Call Me Back - with Dan Senor

Bret Stephens, New York Times columnist and editor-in-chief of Sapir Journal, delivers a bold State of World Jewry address. He reframes enduring hostility as a challenge to Jewish confidence. He critiques current approaches to antisemitism. He urges cultural seriousness, communal strengthening, and building institutions rather than chasing external approval.

Niall Ferguson, historian and Hoover Institution senior fellow known for work on empires and geopolitics, joins to map Trump’s use of leverage, unpredictability, and selective force. Short takes cover possible US strikes on Iran, Turkey’s mediation and Erdoğan’s aims, why Iran’s protests faltered, regime alteration versus regime change, Europe’s limits, and the wider Cold War II framing.

Nadav Eyal, Israeli journalist and commentator known for regional security analysis, answers listener questions about Iran’s strategic calculus. He discusses fears Iran could strike Israel first, why Tehran may reject U.S. demands, and how regime change or covert contacts factor into strategy. He also covers U.S.–Israel coordination and the objectives behind possible strikes.

Shaul Kelner, professor of Jewish Studies and sociology at Vanderbilt and historian of Soviet Jewry, traces how Soviet anti-Zionist tactics evolved into a global movement. He maps its Soviet origins, how it spread into Western institutions and campuses, the role of ideological monocultures, and why many American Jews misread or underestimate its reach.

Yonatan Adiri, former Israeli official who analyzes security and tech-policy, and Mark Dubowitz, Iran expert and FDD CEO, discuss a possible U.S. strike on Iran and which targets might be chosen. They examine Israel’s internal debate over responses. They unpack Saudi-UAE tensions and their effect on normalization, Turkey’s expanding influence, and India’s growing regional role.

Tal Becker, experienced Israeli peace negotiator and diplomatic advisor, joins to assess whether Saudi normalization is really over. He breaks down UAE–Saudi tensions, why the rift may be tactical, and what shared interests keep talks alive. The conversation also flags youth views on one-state ideas and why regional reconciliation matters.

Nadav Eyal, an Israeli journalist renowned for his on-the-ground insights, and Amit Segal, a political commentator specializing in security analysis, delve into the complexities of Trump's Gaza plan. They explore the new governance structures, including the Gaza Executive Committee and the International Stability Force, while assessing who truly holds power and how funding is managed. The discussion touches on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the challenges of Hamas disarmament, and the repercussions for Israeli politics, making for a captivating conversation about this critical issue.

In this engaging discussion, Yascha Mounk, a political scientist and author of The Identity Trap, explores the complexities of identity politics and its impact on modern liberalism. He delves into why identity politics is so alluring, how it undermines democratic values and individuality, and the dangers associated with group-based power. Mounk also addresses Jewish identity, highlighting its role in fostering pluralism while cautioning against abandoning universal principles. The conversation is a thought-provoking examination of how identity shapes our society.

Yascha Mounk, a political scientist and founder of Persuasion, dives into the rising intersection of socialism and anti-Zionism on the left. He analyzes the implications of figures like Zohran Mamdani and their connections to historical antisemitism. Mounk reflects on the dangers of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, especially regarding free speech. He discusses the silence of moderate Democrats on anti-Zionism and the growing disconnect between younger Jewish voters and Israel. Mounk emphasizes the political importance of unequivocal condemnations of antisemitism.

In a recent conversation, intriguing questions arise about whether Netanyahu urged Trump to delay a strike on Iran. They discuss the potential risks of waiting and the impact on regime-change momentum. The conversation also highlights Gulf states' concerns about regional chaos post-regime change. Additionally, they delve into the relationship between conspiracy thinking and antisemitism, and ponder if bipartisan support for Israel can make a comeback in American politics.