From Ceasefire to Strategy: Israel Between Sunni Revival and Shia Retreat

On the first Friday after the ceasefire, with hostages back but the bodies of the deceased still withheld, Marc talks with returning guest Ehud Haik about where Israel truly stands—and where it could go next. They unpack the reshaping of the region (a weakened Iran-led Shiite axis and a re-energized Sunni coalition), the Sharm el-Sheikh moment and Donald Trump’s outsized role, and why Israel risks being written out of the script if it keeps relying on power without diplomacy.They dig into U.S. public-opinion trends, the urgency of rebuilding Israel’s hasbara and policy credibility, and the near-term Gaza scenarios—from Arab-led enforcement to “same old, same old.” Despite hard truths, Ehud lays out a cautious optimism: a rare strategic window, if Israel seizes it with smart diplomacy and a coherent plan.Topics: ceasefire reality, hostages and missing bodies, Sunni vs. Shia balance, Sharm el-Sheikh, U.S. politics & public opinion, Israel’s diplomacy deficit, Gaza enforcement options, tech & defense partnerships, what it will take to win the next few years.Call to action: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please rate and follow. Subscribe on Substack for future episodes. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe