With his son Yoav Oren (former IDF special‑forces soldier) Ambassador Michael Oren (historian; former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S.) sits down for anunvarnished assessment of the war what “victory” actually means.
Highlights:
Psychology of war & the IDF: A deep dive into moral erosion under prolonged combat; how rage, fear, and fatigue are managed; why some units choose capture‑over‑kill in close quarters; and the IDF practice of embedding psychologists with frontline units during Gaza operations to stabilize judgment in real time.
Oren’s two‑line verdict: “Emphatically yes” on military success; “tragically no” because the fight mutates if Hamas retains weapons and cover.
The “Hezbollah model” in Gaza: why a foreign peacekeeping shield + undisbursed weapons equals a forever threat.
Hostages, Doha, and leverage: what actually forced movement — and what happens next if disarmament stalls.
Gaza casualty math, explained from Oren’s perspective (the 1:1 claim and why the numbers are contested).
How Hamas turns humanitarian aid into a war economy; the logistics and the alleged skimming.
On restraint under fire: Yoav’s close‑quarters firefight, triage under fire, and the decision to capture, not kill.
Anti‑Semitism’s uncensored return in the West — and why, according to Oren, arguments and “hasbara” often misfire.
USS Liberty: Oren’s step‑by‑step rebuttal to the “deliberate attack” narrative.
The strategic endgame: surgical strikes, cutting aid diversion, and whether disarmament is possible without a full re‑invasion.
00:00 Intro
01:50 Did Israel “win”?
04:30 Gaza’s tunnels and the unique urban fight
06:10 Multi‑front picture (Hezbollah, Iran, Houthis)
07:45 From battlefield gains to regional diplomacy
08:50 Hostages and the “diplomatic shield”
12:50 Why Hamas released hostages (and why it mattered)
15:10 Will Israelis accept another ground push?
15:40 Surgical strikes vs. re‑invasion
16:30 Aid diversion and UN logistics
23:00 Doha strike debate
32:10 IDF conduct under fire; Yoav’s firefight
41:00 Rules of engagement, restraint, and misinformation
55:20 Psych support embedded with IDF units
59:00 USS Liberty — the case against conspiracy
1:09:10 Closing thoughts: victory, vigilance, and what comes next
