FIDF Live

Lara Krinsky opens by warning that Israel is still facing active threats on multiple fronts—Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, and Judea/Samaria—and brings on Brig. Gen. Nitzan Nuriel (ret.) to explain how terrorism and escalation are evolving in real time. Nuriel says Israel’s achievements are significant but the war is far from over, and he worries the IDF is stretched thin as exhausted reservists and under-trained active units struggle to sustain the tempo. He predicts another round of U.S.-Israel kinetic action against Iran soon and argues regime change is the only durable end state, outlining a six-part approach that combines continued strikes, empowering Iran’s regular military, mobilizing Kurdish forces, targeting IRGC leadership, pushing Gulf states to join offensively, and calling Iranians back into the streets. He warns that while Israel controls large portions of Gaza, Hamas is still regenerating by controlling aid, raising money, and recruiting new fighters, meaning Gaza remains unresolved. On Lebanon, he says Hezbollah is also fighting for survival and will try to sabotage any diplomatic opening with Beirut, and he floats a long-term regional “10-year plan” led by Saudi Arabia to rebuild trust and stability. He closes with a blunt manpower reality: reservists can’t serve 200 days a year indefinitely, frustration over unequal service burdens is rising, and without clear political end-states Israel risks running a marathon without knowing where the stadium is.

Lara Krinsky opens the briefing by saying the week’s “pause” feels less like an ending and more like a setup, and she brings on Jonathan Schanzer (FDD) to explain the contradictory messaging and whether the ceasefires with Iran and Lebanon can hold. He argues the U.S.-Israel conventional campaign badly weakened Iran, but warns the regime is using the lull to rearm—refurbishing missile launchers and seeking Chinese inputs like drone parts and chemical precursors—raising the odds of renewed fighting. Schanzer says the bigger complication is Iran’s asymmetric “economic war” through the Strait of Hormuz, which spiked energy prices and pushed Trump toward a ceasefire to stabilize markets. He describes the U.S. response as “Operation Economic Fury,” centered on a blockade and expanded sanctions meant to choke Iran’s oil revenues—potentially costing the regime hundreds of millions per day—while leaving Israel watching from the wings. On Lebanon, he highlights a new tension point: pressure from Iran and others to fold Lebanon into the ceasefire, Trump publicly telling Israel to stop bombing, and Israel’s concern that delays benefit Hezbollah after major mobilization. He closes by saying the coming weeks hinge on whether Iran’s economic coercion forces U.S. choices, whether the Iranian people can unify if a “phase two” emerges, and whether Israel can seize a rare diplomatic opening with Lebanon without letting Hezbollah regroup.

Lara Krinsky opens the Passover/Easter briefing by calling the moment a live strategic shift across Iran and Lebanon, then interviews Maj. Gen. Nadav Padan, a 40-year IDF veteran and FIDF CEO, on the doctrine and reality of the war. He argues war isn’t about “killing the last missile,” but about building momentum—and says U.S. and Israeli forces are fighting daily to sustain air superiority over Iran while repeatedly striking air defenses and underground ballistic-missile complexes that keep trying to regenerate. Padan lays out three endgame paths and warns that both a long war of attrition and a deal that relaxes sanctions are bad outcomes, because economic pressure is what most plausibly destabilizes the regime and limits its ability to fund proxies. He says Iran wants the fighting to stop but won’t truly capitulate, predicting the conflict is more likely to conclude in “weeks,” either through a negotiated exit or a coalition declaration that forces Iran to absorb damage and stand down. On the northern front, he describes Hezbollah as still capable of launching rockets but far weaker—struggling to pay salaries, facing Shiite public backlash and massive displacement—and he also addresses Iran’s use of cluster-style warheads and how the global media environment shapes what gets attention. Krinsky closes by spotlighting a dramatic “no one left behind” rescue of downed U.S. F-15 pilots as a symbol of operational coordination, then pivots to a call to support reservists and families—especially recovery, reintegration, and PTSD care—through FIDF.

Lara Krinsky opens the briefing by saying the headlines only capture a fraction of what’s really happening, then brings on Dr. Mordechai Kedar to explain why Iran’s behavior in the fourth week of the war looks increasingly irrational. He argues Iran is deliberately widening the conflict beyond Israel and the U.S.—hitting Gulf states and other regional targets—because the regime is driven by an apocalyptic Twelver-Shia worldview that seeks chaos rather than normal self-preservation. Kedar warns that Europe is “sleepwalking” even as Iran demonstrates missile ranges that could threaten major European capitals, and he notes the striking imbalance that Gulf countries have absorbed far more Iranian fire than Israel while still hesitating to join the fight. He explains that their restraint is rooted in fear: they don’t trust the U.S. to finish the job, and they dread a scenario where the regime survives, humiliated, and later retaliates against them. On regime stability, he says Iran can survive without an air force or navy as long as its internal security forces remain cohesive, and he floats a path to lasting containment by backing ethnic militias to seize Iran’s oil-and-gas western corridor, cutting off the regime’s revenue and capacity to rebuild. He closes by touching on Qatar’s risky history of dependence on Iran, downplaying Iranian claims of breakthroughs against Israel’s defenses (including arguing the Dimona core is deeply underground), and warning that a “new Middle East” could still bring fresh threats—especially from Turkey’s ambitions and a future Palestinian state that could again fall to Hamas.

In this FIDF briefing, host Laura Krinsky interviews former Israeli public diplomacy chief Gadi Levi about where the war stands and what may come next. He argues Hamas is not dismantled—still armed, still controlling large parts of Gaza outside Israel’s “Yellow Line”—and warns that “postwar” structures could simply rebrand Hamas control under the optics of Palestinian sovereignty. He says the key challenge is political as much as military: Israel needs clear, objective criteria (agreed with the United States) for what “dismantling Hamas” actually means before moving into the next phase, especially as he describes Hamas openly re-arming and IDF units still taking daily threats. The conversation then pivots to Iran, where he frames the risk of escalation as hinging largely on Donald Trump, outlines U.S. incentives for regional stability versus Iran’s survival-driven negotiating posture, and stresses Israel’s heightened readiness while acknowledging the uncertainty and potential chaos of regime collapse scenarios. He also treats Ramadan as a long-term strategic “incitement problem,” arguing Israel should aim to change the broader perception that violence is legitimized during the month by tackling propaganda and incitement year-round, not just adding forces for a few weeks. The briefing closes on the soldier perspective—exhaustion mixed with resolve and debate about strategy—underscored by the recent loss of a soldier from his unit, and a direct appeal for diaspora support as part of a shared Zionist project.

In this week's FIDF briefing, host Lara Krinsky, FIDF Director of Content and Production, welcomes Jonathan Schanzer (FDD), Executive Director of the Foundation for Defense Democracies, who maps the IDF's “strategic chessboard." Schanzer argues the region is nearing a peak moment in a conflict driven by Iran and its proxies, pointing to renewed unrest inside Iran amid economic freefall, regime crackdowns, and reports of mass violence, all in the shadow of recent direct Israel–Iran confrontation and U.S. pressure. He says the massive U.S. force posture in the region suggests real readiness for action, but emphasizes that outcomes are hard to predict because so much hinges on President Trump’s next move. The discussion then shifts to the risk of a wider “ring of fire” response—whether Hezbollah, Iraqi militias, the Houthis, and other proxies might attempt a saturation-style missile campaign—and what that would demand from Israel’s layered defenses. Gaza is treated as a diminished battlefield in this scenario, with attention moving to “phase two” plans for the strip’s future and the unresolved question of hostages, while Schanzer repeatedly flags Qatar and Turkey as dangerous actors shaping postwar arrangements. The host closes with a blunt call to action: stay informed, speak up, and materially support the soldiers carrying the burden of deterrence through FIDF.

