The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Lazar Focus. Each Friday, join host diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe.
The ceasefire war between the US and Iran continues to expand.
Instead of making do with a wildly favorable memorandum of understanding signed by US President Donald Trump, Iranian leaders want more -- especially recognition of their control over the vital Strait of Hormuz.
Nicholas Carl, assistant director for the American Enterprise Institute's Critical Threats Project, said that the current fighting should be understood as the next stage in the US-Iran war -- namely, the Battle of Hormuz.
Carl noted that the US and Israel achieved extensive military success in their campaign against Iran's ballistic missiles, nuclear program, conventional forces, defense industry, and leadership. But that military success has not been translated into enduring strategic success.
"We haven't compelled the Iranians to accept a positive political outcome for us yet," said Carl. "They're still willing to fight."
The Iranians came dangerously close to imposing their will on Trump, and winning the war, he argued, as the president halted the campaign and signed an MOU that came under withering criticism even from his allies.
Iran is now trying to make its victory permanent, said Carl, and is working to press its advantage and end the war with its maximalist demands met.
Iran is seeking to destabilize energy markets sufficiently to convince Trump that ongoing war is too costly, both economically as well as politically, and that he should accept a permanent agreement that is even more advantageous to Iran.
If the war ends with Iran receiving significant financial relief and in formal control of Hormuz, he said, it will have won the war.
That would certainly contribute to regime stability, but it is impossible to predict how long it will last. Something must give, argued Carl -- either the regime or the people.
The regime might fall under ongoing cycles of mass protest. But it could also become even more repressive, turning into a Middle Eastern North Korea.
Alternatively, it might fracture into ethnic enclaves, much like Syria.
Carl said the reported Mossad plan to install former Iranian president Ahmadinejad as the leader of a new Iran is a bit far-fetched in terms of its chances for success.
On the US-Israel partnership, there are certainly new forces in American politics challenging the relationship, but both countries must recognize that they're stronger together against actors like Iran.
In the meantime, he said, the war between the US and Iran "is going to keep on going until one side has outlasted the other."
Lazar Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and video edited by Ari Schlacht.
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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.
The US House on Wednesday defeated a vote to end Israel aid. Still, with nearly 50% of Democrats backing the measure, Magid notes the significance of the measure and the vote, which he says sends the message that Israel will not have the bipartisan support it used to have if it continues its current policies toward the Palestinians.
Magid reviews the recent visit of US lawmaker Ro Khanna to the West Bank, where he was briefly detained in a Palestinian village by Israeli settlers. Magid examines whether the incident was later amplified by Khanna or constitutes another case of settler violence.
He touches on the venting JD Vance did during a recent podcast hosted by Joe Rogan, in which the US vice president expressed frustration over an Israeli social media campaign that criticizes the Iran deal.
The latest round of Israel-Lebanon talks ended in Rome, and while the tone was positive, Magid tells us that it's unclear whether Israel will be withdrawing anytime soon from the two agreed-upon pilot zones in southern Lebanon. He opines that Israel's reluctance is probably tied to the upcoming elections and notes that the lack of progress is a sore spot for the Lebanese.
The Board of Peace is progressing with plans for Gaza, with its own set of pilot zones, says Magid, but those plans are still theoretical for now.
And he tells us that the Palestinian Authority has brought in an outside consultancy to vouch for progress in its reform of West Bank prisoner payments, in an attempt to prove that it is no longer incentivizing attacks on Israelis.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
US House defeats amendment to end Israel aid, but nearly 50% of Democrats back measure
US lawmaker detained by settlers says lack of punishment shows Israeli complicity
‘Go to hell’: Vance lashes out at reported Israeli-backed online campaign smearing Iran MOU
Lebanon talks in Rome wrap up without specific timeline for pledged IDF withdrawals
Board of Peace plans launch of pilot Gaza housing project, but green light elusive
PA says external audit proves payments incentivizing attacks on Israelis have ended
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 bureau chief Jacob Magid appears on the Daily Briefing podcast with host Jessica Steinberg (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
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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.
There are at least 19 US warships in the Arabian Sea, including two aircraft carriers and an amphibious assault ship with more than 1,000 Marines aboard. This threat -- and US President Donald Trump's renewed blockade on the Strait of Hormuz -- is not deterring the Iranians' determined chokehold on the waterway. Berman delves into the logic behind Iran's moves.
