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PODCAST

BICOM"s Podcast

A weekly podcast from BICOM, an independent British think tank producing research and analysis to increase understanding of Israel and the Middle East in the UK. Be sure to subscribe, rate, review and listen!

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All Episodes

21:12

Episode 297 | Assessing the ceasefire from Washington

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2026/04/17

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks with Dr Ilan Berman about the war with Iran, the ceasefire talks, and how Washington is thinking about what comes next. He examines the unresolved question of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, and the implications for Gulf allies, NATO, and the UK-US relationship.Dr Ilan Berman is Senior Vice President of the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington, DC, and an expert on regional security in the Middle East. In the past he has consulted for the CIA as

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34:53

Episode 296 | Assessing the changing regional dynamics

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2026/04/01

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks with Koby Huberman, who reflects on how the war with Iran is influencing the thinking across the Gulf and wider region. He examines changing perceptions of Iran among Gulf leaders, the long-term challenges, and opportunities that could emerge.Koby Huberman is an Israeli high-tech veteran and business strategist. He is the co-author of the “Israeli Peace Initiative (IPI)”, and co-founded the Israeli Regional Initiative Group, which since 2006 promoted a new

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23:57

Episode 295 | The War with Iran from the Gulf...

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2026/03/27

In this episode, recorded during a media briefing, Richard Pater speaks with Dr. Ahmed Al Khuzaie, who reflects on how the war with Iran is being experienced in Bahrain and across the Gulf. He examines shifting public attitudes towards Iran, the mounting concern over attacks on civilian infrastructure, the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz and the role of the IRGC within Iran’s decision-making.Dr Ahmed Al Khuzaie is a political consultant working predominantly with politicians in the United States

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24:09

Episode 294 | Strategic choices in the War with Iran

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2026/03/20

In this episode, recorded during a media briefing, Richard Pater speaks with Dr. Eran Lerman, who assesses the achievements so far of the War with Iran, while examining the unresolved challenges around Iran’s nuclear programme and the strategic contest over control of the Strait of Hormuz. He also explores the role of the United States as an operational partner, the risks of escalation involving Hezbollah and the Gulf states, and the internal dynamics within Iran. Dr. Col. (res.) Eran Lerman was

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20:18

Episode 293 | Understanding Iran’s resilience

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2026/03/20

In this episode, recorded during a media briefing, Daniel J. Levy speaks with Dr. Arash Azizi about the ongoing US–Israel campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Azizi examines the impact of leadership decapitation, including the elimination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and why the regime has so far maintained cohesion. He also explores the limits of military pressure and the role of Iran’s security apparatus in sustaining internal control. Dr. Arash Azizi is an Iranian American historian,

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26:27

Episode 292 | Inside Iran’s war strategy with a...

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2026/03/13

In this episode, recorded during a media briefing, Richard Pater speaks with Sima Shine about the trajectory of the war with Iran. Sima examines the Iranian threat to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the implications for Gulf states and regional alliances, and the internal dynamics inside Iran as the regime works to maintain control during the conflict. Sima Shine is a former senior official in Israel’s intelligence community who served for many years in the Mossad, ultimately heading a research

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28:13

Episode 291 | How US special operations support the...

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2026/03/11

In this episode, recorded during a media briefing, Daniel J. Levy speaks with Jonathan Hackett about reported efforts to work with Kurdish forces against Iran. Jonathan examines the history and ambitions of different Kurdish groups and explains the mechanics of unconventional warfare. He also relates to the regional implications, and the possible outcomes of a new front opening in western Iran. Jonathan Hackett is a United States Marine Corps veteran who spent 20 years across special operations and

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27:56

Episode 290 | Israel moves against Hezbollah

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2026/03/06

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks with Lt. Col. (res.) Sarit Zehavi about the threat from Hezbollah on Israel’s northern border. Speaking from the Galilee amid ongoing rocket and drone fire, Sarit assesses Hezbollah’s current capabilities, the IDF’s response across Lebanon including Beirut, and the risks of escalation due to Iranian influence.Lt. Col. (res.) Sarit Zehavi is the founder and president of the Alma Research and Education Center, with 15 years of experience as an IDF intelligence

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16:06

Episode 289 | War with Iran: Day 4 Intelligence Update

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2026/03/04

In this episode, recorded during a media briefing on 3 March, Richard Pater speaks with Danny Citrinowicz about the trajectory of the campaign so far and what may come next. Citrinowicz explores the strategic logic behind targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure, pressure on Gulf states, and who could become Iran’s new Supreme Leader.Danny Citrinowicz is a Senior Researcher in the Iran and the Shi'ite Axis Program at the Institute for National Security Studies. He served 25 years in a

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33:02

Episode 288 | Assessing the threat from Iraqi...

