Boundless Insights - with Aviva Klompas

Overnight, Israel launched a sweeping preemptive strike on Iran. The operation, named Strength of a Lion, targeted nuclear facilities, missile infrastructure, and top military leadership. Among the most critical targets: the Natanz uranium enrichment plant. Iranian state media confirms the deaths of senior Revolutionary Guard commanders and nuclear scientists.Why now? What exactly was hit? How might Iran respond? And was the U.S. involved?Dr. Michael Oren joins Aviva Klompas to break it all down. Guest Bio:Dr. Michael Oren is a historian, diplomat, and former Israeli ambassador to the United States. He served as a Member of Knesset and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, and is the author of several best-selling books on the Middle East. A leading voice on Israeli security and U.S.-Israel relations, Oren is known for his sharp analysis and deep historical insight.Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/

Israel may be preparing to strike Iran’s nuclear program, with reports indicating a possible operation in the coming days. The IDF is on high alert, U.S. personnel are being repositioned, and regional powers are bracing for fallout.Iran has pushed ahead with uranium enrichment, flouted international oversight, and continued its threats against Israel. As nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran resume, Israeli leaders appear increasingly convinced that diplomacy won’t stop Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.What exactly is Israel planning? Could a strike set off a broader war? And how would Iran respond?Host Aviva Klompas speaks with Jonathan Conricus, former IDF spokesperson and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about what’s unfolding behind the scenes, what a military operation would look like, and what’s at stake for the region and the world.Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/Guest Bio:Jonathan Conricus is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on the Middle East. He served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for 24 years as a combat commander in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. He also served as a military diplomat, foreign relations expert, and international spokesperson. He recently retired as lieutenant colonel. Jonathan was the first Israeli officer to be seconded to the United Nations (UN), during which he provided military and strategic analysis for UN peacekeeping forces. He has directed social media and public diplomacy efforts and has extensive on- and off-camera experience from his years as a spokesperson. 

On October 7, 2023, Tamir Nimrodi was kidnapped from his army base near the Gaza border. He was barefoot, in his pajamas, and unarmed. Since that day, his mother, Herut Nimrodi, has received no sign of life.Herut joins host Aviva Klompas to talk about who Tamir is, what she’s learned about his abduction, and what it’s like to live in a constant state of limbo.Herut opens up about the emotional toll of political maneuvering and the painful uncertainty faced by every hostage family. She also speaks directly to what governments and individuals can do to help.This episode isn’t easy, but it’s essential. Please leave a review and share it widely.Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org

Turkey is a longtime NATO ally, yet it increasingly aligns itself with anti-Western forces—from cozying up to Iran to providing political support for Hamas. Under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey has become an unpredictable and assertive player in the Middle East, raising urgent questions about its strategic direction and alliances.In this episode, Aviva Klompas speaks with Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, a leading expert on Turkey, political Islam, and regional geopolitics. Together, they explore Erdogan’s ambitions, the evolving U.S.-Turkey relationship, Ankara’s ties with Hamas and Tehran, and what all of this means for Israel, the West, and the balance of power in the region.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to leave a review and share it with others.Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/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.

Join John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at West Point, as he unpacks the complexities of urban combat in Gaza. He clarifies legal obligations for armies in densely populated areas and how Hamas exploits civilian infrastructure for tactical advantages. John dives into the controversial topics of starvation tactics, evacuation laws, and the criteria for genocide accusations. With his extensive military knowledge, he offers insight into the nuances of military strategy amid humanitarian crises.