This FIDF briefing frames Hanukkah as a moment of both joy and deep pain, then brings on Dr. Mordechai Kedar to place the current moment in a larger historical and ideological context. He argues that the core Hanukkah “miracle” is really Jewish resistance and survival, and he uses that lens to describe Israel’s resilience after Oct. 7 and its recent military campaigns as part of an ongoing, almost unbelievable national story. From there, he expands into a broader claim that Israel’s very existence has repeatedly defied the odds—from the early Zionist period through successive wars—and he urges Jews in the diaspora to see aliyah as the safest long-term answer. He rejects the term “anti-Semitism” in favor of “Jew hatred,” attributing it to a mix of religious replacement narratives and the recurring scapegoating of Jews as society’s “other,” with the Palestinian issue serving as today’s most common pretext. In the geopolitical segment, the conversation turns to fears about Islamist influence and political shifts in the West, with Kedar warning that what’s happening in Europe and the U.S. reflects a growing ideological threat. He closes with a stark message: Israel is the “canary in the mine,” and its fate is tied to the security of the broader Western world.

FIDF Director of Content and Production Lara Krinsky is joined by Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, the international spokesperson for the IDF, who shares insights from his frontline communications role during the ongoing conflict. Shoshani opens by acknowledging the mental and emotional toll of the past two years — both for soldiers and Israeli society — and expresses deep gratitude to FIDF supporters for their continued solidarity. He describes how soldiers in the field often ask whether the world still supports them, and he reassures them by conveying the encouragement and love shown by diaspora communities. Shoshani explains the complexities of communicating Israel’s position in a hostile global media environment, especially when Hamas hides behind civilian infrastructure and manipulates narratives. He emphasizes that the IDF is not just fighting militarily but also morally, doing its best to uphold international law and ethical conduct even under fire. He reflects on the pain of losing soldiers and the heavy responsibility of representing Israel’s truth on the world stage. Despite the challenges, he remains hopeful and inspired by the unity and resilience of Israeli society and the unwavering support from Jewish communities abroad. He ends with a call for continued advocacy, reminding listeners that their voices and actions help boost morale and protect Israel’s legitimacy in the court of public opinion.Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs.

FIDF CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan is joined by Former Head of the National Security Council of Israel Maj. Gen. (Res.) Giora Eiland to discuss the implications of the recently signed ceasefire agreement in Gaza and its strategic consequences. He outlines three main themes: the current ceasefire phase, the more complicated upcoming phase, and the broader regional dynamics. The first phase involved intensive negotiations with key players like Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, and while difficult to achieve, it offers temporary humanitarian relief and a pause in combat. The second phase—which is still uncertain—will address deeper issues such as governance, disarmament, and the fate of remaining hostages. Eiland warns that while Hamas is militarily weakened, it remains politically defiant, and that prolonging the war without a clear endgame may damage Israel's strategic standing. He emphasizes that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be isolated from wider regional shifts, including changing alliances and the role of external actors like Iran. Importantly, he calls for Israel to shape a coherent vision for “the day after,” including security guarantees and a realistic political framework. Eiland stresses that only by combining military pressure with diplomatic planning can Israel protect its interests and avoid international isolation.Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs.

FIDF CEO Nadav Padan is joined by LTC Former Military Diplomat, Foreign Relations Expert and International Spokesperson Jonathan Conricus, who provided a strategic overview of Israel’s military situation and international posture. He stresses that while Israel has achieved operational success against Hamas in Gaza, it is losing the global public relations battle, which could have long-term diplomatic consequences. Conricus outlines how Hamas has shifted from a structured military force to scattered guerrilla cells embedded in civilian areas, making it harder to defeat without international backlash. He warns that Israel must balance continued military pressure with strategic communication and diplomacy, especially given growing criticism from allies like the U.S. and Europe. In the north, tensions with Hezbollah remain high, with the risk of escalation still present. Iran continues to fund and coordinate regional threats, though its nuclear program has been significantly disrupted. Conricus also discusses the importance of preparing for the "day after" in Gaza, recommending that Arab states take part in governance while Israel maintains security control. He underscores the vital role of the U.S.-Israel alliance and urges FIDF supporters to continue advocating for Israel’s security and legitimacy.Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs.

