logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2023
38m 25s

What was Hamas thinking?

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

David Aaronovitch and guests talk through the thinking behind Hamas's deadly attack on Israel, discuss what might happen next and ask what all this means politically.

Guests:

Jennifer Jefferis, Director of Curriculum at the Security Studies Program, in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown Shashank Joshi, Defence editor at The Economist David Makovsky, Ziegler Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute and director of the Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations

Production: Ben Carter, Sally Abrahams and Kirsteen Knight Production co-ordinator: Sophie Hill and Jacqui Johnson Sound: James Beard Editor: Richard Vadon

Up next
Jul 2
Iran: If the war is over...who won?
Two weeks ago a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Americans and the Iranians aiming at ending a bomb, missile-and-drone conflict that has lasted four months. Victory has been claimed by everyone and on behalf of everyone. So is the US/Israeli/Iranian war effectiv ... Show More
28m 23s
May 21
Is Russia under pressure from Ukraine?
The war between Russia and Ukraine has shifted closer to Moscow. In the past week Ukraine has sent drones, made by Ukraine, to Moscow. While many were intercepted, 3 people died when an apartment block was hit. For many Russians the war - or special military operation as Presiden ... Show More
27m 57s
May 14
Ten years of The Briefing Room
It's ten years since the Briefing Room was first transmitted in May 2016. And what a decade it's been. To mark the tenth anniversary the programme looks at the biggest changes at home and abroad since that momentous day in British broadcasting. We’ve had Brexit, a pandemic, the G ... Show More
28m 42s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2023
181. Israel, invasion, and the trap laid by Hamas
Does Hamas actually want Israel to invade Gaza? Is there a danger that this tragic situation will strengthen the hand of the ultra-nationalist Israeli right? How should the international community respond to the war between Israel and Hamas?  On today’s episode, Alastair and Ror ... Show More
46m 27s
Aug 2024
Bonus: The Middle East’s Dangerous Escalation
<p>As the war in Gaza grinds on, Israel’s endgame remains unclear. What does it mean to destroy Hamas? Who will provide security and govern Gaza when the fighting stops? How has this war changed Israel’s relationship with its neighbors and the wider world?</p> <p>To discuss the I ... Show More
49m 14s
Oct 2023
War in Gaza: To What End and At What Cost?
<p>In this episode of <em>Hold Your Fire</em>!, Richard is joined by Crisis Group experts Mairav Zonszein, Robert Blecher, Tahani Mustafa and Heiko Wimmen to discuss what has happened over the past week in Gaza and where the war might be headed. Richard first talks to Mairav and ... Show More
46m 42s
Oct 2023
Israel and Hamas: Where Do We Go From Here?
Many questions remain after the first few days of this crisis. We talk to leading experts Aaron David Miller, Ed Luce, Kori Schake, and Rosa Brooks to look ahead at what the conflict means for the future of Israel, US-Israel relations, and the region as a whole. Learn more about ... Show More
34m 32s
Oct 2023
Husam Zomlot: Is Gaza on the brink of a humanitarian crisis?
Stephen Sackur speaks to the head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK Husam Zomlot. Hamas surely knew its murderous attack on Israel would provoke an overwhelming military response. The jihadists, it seems, wanted a devastating war. But what about Palestinians not with Hamas? As ... Show More
23m 28s
Oct 2023
Israel and Gaza at war
<p>Gideon talks to the historian and writer Lawrence Freedman about what led to the catastrophic events of the past week in Israel and what options the&nbsp;Netanyahu&nbsp;government has to respond to Hamas's deadly attack. <em>Clips: 11Alive; NBC News</em></p><br><p><strong>Free ... Show More
20m 49s
Oct 2023
178. Israel At War
How did Hamas launch one of the largest invasions on Israeli territory in recent history? What happens now? Will this conflict have geo-political ramifications throughout the Middle East? Join Rory and Alastair for this emergency episode of The Rest Is Politics. The CNN intervi ... Show More
38m 48s