3626 - Decoding Israel's Superpower Ambitions w/ Daniel Levy

In this episode of The Majority Report, host Sam Seder explores Israel's expanding geopolitical ambitions with guest Daniel Levy, a former Israeli peace negotiator and president of the U.S. Middle East Project. Levy argues that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pursuing a maximalist 'Greater Israel' project aimed at establishing Israeli hegemony across the Middle East through military dominance, regional destabilization, and the weakening of Iran and U.S. influence. He details how Israel's war strategy—particularly against Iran and its proxies—serves not just military objectives but a broader vision of creating a zone of Israeli control, leveraging U.S. support while simultaneously undermining American credibility. The episode highlights how Gulf states like the UAE are responding to U.S. abandonment by threatening to shift energy trade from dollars to yuan, signaling a potential de-dollarization trend. Levy warns that Netanyahu’s strategy risks catastrophic overreach, alienating allies, strengthening Iran, and deepening Israel’s internal crisis, including economic strain, public fatigue, and a lack of political alternatives. Despite Israel’s military capabilities, the episode underscores the fragility of its position and the growing regional resistance to its dominance. Key takeaways include: 1) Netanyahu’s 'Greater Israel' agenda is not just territorial but geopolitical, aiming to replace U.S. dominance with Israeli hegemony; 2) The war with Iran is a calculated move to weaken a regional power and create dependencies that benefit Israel; 3) Gulf states are hedging against U.S. unreliability by exploring alternative financial systems; 4) Israel’s military overreach is creating internal exhaustion and a crisis of legitimacy; 5) Regional powers like Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are forming new alliances to counterbalance Israel; 6) The U.S. is increasingly seen as a 'paper tiger' in the region, unable to protect its allies; 7) Israel’s long-term survival depends on rethinking its ethno-supremacist model; 8) The war is not only failing militarily but also accelerating global shifts away from American-led order. The overall tone is urgent and cautionary, with a strong emphasis on systemic risks and the consequences of unchecked power.