The Times of Israel Daily Briefing Micah Goodman: How Israel and the US may prevent World War III
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Mar 7, 2026 Micah Goodman, author and public intellectual on Israeli society and Jewish thought, analyzes the regional and global stakes of the Iran conflict. He traces Israel’s emotional landscape, the paradox in U.S.-Israel ties, and how victory or defeat could reshape U.S. politics. He examines Iran’s remaining options, ripple effects for Hezbollah, Lebanon and Gaza, and how the conflict might avert wider war.
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Israelis Experience A Different Unity Now
- Israelis feel a new, more diverse cocktail of emotions during the Iran war compared with October 7th, mixing anxiety, hope, grief, pride and unity.
- Micah Goodman contrasts October 7th unity born from being hit with current unity born from striking back, showing a different national mood.
U S Israel Alliance At Its Paradoxical Peak
- The U.S.-Israel relationship is at a paradoxical moment: public American sympathy for Palestinians was near a historic high even as the two militaries fight shoulder to shoulder.
- Goodman calls this simultaneously the lowest point (public opinion) and highest point (military partnership) of the alliance, creating huge strategic stakes.
This War Could Restore Or Erode Global Deterrence
- The war's outcome could reshape global deterrence: a clear U.S.-led success would restore American credibility, while failure could empower rivals and bring World War III closer.
- Goodman links Iran's role to distracting U.S. resources and eroding deterrence since Afghanistan and Iraq, so defeating Iran could free U.S. focus toward China/Taiwan.