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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

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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31:38

Episode 277 | Iran. What next?

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2025/11/14

In this episode, recorded live in London, Richard Pater speaks with Andrea Stricker and Behnam Ben Taleblu from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) about Iran’s nuclear, missile, and regional threat landscape five months after the Twelve-Day War and the snapback sanctions.Together, they discuss the whereabouts and condition of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stock, as well as Iran’s use of proxies across the region. Andrea Stricker is Deputy Director of FDD’s Non-proliferation and

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26:03

Episode 276 | Saudi perspective on normalisation

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2025/11/07

In this episode, recorded during a BICOM media briefing, Daniel J. Levy speaks with Dr Najah Alotaibi and Dr Efrat Sopher about the prospects for Saudi–Israeli normalisation following the Gaza War. They discuss how Saudi Arabia’s social and educational reforms are reshaping public attitudes toward Israel. They also relate to the growing empowerment of women and the importance of grassroots initiatives.Dr Najah Alotaibi is a Saudi academic, journalist and board member of MENA 2050. Dr Efrat

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35:38

Episode 275 | Inside Iran’s IRGC shadow network

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2025/10/31

In this episode, recorded during a BICOM media briefing, Daniel J. Levy speaks with Jonathan W. Hackett about the global reach of Iran’s intelligence and covert operations. Jonathan explains how the IRGC’s external apparatus evolved after 2009, outlines the shift from professionalised intelligence structures to more erratic and decentralised operations, and assesses the risks posed by Iranian networks. He also discusses the limitations of sanctions and the implications of proscribing the IRGC under

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38:55

Episode 274 | Behind the scenes of the Abraham Accords

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2025/10/24

In this episode, recorded during a media briefing, Richard Pater speaks with Shiri Fein-Grossman about the evolution of the Abraham Accords on their five-year anniversary. Shiri reflects on the foundations of Israel’s normalisation with the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco. She outlines the mechanics that made the accords resilient through conflict and discusses the prospects for future expansion to Saudi Arabia and parts of Africa.Shiri Fein-Grossman is the CEO of the Israel-Africa Relations Institute

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29:30

Episode 273 | Exploring phase two of the Trump plan

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2025/10/17

In this episode, recorded during a media briefing, Richard Pater speaks with Lianne Pollak-David about the remaining challenges following the release of all living hostages and President Trump’s multilateral summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. Lianne outlines the debate over establishing an international Arab security force in Gaza, and the regional shift toward a new “Abraham Alliance”.Lianne Pollak-David is a Founding Partner of the Coalition for Regional Security and Strategic Consultant. She worked as

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22:13

Episode 272 | Surviving October 7 at the Nova Festival

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2025/10/10

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks with Natalie Sanandaji, a New Yorker and survivor of the Nova Festival, who recounts her harrowing experience of that morning, from waking up to the sound of rockets to escaping Hamas terrorists on foot for hours.Natalie also discusses her work with the Combat Antisemitism Movement, her efforts to build alliances between Jewish and Iranian communities, and the importance of sharing the truth of October 7 with global audiences.

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50:24

Episode 271 | Hezbollah one year after Operation...

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2025/10/01

In this episode, we share a recording of a BICOM media briefing led by Richard Pater with Lt. Col. (res.) Sarit Zehavi, marking one year since Operation Northern Arrows in Lebanon. Sarit delivered a detailed assessment of Hezbollah’s capacity and capabilities, Israel’s campaign to degrade the organisation, and the challenges of the post-ceasefire environment.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

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31:15

Episode 270 | How Hamas surprised Israel on October 7

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2025/09/26

In this episode, Daniel J. Levy speaks with Yaakov Katz about his latest book While Israel Slept: How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East, co-authored with Amir Bohbot. They discuss the events of 7th October, the failures within Israel’s political and security establishments and the lessons Israel must draw to prevent such a catastrophe from recurring.Yaakov Katz is a journalist and the author of four books on the Israeli military. He is also a former Editor-in-Chief of

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55:22

Episode 269 | How Israel is reshaping the Middle East

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2025/09/12

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks with Edmund Fitton-Brown about Israel’s recent strikes on the Houthis in Yemen and Hamas leaders in Doha. They discuss the effectiveness of Israel’s operations, the role of Iran, and the reaction across the Gulf. Edmund also assesses the UK’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN, its implications for counter-terrorism, and the wider diplomatic fallout.Edmund Fitton-Brown is a veteran British diplomat who served at numerous postings in the Middle

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33:41

Episode 268 | Reflections on unilateral recognition

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2025/08/15

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks with Dr Michal Hatuel-Radoshitzky about the UK’s recent announcement on recognising a Palestinian state, the dynamics around the humanitarian aid, and the prospects for a hostage deal. Michal assesses the role of Egypt as a mediator and the challenges posed by Hamas.Dr Michal Hatuel-Radoshitzky is a senior adviser and programme director at Mind Israel, an adjunct lecturer at Tel Aviv University, and one of the founding members of the Forum Dvorah. She holds a

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25:09

Episode 267 | A British assessment of Israeli...

BICOM"s Podcast ·

2025/08/08

In this episode, Daniel J. Levy speaks with Dr Lynette Nusbacher about the history of Israeli military strategy and doctrine, as well as how it has manifested itself in recent conflicts.She is a is a former British Army intelligence officer and worked on developing two of the UK’s National Security Strategies as part of Britain’s National Security Secretariat. She has been Senior Lecturer in War Studies, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst; Head of the Strategic Horizons Unit in the UK Cabinet Office;

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