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Artwork for Israel Update

Israel Update

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes96Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsGovernmentPolitics

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Artwork for Israel Update

Latest Episodes

Trump’s MOU repeats a very American mistake, says guest Prof. Dan Schueftan: like many presidents before him he does not understand radicalism. But the Lebanon Deal may be able to rectify some of the damage. In which case, says Schueftan, it would no... more

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu once again affirmed that Israel will maintain its security zone in Lebanon – for as long as needed, regardless of any outside pressure. Mike and Gadi explain why yielding on this issue will cost Netanyahu the... more

Gadi thinks it is. The US has demonstrated that it will not really fight – unless it’s easy, can be done from the air, and includes very few casualties. That is a bad signal for every rogue regime the world over. Mike thinks the MOU is just a tactica... more

TRUMP AND NETANYAHU: A LOVERS' SPAT

Contrary to the media’s rendering, no great rift has opened between Trump and Netanyahu. Rest assured that the Israeli attack on Iran was fully coordinated with the Americans. Trump, though, would do well to insis... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Dan Schueftan
Professor and political analyst
Episode: IU SPECIAL: Schueftan vs. Doran on Turkey

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 203 ratings
  • Excellent

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NeoMory
    Canadaa month 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 States3 months ago
  • Informative and witty

    Two of the most brilliant commentators on the Israeli scene

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    moshe mayer
    United States10 months ago
  • Fun

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    am a mamamamam
    United States10 months 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
#193
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#241
Germany/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#36
Israel/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#58
Finland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#124
Israel/News
Apple Podcasts
#150
Philippines/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. What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead
3. Ask Haviv Anything
4. FDD Morning Brief
5. What Matters Now

How many episodes of Israel Update are there?

Israel Update launched 2 years ago and published 96 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. Batya Ungar-Sargon
2. Tamir Morag
3. Zineb Ribois
4. Zineb Riboua
5. Jen Murtazashvili
6. Tommy Robinson
7. Erez Winner
8. Melanie Phillips

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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