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2026/02/27

In this episode, recorded during a media briefing, Richard Pater speaks with Bridget Toomey about the Iraqi militia ecosystem under the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) umbrella and the Houthis of Yemen. Toomey assesses their military capabilities and the implications for Israel, US forces, and regional stability. The discussion also examines what Iraqi militias, and the Houthis might do in the event of a direct confrontation with Iran.Bridget Toomey is a research analyst at the Foundation for

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20:50

Episode 287 | Egypt’s approach to Gaza

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2026/02/20

In this episode, we look at Egypt’s role in the shifting post-war picture around Gaza. Recorded during a media briefing, Daniel J. Levy speaks with Ruth Wasserman Lande. They discuss the implications of emerging plans for Gaza’s future governance, Egypt’s approach to Rafah and Sinai, and the wider regional influence of actors including Turkey and Qatar.Ruth Wasserman Lande is an Arab affairs commentator. She previously served as Israel’s Deputy Chief of Mission in Cairo and was a member of the

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30:49

Episode 286 | Oman: The Gulf’s window to Iran

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2026/02/13

In this episode we look at Oman. Recorded during a media briefing, Daniel J. Levy speaks with Marc Sievers, former US Ambassador to Oman, about the latest indirect US–Iran nuclear talks and why Oman so often sits at the centre of regional diplomacy. Sievers explains how Oman’s distinctive relationship with Iran developed from the Sultan Qaboos era, how it shaped backchannel engagement during the JCPOA years, and what changed under “maximum pressure” when the US withdrew from the deal.Retired

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33:41

Episode 285 | Turkey’s regional game

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2026/02/06

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks with Dr Rémi Daniel about Turkey’s Middle East policy. Together, they unpack President Erdoğan’s grip on power, what Turkey is trying to achieve in Syria, and how does the Kurdish question affect Ankara’s cross-border posture? The conversation also looks at Turkey’s balancing act towards Iran and what Turkey’s policy on Gaza could mean for Israel. Dr Rémi Daniel is a specialist on Turkish affairs at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) in Tel

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25:37

Episode 284 | Bahrain: between Iran and the Abraham...

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2026/01/23

In this episode we focus on Bahrain. Recorded in the country’s capital, Manama, Daniel J. Levy speaks with Dr Ahmed Al Khuzaie about Bahrain’s strategic outlook, its place within the Gulf, and the regional impact of Iran’s behaviour. Drawing on Bahrain’s history, its role within the GCC, and its decision to join the Abraham Accords, the conversation examines the evolution of Bahrain–Israel relations, and how Gulf states view protests inside Iran. Dr Ahmed Al Khuzaie is a political consultant

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33:24

Episode 283 | Inside the Jewish Century

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2026/01/09

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks with Terry Newman about Israel’s transition into what he calls the Jewish Century. Newman argues that Israel’s mainstream Jewish majority is seeking to reclaim ownership of Jewish identity, culture, and tradition from increasingly radical religious monopolies. The conversation explores how this struggle is shaping debates over democracy, national ceremonies, education, and Israel’s evolving story at home and abroad, including its foreign policy and regional

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31:34

Episode 282 | Approaching elections with the Israeli...

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2025/12/19

In this episode, Daniel J. Levy speaks with Jonathan Javor as they look ahead to the 2026 Knesset election. Javor who broadly reflects a right-wing perspective explains how Israeli politics has shifted towards the right and examines the electoral challenges facing Likud and Prime Minister Netanyahu. The conversation also reviews the role of the ultra-Orthodox, the prospects for Naftali Bennett and how security, identity, and coalition considerations are shaping Israeli politics.Jonathan Javor is a

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35:37

Episode 281 | Trump’s year in the Middle East

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2025/12/12

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks with Jonathan Paris, who outlines how Trump’s personalised diplomacy has reshaped regional dynamics. They discuss Trump’s relationships with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, and the new Syrian leadership. Jonathan also explains the US and Israeli strategy towards Iran and reflects on Yemen, Hezbollah, and the rise of antisemitism across Europe and the United States.Jonathan Paris is a London-based Middle East analyst and former Fellow at the Council on Foreign

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26:18

Episode 280 | Countering AI misinformation

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2025/12/05

In this episode, recorded during BICOM briefing, Tal Hagin presents his VIST method for identifying AI generated misinformation, and discusses the use of AI in psychological operations and information warfare. Tal also outlines how AI-driven manipulation is reshaping conflict reporting and what can be done to counter deception with case studies from Gaza, Sudan, and Iran.Tal Hagin is an Information Warfare Analyst and Media Literacy Lecturer with over a decade of experience in information warfare

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32:05

Episode 279 | Will the ceasefire with Hezbollah hold?

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2025/11/28

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks with Orna Mizrahi about where things stand a year after the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, examining Hezbollah’s military recovery, the evolving Iranian role, the state of Lebanon’s political leadership, and whether a renewed round of conflict is becoming more likely.Orna Mizrahi served for 26 years in the IDF, including as an intelligence analyst and as a senior officer in the Strategic Planning Division. She later spent twelve years at

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32:46

Episode 278 | Inside Israeli diplomacy at the UN

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2025/11/21

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks with Jonathan Harounoff Israel’s Spokesperson to the United Nations. They discuss relations with the UK and other missions, combatting anti-Israeli prejudice including the debate over recognition of Palestinian statehood, and the next steps for the international stabilisation effort in Gaza. Jonathan was born in London, graduated with a degree in Arabic, Persian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Cambridge. He completed his graduate studies in

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170 results

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