The US and Israel entered the Iran war together. Is Israel now being sidelined?

The US and Israel entered the Iran war together. Is Israel now being sidelined?

May 1, 2026 · 27 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the shifting dynamics between the US and Israel in the context of the Iran war and the role of Netanyahu.

Since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran, there has been an ongoing debate over the role played by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in convincing Donald Trump to go to war. But when it comes to ceasefire announcements, it has been the US President taking the lead - if the Israelis are present at all. So when it comes to ending the wars in Iran and Lebanon, are the Americans leaving Netanyahu out in the cold? We speak to Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent at The Economist, and author of Bibi: The Turbulent Life and Times of Benjamin Netanyahu. Producer: Sam Chantarasak and Xandra Ellin Sound engineer: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins Photo: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivering an address from the roof of the Kirya in Tel Aviv, Israel, 1 March 2026. Credit: Avi Ohayon/EPA-EFE)

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