What Trump got wrong about Iran, what the IDF got wrong about Hezbollah: Amos Harel on wars with no exit strategy

In this episode of the Haaretz Podcast, host Alison Kaplan-Summer speaks with senior defense analyst Amos Harel about the ongoing war between Israel, the U.S., and Iran, now extended into Lebanon due to Hezbollah's full-scale involvement. The conflict, which began in late February, has left Israeli civilians in constant fear, with daily missile alerts and devastating attacks like the cluster bomb strike on Haifa that killed at least two and left others trapped under rubble. Despite Israel’s military superiority, Harel argues that the war lacks a clear endgame, with Hezbollah proving resilient despite heavy losses, capable of launching around 100 rockets daily. The IDF’s public messaging about Hezbollah’s defeat contrasts sharply with internal assessments that a decisive victory is unattainable, creating a crisis of trust among northern residents who were misled into believing the threat had passed after the 2024 ceasefire. Harel criticizes both Netanyahu’s political theater and Trump’s transactional, deal-making approach, which misunderstands Iran and Hezbollah’s survival-driven strategy. The war’s prolonged nature is straining Israel’s military resources—especially missile interceptors and reservist manpower—while public support, though still present, is eroding as the war drags on with no visible resolution. The episode ends on a note of cautious hope, acknowledging small victories like surviving a podcast without a missile alert.