With the U.S. reducing its military presence in the Levant to a fraction compared to the massive footprint it had in the region during the campaigns in Iraq and against Daesh, and with Russia preoccupied with its failed war in Ukraine, it would seem unlikely that tensions between the two powers would rise here, away from the European Theatre of Ope…

TV7 Israel Watchmen Talk – Col. (Ret.) Dr. Eran Lerman, Former Senior Intelligence Officer by TV7 IsraelBy TV7 Israel

This monthly program focuses on persecution across the Middle East and North Africa of Christians, many of whom are targeted for their faith and forced to endure daily violence and harassment.We hope to enlighten and encourage our viewers to pray for their suffering brothers and sisters.In this episode, Host John O'Sullivan, President of the Danube…

When Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Wagner militia crossed its “Rubicon” the Rostov-on-Don, all decision-makers and strategic planners in the Middle East braced for a face-off between the mercenaries’ employer and Russian President Vladimir Putin.While the crisis abated as quickly as it began, the root causes remain - as are lessons begging to be learned by I…

Jonathan Hessen hosts TV7 Editor at Large Amir Oren.Discussion focuses on the broadcast schedule during the TV7 summer vacation over the month of July.Other topics include rising incidents of nationalist terrorism by Jewish extremists such as the “Hilltop Youth,” as well as escalating Iranian involvement in the West Bank marked by the recent attemp…

Please join us for discussion on the chances for normalization in relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, delving into expectations by both sides necessary for realization of the development. Other topics include the current status of Israeli domestic politics and its consequences for the security situation.Co-Hosts: 1. Col. (Res.) Dr. Eran Lerm…

Until Russia invaded Ukraine 16 months ago, Europe was quite complacent regarding military threats to its nations, with particular focus on terror in its various manifestations at home and abroad. Sudden tank battles, air strikes and waging of fierce missiles and infantry fights in urban centers and rural terrain have now given rise to the demand f…

Eight years after six world powers struck the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to temporarily block Iran’s nuclear program in return for the removal of heavy economic sanctions, the United States and the Islamic Republic appear to be on the verge of adopting yet another arrangement aimed at resolving the same dispute.Neither time nor the …

Jonathan Hessen hosts Dr. Rafael Luis Bardají López, one of Spain’s foremost strategic thinkers and a former National Security Advisor.Discussion on the political situation in Europe is particularly focused on Spain, with an emphasis on Dr. Bardaji’s own involvement.Other topics include rising global security concerns posed by Iran and its potentia…

Please join host Amir Oren for an interview with Dr. Rafael Luis Bardají López one of Spain’s foremost strategic thinkers and a former National Security Advisor. Indeed, he had a major role in setting up the National Security mechanism supporting the country’s Prime Minister and integrating staff work of the various military, diplomatic and intelli…

The State of Israel was almost extinguished at birth when invaded by all neighboring Arab countries, with only its Western boundary of the Mediterranean Sea free from threat. Even though it was soon established as a strong local power, Israel still feared division of precious assets by battle on several fronts – a dangerous and difficult situation …

Earlier this month, a huge dam on the Dnipro River, in the Kherson region occupied by Russian forces in South-Eastern Ukraine, was blown up, flooding vast areas. Each side in the war predictably blamed the other, but the weight of motive and opportunity pointed to Russia, as it was in the process of hampering the imminent Ukrainian counteroffensive…

The fundamental source of conflict in this new world will not be primarily ideological or primarily economic. Rather, as Samuel Huntington asserted in his book Clash of civilizations, “The great divisions among humankind and the dominating source of conflict will be cultural. Nation-states will remain the most powerful actors in world affairs, but …

One motive of Russian President Vladimir Putin for his invasion of Ukraine has been Kiev’s wish to join NATO and place itself under its collective security umbrella. In a race of who would preempt whom, Putin beat Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy only to be bogged down in a war of attrition. The problem now is that there seems to be no possi…

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Saudi Arabia last week for three declared reasons: to make sure the anti-Islamic State coalition maintains its important function, confer with the Gulf Cooperation Council and to improve bilateral ties between Washington and Riyadh. Immediately prior to the summit, the top White House diplomat delivered …

Jonathan Hessen hosts Mr. Timo Soini, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Finland.Discussion focuses on the Russia-Ukraine War and its impact on Europe, particularly on Finland and Poland.Other topics include the state of diplomacy and democracy amid changes in world powers, Europe’s relations with the United States and …

Please join host Amir Oren for the second of a two-part interview with Colonel Richard Kemp, who formerly headed the international terrorism intelligence team of the British Cabinet Office.Discussion focuses on Col. Richard Kemp’s earned status as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), the highest award in recognition of service. Eve…

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) leaders, if not necessarily its member states, have in recent weeks adopted a conciliatory tone in public approach toward Iran. IAEA Director General Dr. Rafael Grossi has been going out of his way to accept Iran’s explanations of suspicious military nuclear activities as “plausible.” There is a questionabl…

Recep Tayep Erdogan’s second round presidential election victory was neither a surprise nor a landslide. He was widely expected to win, yet almost half of the Turkish electorate showed its displeasure by voting for the opposition. Erdogan now has a renewed popular mandate, but he must navigate carefully the stormy seas of inflation and internationa…

Jonathan Hessen hosts Mr. Amir Oren, TV7 Editor at Large, Host of Watchmen Talk and Powers in Play.Discussion focuses on Israel's security and diplomatic current situation, as well as its close security and military cooperation with the United States.Other topics include warnings to the Israeli public by senior officials regarding threats posed by …

Please join host Amir Oren for the first of a two-part interview with Colonel Richard Kemp, who formerly headed the international terrorism intelligence team of the British Cabinet Office.Discussion focuses on Col. Richard Kemp’s earned status as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), the highest award in recognition of service. Even…

In the Middle East, as presumably almost anywhere else, nothing succeeds like success. Also, values have a very limited value. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad managed to survive very difficult years of civil war, in which he practically converted a lot of his nominal sovereignty to a free hand for his sponsors from Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. Rega…

When combatants either cannot or would not use their ground maneuver forces in a military campaign - and artillery is forbidden if the mission against enemy targets isn’t possible if not pinpointed and the risk of collateral damage is too high - there is only one option for use by IDF General Staff, the Israeli Air Force (IAF). For offensive operat…

With global affairs increasingly framed by the American-Russian-Chinese triangle, Europe has to contend with the impact it has on its own identity, security architecture and policies. Is NATO still the basic political and military infrastructure for most of the continent, and if so - how does it relate to the war in Ukraine and ominous nature of Ru…

Jonathan Hessen hosts Brigadier General (Res.) Doron Gavish, Former Air Defense Chief, Israel Air Force. Discussion focuses on the development of Israel's air defense capabilities and defense strategy concerning regional threats. Other topics include Israel’s close security and military cooperation with the United States.You are welcome to join our…

Please join us for discussion on Iranian nuclear advances toward the production of bombs that are forcing imminent decisions from Israel and the West.Other topics include what measures the United States is willing to take to stop the Islamic Republic from obtaining atomic weapons, and whether is Israel fully prepared to preemptively strike the coun…

The United States 2024 presidential and congressional campaign is already underway 18 months before constituents are due to cast their ballots. Both incumbent President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump will compete as leaders of their parties, Democratic and Republican, respectively.While no candidates are running against Biden, Trump fac…

After five days of exchanging blows, Israel and the minor but well-equipped Gaza-based organization Palestinian Islamic Jihad stopped this particular round, another in a seemingly endless series. As expected, both sides issued self-serving claims of victory. Obviously, propaganda and politics aside, they each have different standards by which to me…

Jonathan hosts Mr. Mike Bickle, founder of International House of Prayer Kansas City (IHOPKC). The evangelical mission advances prayer with worship 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Discussion includes the lifting of the biblical vision of prayer for Jerusalem into a global movement.You are welcome to join our audience and watch all of our programs - f…

Please join host Amir Oren for an interview with Ambassador Ayalon, Co-host TV7 Middle East Review, Powers-in-Play Panelist, NYU Lecturer, former Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister and Ambassador to the United States.While Ambassador Ayalon is a regular on TV7News, this time he is here in his personal capacity as a Foreign Service officer turned Deput…

This episode focuses on the 14 May elections, including the run-off vote between the two leading presidential candidates later this month on the 28th.All conclusions are therefore ‘interim’ regarding the performance at the polls by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan performance, who may yet emerge victorious despite failing to gain majority vote I the …

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi visited Damascus last week for talks with his counterpart Bashar Al-Assad. The main issues were economic, but the visit - the first since the Syrian civil war erupted a dozen years ago - also signaled Tehran’s growing influence over the Assad regime, secondary only to the Russian role in the war-torn country’s affairs…

Jonathan hosts Major General (Res) Gershon Ha-Cohen, IDF Army Corps Commander for a discussion Islam as both a religious and political force.Other topics include gaps of Western countries' understanding of Muslim culture against the backdrop of power shifts in the Middle East.You are welcome to join our audience and watch all of our programs - free…

This monthly program focuses on persecution across the Middle East and North Africa of Christians, many of whom are targeted for their faith and forced to endure daily violence and harassment.We hope to enlighten and encourage our viewers to pray for their suffering brothers and sisters.In this episode, Host John O'Sullivan, President of the Danube…

As a nation whose defense doctrine was based on keeping the smallest possible regular military force backed by reserves to be mobilized in emergencies, Israel put a lot of stock in deterrence, hoping for wide intervals between wars. But deterrence has many levels and many target audiences, and Israel has in recent years struggled with updating and …

"Binational boats beyond Bab-el-Mandeb:"This could be a fitting headline for a groundbreaking - or in this case perhaps sea-breaking - activity undertaken in March but revealed only about a week ago. The Israel Navy and the US Fifth Fleet linked up far away from Israel’s borders, more than 2,000 kilometers south of Eilat, as vessels of these friend…

Jonathan Hessen hosts Gen. Klaus Naumann, former Chief of General Staff of the Bundeswehr, as well as the Chairman of NATO Military Committee.The two discuss the importance of NATO, and whether it is perceived as ‘a force with which to be reckoned’ and if it should intervene in the Russia-Ukraine war.Other topics include shifts in the world power o…

Please join host Amir Oren for the second of a two-part interview with Major General (Res.) Major General Israel Ziv, who retired some years ago as a career officer but is on call for frequent advice to his younger brothers-in-arms.First and foremost a paratrooper from enlistment as a private soldier to running the infantry and paratroop corps as a…

In late April, for the second time in four months, Russia convened a multi-party meeting of defense and intelligence chiefs attended by Syria and Turkey. This time, Iran also participated. The main item on the agenda has been the Turkish insistence on military presence within the territory of Northern Syria, in order to fight Kurdish separatists wh…

Whether you call it the Persian Gulf - as the Iranians see it from its Eastern Shore, or the Arabian Gulf from a Western perspective, its waters have always been tense. There are competing regional powers such as Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and even lesser ones that are still energy and economy powerhouses due to their oil wealth and world powers.…

Please join host Amir Oren for the first of a two-part interview with Major General (Res.) Major General Israel Ziv, who retired some years ago as a career officer but is on call for frequent advice to his younger brothers-in-arms.First and foremost a paratrooper from enlistment as a private soldier to running the infantry and paratroop corps as a …

Jonathan Hessen hosts Prof. Uri Rosenthal, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.Discussion focuses on Prof. Rosenthal’s active role in supporting regime change in Iran, regional intervention by the Islamic Republic and how demography is changing the face of the Middle East and Europe.You are welcome to join our audience and watch a…

Please join us for discussion on the warming relations between Iran with Saudi Arabia, and its potential impact on the region. Other topics include rising hostilities by Iran’s proxies and allies - most notably the Hamas and Hezbollah terror organizations – with Israel, tensions on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount during Ramadan, and Syria’s return to the …

Sudan, a poor country strategically located south of Egypt, along the Nile and on the Red Sea, has in recent weeks descended into chaos and destruction due to a conflict between two Generals who were supposed to share power. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s Armed Forces and General Dagalo’s Rapid Support Force have spared neither each other’s troop…

The State of Israel this week marks a day of mourning which at sundown will morph into a day of celebration - Memorial Day, then Independence Day. At 75, the Jewish State has reached a maturity which allows us to take stock and assess its position, both absolute and relative to where it has been and where it wishes to go. What are the strengths and…

Fourteen months have passed since Russia launched its premeditated military invasion of Ukraine, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties to date in Europe’s worst refugee crisis since World War Two. As neither Moscow nor Kyiv have managed to close in on their respective political objectives so far, the majority of Western intelligence agencies…

Jonathan Hessen hosts Col. (Ret) Richard Kemp, Former Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee at the British Cabinet Office and Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan.Discussion focuses on Israel from an international perspective, vis-à-vis support or condemnation for its defense activities.You are welcome to join our audience and watch al…

Israel next week celebrates its 75th anniversary birthday as a Jewish State - independent of the British Mandate that preceded it, and in spite of hostile efforts to eradicate it.In 1948, Great Britain was the dominant great power in the region, with France competing with it and the Soviet Union looking for openings. The United States was reluctant…

It has become a cliché to claim that Israel is facing simultaneous threats from several quarters - within it, on its boundaries with adjacent entities and territories and outside it. The challenges are always there, but most of the time they erupt serially rather than concurrently - and can be dealt with accordingly. In recent weeks, however, diffe…

TV7's My Brother's Keeper, in cooperation with the Danube Institute, focuses on persecution of Christians across the Middle East and North Africa, where many are targeted for their faith and forced to endure daily violence and harassment.We hope to enlighten and encourage our viewers to pray for their suffering brothers and sisters.In the first epi…