We have been glued to the news for the past 24 hours, watching the shocking attack by Hamas against innocent Israelis. (Read all of our coverage of the unfolding war here.)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyuahu said that what happened on Saturday—Shabbat and a holiday—“has never been seen before in Israel.” Think about 9/11 and the kind of shock and terror we felt. That is the level of devastation Israelis are now experiencing.
We are left with so many questions: How did this happen? Who is to blame for this catastrophic security failure? How will Israel respond? How will it save the hostages in Gaza? What was the extent of Iran’s involvement in this sophisticated operation? Will this change the Biden administration’s policy toward the Islamic Republic? And so many more.
Some of those questions will be answered in the coming days and weeks. For today, historian and former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren helps us make sense of the unfolding crisis.
Click here to listen to our important conversation.
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There's no need to a country or people's pain to inhuman attacks between 9-11 and Israel today. Leave that alone Mr. Ambassador. On a couple of questions. The Israeli military and intelligence communities need to have a good look at themselves and stop believing their own press releases. The Mossad are not omniscient, and technology isn't everything. Letting rage and political grandstanding get Israel bogged down in a struggle which may not be the best battle or theater into which to fight takes some cool thinking. Iran is a master at using a combination of low tech drones to high end technology and good old infiltration on the ground to fight with a multipronged strategy. They are in their multilateral mission for the long haul, and from the look of some of the masked folks on those trucks, mercenaries from many countries are always hungry for a tough fight and good paydays.
For my comments regarding the brutal attack of Hamas against Israel, please read my column 'No Victors. Just Victims.'
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