Ask Haviv Anything

In our first interview episode, Haviv Rettig Gur sits down (virtually) with Prof. John Spencer of West Point, one of the foremost experts in urban warfare who has made a special study of Israeli warfighting tactics and strategy.Many subscribers to this podcast have asked us why Israel doesn’t seem to have won this war, why Hamas is still standing after 17 months of fighting and why Israel must still negotiate for its hostages.For answers we turned to Prof. Spencer. We learned about the IDF’s astonishing successes, such as its groundbreaking tactical innovations in tunnel warfare. And we learned about the gaping lacuna at the heart of Israel’s strategy in Gaza — the reason it still hasn’t won the war.Thank you to Joe and Shira Lieberman for sponsoring this episode in honor of those we lost on October 7th.Please join me on Patreon to support this project: https://www.patreon.com/AskHavivAnythingIf you would like to sponsor an episode please email haviv@askhavivanything.com

Recorded Thursday, February 20thIsraelis watched horrified on Thursday, as Hamas gunmen conducted a ceremony handing over four coffins, two of them with the bodies of Kfir and Ariel Bibas, aged 1 and 4, when they were murdered in Gaza, along with their mother Shiri. Oded Lifshitz, 83, was the fourth body handed over to Israel. Around the ceremony, Gazan civilians cheered and threw rice, people brought their kids to watch.What should we make of this gruesome spectacle, of a festival conducted over the coffins of little children?Some thoughts on what Israelis, and with them, the whole Jewish world, just witnessed.Thank you to Joe and Shira Lieberman for sponsoring this episode in honor of those we lost on October 7th. Please join me on Patreon to support this project: https://www.patreon.com/AskHavivAnything

Explore the fascinating journey of American Jews, from their arrival in New Amsterdam to their complex modern identity. Discover how historical trauma and migration shaped a community that, while influential, often grapples with cultural illiteracy. Unpack the challenges faced by Jewish immigrants and their efforts to build supportive institutions. Delve into the paradox of their rich contributions versus feelings of uncertainty about the future, all while recognizing the enduring impact of their past.

It’s hard for a modern Jew to grasp the depth of marginalization and ostracism that even the most assimilated of Austrian Jews experienced in the 1890s. Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern political Zionism, began his journey as a passionate assimilationist, a deep believer in European modernity and Germanic culture. It was only when these hopes were dashed that he turned, as a drowning man to a life raft, to political Zionism.Here is the untold story of how Herzl found Zionism. (Spoiler: It wasn’t the Dreyfus Affair.)Thank you to Joe and Shira Lieberman for sponsoring this episode in honor of those we lost on October 7th.Please join me on Patreon to support this project: https://www.patreon.com/AskHavivAnything

The podcast delves into Hamas's recent hostage release ceremony, revealing the harrowing conditions endured by the captives. It explores the political messages behind this display and its implications for Israeli society and global views. Additionally, the discussion highlights Hamas's efforts to maintain control in Gaza post-ceasefire, considering public perceptions and the challenges of reconstruction. This analysis sheds light on the shifting power dynamics in the region and what it means for future stability.

Dive into the complexities of history as the host introduces the podcast's mission to explore painful and beautiful narratives, focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Discover the unique hardships of Jewish displacement post-World War II and challenge simplistic views of Zionism. Expect engaging discussions filled with humor and nuanced perspectives. Join a community dedicated to sustainable learning and objectivity, with an invitation to uncover Theodor Herzl’s role in shaping Zionism and set the stage for future explorations.