Eran Etzion treated The Debrief’s viewers to a top-notch briefing on Netanyahu & Trump’s war of choice against Iran today and I’m delighted that many of you were able to join us live. Having served in the highest echelon of Israel’s security establishment — including as Deputy Head of Israel’s National Security Council — Eran has invaluable insights to share.
At the outset of our conversation, Eran stated:
Netanyahu has his own set of personal, political, and I would say criminal interests, irrespective of the interests of the State of Israel, the people of Israel, its relations with the US, its national security, and so on… Unfortunately, I would argue that [Netanyahu’s] considerations, [which are] essentially illegitimate, [are] calling the shots.
Here are the main topics we discussed:
Netanyahu’s use of war to evade jail and responsibility for October 7, Gaza, and Qatargate, attempting to win the Oct ‘26 election despite lagging in polls
Bibi’s placement of cronies and ideologues in key security positions, ensuring lack of pushback against his drive to war — yes, the parallels to the US are clear!
Israel’s mass displacement in Lebanon and pending ground invasion, rather than working with Lebanon’s govt, US, France, and others to disarm Hizballah
Netanyahu’s granting “license to kill” to “terrorist settlers” in the West Bank and further immiseration of Gaza while the world is distracted by the Iran war
Public opinion toward war in Israel driven by October 7th trauma, Netanyahu’s control of the media, and the lack of an alternative vision from the opposition
Deterioration of support for Israel in the United States, which will accelerate as a result of Trump and Netanyahu’s war
You’re going to want to share this conversation with friends! And please feel encouraged to add your thoughts in the comments.
Next Podcast Coming Your Way
Tuesday, March 10 at 12pm Eastern:
With the US at war — led by a tattooed Secretary of Defense who has brought misogynist, theocracy-supporting preacher Doug Wilson to lead a Pentagon prayer service and spoken approvingly of rebuilding the temple on the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif — we need to have a serious conversation about the role white Christian nationalism is playing in US foreign policy under Donald Trump.
It’s not just Pete Hegseth, of course. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, a Christian Zionist pastor, believes Israel is entitled to control much of the Middle East. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has lectured Europeans about the “urgent threat” to the survival of “Western civilization” based in part on “Christian faith.” House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Capitol Hill office is adorned with the Appeal to Heaven flag. The The Military Religious Freedom Foundation reports receiving calls from US servicemembers regarding religious comments made by US commanders regarding the war in Iran. Evangelical leaders laid hands on Donald Trump in the Oval Office yesterday, praying for him and expressing gratitude for his “courageous decision to strike the terrorist regime in Iran.”
To discuss this, I’m delighted to welcome Tim Whitaker of The New Evangelicals back to The Debrief (by popular demand!). In addition to discussing the role white Christian nationalism and the role it is playing in US foreign policy, I’m looking forward to speaking with him about Democratic nominee for US Senate from Texas James Talarico and the alternative vision of Christianity he powerfully represents. Tim has interviewed Talarico on multiple occasions, including here.
I hope you’ll join Tim and me on Tuesday!
Warmly,
Debra
This is a tremendously consequential time for American democracy, Israel-Palestine, and the broader Middle East. I’m working hard here at The Debrief to inform and enlighten, bringing you analysis and incisive discussions that you won’t find elsewhere. Friends, if you value this work, would you consider chipping in to keep it going? I’d be so grateful. Thanks!
P.S. In case you missed any of the great content on The Debrief this week, it’s all available in the podcast archive. I put out this 10-minute explainer on the day Israel and the US launched the war against Iran that lots of folks found helpful. I had a great conversation (as always!) on THE LEFT HOOK with Wajahat Ali that you’ll enjoy. And paid subscribers got to savor a wonderful discussion with Sari Bashi on her memoir, Upside-Down Love.
