The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

John Spencer, chair of war studies and former U.S. military officer, provides sharp strategic analysis. He discusses whether victory can be judged now and why goals matter. He outlines how the Iran campaign reshaped regional power and U.S.–Israeli military ties. He also explains U.S. planning for a possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz and factors that could deter forcing it open.

David Horovitz, editor and senior journalist on Israeli and regional affairs, breaks down the muddled two-week ceasefire between the U.S., Israel and Iran. He unpacks Pakistan’s surprise mediator role and confusion over who speaks for Tehran. He examines whether the truce covers Lebanon and how each side claims victory amid unresolved strategic goals.

They celebrate the 70th anniversary of a classic biblical spectacle and unpack its Technicolor grandeur and acting style. They trace the film’s cultural echoes and frequent parodies. They delve into its Jewish and Midrashic sourcing and talk casting and postwar studio context. They flag moments of violence and surprising feminist beats amid dated treatments of women.

Jacob Magid, U.S. bureau chief covering American policy and the Middle East, shares on-the-ground reporting and analysis. He recounts a daring rescue of a downed U.S. airman with sabotage and improvised helicopter tactics. He breaks down a U.S. ultimatum to Iran with looming strike threats and the high-stakes timeline for talks. He also outlines a phased eight-month disarmament plan and the diplomatic pressure on Hamas.

Sam Sokol, a political correspondent covering Israeli politics and protests, discusses a High Court ruling that allowed larger wartime gatherings and the police response in Tel Aviv. He also covers the clash over allowing mass Passover prayers at the Western Wall and the dramatic passage of Israel’s record 2026 budget with large Haredi education allocations.

Emmanuel Fabian, a military correspondent specializing in Israeli defense and regional security, gives on-the-ground analysis of IDF operations. He discusses strikes inside Iran and the shift to targeting economic infrastructure. He explains missile launch assessments, daily Iranian missile capabilities, Hezbollah rocket attacks in Lebanon, the Maglan unit loss, troop distribution across fronts, and extended reservist call-ups.

Angela Buchdahl, senior rabbi of NYC’s Central Synagogue and memoirist, reflects on faith, identity and belonging. She discusses rising antisemitism and how Jewish identity has sharpened. She connects the Passover story to resilience and strangerhood. She also speaks about congregational responses to October 7, ties to Israel, and civic conversations in New York.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Lazar Focus. Each Friday, join host diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe. The US and Israel are trying to drastically weaken Iran, and maybe even bring down the regime, entirely from the air. They are certainly not the first combatants to strive for far-reaching goals through air power. In fact, countries have tried to win wars from the air for over a century. Airpower has a tendency to capture the imagination of civilian and military planners, leading them to believe that this time, new technology will give them the edge needed to transform warfare and avoid long, costly ground campaigns. But strategic air campaigns almost always fall short of their goals. They do not topple regimes, do not cause the public to rise up (and often create solidarity among the enemy public), and achieve results that are anything but decisive. Airpower certainly has its place, especially in destroying specific targets and supporting ground forces. Israel has taken that further, eliminating layers of Iranian, Hezbollah, and Hamas leadership from the air. Can the two most capable air forces in the world win the war against Iran from the air? Or will this be the latest case study that shows how difficult it is to achieve strategic goals from the air? Joined by diplomatic reporter Nava Freiberg, Lazar walks the listener from the 18th century, through the world wars, Vietnam, and Kosovo to explain what air power can accomplish -- and what mistakes overoptimistic planners continue to make. Lazar Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and video edited by Ari Schlacht.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rossella Tercatin, religion and archaeology correspondent who reports on cultural and historical stories, explores Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art’s hidden masterpieces assembled by Queen Farah. She traces how works were secreted after 1979, which pieces have surfaced, and efforts to preserve them. She also introduces a new Haggadah that highlights Egyptian cultural and linguistic links to the Exodus story.

Jacob Magid, U.S. bureau chief for The Times of Israel, gives concise analysis of U.S. policy, military moves, and diplomatic dynamics around the Iran conflict. He discusses timelines for ending the war and the likelihood of U.S. ground operations. He unpacks air campaign effects, Tehran’s resilience, and rising U.S. concern over extremist settler violence in the West Bank.