Is It Really So Bad?

Is It Really So Bad?

Author: Tablet Studios June 17, 2026 Duration: 1:06:03
Gadi thinks it is. The US has demonstrated that it will not really fight – unless it’s easy, can be done from the air, and includes very few casualties. That is a bad signal for every rogue regime the world over. Mike thinks the MOU is just a tactical retreat, and that hostilities will resume, eventually. Both, however, agree that it’s a blow for Israel in general and for Netanyahu’s election bid in particular. Then there is also the joke about the skeleton who orders beer.

For a clear-eyed analysis of the ongoing conflict, turn to Israel Update. This podcast from Tablet Studios moves beyond the headlines, offering depth and context often missing from daily news cycles. Hosted by Israeli historian and political commentator Gadi Taub alongside Michael Doran, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington D.C., each episode provides a crucial dual perspective. Listeners get Taub's on-the-ground understanding of Israeli society and politics paired with Doran's expertise in U.S. foreign policy and Middle East strategy. The conversation is direct and informed, dissecting military developments, geopolitical shifts, and the historical underpinnings of current events. This isn't just a recap; it's a nuanced dialogue between two deeply knowledgeable voices, unpacking the war's complexities for an international audience. You'll hear detailed assessments of battlefield realities, the political calculations in Jerusalem and Washington, and the broader regional implications. The podcast serves as an essential resource for anyone seeking to comprehend the layers of this conflict, combining immediate news with strategic insight. It’s a forum for serious discussion, free from soundbites, dedicated to explaining not just what is happening, but why it matters. Tune in for a consistently substantive and authoritative take on one of the world's most critical situations.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Israel Update
Podcast Episodes
The End of the Islamic Republic of Iran? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:14
Mike sees three possible scenarios in which this can unfold. In all three there will be massive consequences for Israel, the US and the world order. Also on this episode: who is trying to break Trump’s faith-based coalit…
Antisemitism: Australia, the US and Israel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:40
On this episode: the Bondi Beach shooting, the rising tide of antisemitism, and the recent conference at the Hudson Institute, about how the hatred of Jews is weaponized to undermine American national security. Also - Is…
The iPhone Suicide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:11
The plot thickens! The tale of the rape that never was, and now the suicide attempt that Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer Yerushalmi seems to have faked, opens a window into everything that has been convulsing Israel in recent year…
Head of IDF Prosecution Resigns Over Leaked Fake Rape Tape [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:10
The scandal over the doctored tape of the rape-that-never-was in Sde Teiman is the eye of a huge storm that has to do with everything that convulsed the country in recent years. Major General Yifat Tomer Yerushalmi the h…
Tommy Robinson in Israel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:17
Tommy Robinson, the outspoken activist against the importation of Jihad into the UK, visited Israel. His support for Israel's war won many hearts in the country. Mike was skeptical but Gadi insisted on having him on the…
Did Israel Win The War? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:03
The Trump plan – what’s in it? What are the implications of the Trump Declaration for Enduring Peace and Prosperity issued at Sharm El Sheikh? And what should we make of his Knesset speech? Plus, why did Israelis boo Net…
Defending Israel with Facts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:14
Netanyahu gave a show at the UN, rebuking the weakness of Western leaders and defending Israel’s conduct of the war with facts. Gadi and Mike analyze the speech in detail. Meanwhile antisemitism is rearing its ugly head…
The Struggle Over Charlie Kirk's Legacy  [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:30
The debate about Charlie Kirk's legacy is actually a struggle over the future of the Republican Party - and not least over US-Israeli relations. Video:https://youtu.be/LZ8xduB0hPo
Cementing the American-Israeli Alliance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:34
It is highly unlikely that the Israeli strike in Qatar was not coordinated with the White House. Are the Americans and Israelis employing a good cop / bad cop strategy? What does the Israeli operation mean for the balanc…