Michael Oren: October 7 and the Cost of Defending Israel

About this episode

Three years after October 7, the deadliest terror attack in Israeli history looms large over the Jewish state’s upcoming election. Former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren says whomever takes the helm next is unlikely to “remove a single soldier from Lebanon, from Gaza, from Syria.” Today, Oren joins School of War to discuss Israel’s “80 percent” consensus on national security, why he thinks Hezbollah “cannot be destroyed militarily,” and the deepening political divide between religious Zionists and ultra-Orthodox Jews over the Jewish state’s future. 3:33 How October 7 Changed Israel 8:54 The Ultra-Orthodox Draft Fight 13:52 Israel’s Election and the Draft 17:17 Why the Ultra-Orthodox Don’t Serve 19:17 Oren's Path to the IDF 24:45 How Israel Defeated Hezbollah 26:50 Israel’s New Security Consensus 29:58 Can Iran Survive the Blockade? 32:40 What Comes Next in Gaza? 34:52 Hunting the October 7 Terrorists 37:02 Why Michael Oren Chose Israel 41:11 What Happens if Iran’s Regime Falls? This episode of School of War is brought to you by Maven Smart System, the builder platform for the American warfighter, fielded across the force and live on the frontline today.