The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

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Day 623 - How Israel stopped the bomb in 1981 and 2007
Welcome to The Times of Israel's newest podcast series, Friday Focus. Each Friday, join diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman and host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe. Israel has experience in attempting to stop a nuclear weapons program. Twice before striking Iran on June 13, 2025, Israel attempted to thwart two neighboring nations' nascent nuclear programs. This week on the Friday Focus, we’re talking about the covert surprise 1981 Operation Opera in Iraq and the 2007 Israeli airstrike on Syria, called Operation Outside the Box or Operation Orchard. Berman fills us in on the back story of both, and weighs in on how successful they were — of course, with an eye to the current Israel-Iran war and Israel’s goal to stop Iran from reaching a nuclear bomb. We learn how Operation Opera, also known as Operation Babylon, took place under prime minister Menachem Begin on June 7, 1981, at 16:00 when 14 fighter jets departed from Etzion (Efrat) Airport in Israel. At approximately 17:30, they struck and destroyed the Osirak nuclear reactor in Iraq, and within about 90 seconds of bombing, they successfully completed their mission. Berman speaks about the resultant "Begin Doctrine," which, since 1981, guides Israel in how it reacts to imminent threats of weapons of mass destruction. We then turn to the second preemptive strike that Israel carried out to stop the bomb in 2007, under prime minister Ehud Olmert. Ten Israeli Air Force (IAF) F-15 fighter jets, along with F-16 fighters and electronic-warfare aircraft, bombed a Syrian radar site and took over Syrian air defenses, feeding them a false picture of empty skies. We discuss the overriding themes of both operations and compare them with what is currently happening in the Israel-Iran war. Friday Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves and the video was edited by Thomas Girsch. IMAGE: The IDF pilots who participated in the Operation Opera bombing of Saddam Hussein's nuclear reactor at Osirak in 1981. (Israel Defense Force archive)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Day 622 - Iran hits Israeli hospital, will US join the fray?
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 bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Following the early morning Iranian rocket attack that directly hit Beersheba's Soroka Medical Center and buildings in Ramat Gan and Holon, Magid discusses the likelihood of the US getting involved in the Israel-Iran conflict. He notes that the stance of US President Donald Trump regarding US involvement has shifted dramatically in recent days, moving from very unlikely to highly possible. Magid also discusses how Republican support for Israel is divided on the issue of the US intervention in the Iranian conflict, with some Republican politicians making it clear that they support the steps that Israel has taken, while others are against the US getting involved in a conflict far from US soil. As 85 trucks of humanitarian aid entered Gaza on Wednesday, Magid discusses the ongoing challenges of aid distribution being handled by the Israeli-US Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. He also talks about the latest offer for hostage negotiations, as Egypt offers to host representatives of Israel and Hamas in Sharm el-Sheikh, which is accessible for the Israeli team, given the closure of Israel's airports during the Iran conflict. Israel believes that its strikes against Iran will help in talks with Hamas to reach a ceasefire deal, says Magid. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: ‘Nobody knows what I’m going to do’: Trump won’t say whether he’ll strike Iran Trump speaks with Netanyahu and advisers as he weighs strike on Iran Trump demands Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender,’ says US won’t kill Khamenei ‘for now’ Netanyahu says Israel won’t rule out killing Khamenei: It would ‘end the conflict’ US embassy working on plans to evacuate citizens seeking to leave Israel Egypt pushing to host hostage talks, but Israel holding off for now Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Smoke rises from where a ballistic missile fired from Iran hit Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva, June 19, 2025 (Credit: Dudu Greenspan/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Day 621 - How warfare is being rewritten over the skies of Tehran
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. Senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. The Israel-Iran war continues with fewer missile barrages from Iran even as Israel continues to use innovative ways of using its technology to destroy nuclear and military infrastructure in Iran. We begin the episode by speaking about how Israel has tweaked its aerial missile capabilities, specifically its standoff munitions, to turn them into far-flying, guided ballistic missiles. Rettig Gur speaks about the many, deep reasons why Russia did not want this Israel-Iran war to take place, including the notion that Israel has shown the lack of capabilities of Russian anti-aircraft tech as the IAF sails through Tehran airspace. We hear what else had Russian President Vladimir Putin concerned. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed words of support yesterday for Israel’s war against Iran, saying, “This is the dirty work Israel is doing for all of us. We are also victims of this regime. This mullah regime has brought death and destruction to the world. As Merz appers to be urging the United States to enter the fray, we also hear about France's support for Israel's military operations in Iran. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Israel will achieve goals in Iran within a week or two, including in Fordo, IDF says The US bunker-buster bomb that could destroy Iran’s Fordo nuclear facility Germany’s Merz threatens destruction of Iran’s nuclear program if it bucks talks Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Portraits of Iranian military generals and nuclear scientists, killed in Israel's June 13 attack are displayed above a road, as a plume of heavy smoke rises from an oil refinery in southern Tehran, after it was hit in an overnight Israeli strike, on June 15, 2025. (ATTA KENARE / AFP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Day 620 - Israel rules Tehran skies. Is greater turbulence on the horizon?
