War Nerd Radio — Subscriber Feed Radio War Nerd EP 533 — The Banality of Israel: War, Genocide & Zombification, feat. Ori Goldberg
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Jun 28, 2025 In this discussion, guest Ori Goldberg, a former university professor specializing in Middle Eastern politics, dives deep into the complexities of Israeli military strategy and its unclear objectives. He critiques the reliance on assassination tactics and explores the psychological impacts of official rhetoric. The conversation also touches on the shifting dynamics of U.S. and Israeli politics, societal attitudes towards life amidst violence, and the struggles of dissent in a polarized society, all while emphasizing the haunting consequences of genocide on collective identity.
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Israel's Iran War Lacked Strategy
- Israel launched its strike on Iran without clear strategic goals beyond tactical gains.
- The main achievement was demonstrating military capability rather than altering Iranian policy or regime.
Underestimated Iranian Missile Impact
- The Iranian missile response was more impactful than Israel expected.
- Israeli public's resilience allowed them to absorb the strikes and maintain national unity.
Israel's Tactical Assassination Focus
- Israel favors assassinations as a tactical tool because it avoids committing to clear long-term strategies.
- Political leadership hesitates to set strategic goals due to unclear mission definitions like border defense.
