Published by Ark Media
Presenting the challenges and dilemmas facing Israelis and Jews around the world.
Listen on Apple Podcasts10 min
This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Dan is joined by Ark Media contributor Amit Segal to answer listener questions about one of the biggest puzzles in Israeli politics: why the Likud is losing support even as the country shifts to the right. They also discuss who might be Prime Minister of a potential unity government. ___ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. For the full episode, subscribe here to - Inside Call me Back ____ You can access the full episode here , where Dan answers listener questions about: - Was Netanyahu's recent Washington visit a snub or a success? - Why do Mizrahi voters still back Likud candidates? - The Haredi draft exemption and the coalition dilemma - How could Israel's imperfect democratic system be improved? - Could a new center-right party realistically succeed? - What will ultimately decide Israel's election? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Ryan Lohr, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo
54 min
What is next for America’s foreign policy, and what does it mean for Israel? President Trump has reshaped America's relationships with allies and adversaries alike, favoring leverage, pressure, and dealmaking over traditional alliances. But does coercion create lasting influence, or does it push allies to look elsewhere? Dan is joined by Ian Bremmer, president and founder of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media, to debate whether Trump's foreign policy has reached its ceiling, what comes next for America's global alliances, and why Israel may be the ultimate test case. Learn more about Eurasia Group and GZERO Media . ___ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back ___ In this episode: - Has Trump's foreign policy peaked? - Where Trump's foreign policy succeeded and failed - Can America still count on its allies? - Has Trump lost leverage over Russia? - Will the U.S. finish the job on Iran? - Is Israel the exception to America's new foreign policy? - Which parts of Trump's foreign policy will last? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Ryan Lohr, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo
50 min
Is a 3rd round of war with Iran now inevitable? After two wars, a failed agreement, and months of uneasy calm, the U.S. and Iran may once again be on the brink of direct conflict. Amit Segal and Nadav Eyal join Dan to assess why the US-Iran MOU has collapsed, would Israel’s military take part in it, what a 3rd round of fighting could look like, and how elections in both Israel and the United States could shape the decisions ahead. ___ This episode was sponsored by RootOne. Help the Jewish teen in your life experience Israel for themselves. Visit RootOne.org to learn more. Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back Help shape what Ark Media builds next. Sign up to participate in listener interviews, focus groups, and product testing. Participation is voluntary, and space is limited. ___ In this episode: - Why the US-Iran agreement collapsed - What a third war with Iran could look like - Would Netanyahu strike Iran again? - How Iran is reading Trump - Will elections change Trump's Iran strategy? - Could the West Bank erupt next? - Could another war reshape Israel's election? - Why Israelis are watching New York politics More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Ryan Lohr, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo
50 min
In this conversation, Anne Neuberger, former U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology, currently General Partner and Head of Global Affairs at venture capital powerhouse Andreessen Horowitz, joins What’s Your Number hosts Yael Wissner Levy and Yonatan Adiri to discuss how AI, cyber warfare, drones, and defense tech are reshaping geopolitics. As technology, commercial investment, and national security become increasingly intertwined, what will determine which countries, and which companies, thrive in this new era and how core values determine their use. ___ Subscribe here to: What’s Your Number? ___ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back ____ In this episode: - The new ingredients of national power - Why supply chains became a national security issue - The AI debate between Washington and Silicon Valley - What Israel and Ukraine teach the world about defense tech - Is the U.S.-Israel alliance changing? - Can Israel withstand growing divestment pressure? - The next breakthroughs in AI and cyber - Personal lessons learned from history from the Holocaust to Entebbe More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Ryan Lohr, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo
9 min
This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Dan answers listener questions about what the New York City Democratic primary means for Jewish voters, how they should respond to Mamdani’s open hostility, whether Israel should ever reconsider its alliance with the United States and look to China, and why he believes America's partnership remains indispensable despite growing political uncertainty. ___ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. For the full episode, subscribe here to - Inside Call me Back ____ You can access the full episode here , where Dan answers listener questions about: - Rahm Emanuel's vision for the Middle East - Will politics change Trump's Iran strategy? - Changing career path to the Jewish nonprofit world - Why don't some Orthodox Jews sing Hatikvah? - Could the Middle East have its own NATO? - Will there ever be an Inside Call Me Back trip to Israel? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo
47 min
Can historians win the fight against antisemitism and viral misinformation in the age of AI? Historian Niall Ferguson joins Dan to warn that fact-based historians are losing the battle with social media algorithms that spread false and antisemitic content to increasingly receptive audiences on both the right and left. He argues the rules of the fight have changed. Drawing on a new essay co-authored with AI researcher John-Clark Levin, Ferguson offers data on how algorithms, non-human bots, and AI are transforming how antisemitic ideas go viral, making traditional methods of exposing lies increasingly ineffective. If facts alone are no longer enough, what comes next? Read The Death of History by Niall Ferguson and John-Clark Levin. Books by Niall Ferguson including The War of the World and The Square and the Tower . ___ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back ____ In this episode: - Why Niall Ferguson says his life's work as a historian has failed - How antisemitism was once pushed to the political fringes, but no longer - How AI changed the fight against antisemitism - Why antisemitism is thriving on both the left and the right - The Nick Fuentes playbook: irony, memes, and virality - Can liberal democracy survive the age of AI? - The politics and concerns about a post-Trump generation - If the old fight is over, what should historians do now? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, Ryan Lohr and Yuval Semo
59 min
What does Tisha B'Av ask of us after October 7? Tisha B'Av is the saddest date on the Jewish calendar, but Rachel Goldberg-Polin argues it also offers hope and opportunity. In a conversation shaped by the personal and collective trauma of October 7, she explains why Jewish tradition gathers centuries of loss onto a single day, why it compels us to look inward, and how mourning is meant to become the first step toward repair. Rachel’s suggested reading: This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared: The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation by Rabbi Alan Lew ___ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back This episode was sponsored by Birthright: Invest in the Jewish future today at onetripchangeseverything.com . ____ In this episode: - Why Tisha B'Av became Judaism's day of mourning - The original national failure: The spies and the Promised Land, - The centrality and importance of the Temples we can’t comprehend - Sinat chinam and the danger of baseless hatred - Why Jewish tradition looks inward after catastrophe - How Tisha B'Av is observed and why the rituals matter - Rav Kook's answer: from baseless hatred to baseless love - Finding hope, repair, and "yet" after grief More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Ryan Lohr, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo
10 min
This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Dan and Nadav Eyal discuss the emergence of a new right-wing party led by Hili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel, what it reveals about Israel's evolving political landscape, and whether a new generation of leaders can reshape the country's future. ___ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. For the full episode, subscribe here to - Inside Call me Back In this full episode Dan was asked for reliable sources for Israel news and talking points. We include those here: - Nadav Eyal’s Substack by Nadav Eyal - It’s Noon in Israel by Amit Segal - Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor by Yossi Klein Halevi | Amazon | Barnes & Noble - Israel on Trial: Examining the History, the Evidence, and the Law by Roy Altman | Amazon | Barnes & Noble - Israel: A concise History of a Nation Reborn by Daniel Gordis | Amazon | Barnes & Noble - AJC’s Combating Antisemitism Playbook : Strategies to Understand, Respond to, and Prevent Antisemitism ____ You can access the full episode here , where Dan and Tal answer listener questions about: - Does Gadi Eisenkot's Sephardic background strengthen his political appeal? - The raging political and legal battle behind the draft exemption bill - Why does Netanyahu's political base remain so loyal? - What is the best strategy for Israel on Lebanon? - How do you push back against anti-Israel claims? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo
47 min
Can Israel break the paralysis over the Palestinian question without risking its own security? Israelis and Palestinians have been stuck for years, with no practical or diplomatic progress and little confidence that anything can change. Tal Becker argues that while the obstacles are real, accepting paralysis carries its own costs for Israel's security, regional relationships, international standing, and national moral identity. He lays out what he believes the next Israeli government can realistically do to start moving forward without ignoring the lessons and trauma of October 7. ___ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back ____ In this episode: - Why Israelis and Palestinians are stuck in a cycle of paralysis - What a Palestinian state is supposed to solve - The urgent imperatives of why change must happen soon - Can regional normalization still move forward? - Five priorities for Israel's next government - The role of Arab states regarding the Palestinians - What concrete step should Israeli leaders take next? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo
58 min
What will it take to save the U.S.-Israel alliance? Dan is joined by Rahm Emanuel, a Democratic party powerhouse who was a former Chicago mayor, White House Chief of Staff, and U.S. Ambassador to Japan. Dan challenges Emanuel on ideas from the speech he delivered in Tel Aviv that ignited debate across Israel and the United States. Emanuel argues that Israel's current course is putting the U.S.-Israel alliance at risk, while Dan presses him on whether October 7 fundamentally changed the assumptions behind his vision for Israel's future. They discuss Israel’s security, Palestinian statehood, the future of a more hostile Democratic Party, and whether Emanuel's message is ultimately an act of tough love or tough luck for Israel. Watch Rahm Emanuel’s Tel Aviv speech HERE . ___ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back ____ In this episode: - Rahm Emanuel remembers Senator Lindsey Graham - How October 7 changed Israel’s security doctrine - Rahm Emanuel’s 23-state solution for Israel and the Arab states - Is its isolation becoming a security threat for Israel? - How Emanuel would reshape the U.S.-Israel alliance - Are calls for “From the River to the Sea” and Greater Israel equivalent? - Emanuel’s response to fears antisemitism reshaping the Democratic Party - Is Emanuel really advocating tough love or tough luck for Israel? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo
11 min
This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Dan and Tal Becker discuss Rahm Emanuel's speech in Israel, why support for Israel has become increasingly tied to America's culture wars, and whether that shift can still be reversed. ___ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. For the full episode, subscribe here to - Inside Call me Back ____ You can access the full episode here , where Dan and Tal answer listener questions about: - Is the potential for Arab-Israeli alliances slipping away? - Is the Jewish diaspora becoming irreparably divided? - Should American Jews have an elected leadership body? - How do we make antisemitism taboo again? - What role should Israelis abroad play? - Could the far left and far right turn on each other? - How is Hamas still functioning in Gaza? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo
35 min
Is the collapse of the U.S.-Iran deal the start of another war, or something messier in between? Dan is joined by Ark Media contributor and senior analyst for Yedioth Ahronoth, Nadav Eyal, as Iran and the U.S. launch missile and verbal attacks. They discuss the apparent end to the ceasefire, why Israel believes the MoU was destined to fail and how Tehran is calculating its next move. They also explore why Turkey's growing military and political influence could be Israel's next strategic challenge. ____ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back ____ In this episode: - Why the U.S.-Iran deal collapsed - Iran's power play in Hormuz - Who is really in charge in Iran? - Israel's "we told you so" moment - Why Turkey is becoming Israel's next big concern - Netanyahu's public fight against the U.S. selling F-35s to Turkey - Israel's long-term strategy toward Turkey - Are we heading toward round three of war with Iran? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo
48 min
As Americans mark Independence Day, we're revisiting one of the most popular episodes of What's Your Number?, a conversation that feels even more relevant today. Yonatan Adiri and Yael Wissner Levy are joined by Dan Senor, host of Call Me Back and co-author of Start-Up Nation which revolutionized the world’s respect for Israel and its entrepreneurial spirit and successes. Nearly two decades after the book's publication, Israel's tech sector is stronger than ever, yet the country's global brand faces unprecedented challenges. What does this mean for Israel’s reputation, innovation and its place in the world? Dan also remembers his young friend, the late Israeli entrepreneur and investor Zaki Djemal, whose final essay on Israel's future and memorial service are linked below. Read a tribute to Zaki Djemal and his white paper here . Watch Zaki Djemal’s memorial service here . ____ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back ____ In this episode: 08:00 – How Start-Up Nation changed Israel's image 14:35 – Israel's brand crisis after October 7 19:10 – Why global investors keep doubling down on Israel 25:55 – Does Israel need a new audience? 32:15 – The rise of defense tech 37:35 – AI, brain drain, and Israel's next challenge 44:30 – Does the "Start-Up Nation" reputation still apply? 46:55 – How would Dan characterize Israel's brand now? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo
57 min
Why have positions about Israel and Jews become a defining fault line in American politics? In part two of their conversation, Dan is joined by Jonah Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Dispatch, and John Podhoretz, editor-in-chief of Commentary Magazine, to discuss what the victories of Zohran Mamdani and other Democratic Socialists reveal about the radicalization of politics of the American left. From the rise of anti-Zionist candidates to the weakening of political parties and norms, they explore why antisemitic or anti-Israel positions have become litmus tests in the transformation of American politics. Read the open letter from American Rabbis to Zohran Mamdani here . ____ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back ____ In this episode: - Why both political parties are losing control - What Zohran Mamdani and DSA victories really represent - Is anti-Zionism the primary driving force on the left? - Are elected leaders more focused on culture wars than helping constituents? - Why U.S.politicians turned against Israel, which is now a political fault line - How technology is reshaping America despite politics - Have decades of crisis broken public trust? - Can America's political institutions recover? - Why Jonah and John have some hope about America's future More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo
1 hr 1 min
____ Many supporters of the Iran War, both in the U.S. and in Israel, consider it a failure. Dan doesn't necessarily share that observation, at least not until the fate of the U.S.- Iran deal is clear. Jonah Goldberg and John Podhoretz, two thinkers that have been following every twist and turn of the Iran war and landed in that camp. So we wanted to conduct an autopsy of the Iran War, at least as where the war stands now. Jonah Goldberg is editor-in-chief of The Dispatch and the host of the Remnant podcast. He’s also a senior fellow at AEI and author of a number of books, including Suicide of the West. and John Podhoretz, editor-in-chief of Commentary Magazine, host of the Commentary podcast and author of Hell of a Ride. Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back ____ In this episode: What were the expectations vs reality? Israel and Iran's position today Vs on February 27th. The war's impact on US foreign policy what would have been a better strategy in dealing with Iran’s nuclear program? Did Trump and Netanyahu miscalculate? Where does the relationship between Netanyahu and Trump go from here? This episode is sponsored by Israel on Campus Coalition. You can follow this link to support their work: http://israelcc.org/ More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo
40 min
Can Israel stop Iran if America decides to move on? As Washington pursues negotiations with Tehran, many Israelis are wondering what their country can still do to shape the outcome. Dan Senor is joined by Ark Media contributor and Channel 12 senior political analyst Amit Segal to discuss the state of the U.S.-Iran talks, why Israel is showing restraint in Lebanon, and what leverage Jerusalem still has as Washington pursues negotiations with Tehran. They also examine the growing debate inside Israel over President Trump and J.D. Vance, and whether Netanyahu can navigate a moment when many Israelis feel the military achievements against Iran have yet to translate into a lasting strategic gain. ____ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back ____ In this episode: - Why the U.S.-Iran talks may be headed for failure - Does Israel have any leverage left? - Why Israel is showing restraint in Lebanon - Why “no deal, no war” could still hurt Tehran - Netanyahu, Trump, and the Vance problem - Israel’s options if America steps back - Could Trump shape Israel’s next election? - Will Netanyahu really run for a seventh term? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo
53 min
