Call Me Back: The Continuation of War by Other Means – with Tal Becker

In this episode of The Ricochet Superfeed, host Dan Senor continues the conversation on the evolving Middle East conflict with Dr. Tal Becker, a senior advisor to Israeli governments and vice president of the Hartman Institute. The discussion centers on how the war with Iran may continue not through direct military confrontation, but through strategic political and diplomatic means—what Becker calls 'war by other means.' He argues that the true measure of success lies not in battlefield outcomes, but in shaping long-term regional dynamics: weakening Iran’s capabilities, altering its intent, and building a durable alliance among Israel, the Gulf states, and the U.S. Becker emphasizes the need to move beyond binary thinking—war or peace—and instead focus on creating a regional alliance structure that can sustain pressure on Iran through economic, military, and diplomatic tools. He draws parallels to NATO, urging a shift from U.S. unilateral leadership to a shared burden of regional security. The conversation also tackles the moral and legal justifications for Israel’s actions, challenging the narrative that Israel is the aggressor while Iran is a victim, and asserts that Iran’s attacks on Gulf states constitute war crimes and hostage-taking. Ultimately, Becker calls for a new strategic paradigm: one where regional powers unite to counter Iran’s existential threat, not through endless war, but through sustained, coordinated pressure and alliance-building. Key takeaways include: (1) Victory should be measured by long-term regional stability, not short-term military gains; (2) The Abraham Accords must be revitalized as a foundation for a broader regional alliance; (3) Economic and strategic tools—like freezing Iranian assets and creating alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz—can be as effective as military force; (4) Israel must invest in rebuilding its global image and partnership with Gulf states; (5) Iran’s revolutionary ideology, not just its survival instinct, must be factored into strategy; (6) The moral responsibility for regional instability lies with Iran, not the states defending themselves. The episode concludes with a powerful moral framing: when a regime threatens annihilation, the response is not cowardice, but collective resistance.