Call Me Back - with Dan Senor

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In this episode:

A leaked report reveals Naftali Bennett privately disparaged his alliance with Yair Lapid as a “strategic mistake,” raising doubts about whether their new joint party can successfully unify the opposition against Netanyahu.

An Australian investigation into a deadly Sydney terror attack found authorities failed to act on prior warnings, highlighting a broader pattern of under-resourced prevention and potential Iran-linked threats across Western countries.

Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound activist flotilla has sparked a global narrative battle, underscoring the widening gap between accusations against Israel and its efforts to counter them through public diplomacy.

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This episode was sponsored by Birthright: Invest in the Jewish future today at onetripchangeseverything.com.

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Bennett and Lapid unite, but does it change anything?  

On Sunday, without any prior warning, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid announced they’re joining forces, launching a new unified party called “Beyachad” — “together.” The move comes months ahead of Israel’s October elections, and it immediately raises more questions than answers.

What are they really trying to accomplish? Does this strengthen the anti-Netanyahu bloc — or unintentionally weaken it? And what does it mean for Gadi Eisenkot, who leads the other centrist party and is being pressured by Bennett to join him and Lapid?

This is already shaping up to be one of the most dramatic election cycles in Israel’s history — and one the Jewish diaspora will be watching more closely than ever.

In this episode:

- Bennett and Lapid's history

- Bennett's theory of the race

- The role of the war in the elections

- Structural strengths and weaknesses of both blocks

- Gadi Eisenkot's next move

- Avigdor Lieberman's strategy

 

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Credits: Ilan Benatar, Adaam James Levin-Areddy, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

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Is Israel heading toward another war with Hezbollah, or is it already in one?

Dan is joined by counterterrorism expert Matt Levitt to unpack the fragile reality between Israel, Lebanon, and Hezbollah. While Hezbollah was significantly degraded, the threat never disappeared. Even as diplomatic efforts try to stabilize the situation, Israel is now actively working to prevent the group from rebuilding. 

They discuss life in Israel’s north, Hezbollah’s status in Lebanon, the limits of the Lebanese Armed Forces, and the risks of escalation. The conversation also explores new U.S.-backed diplomacy, and whether there’s a real path to long-term stability, or just a managed conflict.

In this episode:

- What the 2024 ceasefire was supposed to accomplish

- How much of Hezbollah’s capabilities were actually degraded

- Why life in northern Israel still hasn’t returned to normal

- Inside the IDF’s ongoing campaign in southern Lebanon

- Why the Lebanese Armed Forces haven’t fully disarmed Hezbollah

- Hezbollah’s role inside Lebanese politics and society today

- The threat of Hezbollah’s Unit 121 and internal intimidation

- New U.S.-led diplomacy and whether it can change the equation

- Whether Israel may need a long-term presence in southern Lebanon

More Ark Media:

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Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal

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X | Dan

Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel

Get in touch

Credits: Ilan Benatar, Adaam James Levin-Areddy, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

For the full episode, subscribe here to Inside Call me Back.

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This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back, where Dan is joined by insiders Nadav Eyal and Amit Segal to unpack what was actually conveyed to the Trump administration, and how expectations around regime change in Iran took shape.

They examine the gap between what Israeli intelligence assessed, what was operationally approved, and why some of the most consequential elements of the plan were never fully carried out. The conversation then turns to the debate over Iran’s remaining enriched uranium and the feasibility of rebuilding a nuclear program.

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Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal

Instagram | Ark Media | Dan

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Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel

Get in touch

Credits: Ilan Benatar, Adaam James Levin-Areddy, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back.

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Will the Iran War reshape American politics? How could it affect the future of U.S -Israel relations?

Dan is joined by New York Times columnist Ross Douthat to examine how the Iran War is influencing both parties. They unpack why support for the war tracks with support for President Trump, why protests have been surprisingly muted, and how the war is accelerating existing political trends.

Listen to Ross’ podcast Interesting Times with Ross Douthat

In this episode:

- Where American public opinion on the Iran War stands today

- Why there’s been little protest compared to past wars

- How the war is accelerating political trends, not transforming them

- The growing divide on Israel within the Democratic coalition

- The emerging fracture on the right over intervention and Israel

- The generational divide among younger conservatives

- Whether the far left and far right could align politically

- What “just war” theory is and why it matters now

- What this all means for the future of the Republican Party

This episode was sponsored by United Hatzalah. Donate today at IsraelRescue.org/CallMeBack. Add this number to your phone right now if you live in Israel – 1221, and for those visiting it’s 972-2-5-383838.

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, Adaam James Levin-Areddy, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo