logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2024
46m 44s

The Middle East After Sinwar

Foreign Policy
About this episode

Last week, a regular Israeli patrol in southern Gaza chanced upon the person they had been hunting for more than a year: Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. His death raised some big questions: How much of a blow would this be for Hamas? What would it mean for Israel’s strategy? This week’s guest has thought a lot about all of these questions. Gen. David Petraeus led U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan at the height of counterterrorism efforts there.

Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free):

FP Live: David Petraeus on a World at War

FP Live Transcript: David Petraeus: Why 9/11 Is a Cautionary Tale for Israel

Steven A. Cook: Sinwar Is Dead. Hamas Is Very Much Alive.

Daniel Byman: Israel’s Killing of Yahya Sinwar Is Not a Turning Point

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Yesterday
What’s Behind Trump’s Expansionist Instincts?
How can history help make sense of U.S. President Donald Trump’s foreign policy? Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Greg Grandin shares how Trump’s imperialist impulses may be inspired by the country’s Founding Fathers, and that he “rummages around the trash bag of histo ... Show More
36m 35s
Oct 17
The Road Ahead for Palestine
With the cease-fire more than a week old, Palestinians now turn to what comes next: rebuilding and governing. Former spokesperson for the Palestine Liberation Organization Diana Buttu sits down with Ravi Agrawal to share her perspective. Plus, Ravi’s One Thing on the Trump admini ... Show More
43m 2s
Oct 9
Are Young Americans Swinging Right?
43 percent of voters under 30 supported U.S. President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, a 7 percent jump in support from both the 2016 and 2020 elections. What’s underpinning this rightward shift among young voters? Conservative commentator and journalist Emily Jashinsky shares ... Show More
47m 45s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
What does Yahya Sinwar's killing mean for Hamas?
Yahya Sinwar was the face of the Palestinian armed struggle against Israel's decades-long occupation. The Israeli military says he was killed during a fire-fight with Israeli forces in southern Gaza. Israel's Prime Minister praised his killing and called it the beginning of the e ... Show More
24m 51s
Oct 2024
Israel Kills The Leader of Hamas
Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, played a central role in planning the deadly assault on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that set off the war in Gaza. His killing was a major win for Israel, and prompted calls from Israeli leaders for Hamas to surrender.But what actually happens next i ... Show More
1h 45m
Nov 2024
How Israel Uses Palestinian Detainees as Human Shields
Overnight, Israel agreed to a cease-fire with the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah — a major turning point in one of the wars the country has been fighting since Hamas attacked it on Oct. 7. But the war in Gaza shows no sign of ending, and Israel’s conduct there is coming under inc ... Show More
23m 15s
Aug 11
Bibi Doubles Down on Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is doubling down on his threat to capture Gaza City, despite a growing chorus of condemnation. This comes as Gaza faces heavy bombardment, with targeted Israeli strikes on Sunday killing several journalists, including one of Al Jazeera's ... Show More
56m 10s
Oct 2024
Hamas Leader Killed By Israel
As today's show begins we've just learned that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023 terror attack against Israel, was killed in Gaza Thursday, according to a radio station run by Israel. Sinwar is believed responsible for the slaughter of more than ... Show More
52m 19s
Oct 2024
Trying to Make Sense of the Mideast Mess
Despite killing Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar last week, Israel is stepping up its military campaign in Gaza. In Lebanon, Israel’s campaign is straying further from military targets, attacking branches of a Hezbollah financial center which is used by many civilians as a bank. Meanwhi ... Show More
1h 1m
Sep 10
Day 705 - Fallout from bold attack on Hamas leadership in Doha
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian and diplomatic reporter Nava Freiberg join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Israeli ... Show More
21m 5s
Oct 17
Who Will Lead Gaza?
Despite jubilation in Gaza following the ceasefire with Israel, the future of more than two million Palestinians is still far from secure. Talks have kicked off in Egypt to decide a post-war governance plan for Gaza, but Palestinian political leader Marwan Barghouti will not be a ... Show More
56m 10s
Oct 16
Palestinian Politician Nasser al-Kidwa
The ceasefire in Gaza is just four days old, and already there are signs of tension: Hamas says it's handed over all the hostages remains it can access, without specialist equipment. Israel is restricting aid in retaliation. Meanwhile, Israel returned 120 bodies of Palestinians h ... Show More
54m 10s