Call Me Back - with Dan Senor

What does Tisha B'Av ask of us after October 7? Tisha B'Av is the saddest date on the Jewish calendar, but Rachel Goldberg-Polin argues it also offers hope and opportunity. In a conversation shaped by the personal and collective trauma of October 7, she explains why Jewish tradition gathers centuries of loss onto a single day, why it compels us to look inward, and how mourning is meant to become the first step toward repair. Rachel’s suggested reading:  This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared: The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation by Rabbi Alan Lew ___ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back This episode was sponsored by Birthright: Invest in the Jewish future today at onetripchangeseverything.com. ____ In this episode: - Why Tisha B'Av became Judaism's day of mourning -  The original national failure: The spies and the Promised Land,  - The centrality and importance of the Temples we can’t comprehend - Sinat chinam and the danger of baseless hatred - Why Jewish tradition looks inward after catastrophe - How Tisha B'Av is observed and why the rituals matter - Rav Kook's answer: from baseless hatred to baseless love - Finding hope, repair, and "yet" after grief More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, <a href="https://tinyurl

This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Dan and Nadav Eyal discuss the emergence of a new right-wing party led by Hili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel, what it reveals about Israel's evolving political landscape, and whether a new generation of leaders can reshape the country's future. ___ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. For the full episode, subscribe here to - Inside Call me Back In this full episode Dan was asked for reliable sources for Israel news and talking points. We include those here: - Nadav Eyal’s Substack by Nadav Eyal - It’s Noon in Israel by Amit Segal - Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor by Yossi Klein Halevi | Amazon |  Barnes & Noble - Israel on Trial: Examining the History, the Evidence, and the Law by Roy Altman |  Amazon | Barnes & Noble - Israel: A concise History of a Nation Reborn by Daniel Gordis | Amazon | Barnes & Noble - AJC’s Combating Antisemitism Playbook: Strategies to Understand, Respond to, and Prevent Antisemitism ____ You can access the full episode here, where Dan and Tal answer listener questions about: - Does Gadi Eisenkot's Sephardic background strengthen his political appeal? - The raging political and legal battle behind the draft exemption bill - Why does Netanyahu's political base remain so loyal? - What is the best strategy for Israel on Lebanon? - How do you push back against anti-Israel claims? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore <a href="https://arkmedia.org/votes/" rel

Can Israel break the paralysis over the Palestinian question without risking its own security? Israelis and Palestinians have been stuck for years, with no practical or diplomatic progress and little confidence that anything can change. Tal Becker argues that while the obstacles are real, accepting paralysis carries its own costs for Israel's security, regional relationships, international standing, and  national moral identity. He lays out what he believes the next Israeli government can realistically do to start moving forward without ignoring the lessons and trauma of October 7. ___ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back ____ In this episode: - Why Israelis and Palestinians are stuck in a cycle of paralysis - What a Palestinian state is supposed to solve - The urgent imperatives of why change must happen soon - Can regional normalization still move forward? - Five priorities for Israel's next government - The role of Arab states regarding the Palestinians - What concrete step should Israeli leaders take next? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

What will it take to save the U.S.-Israel alliance?  Dan is joined by Rahm Emanuel, a Democratic party powerhouse who was a former Chicago mayor, White House Chief of Staff, and U.S. Ambassador to Japan. Dan challenges Emanuel on ideas from the speech he delivered in Tel Aviv that ignited debate across Israel and the United States. Emanuel argues that Israel's current course is putting the U.S.-Israel alliance at risk, while Dan presses him on whether October 7 fundamentally changed the assumptions behind his vision for Israel's future. They discuss Israel’s security, Palestinian statehood, the future of a more hostile Democratic Party, and whether Emanuel's message is ultimately an act of tough love or tough luck for Israel. Watch Rahm Emanuel’s Tel Aviv speech HERE. ___ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back ____ In this episode: - Rahm Emanuel remembers Senator Lindsey Graham - How October 7 changed Israel’s security doctrine - Rahm Emanuel’s 23-state solution for Israel and the Arab states - Is its isolation becoming a security threat for Israel? - How Emanuel would reshape the U.S.-Israel alliance - Are calls for “From the River to the Sea” and Greater Israel equivalent? - Emanuel’s response to fears antisemitism reshaping the Democratic Party - Is Emanuel really advocating tough love or tough luck for Israel? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor

This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Dan and Tal Becker discuss Rahm Emanuel's speech in Israel, why support for Israel has become increasingly tied to America's culture wars, and whether that shift can still be reversed. ___ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. For the full episode, subscribe here to - Inside Call me Back ____ You can access the full episode here, where Dan and Tal answer listener questions about: - Is the potential for Arab-Israeli alliances slipping away? - Is the Jewish diaspora becoming irreparably divided? - Should American Jews have an elected leadership body? - How do we make antisemitism taboo again? - What role should Israelis abroad play? - Could the far left and far right turn on each other? - How is Hamas still functioning in Gaza? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Is the collapse of the U.S.-Iran deal the start of another war, or something messier in between? Dan is joined by Ark Media contributor and senior analyst for Yedioth Ahronoth, Nadav Eyal, as Iran and the U.S. launch missile and verbal attacks. They discuss the apparent end to the ceasefire, why Israel believes the MoU was destined to fail and how Tehran is calculating its next move. They also explore why Turkey's growing military and political influence could be Israel's next strategic challenge. ____ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back ____ In this episode: - Why the U.S.-Iran deal collapsed - Iran's power play in Hormuz - Who is really in charge in Iran? - Israel's "we told you so" moment - Why Turkey is becoming Israel's next big concern - Netanyahu's public fight against the U.S. selling F-35s to Turkey - Israel's long-term strategy toward Turkey - Are we heading toward round three of war with Iran? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

As Americans mark Independence Day, we're revisiting one of the most popular episodes of What's Your Number?, a conversation that feels even more relevant today. Yonatan Adiri and Yael Wissner Levy are joined by Dan Senor, host of Call Me Back and co-author of Start-Up Nation which revolutionized the world’s respect for Israel and its entrepreneurial spirit and successes. Nearly two decades after the book's publication, Israel's tech sector is stronger than ever, yet the country's global brand faces unprecedented challenges. What does this mean for Israel’s reputation, innovation and its place in the world? Dan also remembers his young friend, the late Israeli entrepreneur and investor Zaki Djemal, whose final essay on Israel's future and memorial service are linked below. Read a tribute to Zaki Djemal  and his white paper here. Watch Zaki Djemal’s memorial service here.  ____ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back ____ In this episode: 08:00 – How Start-Up Nation changed Israel's image 14:35 – Israel's brand crisis after October 7 19:10 – Why global investors keep doubling down on Israel 25:55 – Does Israel need a new audience? 32:15 – The rise of defense tech 37:35 – AI, brain drain, and Israel's next challenge 44:30 – Does the "Start-Up Nation" reputation still apply? 46:55 – How would Dan characterize Israel's brand now? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | <a href="https://x.c

This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Amit Segal explains why overwhelming public support for a state commission of inquiry into October 7 and ending Haredi draft exemptions doesn't translate into election results, and what that reveals about the unique system of Israeli politics.  ___ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. For the full episode, subscribe here to - Inside Call me Back ____ You can access the full episode here, where Dan and Amit answer listener questions about: - A surprising turn from Lebanon's government regarding Hezbollah  - Is President Trump changing course on Israel? - Why Israel has no left-wing equivalent to far right Ben-Gvir - Amit Segal on journalism, bias, and fairness, and his own political position - Why has Israel become a defining issue in American politics? - Is Israel’s long term future bullish or bleak?  More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Why have positions about Israel and Jews become a defining fault line in American politics? In part two of their conversation, Dan is joined by Jonah Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Dispatch, and John Podhoretz, editor-in-chief of Commentary Magazine, to discuss what the victories of Zohran Mamdani and other Democratic Socialists reveal about the radicalization of politics of the American left. From the rise of anti-Zionist candidates to the weakening of political parties and norms, they explore why antisemitic or anti-Israel positions have become litmus tests in the transformation of American politics. Read the open letter from American Rabbis to Zohran Mamdani here. ____ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back ____ In this episode: - Why both political parties are losing control - What Zohran Mamdani and DSA victories really represent - Is anti-Zionism the primary driving force on the left? - Are elected leaders more focused on culture wars than helping constituents? - Why U.S.politicians turned against  Israel, which is now a political fault line - How technology is reshaping America despite politics - Have decades of crisis broken public trust? - Can America's political institutions recover? - Why Jonah and John have some hope about America's future More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The G

____ Many supporters of the Iran War, both in the U.S. and in Israel, consider it a failure. Dan doesn't necessarily share that observation, at least not until the fate of the U.S.- Iran deal is clear.  Jonah Goldberg and John Podhoretz, two thinkers that have been following every twist and turn of the Iran war and landed in that camp. So we wanted to conduct an autopsy of the Iran War, at least as where the war stands now. Jonah Goldberg is editor-in-chief of The Dispatch and the host of the Remnant podcast. He’s also a senior fellow at AEI and author of a number of books, including Suicide of the West.  and John Podhoretz, editor-in-chief of Commentary Magazine, host of the Commentary podcast and author of Hell of a Ride.  Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back ____ In this episode: What were the expectations vs reality? Israel and Iran's position today Vs on February 27th. The war's impact on US foreign policy what would have been a better strategy in dealing with Iran’s nuclear program? Did Trump and Netanyahu miscalculate?  Where does the relationship between Netanyahu and Trump go from here? This episode is sponsored by Israel on Campus Coalition. You can follow this link to support their work: http://israelcc.org/  More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel G

For the full episode, subscribe here to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back.  Today we have a special Insider edition covering the US elections that were held this week, in which three congressional primaries were won by candidates of the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) and endorsed by Mayor Mamdani .  Dan is joined by a special Inside Call me Back guest - Reihan Salam, who leads the Manhattan Institute.  You can access the full episode here, where Dan takes on listener questions about: The significance of this election to people who don’t live in the US What played a bigger role in deciding the elections: Socialism or anti-Zionism? The DSA’s strategy to take over the Democratic Party What is the DSA? Should AIPAC re-invent itself?   More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Can Israel stop Iran if America decides to move on? As Washington pursues negotiations with Tehran, many Israelis are wondering what their country can still do to shape the outcome. Dan Senor is joined by Ark Media contributor and Channel 12 senior political analyst Amit Segal to discuss the state of the U.S.-Iran talks, why Israel is showing restraint in Lebanon, and what leverage Jerusalem still has as Washington pursues negotiations with Tehran. They also examine the growing debate inside Israel over President Trump and J.D. Vance, and whether Netanyahu can navigate a moment when many Israelis feel the military achievements against Iran have yet to translate into a lasting strategic gain. ____ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back ____ In this episode: - Why the U.S.-Iran talks may be headed for failure - Does Israel have any leverage left? - Why Israel is showing restraint in Lebanon - Why “no deal, no war” could still hurt Tehran - Netanyahu, Trump, and the Vance problem - Israel’s options if America steps back - Could Trump shape Israel’s next election? - Will Netanyahu really run for a seventh term? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo</p

Did Israel and the U.S. win the battle but lose the war? Israel and the United States achieved what many would consider a remarkable military success against Iran. But the agreement that followed has left many Israelis wondering whether battlefield gains translated into strategic victory. Dan Senor is joined by Wall Street Journal columnist and Hudson Institute senior fellow Walter Russell Mead to discuss the paradox at the heart of the new U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, what it reveals about President Trump's approach to power, and how leaders across the Middle East are recalculating their assumptions about America, Israel, and the future of the region. ____ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back ____ In this episode: 03:42 - The paradox: military success vs. political disappointment 05:03 - Why so many Israelis think Israel lost 07:27 - What was President Trump actually betting on? 21:30 - Does the 60-day deal mean anything? 22:30 - Why sanctions rarely deliver regime change 27:24 - What this war reveals about the future of warfare 35:27 - How Riyadh, Ankara, and Beijing are reading the moment 45:33 - Israel's growing dependence on President Trump More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, M

For the full episode, subscribe here to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Nadav Eyal reacts to J.D. Vance's comments on Israel and what they may signal about changing attitudes in Washington. The discussion touches a deeper Israeli concern: whether the assumptions that have long defined the U.S.-Israel relationship are beginning to change. If support for Israel can no longer be assumed, how should Israelis think about their relationship with America going forward? ____ You can access the full episode here, where Dan takes on listener questions about: - Why Nadav is waiting before judging the Iran deal - Has the word "Zionism" outlived its purpose? - Gadi Eisenkot and the significance of a Sephardic prime minister - Does Eisenkot's English matter? - Why Eisenkot is gaining political momentum - Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel's freedom of action - Can Israel afford a confrontation with the United States? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ What does the Iran deal mean for Israel, and for Netanyahu’s political future? Dan is joined by Ark Media contributor and Channel 12 political analyst Amit Segal to assess the newly announced U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding and the political questions it has unleashed in Israel. As negotiations begin and the fighting pauses, they discuss whether the war should be seen as a success, a missed opportunity, or something whose consequences are still unfolding. They also discuss the growing tension between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, the fight over Lebanon, and what all of it could mean for Israel's next election. This episode was sponsored by Birthright: Invest in the Jewish future today at onetripchangeseverything.com. In this episode: 04:03 - What worries Israel most about the new Iran deal? 06:18 - Trump’s unpredictability and the limits of certainty 13:15 - Is this a pause button or a rewind button for Iran? 18:42 - Does anyone expect a final agreement within 60 days? 20:57 - Why Lebanon has become the real battleground 23:09 - The growing tension between Trump and Netanyahu 28:54 - How the deal is reshaping Israeli politics 39:12 - How will history judge the war with Iran? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel <a href="https://arkmedia.org/get-in-touch/" rel="noop

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ Why is Israel’s next election being driven more by fear than hope? Dan is joined by For Heaven's Sake hosts Yossi Klein Halevi and Donniel Hartman to discuss the emotional forces shaping Israel's coming election. As Israelis prepare to vote, different communities are carrying different traumas, fears, and visions for the country's future, from tensions over Arab and Haredi political power to questions of national unity, leadership, and diminishing hope that life there can improve. They also consider whether Israelis can rediscover the unity of October 8th and what Israelis and diaspora Jews are each looking for in the country's next leader. In this episode: 04:36 -  Why this is a fear-based election, not a hope-based election 10:30 - The fear of Arab parties in a post-October 7 Israel 16:21 - Can Arab parties become part of Israel's political mainstream? 18:09 - The role and concern over Haredi voters reshaping politics 27:09 - Is the unity of an "October 8th Israel" still possible? 30:30 - The forces that threaten to shut down Israel’s economy 32:21 - Can Israel's political center hold? 37:39 - Why Gadi Eisenkot appeals across ideological lines 43:33 - Israelis and diaspora Jews each want something different from Israel’s leader More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benata

For the full episode, subscribe here to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Amit Segal explains why Gadi Eisenkot may be overtaking Naftali Bennett as the leading challenger to Benjamin Netanyahu, and why one overlooked political player could end up deciding who becomes Israel's next prime minister, or perhaps - even becoming the Prime Minister himself… ____ You can access the full episode here, where Dan takes on listener questions about:  - Will Avigdor Lieberman play an outsized role in the elections? - Trump's latest Iran escalation and the threat to Kharg Island - Is Netanyahu really preparing to leave politics? - The different appeals of Ben-Gvir and Smotrich - What will actually decide Israel's next election? - Do buffer zones still matter in the age of drones? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ Can Gadi Eisenkot make the leap from one of Israel’s most trusted generals to its next prime minister? Gadi Eisenkot’s popularity is seeing a meteoric rise. Dan is joined by Nadav Eyal to examine Eisenkot’s background, military record, decisions around October 7, and whether experience built on service and sacrifice can survive the rough-and-tumble of an election campaign. They also compare Eisenkot to previous generals who’ve tried this, and to his current viable political opponents. In this episode: 03:54 – Is Gadi Eisenkot's rise in the polls real? 05:42 – The Appeal of Israel's "Quiet General" 14:33 – From Eilat to IDF Chief of Staff 16:51 – Eisenkot's military legacy and the "war between wars" 23:27 – How much responsibility does he bear for October 7? 27:00 – The personal tragedy that shaped his public image 30:45 – What the War Cabinet Revealed About Eisenkot 38:30 – Can Eisenkot Unite the Opposition? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ Did the Iran war solve the problem, postpone it or make it worse?  That fundamental debate has emerged over the outcome of the war with Iran. The campaigns degraded Iran's military infrastructure, but it also ended with a new, possibly more dangerous Supreme Leader in power, Iran controlling the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran’s nuclear capability largely intact.  Dan is joined by former Israeli Military Intelligence chief Tamir Hayman and FDD CEO Mark Dubowitz to discuss whether the war was a strategic success, a missed opportunity, or an unfinished chapter in a conflict that is far from over. Listen to Mark’s podcast, The Iran Breakdown with Mark Dubowitz. In this episode: 04:51 - What is the most likely outcome of the U.S.-Iran negotiations? 08:00 - What were the tactical achievements of the US and Israeli attacks? 10:03 - Was the war strategically worth it? 19:42 - Can and will Trump still finish the job? 24:44 - Was the plan to have Kurds help topple the Iranian regime credible? 32:30 - Was Ahmadinejad a realistic replacement candidate? 35:42 - How formidable a foe is Mojtaba Khamenei? 41:48 - Is Iran more dangerous today than before the war? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ Did the Iran war solve the problem, postpone it or make it worse?  That fundamental debate has emerged over the outcome of the war with Iran. The campaigns degraded Iran's military infrastructure, but it also ended with a new, possibly more dangerous Supreme Leader in power, Iran controlling the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran’s nuclear capability largely intact.  Dan is joined by former Israeli Military Intelligence chief Tamir Hayman and FDD CEO Mark Dubowitz to discuss whether the war was a strategic success, a missed opportunity, or an unfinished chapter in a conflict that is far from over. Listen to Mark’s podcast, The Iran Breakdown with Mark Dubowitz. In this episode: - What is the most likely outcome of the U.S.-Iran negotiations  - What were the tactical achievements of the US and Israeli attacks? - Was the war strategically worth it? - Can and will Trump still finish the job? - Was the plan to have Kurds help topple the Iranian regime credible?  - Was Ahmadinejad a realistic replacement candidate? - How formidable a foe is Mojtaba Khamenei? - Is Iran more dangerous today than before the war? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benata

