Asher Fredman: The Middle East is safer and peace is more likely when the US is seen as strong on the world stage. Even before the debate, the US did not appear to be strong on the world stage. Because of Biden’s lackluster performance, it’s unlikely that China, Iran or Russia will feel that the US has the resolve to counter their designs in the Middle East.

Published in TPS, June 28, 2024.

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Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser: The policy of aiding Israel in defense only is not new; the Americans are always ready to help Israel in defense.

At the same time, the United States has largely steered clear of offensive operations in the region.

I would not trivialize the assistance in defense. It’s important, but of course this leaves Israel the offensive dimension.

Published in JNS, June 28, 2024.

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Ruth Wasserman-Lande speaks to I24 as the IDF urges residents of Shuja’iyya to evacuate amid strikes.

June 27, 2024.

Prof. Kobi Michael: Hamas and other Gazan terrorists ‘still believe that time works in their favor. They pray five times a day for a broader war to break out in the northern front.

The interview took place on channel I24 on June 27, 2024.

Col. (res.) Dr. Hanan Shai: In recent years, there has been criticism of the unprepared Israeli soldier. The current war proved otherwise in very well-trained and well-equipped soldiers. However, it is important to remember that Hezbollah will be fighting on its home turf, giving them a huge advantage. Adding to the challenge is the very mountainous terrain in southern Lebanon and the likely existence of tunnels and mines in many areas. It is hard to overestimate the value of US assistance to Israel, and an attack on Hezbollah cannot be done without advance coordination with the US. US support for such an attack will depend on how it assesses Israel’s ability to succeed in such an attack.

Published in The Media line, June 25, 2024.

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Prof. Kobi Michael: There are significant gaps between the American and Israeli positions on the war in Gaza. Israel has made mistakes, and the prime minister has often publicized issues that should have remained private, but I believe the US has an erroneous understanding of the conflict. The US doesn’t understand Hamas and wants to believe a cease-fire will solve everything — the conflict with Hezbollah, with the Houthis, with Iran. They insist on ending the war in Gaza at any price, even to the extent of going against Israeli interests.

Published in Mishpacha, June 25, 2024.

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Ruth Wasserman Lande is a former member of Knesset, advisor to the late President Shimon Peres and Deputy Ambassador at the Israeli embassy in Cairo.

When she was Deputy Ambassador in Egypt she learned a lot about the Arab world, she is telling Maya Zehden. And what she would do if she would be a member of Knesset again.

June 20, 2024.

Prof. Kobi Michael said he was not convinced Hagari meant to directly disparage Israel’s military strategy, but he said he could see how his comments would be taken that way.
He was trying to say the truth. But he said he believed Netanyahu understood that truth — and that Israel’s goal was ultimately to prevent Hamas from being able to regroup and maintain power in Gaza.

The interview took place on NBC NEWS on June 20, 2024.

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Prof. Kobi Michael: From the very beginning, the problem was not with regard to the information, which was there. The problem was about the interpretation and the analysis of the information.

In the level of the Gaza division, things were known in such a detailed manner. It is very annoying and frustrating that the information was there, and we were not there with the information.

The interview took place at The Media Line on June 19, 2024.

Former National Security Council head, Meir Ben-Shabbat, estimates that Israel is making achievements in Rafah, calls to exact a price from Lebanon as well, and is concerned by the discourse on ending the war.

Published in 7Israel National News, June 20, 2024.

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