Trump plan, interestingly, says three things.  It says, on this issue of a kind of vision or pathway. It says, first of all, it basically says there is no Palestinian state today, which must have come as a bit of a shock for those countries recognizing a Palestinian state. But I think that is a common understanding. It's a little bit of an illusion to imagine that state.  The second thing is how critical it is for there to be PA reform, genuine reform so that there is a responsible function in Palestinian governing authority that can actually be focused on the welfare of its people and govern well.  And the third is that then creates a potential pathway for increasing Palestinian self-determination and moving potentially towards Palestinian statehood, I think, provided that that entity is not going to be used as a kind of terror state or a failed state. But that, I think, is a kind of honest way of framing the issue. But we don't get around Manya the need for responsibility, for agency. So yes, Israel has responsibility. Yes, the countries of the region have responsibilities.  But ultimately, the core constituency that needs to demonstrate that it is shifting its mindset and more focused on building itself up, rather than telling a story about how it is seeking to deny Jewish self determination, is the Palestinian leadership. And I do think that what's happening in Gaza at least gives the potential for that.  You have the potential for an alternative Palestinian governance to emerge. You have the potential for Hamas to be set back in a way that it no longer has a governing role or a shape in shaping the agenda. And I think if we can make Gaza gradually a success story, you know, this is a bit too optimistic for an Israeli to say, but maybe, maybe we can begin to create a momentum that can redefine the Israeli Palestinian relationship. Manya Brachear Pashman:   So I asked what can Israel do to move forward to assure the Palestinians that they are behind their success and thriving? What can Israel do to make sure that it's respected, that is not facing the challenges from the West, from that region. What can Israel do? What is Israel's obligation, or is that an unfair question, to ensure its success and its moving forward? Tal Becker:   I think it's a really difficult question, because the criticism that Israel has gotten throughout this war and the threats to its legitimacy in the way that they've erupted, I think, is a really complicated phenomena that has many moving parts. So some part of it, I think, rightly, is about Israeli policy and Israeli language and the way it has framed what it has been doing, and really the unbelievable moral dilemmas that the war in Gaza posed, and how Israel conducted itself in the way of those dilemmas. And people can have different views about that.  I think there's a misunderstanding, very significantly, of the nature of the battlefield and how impossible Hamas in its deliberate kind of weaponization of the civilian population, made that. So there's one component that has to do with Israel. There's another component that we can't ignore, that has to do with antisemitism. And that, I think, for that group right who almost define themselves through their hostility towards the Jewish people and towards the very idea of Jewish self determination, it's hard to think anything that Israel says or does that actually matters, right? These were the people who were criticizing Israel even before it responded.  And so in that sense, I think putting too much on Israel is a problem. Maybe I'll just focus on the area that I think is most interesting here, and that is, in my view, a lot of the argument about Israel in the West, we'll take the US, for example, is actually not an argument about Israel, but more an argument about the US that is channeled through Israel. In other words, a lot of people seem to be having their argument about America's story of itself channeled through their argument about Israel. And what they're actually arguing about is their vision of America.  And you can see different versions of this. There's a story of America as perhaps a kind of white Christian country that was exploited by immigrants and is exploited by other countries in the world, and that narrative kind of tends pushes you in a direction of having a certain view, in my view, mistaken, in any event, about Israel. That is more to do about your story of America than it has anything to do with what Israel is doing or saying. And then you hear this very loudly, and I'm not suggesting these are exactly even.  But on the more radical kind of progressive left, you have a story of America as essentially a country that never came over the legacy of slavery, a country that has to kind of apologize for its power, that it sees itself as a colonial entity that can't be redeemed. And when you're kind of locked in that version of America, which I kind of think is a kind of self hating story of America. Then that then projects the way you view Israel more than anything Israel says or does. So this has a lot to do with America's, and this is true of other countries in the West, that internal struggle and then the way different actors, especially in the social media age, need to position themselves on the Israel issue, to identify which tribe they belong to in this other battle.  So in my view, people who care about the US-Israel relationship, for example, would be wise to invest in this, in the battle over America's story of itself, and in that sense, it's less about Israeli public diplomacy and less about Israeli policy. It's much more about the glasses people wear when they look at Israel. And how do you influence those glasses? Manya Brachear Pashman:   I could sit here and talk to you all day, this is really fascinating and thought provoking. I do want to ask two more questions, though, and one is, I've been harping on what can Israel do? What are Israel's obligations?  But let me back up a step. What about the Arab states? What are the other neighbors in the region obligated to do to assure the Palestinians that they're going to succeed and thrive? Tal Becker:   Yeah, I mean, it's a really important question and, and I think that for many, many years, we suffered from, I would say, a basic lack of courage from Arab states. I'm generalizing, but I hope that others would advance their interests for them. And in some sense, I think the Abraham Accords really flipped that, because Abraham Accords was the Arab states having the courage and the voice to say, we need to redefine our relationship with with Israel, and in that way, create conditions, potentially for Palestinians to do, to do the same.  I would say that there are a whole set right, and, not my position to kind of be the lecturer, and each country is different in their own dynamics. I think the first from an Israeli perspective, of course, is to really push back against this attempt to delegitimize the Jewish people's belonging in the Middle East, and not to allow this kind of narrative where the only authentic way to be a Palestinian or a Muslim is to reject the idea that other peoples live in the region and have a story that connects them to it, and Israel is here to stay, and it can be a partner. You can have disagreements with it. But the idea that it's some kind of illegitimate entity, I think, needs to be taken out of the lexicon fundamentally. I think a second area is in really this expectation of Palestinian especially in the Israeli Palestinian context, of being partners in holding the Palestinians accountable not to have the kind of the soft bigotry of low expectations, and to really recognize Palestinian agency, Palestinian responsibility and also Palestinian rights, yes, but not in this kind of comic strip, victim villain narrative, where Israel has all the responsibilities and the Palestinians have all the rights. My colleague, Einat Wilf, for example, talks about Schrodinger's Palestine. You know, Schrodinger's Cat, right? So Schrodinger's Palestine is that the Palestinians are recognized for rights, but they're not recognized for responsibilities. And Israel has rights and responsibilities. And finally, I would say in terms of the the taking seriously the spoilers in the region, and working with Israel and with our partners to make sure that the spoilers in the region don't dictate the agenda and don't have the capacity to do so, not just hoping that that, you know, Israel and the US will take care of that, but really working with us. And I think a few countries are really stepping up in that regard. They have their own constraints, and we need to be respectful of that, and I understand that.  But I think that, you know, this is a strategic partnership. I sometimes joke that with the Emirates, it's a Jewish and a Muslim state, but it's a Catholic marriage. We've kind of decided to bind together in this kind of strategic partnership that has withstood these last two years, because we want to share a vision of the Middle East that is to the benefit of all peoples, and that means doing kind of three things at once. Meaning confronting the spoilers on the one hand, investing in regional integration on the other, and seeing how we can improve Israeli Palestinian relations at the same time. So working in parallel on all three issues and helping each other in the process and each other thrive. I mean, there's a whole bunch of stuff beyond the conflict. There's, you know, AI and fighting desertification and irrigation and defense tech and intelligence, and a whole host of areas where we can cooperate and empower each other and be genuine partners and strengthen our own societies and the welfare of our own peoples through that partnership for ourselves, for each other and for the region. So there's a lot to do. Manya Brachear Pashman:   And my last question – I've asked, what do the Arab states need to do? What does Israel need to do? What do Jewish advocates around the world need to do?  Tal Becker:   So I think the most important thing at this moment for me, Manya, is courage. There is a danger, because of the rise in antisemitism and the kind of hostility that one sees, that Jews in particular will become more silent. And they'll kind of hide a little bit in the hope that this will somehow pass them. And I think what our history has taught us, is generally, these are phenomena that if you don't stand up against them early, they become extremely powerful down the line, and you can't, and it becomes very, very costly to confront them.  So it takes courage, but I would say that communities can show more courage than individuals can, and in that sense, I think, you know, insisting on the rights of Jews within the societies in which they live, fighting for those kind of societies, that all peoples can prosper in. Being strong advocates for a kind of society in which Jews are able to thrive and be resilient and prosper, as well as others as well. I think is very important.  Just in a nutshell, I will say that it seems to me that in much of the world, what we're seeing is liberalism being kind of hijacked by a radical version of progressivism, and nationalism being hijacked by a version of ultra-nationalism. And for Jews and for most people, the best place to be is in liberal nationalism. Liberal nationalism offers you respect for collective identity on the one hand, but also respect for individual autonomy on the other right. That's the beautiful blend of liberal nationalism in that way, at least aspirationally, Israel, being a Jewish and democratic state, is really about, on the one hand, being part of a story bigger than yourself, but on the other hand, living a society that sees individual rights and individual agency and autonomy. And that blend is critical for human thriving and for meaning, and it's been critical for Jews as well. And so particularly across the diaspora, really fighting for liberal national identity, which is being assaulted from the extremes on both sides, seems to me to be an urgent mission. And it's urgent not just for Jews to be able not to kind of live conditionally and under fear and intimidation within the societies they live, but as we've seen throughout history, it's pretty critical for the thriving of that society itself.  At the end of the day, the societies that get cannibalized by extremes end up being societies that rot from within. And so I would say Jews need to be advocates for their own rights. Double down on Jewish identity, on resilience and on literacy, on Jewish literacy. At the same time as fighting for the kind of society in which the extremes don't shape the agenda. That would be my wish. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Making liberal nationalism an urgent mission for all societies, in other words, being a force for good. Tal Becker:   Yes, of course. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Our universal mission. Thank you so much. Thank you so much for sharing all of these thoughts with us and safe travels as you take off for the next destination. Tal Becker:   Thank you very much, Manya. I appreciate it. Manya Brachear Pashman:   As we approach the end of the year, and what a year it's been, take some time to catch up on episodes you might have missed along the way, rewind and listen to some of my more memorable interviews, such as my conversation with former Israeli hostage Shoshan Haran, abducted with her daughter, son in law and grandchildren during the Hamas terror attack on October 7, 2023. Meet doctors or hen and Ernest Frankel, two MIT professors who amid anti Israel academic boycotts, are trying to salvage the valuable research gains through collaboration with Israeli scholars. And enjoy my frank conversation with Jonah Platt, best known for playing Fiyero in Broadway's wicked who now hosts his own hit podcast Being Jewish with Jonah Platt. Hard to believe all of this and more has unfolded in 2025 alone. May 2026 be peaceful and prosperous for us all.  

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Col. (ret.) Dr. Michael Milshtein, former head of the Department for Palestinian Affairs in Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate. They discuss the current status of the Gaza ceasefire deal, the contrasting realities on the ground in the Hamas-controlled red zone and the Israeli-controlled green zone, prospects for the U.S.-led Phase II of the deal, the upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump, fear of escalation in Lebanon, and more. Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, the head of Realign For Palestine, an Atlantic Council project that challenges entrenched narratives in the Israel and Palestine discourse. This week, we dive into the five likely scenarios that could play out in Gaza during 2026, which Alkhatib recently proposed on his social media channels. According to Alkhatib, the five proposals all "undermine Hamas severely and massively change the calculus and geostrategic landscape following the Trump-sponsored ceasefire in October, which has temporarily halted the war." The five proposals include: A mutiny from Hamas’s ranks within Gaza due to economic and cost-of-living pressures; a significant rise and empowerment of anti-Hamas militias in different areas of the Gaza Strip; mass protests and large-scale uprisings against Hamas throughout the Gaza Strip by civilians; a mass exodus of civilians, from the Red Zone controlled by Hamas behind the "yellow line" into the Israeli-controlled Green Zone; and a successful international stabilization force (ISF) deployment with the mandate of battling and demilitarizing Hamas. We go through each scenario point-by-point throughout the conversation, leaving time for a reader's question or two. And so this week, we ask Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, what matters now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Palestinians walk along a street past a tent camp in Gaza City, December 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US President Donald Trump has surrounded himself with colourful and controversial characters. From Steve Witkoff, who once bought Trump a sandwich and is now taking the lead on peace efforts in Gaza and Ukraine, to Howard Lutnick, the tariff tsar.How did they secure their key roles and what effect are they having on the policies of the most powerful nation on Earth?This week, Sam Hawley is joined by ABC presenters and journalists to discuss their best stories and interviews from 2025.Today, Matt Bevan, host of the ABC's If You're Listening podcast, on the cast of characters in Donald Trump's orbit.

L'émission 28 minutes du 23/12/2025 Du 22 décembre au 31 décembre, 28 minutes revient sur les thématiques incontournables et marquantes de l'année 2025 avec six émissions hors-série. Ce mardi 23 décembre, nous recevons Justin Vaïsse, historien, spécialiste des États-Unis et directeur général du Forum de Paris sur la Paix et Céline Spector, philosophe. Donald Trump revendique avoir résolu huit conflits en moins d'un an de présidence parmi lesquels celui entre la Thaïlande et le Cambodge ou encore entre Israël et le Hamas. Beaucoup des accords qu'il s'attribue restent incertains et se sont suivis d'une reprise du conflit. Depuis son élection, le président américain est sorti de la plupart des instances multilatérales et réaffirme son opposition à l'ONU. Il s'est aussi attaqué à l'Europe qu'il considère comme “un continent en déclin”. Donald Trump est-il un faiseur de paix ? Justin Vaïsse est historien, spécialisé dans la politique étrangère américaine. Il a travaillé aux États-Unis puis au Quai d'Orsay avant de créer, en novembre 2018, le Forum de Paris sur la paix, où se réunissent les dirigeants du monde entier chaque année. Céline Spector est philosophe et spécialiste de l'Europe. Elle a consacré plusieurs ouvrages à la démocratie et à la pensée des Lumières. Puis, Natacha Triou s'intéresse aux baleines et plus particulièrement à leur chant qui a fait l'objet de plusieurs découvertes scientifiques cette année. Victor Dekyvère revient sur le célibat, qui n'a jamais été aussi répandu. Puis, retrouvez Intéressant de David Castello-Lopes ! 28 minutes est le magazine d'actualité d'ARTE, présenté par Élisabeth Quin du lundi au jeudi à 20h05. Renaud Dély est aux commandes de l'émission le vendredi et le samedi. Ce podcast est coproduit par KM et ARTE Radio. Enregistrement 23 décembre 2025 Présentation Renaud Dély Production KM, ARTE Radio

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 meet in Jerusalem this afternoon with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. He will hold a bilateral meeting with each leader, then will host a trilateral summit, followed by statements to the press. We learn about the summit's goals. Israel has warned the Trump administration that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps may be using an ongoing military exercise focusing on missiles as cover to launch an attack on Israel, according to a Sunday report, amid fears that Jerusalem and Tehran are readying for another confrontation. At the same time, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir warned Sunday that the military will strike Israel’s enemies “wherever required, on near and distant fronts alike,” apparently hinting that Israel may again need to attack in Iran. Berman weighs in as the drums of war appear to approach. Berman sat with US Senator Lindsey Graham for a one-on-one interview yesterday in Tel Aviv. We learn how the senator believes Hamas must be given a deadline for relinquishing its weapons, after which Israel will have a green light to return to combat operations across the Gaza Strip. As phase two of the Trump peace plan's ceasefire appears stalled, will the IDF need to move in again? Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Israel warns US that Iran may use missile launch drill as cover to strike – report Army chief, hinting at potential new Iran war, says IDF will strike ‘wherever required’ Leading GOP senator: Hamas must be given deadline to disarm or face renewed war Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: Demonstrators walk on an image of the Israeli flag with blood dripping Star of David as one of them carries a replica of a missile during an annual rally in front of the former US Embassy in Tehran, celebrating the anniversary of the 1979 takeover of the embassy, Iran, November 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Norman Finkelstein is one of the west's leading anti-Zionist scholars. The son of Holocaust survivors, he has spent his life studying and critiquing Israel's assault on Palestine, decades before it became socially acceptable to do so. Yet despite having dedicated his career to it, by the day before Hamas' attack in October 2023, Norman had […]

Disarming Hamas. Some have said that the decommissioning of arms by the IRA , the Irish Republican Army over two decades ago, could serve as a blueprint for disarming Hamas today. Then the IRA’s disarmament involved verified destruction of its arsenal followed by it being part of a power-sharing government in Belfast. Neville Teller ,Mideast correspondent for Eurasia Review, argues that the IRA model definitely does not fit when it comes to Hamas. (photo: AP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Help Persecuted Christians TODAY: https://csi-usa.org/ Christian Solidarity International On today's Quick Start podcast: NEWS: JD Vance speaks at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest, urging Republicans to reject purity tests and internal division, while defending border enforcement, merit-based policies, and the role of faith in public life. We also cover the sentencing of five Iranian Christians to a combined 50 years in prison for basic acts of worship under Iran's sweeping national security laws. FOCUS: Billy Hallowell joins us fresh from AmericaFest with insight into the tone of the movement, how openly faith was discussed on the main stage, and what comes next for conservatives heading into 2026. MAIN THING: Former Gaza hostage Omer Shem Tov shares a powerful testimony of how more than 500 days in captivity under Hamas deepened his faith in God, teaching him gratitude, prayer, and hope in the darkest conditions. LAST THING: Hebrews 12:14 — “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” PRAY WITH US! Faithwire.substack.com SHOW LINKS Faith in Culture: https://cbn.com/news/faith-culture Heaven Meets Earth PODCAST: https://cbn.com/lp/heaven-meets-earth NEWSMAKERS POD: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newsmakers/id1724061454 Navigating Trump 2.0: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/navigating-trump-2-0/id1691121630

As 2025 draws to a close, the fate of the Trump administration's twenty point plan to end the war in Gaza, disarming Hamas and withdrawing Israeli forces, and facilitate good governance, security and reconstruction, has run headlong into harsh Middle Eastern realities. The administration is promising a transition to phase two by the end of the year, but the status of the International Stabilization Force and an on the ground Palestinian governing structure seem more theoretical than real. What are the chances of implementation of the Trump plan, particularly on security? What, or who, will actually govern Gaza? And what of the other U.S. efforts in Lebanon, Syria, and Iran? Join Aaron David Miller as he addresses these issues and others with Carnegie's Marwan Muasher, Israel Policy Forum's Nimrod Novik, and former Palestinian Authority adviser Manal Zeidan, on the next Carnegie Connects. 

