Israel in the dark as Trump adopts Saudi-first policy

Israel in the dark as Trump adopts Saudi-first policy

Author: The Times of Israel August 3, 2026 Duration: 23:43

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

US President Donald Trump said Sunday night that negotiations with Iran would begin on Monday to finalize a deal that reopens the Strait of Hormuz after he again called off a major attack on the Islamic Republic over the weekend. For its part, Iran denies any talks are set to take place.

Berman analyzes the current stalemate as Trump appears to adopt a "Saudi-first policy" in his approach to prosecuting the Iran war and the Israelis are left in the dark. What creative approaches could change the balance?

Board of Peace Gaza envoy Nickolay Mladenov on Sunday lamented continued Israeli strikes in Gaza that “have killed civilians and destroyed medical supplies that people depend on,” days after the body reached a disarmament deal with the Hamas terror organization that would also see Israel withdraw from the Strip. Why is official Israel still silent on the deal?

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

Trump says talks with Iran will start Monday on deal to reopen Hormuz

Board of Peace envoy laments recent Gaza strikes amid effort to implement Trump plan

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Yitzhak Ledee filmed and edited this episode.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Each morning, The Times of Israel Daily Briefing cuts through the noise to deliver essential context on the stories shaping Israel and the wider region. Produced by the seasoned journalists of The Times of Israel, this podcast provides more than just headlines; it offers grounded analysis and on-the-ground perspective that listeners won't find in a standard news bulletin. You'll hear directly from reporters and editors who live the story, discussing the political, security, and social developments that matter most. The conversation naturally extends to the broader Middle East and issues affecting Jewish communities worldwide, making sense of complex events with clarity and depth. Tune in for a concise, authoritative briefing that respects your time and intelligence, turning the day's most pressing news into understandable narrative. This is where informed listening begins, a trusted audio resource for anyone seeking a reliable, nuanced understanding of a dynamic and often misunderstood part of the world.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

The Times of Israel Daily Briefing
Podcast Episodes
Yohanan Plesner: 3 existential issues facing Israel’s voters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:57
Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with the head of the Israel Democracy Institute, Yohanan Plesner. A…
'As a Jew,' UK's Miliband announces sanctions on settlements [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:53
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for t…
NY anti-Israel activists recycle 'greedy Jewish landlords' trope [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:01
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. US reporter Luke Tress joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.…
Desalination plant shutdowns break dam on water security risks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:01
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Environmental reporter Sue Surkes joins host Gabriella Jacobs for today's…
Netanyahu has burned bridges. How will that play out at the polls? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:15
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. News editor Ben Sales joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Af…
Star Trek: 60 years to the most gloriously nerdy enterprise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:04
Welcome to The Reel Schmooze with ToI film reviewer Jordan Hoffman and host Amanda Borschel-Dan, where we bring you all the entertainment news and film reviews a Jew can use. This month marks the 60th anniversary of the…