The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.
Mideast expert Ksenia Svetlova joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
WATCH the full episode here:
https://youtu.be/7Ove9pjO0b0?si=scSvUXwQmNxtcMfq
Former MK Svetlova is the executive Director of ROPES (Regional Organization for Peace, Economics & Security) and a senior non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are reportedly moving closer toward actively joining the fight against Iran, as the war in the Middle East threatens their economies. According to the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, the Gulf states are “inching toward” a more active role, after Riyadh allowed US forces to use an air base within its borders.
In today's special episode, Svetlova gives context to the ongoing US and Israeli war with Iran, and sets the scene of the relationships between the Islamic Republic and the Gulf states it is currently hitting. We hear how Iran's proxy war -- a "ring of fire" -- was initiated against Israel, and also against Iran's neighboring Muslim states.
We explore what the goal of the 1979 Islamic Revolution was, and how -- when other Arab states failed to go along with it -- Iran has attempted to export the upheaval to the region.
And finally, drawing on Russian-language reporting, Svetlova assesses the status of Iran's regime and whether it is anywhere near being compromised.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Saudi Arabia and UAE ‘inching toward’ joining fighting against Iran — report
A long road to the end: The death throes of Iran’s regime could last for years
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Ari Schlacht edited this episode.
IMAGE: A visitor walks past a U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft as it on display at the World Defense Show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Baraa Anwer)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.
US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.
Following the bombshell announcement from US President Donald Trump that the US is engaged in talks with Iran on terms for ending the war, Magid discusses the potential for a deal and Trump's five-day postponement of threatened US strikes on Iranian energy sites.
Magid reports on the various mediators, including Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt... and Vice President JC Vance, seen as a key US administration figure who wants this war to come to a swift end.
The Gulf states, by contrast, are not necessarily interested in a rapid conclusion that leaves the regime in power, notes Magid, as diplomats from several Gulf countries have indicated that they seek generational damage as opposed to de-escalation.
The IDF's former top Iran researcher, Danny Citrinowicz, told Magid last week that Iran isn't about to give up its ostensible right to enrich uranium, and that diplomacy would be needed in addition to the military campaign. Is he being vindicated?
Finally, Magid discusses the wait for a Hamas response to a new disarmament proposal for Gaza.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Trump: Deal with Iran to end war close; Israel will be happy; strikes on energy sites postponed
Netanyahu: Potential Iran deal touted by Trump would protect Israel’s ‘vital interests’
Gulf states opposed war with Iran. Most are now pushing to keep the fight going
War aimed at preventing Iranian nukes may actually lead to them, ex-IDF expert warns
Hamas given proposal for gradual weapon handover in months-long process — officials
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.
IMAGE: US President Donald Trump speaks before signing an executive order on fraud in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, on March 16, 2026 as Vice President JD Vance (C) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Andrew Ferguson (R) look on. (Annabelle Gordon/AFP)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.
Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
Just after recording time today, US President Donald Trump announced that the administration is conducting negotiations with Iran to end the war and has paused his threat to bomb power stations if Iran doesn't open up the Strait of Hormuz.
We discuss how the focus of the war is currently on the Strait of Hormuz, and is even garnering increased support from Arab Gulf states. We hear Berman's projections on the length of the war -- and who may or may not join in the conflict.
We then turn to increasing reports that the IDF is planning a much wider ground operation in southern Lebanon than the "targeted" operation that was launched last week. Is there an endgame?
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Iran warns it will hit Israeli, Gulf power plants if US targets Iranian electric stations
Trump’s shifting Strait of Hormuz strategies raise questions about US war preparation
How Trump’s Iran war goals and time frames have shifted over course of conflict
Israel blows up bridge allegedly used by Hezbollah to move troops into south Lebanon
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Yitzhak Ledee produced and edited this episode.
IMAGE: A cargo ship carrying vehicles sails through the Arabian Gulf toward the Strait of Hormuz in the United Arab Emirates, March 22, 2026. (AP Photo)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.
Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.
As the IDF looks into the failure to intercept the Iranian missiles that struck Dimona and Arad, causing massive damage and injuries, Fabian discusses the air force's interception rate, which is around 90% for missiles heading to populated areas.
Fabian reports on the ongoing efforts of the IAF to track down and take out Iran's air defense systems, nuclear-related sites and ballistic missile launchers, which are scattered throughout the regime, with current weather conditions complicating the operation.
With four IDF divisions operating in south Lebanon, Fabian reviews the number of troops and their work to demolish Hezbollah sites, while the Iranian proxy continues striking northern Israel.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Over 150 injured, 11 seriously, in Iranian missile strikes on southern cities of Arad, Dimona
IDF says it hit Tehran university site used to develop components for nuclear weapons
US said to strike Iran’s Natanz enrichment site, IDF hits missile production sites
Hezbollah rocket injures 5 in north, buildings damaged in barrages as IDF strikes Lebanon
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.
Image: The scene where a missile fired from Iran toward Israel caused damage to residential buildings in the southern Israeli city of Dimona, March 22, 2026 (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with author and journalist Matti Friedman.
The first half of our episode is dedicated to an in-depth discussion of Friedman's newest book, "Out of the Sky," set for publication next week. The book is a deep dive into the meaning and myth surrounding a team of Jews living in British Mandate Palestine who -- after escaping the Holocaust -- parachute back into Nazi Europe in 1944.
The most famous of the unit is Hannah Senesh, whom readers will know as the tragic young woman who heroically attempted to save Jews and left behind Hebrew poetry, including "Eli, Eli." In his new book, Friedman busts myths surrounding the mission's participants and then tells their even more stunning real tales.
In the second half of the program, we draw upon Friedman's personal experiences in Lebanon, which he recounted in a previous book, "Pumpkin Flowers."
We discuss the crossroads Israel again finds itself as it contemplates a large ground maneuver on a road too well-traveled in southern Lebanon.
And so, this week, we ask Matti Friedman, what matters now.
What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and edited by Yitzhak Ledee.
Matti Friedman / Troops of the 300th 'Baram' Regional Brigade operate in southern Lebanon, in a handout photo issued by the military on March 18, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.