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 290-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 27,987 on turnover of $10.5-billion N-T. The market ended up last week Friday, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing last week recorded an increase in shareholders to the highest number in almost eight months. Analysts say TSMC is expected to continue to benefit from strong global demand for its high-end processes to meet strong global demand for artificial intelligence applications. Air pollution warning issued for sensitive groups The Ministry of Environment is warning that northeasterly monsoon winds will continue to bring increased pollution to southern and central parts of the island today. The ministry says pollutants from overseas are forecast to bring air quality to an orange alert level in those areas and sensitive groups are advised to avoid outdoor activities. Under the ministry's Air Quality Index system, during an orange alert, people with heart, respiratory, or cardiovascular conditions, as well as children and the elderly, are advised to reduce physical exertion (體力消耗/勞動) and limit outdoor activity or wear a mask when going out. According to the environment ministry, the concentrations of fine particulate matter are being brought to Taiwan by a northeasterly monsoon from China's Shanghai and Shandong areas. The impact of transboundary pollution is expected to ease later today. Coast Guard is pursuing another tanker allegedly helping Venezuela skirt sanctions US officials say the Coast Guard is pursuing another tanker is says is helping Venezuela skirt (避開，繞開) sanctions. AP correspondent Julie Walker reports Israel Approves Settlements in West Bank Israel's far-right finance minister says the Cabinet has approved 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. The decision announced Sunday is part of a broader push by the government to expand settlements, which threatens the possibility of a Palestinian state. The Peace Now anti-settlement group says the approval increases the number of settlements in the West Bank by nearly 50% during the current government's tenure (任期). Settlements are widely considered illegal under international law. The decision comes as the U.S. is pushing Israel and Hamas to advance a Gaza ceasefire plan that includes a possible pathway to a Palestinian state. France to Build New Aircraft Carrier French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to build a new aircraft carrier. The vessel will have the capacity for 30 fighter jets and 2,000 sailors. Macron described it as a display of national power. The announcement was made to French troops in Abu Dhabi. The new carrier is set to replace the aging Charles de Gaulle by 2038. It will be nuclear-powered and equipped with Rafale M fighter jets. The project is expected to benefit (對……有益) many small- and medium-sized businesses. Macron has also announced increased military spending, aiming for 64 billion euros by 2027. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－ 新鮮事、新奇事、新故事《一銀陪你聊“新”事》 第一銀行打造公股銀行首創ESG Podcast頻道上線啦 由知名主持人阿Ken與多位名人來賓進行對談 邀請您一起落實永續發展 讓永續未來不再只是想像 各大收聽平台搜尋：ㄧ銀陪你聊新事 https://sofm.pse.is/8hffq6 -- 全台南最多分店、最齊全物件，在地團隊懂台南，也懂你的需求。 不管是買屋、賣屋，還是從築夢到圓夢， 房子的大小事，交給台南住商，讓你更安心。 了解更多：https://sofm.pse.is/8h3vax -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

The United States has released dramatic footage of its forces seizing an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, ten days after taking control of another ship in similar circumstances. Washington says the tankers' oil is funding narco-terrorism, while Caracas accuses the United States of theft and kidnapping. Also: with just one Israeli hostage's remains still held by Hamas in Gaza, Israel's Hostages Family Forum begins winding down its operations. The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has ordered a review into the police and intelligence services after the mass shooting at Bondi Beach last week. President Volodymyr Zelensky says he would support direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian teams if it unlocked prisoner swaps or paved the way for negotiations between him and Vladimir Putin. A German engineer becomes the first wheelchair user to travel to space on a Blue Origin rocket. And astronomers marvel at an unusual lemon-shaped exoplanet the size of Jupiter spotted with the James Webb Space Telescope. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Washington is stepping up diplomatic efforts to address Israeli objections to a possible Turkish role in an International Stabilisation Force in Gaza, a move that could affect plans to disarm Hamas and advance US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan. Trump is due to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 29 December in Florida. The meeting is the latest attempt to revive the Gaza plan, which aims to move from a ceasefire towards the creation of a new governing arrangement in Gaza, the deployment of an international force and the disarmament of Hamas. On Friday, Turkish and Egyptian officials met their US counterparts in Miami. With a ceasefire in place in Gaza, Washington is pushing the next phase of its plan, which would include Turkish troops in an International Stabilisation Force. From Washington's perspective, Turkey's involvement is considered essential to the plan, said Asli Aydintasbas of the Brookings Institution. Turkey and Iran unite against Israel as regional power dynamics shift Israeli objections Hamas disarmament depends on the creation of a new Palestinian governing entity and the presence of international peacekeepers, with Turkey acting as a guarantor, Aydintasbas said. “Without Turkey in this process, decommissioning Hamas weapons would not occur. That is implicit in the agreement.” Turkey's close ties with Hamas are well known, with senior Hamas figures reportedly hosted in Turkey. While Turkey's Western allies label Hamas a terrorist group, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said its members are liberation fighters. Trump has publicly thanked Ankara for using its influence to encourage Hamas to accept the peace plan. Israel opposes any Turkish military presence in Gaza, fearing Turkey would support Hamas rather than disarm it. Israel is also concerned about cyber attacks attributed to Hamas operating from Turkish territory and doubts Turkey would act in Israel's interests, said Gallia Lindenstrauss, a Turkey analyst at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv. “There's a risk of an accident between Israeli and Turkish forces, given the already high tensions and suspicions. It's hard to see a positive outcome,” she said. Israel has struggled to persuade Trump to back its position. “The US has its own priorities, and is receptive to Ankara due to strong Trump-Erdogan relations,” Lindenstrauss added. Turkey ready to help rebuild Gaza, but tensions with Israel could be a barrier Turkey's position Erdogan, who has cultivated close ties with Trump, has said Turkey is ready to send soldiers to Gaza. Reports have claimed Turkey has a brigade on standby for deployment. Turkey's relationship with Hamas is a “double-edged sword”, said Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, head of the German Marshall Fund office in Ankara. From Israel's point of view, Turkey is too close to Hamas, but “if you want to contribute to disarming them, dialogue is needed”. Any Gaza mission would be risky, but the Turkish army has decades of experience, Unluhisarcikli said. “It has a proven track record in terms of post-conflict stabilisation from the Balkans to Afghanistan. They have proven they can operate in such environments.” Despite strained diplomatic ties, the Turkish and Israeli militaries still maintain open communication. The two countries operate a hotline to avoid clashes between their air forces over Syria, demonstrating continued military coordination despite political tensions. Turkey warns Kurdish-led fighters in Syria to join new regime or face attack Regional doubts Egypt and Saudi Arabia distrust Turkey's ties with Hamas and question its intentions in Gaza, Unluhisarcikli said, with concerns that echo memories of Ottoman-era rule. On Monday, US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack met Netanyahu in an effort to ease Israeli concerns. However, prospects for a breakthrough are likely to depend on this month's meeting between Netanyahu and Trump. Incentives may be offered to encourage Israel to accept Turkey's role, but the issue is unlikely to be resolved that way, said Asli Aydintasbas of the Brookings Institution. “Because this is such a fundamental and existential issue for Israel, I don't think incentives will work,” she said. “As to whether or not Trump would go so far as to withhold military or financial aid, it would be very unlikely. Rather, it may just let this situation sort of fester. I don't think the Americans have a clear plan to push forward if the answer from Netanyahu is to say no.”

This week on the Mark Levin Show, people often question why does the issue of radical Islamists remain a topic of discussion? The reason is that Jews are being slaughtered, Christians are being killed or shunned, yet there is a noticeable lack of coverage on these atrocities. Marxism, Islamism, anti-Semitism, and anti-Americanism are a cancer that will destroy the West, it will destroy us - history proves it. We have to defend our civilization against this barbarian movement of 7th century Islamists that are largely based in Middle East. The lies that are being told about American history is all intentional. It's the Marxist, Islamist fusion in our culture fused with the incoming Islamist culture who all reject our founding. President Trump has never flinched in his support for the state of Israel, and he's very concerned about the antisemitism taking place in the U.S. and around the world. But there are some Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes types who say they're done with Trump because he's Israel first. These people are trying to destroy MAGA, the Republican party and the Trump presidency. We won't let that happen. We have a growing terrorist threat in Europe stemming from the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, which has been exported through operational networks involving Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. These Islamists are already in the U.S. waiting and plotting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report: Federal authorities stop a coordinated New Year's Eve terror plot, arresting multiple suspects accused of planning bombing attacks in and around Los Angeles. Former FBI counterterrorism and counterintelligence operative Eric O'Neill joins us to break down how the plot was disrupted and what it reveals about the threat landscape. The Gaza ceasefire holds for now, even as Israel targets senior Hamas leadership. Ben Cohen from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies joins us to explain what comes next and how long the fragile pause may last. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief True Classic: Upgrade your wardrobe and save on @trueclassic at https://trueclassic.com/PDB#trueclassicpod American Financing: Call American Financing today to find out how customers are saving an avg of $800/mo. NMLS 182334, https://nmlsconsumeraccess.org - APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.196% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-885-1881 for details about credit costs and terms. Visit https://www.AmericanFinancing.net/PDB Debt Relief Advocates: Learn what debt reduction you may qualify for. Go online and visit https://DRA.com/podcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Australian government says it will crack down on hate speech following the deadly shooting that targeted a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach. People had come together to celebrate Hanukkah when two gunmen opened fire, killing fifteen people.Australia's new laws aim to target those who spread “hate, division and radicalisation". In our conversations, Jewish Australians discuss their personal experiences of antisemitism in Australia.“You see the arson, you see the graffiti, you see the protests, you see the slogans, you see the people delegitimising Israel and its right to exist,” Sharon tells us. “And the jump is, unfortunately, not that far for people to then delegitimise the right of Jews to be in this country.”Reports from across the world suggest that antisemitism is on the rise, particularly since the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. We also bring together Jews in the US, Belgium and Germany who share their experiences of attacks on their community, and discuss what can be done about it.Presenter: James Reynolds

The long, emotionally exhausting ordeal of hostages held in Hamas tunnels, and the general trauma of October 7th, has led to a visible rise in religious belief among Jewish Israelis. As one hostage notes: “God will always listen. He does not get tired.” Also: today's stories, including why Latin America's authoritarian leaders are leaning into Christmas; a remembrance of Rob Reiner from our film critic; and which traditions our staff and contributors partake in to tap into the true meaning of Christmas. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

De aanval van Hamas op Israël van 7 oktober 2023 schudde niet alleen de geopolitieke verhoudingen op. Ook op veel kleinere schaal zijn de gevolgen voelbaar. Aan Nederlandse keukentafels heeft het conflict dit jaar vrienden, families en gezinnen verdeeld. 7 oktober 2023 veranderde ook de band tussen vader Rob en zijn dochter Shari. Ze delen hun Joodse achtergrond, maar kijken heel anders naar wat er zich de twee jaar daarna afspeelt in Gaza. En dat drukt zwaar op hun relatie en veroorzaakt een gespannen zwijgen. In de studio van NRC gaan ze weer met elkaar in gesprek, over het onderwerp dat hen zo uit elkaar had gedreven.Maar hoe doe je dat?De volledige namen van Shari en Rob zijn bekend bij de redactie.Presentatie: Bram EndedijkRedactie: Tessa ColenMontage: Gal Tsadok-HaiEindredactie: Nina van Hattum & Belle BraakhekkeCoördinatie: Elze van DrielProductie: Rhea StroinkHeb je vragen, suggesties of ideeën over onze journalistiek? Mail dan naar onze redactie via podcast@nrc.nl.Zie het privacybeleid op https://art19.com/privacy en de privacyverklaring van Californië op https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Thursday's Mark Levin Show, U.S. Attorney's office in Minnesota has announced new indictments in the Somali community revealing industrial-scale fraud in the state's Medicaid programs, with half or more of the roughly $18 billion paid out since 2018 potentially fraudulent across at least 14 high-risk services. The fraud outpaces other states, risking essential services and ripping off taxpayers. Why isn't there any outrage from Democrats like Rep Ilhan Omar? Also, Inflation is decreasing significantly, and the U.S. economy is poised for improvement despite possible short-term dips, ultimately leading to growth. President Trump has implemented extensive pro-growth measures across sectors such as natural resources, food, commercial fisheries, and farming, including removing Biden-era regulations, and enacting massive tax and regulatory cuts reminiscent of Reagan's. Later, we have a growing terrorist threat in Europe stemming from the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, which has been exported through operational networks involving Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran.  These Islamists are already in the U.S. waiting and plotting.   Afterward, sources are saying the Brown University murder, and the MIT nuclear expert murder are linked.  As of now, police have found the suspect's abandoned car, issued an arrest warrant with probable cause, and expanded the multi-state investigation to New Hampshire, canceling a press conference amid active operations.  Finally, Josh Hammer calls in to explain the attacks from Candace Owens, Megyn Kelly, and other podcasters, which are signs that he's speaking uncomfortable truths while others prioritize clicks and attention over substance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureAll [CB] are now dropping rates because the US is dropping rates, we saw this during Trump first term. Initial jobless claims show the labor market is not weakening. Trump gives a speech on the state of the economy and the next inflation is almost inline with what the Fed wants. Trump has destroyed the Fed narrative, next phase coming. Trump is now in the process of setting everything up preparing for the midterms and stopping the [DS] form doing us harm. The seditious 6 sent the message, Trump just countered it with a 1776 bonus to the military. The patriots are in the process of bringing down the entire corrupt system. It’s being exposed and dismantled. Panic in DC. Economy https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/2001625195526971703?s=20 (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); https://twitter.com/profstonge/status/2001646305320546453?s=20 Initial Jobless Claims Show No Signs Of Labor Market Distress  After the Thanksgiving Week debacle, the number of Americans filing for jobless benefits for the first time remains back in the same – very low – range it has been in for the last four years at 224k…  So despite the uptick in the BLS-derived unemployment rate, jobless claims data show no signs of acute distress anywhere. Source: zerohedge.com https://twitter.com/RealEJAntoni/status/2001662433983696966?s=20 https://twitter.com/Geiger_Capital/status/2001647313157263628?s=20 https://twitter.com/RealEJAntoni/status/2001656024097272170?s=20 No, Inflation Did Not “Cool Unexpectedly”, It Slowed Because Trump Policies are Working    While the media proclaim, “inflation cooled unexpectedly,” the reality is that it's not unexpected.  The results of a slowing of price increase are not accidental; they are the result of Trump's domestic economic policies working. [Non-Paywall Source and Media Spin] President Trump has been cutting waste, fraud and abuse in runaway government spending; slashing costly regulations across all sectors of the economy and ending Green New Scam energy policy in favor of drill, baby, drill.  As noted by NEC Chairman Kevin Hasset, Trump has reduced deficit spending overall. There's still a long way to go, but significant MAGAnomic progress is being made.  Oh, and that skyrocketing “tariff inflation” the same shocked pundits proclaimed was sure to happen this time, well, that has not surfaced either.  Just like it didn't surface in 2018 or 2019 when the tariffs were applied the first time. NEW YORK –  Source: theconservativetreehouse.com Trump is winning against the CB system. https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2001649080762872069?s=20 https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/2001477403961626755?s=20  he took office–tariffs to create fair trade, reduced income tax, gutting the Green Energy Scam, promoting investment in American manufacturing, reducing the federal bureaucracy and eliminating crippling regulations, deporting illegal aliens and eliminating the “free stuff” we taxpayers give them, getting the Fed onboard, etc. But that plan needed time. Time enough to make the economy shine come the mid-terms. Now we will start to see the fruits of that plan, and Trump’s speech tonight is to announce that. Is he right? One thing I’ve learned is to never bet against Trump. Maybe he is wrong. Maybe I’m wrong. But I still have trust. Political/Rights Nolte: Failing Oscars Demoted to YouTube Starting in 2029, the irrelevant Oscars will have its annual irrelevant Academy Awards show broadcast on — lol — YouTube. To dwindling ratings and cultural relevance, the Oscars have been broadcast on ABC since 1976. The final broadcast will occur in 2028, which also happens to be the 100th anniversary of the award ceremony. So now the Oscars will stream on YouTube, where anyone who wants to can watch them for free online, at least through the end of the deal in 2033. Source: breitbart.com https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/2001675341828342074?s=20  Another didn't even know what building they were at. Meanwhile, no one had info on the shooter, and no one was rushing in. The suspect eventually slipped away. 10 were shot. 2 died. Brown University and the police failed, and now families are furious. And rightfully so! It wasn't just chaos. It was incompetence with a badge, and the price was paid in blood. Source: @Rightanglenews https://twitter.com/C_3C_3/status/2001369540119392433?s=20 https://twitter.com/DataRepublican/status/2001714347605922149?s=20  student. Chatman resigned from Utah after attempting to reform the university's police department and later took his position at Brown. His efforts coincided with student-led campaigns, including those supported by Fanaeian, to reduce campus policing in the wake of Lauren McCluskey's murder. At Brown University, Chatman recently faced an unanimous vote of no confidence back in October for the charge of having “directly contributed to an all-time low in morale and has strained the department's ability to effectively serve the Brown University community.” At the University of Utah, the student campaign to scale back policing was led by Emirya Fanaeian, the same leader of SLC Armed Queers. Fanaeian deleted the group’s social media in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination. She led a student research effort into campus policing while Chatman was employed there. Credit: @SKDoubleDub33 + @iamlisalogan … Developing. https://twitter.com/DataRepublican/status/2001340901537517902?s=20  appeared to contradict what was visible in the videos. We learned witnesses had actively coordinated to prevent one of their own from being charged. This is the same group that deleted its social media posts on the day of Charlie Kirk's assassination and is alleged to have had advance knowledge along with multiple trans groups. Then the police officer yesterday refused to comment on what the shooter shouted although multiple media reports had already said it wash “Allah Akbar.” Between that plus the mainstream celebrations of Kirk’s death and Jay Jones’s election, we cannot just yet write off the possibility that this country has fallen so far off the end that students and professors automatically are covering for the shooter even though they saw someone get shot point blank in the face. https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/2001748138324038022?s=20  home is about 50 miles from Providence, Rhode Island, where the Brown shooting took place. “Senior law enforcement officials tell Target 12 that federal, state and local authorities are now examining possible ties between the two crimes,” WPRI reported. “Multiple people familiar with the investigation said they have discovered evidence showing the two may be linked.” Loureiro was shot and killed in his home. The suspect remains at large. Loureiro was named head of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center at MIT last year. Speculation in media and online discussions has included possible ballistic matches (e.g., 9mm casings recovered at Brown) or similar vehicles spotted at both scenes (e.g., unverified mentions of Nissan Sentras), but these remain unsubstantiated and are not confirmed as the linking evidence.  Some online commentary has also suggested motives tied to international actors, like Iran, based on celebratory posts in certain Telegram channels, but this is purely speculative and unconfirmed. https://twitter.com/EWess92/status/2001718099972886750?s=20 DOGE Geopolitical https://twitter.com/amuse/status/2001502910677397573?s=20 ‘German' Globalist Authoritarianism: Berlin Migrant Housing Costs Skyrocket to Nearly €1 Billion, Tripling Since 2020    Newly released government figures have revealed the capital spent nearly €900 million ($9.8 million) in 2024 alone to house migrants, many of which do not have any kind of status in the country, almost triple the cost from just four years earlier, Die Welt reports. Internal Senate data confirms that accommodation expenses for foreign nationals reached €883 million last year, compared with €312 million in 2020, an increase of 183%. The numbers expose the real cost of mass migration policies pushed by Berlin's left-liberal globalist political class.  Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/2001674979348484469?s=20 https://twitter.com/RadioGenoa/status/2001634609424220333?s=20 https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/2001462937920184556?s=20 War/Peace FBI Agents Thought Clinton’s Uranium One Deal Might Be Criminal – But McCabe, Yates Stonewalled Investigation: Report Remember Uranium One? The massive 2010 sale of US uranium deposits to Russia approved by Hillary Clinton and rubber-stamped by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) – after figures linked to the deal donated to the Clinton Foundation? Turns out rank-and-file FBI investigators thought there was enough smoke to launch a criminal investigation, but internal delays and disagreements within the DOJ and FBI ultimately caused the inquiry to lapse, newly released records reveal.   The Uranium One transaction – involving the sale of a Canadian mining company with substantial U.S. uranium assets to Russia's state-owned nuclear firm Rosatom – became a flashpoint during Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. Critics argued that then-Secretary of State Clinton, a member of CFIUS, helped approve the deal while donors connected to Uranium One made large contributions to the Clinton Foundation.  The newly released documents suggest that the circumstances surrounding Uranium One were never fully investigated, leaving unresolved questions about how a strategic U.S. asset came under Russian control – and whether potential criminal conduct went unexamined due to internal delays and legal disputes. Source: zerohedge.com https://twitter.com/JoeLang51440671/status/2001445235759436036?s=20 https://twitter.com/HansMahncke/status/2001673497563607325?s=20 https://twitter.com/Dmytruk__Artem/status/2001657781443596657?s=20  Everything in our life is ‘for now.' The position may change in the future. Politicians change, some live, some die.” This statement cannot be interpreted in any other way. It refers specifically to Donald Trump and his team, who have consistently and reasonably opposed Ukraine's accession to NATO and the continuation of the war. Zelensky is effectively speaking about the physical elimination of political opponents. I have said this many times before. Zelensky has done and will continue to do everything to destroy Trump and everything associated with him — politically, informationally, and beyond. I have also stated that Zelensky is connected to assassination attempts on Trump and is also involved in the killing of Charlie Kirk. Today, the militant faction of the West reacts painfully to the truth, because this truth destroys their convenient narrative and shows that they are accomplices of a terrorist regime that is prepared to wait for people to die in order to retain power and prolong the war. Medical/False Flags https://twitter.com/robbystarbuck/status/2001468009248960833?s=20 https://twitter.com/HHSResponse/status/2001691600083091515?s=20 HHS, RFK Jr moves to STOP funds for hospitals that perform child sex changes [DS] Agenda https://twitter.com/amuse/status/2001676158140563662?s=20  case in US history is still billing Minnesota taxpayers. Feeding Our Future defendant Gandi Yusuf Mohamed, who changed his name before indictment, operates assisted living homes paid through Medicaid. Rep Kristin Robbins says the state paid him $49M over five years, including $132,000 this year alone. Despite red flags, Gov Tim Walz's administration approved licenses and kept payments flowing https://twitter.com/WallStreetApes/status/2001623482342224289?s=20   at 2 locations “Less than 150 square feet in size, smaller than some bathrooms — stores had one register, no carriages, no hand baskets” “One legitimate supermarket in the same area as these stores redeems approximately $80,000 in and SNAP benefits per month. Over the last 20 months, the Juswala variety store was redeeming between 3-6x that amount monthly” The 2 fake convenient store owners caught were both from Haiti https://twitter.com/amuse/status/2001342827804909728?s=20 President Trump's Plan https://twitter.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/2001437584468082999?s=20  cases like the pipe bomb investigation. And that's only a small part of the work he went about every single day delivering for America. He not only completed his mission – he far exceeded it. We will miss him but I'm thankful he accepted the call to serve. Our country is better and safer for it. https://twitter.com/TonySeruga/status/2001666110945661112?s=20 these 4 walls all day separated from my wife in DC.” https://twitter.com/ThePatriotOasis/status/2001662279184466380?s=20  to receive this check right before Christmas—We love you and your families, and we wish you a very Merry Christmas.” https://twitter.com/WarClandestine/status/2001484437091959133?s=20  in US cities nationwide and Trump has been threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act for months. Trump said this warrior dividend will be delivered before Christmas, and the $1,776 is meant to honor the founding of our nation. Christmas and 1776? Kind of reminds me of one very special painting. https://twitter.com/StephenM/status/2001421552496087246?s=20   No more. America's might will secure America's rights. America's military will defend America's destiny. For Americans, first and always. https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001013033447952648?s=20 President Trump wasn’t playing “5D Chess” yesterday. There was no “OP” to leak information to retards like Tucker Carlson about war. None of that happened. The Whitehouse has been telling people for 2 days the speech was about the economy. Get a grip. https://twitter.com/MJTruthUltra/status/2001412804864094502?s=20  History. As President, he passed the highly ineffective ‘Unaffordable’ Care Act, resulting in his party losing control of both Houses of Congress, and the Election of the largest House Republican majority since 1946. He presided over a stagnant Economy, approved the one-sided Iran Nuclear Deal, and signed the one-sided Paris Climate Accords, both of which were later terminated by President Donald J. Trump.” “Under Obama, the ISIS Caliphate spread across the Middle East, Libya collapsed into chaos, and Russia invaded and took Crimea. In Ukraine. He crippled small businesses with crushing regulation and environmental red tape, devastated American coal miners, and weaponized the IRS and Federal bureaucracies against his political opponents. Obama also spied over the 2016 Presidential Campaign of Donald J. Trump, and presided over the creation of the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, the worst political scandal in American History. His handpicked successor, Hillary Rodham Clinton, would then lose the Presidency to Donald J. Trump.”  JOE BIDEN “Sleepy Joe Biden was, by far, the worst President in American History. Taking office as a result of the most corrupt Election ever seen in the United States, Biden oversaw a series of unprecedented disasters that brought our Nation to the brink of destruction. His policies caused the highest Inflation ever recorded, leading the U.S. Dollar to lose more than 20% of its value in 4 years. His Green New Scam surrendered American Energy Dominance and, by abolishing the Southern Border, Biden let 21 million people from all over the World pour into the United States, including from prisons, jails, mental institutions, and insane asylums. His Afghan Disaster was among the most humiliating events in American History, and resulted in the murder of 13 brave American Servicemembers, with many others gravely wounded. Seeing Biden’s devastation, the heinous Russia invaded Ukraine, and Hamas terrorists launched the October 7th attack on Israel.” https://twitter.com/DanScavino/status/2001516571106083001?s=20 (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) A landmark legal ruling closes the week as a Wisconsin judge is found guilty of obstructing federal immigration agents, becoming the first state judge convicted for blocking an ICE arrest. Meanwhile, the man behind the Brown University shooting is identified after killing himself during a police standoff, with authorities confirming he was also responsible for the murder of an MIT professor. The case raises new questions about migrant crime, visa pathways, and possible foreign intelligence angles tied to nuclear research. The White House signals a tougher stance on immigration enforcement, moving to sharply increase denaturalization cases while warning that current citizenship laws are being exploited. President Trump also advances plans to reclassify marijuana to encourage research, finalizes a deal forcing TikTok's Chinese owner to sell most of its US stake, and prepares to decide whether Chinese drone maker DJI poses a national security threat. Abroad, Venezuela deploys naval escorts to protect oil shipments amid a US blockade, raising the risk of direct confrontation. Trump's Gaza peace plan stalls as Israel continues targeting Hamas leaders, even as another US-backed peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan quietly holds. The episode closes with Bryan previewing a special unscripted, listener-driven series for Christmas week.    "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32     Keywords: Wisconsin judge guilty obstruction ICE, Brown University shooter identified, MIT professor killing, migrant crime visas, denaturalization push, marijuana reclassification, TikTok ByteDance sale, DJI national security review, Venezuela oil blockade, Gaza peace plan, Armenia Azerbaijan agreement, Wright Report listener Q&A

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Lazar Focus. Each Friday, catch diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe. This week, we’re joined by Danielle Pletka, distinguished senior fellow in Foreign and Defense Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where she focuses on US foreign policy, the Middle East, and terrorism. Pletka, speaking to Beman from her native Australia, blasts the Albanese government for its failure to confront antisemitism and for its entirely insufficient response to the deadly shooting at a Hanukkah party in Sydney on Sunday. Turning to US policy around the Gaza war, Pletka argues that then-US president Joe Biden was indeed a friend of Israel, but was already losing control over the White House to figures such as former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan when Hamas invaded southern Israel, killing some 1,200 and taking 251 hostage to Gaza, on October 7, 2023. She critiques elements of US President Donald Trump's foreign policy, including the lack of Middle East experts and the influence of countries such as Qatar over decision-making. Still, Pletka gives high marks to the Abraham Accords and Trump's aggressive policy against Iran. Pletka predicts, however, that the nascent International Security Force for Gaza will collapse on its own, allowing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to say that he was willing to go along with Trump's plan before resuming his own tactics. In the wake of a social media bust-up this week, Pletka says that US Vice President JD Vance is not anti-Israel, but is instead willing to take whatever positions will help him advance politically -- even if it means befriending Tucker Carlson, who had a softball interview with Nick Fuentes after the antisemitic media personality used racist slurs against Vance's wife. Despite some warning signs, Pletka says that the evidence indicates that most Republicans -- and the "soul of the party" -- still support Israel and the continued alliance between Washington and Jerusalem. Lazar Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Danielle Pletka (courtesy) / President Donald Trump and Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi hold signed documents during a summit to support ending the more than two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza after a breakthrough ceasefire deal, October 13, 2025, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Schaeffer talks with Tufts University Catholic Chaplain Lynn A. Cooper, author of Embracing Our Time: The Sacrament of Interfaith Friendship, about building real connection across difference in an era of polarization and loneliness. They explore the Interfaith Student Council model, how trauma reshapes a life, the pressure-cooker reality of campus faith after Hamas' attack and amid Christian nationalism, and why “deprivatizing friendship” might be one of the most radical moves left. _____LINKSLynn created and directs Be-Friend: The Interfaith Friendship Program at Tufts University. For the past five years, Tufts University Chaplaincy has offered this program to students, faculty, and staff across all four campuses (virtual and in-person options). In the next few months, a digital resource for download will be available thanks to Tufts University. If you would like to be notified when it is available for download, please register here.https://tufts.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5dSdTNWSJI7mNpQhttps://chaplaincy.tufts.edu/lynn-cooper/https://bookshop.org/a/99692/9781506499253_____I have had the pleasure of talking to some of the leading authors, artists, activists, and change-makers of our time on this podcast, and I want to personally thank you for subscribing, listening, and sharing 100-plus episodes over 100,000 times.Please subscribe to this Podcast, In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer, on your favorite platform, and to my Substack, It Has to Be Said. Thanks! Every subscription helps create, build, sustain and put voice to this movement for truth. Subscribe to It Has to Be Said. The Gospel of Zip will be released in print and on Amazon Kindle, and as a full video on YouTube and Substack that you can watch or listen to for free.Support the show_____In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer is a production of the George Bailey Morality in Public Life Fellowship. It is hosted by Frank Schaeffer, author of The Gospel of Zip. Learn more at https://www.thegospelofzip.com/Follow Frank on Substack, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and YouTube. https://frankschaeffer.substack.comhttps://www.facebook.com/frank.schaeffer.16https://twitter.com/Frank_Schaefferhttps://www.instagram.com/frank_schaeffer_arthttps://www.threads.net/@frank_schaeffer_arthttps://www.tiktok.com/@frank_schaefferhttps://www.youtube.com/c/FrankSchaefferYouTube In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer Podcast

On this week's Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank, Michael Herson of American Defense International, former DoD Europe chief Jim Townsend of the Center for a New American Security, and Pentagon comptroller Dr. Dov Zakh of the Center for Strategic and International Studies join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss passage of the $901 billion National Defense Authorization Act For the 65th year in a row, congress passed and the president signed the $901 billion National Defense Authorization Act as lawmakers work appropriations to keep the government running after current funding runs out late next month; President Trump's decision to use a $2.4 billion in military housing funding for a $1,776 one-time “warrior dividend” bonus for troops to thank them for their service on the nation's 250th birthday; European nations agree to extend a $105 billion, two-year loan to Ukraine after failing to unlock frozen Russian assets to support Kyiv as Russia ramps up its rhetoric; a week after Washington lifted some sanctions on Belarus as part of a deal to release political prisoners, Minsk said it would host Russian long-range hypersonic missiles; frustrated with the progress on trade talks, Washington suspends a $41 billion tech deal with Britain signed this summer; the White House approves more than $11 billion in arms sales to Taiwan as it also okays the sale of NVIDIA H200 chips to China; Japan deploys radar units to Kitadaitōjima island to monitor Chinese military activity; former Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai was found guilty of violating both China's new national security law and a colonial-era sedition measure; Beijing backs UAE's claim over three Gulf islands drawing Tehran's ire; two gunmen shaped by ISIS ideology attacked a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi beach, killing 15 and wounding another 40; Israel conducted strikes against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in South Lebanon; and our year in review.

As another year of political mayhem beckons, host Patrick Baker dusts off the crystal ball to see what's in store in 2026, both in Westminster and around the world. POLITICO's Dan Bloom and Annabelle Dickson explain what's at stake at the crucial May elections in Scotland and Wales — and how dire results for Labour could lead to a very real leadership challenge against the prime minister. Dan and Annabelle set the scene for the King's Speech, scheduled for mid-May, and set out the massive challenges the Government faces on a host of domestic fronts including immigration and welfare. Jack Blanchard, POLITICO Playbook managing editor and author in Washington D.C., paints a picture of what we can expect in Trump's America in 2026; highly-charged midterms, crucial Supreme court decisions, multiple foreign policy skirmishes and …. a UFC fight on the White House lawn. Russia expert Mark Galeotti of Mayak Intelligence describes how the war in Ukraine might play out in 2026 and weighs in on the likelihood of a peace agreement both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy can swallow. POLITICO's Sarah Wheaton, host of the EU Confidential podcast, looks ahead to elections in Hungary in April, which could spell the end for President Viktor Orbán. Middle East expert and author Kim Ghattas, who writes for The Atlantic, explains what could be in store for the next phase of the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.  And football writer Henry Winter looks ahead to the FIFA World Cup next summer. Could 2026 be the year it finally comes home? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monte Judah reports on escalating threats facing Israel, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and rising global antisemitism from a Messianic perspective.00:00 — Introduction and Opening (Shalom, IDF preparations in Lebanon/Syria/Gaza, terrorist attacks increasing)01:15 — Lebanon and Hezbollah Situation (Government not disarming Hezbollah, Israeli airstrikes, potential ground operation)04:30 — Syria and Druze Protection (IDF presence, new Syrian leader, protecting Druze villages)07:00 — Gaza Update (Ran Gvili hostage body, ceasefire issues, Yellow Line status quo, probing attacks, tunnels)11:45 — Trump's Peace Plan and Stabilization Force (Phase two delays, rebuilding Gaza, overstatements of peace)13:20 — Worldwide Terrorist Attacks (Sydney Australia Chanukah attack, Brown University shooting rumor, "Globalize the Intifada")15:10 — Broader Commentary and Parallels (Banning terrorists, Rob Reiner story analogy, ongoing threats)15:50 — Closing (Netanyahu-Trump meeting, Chanukah wishes, Shabbat Shalom)• What's really happening in Israel and the Middle East? Monte Judah breaks it down on Messianic World Update. Watch on LionandLamb.tv

SEP abre diálogo con estudiantes de la UPN  Edomex ya ofrece licencia de conducir digital  Hamas acusa a Israel de nuevo asentamiento en Jerusalén  Más información en nuestro podcast

VEM: Cecilia UddénYRKE: Utrikeskorrespondent, Mellanöstern, Sveriges RadioAVSNITT: 710OM: Döden på nära håll, att bli kallad Hamas-hora och folkmordsförsvarare, varför radio är det bästa bildmediet, nya boken Allt har en smak av aska, hatet mot public service, varför korsande giftpilar inte betyder opartiskhet, tvivlet som journalistens viktigaste verktyg, saknaden efter Elisabeth Ohlson och givetvis en hel del om varför glassplittret som strössel över jordgubbssorbeten på en bombad glassbar i Tel Aviv är den enda bild som behövs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a video message that he has approved the largest energy deal in Israel’s history. The natural gas deal with Egypt is worth NIS 112 billion ($34.7 billion), of which NIS 58 billion ($18 billion) will go into public coffers. Magid gives insight into the slow rollout of this massive deal. Magid reported yesterday that the US has secured commitments from Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany to have their leaders join US President Donald Trump on the Board of Peace that will oversee the postwar management of Gaza. We review the significance of the names that are currently not on the list and the ambiguous mandate of the International Security Force -- including an apparent walk-back from forcing Hamas to disarm. On Sunday, hundreds of Palestinians attended protests across the West Bank against the Palestinian Authority’s new prisoner payment system. Does this public anger indicate that Ramallah is moving ahead with the Western-pushed welfare reform, or is it all smoke and mirrors, as Israel's Foreign Ministry alleges? In the annual Hanukkah party on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said that Congress “is becoming antisemitic,” as the “Jewish lobby” is no longer the strongest in Washington. Though he wasn't given a White House latke this year, Magid agrees to set the scene and delves into statements made at the celebration.Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: ‘Historic moment’: Netanyahu announces $34.7 billion natural gas deal with Egypt Six countries have committed to joining Trump’s Board of Peace, say officials ISF will not fight Hamas, say US officials, who still seek to deploy force next month Palestinians protest PA prisoner payment reform, in apparent sign of implementation At White House Hanukkah party, Trump laments ‘Jewish lobby’ no longer most powerful Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: A view of the platform of the Leviathan natural gas field in the Mediterranean Sea is pictured from the Israeli northern coastal beach of Nasholim, on August 29, 2022. (JACK GUEZ / AFP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We talk about Israel, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan 1990-today.Notice any mistakes? Let me know, please! A few datapoints:1987 start first intifada1988 establishment of Hamas1988 PLO recognizes Israël1989 Taif Agreement1993 Oslo Accords1996 First Palestinian elections, Hamas boycots2000 Israel withdraws from Lebanon. Start second intifada.2004 Arafat dies2005 Cedar Revolution2006 Hamas wins parliamentary elections. Violence Hamas-Fatah. Israel invades Lebanon. 2007 Palestinian civil war. Hamas takes power in Gaza. 2012 UN observer status for Palestine but sanctions 2018 start political crisis Israel 2020 financial crisis Libanon2022 Netanyahu leads most rightwing government ever2023 Hamas attack followed by Gaza war. 2024 attack on Hezbollah causes death Nasrallah. Fall Assad. 2025 Iran-Israel war

