Boundless Insights - with Aviva Klompas

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas.As U.S. forces surge into the Middle East and diplomacy with Iran appears increasingly strained, questions are mounting about whether Washington is headed toward military action or using force to extract last-ditch concessions.Host Aviva Klompas is joined by Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, to assess what the current U.S. posture actually signals. They examine whether diplomacy still offers a real off-ramp, what a strike on Iran could target, and how exposed Israel and U.S. regional allies may be in a prolonged conflict.Guest Bio:Dr. Jonathan Schanzer is Executive Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he oversees the organization’s research and policy work. A former terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Treasury, Jonathan has tracked and disrupted funding networks for groups like Hamas and al-Qaeda. He’s authored several books on the Middle East, including Gaza Conflict 2021, State of Failure, and Hamas vs. Fatah. A frequent congressional witness and media commentator, his analysis appears regularly in major outlets including CNN, Fox News, and the BBC.

Extremism expert and political scientist Dr. Lorenzo Vidino joins Dr. Rachel Fish to explore the history and spread of radical Islamism and how it has taken root in Western democracies.They trace the movement’s origins to the founding of the Muslim Brotherhood, explain the difference between Islam as a religion and Islamism as a political ideology, and discuss how Islamist groups have adapted their messages for Western audiences, especially on college campuses.The conversation also looks at how some Islamist actors have built alliances with parts of the progressive left, the role of Gulf funding in spreading these ideas, and the challenge liberal societies face to uphold pluralism and free speech while pushing back against extremist ideologies that exploit openness to gain influence.Guest Bio:Dr. Lorenzo Vidino is the Director of the Program on Extremism at The George Washington University and a leading expert on Islamism in Europe and North America. His work focuses on jihadist mobilization, counter-radicalization policies, and the activities of Muslim Brotherhood-inspired networks in the West. A native of Italy and American citizen, he holds a law degree from the University of Milan and a Ph.D. from Tufts University. Dr. Vidino has held positions at Harvard, the RAND Corporation, and the U.S. Institute of Peace, and has advised governments across Europe and North America. He is the author of The New Muslim Brotherhood in the West and The Closed Circle, and his commentary appears regularly in major global media.Further Reading:Lorenzo Vidino, The New Muslim Brotherhood in the West (Columbia University Press, 2010)Lorenzo Vidino, The Closed Circle: Joining and Leaving the Muslim Brotherhood in the West (Columbia University Press, 2020)

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas.In this special live podcast from Sydney, Australia, host Aviva Klompas is joined by Kellie Sloane, Member of Parliament and Leader of the Opposition in New South Wales. Two months after the antisemitic attack at Hanukkah by the Sea in Bondi, Kellie reflects on what it meant to arrive at the scene while the attack was still unfolding and to witness both the horror and the heroism firsthand.Drawing on her background as a longtime journalist and now a political leader, Kellie discusses the responsibility of bearing witness, the courage of everyday Australians who ran toward danger, and the deeper reckoning Australia faces as it confronts rising antisemitism, online denialism, and extremism.Guest Bio:Kellie Sloane is the New South Wales Leader of the Opposition and NSW Liberal Leader, elected to Parliament in 2023 as the Member for Vaucluse. She previously served as Shadow Minister for the Environment and Shadow Minister for Health before being elected party leader in November 2025.Before entering politics, Kellie built a distinguished career in journalism across radio and television and later served as National CEO of Life Education (Healthy Harold), Australia’s largest independent provider of preventive health education for children. As Opposition Leader, she is focused on strengthening essential services, improving health outcomes, driving economic opportunity, and delivering responsible, future-focused government for New South Wales.

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas.Since October 7, a key battlefield has been in courtrooms and international institutions. At the International Criminal Court, prosecutors have sought arrest warrants for Israel’s leaders. At the International Court of Justice, Israel is accused of genocide. And the United Nations churns out reports and statements condemning Israel.In this episode, Aviva speaks with barrister Natasha Hausdorff, legal director of UK Lawyers for Israel, about how law has been turned into a weapon against the Jewish state. Natasha explains how this strategy has evolved since October 7, what recognition of a Palestinian state does and doesn’t mean in legal terms, and why symbolic gestures can carry dangerous consequences.Guest Bio:Natasha Hausdorff is a Barrister and expert commentator on international law, including the law of armed conflict, foreign affairs and national security policy. She is a sought-after keynote speaker on lawfare and the weaponization of international law against Israel. She regularly briefs politicians and international organisations and has spoken at Parliaments across Europe and at the United Nations. Natasha is a frequent contributor on legal matters for international media, including the BBC, Sky News, CNN, GB News, Talk TV and Fox and has written for publications including the Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, The Times, The Mail and Law Society Gazette. She holds law degrees from Oxford and Tel Aviv Universities and was a Fellow in the National Security Law Programme at Columbia Law School in New York. Natasha previously worked for American law firm Skadden Arps, in London and Brussels, and clerked for the President of the Israeli Supreme Court, Chief Justice Miriam Naor, in Jerusalem. She serves as director of the Centre for International Rule of Law and legal director of UK Lawyers for Israel Charitable Trust.