For the full episode, subscribe here to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call me Back. Tal Becker, who has negotiated on behalf of Israel in the past, details the lesser known levers which are used in negotiations behind closed doors.  ____ You can access the full episode here, where Dan takes on listener questions about: - Is Israel on the Right Side of History, but the Wrong Strategy? - Aliyah, Yeridah, and How Jews Should Frame their Futures - What Would It Take to Expand the Abraham Accords? - How Israel Can Counter Drones and Emerge Stronger  - Was Leaving the Iran Nuclear Deal a Mistake? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ Is President Trump saving Israel from a war it can’t win, or forcing it into a deal that leaves Hezbollah intact and Israeli soldiers and citizens vulnerable? President Trump announced a ceasefire in Lebanon. Hezbollah agreed to stop firing rockets into Israel. Israel agreed to not strike Beirut. Yet the fighting in southern Lebanon continues, IDF soldiers are being killed and injured by Hezbollah rockets and drones, and the strategic problem remains unsolved. Dan is joined by Nadav Eyal and Amit Segal to discuss Trump’s explosive phone call and pressures on Netanyahu, the link between Lebanon and the Iran negotiations, and whether this moment represents an off-ramp from an unwinnable conflict or a pause that leaves Israel’s hands tied and facing the same dangerous dilemma in southern Lebanon. In this episode: 04:48 - Trump's expletive-laced confrontation with Netanyahu over Lebanon 06:42 - What the new Lebanon "ceasefire" actually means 10:09 - Why Hezbollah's drone campaign is hurting Netanyahu politically 13:21 - Is the “Lebanon Trap” also possibly an off-ramp for Israel? 21:09 - What is really driving Netanyahu's decision-making? 23:30 - How Lebanon became part of the Iran negotiations 26:39 - Does Hezbollah's fate ultimately depend on Iran? 28:36 - Is Hezbollah weaker today, or stronger by adapting for the next war? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel <a href="https://arkmedia.org

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ In a few months elections will be held in Israel, the first since Oct. 7th, and arguably one of the most consequential in Israel’s history. But how do the elections actually work in Israel? As part of our Israel Votes series, Dan is joined by Amit Segal and Nadav Eyal for a practical guide to the mechanics behind Israeli democracy: the Knesset, coalition-building, electoral thresholds, and the structural realities that will shape the next election long before a single vote is counted. In this episode: 03:33 - Why Israel Chose a Parliamentary System 07:06 - The Knesset, the Government, and the Courts 12:36 - How Votes Become Knesset Seats 14:57 - How Israel Actually Chooses a Prime Minister 18:45 - Coalition Negotiations and the Fight Over Ministries 22:09 - What Caused Israel's Five-Election Deadlock? 24:54 - What Election Night Looks Like in Israel 27:45 - Does Israel End Election Night With a Governing Majority? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ Why has the world become so fixated on Zionism, and what does that obsession actually reveal about the West? Alana Newhouse joins Dan Senor to unpack her widely debated essay Zionism for Everyone. They explore how rapid technological change and cultural disorientation are colliding with an ancient idea of peoplehood and why that tension is showing up in the global conversation about Israel. Newhouse argues that the fixation on Zionism is not really about Israel at its core, but about something missing in modern societies: identity, purpose, and self-determination. She lays out a provocative framework for what makes societies resilient, why some nations are struggling, and whether the model behind Zionism can be applied far beyond Israel. Read Alana’s essay in The Free Press, Zionism for Everyone here.  In this episode: - The collision between rapid technological change and ancient identity debates - Why Zionism has become a global fixation right now - What “ethnos” really means and why it’s being misunderstood - Zionism as a model: identity, vision, and hard work - What went wrong in the West and the limits of globalization - Is anti-Zionism driven by envy or a loss of self-determination? - The four traits of resilient societies - Can this model be applied beyond Israel, and by whom? - The erosion of peoplehood in the modern West More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | <a href="https://nadave.s

For the full episode, subscribe here to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call me Back. Dan addresses a listener's question about Gadi Eisenkot's political appeal and whether the qualities Israelis look for in a prime minister are the same ones valued by Diaspora Jews.  You can access the full episode here, where Dan takes on listener questions about: - What should Trump do next on Iran? - Will Rachel Goldberg-Polin return for another holiday episode? - Is there still hope for Arab and Haredi integration in Israel? - Why the Haredi draft exemption is reaching a breaking point - Could Arab or Haredi parties decide Israel’s next government? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ Can the Black-Jewish alliance be repaired, or is it irreparable? Coleman Hughes, host of The Coleman Hughes Show at The Free Press and author of The End of Race Politics, joins Dan to trace the history of one of America’s most important political coalitions, and how it began to unravel. He looks at the forces behind that shift, from old neighborhood tensions and the Nation of Islam to campus politics and a worldview that treats America and the West as uniquely guilty. And - if the old alliance cannot simply be recreated, what would a healthier path forward actually require? Coleman's essay on Sapir: https://sapirjournal.org/friends-and-foes/2024/black-radicalism/ Coleman's Book: https://www.amazon.com/End-Race-Politics-Arguments-Colorblind/dp/0593332458 Coleman's podcast: https://www.thefp.com/listen/conversations-with-coleman In this episode: - How Black and Jewish Americans became allies - The tensions inside the civil rights alliance - James Baldwin’s theory of Black antisemitism - Why Baldwin’s explanation falls short - Nation of Islam, Farrakhan, and hip-hop - Jewish success and the resentment problem - October 7th and the campus view of Israel - BLM, allyship, and whether repair is possible More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch</a

