Israel Undiplomatic

The GOP has suffered a crushing defeat in the U.S. midterms, an outspoken Israel critic has won a Senate seat and Washington is preparing to end billions in annual military aid to Israel. Could this be the beginning of a dangerous new era in U.S.-Israel relations? Mark Regev and Ruthie Blum examine the political earthquake sweeping America, including Abdul El-Sayed's victory in Michigan and what his anti-Israel campaign could signal about the future of American politics. The hosts debate President Trump's announcement that he and PM Netanyahu have agreed to phase out U.S. military assistance and why the move could ultimately strengthen the alliance between the two countries. With the American elections over, the conversation turns to Iran. Could Trump's weakened position actually free him to launch a decisive strike against Tehran, or will renewed negotiations allow the Islamic Republic to survive? As Israel struggles to form a government following its own inconclusive election, Regev and Blum discuss the prospects for a national unity coalition and the possibility of yet another Israeli election.

Arab parties have emerged as potential kingmakers in Israel's election and their unprecedented success could determine whether Benjamin Netanyahu remains prime minister. In this post-election episode of "Israel Undiplomatic", Mark Regev and Ruthie Blum examine the unexpectedly strong performance of Islamist and Arab nationalist parties and the coalition arithmetic that could decide Israel's next government. With Prime Minister Netanyahu's Likud emerging as the largest party but neither political bloc securing a clear majority, the hosts explore whether Gadi Eisenkot and the opposition could turn to Arab parties to remove Netanyahu from power, and what such an alliance could mean for Israel's security, the war against Hamas and future military action against Iran. The discussion also turns to President Trump's endorsement of Netanyahu and the possibility of renewed strikes against Iran after the American midterms. Meanwhile, Eisenkot's controversial election-night remarks about military obedience spark a fierce debate over civilian authority and the lessons of October 7. Could Israel's Arab parties hold the balance of power in the next government and would defeating Netanyahu come at a price the country cannot afford?

President Trump has thrown his support behind Prime Minister Netanyahu just days before Israel's election, but a surprising political twist could determine who wins, and whether Israel and America confront Iran together. Mark Regev and Ruthie Blum examine whether Trump's dramatic endorsement will give Netanyahu the advantage he needs in an election that could come down to just a handful of Knesset seats. With polls showing conflicting results, the hosts reveal how smaller right-wing parties could unintentionally cost Netanyahu his majority, while opposition leaders face difficult questions about forming a coalition with Arab parties. They also explore the possibility of renewed American-Israeli action against Iran and the growing controversy surrounding Netanyahu's legal proceedings. Meanwhile, widespread unrest in France raises troubling questions about Europe's future and the broader challenges facing Western democracies. Could Trump's endorsement be Netanyahu's winning card, or will a surprise election result change Israel's leadership just as a major confrontation with Iran approaches?

Japan faces growing threats from China, Russia and North Korea yet it remains reluctant to embrace one of the world's most battle-tested security partners: Israel. Ruthie Blum and Mark Regev explore the surprising history of Japan-Israel relations, from Tokyo’s rapid recognition of the Jewish state after World War II to decades of diplomatic distance driven by dependence on Arab oil. Broadcasting from Japan, Regev reveals how economic interests, Japanese pacifism and the legacy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki continue to shape Tokyo’s attitude toward Israel, even as Japan faces growing threats from China, Russia and nuclear-armed North Korea. The hosts also examine Japan’s criticism of Israel following October 7 and the possibility of a major diplomatic breakthrough under its new leadership. With Israel proving its military and technological capabilities against Iran and its proxies, could Japan finally recognize that a stronger alliance with the Jewish state is essential to its own security?

A terrorist pilot nearly turned a passenger jet into a weapon, but the security failures that put him in the cockpit may be the most disturbing part of the story.  In this episode of "Israel Undiplomatic", Mark Regev and Ruthie Blum unpack the extraordinary FlyDubai attack and the growing questions over how an allegedly radicalized pilot who had previously faced problems elsewhere was allowed to fly a plane bound for Israel. Three years after October 7, they ask whether Israel has truly learned the lessons of that devastating security failure and examine how dramatically the battlefield has changed since then. From Hamas fighting for survival to Israelis returning in growing numbers to communities along the Gaza border, Regev and Blum argue that the story of the past three years is not only one of tragedy, but also of a country that has fundamentally changed the balance against its enemies.