The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

Matti Friedman, author and journalist known for Pumpkin Flowers and Out of the Sky, discusses myth-busting stories of WWII parachutists like Hannah Senesh. He also revisits Lebanon through personal reporting, exploring repeated Israeli military cycles, Hezbollah’s autonomy, and the limits of a decisive victory. Short, vivid conversations connect history, symbolism, and present-day strategic dilemmas.

Jordan Hoffman, film critic known for sharp pop-culture takes, gives a lively take on the Oscars and awards season. He highlights big snubs and surprising Jewish moments at the ceremony. He breaks down political statements on the carpet and stage. Then he turns to the new Superman, tracing the hero's Jewish roots and debating controversial canon changes.

Caroline Glick, veteran conservative journalist and former international affairs adviser to Benjamin Netanyahu, discusses why Israel returned to war with Iran. She explains Iran's regrouping and covert nuclear moves. She details Israel-US coordination, goals to degrade Iran's military reach, and efforts to shape conditions for Iranian internal change. Regional alliances and the conflict's endgame are also covered.

David Horovitz, founding editor of The Times of Israel and longtime analyst of Israeli politics and security, walks through Israel's struggle with Iranian and Hezbollah missile barrages. He explains the chaos of cluster warheads and airport disruptions. He outlines how daily life is coping under sustained strikes and the high-stakes strategic dilemmas facing regional leaders.

Lazar Berman, diplomatic correspondent with expertise in Middle East and Iranian politics. He describes Iran’s missile barrages and the impact of Ali Larijani’s assassination on regime leadership. He breaks down power struggles between the IRGC and clerical establishment. He outlines how Iran’s institutions operate and how international players like China and India are reacting.

Emanuel Fabian, a Times of Israel military correspondent who reports on Israel, Iran and Lebanon, walks through overnight Israeli strikes that killed key Iranian figures and what targets Israel is hitting across Iran’s weapons chain. He also explains expanding Israeli operations in southern Lebanon and recounts being threatened by bettors upset over his reporting.

Ariela Karmel, a political reporter covering the Knesset and wartime budgets, breaks down heated debates over a 3% budget cut to northern rehabilitation funds. She outlines protests by northern residents, disputes over coalition dispersals, and alarming shelter shortages in Bedouin communities. Short, sharp takes on politics, protests and infrastructure gaps during wartime.

Bret Stephens, New York Times columnist and Sapir editor, offers sharp commentary on foreign policy and U.S.-Israel relations. He discusses whether the US is truly partnered with Israel in a common war, argues for acting early using a cancer analogy, and warns about an emerging authoritarian axis and 1930s-like global risks.

Diana Bletter, a northern Israel reporter covering health and regional affairs, gives on-the-ground updates about hospitals and daily life under Hezbollah missile fire. She describes hospitals moving critical care underground and wartime medical preparedness. She also recounts personal experiences of sirens, local resilience in farming communities, evacuations, and shared hardship across the north.

Einat Wilf, former MK, author and founder of the Oz party, outlines why Iran’s potential collapse could reshape the region. She discusses Iran’s role in funding Palestinianism and how that might change. Wilf argues for defining Israeli civilian borders, maintaining military control in remaining areas, and an “active occupation” to uproot Palestinianism. She also explains why she launched Oz and its political aims.