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Israel Update

Tablet Studios
Israel
Iran
Hamas
United States
Hezbollah
Gaza
Netanyahu
Donald Trump
Biden Administration
IDF
Lebanon
Hostage Negotiations
Netanyahu Government
Prime Minister Netanyahu
Turkey
Benjamin Netanyahu
Middle East
Gaza Strip
Trump Administration
Supreme Court Of Israel

This is the audio version of Israel Update. Israel Update is a video podcast hosted by Israeli historian and political commentator Gadi Taub and Michael Doran, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C. The show offers news from the ground as well as an unparalleled insider perspective on the war.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes102Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsGovernmentNews

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Artwork for Israel Update

Latest Episodes

Strangely, almost unbelievably, Israel’s economy is booming, even after three difficult years of war. The Tel Aviv 35 Index is up 130% since this government took office. Mike and Gadi try to explain how this has come to pass.

Also on this episode: t... more

Dr. Einat Wilf sometimes sounds like the right, and sometimes like the left. Which is, perhaps, the point of the new political party she founded. It’s named courage (Oz, in Hebrew). We asked her what the party’s agenda would be.

We also discussed th... more

This is the 8th time that Netanyahu is invited to the White House since Trump returned to power. The stalemate in the Gulf was probably the main subject of their one and a half hour discussion. Mike surveys the possible plans they may have agreed or ... more

Mike lays out the four possible scenarios in which the current escalation in the Straits of Hormuz can develop. Gadi revisits the “settler violence” canard, in light of the devastating arson attack perpetrated by Palestinian terrorists against the se... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Einat Wilf
Defender of Israel, author and politician
Oz Party
Episode: Israel Will Not Yield
Batya Ungar-Sargon
Commentator and author
The Jews and the Left (book)
Episode: Netanyahu Won’t Back Down
Tamir Morag
Political commentator on Israel's Channel 14
Channel 14 (Israel)
Episode: What Should Israel Do?
Zineb Ribois
Analyst referenced in discussion
Episode: The Likely Scenarios
Zineb Riboua
Hudson Institute colleague invited to discuss China angle and Arab reactions to the war
Hudson Institute
Episode: It's the Economy, Habibi!
Jen Murtazashvili
Professor and Fulbright Fellow in Israel; author of pieces on discourse around Israel
University (Pittsburgh) / Fulbright in Israel
Episode: The Politics Behind the "Settler Violence" Campaign
Tommy Robinson
A political activist known for his controversial views on Islam and immigration
Episode: Tommy Robinson in Israel
Erez Winner
Brigadier General in Reserve and former Chief of Operational Planning in the Southern Command
Episode: IU Special – How Israel Can Win In Gaza
Melanie Phillips
British journalist and author
Author of The Builder's Stone
Episode: IU Special: How Jews and Christians Can Save the West - with Author Melanie Phillips

Hosts

Mike Doran
Co-host and analyst with Hudson Institute background; deep knowledge of U.S. defense and diplomacy, often provides strategic framing and policy context.
Gadi Taub
Historian and commentator; primary Israeli perspective on strategic and political developments, frequently discusses Israeli politics and regional diplomacy.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 207 ratings
  • Excellent

    Great dialogue and opinions. Well worth listening and following. Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NeoMory
    Canada2 months ago
  • Banter

    Please don’t stop the “rabbit hole,” digression banter. I get enough “real” news about Israel from multiple other sources. I appreciate your expertise and look forward to your informational takes on current events, but it’s the banter that keeps me coming back. Keeps me laughing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MD, MBA in IN
    United States5 months ago
  • Informative and witty

    Two of the most brilliant commentators on the Israeli scene

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    moshe mayer
    United Statesa year ago
  • Fun

    I love these guys. So refreshing after having to suffer the legacy media on Israel

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    am a mamamamam
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great show!

    I just found you today and I love the show so far! Thank you for making this! I am now a follower! Love from Sweden ❤️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bjorn Tir
    Swedena year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Banter keeps heavy topics engaging without sacrificing depth.
Analytical, insightful host pairing; deep knowledge base feels uniquely credible.
Audience appreciates the nuanced take on U.S.-Israel diplomacy and regional actors.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#230
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#103
Philippines/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#105
Israel/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#134
Chile/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#136
Brazil/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#192
South Africa/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Netanyahu Won’t Back Down
Q: What is the central argument Batya makes about the left and the Jewish vote?
She argues that American Jews have increasingly aligned with the left, which has altered the political landscape and raised questions about historical loyalties and the future of Jewish political identity in the U.S.
What Should Israel Do?
Q: Tamir Morag, can you summarize how you see this affecting the Israeli scene domestically?
Tamir explains that the Iranian deal is a complex issue for Netanyahu's coalition with concerns about election dynamics and the need to avoid appearing weak, while stressing that the nuclear file and proxies remain central to Israeli security calculations.
Iran Buckles Under Blockade
Q: What are the dominant scenarios for the Iran-Gulf crisis and which path is more damaging?
The guests discuss escalating military action versus maintaining the status quo with the blockade, arguing that the blockade plus escalation could be more damaging to Iran, while a pure escalation could still backfire if it leads to a broader regional war.
It's the Economy, Habibi!
Q: Can you explain that argument, Zineb?
Zineb Riboua explains that China's long-term strategy in the Middle East leverages energy ties and Belt and Road, positioning Beijing to influence Gulf security and to counter US influence by building a parallel, multilateral framework that is increasingly integrated with regional actors.
Has Trump Turned his Back on Israel?
Q: Has Trump turned his back on Israel?
There are concerns that various decisions made by the Trump administration indicate a lack of coordination with Israel, leading to a perception that Israel's importance has been downgraded.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Israel Update

What is Israel Update about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program combines sharp, insider-focused analysis of Israeli security and regional geopolitics with a strong, banter-driven dynamic between two seasoned commentators. Episodes consistently cover Israel's domestic politics, U.S. and European policy, and the broader Middle East theater—particularly Iran, sanctions, and strategic alignments among Gulf states. The show often stitches together on-the-ground reporting, strategic assessments, and high-level diplomacy, making it a go-to for listeners who want both depth and a candid conversational style. A notable edge is the dual-host pairing that blends American defense expertise with deep Israeli political insight, offering nuanced takes alongside accessible banter that keeps complex topics ... more

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How many subscribers and views does Israel Update have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Israel Update?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Israel Update:

1. The Tikvah Podcast
2. Ask Haviv Anything
3. What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead
4. FDD Morning Brief
5. What Matters Now

How many episodes of Israel Update are there?

Israel Update launched 2 years ago and published 102 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Israel Update?

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What guests have appeared on Israel Update?

Recent guests on Israel Update include:

1. Einat Wilf
2. Batya Ungar-Sargon
3. Tamir Morag
4. Zineb Ribois
5. Zineb Riboua
6. Jen Murtazashvili
7. Tommy Robinson
8. Erez Winner

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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