Did Israel and the U.S. win the battle but lose the war? Israel and the United States achieved what many would consider a remarkable military success against Iran. But the agreement that followed has left many Israelis wondering whether battlefield gains translated into strategic victory. Dan Senor is joined by Wall Street Journal columnist and Hudson Institute senior fellow Walter Russell Mead to discuss the paradox at the heart of the new U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, what it reveals about President Trump's approach to power, and how leaders across the Middle East are recalculating their assumptions about America, Israel, and the future of the region. ____ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back ____ In this episode: 03:42 - The paradox: military success vs. political disappointment 05:03 - Why so many Israelis think Israel lost 07:27 - What was President Trump actually betting on? 21:30 - Does the 60-day deal mean anything? 22:30 - Why sanctions rarely deliver regime change 27:24 - What this war reveals about the future of warfare 35:27 - How Riyadh, Ankara, and Beijing are reading the moment 45:33 - Israel's growing dependence on President Trump More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo
48 min
Subscribe to Inside Call me Back . ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ What does the Iran deal mean for Israel, and for Netanyahu’s political future? Dan is joined by Ark Media contributor and Channel 12 political analyst Amit Segal to assess the newly announced U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding and the political questions it has unleashed in Israel. As negotiations begin and the fighting pauses, they discuss whether the war should be seen as a success, a missed opportunity, or something whose consequences are still unfolding. They also discuss the growing tension between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, the fight over Lebanon, and what all of it could mean for Israel's next election. This episode was sponsored by Birthright: Invest in the Jewish future today at onetripchangeseverything.com . In this episode: 04:03 - What worries Israel most about the new Iran deal? 06:18 - Trump’s unpredictability and the limits of certainty 13:15 - Is this a pause button or a rewind button for Iran? 18:42 - Does anyone expect a final agreement within 60 days? 20:57 - Why Lebanon has become the real battleground 23:09 - The growing tension between Trump and Netanyahu 28:54 - How the deal is reshaping Israeli politics 39:12 - How will history judge the war with Iran? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo
49 min
Subscribe to Inside Call me Back . ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ Why is Israel’s next election being driven more by fear than hope? Dan is joined by For Heaven's Sake hosts Yossi Klein Halevi and Donniel Hartman to discuss the emotional forces shaping Israel's coming election. As Israelis prepare to vote, different communities are carrying different traumas, fears, and visions for the country's future, from tensions over Arab and Haredi political power to questions of national unity, leadership, and diminishing hope that life there can improve. They also consider whether Israelis can rediscover the unity of October 8th and what Israelis and diaspora Jews are each looking for in the country's next leader. In this episode: 04:36 - Why this is a fear-based election, not a hope-based election 10:30 - The fear of Arab parties in a post-October 7 Israel 16:21 - Can Arab parties become part of Israel's political mainstream? 18:09 - The role and concern over Haredi voters reshaping politics 27:09 - Is the unity of an "October 8th Israel" still possible? 30:30 - The forces that threaten to shut down Israel’s economy 32:21 - Can Israel's political center hold? 37:39 - Why Gadi Eisenkot appeals across ideological lines 43:33 - Israelis and diaspora Jews each want something different from Israel’s leader More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo
45 min
Subscribe to Inside Call me Back . ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ Can Gadi Eisenkot make the leap from one of Israel’s most trusted generals to its next prime minister? Gadi Eisenkot’s popularity is seeing a meteoric rise. Dan is joined by Nadav Eyal to examine Eisenkot’s background, military record, decisions around October 7, and whether experience built on service and sacrifice can survive the rough-and-tumble of an election campaign. They also compare Eisenkot to previous generals who’ve tried this, and to his current viable political opponents. In this episode: 03:54 – Is Gadi Eisenkot's rise in the polls real? 05:42 – The Appeal of Israel's "Quiet General" 14:33 – From Eilat to IDF Chief of Staff 16:51 – Eisenkot's military legacy and the "war between wars" 23:27 – How much responsibility does he bear for October 7? 27:00 – The personal tragedy that shaped his public image 30:45 – What the War Cabinet Revealed About Eisenkot 38:30 – Can Eisenkot Unite the Opposition? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo
United Kingdom
Norway
United States
United States
Apple Podcasts rankings supplied by Mato Topic Intelligence Platform.
Observed July 30, 2026.
Apple and Apple Podcasts are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.