Adding further nuance, we take a look at Iran's strikes on its Gulf neighbors and Jordan. What is being targeted and how is this conveying the regime's message?
Next, we turn to an unexpected escalation in the Gulf: The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen said they launched missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport on Monday in response to airstrikes they blamed on Saudi Arabia that struck Sanaa International Airport earlier in the day. What is behind this flare-up?
And finally, Rome is host this week to a sixth round of talks between Israel and Lebanon. On the agenda is a pilot IDF pullout from specific locations in southern Lebanon. Berman raises the pluses and minuses of this plan.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
US reimposes naval blockade as Trump threatens to ramp up strikes on Iran: ‘You better make a deal’
Iran’s strikes show its priority is flexing muscle on Hormuz, not dealing with Trump
After blocking Hormuz, Iran signals it could ramp up pressure and shut Red Sea gateway, too
In major escalation, Yemen’s Houthis target Saudi Arabia’s Abha airport
Trump said to urge Netanyahu to pull Israeli troops from Syria, Lebanon in recent call
Sixth round of Israel-Lebanon talks begins in Rome, with focus on IDF pullout ‘pilot’
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Yitzhak Ledee filmed and edited this episode.
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.
Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
The US launched strikes on Iran early Tuesday, hours after President Donald Trump said Washington was “reinstating” a blockade on Iranian ports. Trump separately suggested the United States will act as "guardians" of the Strait of Hormuz and in return will charge ships for safe passage. With Iran lashing out against its Gulf neighbors and Jordan, has the war essentially restarted?
The New York Times reported Monday that Israel engaged in a multiyear effort to recruit and re-install as leader Iran’s former hardline president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. In the report, citing US officials and sources with knowledge of the failed Israeli plot, we learn of a detailed plan that fell apart on February 28, even as the US and Israel attacked Iran and picked off its top leadership. Horovitz relates what we know so far.
As part of a legislative blitz ahead of its dissolution on Friday, the Knesset voted 63-52 on Monday to pass a deeply divisive Basic Law declaring Torah study a “foundational value” of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Horovitz delves into the problematic ripple effects of this law, other legislation catering to the Haredi community that is set to be passed this week, and the IDF chief of staff's rare public outcry against it.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
US attacks Iran and Tehran retaliates across Middle East as both vie for control of strait
Trump resumes blockade of Iran’s ports, says US ‘guardian’ of Hormuz, will charge ‘20% on all cargo’
Report: Ahmadinejad met Mossad chief under Israeli plan to install him as Iran leader
Israel passes quasi-constitutional law declaring Torah study a foundational value
IDF chief denounces ‘inconceivable’ bill freezing ultra-Orthodox enlistment
Full text: IDF chief’s letter to Netanyahu, Katz against bill freezing Haredi enlistment
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Yitzchak Ledee.
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.
Political correspondent Ariela Karmel joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.
The Knesset is in the midst of a legislative blitz before parliament dissolves on July 17. Karmel notes that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing to pass controversial bills important to the ultra-Orthodox and nationalist, right-wing parties in his coalition, to solidify his alliances ahead of October 27’s general election.
Karmel discusses the various bills likely to be passed into law, including a Basic Law on Torah study that would shield Haredi men from the army draft; the repeal of a kashrut reform that weakened the Orthodox rabbinate; and a bill to gut the powers of the attorney general. A bill to establish a politically appointed probe into the failures surrounding the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led invasion, which would give the coalition unilateral control over the commission to investigate its own conduct, may not be enacted due to time constraints.
Much of this legislation is vulnerable to constitutional challenges, reports Karmel, but there is no certainty that the coalition, if reelected, would abide by future High Court rulings, which, in turn, raises the question of whether the current government would concede if it loses on October 27.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Election date finalized for October 27, with government set to complete full term
Bill approved for final Knesset readings would freeze Haredi enlistment for at least 7 months
Bill to gut attorney general’s powers approved by Knesset committee for final readings
Coalition aims to pass raft of contentious bills in final week before Knesset dissolution
Netanyahu said seeking Haredi loyalty after election, but party leaders noncommittal
Knesset advances controversial bill for politically appointed Oct. 7 probe in 1st reading
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: Political correspondent Ariela Karmel appears on today's Daily Briefing podcast with host Jessica Steinberg (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
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