Podcasts

While Israel’s attention is focused on Iran’s proxies in the Middle East (the most recent example being Israel’s aerial attack on the Houthis in Yemen in response to the Tel Aviv drone attack), it seems that Tehran has been expanding its activities in Africa and increasing the threat to Israeli interests on the continent. In a new INSS insight titled “Iran in the Continent of Africa,” Danny Citrinowicz, a research fellow in the Iran Program at INSS, elaborates on the threats to Israel’s fundamental political, security, and economic interests in this region. In this program, Adi Kantor, an INSS researcher, sits down with Citrinowicz to discuss Iran’s fundamental interests in Africa. What is new in relation to Iranian activity in Africa in recent years? Why is Sudan a significant Iranian destination for the transfer of military equipment, and what does it indicate about Iranian intentions in the future? Is the election of a new president in Iran supposed to change Iranian policy? What should Israel do to prevent the growing Iranian influence in Africa?

After Iran’s leadership repeatedly threatened to retaliate for the assassination of its senior officer in Damascus, their reaction indeed finally came. On the night of April 13, a total of 320 missiles and UAVs carrying 60 tons of explosives were fired for the first time from Iran toward Israel. Their objective was clear: to destroy numerous targets in Israel, including military facilities. Israel successfully managed to intercept and destroy 99% of the weapons fired, thanks in large part to its strong alliance and cooperation with the United States, France, Great Britain, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. In today’s show, INSS researcher Adi Kantor sits down with Professor Chuck Freilich, a senior researcher at INSS, and Danny Citrinowicz, a research fellow in the Iran Program at INSS. Together they discuss the implications of this historic event on all fronts and actors. Will there be an Israeli response to Iran’s unprecedented attack? If so, what are the possible scenarios for such a response? What is the current position of the United States toward an Israeli response, and how will it affect US–Israeli relations? How are Iran’s proxies in the region expected to react? And what are the complications arising from the Israel–Hamas war?