The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

Welcome to The Reel Schmooze with ToI film reviewer Jordan Hoffman and host Amanda Borschel-Dan, where we bring you all the entertainment news and film reviews a Jew can use.
In today's escapism episode, movie maven Hoffman begins with a recommendation of a new, very Jewy podcast, Classical Music Happy Hour with pianist Emanuel Ax.
We then discuss the 2025 independent film, "Fantasy Life," written and directed by Matthew Shear. His directorial debut is produced by and stars Amanda Peet, Shear, and a slew of Jewish (or Jew-ish) actors, including Alessandro Nivola, Judd Hirsch, Bob Balaban, Andrea Martin and Zosia Mamet.
Next, we turn to the classic Larry David series, "Curb Your Enthusiasm," which Borschel-Dan had never seen. Hoffman assigned her the iconic "Palestinian Chicken" episode. See how she liked it.
Check out who got the "oy," the "meh" and the "not bad" marks in this week's The Reel Schmooze.
The Reel Schmooze is produced by Ari Schlacht and can be found wherever you get your podcasts.
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Welcome to The Times of Israel's Lazar Focus. Each Friday, join host diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe. Two weeks into the war against Iran, the Islamic Republic has made good on its threats and attacked all the Gulf Arab states. But while the focus on reporting has been on those countries, players on Iran's northern border are also under fire. Iran has fired two missiles at Turkey, a major regional power; has hit targets in Azerbaijan; continues to pound Iraqi Kurdistan; and Iran's proxy Hezbollah even attacked British zones in Cyprus. The northern theater should not be overlooked. Each of these actors has a complex relationship not only with Iran, but also with Israel. Some, like Cyprus and Azerbaijan, are close allies, while Turkey has turned into a leading adversary and a backer of Hamas. Gallia Lindenstrauss, a leading Turkey expert, examines how each is reacting to the outbreak of war, and what might lie ahead in their ties with Israel. Lazar Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and video edited by Ari Schlacht.
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Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.
Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
Lebanese terror group Hezbollah blasted some 200 rockets and 20 drones at northern Israel for hours on Wednesday evening, repeatedly sending hundreds of thousands of Israelis to shelters. At the same time, much of the rest of the country was also sent to safe rooms with four salvos of ballistic missiles shot from Iran. We hear how this is affecting Israelis' spirits right now.
Yesterday, the UN Security Council called for Iran to halt its attacks on Gulf states. Notably, the resolution did not mention US or Israeli strikes on Iran and was passed by 13 votes with two abstentions. Horovitz weighs in.
In counterpoint to the support from Israelis at large, Americans are not overwhelmingly in favor of their new war. We discuss the mixed messaging coming from the Trump administration -- and how much skin Israel has in the game for mutual war goals to be attained.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Seeking clarity, and safety, in a war marked by incoherent leadership and a momentous goal
Hezbollah fires 200 rockets at north, Iran launches missiles in ‘integrated operation’
UN Security Council demands Iran halt attacks on Gulf states
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and edited by Ari Schlacht.
IMAGE: Iraqis step on US and Israeli flags during a protest against US and Israeli attacks on multiple cities across Iran, in Baghdad, Iraq, March 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
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Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.
Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
About half of the roughly 300 ballistic missiles Iran has launched at Israel in the current war carried cluster bomb warheads, according to Israel Defense Forces assessments published Tuesday, a day after the munitions killed two people and seriously wounded another in central Israel. Fabian gives insight into the number of munitions used by the US, Israel and Iran.
Turning to Lebanon, we hear that Hezbollah is raining down projectiles on northern Israel, but potentially rationing the use of key anti-tank rockets as they engage Israeli troops. At the same time, the Israel Defense Forces announced on Tuesday that it had completed a wave of airstrikes targeting branches of a Hezbollah-linked financial institution across Lebanon, as it keeps up the pressure on the Iran-backed terror group.
We then turn to Gaza and learn how Hamas is continuing to attempt to cross the Yellow Line. Fabian also updates us on the tunnel demolitions and the discovery of Hamas fighters hiding underground.
And finally, we introduce a new segment, Five Minute Frontlines. Join video reporter Eli Katzoff as he explores what's happening on the ground throughout the country.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Iran has fired some 300 missiles at Israel, about half with cluster bomb warheads — IDF
US says it destroyed minelayers near Hormuz after Trump warns Iran not to mine strait
Hezbollah rationing munitions as it braces for full-scale Israeli invasion – sources
IDF hits Hezbollah command centers and finance body as rockets fly at northern Israel
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and edited by Ari Schlacht.
IMAGE: Rescue workers gather at the site where Israeli airstrikes hit apartments in Beirut, Lebanon, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
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Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.
US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.
During a briefing and in a one-on-one phone interview with Magid, US President Donald Trump discusses a possible timeframe for ending the war with Iran, a decision he says will be made with Israel. The US leader notes that if the regime harms oil exports, he will strike Iran harder than before.
Magid notes that Trump is not happy with the choice of the new Iranian leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, but isn't discussing his removal, unlike Israel, which has not ruled out his assassination. He also discusses whether Trump is betraying anti-regime protestors by not creating a government that will support them.
There appears to be some behind-the-scenes discomfort with the war against Iran from Vice President JD Vance, reports Magid, although the Vice President has been publicly supportive of the continued operation.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Trump: Iran war could be over soon, but not this week; oil disruption would trigger harsher strikes
Trump to Times of Israel: It’ll be a ‘mutual’ decision with Netanyahu regarding when Iran war ends
Netanyahu tells Iranians freedom is near as Israel hits Iran’s oil depots for first time
Trump: ‘I have to be involved’ in picking Iran’s next leader, Khamenei’s son ‘unacceptable’
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.
IMAGE: President Donald Trump speaks at a news conference, Monday, March 9, 2026, at Trump National Doral Miami in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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