In this episode of Boundless Insights, Dr. Rachel Fish is joined by Rabbi David Wolpe, Rabbi Emeritus of Sinai Temple and former visiting professor at Harvard Divinity School. Rabbi Wolpe shares his firsthand experiences with antisemitism on Harvard’s campus, his involvement and subsequent resignation from an advisory group tasked with addressing antisemitism, and his broader reflections on the challenges facing American higher education. They discuss the underlying ideological challenges at Harvard and other elite institutions and the urgent need for genuine viewpoint diversity and courageous moral leadership in academia. Rabbi Wolpe also reflects on the internal dynamics of the Jewish community, advocating for clear boundaries around anti-Zionism and urging resilience and courageous engagement.Guest Bio:David Wolpe, named America’s most influential rabbi by Newsweek and one of the world’s 50 most influential Jews by The Jerusalem Post, is the Max Webb Emeritus Rabbi of Sinai Temple. He is the ADL’s inaugural rabbinic fellow and a scholar in residence at the Maimonides Fund. Rabbi Wolpe has taught at leading institutions including Harvard and UCLA, and his writing appears in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Time. A frequent media guest and public debater on religion, he is the author of eight books, including the national bestseller Making Loss Matter and David: The Divided Heart, a National Jewish Book Award finalist now optioned by Warner Bros.Mentioned in this Episode:Harvard’s Antisemitism ReportRabbi Wolpe’s essay in The Free Press: "Harvard is Spraying Perfume on a Sewer"

Host Aviva Klompas is joined by historian and former Israeli ambassador to the United States, Dr. Michael Oren, to mark the 600th day since the October 7 attacks. They delve into the profound challenges Israel faces both internationally and domestically.Internationally, Israel finds itself increasingly isolated, with strained relations even with its closest ally, the United States. Domestically, the nation grapples with political dysfunction, social divisions, economic strain, and a growing crisis of faith in its institutions.Dr. Oren offers a unique perspective, combining historical context with political analysis and personal insight, to assess whether this period represents a moment of reckoning for Israel. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to leave a review and share it with others.Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/

Host Aviva Klompas sits down with Brianna Wu—a progressive activist and tech trailblazer who’s made a name for herself by standing up to harassment and extremism in every form. Today, that includes speaking out for Israel.Brianna is part of a small group of progressive voices willing to challenge the dominant narrative on Israel. While many on the left rush to condemn Israel and remain silent about Hamas and Hezbollah, Brianna has chosen a different path—one rooted in moral clarity, courage, and principle.Aviva and Brianna dive into why the progressive movement is getting Israel so wrong, how it became politically toxic to stand up for the Jewish state, and what it’s like to be on the receiving end of the backlash. They talk about Brianna’s first trip to Israel, the shifting dynamics inside the Democratic Party, and what still keeps her proudly in the fight as a Democrat. Brianna also offers her message to young progressives who feel torn between standing for justice and standing with Israel.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to leave a review and share it with others. Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/Guest Bio:Brianna Wu rose to national prominence during Gamergate, a flashpoint in the video game industry that pioneered many of the toxic tactics now common in online political discourse. She ran for Congress in 2018 as a progressive Democrat, but experienced a sharp break with her party following the October 7th Hamas attacks. Today, she is a prominent advocate for U.S./ Israel national security cooperation and a leading voice in the evolving debate over liberalism, extremism, and the future of the trans movement.In memory of David Yair Shalom Naaman. Find his story here.

Two young Israeli embassy staffers - Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim - were murdered outside an AJC event in Washington, D.C. Their alleged killer reportedly declared, “I did it for Gaza.” This was not senseless violence - it was targeted, ideological, and part of a rising tide of antisemitism in America.Aviva Klompas speaks with Ted Deutch, CEO of AJC, about who Yaron and Sarah were, how this attack reflects the normalization of Jew-hatred from both the far right and far left, and what must happen next—from political leadership to policy reform.This is a sobering episode—and a call to act with clarity and courage.Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/Guest Bio:Ted Deutch is the CEO of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. A lifelong Jewish and pro-Israel advocate, Ted served over a decade in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he chaired the House Ethics Committee and the Middle East Subcommittee on Foreign Affairs. He co-founded the Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism and was active in numerous interfaith and interethnic caucuses.

Join Jonathan Conricus, a former IDF spokesperson and Middle East expert, as he unpacks the shifting power dynamics in the region. He discusses Iran's aggressive strategies and the implications for Israel, particularly in light of Houthi missile attacks. Jonathan critiques U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, expressing skepticism about their effectiveness. He also explores the potential expansion of the Abraham Accords while emphasizing the need for Israel to adopt a proactive stance against Iranian influence for regional stability.