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ If Trump signs an interim deal with Iran, what leverage is left to dismantle Iran's nuclear program? As reports swirl around a possible U.S.-Iran agreement, Dan  sits down with Nadav Eyal and Mark Dubowitz to sort through what’s actually on the table — and what could unravel next. The conversation centers around the core dilemmas facing Washington, Jerusalem, and the Gulf: whether this moment represents strategic containment of Iran or the beginning of a slow retreat from the leverage created by the war. They debate the risks of a “Hormuz for Hormuz” deal, the future of Iran’s nuclear stockpile, the limits of economic pressure, and whether the military gains can survive a prolonged diplomatic pause. Hovering over the entire conversation is a deeper question: after months of escalation, what would victory look like now? In this episode: - What’s Actually in the Emerging U.S.-Iran Deal - The “Hormuz for Hormuz” Tradeoff - Iran’s Uranium Stockpile - Could Trump Sustain Military and Economic Pressure? - The Gulf States’ Interests - Hezbollah, Lebanon, and the Axis of Resistance - What Israelis Think of The Deal - Will This Be Remembered as a Turning Point — or the Moment the West Blinked? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: I

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ Did the U.S. and Israel plan to replace Iran’s regime with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad?! A new New York Times investigation has revealed an astonishing alleged U.S.-Israeli plan behind the war with Iran: not just strikes on nuclear sites and missile capabilities, but a broader attempt at regime change, together with none other than Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.  Ronen Bergman joins Dan to explain how the plan was built, why Ahmadinejad became part of it, why it collapsed before it could fully begin, and what it means that the story is coming out while the war is still unresolved. In this episode: 04:36 - Ronen’s first reaction to the Ahmadinejad story 05:54 - How Israel’s goal shifted from strikes to regime change 07:21 - Why the 12-day war left the core Iran problem unresolved 08:21 - What the Mossad plan was supposed to do in the first 100 hours 12:36 - Why Ahmadinejad was considered as an internal alternative 22:42 - The strike that was meant to free Ahmadinejad 28:24 - The plan for Kurdish forces to enter Iran, and why it never moved forward 30:48 - Who benefits from this story going public   This episode was sponsored by RootOne. Help the Jewish teen in your life experience Israel for themselves. Visit RootOne.org to learn more. This episode was sponsored by Hadassah. Please go to Hadassah.org to make a gift that helps Hadassah continue its longstanding, life-changing support for the people in Israel. More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ Was the Trump-Xi summit a win, a loss or neutral? Trump’s summit with Xi Jinping ended with no major breakthrough, no dramatic concession, and no public rupture. But according to Carice Witte, Founder and Executive Director of SIGNAL Group, that may be the real story. China projected confidence, framed itself as America’s peer, and tried to turn the summit into proof of U.S. decline. Yet on Taiwan, Iran, and regional leverage, Beijing got far less than it wanted. Carice joins Dan to unpack what really happened in Beijing, why China wants Iran weak but intact, how Israel’s military successes have changed Beijing’s view of Jerusalem, and what Israel should do differently as China watches the war from the other side of the world. Learn more about SIGNAL Group.  In this episode: - Why Beijing wanted the summit to look like a win - What Xi’s “Thucydides Trap” message signaled - The Taiwan concession Trump did not give - Why China wants Iran weak but still useful - Keeping Hormuz open and Iran non-nuclear - China’s support for Iran and the limits of plausible deniability - How October 7th changed China’s view of Israel - What Israel should do differently on China   This episode was sponsored by Hadassah. Please go to Hadassah.org to make a gift that helps Hadassah continue its longstanding, life-changing support for the people in Israel. Learn more about the Shalom Hartman Institute’s Community Leadership Program. More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark M

For the full episode, subscribe here to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back, where Dan is joined by Ark Media contributor Nadav Eyal to discuss the ultra-Orthodox revolt cracking Netanyahu’s coalition, Israel’s path to early elections, and Gadi Eisenkot’s rising political momentum. You can access the full episode here, where Nadav takes on listener questions about: - Gadi Eisenkot’s political limits - Netanyahu fatigue in the Diaspora - Why Israeli elections matter to American Jews - Nicholas Kristof’s column and the missing evidence - Has “blood libel” lost its meaning? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ Content warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual violence How do unverified claims become a New York Times column? On Monday, the New York Times published an opinion column by Nicholas Kristof titled "The Silence That Meets the Rape of Palestinians" — an explicit attempt to draw a moral equivalence between Hamas and Israel by alleging that both equally engage in systematic sexual violence. The piece, based on interviews with 14 unnamed Palestinians, cited a Geneva-based NGO calling Israeli sexual abuse a "standard operating procedure" and described, among other things, trained dogs used to sexually assault prisoners. Kristof quoted former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appearing to validate the charges - but Olmert subsequently issued a statement clarifying that he did not, in fact, confirm the column's most serious claims, including that Israeli authorities directed the rape of children or that systematic sexual torture is state policy. The morning after Kristof's column appeared, an Israeli civil commission released a 300-page report - built on more than 10,000 photographs, thousands of hours of video, and over 400 testimonies - concluding that Hamas's sexual violence on October 7th was systematic, widespread, and deliberate. The New York Times, which had been told the report was coming months in advance, published it nearly 24 hours after running Kristof's op-ed.  Reporters who spent the day going through Kristof's column claim by claim found it largely unverifiable - no dates, no locations, no names - recycled from dubious sources and in many cases almost certainly false. The deeper question this episode asks is not simply whether the column is fair, but how something like it gets published in the paper of record at all: what is the pipeline, from NGO to press release to Pulitzer Prize winner's byline, that turns unverified claims into fact? And why does that pipeline flow so reliably in one direction?  To answer that, Dan is joined by Matti Friedman, a former AP reporter and editor in Jerusalem, and author of the 2014 Atlantic essay "What the Media Gets Wrong About Israel" - who has spent years documenting the specific mechanisms by which NGOs hostile to Israel have shaped, and in some cases dictated, Western coverage of this conflict. In this episode: 02:12 - Wha

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ Five months after the Bondi Beach attack, Australia’s Royal Commission on Antisemitism is hearing testimony about what Jewish life has become since October 7th. Dan is joined by Alon Cassuto, CEO of the Zionist Federation of Australia, and Lisa Mittelman, Director of Public Affairs, to discuss what the hearings have revealed, why the government resisted the commission before finally giving in, and whether this process can lead to real change. They also examine how anti-Zionism is being used to exclude Jews from progressive spaces, what real solidarity requires from non-Jewish Australians, and why young Australian Jews are asking whether they can still build their futures in Australia. In this episode: 04:21 - Why Australia’s Royal Commission matters 04:39 - What the testimonies revealed about Jewish life after October 7th 07:27 - Antisemitism from neo-Nazis to progressive spaces 12:33 - Why Australia finally agreed to a Royal Commission 14:42 - Where anti-Israel rhetoric crosses into antisemitism 20:27 - What non-Jewish Australians are still failing to confront 23:48 - How Australian Jews are experiencing the commission 32:02 - Can young Australian Jews still see a future in Australia? This episode was sponsored by Hadassah. Please go to Hadassah.org to make a gift that helps Hadassah continue its longstanding, life-changing support for the people in Israel. More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | <a href="https://x.com/dansenor" rel="noopener nor

For the full episode, subscribe here to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call me Back, where Dan is joined by Ark Media contributor Amit Segal to discuss whether Israel’s war with Iran can be considered a success while the regime and parts of the nuclear threat remain intact, and whether Israel today has a leader, political movement, or civic vision capable of defining the country’s next chapter. In the full episode, Amit also takes on listener questions about: Netanyahu’s responsibility for October 7 How long does he plan to stay in power? Trump’s Gaza “Riviera” plan in hindsight Amit’s thoughts on his father’s controversial essay about Diaspora Jews Whether the country could be headed back into another cycle of repeat elections To hear the full conversation, subscribe to Inside Call Me Back here. Read Amit’s father’s piece here.  More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ The Iran war is coming to an end. What leverage do Israel and the U.S. have for what comes next? Dan Senor is joined by Ed Husain and Nadav Eyal to unpack the fragile aftermath of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. As Washington signals that the operation is over, Iran is still testing the Strait of Hormuz, its nuclear program remains unresolved, and the regime’s internal fractures may now matter as much as its military capabilities. They discuss what Iran thinks it has won, what the U.S. and Israel actually achieved, and whether the next front is no longer the battlefield, but inside Iran itself. Read Ed’s article, Iran is Not a Monolith: The Case for Exploiting the Country’s Internal Fractures. In this episode: 02:42 - What “the operation is over” actually means 06:09 - Iran’s strategy at the Strait of Hormuz 08:42 - Why Tehran may believe it won the war 13:21 - What remains of Iran’s nuclear program 20:15 - Why economic pressure may not be enough 20:54 - The IRGC’s grip on the regime 29:24 - Can Iran’s internal fractures bring down the regime? 34:18 - Israel’s return to a shadow-war strategy 34:51 - The regional alliance needed after the war 38:42 - What the U.S. must do to avoid a nuclear Iran and a closed strait More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, <a href="https://tinyurl.com/bdeyjsdn"

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ What is happening to Jewish Canadians, and what it tells us about the country Canada thought it was? In today’s episode, Dan is joined by Jesse Brown, founder, editor, and publisher of Canadaland, to discuss how Jewish life in Canada has changed since October 7. Drawing on months of reporting for his six-part investigative series What Is Happening Here, Jesse explains why antisemitism in Canada feels more targeted, more tolerated, and more systemic than many outsiders understand. They discuss attacks on Jewish schools and synagogues, the role of progressive institutions and campus culture, the collapse of old assumptions about diaspora belonging, and whether Canadian Jewish life can ever go back to what it was. Listen to Jesse’s six-part investigative podcast series here.  See Jesse at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan on May 21. More info here. In this episode: - Jesse Brown’s life as a Canadian Jew before October 7 - Why Jesse says his diaspora Jewish world is crumbling - What Jewish life in Canada feels like now - How Jewish schools, synagogues, and neighborhoods became targets - Why antisemitism in Canada feels more systemic - Canada’s postnational identity and the politics of settler colonialism - The role of Islamist extremism and what Canada refuses to name - Why anti-Zionist activism in Canada has become more explicit - Zionism, anti-Zionism, and why Jesse says the labels matter less than the harm - The fractures inside Canada’s Jewish community - Why Jesse still wants to fight for diaspora Jewish life More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav

For the full episode, subscribe here to Inside Call me Back. ____ This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back, where Dan is joined by Ark Media contributor Tal Becker. In this sneak peek Tal answer a question from our community: are we witnessing the splintering of Israeli society into the two Kingdoms of Israel and Judah? If you want to hear the rest of the episode, please consider supporting our work at Ark Media, by subscribing to our members-only feed - Inside Call me Back ____ More Ark Media: Submit questions to our hosts Gift a subscription of Inside Call me Back Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Sponsorship inquiries Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch

This is a news update from Ark News Daily. Subscribe here to Ark News Daily In this episode: A leaked report reveals Naftali Bennett privately disparaged his alliance with Yair Lapid as a “strategic mistake,” raising doubts about whether their new joint party can successfully unify the opposition against Netanyahu. An Australian investigation into a deadly Sydney terror attack found authorities failed to act on prior warnings, highlighting a broader pattern of under-resourced prevention and potential Iran-linked threats across Western countries. Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound activist flotilla has sparked a global narrative battle, underscoring the widening gap between accusations against Israel and its efforts to counter them through public diplomacy.

