Call Me Back - with Dan Senor
Presenting the challenges and dilemmas facing Israelis and Jews around the world.
ISRAEL VOTES: How the Mizrahi-Ashkenazi divide still shapes Israeli politics - with Mijal Bitton
How will current issues or past discrimination against Mizrahi Israelis influence this election?
Dan and sociologist Mijal Bitton discuss the history, identity, and political narratives of Mizrahi Jews—whose families came to Israel from across the Middle East and North Africa—and how those narratives continue to shape Israeli politics. They unpack the factors of historical discrimination by an Ashkenazi elite, questions of economic opportunity, dignity and belonging of the Mizrahi community, and the Mizrahi devotion to maintaining the Jewish character of the state of Israel.
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Sneak Peek: Jon Polin answers questions from young Jewish adults
This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Dan is joined by Jon Polin to answer questions from young Jewish adults and teenagers about how to reconcile personal Zionism with those who commit violence against Palestinians in the name of Zionism. They also discuss the pressures and social costs faced by American young people who stand up for Israel and how to handle some of those tough conversations.
Learn more about Jon’s new project, Foundry 515 here.
Beyond Dispute by Daniel Taub
Man's Search for Meaning by Vik...
Will Liberal Democracy Survive? - with Jonah Goldberg
Why have the classical liberal ideas that helped emancipate the Jews become so vulnerable?
Dan is joined by Jonah Goldberg of The Dispatch to ask why classical liberalism, which is the political tradition that embraces equality, individual rights and restraints on government, has become so vulnerable. They discuss how the terms liberal, progressive and socialist got confused, and why they think the DSA agenda will fail. Goldberg also explains the economic and cultural forces he sees fueling populism on the left and right, whether America’s liberal tradition is strong enough to withstand them, and what its er...
The Hearing That Changed Everything - with Elise Stefanik
What will it take to confront antisemitism at America’s elite universities?
Dan is joined by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, whose 2023 questioning of three Ivy League university presidents became a defining moment in the debate over antisemitism on college campuses. Drawing from her new book, Poisoned Ivies, Stefanik argues that the crisis reflects decades of systemic ideological bias, failed leadership and money from Arab countries buying academic influence. They discuss what it will take to confront antisemitism at America’s elite universities, and whether government intervention risks creating new problems of its own.
Purchase Congresswoman Elise Stef...
Sneak Peek: Nadav on what’s driving the wave of migration from Israel, and more…
This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Dan is joined by Ark Media contributor Nadav Eyal to answer listener questions about the growing number of highly educated Israelis leaving the country, why Nadav believes it's not just military conflicts driving them away, and the deeper issues facing Israeli society.
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Is there a Final Solution to the Jewish question? - with Dara Horn
Why has antisemitism endured and how can Jews effectively combat it?
Dan is joined by author Dara Horn to discuss her new book, The Final Solution to the Jewish Question: A Love Story for the Living. Five years after her book People Love Dead Jews diagnosed how society relates to Jewish suffering, Horn now addresses what can be done about it. She explains how AI is systematically targeting Jews, why traditional efforts to fight antisemitism are failing and outlines an approach to find a solution that could finally change everything.
Explore Dara Horn’s new Tel...
The Secret Plan to Weaponize the Kurds (Part 2) - with Nadav Eyal
Did disagreements between Mossad and the IDF help lead to systematic failure to deploy Kurdish fighters and to topple the regime in Iran?
Dan is joined by Nadav Eyal who provides an in-depth analysis of Israel's covert plans to destabilize Iran, the role of Kurdish forces, and the internal decision-making failures that may have impacted the outcome of the war and regional security. This episode unpacks the complexities behind secret operations, disagreements between Mossad and the IDF, and the geopolitical implications for Israel and Iran.
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Sneak Peek: Tal Becker on the challenge of forming a coalition with Arabs parties
This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Dan and Tal Becker answer listener questions about why having an Arab party in Israel’s governing coalition is less acceptable now more than ever and what happened the last time it was tried. They also discuss how Israeli law addresses the separation of church and state and problems that creates..
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Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this sh...
The Secret Plan to Weaponize the Kurds (Part 1) - with Itai Anghel
Why did an Israeli-U.S. plan that counted on Kurdish fighters to help topple the Iranian regime fall apart?
Dan is joined by investigative journalist, documentary filmmaker Itai Anghel who risked his life to follow Kurdish fighters in Syria, Iraq and Iran to document their guerrilla warfare tactics, explore how Kurdish leaders viewed Israel, why that trust fractured, and how those experiences shaped their views of the Israeli-U.S. secret plan for Kurds to fight inside Iran. The conversation also examines why Kurdish women fighters are key, and the military, political, and regional obstacles that doomed the pl...
Is Abdul El-Sayed Bigger Than Mamdani? - with Mark Halperin
Why could the upcoming Michigan Democratic Senate primary signal a seismic shift about the Democratic party and U.S. policy on Israel?
As Michigan Democrats prepare to choose a nominee for the U.S. Senate, Dan Senor sits down with political journalist Mark Halperin to discuss why this race has become a flashpoint in the debate over Israel, progressive politics, and the future of the Democratic Party. They examine why progressives are demonizing Israel and AIPAC, the role of The New York Times and other media in shifting the debate, and why Abdul El‑Sayed’s campaign may...
Sneak Peek: Amit on why Netanyahu’s Party is shrinking while Israelis shift to the right, and more…
This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Dan is joined by Ark Media contributor Amit Segal to answer listener questions about one of the biggest puzzles in Israeli politics: why the Likud is losing support even as the country shifts to the right. They also discuss who might be Prime Minister of a potential unity government.
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Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going.
Has Trump's Foreign Policy Already Peaked? — with Ian Bremmer
What is next for America’s foreign policy, and what does it mean for Israel?
President Trump has reshaped America's relationships with allies and adversaries alike, favoring leverage, pressure, and dealmaking over traditional alliances. But does coercion create lasting influence, or does it push allies to look elsewhere? Dan is joined by Ian Bremmer, president and founder of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media, to debate whether Trump's foreign policy has reached its ceiling, what comes next for America's global alliances, and why Israel may be the ultimate test case.
Learn more about Eurasia Group and GZ...
Iran War Part III?- with Nadav Eyal and Amit Segal
Is a 3rd round of war with Iran now inevitable?
After two wars, a failed agreement, and months of uneasy calm, the U.S. and Iran may once again be on the brink of direct conflict. Amit Segal and Nadav Eyal join Dan to assess why the US-Iran MOU has collapsed, would Israel’s military take part in it, what a 3rd round of fighting could look like, and how elections in both Israel and the United States could shape the decisions ahead.
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This episode was sponsored by RootOne. Help the Jewish teen in yo...
Bonus Episode: Game-changing Tech for War & Peace - with Anne Neuberger
In this conversation, Anne Neuberger, former U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology, currently General Partner and Head of Global Affairs at venture capital powerhouse Andreessen Horowitz, joins What’s Your Number hosts Yael Wissner Levy and Yonatan Adiri to discuss how AI, cyber warfare, drones, and defense tech are reshaping geopolitics. As technology, commercial investment, and national security become increasingly intertwined, what will determine which countries, and which companies, thrive in this new era and how core values determine their use.
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<...Sneak Peek: Dan on guardrails protecting Jews from Mamdani, and more...
This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Dan answers listener questions about what the New York City Democratic primary means for Jewish voters, how they should respond to Mamdani’s open hostility, whether Israel should ever reconsider its alliance with the United States and look to China, and why he believes America's partnership remains indispensable despite growing political uncertainty.
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Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps th...
AI is Activating Antisemites Left and Right - with Niall Ferguson
Can historians win the fight against antisemitism and viral misinformation in the age of AI?
