18Forty Podcast Michael Eisenberg: Iran, USA, Israel: What Comes Next [Israel & Diaspora II 1/4]
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Apr 18, 2026 
Michael Eisenberg, venture capitalist and Torah scholar who co-founded Aleph, discusses Iran’s threat and regional security. He examines rising antisemitism in America and how Jewish institutions missed digital threats. He explores Israel–US ties, four global revolutions reshaping our era, and the idea of Israel as a model society rooted in Torah values.
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Iran Revealed As Global Existential Threat
- Iran demonstrates existential threat behavior: nuclear capability, long-range ballistic missiles, and willingness to target civilian and economic infrastructure.
- Michael Eisenberg cites strikes on Diego Garcia, Gulf states, and Strait of Hormuz closures as proof they play by a different rulebook.
Preemption Beats Waiting For Catastrophe
- Preemption is morally and practically preferable to waiting until threats are existentially large.
- Eisenberg compares military preemption to contrarian investing: unpopular short-term choice that avoids catastrophic outcomes.
Modernize Jewish Institutions For Digital Threats
- Jewish institutions must modernize tech and recruit younger, internet-native leaders to counter sophisticated online campaigns.
- Eisenberg notes pay-to-play leadership, older average age, and campus disorganization left institutions vulnerable on social media.
