Call Me Back - with Dan Senor

Mike Waltz, the incoming National Security Advisor to President Trump, is a former Green Beret and Florida Congressman with expertise in counter-terrorism. He discusses the troubling rise of hostage situations and U.S. negotiations related to them. Waltz highlights the evolving Israel-Hamas dynamics and the urgent need for disarmament in Gaza. He reflects on the critical nuclear threat from Iran and America's firm stance against it. His raw emotions about the October 7th attack reveal deep moral complexities and a concerning rise in anti-Semitism.

Guests Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarojak, a Turkish politics expert, and Nadav Eyal, a seasoned journalist, dive into Turkey's evolving role in the Middle East post-Assad's regime collapse. They discuss Erdogan's rise to power, exploring his strategic maneuvers and the shift in Turkey-Israel relations since the 1990s. The conversation highlights historical ties between Turkish and Jewish communities, Turkey's ambitions in Syria, and the complex geopolitical landscape that both nations navigate, shaping their future interactions.

Ken Stein, a close confidante of Jimmy Carter and a former director of the Carter Center, discusses Carter's complex legacy in the Middle East. They delve into Carter's game-changing support for a Palestinian state and his role in the Camp David Accords. Stein reveals how Carter's initial peace efforts transitioned into controversial stances that embraced Hamas's narrative. The conversation also highlights the challenges of Middle Eastern diplomacy and the paradoxes in Carter's foreign policy, offering insights into how history shapes current events.

Nadav Eyal, a leading Israeli journalist with extensive experience in Middle Eastern politics, dives into a daring IDF operation targeting an underground missile factory in Syria. He discusses the elaborate planning behind Operation Many Ways and its significance in countering threats from Hezbollah. Eyal reveals the intricate coordination of ground and air forces, and the high stakes involved in neutralizing a potential missile supply line to Iran. The conversation also touches on the broader implications for Israeli security amid escalating regional tensions.

Ronen Bergman, a renowned staff writer for The New York Times Magazine and an expert on military intelligence, dives deep into Israel's covert operations against Hezbollah. He reveals how Israeli forces infiltrated Hezbollah’s networks, leading to the strategic assassination of leader Hassan Nasrallah. The discussion includes a look at the political implications of military decisions, strategies derived from past conflicts, and the evolving dynamics of Israeli intelligence methods against Hezbollah's military capabilities. An engaging exploration of high-stakes espionage!

Yossi Klein Halevi, a senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute and author of "Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor," dives deep into the ethical complexities of Israel's military strategies following the October 7th attacks. He discusses the heightened civilian risks and the justification of modern warfare tactics. Yossi also critiques the legacy of Jimmy Carter in the context of Israel's actions, tackles the intricacies of moral accountability in asymmetric conflicts, and confronts contemporary anti-Semitism, advocating for Jewish resilience amid challenges.

Haviv Rettig Gur, an expert in Israeli politics and security, shares deep insights during this reflective conversation. He discusses the emotional impact of hostage negotiations, emphasizing the human stories behind the statistics. Gur analyzes Israel's evolving strategies in dealing with Hamas and highlights the moral dilemmas facing military operations. The discussion touches on the unprecedented political consensus in Israel regarding the war effort, revealing complex dynamics that shape both society and security.

Nadav Eyal, a prominent Israeli journalist and columnist for Yediiot, discusses crucial developments in the hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas. He examines the potential for a ceasefire deal and the complex trade-offs involved in exchanging hostages for prisoners. Eyal sheds light on the internal power struggles within Hamas, the impact of recent conflicts with the Houthis, and the emotional toll these situations take on Israeli society. His insights tackle both the immediate humanitarian needs and the long-term security challenges facing the region.

Yardena Schwartz, an award-winning journalist and author of "Ghosts of a Holy War," examines the 1929 Arab Riots in Palestine, arguing they foreshadow recent violence on October 7, 2023. She discusses the tragic events in Hebron, where Jewish residents were murdered by neighbors, and the misinformation that fueled such violence. Schwartz also delves into the role of Haj Amin Husseini, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, in inciting unrest, and reflects on the historical significance of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in shaping ongoing tensions between Jews and Muslims.

Joseph Braude, founder of the Center for Peace Communications, and Ahed Al Hendi, a Syrian affairs analyst and former political prisoner, delve into the horrors of Sednaya prison. They discuss shocking reports of over 96,000 people missing and the brutal torture endured by detainees. Joseph shares insights from the NGO's footage capturing the prison's grim realities. Ahed reflects on the emotional toll of family searches and the gruesome memory symbolized by discarded shoes. Together, they emphasize the urgent need for reconciliation in a fractured Syria.