Call Me Back - with Dan Senor

Did disagreements between Mossad and the IDF help lead to systematic failure to deploy Kurdish fighters and to topple the regime in Iran?

Dan is joined by Nadav Eyal who provides an in-depth analysis of Israel's covert plans to destabilize Iran, the role of Kurdish forces, and the internal decision-making failures that may have impacted the outcome of the war and regional security. This episode unpacks the complexities behind secret operations, disagreements between Mossad and the IDF, and the geopolitical implications for Israel and Iran. 

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This episode is sponsored by The Shalom Hartman Institute. Register for The Road to the Israeli Elections webinar with the Shalom Hartman Institute's Tani Frank and Masua Sagiv. 

This episode is also sponsored by Hayarkon 70.  Stay in the heart of Tel Aviv at Hayarkon 70, a restored 1934 landmark just steps from the beach. Its eight guest residences combine the building's character and history with full kitchens, spacious living areas, and 24/7 guest service.

Call Me Back listeners receive 10% off their stay at Hayarkon70.com/callmeback.

This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Dan and Tal Becker answer listener questions about why having an Arab party in Israel’s governing coalition is less acceptable now more than ever and what happened the last time it was tried. They also discuss how Israeli law addresses the separation of church and state and problems that creates..

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Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going.

For the full episode, subscribe here to - Inside Call me Back

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You can access the full episode here, where Dan and Tal answer listener questions about:

What does the El-Sayed primary victory in Michigan mean for Democrats

Jewish identity and the deep connection between Jews and Israel

Barriers to including Arab parties in Israel’s governing coalition

Issues created by the lack of an Israeli constitution 

The surprisingly strong alliance between Israel and the UAE

What is the status of International Court of Justice and ICC charges against Israeli leaders?

Is there hope for progress to stabilize Israeli-Palestinian tension and violence?

Why Israel’s  center left policies and party are losing supporters 

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Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal

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Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel

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Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Why did an Israeli-U.S. plan that counted on Kurdish fighters to help topple the Iranian regime fall apart?  

Dan is joined by investigative journalist, documentary filmmaker Itai Anghel who risked his life to follow Kurdish fighters in Syria, Iraq and Iran to document their guerrilla warfare tactics, explore how Kurdish leaders viewed Israel, why that trust fractured, and how those experiences shaped their views of the Israeli-U.S. secret plan for Kurds to fight inside Iran. The conversation also examines why Kurdish women fighters are key, and the military, political, and regional obstacles that doomed the plot from the start.  On August 10th, Part 2 will examine the plan from Israel’s intelligence and military perspectives.

Watch Itai Anghel’s documentary The Women Most Wanted in Iran

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Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going.

Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back     Subscribe to Ark News Daily

This episode is sponsored by The Israel Democracy Institute: For resources on Israel's upcoming election and to learn more about IDI, visit elections.idi.org.il/2026. 

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In this episode:

1. Who are the Kurds, and why they matter

2. The surprising Kurdish bond with Israel

3. A stateless nation with big aspirations

4. Women fighters now and in the war against ISIS

5. Why Kurdish trust in Israel and the U.S. has eroded

6. Inside the Iranian Kurdish underground

7. The Kurds’ view of the U.S.-Israeli plan for Kurdish boots on the ground in Iran

8. Why, when and how the plan for Kurdish fighters fell apart

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More Ark Media:

Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings.

Explore Israel Votes

Listen to Ark News Daily

Listen to For Heaven's Sake

Listen to What’s Your Number?

Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal

Instagram | Ark Media | Dan

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Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel

Get in touch

Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Why could the upcoming Michigan Democratic Senate primary signal a seismic shift about the Democratic party and U.S. policy on Israel?

As Michigan Democrats prepare to choose a nominee for the U.S. Senate, Dan Senor sits down with political journalist Mark Halperin to discuss why this race has become a flashpoint in the debate over Israel, progressive politics, and the future of the Democratic Party. They examine why progressives are demonizing Israel and AIPAC, the role of The New York Times and other media in shifting the debate, and why Abdul El‑Sayed’s campaign may have implications that extend to the 2028 presidential election.

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Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going.

Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back

This episode is sponsored by Citizen Cafe: Schedule your free intro session with Citizen Cafe today.

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In this episode: 

1. Why the Michigan Senate primary matters more than ever

2. How Israel became the defining issue in this race

3. Surprising changes inside the Democratic coalition

4. How The New York Times and social media impacts the narrative

5. Who is Abdul El‑Sayed and what’s behind his success

6. Why El-Sayed could be more influential than Mayor Mamdani

7. Implications of an El-Sayed victory for 2028 Democratic politics

Links mentioned in this episode:

-Mark Halperin’s recent article in the Free Press How Israel Became the Biggest Litmus Test in American Politics

-Halperin’s live video platform 2Way and  8 for 28 presidential picks

More Ark Media:

Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings.

Explore Israel Votes

Listen to Ark News Daily

Listen to For Heaven's Sake

Listen to What’s Your Number?

Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal

Instagram | Ark Media | Dan

X | Dan

Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel

Get in touch

Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Dan is joined by Ark Media contributor Amit Segal to answer listener questions about one of the biggest puzzles in Israeli politics: why the Likud is losing support even as the country shifts to the right. They also discuss who might be Prime Minister of a potential unity government. 

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Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going.

For the full episode, subscribe here to - Inside Call me Back

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You can access the full episode here, where Dan answers listener questions about:

- Was Netanyahu's recent Washington visit a snub or a success?

- Why do Mizrahi voters still back Likud candidates?

- The Haredi draft exemption and the coalition dilemma

- How could Israel's imperfect democratic system be improved?

- Could a new center-right party realistically succeed?

- What will ultimately decide Israel's election?

More Ark Media:

Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings.

Explore Israel Votes

Listen to Ark News Daily

Listen to For Heaven's Sake

Listen to What’s Your Number?

Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal

Instagram | Ark Media | Dan

X | Dan

Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel

Get in touch

Credits: Ilan Benatar, Ryan Lohr, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo