Podcasts

Iran’s regional position is at a turning point. With the Assad regime’s growing instability, Hezbollah’s military leadership facing major setbacks, and Israel ramping up its strikes inside Iran, Tehran’s influence in the Middle East is being tested. Meanwhile, the recent hostage deal and the potential return of Donald Trump raise even more questions about Iran’s future. Is Iran on the defensive, or is it preparing its next strategic move? In today’s episode, we examine Iran’s shifting regional position, its reaction to the hostage deal, and how the possible return of Donald Trump could reshape US policy toward Tehran. What role will Israel play in these dynamics, and how will Netanyahu’s visit to Washington influence US decision-making? Joining us to break it all down is Beni Sabti, Iran Expert at the Institute for National Security Studies @INSSisrael, who brings deep insights into Iran’s strategy and decision-making.

Israel recently launched a series of targeted airstrikes on Iranian military infrastructure across multiple provinces. It was an unprecedented move with the goal of weakening Iran’s air defense systems and missile capabilities, following Iran’s recent launch of nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel. The escalation underscores the deepening confrontation between the two nations since the outbreak of hostilities in October last year, with Israel determined to curb Iran’s influence in the region, disrupt its proxy networks, and undermine its defensive assets. Iran has established itself as the driving force behind the “axis of resistance” against Israel, openly broadcasting its antagonism. However, that’s not the general sentiment among the Iranian people. On this week’s episode of the National Security Podcast, Iran expert at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), Beni Sabti, discusses the history between the Jewish and Persian people, and how the Islamic Revolution has reshaped Iran’s view on Israel and the West.

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?

Over a month has passed since the October 7 massacre of Israeli citizens perpetrated by Hamas terrorists and Gazan civilian accomplices. The most vicious attack against Jews since the Holocaust brought an unprecedented number of Israeli casualties: 1400 killed; 240 hostages held by Hamas, among them 32 children; over 7200 injured; and over 250,000 displaced, evacuated from their homes. In this podcast, INSS researcher Adi Kantor sits down with Dr. Raz Zimmt, an expert on Iran at INSS and author of the book Iran From Within: State and Society in the Islamic Republic (in Hebrew), published in 2022. Together they discuss the current Iranian involvement in the Israel-Hamas war. To what extent was Iran part of the planning and execution of the massacre of October 7? What is its role in the war? How large is the threat of further escalation, and are there “escalation steps” from Iran’s perspective? What are the relations between Iran and its proxies in the Middle East with regard to the war? And what are Iran’s interests and considerations regarding the “day after”?

On January 23rd 2023, researchers of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) submitted the Strategic Analysis for Israel 2023 to the President of Israel, Mr. Isaac Herzog. This document serves as a comprehensive analysis of Israel’s strategic environment from the perspective of national security, focusing on the main current threats as well as potential opportunities and includes a series of policy recommendations for decision makers. On part one of this special program, INSS research associate Adi Kantor sits down with Major General (res.) Tamir Hayman, the Managing Director of the Institute, to discuss two of the most crucial issues stated in the strategic analysis: Israel’s special relations with the United States and Israel’s policy regarding Iran. What is at stake for Israel’s national security balance sheet in the upcoming year regarding these two important issues? Adi Kantor and Tamir Hayman discuss INSS recommendations. Read the full Strategic Analysis: https://www.inss.org.il/publication/strategic-analysis-israel-2023/

INSS Deputy Director Itai Brun hosts a special podcast following the update of the Institute’s strategic assessment for 2020, in the wake of both the coronavirus pandemic and the establishment of Israel’s new government after more than a year of political deadlock. INSS Managing Director Udi Dekel, together with INSS researchers Sima Shine, Assaf Orion, Orna Mizrahi, Meir Elran, Sarah Feuer, and Carmit Valensi provide a comprehensive review on the international system and the Middle East, which have been rocked by the virus, and will offer their recommendations to the new government.

INSS Director Amos Yadlin sits down with Ari Heistein to speak about the rising tensions surrounding the Iran nuclear deal. They discuss the weaknesses of the JCPOA, the risks in leaving it, and what President Trump wants from his “maximum pressure” campaign. Looking ahead, they consider Iran’s options and what Israel might do to prepare for contingencies – including the possibility of facing an unrestrained Iranian nuclear program on its own, without the support of others.

Iran’s geo-political strategy in the Middle East using its Shiite militias and other proxies, both for the short and for the long term: How does the Iranian recruiting system work? Is it possible to restrain and constrain it based on the situation on the ground? Would Iran do anything to postpone a war against Israel at this point, or should Israel be worried by small confrontations with Iran or its proxies at this time?

The Iranian nuclear plan time table – assuming that Iran decides to return to its nuclear efforts – how long will it take it to build ballistic missiles with nuclear heads? What can we learn from the revealed archives about Iran’s nuclear activities? Will Iran be interested in negotiating with the Trump administration, as North Korea did?