The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

Lazar Berman, diplomatic correspondent who covers Israeli foreign policy, unpacks shifting US strategy toward Iran and the 15-point diplomatic push. He reviews Israel’s debate over a new security zone in southern Lebanon and the country’s Lebanon trauma. He also recounts the Holy Sepulchre scandal, the police decision and the diplomatic fallout for Christian relations.

Emmanuel Fabian, military correspondent reporting from Beersheba, gives frontline analysis of Israel’s operations. He describes missile impacts near Beersheba and onsite crater reporting. He explains strikes inside Iran and shifting focus to expanding a buffer in southern Lebanon toward the Litani. He also covers a rare ski-unit raid across Mount Hermon and troop movements from the West Bank.

Sue Surkes, environmental reporter on northern communities and wildlife, and Diana Bletter, health editor covering hospitals and civilian strain, discuss life under constant rocket fire. They describe shelter shortages, efforts to build community resilience in Arab towns, hospitals operating underground and fundraising after budget cuts. They also touch on how road noise is disrupting bird breeding in open spaces.

They break down a very Jewish stand-up special that uses clean, insider humor and clever audience translation. They revisit a Netflix doc about the Red Hot Chili Peppers, focusing on Israeli-born guitarist Hillel Slovak, early band dynamics, and tragedy. Expect talk of musical origins, punk-funk roots, animated reenactments, and how friendship shaped the band’s sound.

Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, head of Realign for Palestine at the Atlantic Council, offers a sharp perspective on Gaza and regional shifts. He discusses how October 7 reshaped Gaza into geopolitical ground zero. He covers Hamas’s internal splits, changing ties with Iran, regional proxies beyond Gaza, and complex demilitarization and reconstruction proposals.

Raz Zimmt, director of the Iran and the Shiite Axis Research Program and Iran analyst, lays out who is really running Tehran and why leadership has moved harder. He walks through the damage to Iran’s military and missile production. He assesses rising nuclear motivations and outlines likely escalation paths if indirect talks collapse.

David Horovitz, founding editor of The Times of Israel and veteran Middle East commentator, offers strategic analysis of the campaign against Iran and its nuclear ambitions. He contrasts U.S. and Israeli approaches to escalation. He examines Hezbollah's resilience in Lebanon and the complexities of demilitarizing Gaza. The conversation looks at risks of a premature ceasefire and efforts to spark change inside Iran.

Ksenia Svetlova, former Knesset member and Middle East expert, now leading ROPES and a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. She maps Gulf–Iran relations, traces the origins of Iran’s ‘ring of fire’ proxy campaign, assesses why Gulf states might move from diplomacy to action, and evaluates Gulf militaries’ likely roles and Iran’s regime resilience.

Jacob Magid, U.S. bureau chief for The Times of Israel and lead reporter on American and regional diplomacy, breaks down President Trump’s surprise claim of talks with Iran and a last-minute pause on strikes. He outlines who’s mediating, why Gulf states seek long-term damage rather than a quick ceasefire, shifts in U.S. military posture, and a new phased proposal to disarm Gaza.

Lazar Berman, diplomatic correspondent versed in Middle East diplomacy and military affairs. He breaks down why all eyes are on the Strait of Hormuz and how Tehran might respond. He outlines possible U.S. military moves and who might join them. He also discusses mounting tensions in southern Lebanon and the prospect of a wider Israeli ground operation.