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas.After more than two years, the mission to bring home every Israeli held hostage in Gaza has come to an end. For many Israelis, that moment has lifted an enormous emotional weight and raised a difficult question: Is the October 7 war over?Host Aviva Klompas is joined by Dr. Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the United States, to reflect on what this moment represents and what comes next. They discuss how wars actually end and what the return of the hostages means for a country emerging from prolonged trauma.The conversation also looks ahead to Gaza: proposals for postwar governance, the challenge of dismantling Hamas, and the risk that Israel could become stuck in a prolonged holding pattern - neither fully withdrawn nor fully reengaged.

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas.Israel’s political system is famously complex. It’s parliamentary, based on proportional representation, and rarely produces a clear majority - meaning governments are constantly being built, rebuilt, and threatened from within by their own coalitions.In this episode of Boundless Insights, host Aviva Klompas is joined by Lahav Harkov, Senior Political Correspondent for Jewish Insider, to offer a clear primer on how Israeli elections work and what to expect as the country moves toward its next vote.Although elections aren’t legally required until October 2026, few expect Israel to wait that long. Aviva and Lahav discuss what could trigger an early election, which parties and political figures to watch, and how public opinion is shifting.Guest BioLahav Harkov is the Senior Political Correspondent for Jewish Insider, where she covers Israel’s domestic and international politics. She previously served as Diplomatic Correspondent and Contributing Editor at The Jerusalem Post, and before that spent more than eight years as the paper’s lead reporter and analyst covering the Knesset.Lahav has interviewed leading figures across Israel’s political spectrum and is widely regarded for her deep sourcing among lawmakers and diplomats. She regularly provides analysis to international outlets including the BBC, MSNBC, and France 24, and has published in The New York Post, The Free Press, Commentary, Tablet, and The Washington Examiner. She has been recognized by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency as one of the most influential voices on Jewish social media.Originally from New Jersey, Lahav moved to Israel at 17, holds degrees in political science and communications from Bar-Ilan University, and lives in central Israel with her family.

Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, dives into Iran's unprecedented unrest. He discusses the regime's brutal internet shutdown and its far-reaching implications. Ben Taleblu highlights how economic factors and U.S. political messaging have influenced public sentiment against the regime. He also proposes strategic non-kinetic options and urges for targeting the leadership to weaken the regime's grip. His insights reveal the potential for a societal shift in Iran, questioning the longevity of the Islamic Republic.

Isaac Herzog, the Eleventh President of Israel and former chairman of the Jewish Agency, discusses leadership amidst national crisis. He shares insights from comforting bereaved families and emphasizes the importance of presence and acknowledgment for healing. Herzog explores how October 7 transformed Israeli society, highlighting the complexities of unity in a fractured landscape. He also addresses the need for dialogue with regional partners and expresses hope for a resilient and democratic future for Israel while supporting global Jewish communities against rising antisemitism.

Dr. Michael Oren, a historian and former Israeli ambassador to the U.S., shares his insights on Middle Eastern dynamics as 2026 approaches. He discusses Israel's recent recognition of Somaliland and the implications of Netanyahu’s meetings with Trump. Oren highlights the influence of Trump's military stance on regional deterrence and predicts electoral scenarios for Israel, considering factors like the October 7th inquiry and Haredi politics. He also explores Iran's internal unrest and its potential impact on regional stability.

Michael Rapaport, a veteran actor, comedian, and podcaster known for his passionate advocacy for Israel, shares his candid reflections on the year 2025. He dives into issues such as rising antisemitism in Hollywood and the importance of Jewish resilience. With a mix of humor and sincerity, he discusses his New Year's resolutions, offers hot takes on global events, critiques media narratives, and announces a personal documentary. Notably, he reveals his surprising plans to run for mayor, making this a must-listen for fans and those interested in his fiery takes!