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 reporter Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Two Israeli soldiers were killed fighting in separate incidents in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis on Monday. Cpt. Tal Movshovitz, 28, from Re’ut, was killed by an explosive device planted in a building.Hours later, Staff Sgt. Naveh Leshem, 20, from Nokdim, was killed, and 10 other soldiers were wounded. Berman addresses the rumors of progress towards a negotiated deal to get the hostages out and a ceasefire in the Strip. What is happening in the war and what has changed? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday did not rule out plans to target Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Instead, he suggested that it would be a surefire way to “end the conflict” with the Islamic Republic. Berman updates us on other statements from the prime minister -- in English and Hebrew. Downtown Tehran appears to be emptying out, with many shops closed, including in the city’s ancient Grand Bazaar, perhaps in light of US President Donald Trump’s impromptu evacuation call for the entire city of Tehran Monday night, citing what he said was the country’s rejection of a deal to curb nuclear weapons development, as the conflict between Israel and the Islamic Republic appeared poised for further escalation. Berman explains what happened in the G7 and where the war could be turning. French authorities erected black partition walls around Israeli company exhibits displaying offensive weapons systems at the Paris Air Show overnight Sunday, hours before the event opened at Le Bourget Airport. Berman weighs in, explaining the nuance of the situation -- and why this is hardly the first time Israel is singled out at this show. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: 2 soldiers killed in Gaza; another mass casualty incident reported near GHF aid site Netanyahu admits Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was Israeli initiative Netanyahu says Israel won’t rule out killing Khamenei: It would ‘end the conflict’ Trump urges ‘everyone’ to flee Tehran, sparking speculation of widening conflict Trump, G7 heads call for ‘de-escalation’ in Iran, but US president denies ceasefire bid Paris Air Show closes off pavilions of Israeli companies displaying ‘offensive weapons’ Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Handout image of Israeli fighter jet lifting off to strike Iran, June 17, 2025. (IDF)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Day 619 - Will Israeli strikes push Iran to end nuclear program?
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. Times of Israel founding editor David Horovitz joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Over the past night, eight Israelis were killed and hundreds injured in Iranian barrages, with evenings and overnights now punctuated by missile strikes. Israelis have been staying close to protected spaces, and, until last night, almost every serious casualty had been outside a protected room or shelter. Horovitz talks about Israel gaining air supremacy in Iran and the declared goals of the military campaign, which include averting the ballistic missile threat and damaging the Iranian nuclear program, but do not include bringing down the Iranian regime or targeting the country's political leadership... or completely destroying the nuclear program. Rather, the overt intention is to create an environment in which the regime decides its own interests require it to abandon and dismantle the entire program. He notes that Israel has killed many Iranian commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and army, and key nuclear scientists, disrupting the regime's military command structure and hampering a potential breakout to the bomb. Horovitz discusses whether the US could get involved, and notes comments by US President Donald Trump that express clear support for Israel but no intention to join the battle. He says that Israel, which has made significant progress over the last few days, never asks other countries to fight its wars, but American involvement may be crucial in disabling Iran's best-protected nuclear facilities. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: 8 killed, nearly 300 injured as Iranian ballistic missiles strike central Israel, Haifa Devastation grows as Iran targets Israel’s civilian areas, despite interceptors and shelters Israel kills Iranian intel chiefs, strikes deep inside Iran, opens ‘air corridor to Tehran’ IDF reiterates safe rooms still best option against Iran’s missiles, despite 2 fatalities Trump said to veto Khamenei assassination; Netanyahu: Conflict may result in regime change Trump says ‘it’s possible’ US will get involved in Iran-Israel conflict, while urging deal Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Israelis at scene where a ballistic missile fired from Iran hit and caused damage in Tel Aviv, June 16, 2025. (Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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