On Tuesday's Mark Levin Show, WMAL's Larry O'Connor fills in for Mark. President Trump's Chief of Staff Susie Wiles gave an interview to Vanity Fair, which was then highlighted by the New York Times, turning it into an exaggerated scandal trying to damage Trump and his team. This is a classic case of the media and the machine that is DC culture for inflating the story. Much of the NY Times' article is characterization rather than direct quotes, fueling the DC frenzy. Also, there's been a global string of recent terror attacks and thwarted plots linked which are all linked to radical Islamists, including ISIS and Hamas supporters, targeting religious and cultural celebrations across continents. There are the patterns of Islamist-motivated violence against Christian and Jewish events, with terrorists aiming to murder, destroy cultural symbols, and terrify societies into altering behaviors. The worst part is that Western policies are welcoming such individuals without proper vetting. Later, there's a woman in Canada with a chronic disease unable to access treatment, leading the government to offer euthanasia as a solution since she qualifies and is "going to die anyway." Euthanasia, initially sold as compassionate mercy for the terminally ill in unbearable pain, has expanded in Canada to include those with depression, shifting from doctor-assisted relief to societal endorsement of suicide that contradicts healers' roles. Why would a society fund and approve this? Finally, we're now on day four of a massive manhunt in Rhode Island—federal and state officers are hunting for the coward who opened fire during a final exam at Brown University. Two young people are dead, nine others are injured, and there's still no clear motive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

C Judy Dempsey examines fears that Russia will shift military forces to the NATO border if a Ukraine peace deal is reached. She discusses reported US pressure on Kyiv to surrender the Donbas, noting that both Ukraine and the EU oppose such concessions due to sovereignty concerns and lack of security guarantees. Judy Dempsey addresses the industrial crisis in Germany, specifically the auto industry's struggle against Chinese electric vehicles. She notes that Chancellor Merz is avoiding necessary pension reforms due to political pressure, while the rise of the AfD and a shifting transatlantic relationship further complicate Germany's economic stability. Mary Kissel argues that Ukraine cannot surrender the Donbas without ironclad security guarantees, citing past broken agreements like the Budapest Memorandum. She validates Finnish and Baltic fears regarding Russian aggression and questions whether the Trump administration's business-centric approach can effectively manage Vladimir Putin's ideological brutality. Mary Kissel characterizes China's economy as collapsing under Xi Jinping's mismanagement. She highlights the plight of Jimmy Lai, a 78-year-old British citizen imprisoned in Hong Kong, and urges Western leaders to use economic leverage to demand his release as a prerequisite for any improved relations. Jonathan Schanzer critiques the slow Australian police response to the Bondi Beach attack, linking the shooters to ISIS training in the Philippines. He warns that the Albanese government's political "virtue signaling" regarding Palestine may have emboldened radicals, while noting Hezbollah is reconstituting its money and weapons pipelines in Lebanon. Jonathan Schanzer analyzes the "murky" killing of US servicemen in Syria, attributing it to jihadist elements within the government's security forces. He describes the situation in Gaza as a deadlock where Hamas remains armed because no international force, other than the unacceptable option of Turkey, is willing to intervene. Gregory Copley details how the Bondi Beach attackers trained in the Philippines' insurgent areas. While praising Australian intelligence agencies, he blames the Albanese government for encouraging anti-Israel sentiment, arguing this political stance has given license to radical groups and undermined public safety. Gregory Copley reflects on the 25-year war on terror, arguing that Western governments have become distracted. He contends that elevating terrorists like Bin Laden to "superpower" status was a strategic error, as the true objective of terrorism is to manipulate political narratives and induce paralysis through fear. Gregory Copley observes a 2025 shift toward nationalism and decisive leadership, asserting that globalism is declining. He notes that nuclear weapons are becoming "unusable" due to changing military doctrines and warns that Western democracies are sliding toward autocracy, drawing historical parallels to Oliver Cromwell's rise as Lord Protector. Gregory Copley reports on King Charles III's improving health and his unifying role within the Commonwealth. He contrasts the stability of the constitutional monarchy with the historical chaos of Cromwell's republic, suggesting the Crown remains a vital stabilizing force against political turmoil in the UK and its dominions. Joseph Sternberg challenges the Trump administration's antagonistic view of the EU, citing polls showing the institution remains popular among Europeans. He argues that US policy should not be based on the expectation of the EU's collapse, noting that the UK's exit was unique to its specific history and not a continental trend. Joseph Sternberg condemns the imprisonment of British citizen Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong as a failure of UKdiplomacy. He argues that Hong Kong's economic success cannot be separated from its political freedoms, warning that the erosion of the rule of law threatens the territory's viability as a business center. Joseph Postell discusses the 1983 INS v. Chadha decision, which eliminated the legislative veto. He explains how this ruling stripped Congress of its ability to check the executive branch, transforming a once-dominant legislature into a weak institution unable to reverse administrative decisions on issues like tariffs. Joseph Postell suggests correcting the Chadha precedent by adopting a view of severability where delegations of power are unconstitutional without the accompanying legislative veto. He notes that the War Powers Resolutionremains a rare exception where Congress still retains a mechanism to reverse executive actions via simple majority.

Jonathan Schanzer analyzes the "murky" killing of US servicemen in Syria, attributing it to jihadist elements within the government's security forces. He describes the situation in Gaza as a deadlock where Hamas remains armed because no international force, other than the unacceptable option of Turkey, is willing to intervene. 1938 RAMALLAH

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. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Senior officials from the US, France and Saudi Arabia are set to meet in Paris today amid fears that Israel could embark on a new military operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon after a December 31 deadline to disarm the Iran-backed terror group passes, a diplomatic official told The Times of Israel on Tuesday. We have seen an uptick in tensions over the past few weeks. Fabian takes us back to early October to give context for what is currently happening on the ground. In one of his first moves, new Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. Itai Ofir decided today to close a criminal case against a senior reserves officer who was facing charges over his involvement in the circumstances that led to the deaths of a soldier and a civilian researcher in southern Lebanon in November 2024. Fabian was in the area when this occurred and fills us in. Israeli settlers torched a vehicle and sprayed graffiti in a West Bank village near Ramallah overnight, according to Palestinian media. The suspected crime took place in Ein Yabrud. The conflict in the West Bank, always at a low boil, but are appearances deceiving in that it seems to be on a higher flame in the past several weeks? After Palestinian media reported a series of Israeli airstrikes in eastern Gaza City, the IDF said it is conducting routine activity to demolish Hamas infrastructure in the Israeli-controlled area. In addition to the tunnel demolitions, there are almost daily incidents in which Gazans attempt to cross the Yellow Line from the Hamas-ruled side. Fabian gives several scenarios for the attempted crossings. Earlier in the month, Fabian visited Hamas’s “most complex” tunnel network in the Gaza Strip, where, eventually, the remains of Lt. Hadar Goldin were recovered. He was killed and abducted by the terror group in 2014, and it transpires that he was held some two kilometers from the Israeli border. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: US, French, Saudi officials to meet in Paris about preventing renewed war in Lebanon IDF postpones planned strike on alleged Hezbollah site as Lebanese army searches it IDF drops charges against reserve officer over deadly Lebanon incident last year Settlers said to torch vehicle, spray graffiti in attack on West Bank village Scouring massive labyrinth under Rafah, IDF just missed finding Hadar Goldin’s body Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: An officer with the elite Yahalom unit is seen inside a tunnel in the Rafah area of the southern Gaza Strip, where the body of Lt. Hadar Goldin was held, December 8, 2025. (Emanuel Fabian/Times of Israel)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A high-level meeting just took place that could change Israel's future overnight. Under President Donald Trump, the United States convened a conference inviting 70 nations to discuss sending foreign troops into Gaza—supposedly to police Hamas. But leaked details reveal something far more alarming: many of these countries may only deploy troops to Israeli-controlled areas, effectively monitoring the IDF instead of stopping terror. At the same time, the U.S. is reportedly in talks to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other Middle Eastern nations—moves that could seriously erode Israel's military edge. Israel is furious. Iran is issuing open threats. And foreign forces may soon be operating directly on Israel's borders.

Tara dives into today's most explosive political and global stories: Susie Wiles' eleven Vanity Fair hits and the fallout on Trump allies ⚡ Trump's intervention in Venezuela-Iran oil trade and defense against assassination plots

Join Mr. Zohar Palti, former director of the Policy and Political-Military Bureau at Israel's Ministry of Defense, and Hoover Senior Fellow H.R. McMaster as they discuss Israel's security posture after the October 7 attacks, strategic lessons of the war in Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank and beyond, and the implications of the Trump-brokered peace agreement for Israel, the broader Middle East, and global security. Drawing on decades of experience within Israel's security and intelligence community, Palti assesses the prospects for regional stability, the future of Hamas in Gaza, emerging opportunities and risks in Lebanon and Syria, and the critical role of U.S.–Israel cooperation in countering Iranian aggression. Palti reflects on the necessity of sustained American engagement in the Middle East and the shared responsibility of democratic nations to confront terrorist and proxy threats while upholding the democratic principles they seek to protect. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode.  ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Zohar Palti is the former Director of the Policy and Political-Military Bureau at Israel's Ministry of Defense. He previously led the Mossad Intelligence Directorate and served as the agency's Chief of Counterterrorism, following twenty-five years in the Israel Defense Forces Intelligence Corps. Mr. Palti has also been a senior research fellow at Harvard's Belfer Center and is currently a fellow at the Hoover Institution and the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. In 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded him the Medal for Distinguished Public Service for strengthening U.S.–Israel strategic defense cooperation. H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. He was the 25th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018.

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: First up— a New Year's Eve terror plot disrupted. Federal authorities arrest multiple suspects accused of planning coordinated bombing attacks across Southern California and Los Angeles. We'll break down what investigators say was planned—and how close this came to becoming something far worse. Later in the show— a potential shift in naval warfare. Ukraine claims it used an underwater drone to cripple a Russian Kilo-class submarine in the Black Sea. If confirmed, it could reshape how modern naval conflicts are fought. Plus, an Israeli strike kills a senior Hamas commander in Gaza, drawing sharp criticism from the Trump administration over an alleged ceasefire violation. And in today's Back of the Brief— the latest on the Brown University shooting, as police release the person of interest and continue their search for the suspect. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold True Classic: Upgrade your wardrobe and save on @trueclassic at https://trueclassic.com/PDB#trueclassicpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful Q&A, Amir Tsarfati, Pastor Barry Stagner, and Pastor Mike Golay discuss the battle for the minds of our youth after a shocking poll reveals growing young adult sympathy for Hamas. They also address the ISIS-affiliated attack in Sydney and respond to viewer questions surrounding Israel, the Antichrist, and End Times prophecy. This timely conversation sheds light on the spiritual, cultural, and prophetic implications of current global events.Connect with us on social:Telegram: @beholdisraelchannelInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amir.tsarfati/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beholdisrael/X: https://x.com/beholdisraelYouTube: https://youtube.com/@beholdisrael

Dana recaps both anti-Semitic attacks at Brown University and Bondi Beach, Australia over the weekend. Australia is calling for even more gun control which has never protected its citizens. Dana explains how the problem in Australia isn't gun control but Islamism in Australia.Dana also explains how Rhode Island and Brown University is a completely gun-free area. Hamas supporters disrupted the Bondi Beach vigil and also a Hanukkah concert in Amsterdam. CNN's "Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst" fear-mongers about "laser sights" on pistols in the wake of the Brown University shooting. Democrats are screaming for more gun control without knowing anything about the assailant.Dana reacts to the death of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele following news of being stabbed to death by their son, Nick. Dana resurfaces footage of Rob Reiner's graceful response to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Two American soldiers and a translator were ambushed by terrorists in Syria. Australia's Prime Minister blames “right-wing extremism” for the violence over the weekend. Brown University's response to certain questions raises even MORE questions. San Francisco is slammed for a $5M a year program to give free alcohol to the homeless.Thank you for supporting our sponsors that make The Dana Show possible…HumanNhttps://HumanN.comNow's the perfect time to try them—get $5 off Humann's Turmeric Chews at Sam's Club through December 29.Byrnahttps://Byrna.comMake 2026 the year you protect your family with solid options—Get the Byrna today.Patriot Mobilehttps://PatriotMobile.com/Dana  OR CALL 972-PATRIOTWhat are you waiting for? Switch today during the Red, White, and Blue sale and get a free smartphone with code DANA. PreBornhttps://Preborn.com/DANAThis Christmas, for just $28 you can help save a life.. Dial #250 and say “Baby,” or give securely online. Make your gift today.AmmoSquaredhttps://AmmoSquared.comDon't get caught without ammo and be sure to tell them you heard about Ammo Squared on this show. Webroothttps://Webroot.com/DanaMake sure your family stays secure online with WebRoot.  Get 60% off Webroot Total Protection today.Subscribe today and stay in the loop on all things news with The Dana Show. Follow us here for more daily clips, updates, and commentary:YoutubeFacebookInstagramXMore Info

President Donald Trump has promised retaliation against the Islamic State militant group after two US soldiers and an interpreter were killed in an ambush in Syria. Damascus has condemned the attack as well. Also: Israel says it has killed the senior Hamas commander Raed Saad. The opposition in Belarus celebrates the release of political prisoners. Chile's presidential election sees a communist candidate take on the far-right. And, with the latest Avatar film about to hit cinemas, we hear from the composer who spent years writing its score.

Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Debate Senator Ted Cruz discusses his decade-long effort to have the Muslim Brotherhood designated as a terrorist organization. Explains legislative strategy shift from a “top-down” global designation to a “bottom-up” affiliate-first approach. Mentions bipartisan support, Trump administration’s executive order, and resistance from State Department officials. AI Regulation and U.S.–China Tech Race AI is the “single most important economic battle” of the 21st century. the AI race is akin to the 1990s Internet revolution, arguing for light-touch regulation to keep America competitive. Trump’s executive order centralizing AI regulatory approvals to prevent fragmented state-level rules. Emphasizes national security implications if China dominates AI development. Foreign Influence and Qatar Controversy Qatar is lobbying U.S. officials, funding anti-American and anti-Semitic propaganda, and hosting Hamas leadership. Concerns have been raised about conservative influencers (including Tucker Carlson) attending Qatar-sponsored events and allegedly promoting propaganda. We list eight tough questions Carlson “should have asked” during his interview with Qatar’s Prime Minister but did not. Carlson is giving “softball interviews” to adversarial leaders (Qatar, Iran, Putin) and undermining U.S. interests. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz X: https://x.com/tedcruz X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1. National Security Concerns We open with alarming claims that 18,000 known or suspected terrorists have entered the U.S. during the Biden administration, allegedly due to lax border security. The source cited is testimony from Joe Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing. Specific examples include Afghan nationals linked to terrorist organizations who entered under the Operation Allies Welcome program. The conversation emphasizes the risks posed by "got-aways" (migrants who evade border patrol) and criticizes the administration for prioritizing politics over security. 2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and U.S. Leadership The second segment focuses on President Trump’s executive order aimed at centralizing AI regulation to prevent fragmented state-level rules. Senator Cruz frames AI as the “economic battle of the 21st century”, comparing it to the U.S. winning the internet race in the 1990s. Whoever leads in AI will shape global values—either American principles of liberty or China’s model of surveillance and control. Trump’s remarks highlight the need for a single federal approval system to accelerate AI development and maintain U.S. dominance. 3. Designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a Terrorist Organization Senator Cruz advocates for legislation to designate the Muslim Brotherhood and its affiliates as terrorist organizations. He explains a shift from a top-down approach (targeting the global organization) to a bottom-up strategy (starting with affiliates like Hamas). The discussion notes bipartisan support but criticizes the House for weakening the bill. Cruz stresses that allies such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have already designated the group as a terrorist organization. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz X: https://x.com/tedcruz X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Thursday's Mark Levin Show, the left and the neo fascists on the right trashing Erika Kirk are evil. Yet, Tucker Carlson comes out with a video that was unbelievably loathsome.  He spews the Charlie Kirk conspiracy theories by ‘just asking questions.'  Why gaslight the conspiracy theories? Leave Erika Kirk alone and let her grieve in peace. Also, a proposal for Turkey to join an international military force in Gaza is outrageous. It would grant Erdogan—an Islamist who has destroyed Turkey, backs Hamas, provides safe haven to its leaders like Qatar, and advocates Israel's elimination-a dangerous military foothold on Israel's border, potentially extending to Syria. Later, Israel leads the world in defensive missile systems, far surpassing other nations, and has committed to sharing its technology with the United States for free.  Israel has developed the most advanced laser systems, which are now being deployed in the field for actual use rather than just testing. Further perfection of these lasers is crucial for countering Communist China's ballistic missiles, which could overwhelm US carriers and aircraft due to their speed, trajectory, and numbers; deploying them on US carriers, jets, and bombers would provide vital protection, and Israel's ongoing real-world refinements benefit both nations. Afterward, Islamic expansion is achieving in 50 years via immigration, welfare, and demographics what took 500 years of conquest historically, with Europe's Muslim population growing from under 1% in 1970 to 10-14% by 2050,  2-3 times the speed.  Western civilization faces replacement, not conquest, through demographic suicide enabled by democracy, paralysis, passivity, and naivete in a "silent" takeover where discussion is criminalized.  It involves physical replacement through open borders, incentives, reunification, refugees, and higher Muslim fertility amid native decline, plus ideological conquest via billions in social media propaganda from Iran, Qatar, and Turkey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1. European Union vs. Elon Musk and Free Speech The EU fined Elon Musk’s platform X (formerly Twitter) $140 million under the Digital Services Act (DSA) for failing to comply with transparency and moderation requirements. Ben and the Senator argue this is an attack on free speech, claiming the EU wants to impose censorship globally, including on American platforms. They highlight a letter from the EU in August 2024 urging Musk to censor content related to Donald Trump’s interview, framing it as an attempt to silence political discourse. The discussion emphasizes the contrast between U.S. First Amendment protections and Europe’s regulatory approach, warning of potential ripple effects on American free speech. There’s a call for the Trump administration to retaliate with sanctions against the EU, such as tariffs, to prevent foreign influence on U.S. speech norms. 2. Tucker Carlson’s Ties to Qatar Tucker Carlson’s visit to Qatar, where he interviewed the Prime Minister during the Doha Forum. Ben and Senator Cruz criticize Carlson for allegedly failing to ask tough questions about Qatar’s: Support for Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. Funding of anti-American and anti-Semitic propaganda, including protests on U.S. campuses. Lobbying efforts in Washington and influence campaigns targeting conservative figures. Restrictive policies on women’s rights. They express concern over Carlson reportedly buying property in Qatar, framing it as aligning with a regime hostile to U.S. interests. The commentary portrays Carlson as sympathetic to authoritarian leaders (similar to his interviews with Putin and Iran’s president), undermining American values and Trump’s foreign policy. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz X: https://x.com/tedcruz X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.