Commentary

IDF’S FINAL PUSH? HAMAS A ‘GUERRILLA FORCE’

IDF’S FINAL PUSH? HAMAS A ‘GUERRILLA FORCE’

In this briefing, MirYam Institute CEO Benjamin Anthony, provides exclusive analysis on Israel’s war objectives and evolving regional dynamics:

·       Hamas’s military capabilities severely degraded, reduced to guerrilla force

·       Possible 60-day ceasefire under discussion

·       Netanyahu positioned to negotiate from a “position of strength”

·       Iran’s nuclear program reportedly delayed by up to two years

·       Israel’s leadership evaluating next strategic steps.

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Photo Credit: The MirYam Institute® All Rights Reserved

PODCAST: IRANIAN NUKE STATUS | GAZA CEASEFIRE | GADI EIZENKOT RESIGNS — FOR NOW!

IRANIAN NUKE STATUS | GAZA CEASEFIRE | GADI EIZENKOT RESIGNS — FOR NOW!

In this episode of the show Yaakov Lappin and I sit down to discuss:

  • The status of Iran’s nuclear weapons program

  • The prospect of a ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages

  • The resignation of former IDF Chief Of Staff and former Minister in the war cabinet, Lt. General Gadi Eizenkot, who announced his departure from the party of Benny Gantz.

Enjoy!

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Photo Credit: Shutterstock – Sergey Fedoskin (edited)

OP-ED: PRESIDENT TRUMP MADE THE RIGHT CALL IN STRIKING IRAN

By Micah Q. Jones

Much has already been written in the short time since President Donald J. Trump ordered the United States military to strike the Iranian nuclear weapons program on June 21, 2025. But from my perspective as an American, a US Army Veteran, and a pro-Israel Jew and Zionist, I could not be prouder of President Trump in demonstrating the courage and resolve to prevent the Iranian mullahs from achieving their fanatical dream of possessing a nuclear weapon.

As an American, I know that President Trump’s decision has made the world a safer place because the United States and its allies will no longer need to fear the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran. I am not an isolationist because I know that the world is interconnected. To think otherwise, in my opinion, demonstrates a level of myopia and naivete regarding how the world works and how Americans have come to enjoy the incredible lives that we live.  I firmly believe that when America is not actively involved in the geopolitical conversation on behalf of its own liberal-democratic values, nefarious forces look to fill that vacuum. The projection of American might abroad as articulated in President Trump’s “Peace through Strength” mindset, not only protects the United States, but also the entire Western world. President Trump backed up his strong rhetoric with action. And by doing so, I am confident that he has reestablished American deterrence and has made the world a safer place because the collective fear of the Iranian regime possessing the most devastating of all weapons is no longer a possibility. Moreover, the incredible military operation demonstrates America’s unparalleled war fighting capability and serves as a clear warning to other regimes like Russia and China that they should reconsider their nefarious ambitions. American military might can, literally, touch anywhere in the world, and those forces that would look to harm America and her allies should be wary of the consequences in trying to do so.

I am also proud of President Trump’s decision based on my experience as a US Army veteran. Having served during the Global War on Terror (“GWOT”), including one tour in Afghanistan, I knew that Iran was actively supplying material and arms to terrorist organizations throughout the Middle East. As President Trump reminded the world following the successful strikes on the Iranian nuclear program, Iran had been the largest state-sponsor of terrorism for more than four decades. President Trump’s decision to kill former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps General Qassem Soleimani in January 2020 had been in response to the hundreds of American service members who had been murdered by Iranian weapons and funding. In striking the Iranian nuclear program, now, President Trump further avenged those service members who had fallen during the GWOT and further ensured that current service members will no longer need to fear Iranian-sponsored threats.

Finally, I am incredibly thankful for President Trump’s decision to destroy the Iranian nuclear weapons because I am a pro-Israel Jew and ardent Zionist. President Trump’s support for Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and the IDF is second to none to any other American president. Rather than try to prevent Israel from continuing its aerial campaign against Iran, President Trump supported Israel’s actions. By then subsequently joining the air campaign against the Iranian regime in attacking Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz, President Trump solidified the iron-clad alliance between America and the Jewish state. Such solidarity could not have come at a more pivotal moment as forces on both the American political Left and Right, including, unfortunately, the majority of the Democratic party and extremely vocal isolationist influencers, have actively sought to undermine Israel since the horrific events of October 7, 2023. Instead of providing those nefarious factions further oxygen to continue their raging fire against Israel and Jews, President Trump doused that anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiment by publicly praising Prime Minister Netanyahu and hailing Israel’s achievements throughout Operation Rising Lion. No American president has ever made such clear, unequivocal, statements in support of Israel, and no American president has been a better friend to the Jewish people.

Although so much has happened so quickly, including, at the time of this writing what appears to be the beginning of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, the events of the past few days are truly historic. I firmly believe that President Trump rose to the occasion, and met the most challenging of moments, even when there were dissenting voices within both his Make America Great Again coalition, and his administration. In the end, President Trump trusted in G-d, the United States of America, and her allies to make the right call and to end the potential scourge of a nuclear-armed Iran. The world will be a safer place because of America’s and Israel’s cooperation, and because President Trump did not waiver when presented with a historic moment.  

Photo Credit: The White House


Micah Q. Jones is a publishing Adjunct at The MirYam Institute, a US Army veteran, and recipient of the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Service. He is a litigation associate in the Boston office of an international law firm. Read full bio here.

PODCAST: EXCLUSIVE BRIEFING: AMERICAN MIGHT HITS IRANIAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM

EXCLUSIVE BRIEFING: AMERICAN MIGHT HITS IRANIAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM

In this episode of the show, Benjamin Anthony and Yaakov Lappin discuss the impact of America's strike against Iran's nuclear weapons program in Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz before delving into the speeches of mutual congratulations made by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. 

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Photo Credit: The MirYam Institute® All Rights Reserved

MEDIA ANALYSIS: IRAN MAY STILL HIT 'SOFT TARGETS'

MEDIA ANALYSIS: IRAN MAY STILL HIT 'SOFT TARGETS'

Benjamin Anthony, CEO of the MirYam Institute, says he believes an attack on U.S. military bases would only come after "significant telegraphing" from Iranians, giving the U.S. enough time to evacuate and minimize losses.

Photo Credit: The MirYam Institute® All Rights Reserved

TRUMP ‘ENDS MENACE’ – ISRAEL ‘ON WAY TO VICTORY’

‘WONDERFUL DAY FOR FREEDOM’ WHAT TRUMP IRAN NUCLEAR STRIKES MEAN FOR ISRAEL NOW

In this briefing, MirYam Institute CEO Benjamin Anthony delivers sharp analysis of President Trump’s bold strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

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Photo Credit: The MirYam Institute® All Rights Reserved

MEDIA ANALYSIS: TRUMP DECISION ON IRAN ‘IN NEXT TWO WEEKS’

MEDIA ANALYSIS: TRUMP DECISION ON IRAN ‘IN NEXT TWO WEEKS’

CEO of The MirYam Institute, Benjamin Anthony, joins NewsNation’s Connell McShane to discuss:

  • Escalating conflict between Israel and Iran

  • Ongoing exchange of strikes between Israel and Iran

  • President Trump’s National Security Council meeting

  • European diplomats meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister in Geneva

  • U.S. administration increasing surveillance of potential Iran-backed cells within the U.S.

  • Strategic considerations and response options being weighed by the Trump administration.

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Photo Credit: The MirYam Institute® All Rights Reserved

FORDOW WILL FALL! ISRAEL CAN GO IT ALONE

FORDOW WILL FALL! ISRAEL CAN GO IT ALONE

Israel Can Destroy Iran’s Nuclear Program WITHOUT US Bunker Busters | Operation Rising Lion Analysis

Israel is now executing one of the boldest and most consequential military campaigns in its history — Operation Rising Lion — with or without American support. As President Trump signals a two-week window before deciding whether to join Israel’s offensive against Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile facilities, many are asking: Can Israel succeed alone?

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Photo Credit: The MirYam Institute® All Rights Reserved

MEDIA ANALYSIS: IRAN STRIKES BACK AFTER ISRAEL ATTACK

MEDIA ANALYSIS: IRAN STRIKES BACK AFTER ISRAEL ATTACK

Exclusive Commentary: NewsNation Now's Connell McShane interviews Benjamin Anthony, CEO of The MirYam Institute, on Israel’s strikes against Iran’s nuclear program and Iran’s retaliation following the Israeli attack.

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Photo Credit: The MirYam Institute® All Rights Reserved

PODCAST: ON IRAN — BIBI BRIEFS THE ISRAELI PRESS

ON IRAN: BIBI BRIEFS THE ISRAELI PRESS

In this episode of the show, Yaakov Lappin and I discuss Prime Minister Netanyahu’s press briefing, together with his answers to their questions on Operation Rising Lion, including whether or not he intends to eliminate Iran’s “Supreme Leader,” the role of the United States thus far, and whether or not Israel has the ability to go it alone against the Iranian nuclear threat and the ballistic missile threat.

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Photo Credit: AI Generated The MirYam Institute® All Rights Reserved

SITUATIONAL BRIEFING: IRANIAN STRIKES ON ISRAEL

IRANIAN STRIKES ON ISRAEL

Recorded on June 14th from here in central Israel, in the midst of the Iranian strikes against the Jewish state, I’m joined by Yaakov Lappin to assess where the Israeli military campaign against Iran’s nuclear weapons program currently stands, how the Israeli campaign might unfold, and why this needed to happen now.

Enjoy!

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Photo Credit:  Shutterstock AI Generator

PODCAST: D-DAY LANDINGS | HAREDI DRAFT | HOSTAGE NEGOTIATIONS | IRAN

D-DAY LANDINGS

HAREDI DRAFT

HOSTAGE NEGOTIATIONS

IRAN

In this episode of the show I reflect on the recently concluded MirYam Institute I-SAP tour to the Nazi death camps in Poland and to the sites of the D-DAY landings in Normandy, attended by close to fifty delegates from U.S. military colleges.

Together with Yaakov Lappin, we then turn our attention to the ongoing crisis surrounding the drafting of the Haredi community into the IDF before assessing the status of the hostage crisis and the threat of the Iranian nuclear weapons program. 

Enjoy!

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Photo Credit:  Shutterstock AI Generator

PODCAST: TIME TO ACT — THE PROPAGANDA WAR ON ISRAEL | THE IRANIAN THREAT

TIME TO ACT — THE PROPAGANDA WAR ON ISRAEL

THE IRANIAN THREAT

In this solo podcast, MirYam Institute In-House Analyst Yaakov Lappin explores why, as Israel approaches strategic decisive outcomes in Gaza, the propaganda war against it grows louder.

He also looks at the highly dramatic impasse that nuclear talks with Iran have reached, and how President Trump might respond when he concludes that the art of the deal does not apply to the jihadist regime in Tehran.

Yaakov examines why encouraging the collapse of the Iranian regime should be the real end goal, and why actions are more important than words when it comes to Syria.

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Photo Credit: Shutterstock: Stuart Miles

PODCAST: BREAKING HAMAS | AID ADVANCES | THE IRANIAN TRAP

BREAKING HAMAS

AID ADVANCES

THE IRANIAN TRAP

In this solo episode, MirYam Institute analyst Yaakov Lappin explores why the launch of a Hamas-free aid distribution program in Gaza marks a pivotal new phase in the war. The initiative aims to dismantle Hamas’s military and political control simultaneously.

Lappin discusses how Israel, working with an American private security firm, is now managing aid distribution—fundamentally shifting power dynamics on the ground. He also details the coordinated advances of five IDF divisions across Gaza.

Turning east, Lappin examines why time is running out on Iran’s accelerating nuclear program, as Tehran seeks to corner the Trump administration in a high-stakes diplomatic trap.

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Photo Credit: Israel Defense Forces

ANTI-JEWISH MURDERS - KILLER SHOUTED 'FREE PALESTINE'

ISRAELI EMBASSY STAFF MURDERED BY "FREE PALESTINE" GUNMAN IN DC

PLUS

ARE LIES ABOUT ISRAEL TO BLAME?

Israeli embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were brutally murdered in Washington, DC by a gunman shouting 'Free Palestine.' We utterly condemn this heinous act and pray that the perpetrator is brought to swift justice.

We also share in the sorrow of Yaron and Sarah's loved ones, by whom they are survived. 

In this exclusive interview, Benjamin Anthony, CEO, The MirYam Institute, assesses the implications of this terrible crime before providing analysis on: Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza, rescue operations to free Israeli hostages, and the escalating tension with Iran amid renewed US–Tehran negotiations. 
 
Benjamin Anthony offers analysis on: 

  • The Washington D.C. embassy shooting and its connection to anti-Israel rhetoric

  • Netanyahu’s latest press conference and message to the world

  • The Israeli military’s ground operations in Rafah and northern Gaza

  • The growing international backlash against Israel — and how it could shape the outcome of the war

  • The possibility of a preemptive Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities 

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Photo Credit: The MirYam Institute® All Rights Reserved

PODCAST: HEROES OF ISRAEL VS. (DOMESTIC) DISGRACES

HEROES OF ISRAEL VS. (DOMESTIC) DISGRACES

In this episode of the show, Yaakov Lappin and I analyze the IDF’s military buildup and operations inside the Gaza Strip, before we voice our very clear opinions on, and level our condemnation toward, recent statements made by former Deputy Chief Of Staff of the IDF and leader of the “HA-DEMOCRATIM” political party, Major General (Res.) Yair Golan. 

Golan made wholly unacceptable, baseless and false remarks against the members of the IDF in a tirade that would normally be the preserve of enemies of the State of Israel. 

We also analyze the recent address made by the current IDF Chief Of Staff; a man who thankfully exhibits none of the moral delirium of Yair Golan.

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Photo Credit: Israel Defense Forces

AIRSTRIKE KILLS TOP HAMAS TERRORIST

MOMENT MOHAMMED SINWAR TARGETED IN IDF AIRSTRIKE

PLUS

HUGE EXPLOSION AS HAMAS SITE UNDER HOSPITAL HIT

The IDF has launched a massive airstrike in a bid to eliminate Mohammed Sinwar. Israeli defense expert Benjamin Anthony gives the inside track on the military operation in Gaza, the impact of Edan Alexander's release, the U.S.-Israel relationship & Donald Trump’s Middle East tour.

In this latest briefing, MirYam Institute CEO Anthony, breaks down the IDF’s aerial strike that targeted Mohammed Sinwar, senior Hamas commander and brother of Yahya Sinwar.

Featuring jaw-dropping footage of the precision strike, Benjamin offers expert analysis on what this means for Israel’s war on Hamas and the future of Gaza.

We also cover breaking developments, including:

·      Edan Alexander’s release and the hostage deal implications

·      The current state of U.S.-Israel relations and the relationship between Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

·      Donald Trump’s Middle East tour and his deals with Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Qatar

·      Ongoing Iran nuclear talks and regional security risks

This is a must-watch for anyone following Israel’s war on terror, Middle East diplomacy, or the future of U.S. foreign policy.

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Photo Credit: The MirYam Institute® All Rights Reserved

'IT’S PURE SADISM' HAMAS IS STARVING MY BROTHER

HAMAS TOOK MY BROTHER HOSTAGE. HE'S BEEN STARVED AND MADE TO WATCH OTHERS GET RELEASED. IT'S "SICK"!

On October 7, 2023, Evyatar David was kidnapped by Hamas from Israel’s Nova music festival. His two close friends were killed that day. Evyatar and his best friend, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, were dragged into Gaza and have been held hostage ever since.

 Since that day, Evyatar’s brother, Ilay David, has fought tirelessly for his release. In this exclusive and heartbreaking interview with The MirYam Institute, Ilay shares the painful journey his family has endured.

In February 2025, Ilay’s family received a second proof of life film — a Hamas propaganda video showing Evyatar and Guy forced to watch other hostages being set free in a staged ceremony. Both men appeared frail, starved, and exhausted, while pleading for their lives. Here, Ilay describes the devastation of seeing his brother alive — but broken. 

“They showed him freedom, then slammed the door in his face and threw him back in the dungeon. It’s sick. It’s pure sadism,” Ilay says.

As former hostages returned and shared their stories, Ilay learned even more about the horrific conditions Evyatar and Guy have faced:

— Months underground in Hamas tunnels

— Little food, barely any water

— Constant fear for their lives

With support from The MirYam Institute, Ilay works relentlessly to keep his brother’s story visible — even traveling to New York and Washington, D.C., to meet with U.S. lawmakers.

In this powerful interview, Ilay reminds us: The atrocities of October 7 haven’t ended. They continue every day for those still held captive in Gaza.

If you stand with the hostages and their families, please share this video and leave a comment.

Your voice can help bring them home.

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Photo Credit: The MirYam Institute® All Rights Reserved

PODCAST: IDF MASSES ON GAZAN BORDER + ISRAELI SECURITY PRIORITIES

IDF MASSES ON GAZAN BORDER | ISRAELI SECURITY PRIORITIES

In this solo podcast, The Miryam Institute’s In-House Analyst, Yaakov Lappin, breaks down what's being planned in Gaza, Israel's lead role in continuing the battle against the Iranian Jihadist axis, and the struggle between isolationists and traditional Republicans for the ear of President Trump.

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Photo Credit: Shutterstock Roman Yanushevsky

ISRAEL ON FIRE: WAS TERROR BEHIND BLAZES?

WORST EVER ISRAEL FIRES SPARK THIRD INTIFADA WARNING | NETANYAHU SAYS WAR VICTORY IS 'SUPREME GOAL'

Israel is recovering after the worst fires in the country's history raged around Jerusalem. The IDF and emergency services have worked non-stop to bring the blazes under control but questions about the causes and preparedness remain.

Defense expert and CEO of the MirYam Institute, Benjamin Anthony, says if it's proven that Hamas terrorism played a role, his biggest concern is that this could be the tactic in any "third intifada".

It all comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outraged some of the families of hostages by saying that Israel's "supreme goal" is victory over the nation's enemies. Anthony believes that victory is the key goal but it can't be achieved without bringing Israel's kidnapped citizens home from Gaza.

Meanwhile the IDF releases staggeringly explosive aerial video showcasing its military might as it confirms two more key eliminations of Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon.

All that against the backdrop of more U.S. sanctions against Iran as nuclear talks continue.

Get all the analysis and dramatic battlefield footage in the video below.

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Photo Credit: The MirYam Institute® All Rights Reserved