Historian Niall Ferguson joins Dan to warn that fact-based historians are losing the battle with social media algorithms that spread false and antisemitic content to increasingly receptive audiences on both the right and left. He argues the rules of the fight have changed. Drawing on a new essay co-authored with AI researcher John-Clark Levin, Ferguson offers data on how algorithms, non-human bots, and AI are transforming how antisemitic ideas go viral, making traditional methods of exposing lies increasingly ineffective. If facts alone...
Tisha b'Av: The Bottom of the Calendar - with Rachel Goldberg-Polin
What does Tisha B'Av ask of us after October 7?
Tisha B'Av is the saddest date on the Jewish calendar, but Rachel Goldberg-Polin argues it also offers hope and opportunity. In a conversation shaped by the personal and collective trauma of October 7, she explains why Jewish tradition gathers centuries of loss onto a single day, why it compels us to look inward, and how mourning is meant to become the first step toward repair.
Rachel’s suggested reading: This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared: The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation by Rab...
Sneak Peek: Nadav Eyal on Israel's draft controversy, party loyalty, vigilantes, and more...
This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Dan and Nadav Eyal discuss the emergence of a new right-wing party led by Hili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel, what it reveals about Israel's evolving political landscape, and whether a new generation of leaders can reshape the country's future.
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Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going.
For the full episode, subscribe here to...
Can we break the Israeli-Palestinian paralysis? - with Tal Becker
Can Israel break the paralysis over the Palestinian question without risking its own security?
Israelis and Palestinians have been stuck for years, with no practical or diplomatic progress and little confidence that anything can change. Tal Becker argues that while the obstacles are real, accepting paralysis carries its own costs for Israel's security, regional relationships, international standing, and national moral identity. He lays out what he believes the next Israeli government can realistically do to start moving forward without ignoring the lessons and trauma of October 7.
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Tough Love or Tough Luck? - with Rahm Emanuel
What will it take to save the U.S.-Israel alliance?
Dan is joined by Rahm Emanuel, a Democratic party powerhouse who was a former Chicago mayor, White House Chief of Staff, and U.S. Ambassador to Japan. Dan challenges Emanuel on ideas from the speech he delivered in Tel Aviv that ignited debate across Israel and the United States. Emanuel argues that Israel's current course is putting the U.S.-Israel alliance at risk, while Dan presses him on whether October 7 fundamentally changed the assumptions behind his vision for Israel's future. They discuss Israel’s security, Pal...
Sneak Peek: Tal Becker on whether new divides are becoming irreparable
This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Dan and Tal Becker discuss Rahm Emanuel's speech in Israel, why support for Israel has become increasingly tied to America's culture wars, and whether that shift can still be reversed.
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Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going.
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The MoU is dead, long live the _______! - with Nadav Eyal
Is the collapse of the U.S.-Iran deal the start of another war, or something messier in between?
Dan is joined by Ark Media contributor and senior analyst for Yedioth Ahronoth, Nadav Eyal, as Iran and the U.S. launch missile and verbal attacks. They discuss the apparent end to the ceasefire, why Israel believes the MoU was destined to fail and how Tehran is calculating its next move. They also explore why Turkey's growing military and political influence could be Israel's next strategic challenge.
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Does the Start-Up Nation brand need a rebrand? - with Yonatan Adiri and Yael Wissner Levy
As Americans mark Independence Day, we're revisiting one of the most popular episodes of What's Your Number?, a conversation that feels even more relevant today. Yonatan Adiri and Yael Wissner Levy are joined by Dan Senor, host of Call Me Back and co-author of Start-Up Nation which revolutionized the world’s respect for Israel and its entrepreneurial spirit and successes. Nearly two decades after the book's publication, Israel's tech sector is stronger than ever, yet the country's global brand faces unprecedented challenges. What does this mean for Israel’s reputation, innovation and its place in the world?
Dan...
Sneak Peek: Amit Segal on the polls vs the election in Israel
This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Amit Segal explains why overwhelming public support for a state commission of inquiry into October 7 and ending Haredi draft exemptions doesn't translate into election results, and what that reveals about the unique system of Israeli politics.
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Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going.
For the full episode, subscribe here to - Inside Call me B...
Why Do Radical U.S. Politicians Blame Jews? - with Jonah Goldberg and John Podhoretz
Why have positions about Israel and Jews become a defining fault line in American politics?
In part two of their conversation, Dan is joined by Jonah Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Dispatch, and John Podhoretz, editor-in-chief of Commentary Magazine, to discuss what the victories of Zohran Mamdani and other Democratic Socialists reveal about the radicalization of politics of the American left. From the rise of anti-Zionist candidates to the weakening of political parties and norms, they explore why antisemitic or anti-Israel positions have become litmus tests in the transformation of American politics.
Read the open letter...
The Iran-War: An Autopsy - with Jonah Goldberg and John Podhoretz
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Many supporters of the Iran War, both in the U.S. and in Israel, consider it a failure. Dan doesn't necessarily share that observation, at least not until the fate of the U.S.- Iran deal is clear.
Jonah Goldberg and John Podhoretz, two thinkers that have been following every twist and turn of the Iran war and landed in that camp. So we wanted to conduct an autopsy of the Iran War, at least as where the war stands now.
Jonah Goldberg is editor-in-chief of The Dispatch and the host of t...
Sneak Peek: Reihan Salam on the DSA and Mamdani's election wins
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This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back.
Today we have a special Insider edition covering the US elections that were held this week, in which three congressional primaries were won by candidates of the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) and endorsed by Mayor Mamdani .
Dan is joined by a special Inside Call me Back guest - Reihan Salam, who leads the Manhattan Institute.
You can...
As America cuts its losses, what are Israel’s options? - with Amit Segal
Can Israel stop Iran if America decides to move on?
As Washington pursues negotiations with Tehran, many Israelis are wondering what their country can still do to shape the outcome. Dan Senor is joined by Ark Media contributor and Channel 12 senior political analyst Amit Segal to discuss the state of the U.S.-Iran talks, why Israel is showing restraint in Lebanon, and what leverage Jerusalem still has as Washington pursues negotiations with Tehran. They also examine the growing debate inside Israel over President Trump and J.D. Vance, and whether Netanyahu can navigate a moment when...
Trump’s Iran Deal - with Walter Russell Mead
Did Israel and the U.S. win the battle but lose the war?
Israel and the United States achieved what many would consider a remarkable military success against Iran. But the agreement that followed has left many Israelis wondering whether battlefield gains translated into strategic victory. Dan Senor is joined by Wall Street Journal columnist and Hudson Institute senior fellow Walter Russell Mead to discuss the paradox at the heart of the new U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, what it reveals about President Trump's approach to power, and how leaders across the Middle East are recalculating...
Sneak Peek: Nadav Eyal on J.D Vance’s Comments
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This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Nadav Eyal reacts to J.D. Vance's comments on Israel and what they may signal about changing attitudes in Washington. The discussion touches a deeper Israeli concern: whether the assumptions that have long defined the U.S.-Israel relationship are beginning to change. If support for Israel can no longer be assumed, how should Israelis think about their relationship with America going forward?<...
The Iran Deal and Netanyahu’s Future - with Amit Segal
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What does the Iran deal mean for Israel, and for Netanyahu’s political future?
Dan is joined by Ark Media contributor and Channel 12 political analyst Amit Segal to assess the newly announced U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding and the political questions it has unleashed in Israel. As negotiations begin and the fighting pauses, they discuss whether the war should be seen as a success, a missed opportunity, or something whose consequences are still unfolding. They also discuss the growing te...
The Sum-of-All-Fears Election - with Yossi Klein Halevi and Donniel Hartman
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Why is Israel’s next election being driven more by fear than hope?
Dan is joined by For Heaven's Sake hosts Yossi Klein Halevi and Donniel Hartman to discuss the emotional forces shaping Israel's coming election. As Israelis prepare to vote, different communities are carrying different traumas, fears, and visions for the country's future, from tensions over Arab and Haredi political power to questions of national unity, leadership, and diminishing hope that life there can improve. They also consider whether Is...
Sneak Peek: Amit on what could be Israel’s election surprise, and more…
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This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Amit Segal explains why Gadi Eisenkot may be overtaking Naftali Bennett as the leading challenger to Benjamin Netanyahu, and why one overlooked political player could end up deciding who becomes Israel's next prime minister, or perhaps - even becoming the Prime Minister himself…
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You can access the full episode here, where Dan takes on listener questions about:
- W...
ISRAEL VOTES: Who Are You, Gadi Eisenkot? - with Nadav Eyal
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Can Gadi Eisenkot make the leap from one of Israel’s most trusted generals to its next prime minister?
Gadi Eisenkot’s popularity is seeing a meteoric rise. Dan is joined by Nadav Eyal to examine Eisenkot’s background, military record, decisions around October 7, and whether experience built on service and sacrifice can survive the rough-and-tumble of an election campaign. They also compare Eisenkot to previous generals who’ve tried this, and to his current viable political opponents.
In this...
Did the Iran War Succeed? - with Tamir Hayman and Mark Dubowitz
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Did the Iran war solve the problem, postpone it or make it worse?
That fundamental debate has emerged over the outcome of the war with Iran. The campaigns degraded Iran's military infrastructure, but it also ended with a new, possibly more dangerous Supreme Leader in power, Iran controlling the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran’s nuclear capability largely intact.
Dan is joined by former Israeli Military Intelligence chief Tamir Hayman and FDD CEO Mark Dubowitz to discuss whether the...
Did the Iran War Succeed? - with Tamir Hayman and Mark Dubowitz
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Did the Iran war solve the problem, postpone it or make it worse?
That fundamental debate has emerged over the outcome of the war with Iran. The campaigns degraded Iran's military infrastructure, but it also ended with a new, possibly more dangerous Supreme Leader in power, Iran controlling the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran’s nuclear capability largely intact.
Dan is joined by former Israeli Military Intelligence chief Tamir Hayman and FDD CEO Mark Dubowitz to discuss whether the...
Sneak Peek: Tal on what happens behind closed doors in negotiations
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This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call me Back. Tal Becker, who has negotiated on behalf of Israel in the past, details the lesser known levers which are used in negotiations behind closed doors.
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You can access the full episode here, where Dan takes on listener questions about:
- Is Israel on the Right Side of History, but the Wrong Strategy?
- Aliyah, Y...
The Lebanon Trap - with Nadav Eyal and Amit Segal
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Is President Trump saving Israel from a war it can’t win, or forcing it into a deal that leaves Hezbollah intact and Israeli soldiers and citizens vulnerable?
President Trump announced a ceasefire in Lebanon. Hezbollah agreed to stop firing rockets into Israel. Israel agreed to not strike Beirut. Yet the fighting in southern Lebanon continues, IDF soldiers are being killed and injured by Hezbollah rockets and drones, and the strategic problem remains unsolved.
Dan is joined by Na...
ISRAEL VOTES: How Israel’s Elections Work - with Nadav Eyal and Amit Segal
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In a few months elections will be held in Israel, the first since Oct. 7th, and arguably one of the most consequential in Israel’s history. But how do the elections actually work in Israel?
As part of our Israel Votes series, Dan is joined by Amit Segal and Nadav Eyal for a practical guide to the mechanics behind Israeli democracy: the Knesset, coalition-building, electoral thresholds, and the structural realities that will shape the next election long before a single vo...
Bonus Episode: Is Zionism for Everyone? – with Alana Newhouse
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Why has the world become so fixated on Zionism, and what does that obsession actually reveal about the West?
Alana Newhouse joins Dan Senor to unpack her widely debated essay Zionism for Everyone. They explore how rapid technological change and cultural disorientation are colliding with an ancient idea of peoplehood and why that tension is showing up in the global conversation about Israel.
Newhouse argues that the fixation on Zionism is not really about Israel at its core...