FIDF CEO Nadav Padan is joined by Maj. Gen. (Res.) Tamir Hayman, Executive Director of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), to provide an overview of Israel’s strategic situation across multiple fronts. He begins by stating that Iran's nuclear program has been set back significantly due to recent Israeli operations, requiring at least 1–2 years for Iran to rebuild its capabilities. While a direct Iranian strike is unlikely, the risk of miscalculation remains. Tamir describes growing instability in Syria, where the Assad regime is cracking down on minority groups, and Lebanon, where Hezbollah is losing ground and political pressure is mounting for a withdrawal from the south. Turning to Gaza, he warns that Israel is losing the global PR war and facing severe international pressure despite major tactical gains on the battlefield. Hamas has devolved into a guerrilla network, but its refusal to release hostages is strategically prolonging the war and weakening Israel diplomatically. The speaker suggests two military strategies were considered: a buffer zone or a full reoccupation of Gaza City—the latter was chosen, though it carries high political and humanitarian risks. Ultimately, Tamir argues for a broader regional solution involving Arab partners, a post-Hamas governance structure, and possible steps toward Israel-Saudi normalization. He urges Israel to maintain military pressure while signaling a credible vision for the “day after” and compares the situation to counter-terror efforts in the West Bank following the Second Intifada.Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs.

FIDF Shiri Yanay, Senior Manager, Delegation Content and Speakers, is joined by Jonathan Schanzer, Exec. Dir., Found. for Defense of Democracies (FDD) to discuss what’s been occurring over the last week, focusing primarily on Gaza but also touching on other key threats: Hezbollah in the north, Iran’s regional influence, and U.S.-Israel relations. Schanzer addresses international claims that Israel is starving Gaza, calling such narratives misleading and emphasizing the complexity of the war zone. Schanzer explains that Hamas embeds itself in civilian infrastructure, making IDF operations slow and difficult, and that the absence of a clear post-war governance plan for Gaza is becoming a strategic liability. He warns that Hezbollah in the north poses a far greater threat than Hamas, with daily attacks forcing tens of thousands of Israelis to evacuate. Iran, he argues, is the central actor behind these threats, funding and arming its proxies across the region. Schanzer criticizes U.S. policy for not doing enough to constrain Iran’s reach, though he affirms that military cooperation between the U.S. and Israel remains strong. He also stresses the importance of fighting misinformation in the media, which he believes Hamas exploits effectively. Finally, he urges continued support for the IDF and warns of the growing global antisemitism tied to the war's narrative battlefield.Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs.

FIDF CEO Steven Weil is joined by Israeli Druze leader Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh. Gadeer is the first Druze woman to have served in the Knesset, and has an incredible resume, building a remarkable career as one of the most impactful Israelis - Jewish or non-Jewish - in Israel. Gadeer explains her upbringing as an Israeli Druze woman, her father having told her to view herself as not a Druze living in the Jewish state, but as an Israeli. Most Druze lived in Lebanon, but left due to dissension. Many Druze residing in Syria, but the Israeli-Druze population is considered to be the most influential, and have provided a shining example to Druze people of how to integrate into a Democratic society while maintaining your identity. Druze have been viewed by Israelis, even during the early days of establishing the state of Israel, as a trusted and strong stabilizing force in the region. Having embraced modernization and a strong patriotism to the state of Israeli, with Druze serving passionately in the IDF and the Knesset, and contributing in other economic, social and political ways, the Druze have emerged as an invaluable minority of Israeli citizens, whose impact on Israel far exceeds their population. 12 Druze soldiers fell in the war and Gaza, and, being a small minority in the state, the losses have been felt deeply by the community. Gadeer discusses the tragedy of the Majdal-Shams terror attack in July of 2024. However, Gadeer points out how much stronger the ties between the Druze and wider Israeli community after witnessing the outpouring of support from other Israelis, and the massive attendance of Israelis at the victims’ funerals. Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs.