In this situational briefing, Yaakov Lappin, In-House Analyst at The MirYam Institute, explains the paradox of Israel’s growing strategic strength amidst a deteriorating global information war.

Over the past 30 months, Israel has achieved historic strategic victories, working with the U.S. to systematically decimate the Iranian axis—including its nuclear programs, Hamas, and Hezbollah.

By operationalizing new defense alliances, Israel now serves as a regional "insurance policy" for Gulf states against Iranian fundamentalism.

However, Israel is simultaneously losing the global information battle because jihadist adversaries deliberately embed their rocket launchers and invasion bases inside hospitals, schools, and residential areas to manipulate the international narrative.

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In this situational briefing, I sit down with John Spencer, Senior Analyst at The MirYam Institute. Recorded on April 21, 2026, as Israel celebrates its Independence Day, we examine whether the nation is strategically safer today than it was before October 7, 2023.

In his exclusive op-ed, Spencer explains why Israel has reached a stronger strategic standing:

• Replacing "rocket diplomacy" and containment with a decisive offensive doctrine.
• Dismantling the Iranian "ring of fire" and degrading proxies on every front.
• Achieving "peer contributor" status through deep integration with the U.S. military.
• Isolating Hamas by destroying all strategic tunnels along the Egyptian border.
• Significantly rolling back Iran's nuclear program and missile manufacturing capacity.

Read Op-Ed: Is Israel Safer Today?

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In this situational briefing, Yaakov Lappin, In-House Analyst at The MirYam Institute, focuses on what has now become the primary war arena; Lebanon, and Israel’s ongoing efforts to diminish and degrade the threat of Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy in Lebanon.

He then provides his reflections on Yom Hashoa, commemorated throughout Israel by the sounding of a national siren, distinct from the sirens to seek shelter, but rather a call to stand silent, stand still, and reflect on our ability to defend ourselves.

LEBANON ARENA OP-ED BY YAAKOV LAPPIN

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