FIDF Live

Lara Krinsky opens this special briefing with Rachel Lester, author and former digital media specialist in the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, to explore the psychological toll nearly three years of war has taken on Israel’s soldiers and reservists. Lester describes returning to reserve duty immediately after October 7th and spending six months cataloging and communicating Hamas and Islamic Jihad atrocity footage, repeated exposure that eventually led to nightmares, severe trauma, difficulty functioning in civilian life, and the realization that even those far from the physical battlefield can carry deep wounds from war. She emphasizes the scale of Israel’s mental-health challenge, noting that many reservists have served hundreds of days while carrying trauma and that outside organizations are essential because the country cannot meet the enormous need alone. Lester also reflects on her earlier work exposing Hezbollah’s cross-border tunnels during Operation Northern Shield and explains that one of Israel’s central communications challenges is remembering that international audiences often lack even basic context about Hamas, Hezbollah, and the threats Israel faces. Turning to today’s “digital battlefield,” she says Israel may never fully win the narrative war but can do much better by communicating with greater discipline and emotional openness, while individuals in the Diaspora can play an important role in explaining Israel’s story online. The briefing closes with Lester urging audiences to remember the human beings behind the uniform—often young people fighting for their homes and families—and with Lara stressing that caring for soldiers physically, emotionally, and psychologically must be part of the promise made to those repeatedly asked to defend Israel.

Lara Krinsky opens the briefing by saying the war has not ended but shifted, with the U.S. striking Iran again, Iran retaliating, sanctions tightening around Tehran, and Hezbollah adapting into smaller guerrilla formations. Jonathan Schanzer says the U.S. is now enforcing a tougher economic campaign against Iran, targeting places where sanctions were previously under-enforced, while Tehran responds with attacks across the Gulf and Jordan. He argues that Iran’s proxies are weakening on multiple fronts: Hamas through the Gaza “Board of Peace” plan, Hezbollah through Israel-Lebanon diplomacy backed by Israeli military pressure, and Shiite militias in Iraq through political negotiations. Schanzer also warns that the Houthis remain one of the most dangerous unresolved threats, especially because of their ballistic missiles, ability to threaten the Bab el-Mandeb, and emerging ties with al-Shabab. A major focus is the new Saudi-Turkish-Pakistani “Mecca Defense Agreement,” which Schanzer sees not only as a response to Iran but as a potentially dangerous alternative alliance structure that could undermine the Abraham Accords-aligned regional vision. The briefing closes with Schanzer saying Israel and the U.S. have made real strategic gains against Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas, but Lara emphasizes that every enemy is trying to adapt and rebuild, leaving IDF soldiers and reservists to carry the burden nearly three years into the war.

Lara Krinsky opens the briefing by introducing Dr. Mordechai Kedar as a veteran Israeli military intelligence expert whose focus is understanding the cultures, ideologies, rivalries, and psychology behind Middle Eastern actors, not just their surface-level statements. Kedar begins with Turkey, arguing that Israel’s strike on the Abaza airbase in northern Syria was a direct warning to Erdogan after Israeli intelligence saw preparations for a deeper Turkish military move into Syria, closer to Damascus and therefore closer to Israel. He frames Erdogan’s worldview as neo-Ottoman and Muslim Brotherhood-influenced, saying Turkey sees former Ottoman lands—including Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Israel—as part of its historical sphere, while also supporting Hamas and presenting a growing strategic challenge to Israel. Kedar says Israel’s post–October 7 doctrine is to deal with threats while they are still “small,” explaining that Israel’s actions against Turkey, Hezbollah, Iran, and Hamas are part of a broader message that Israeli security now comes before every other consideration. He also argues that new regional alignments—especially between Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia—reflect fear that the U.S. may eventually pull back before Iran is defeated, leaving Sunni states exposed to Iranian revenge and destabilization. The conversation closes with Kedar warning that Western leaders often misread the Middle East because they apply Western assumptions to a region shaped by religion, tribalism, deception, and jihadist ideology, while Lara ends by reminding viewers that Israel’s soldiers must be ready for whatever comes next and urging support for their humanitarian and well-being needs.

Lara Krinsky opens this IDF Live briefing by introducing Jonny Daniels—activist, social media journalist, former senior advisor to Israel’s Deputy Minister of Defense, and founder of From the Depths—as a trusted voice helping audiences separate facts from noise during a fast-moving war. Daniels begins by stressing his personal connection to the IDF as a former paratrooper and says the region is in a waiting period, with Iran under heavy economic pressure even if the expected kinetic action has not yet materialized. On Gaza, he is skeptical that any “Board of Peace” arrangement will truly resolve the Hamas problem, arguing that Hamas may play for time or tactical advantage but that no Israeli government will allow it to return to its pre–October 7 position. He also warns audiences to be careful in the information space, saying misinformation spreads from anti-Israel sources and even irresponsible Jewish outlets, and that people should rely on verified sources rather than doom-scrolling or chasing unconfirmed reports. Looking at the Diaspora, Daniels says Jews around the world are facing more fear and antisemitism, including in the UK, France, Canada, and Australia, but he also sees many becoming more willing to speak up publicly for Israel. He closes by describing IDF morale as very high because Israelis are literally fighting for their homeland, while emphasizing that prolonged war still takes a psychological toll and that FIDF’s support for soldiers’ well-being, PTSD care, rehabilitation, and families is essential.

Lara Krinsky opens this IDF Live briefing by framing the region as dangerously unstable, with the U.S. striking Iranian targets, Iran retaliating against Arab neighbors, Israel on high alert, and Lebanon still active despite diplomacy. Lt. Col. (res.) Or Horvitz says the immediate U.S. focus is reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but warns that Iran’s stubborn refusal to restore free navigation could trigger broader escalation between Washington, Tehran, and potentially Israel. He stresses that Israel’s urgent priority remains Iran’s roughly 500 kilos of enriched uranium, because if it is not diluted or removed, Iran could still use deception and secrecy to move toward a nuclear weapon. Horvitz argues the regime is fundamentally unstable—fragmented, financially strained, hated by much of its population, and unlikely to survive long-term—but says it will probably fall through domestic pressure rather than outside military force alone. On Lebanon, he sees a real but fragile opportunity: Hezbollah has been badly weakened, Lebanese leaders are speaking more boldly about demilitarization, and Israel should “trust but verify” while insisting on border, port, airport, and army reforms that cut off Iranian money and arms. He closes by warning that Gaza is still not solved because Hamas continues to control significant territory and ideology, and by thanking FIDF for strengthening the U.S.-Israel partnership and supporting Israeli society as a whole.