Podcast explores Israel-Hamas conflict with retired Israeli colonel

The Policy Pulse podcast by the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy at FIU explores a wide range of international challenges and opportunities that are shaping the 21st century. Listeners hear insightful discussions and thought-provoking conversations and meet foreign policy experts from within the university as well as outside guests with unique perspectives.

Most recently, Dean of the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs Shlomi Dinar hosted an episode with Miri Eisin, the director of the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism at Reichman University in Herzliya, Israel, and a retired colonel from the Israel Defense Forces. The two spoke roughly a month after Hamas terrorists rained thousands of rockets down on Israel and infiltrated the country by air, sea and land in an unprecedented surprise attack on Oct. 7. Currently, Israel and Hamas are fighting a war in Gaza that threatens to destabilize the entire region.

Addressing Israeli intelligence failures that foresaw no imminent attack, Eisin acknowledged human error and emphasized the challenges of recognizing threats that defy anticipation. “We’re human beings. We are not machines. Even with all the [intelligence] capabilities, if you’re not looking for [the threats], you don’t always see them.” 

Eisin shed light on what the latest events spell for the region and addressed the potential role of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in the conflict. She noted, “[Hezbollah] have ten times the capability that Hamas has. And I say that not because Israel expects now that Hezbollah will attack, but we need to be very aware that they have that capacity.” 

The conversation also touched on the threat posed by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are supported by Iran. A spokesman for the group took responsibility for its launching ballistic missiles and drones toward Israel on Oct. 31 in support of “help[ing] the Palestinians to victory.”

Looking ahead, Colonel Eisin explored potential scenarios for the post-conflict period in Gaza, outlining possibilities such as Israeli reoccupation, international or regional intervention or the reinstatement of the Palestinian Authority. Each option comes with unique challenges, adding layers of complexity to the aftermath. 

The conversation concluded with a reflection on the resilience of Israeli society amid the ongoing conflict. Despite internal political divisions, the response to the Oct. 7 attack catalyzed a united front and a collective determination from the Israeli people. “The only aspect that gives me strength has been the response of Israeli society,” she said. “We have come together,” she added of the unity Israelis are showing in the face of the attack and ongoing counteroffensive.

Listen to the full conversation and explore other podcast episodes here.