The Benjamin Anthony Show from the MirYam Institute

In this episode of the show, Yaakov Lappin and I discuss the impact of America's strike against Iran's nuclear weapons program in Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz before delving into the speeches of mutual congratulations made by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu.  

Enjoy!

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In this episode of the show, Yaakov Lappin and I discuss Prime Minister Netanyahu’s press briefing, together with his answers to their questions on Operation Rising Lion, including whether or not he intends to eliminate Iran’s “Supreme Leader,” the role of the United States thus far, and whether or not Israel has the ability to go it alone against the Iranian nuclear threat and the ballistic missile threat. 

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Recorded on June 14th from here in central Israel, in the midst of the Iranian strikes against the Jewish state, I’m joined by Yaakov Lappin to assess where the Israeli military campaign against Iran’s nuclear weapons program currently stands, how the Israeli campaign might unfold, and why this needed to happen now.

Fear not! All will be well!

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In this episode of the show I reflect on the recently concluded MirYam Institute I-SAP tour to the Nazi death camps in Poland and to the sites of the D-DAY landings in Normandy, attended by close to fifty delegates from U.S. military colleges.

Together with Yaakov Lappin, we then turn our attention to the ongoing crisis surrounding the drafting of the Haredi community into the IDF before assessing the status of the hostage crisis and the threat of the Iranian nuclear weapons program. 

Enjoy!

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In this solo podcast, MirYam Institute in-house analyst Yaakov Lappin explores why, as Israel approaches strategic decisive outcomes in Gaza, the propaganda war against it grows louder. 

He also looks at the highly dramatic impasse that nuclear talks with Iran have reached, and how President Trump might respond when he concludes that the art of the deal does not apply to the jihadist regime in Tehran. 

Yaakov examines why encouraging the collapse of the Iranian regime should be the real end goal, and why actions are more important than words when it comes to Syria.

In this solo episode, MirYam Institute analyst Yaakov Lappin explores why the launch of a Hamas-free aid distribution program in Gaza marks a pivotal new phase in the war. The initiative aims to dismantle Hamas’s military and political control simultaneously.

Lappin discusses how Israel, working with an American private security firm, is now managing aid distribution—fundamentally shifting power dynamics on the ground. He also details the coordinated advances of five IDF divisions across Gaza.

Turning east, Lappin examines why time is running out on Iran’s accelerating nuclear program, as Tehran seeks to corner...

In this episode of the show, Yaakov Lappin and I analyze the IDF’s military buildup and operations inside the Gaza Strip, before we voice our very clear opinions on, and level our condemnation toward, recent statements made by former Deputy Chief Of Staff of the IDF and leader of the “HA-DEMOCRATIM” political party, Major General (Res.) Yair Golan. 

Golan made wholly unacceptable, baseless and false remarks against the members of the IDF in a tirade that would normally be the preserve of enemies of the State of Israel. 

We also analyze the recent address made by...

In this solo podcast Yaakov Lappin, In-House Analyst at The MirYam Institute, assesses President Trump's visit to the middle east, and argues that it contains both encouraging and concerning developments.

Yaakov also looks at the reasons behind the attempts by Hamas and Qatar to offer ‘gifts' to President Trump, and why Israel, for its part, is unlikely to be swayed by the dangling of any mega-deals that could compromise its core security.

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In this solo podcast, The Miryam Institute’s In-House Analyst, Yaakov Lappin, breaks down what's being planned in Gaza, Israel's lead role in continuing the battle against the Iranian jihadist axis, and the struggle between isolationists and traditional Republicans for the ear of President Trump.

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Recorded on Yom Hashoa, Yaakov Lappin and I discuss the significance of this solemn day, the clear Jew-Hatred exhibited by too many new-media "influencers" and the status of the IDF's operations inside the Gaza Strip, before assessing the implications of the Trump administration's outreach to Iran and whether or not all involved in those negotiations would do well to stop courting the press. 

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In this episode, Yaakov Lappin and I assess the fall out of the NYT article that claims that "Trump Waved Off Israeli Strike [against Iran's nuclear weapons program] After Divisions Emerged in His Administration." 

We ask who leaked the information and what Trump and Bibi's next steps might be in light of the story and emerging disagreement between the two. We then clash on the question of what an Iranian retaliation might look like in the event of a solo Israeli, or Israel-U.S. kinetic strike against Iran's nuclear facilities. 

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In this episode of the show, we focus on the Supreme Court's deliberations over whether or not the Prime Minister can dismiss the Head of the Shin-Bet, the IDF's maneuvers inside the Gaza Strip, the possibility of Hezbollah disarming and, finally, what are the main takeaways from Bibi's visit to the White House. 

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In this episode of the show Yaakov Lappin and I discuss the U.S. force build and its implications for the Iranian nuclear weapons program before discussing the IDF’s deepening presence inside the Gaza Strip, its goals and its effectiveness. 

Enjoy!

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In this episode of the podcast Yaakov Lappin and I discuss the growing unrest among the Gazan population, the flashing red warning light that Israel should heed from the emerging "Vance Doctrine" as seen in the SIGNAL messages leaked to the media around U.S. strikes on the Houthis in Yemen. 

We then look into Israel's targeted elimination of Hamas's leadership in Gaza. 

Enjoy!

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The MirYam Institute. Israel's Future in Israel's Hands.
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This episode of the podcast features my conversation with none other than John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at West Point, in front of a live Atlanta audience. 

Our organization recently hosted a series of MirYam Institute campus presentations featuring John as the keynote speaker. That campus tour included lectures at Columbia Law School, The Kennedy School of Government at Harvard and the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts. John's initial comments were followed by audience questions from the pro., the anti and the undecided elements of the graduate student community.  

That lecture se...

The IDF is ramping up its offensive inside the Gaza Strip against Hamas. Leaders of the terror organization are being steadily eliminated and the vaunted Golani Brigade is massing along Israel's border with the Strip. Gazans are fleeing southward as Israel's tanks maneuver along parts of the Netzarim corridor. 
 
Israel's Minister of Defense has called for the return of all our hostages and the expulsion of Hamas. Prime Minister Netanyahu has announced that all future negotiations will be carried out "under fire." 
 
In this episode of the show, together with my colleague Yaakov Lappin, I brea...

In this episode of the podcast, I'm publishing my conversation with Bret Stephens, Opinion Columnist for The New York Times, which was recorded in front of a live NYC audience during The MirYam Institute's Annual Regional Benefit Briefing on December 10, 2024.

We explore critical topics including: Iran & The Trump Administration, Jew-Hatred in the United States, and American campus upheaval, as well as Israel's war against Hamas.

Enjoy!

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In this episode, we discuss the appointment of the IDF's new Chief of Staff, Lt. General Eyal Zamir. 

We look back on the legacy of the departing Chief of Staff, Lt. General Hertzi Halevi, and outline what some of Zamir's challenges and opportunities may be. 

We then turn to the Oval Office debacle that took place between Ukraine's President Zelensky and President Donald Trump and compare and contrast it with some of Israel's own diplomatic challenges with its American allies. 

To purchase your tickets to the upcoming 5 ROUNDS live event in New York Cit...

In this episode, we discuss the tragic funerals of Shiri Bibas and her two young children, Ariel and Kfir and of Oded Lifshitz and the national and international outpouring that their return has generated. 

We then delve into the IDF's investigation of what transpired on October 7th in Kibbutz Nahal Oz, before assessing the "Day After" proposal Yair Lapid presented to a Washington D.C. audience. 

Finally, you can watch the referenced episode of "Israel Outside In" featuring a beach workout for budding IDF special forces soldiers here.

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In this episode of the podcast, we discuss the anticipated, tragic return of the bodies of Shiri Bibas, Ariel Bibas and Kfir Bibas to Israel, along with the body of Oded Lifshitz. 

All four of these hostages were kidnapped alive by Hamas on October 7th, 2023.

The Bibas family, whose two young children became symbols of Hamas's depravity and of Israel's suffering due to their red hair and young age, is the only family that was kidnapped in its entirety on October 7th. 

The MirYam Institute hosted Izhar Lifshitz, Oded Lifshitz's son, in Poland du...

In a change to our regular format, and in advance of the expected release of a further three hostages, today's show features a conversation between me and Almog Meir-Jan. 

Almog was seized by Hamas on October 7th, 2023 and held hostage inside the Gaza Strip until he was rescued by Israel's security forces at the age of 21 in one of the most daring rescue operations ever undertaken by Israel. 

That operation, which took place on June 8th, 2024, was renamed Operation ARNON, after Y.A.M.A.M. operator, Chief Inspector Arnon Zmora, who wa...

In this episode, Yaakov Lappin and I analyze the press briefings of Presidenrt Donald Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu during Bibi’s trip to D.C

Doubling down on the idea of relocating Gazans to areas out of Gaza, Donald Trump expressed his desire to see America take ownership of the Strip and to rebuild it together with international partners.

His comments have received the protestations of the UN, much of the EU, Heads of Middle Eastern states and more.

What does all of that mean? Yaakov and I discuss it all here. 

In this episode, Yaakov Lappin and I discuss President Trump’s suggestion that the Gazans should be relocated to Egypt and Jordan, before talking about the mass movement of Gazans back to the north of the Strip and the flawed security and inspection mechanism in place as they do so.
We then discuss the nominees for the next IDF Chief and finally close on Iran’s threat of a ‘massive cost’ to the region if it’s nuclear weapons program is attacked.
ALSO!! RSVP Today for An Evening With John Spencer, live in NYC, where he will speak on t...

This episode features a read-out of my most recent op-ed, published by JNS.ORG on Thursday, January 23rd. A link to the oped is included in the show notes, as is an RSVP link to register for our exclusive, live conversation with John Spencer, Chair Of Urban Warfare Studies at West Point.
In my column, entitled "The Unspoken Perils Of The Hostage Release Deal," I outline the extreme danger into which the three hostages released last week were placed, while being transferred by the Red Cross en-route to being freed.
Surrounded by hundreds, even thousands of Gazans...

We are celebrating the safe return of three female hostages held in captivity by Hamas. They are Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Damari, 28, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31.
In this episode, I've dug into The MirYam Institute archives to bring you two unique briefings we facilitated, both made by the family members of hostages whose loved ones are yet to return home. I've done so in order to share the ongoing anguish of too many hostage family members, who despite the scenes of happiness we all saw on this day, still do not know the fate of their loved ones. 
The f...

On Sunday, January 19th, 2025, Romi Gonen (24), Emily Damari (28) and Doron Steinbrecher (31), were reunited with their loved ones inside Israel.In this episode, I'm joined by Yaakov Lappin, In-House-Analyst at The MirYam Institute, to discuss their redemption from inside the Gaza Strip. 
We break down our reactions to the images of their release - including the danger in which they were placed as they were transferred from one Red-Cross vehicle to the other, surrounded by thousands of Gazans inside Gaza - the terms of the hostage-release deal as they pertain to the redeployment of the IDF, and the sacrifices m...

This episode was recorded on Wednesday, January 15th, against the declaration by incoming President Donald Trump that a hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas has been reached. 
In this episode, Yaakov Lappin and I discuss the mooted hostage release deal, together with its implications for Israeli society, the IDF, Israel's security and the hostage families; while noting the Benjamin Netanyahu is yet to confirm that a deal has been struck. 
We also analyze what might have been offered as a "sweetener" of the deal by the incoming President-Elect, Donald Trump to Prime Minister Netanyahu and whether or no...

In this episode, Yaakov Lappin and I discuss several of this week’s events, many of which emanate from Israel previously allowing its enemies to operate far too close to its borders.
Those subjects include the recent recovery of the body of a hostage kidnapped on October 7th, an overview of the tragic number of hostages kidnapped alive who are now dead, the lack of enforcement of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), as well as the urgent man-power needs of the IDF in the wake of a multi-front war that has endured for well ov...

In this episode of the show, I’m joined by The MirYam Institute In-House Analyst Yaakov Lappin to discuss the incredible IDF commando raid inside Syria to destroy a massive Iranian weapons making facility.
The raid, led by the Israeli Air-Force and Air-Force Commandos, took place in September but information about it was only cleared for publication this week. 
We are then joined by Micah Jones, Esq. and Frank Sobchak, PhD., two of MirYam’s I-LAP Israel trip Alumni, both former officers in the U.S. Army, for their insights on the recent terror attacks in Las Vegas...

In this season finale, Major General (Res.) Eli Shkedi tells me about Israel's stark surprise at the knowledge that an enemy state is developing a nuclear weapons program. 
As Chief Commander of the Air-Force at the time, he was convinced that Israel alone must destroy the nuclear facility. 
In this conversation, he takes me behind the scenes of his discussions with the Prime Minister, the conversations between Israeli and American leaders and the daring raid that was planned to destroy the nuclear program. 
After that, I travel to Israel's Ben Shemen forest, to sample traditional Middle-Eastern foo...

In this final episode of the podcast this year, I sit down with Yaakov Lappin, in-house analyst for The MirYam Institute, to discuss the increased incoming fire Israel has faced from the Houthis of late, the ongoing hostage crisis and its potential for resolution and whether or not now is the time for Israel to take out Iran's nuclear weapons program.
We round off the discussion with one or two predictions about 2025, focused on Israeli elections, the broadening of the Abraham Accords and whether or not the war will come to a close in the coming 12 months.
...

In this episode, I'm invited into the home of Major-General (Res.) Eliezer Shkedi, the son of a Holocaust survivor who climbed Israel's military ranks to become the Chief Commander of The Israeli Air-Force. 
He tells me about his father's personal history and how that informed his decision to serve and protect the State of Israel however he could. 
In 2003, against the objections of the Polish government, General Shkedi approved of a ceremonial Israeli flyover above the Nazi Death Camp at Auschwitz in an astonishing display of his conviction that "Never Again" must truly mean "Never Again." 
Wat...

In this episode, recorded on December 12th, 2024, I sit down with IDF veteran, amputee and hero, Boris Shtonda, whose leg was amputated as a result of a catastrophic injury he sustained inside the Gaza Strip following the October 7th massacre. 
Boris tells me about his career in the IDF elite counter-terror unit, Duvdevan, his work as a close protection officer where he guarded over Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin, Former Head of Mossad Yossi Cohen and others and how his life changed after October 7th. 
Hearing the news of the Hamas rampage while on vaca...

Filmed before the Hamas massacre of October 7th, Brigadier General "Chiko" Tamir (Res.) gives an ominous warning about Hamas's determination to build a full scale terrorist-army and the need for Israel to counter that threat. 
He then outlines his views on leadership on the battlefield and in life, before I set out on my way to enjoy a bite of KNAFE, an Israeli dessert stuffed with cheese and other delights, baked by Lebanese refugees who now live in Israel. 
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In this episode, I’m joined by my colleague Yaakov Lappin to discuss the appalling comments made by former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe ‘Bogie’ Yaalon against the Israel Defense Forces, including a false accusation that Israel is engaged in ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip.
We then discuss the implications of President Trump’s tweeted ultimatum to the captors of Israel’s hostages and we round out the show discussing the chaos spreading across Syria and what that might mean for Israel.
Enjoy!
To Register For The MirYam Institute Annual Regional Briefing on Tuesday, December 10 in NYC, cl...

Brigadier General "Chiko" Tamir invites me into his home to talk about his career as a venerated combat officer in the Israel Defense Forces. 
At the border between Israel and Lebanon is where Chiko hosted me, and took me behind the scenes of his military escapades, including the firefight he led that killed the son of the recently eliminated Head of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, his decision to bring the body of Nasrallah's son back to Israel, and the successful exchange Israel later made in order to recover the body of one of Israel's fallen soldiers.
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In this episode, I sit down with Yaakov Lappin to discuss the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon - and we quickly arrive at points of very significant disagreement.
We then discussed the ongoing war inside the Gaza Strip and the implications the ceasefire deal with Lebanon might have on that theatre before we quickly tackle the question of the fate of the IDF Chief of Staff, Hertzi Halevi and the readiness of Israel's northern citizens to return to their homes.
Finally, you can still purchase tickets to The MirYam Institute Annual Regional Briefing, taking place on...

In this episode, I'm put through my paces for an early morning, beach workout with HAMASLUL (www.hamaslul.co.il), an organization that prepares Israeli youth to join elite units in the IDF and then take you on a walking tour of Tel-Aviv.
Meet the founder of HAMASLUL as he explains how his personal story compelled him to establish this incredible organization, and hear from the students who explain that joining HAMASLUL did more than prepare them for the IDF. It also built their self esteem, improved their health, and introduced them to new friends, who feel almost...

Recorded on Thursday, November 21, 2024, in the wake of the announcement by the International Criminal Court that arrest warrants have been issued for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, I sought out the insights and expertise of renowned legal scholar Professor Avi Bell, in order to gain his insights into this dreadful development, and to bring his conclusion to you by way of this conversation.
Professor Avi Bell is a member of the Faculty of Law at Bar Ilan University and the University of San Diego School of Law.
His fields of academic research...

In this episode, Yaakov Lappin and I begin by pondering whether or not election season is underway in Israel.
We then turn to Bibi's recent visit to the Gaza Strip, flanked by his new Defense Minister Israel Katz, and reflect on his declarations that Hamas will never again rule the Strip and his offer of $5 million to anyone who returns a hostage to Israel.
We round out the discussion by analyzing the implications of the mooted cease-fire deal that Special Envoy Amos Hochstein has been working to thrash out in Lebanon and seems poised to present to...