Boundless Insights - with Aviva Klompas

Ethel Berdah’s apartment in Tel Aviv was destroyed by an Iranian missile less than two weeks ago. In this episode, Ethel joins Aviva Klompas to share what it’s like to lose everything in an instant and how she’s navigating life in the aftermath.Originally from France, Ethel moved to Israel to build a life, never imagining she’d be caught in the crosshairs of a war between regional superpowers. Her story offers a rare, personal glimpse into the human cost of living under the threat of Iranian attack.Guest Bio:Ethel Berdah is 41, originally from France, and has been living in Tel Aviv since 2012, after spending a few years in New York. She arrived just weeks before Operation Pillar of Defense, when rockets began firing at the city for the first time in decades — and chose to stay. She works in high tech at Mavens, a Zynga/Take-Two company, and lives with her husband and their dogs. Over time, her family joined her, and together they’ve built a life rooted in Israel.She has lived through many conflicts over the years, but October 7 marked a moment when her commitment to this country became unshakeable. Most recently, her apartment was destroyed by an Iranian missile during the latest escalation.

On the night of June 21, the United States launched direct military strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure for the first time in history. Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—long considered untouchable—were hit with precision by American forces. President Trump called the strikes a “spectacular military success” and declared that Iran’s key nuclear sites had been “completely and totally obliterated.”Host Aviva Klompas is joined by Dr. Michael Oren, former Israeli Ambassador to the United States and one of the leading voices on U.S.–Israel strategy. Together, they explore what finally pushed the U.S. to act, whether this strike has truly neutralized the nuclear threat, how Iran is likely to respond, and whether America is prepared to go further if needed. This episode offers essential insight into one of the most consequential military decisions in decades—and what it means for the future of the Middle East.Referenced in the episode:Iran Pulled the Trigger: Revisiting a Dirty Harry MomentAlly: My Journey Across the American-Israeli Divide

As Israel engages in open warfare with Iran, Israel’s most senior envoy in Washington is in a different war zone—battling for U.S. support and moral clarity in the face of escalating threats.Host Aviva Klompas sits down with Ambassador Yechiel Leiter to discuss the Iranian threat, the state of U.S. support, and what it will take to achieve victory. The conversation turns deeply personal as they discuss the recent murder of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., and the profound loss of Ambassador Leiter’s son, Major Moshe Leiter, during combat in Gaza.Ambassador Leiter reflects on his role as a bridge between Israel and the U.S. and the principles guiding Israel’s war effort—both on the battlefield and in the diplomatic arena.Guest Bio:Dr. Yechiel (Michael) Leiter was appointed Israel’s Ambassador to the United States in January 2025. A longtime public servant, he has served as adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Chief of Staff to then-Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and held senior roles in the Ministries of Education and Transportation. He holds a PhD in political philosophy and is the author of a Cambridge University Press book on John Locke and the Hebrew Bible. Ambassador Leiter is a father of eight. His eldest son, Maj. Moshe Yedidya Leiter—a doctor, special ops commander, and father of six—was killed in Gaza in November 2023.

For years, the conflict between Israel and Iran played out in the shadows—through proxies, cyberattacks, and covert operations. Now it’s an open war. Iranian missiles have struck Israeli cities. Israel is hitting back deep inside Iranian territory. In this episode, host Aviva Klompas speaks with Yair Lapid, Israel’s former Prime Minister and current Leader of the Opposition, about the scale and significance of this war. They explore the military campaign, the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program, and whether Israel can achieve its stated goals without broader international support.Lapid offers insight into Israel’s strategy, evaluates the government’s response, and reflects on the role of the United States, regional allies, and the international community. Guest Bio: Yair Lapid served as Israel’s 14th Prime Minister and currently leads the opposition in the Knesset. He is the founder of the centrist Yesh Atid party and has held key roles including Foreign Minister, Finance Minister, and member of the Security Cabinet. Known for his focus on diplomacy, civil rights, and security, Lapid remains one of Israel’s most prominent political figures.

Over the weekend, the war between Israel and Iran escalated dramatically. Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israeli cities, with some evading air defenses and striking residential buildings. Israel responded with force — launching a sustained air campaign deep into Iranian territory. And yet, while Israel fights, the United States remains publicly absent. Officials insist the U.S. is not involved and that protecting American personnel is the top priority. But can the U.S. afford to sit this one out?In this episode, host Aviva Klompas speaks with Mark Dubowitz about what’s really happening behind the scenes. Is the U.S. quietly supporting Israel? Why isn’t Washington doing more to stop Iran’s nuclear threat? And how is the rest of the region reading America’s posture?This is more than a regional conflict. It’s a moment that will shape the future of deterrence, alliances, and Western resolve.Guest Bio:Mark Dubowitz is the chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), a Washington, D.C.-based nonpartisan policy institute. A leading expert on Iran’s nuclear program and global threat networks, he has played a central role in shaping U.S. policies to counter the Iranian regime and is the host of The Iran Breakdown podcast. Mark has advised four U.S. administrations and testified before Congress more than twenty times. His work has been cited by The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Politico, which called him one of Washington’s top policy influencers. Sanctioned by both Iran and Russia for his efforts to expose their malign activities, Mark has also contributed to FDD’s China Program, drawing on his background in China studies and Indo-Pacific business. A former venture capitalist and tech executive, he holds degrees from Johns Hopkins SAIS and the University of Toronto and has lived in Washington since 2003.

Overnight, Israel launched a sweeping preemptive strike on Iran. The operation, named Strength of a Lion, targeted nuclear facilities, missile infrastructure, and top military leadership. Among the most critical targets: the Natanz uranium enrichment plant. Iranian state media confirms the deaths of senior Revolutionary Guard commanders and nuclear scientists.Why now? What exactly was hit? How might Iran respond? And was the U.S. involved?Dr. Michael Oren joins Aviva Klompas to break it all down. Guest Bio:Dr. Michael Oren is a historian, diplomat, and former Israeli ambassador to the United States. He served as a Member of Knesset and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, and is the author of several best-selling books on the Middle East. A leading voice on Israeli security and U.S.-Israel relations, Oren is known for his sharp analysis and deep historical insight.Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/

Israel may be preparing to strike Iran’s nuclear program, with reports indicating a possible operation in the coming days. The IDF is on high alert, U.S. personnel are being repositioned, and regional powers are bracing for fallout.Iran has pushed ahead with uranium enrichment, flouted international oversight, and continued its threats against Israel. As nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran resume, Israeli leaders appear increasingly convinced that diplomacy won’t stop Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.What exactly is Israel planning? Could a strike set off a broader war? And how would Iran respond?Host Aviva Klompas speaks with Jonathan Conricus, former IDF spokesperson and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about what’s unfolding behind the scenes, what a military operation would look like, and what’s at stake for the region and the world.Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/Guest Bio:Jonathan Conricus is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on the Middle East. He served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for 24 years as a combat commander in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. He also served as a military diplomat, foreign relations expert, and international spokesperson. He recently retired as lieutenant colonel. Jonathan was the first Israeli officer to be seconded to the United Nations (UN), during which he provided military and strategic analysis for UN peacekeeping forces. He has directed social media and public diplomacy efforts and has extensive on- and off-camera experience from his years as a spokesperson. 

On October 7, 2023, Tamir Nimrodi was kidnapped from his army base near the Gaza border. He was barefoot, in his pajamas, and unarmed. Since that day, his mother, Herut Nimrodi, has received no sign of life.Herut joins host Aviva Klompas to talk about who Tamir is, what she’s learned about his abduction, and what it’s like to live in a constant state of limbo.Herut opens up about the emotional toll of political maneuvering and the painful uncertainty faced by every hostage family. She also speaks directly to what governments and individuals can do to help.This episode isn’t easy, but it’s essential. Please leave a review and share it widely.Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org

Turkey is a longtime NATO ally, yet it increasingly aligns itself with anti-Western forces—from cozying up to Iran to providing political support for Hamas. Under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey has become an unpredictable and assertive player in the Middle East, raising urgent questions about its strategic direction and alliances.In this episode, Aviva Klompas speaks with Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, a leading expert on Turkey, political Islam, and regional geopolitics. Together, they explore Erdogan’s ambitions, the evolving U.S.-Turkey relationship, Ankara’s ties with Hamas and Tehran, and what all of this means for Israel, the West, and the balance of power in the region.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to leave a review and share it with others.Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/Guest Bio:Dr. Jonathan Schanzer is Executive Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he oversees the organization’s research and policy work. A former terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Treasury, Jonathan has tracked and disrupted funding networks for groups like Hamas and al-Qaeda. He’s authored several books on the Middle East, including Gaza Conflict 2021, State of Failure, and Hamas vs. Fatah. A frequent congressional witness and media commentator, his analysis appears regularly in major outlets including CNN, Fox News, and the BBC.

As Israel faces mounting international accusations — genocide, ethnic cleansing, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war — we turn to one of the world’s leading experts in urban combat to break down what’s actually happening on the battlefield, and what international law really says.John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at West Point, joins Aviva Klompas to explain the military and legal obligations of armies fighting in densely populated areas. He walks us through how terror groups like Hamas exploit civilian infrastructure and addresses the biggest public misconceptions about modern warfare.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to leave a review and share it with others.Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/Guest Bio:John Spencer is an award-winning scholar, internationally recognized expert and advisor on urban warfare, military strategy, tactics, and other related topics. Considered one of the world’s leading experts on urban warfare, he served as an advisor to the top four-star general and other senior leaders in the U.S. Army as part of strategic research groups from the Pentagon to the United States Military Academy. John currently serves as the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point, Co-Director of the Urban Warfare Project, and host of the Urban Warfare Project podcast.