Ep 94: Jonathan Schanzer on the War in Israel & Hamas
Oct 17, 2023
auto_awesome
Jonathan Schanzer, Senior VP at Foundation for Defense of Democracies, discusses the ongoing war in Israel, the history of Hamas, Israeli objectives, strategic goals, and the role of Iran. The podcast also explores the potential escalation risks, challenges in achieving strategic goals, and staying informed about the conflict.
Israel's primary objective is the complete dismantling of Hamas, including destroying their infrastructure and driving out their leadership, in order to break the pattern of conflict and deter future attacks.
The Israeli-Hamas conflict occurs within a broader regional context of Iranian influence and its proxy network, with Iran supporting Hamas in its desire to destroy Israel, which could potentially lead to a broader regional war if Iran and its proxies activate additional assets.
Deep dives
Current Situation in Southern Israel and Gaza
The war between Israel and the Gaza Strip has entered its second week, with airstrikes targeting Hamas. Israel is facing frequent rocket fire and tensions on its northern border with Lebanon. Diplomatic efforts are underway to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas. The focus is on the ongoing conflict and the history of Hamas and Israel-Hamas confrontations, as well as the potential outcomes of the current situation.
Overview of Gaza and its Complexities
Gaza is a densely populated coastal enclave located between the Sinai Peninsula and Israel. It is roughly the size of Washington DC, with a population of 2.2 million. Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, operates from a command center beneath Alshifa Hospital, making it challenging to differentiate military targets from civilian infrastructure. The society in Gaza is complex, with significant unemployment and a mix of different population groups with varying dialects. While Hamas rules with a draconian form of governance, there are questions about the future governance of Gaza after the conflict.
Israeli Objective: Dismantling Hamas
Israel's primary objective is the complete dismantling of Hamas, rather than just weakening the group. The goal is to destroy Hamas infrastructure, including rocket capabilities and tunnels, and to drive out the Hamas leadership. The intent is to break the pattern of conflict and deter future attacks. However, there are concerns about the potential chaos, the rise of other extremist groups, and the question of governance and rebuilding in the aftermath of Hamas's dismantlement.
Broader Strategic Context and Potential Risks
The Israeli-Hamas conflict occurs within a broader regional context of Iranian influence and its proxy network. Iran supports Hamas in its desire to destroy Israel. The conflict could potentially lead to a broader regional war if Iran and its proxies activate additional assets. Israel's objectives with Hamas can be in tension with its overall strategic situation, as it faces threats from other Iranian-backed groups like Hezbollah and deals with potential risks of escalation. The US's role in deterring Iran and balancing its support for Israel adds another layer of complexity.
Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president for research at Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to talk about the state of the war in Israel, the history of Hamas and its campaign to eradicate the Jewish state, and Israel’s plans to end the cycle forever.
▪️
Times
• 01:41 Introduction
• 02:24 The situation today
• 04:55 Gaza’s terrain
• 09:27 Focusing on the north
• 12:51 Gaza in Arab politics
• 18:41 Iranian support
• 25:41 Walls can work both ways
• 29:00 Israeli objectives
• 35:56 Strategic goals and military means
• 41:38 Dancing to an Iranian tune
• 46:01 Working against the clock
• 49:06 Staying informed
To read the WSJ article discussed today click here