Arsen Ostrovsky on Sky News (Australia), underscoring the deep-seated complicity of ‘ordinary’ Gazans in both the Oct 7th attacks and the sickening scenes of them jeering the coffins of Kfir & Ariel Bibas, and the emaciated hostages. Ostrovsky also called on the international community, especially the Arab and Muslim world, to condemn this ongoing obscenity.
The interview took place on Sky News Australia on February 24, 2025.
Meir Ben Shabbat: Israel’s immediate goal is to prevent these attacks from becoming a trend, through a combination of measures. The tools should not be applied gradually, but rather start immediately with force, including house demolitions, deportation, asset seizure, and punishing accomplices who employ or transport illegal residents. Citizens have a key role both in maintaining vigilance and in armed rapid response.
Published in Israel Hayom, February 24, 2025.
Prof. Kobi Michael: Russia’s interest in Syria is really crucial, and in exchange for that interest they would be willing to invest quite a bit of effort and maybe bend.
The new Syrian regime also has an interest in cooperating with Russia, since it is still under intense scrutiny from the international community, especially the United States. It needs, so to speak, to think about all the security guarantees it can generate for itself, and it can dictate certain conditions to the Russians from a position of strength.
Sharaa could extract economic carrots from Russia, and more importantly, military supplies, because the new Syrian army does not have a functioning force, and the Americans or Europeans would not sell them weapons. I’m not sure the Chinese would agree to sell them much. As a result, the new Syrian regime could demand military supplies from the Russians in exchange for letting them stay.
Turkey, too, looks set to equip the new Syrian military, but its capabilities still fall short of Russia’s in this respect.
Published in JNS, February 20, 2025.
Arsen Ostrovsky: There are truly no limits to Hamas’s depravity, cruelty, and sheer evil. They spare no one—from Holocaust survivor Shlomo Mansour, whom they kidnapped and murdered, to the youngest victims, including a nine-month-old baby, as well as women and the elderly. No one is spared from their barbarity.
We should take President Trump at his word. Even before his election, he was very clear that if Hamas does not release all the hostages—not just the American ones, but all of them—there will be consequences.
The interview took place on Sky News Australia, on February 11, 2025.
Asher Fredman: “The United States has many levers over Jordan. The United States is Jordan’s largest export market. Jordan greatly benefits from the Jordan-U.S. free trade agreement, whereas the U.S. benefits much less. Jordan benefits very greatly from economic support and military support. If President Trump does want to put significant pressure on the King, he can do that.”
“Egypt could be an important midpoint for Gazans who are then departing to other Arab or Muslim countries, or even Western countries that are willing to accept them. Ideally, you would have a number of countries, not just one or two, but a number of countries each taking a number of Gazans—of course, those who are voluntarily willing to leave.”
“Egypt has taken in over 400,000 Sudanese refugees over the last several years. So, they’re willing to take in 400,000 Sudanese but want to take zero Gazans. That also says something about how Egypt views Gazans, unfortunately.”
“What Saudi Arabia truly wants is what it can get from the United States—whether in the security and defense realm or the civilian nuclear realm. There is strong, authentic support for the Palestinian people among both the Saudi leadership and the Saudi people. On the other hand, they know much better than most—maybe not better than President Trump, but much better than people in Europe or the West—how corrupt and inefficient the Palestinian Authority is, and that Hamas is a Muslim Brotherhood arm.”
The interview took place on Channel I24 on February 11, 2025.
Asher Fredman in Fox News on PA President Abbas’ Claim that Palestinian ‘Pay for Slay’ Payments have Stopped: Abbas’ announcement seems to be a ruse aimed at pulling the wool over President Trump’s eyes.
It appears that the terrorists and families of terrorists who received payments under the PA’s ‘Pay for Slay’ program will continue to receive the same payments, simply via a ‘foundation’ under the control of Abbas, rather than via a ministry under the control of Abbas.
It remains to be seen whether Abbas truly ends the Pay to Slay payments, as well as the virulent terror incitement and antisemitism in PA media, schools and summer camps.
Published in Fox News, February 11, 2025.
Moshe Fuzaylov: Israel approved for Egypt on different occasions to bring forces into Sinai [in excess of those permitted in the peace treaty], and we are today with a massive order of battle of the Egyptian Army in Sinai.
They built in Sinai three airfields; at least one airfield is for fighter jets. They built huge reserves of gasoline and diesel. Egypt also built large storage tunnels in Sinai for strategic storage of military gear, and transport links that could enable large formations to arrive in Sinai within a few hours.
Published in JNS, February 7, 2025.
Arsen Ostrovsky: For many years, including since October 7th, the international community has had the same failing strategy that allows Hamas to remain in power, and that is simply unacceptable.
There doesn’t appear to be anything illegal or contrary to international law with respect to the proposal as it is and that this is not about ethnic cleansing or forcible transfer. Trump is not talking about forcibly removing anyone but rather creating circumstances that allow Gazans to voluntarily choose to move.
Those insisting that Gazans stay there, in an active war zone, essentially being used as human shields by Hamas, may be the ones violating international law. Anyone that supports a better future for Gaza and peace in the Middle East should embrace the plan.
The interview took place on ILTV on February 6, 2025.
Dr. Yossi Mansharof: Despite oil sanctions on Iran, data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reveals that Iran’s oil revenue surged to $144 billion in the first three years of Biden’s presidency (January 2021–January 2024), $100 billion more than during the last two years of the Trump administration.
While Biden tightened sanctions, he did not enforce them, allowing Iran to continue profiting from oil exports, providing critical support to its economy. This approach reflects a flawed strategy of attempting to engage Ali Khamenei [the supreme leader of Iran] diplomatically while ignoring Iran’s oil smuggling.
it is unclear whether this strategy is sufficient. Military pressure on Iran is needed to disrupt its activities, send a clear message on its nuclear ambitions, and prevent further destabilizing actions.
Published in Fox News, February 05, 2025.
Asher Fredman: Gazans won’t be able to leave in large numbers if Hamas gunmen are stopping people from leaving. A military campaign would first have to weaken Hamas enough to keep it from barring Palestinians from emigrating.
But there won’t be military operations against Hamas while [ceasefire] negotiations are ongoing during the second or third stage of the hostage deal. I don’t see Hamas releasing all of the living hostages in any scenario because they know that Israel would strike the next day once all the hostages are out. Tragically, they’re going to keep a few of the hostages as insurance.
Published in TPS, February 05, 2025.