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back Call me Back on YouTube Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ This episode was sponsored by Birthright: Invest in the Jewish future today at onetripchangeseverything.com. ____ Bennett and Lapid unite, but does it change anything?   On Sunday, without any prior warning, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid announced they’re joining forces, launching a new unified party called “Beyachad” — “together.” The move comes months ahead of Israel’s October elections, and it immediately raises more questions than answers. What are they really trying to accomplish? Does this strengthen the anti-Netanyahu bloc — or unintentionally weaken it? And what does it mean for Gadi Eisenkot, who leads the other centrist party and is being pressured by Bennett to join him and Lapid? This is already shaping up to be one of the most dramatic election cycles in Israel’s history — and one the Jewish diaspora will be watching more closely than ever. In this episode: 6:30 – Bennett and Lapid's history 21:50 – Bennett's theory of the race 26:35 – The role of the war in the elections 31:00 – Structural strengths and weaknesses of both blocks 34:00 – Gadi Eisenkot's next move 42:25 – Avigdor Lieberman's strategy More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, <a href="https://tinyurl.com/bdeyjsdn"

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ Is Israel heading toward another war with Hezbollah, or is it already in one? Dan is joined by counterterrorism expert Matt Levitt to unpack the fragile reality between Israel, Lebanon, and Hezbollah. While Hezbollah was significantly degraded, the threat never disappeared. Even as diplomatic efforts try to stabilize the situation, Israel is now actively working to prevent the group from rebuilding.  They discuss life in Israel’s north, Hezbollah’s status in Lebanon, the limits of the Lebanese Armed Forces, and the risks of escalation. The conversation also explores new U.S.-backed diplomacy, and whether there’s a real path to long-term stability, or just a managed conflict. In this episode: 4:20 – What the 2024 ceasefire was supposed to accomplish 5:55 – How much of Hezbollah’s capabilities were actually degraded 6:55 – Why life in northern Israel still hasn’t returned to normal 11:20 – Inside the IDF’s ongoing campaign in southern Lebanon 17:10 – Why the Lebanese Armed Forces haven’t fully disarmed Hezbollah 21:50 – Hezbollah’s role inside Lebanese politics and society today 25:10 – The threat of Hezbollah’s Unit 121 and internal intimidation 27:10 – New U.S.-led diplomacy and whether it can change the equation 36:10 – Whether Israel may need a long-term presence in southern Lebanon More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel <li

For the full episode, subscribe here to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back, where Dan is joined by insiders Nadav Eyal and Amit Segal to unpack what was actually conveyed to the Trump administration, and how expectations around regime change in Iran took shape. They examine the gap between what Israeli intelligence assessed, what was operationally approved, and why some of the most consequential elements of the plan were never fully carried out. The conversation then turns to the debate over Iran’s remaining enriched uranium and the feasibility of rebuilding a nuclear program. More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Adaam James Levin-Areddy, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ Will the Iran War reshape American politics? How could it affect the future of U.S -Israel relations? Dan is joined by New York Times columnist Ross Douthat to examine how the Iran War is influencing both parties. They unpack why support for the war tracks with support for President Trump, why protests have been surprisingly muted, and how the war is accelerating existing political trends. Listen to Ross’ podcast Interesting Times with Ross Douthat In this episode: - Where American public opinion on the Iran War stands today - Why there’s been little protest compared to past wars - How the war is accelerating political trends, not transforming them - The growing divide on Israel within the Democratic coalition - The emerging fracture on the right over intervention and Israel - The generational divide among younger conservatives - Whether the far left and far right could align politically - What “just war” theory is and why it matters now - What this all means for the future of the Republican Party This episode was sponsored by United Hatzalah. Donate today at IsraelRescue.org/CallMeBack. Add this number to your phone right now if you live in Israel – 1221, and for those visiting it’s 972-2-5-383838. More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ What does grief actually look like, and what does it mean to live with it? In this live conversation recorded at Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center on the eve of Yom HaZikaron, Rachel Goldberg-Polin joins Dan Senor to reflect on love, loss, faith, and the story behind her new book, about the loss of her son, Hersh, who was taken hostage on October 7 and later killed in captivity. This conversation explores how Rachel understands suffering, why she rejects the idea that grief “gets better,” and how she holds onto faith, love, and what she calls “tragic optimism.” It is a raw and deeply human discussion about what remains when everything changes, and what it means to keep going. Purchase Rachel’s book here: When We See You Again. In this episode: - Life before October 7 and the meaning of Shabbat in Rachel’s family - The morning of October 7 and the moment everything changed - What it was like to advocate for Hersh while he was in captivity - The discovery that Hersh knew his family was fighting for him - The night Rachel and her family learned he had been killed - Why Rachel rejects the idea that grief fades over time - “Toxic positivity” vs. “tragic optimism” - What grief really is, and what it reveals about love This episode is sponsored by American Friends of Israel Navy SEALs (AFINS). For a brief video on Buddy Line and to support the program, visit AFINS.us/warriorcare.  More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | <a href="https://arkmedia.org/amitsegal/" rel

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back to listen to our 4-part series with Ronen Bergman.  ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ What do we owe the stories of people who sacrificed everything, even when they did not succeed? As Israel approaches Yom Hazikaron after two and a half years of war, Dan speaks with author and journalist Matti Friedman about one of the most iconic and least understood stories in Israeli history: the parachutists of 1944. At the center is Hannah Senesh, whose name became synonymous with courage, even though the mission itself failed in military terms. Purchase Matti’s book here.  In this episode: 02:40 – The real story behind Hannah Senesh and the parachutists of 1944 06:20 – The 1944 parachutist mission 08:40 – How Israel turned this mission into a national myth 14:10 – Why the mission had no clear or achievable objective 17:00 – How the parachutists understood their role as shaping a future story 27:20 – What Hannah Senesh’s life and death reveal about sacrifice 29:00 – Why the parachutists chose to act despite knowing they would likely fail 32:10 – What this story offers Israelis after October 7 This episode is sponsored by the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization. Learn more and support their work at idfwo.org. More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | <a href="https://www.i

For the full episode, subscribe here to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back, the final installment of our four-part series with Ronen Bergman. After the U.S. exits the JCPOA, Israel and the U.S. launch a campaign of sanctions, sabotage, and targeted assassinations, what Bergman calls “death by a thousand cuts.” In this preview, Bergman details the AI-assisted assassination of Iran’s top nuclear scientist and why, despite the scale and sophistication of the operation, it was not enough to stop Iran’s nuclear program. More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Adaam James Levin-Areddy, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back to listen to our 4-part series with Ronen Bergman.  ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ If the shooting stops, is the war actually over? Dan is joined by Ark Media contributor and VP of the Hartman Institute Dr. Tal Becker to explore whether the next phase will be driven less by military action and more by political pressure, economic leverage, and shifting regional alliances. They unpack why there’s no clear definition of “victory,” what dynamics the war has set in motion, and whether Israel and its partners can turn short-term gains into long-term strategic advantage, all while the nuclear threat continues to loom. In this episode: - 03:42 – Why there’s no agreed definition of victory in this war - 04:48 – How to measure success through objectives, cost, and long-term dynamics - 06:45 – What comes after the ceasefire and the possible paths forward - 02:00 – How war can continue through pressure without direct combat - 09:06 – The case for a regional alliance against Iran - 11:09 – How Gulf states are reassessing their strategy - 26:00 – What happens if Iran races toward a nuclear weapon - 33:15 – The legal debate over justification, self-defense, and imminence More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Adaam James Levin-Areddy, Brittany Cohen, A

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back to listen to our 4-part series with Ronen Bergman.  ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ According to a recent CBS / YouGov poll, 41% of Americans think that the war with Iran is going well, while 59% believe it is going badly.  Can a war be won when the country fighting it doesn’t agree on whether it’s going well? As the U.S. moves to blockade the Strait of Hormuz following failed negotiations, the debate is no longer just about battlefield gains, it’s about strategy, legitimacy, and what success really means. Dan Senor brings together former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro and FDD CEO Mark Dubowitz for a good-faith debate on where the war stands and where it should go next. From military progress to political will, and from alliance dynamics to endgame scenarios, this conversation unpacks the fault lines shaping the American debate. In this episode: Where do things stand after the failed U.S–Iran talks and the Hormuz blockade? How Dan and Mark define whether the war is “going well” What the U.S. and Israel have actually achieved militarily Can the war be won if the Iranian regime remains intact What economic, political, and human costs should Americans expect from this war? How is the war affecting U.S. alliances and global standing? Is the best path forward to escalate, contain, or shift strategy? What happens if the war ends before achieving its core objectives? This episode was sponsored by United Hatzalah. Donate today at IsraelRescue.org/CallMeBack. Add this number to your phone right now if you live in Israel – 1221, and for those visiting it’s 972-2-5-383838. Listen to Mark’s podcast The Iran Breakdown. More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | <a href="https://mailchi.mp/arkmedia/s

For the full episode, subscribe here to Inside Call me Back This is a sneak peek from this week’s members-only Inside Call Me Back (Part 3 of our 4-part series on Inside Mossad’s Shadow War with Iran with Ronen Bergman). In the aftermath of the JCPOA, Israel is forced to rethink its approach. With a military strike off the table, the strategy shifts. Mossad is tasked with finding a definitive “smoking gun” that would prove Iran’s military nuclear ambitions. That effort sets off a chain of events that leads to one of the most daring intelligence operations in modern history - the discovery and theft of Iran’s nuclear archive. For the full series, subscribe here to Inside Call me Back More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Subscribe here to Ark News Daily Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Adaam James Levin-Areddy, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ Subscribe to Inside Call me Back to listen to our 3-part series with Ronen Bergman.  ____ Did Iran blink, or did the U.S. pull back too soon? At the 11th hour, the U.S. and Iran agree to a two-week ceasefire, stepping back from a major escalation. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is set to resume under the ceasefire—but the core issues driving the war remain unresolved. Dan is joined by Nadav Eyal and Mark Dubowitz to break down what was actually agreed to, why Israel’s security establishment is uneasy, and whether this pause reflects strategic success—or a missed opportunity. Is this a real off-ramp…or just a temporary pause before the next phase? In this episode: 03:15 - A Ceasefire at the Brink: What Was Actually Agreed 05:33 - The Strait of Hormuz: Reopening Under What Terms? 06:57 - The Missing Pieces: Nuclear Program and Missiles Still Unresolved 08:18 - Israel’s Alarm: Why the Security Establishment Is Worried 14:30 - Did Iran Blink—or Gain Leverage? 15:42 - Trump’s Red Lines: What Must a Final Deal Include? 21:21 - Political Risks: Israel, the U.S., and the Blame Game 35:24 - Endgames: Diplomacy, Regime Pressure, or Renewed War This episode was sponsored by the Jewish Communal Fund. Learn more about JCF’s donor advised funds at jcfny.org. Listen to Mark’s podcast The Iran Breakdown. More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | <a href="

Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ Subscribe to Inside Call me Back to listen to our 3-part series with Ronen Bergman.  ____ Will Trump’s ultimatum trigger a decisive strike on Iran—or force a last-minute deal? As the clock ticks toward a U.S. deadline, Dan is joined by Nadav Eyal and Amit Segal to break down what comes next: a widening war, a strategic endgame, or something in between. They unpack competing military options, the role of Iran’s energy sector, the risks of escalation across the region, and whether regime change is a realistic outcome—or a dangerous illusion. In this episode: 02:45 - Trump’s Ultimatum: What It Actually Means 05:45 - Extend, Escalate, or Strike: The U.S. Decision Tree 06:42 - Targeting Iran’s Energy Sector: Pressure vs. Shock 11:03 - Ground Forces on the Table? Risks and Realities 17:00 - No Deal, No Deterrence: Can This War End Cleanly? 18:00 - Iran’s Leverage: Hormuz and Regional Retaliation 21:30 - Endgames: Regime Change, Containment, or End This episode was sponsored by Hadassah. Please go to Hadassah.org to make a gift that helps Hadassah continue its longstanding, life-changing support for the people in Israel. More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Link to Javad Zarif article on Foreign Affairs: https://www.fore

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back to listen to our 3-part series with Ronen Bergman ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ Is the war heading towards a ground assault or a push for a deal? To explore the possibilities, Dan is joined by Ark Media contributor Nadav Eyal and Fred Kagan, director of the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute. In this episode: 02:24 - Two Tracks, One War: Escalation vs. Diplomacy 03:33 - Inside the Air Campaign: What’s Been Degraded—and What Hasn’t 08:33 - Diplomacy During War: Contradiction or Strategy? 10:57 - Iran’s Mindset: Why Tehran Thinks It’s Winning 15:54 - The Strait of Hormuz: Leverage, Illusion, or Real Control? 17:15 - What a U.S. Ground Operation Could Look Like 20:06 - Energy, Escalation, and Regional Spillover Risks 24:24 - Endgames: Deal, Deterrence, or Something Bigger? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Adaam James Levin-Areddy, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Patricio Spadavecchia, Yuval Semo