Israel's Strategic Dilemma: Winning Wars, Losing Autonomy in the Trump Era

In this episode of Tel Aviv Diary, host Marc Schulman sits down with returning guest Ehud Haik to analyze the aftermath of what they call "the 12-day war" between Israel and Iran. The conversation explores the strategic implications of Israel's growing dependence on the United States, the missed opportunities and new challenges facing Israeli foreign policy, and the complex web of regional relationships that could reshape the Middle East.Haik and Schulman discuss how Netanyahu's approach has essentially made Israel a "satellite state" of the US, examining both the benefits and dangerous long-term consequences of this dependency. They analyze potential diplomatic opportunities with Saudi Arabia, Syria, and other regional players, while addressing the urgent need to end the Gaza conflict to unlock these possibilities. The discussion also covers the domestic implications of Netanyahu's ongoing trial, Trump's influence on Israeli decision-making, and Iran's accelerated push toward nuclear capability.This candid conversation offers insider perspectives on Israeli strategy, the changing dynamics of US-Israel relations, and the critical choices facing Israel's leadership in a rapidly evolving Middle East landscape. 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