What are Israel's famed (or infamous) intelligence agencies' role in its history and survival? And in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Specifically the highly effective yet ethically questionable "targeted killings"? On a more recent note, what's the situation with Iran? Could any deal between the US and Iran de-escalate the current tensions? How has Bibi Netanyahu handled the Iranian threat over his long tenure in power? What does Bergman think of Netanyahu's current challenger Benny Gantz and his leadership style? 

With the intrepid Ronen Bergman, we touch on these issues and many more. Bergman is widely considered one of the best investigative journalists in the world on Israel's security establishment, the Middle East, and global cyber conflict. He is currently a staff writer at the “New York Times Magazine” and a senior political and military analyst at “Yedioth Ahronoth.” Bergman also holds a Ph.D. in history from Cambridge University. His latest book is "Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel's Targeted Assassinations," which is currently being adapted to an HBO+Keshet TV series. The link to the book is here: https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Kill-First-Targeted-Assassinations/dp/1400069718

*(This podcast was recorded a few days before the Soleimani killing)_________________________________________________The article mentioned by Bergman about Israel possibly striking Iran (Bergman interviewed PM Netanayhu with his "NYT" collleages for over 3 hours): https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/04/magazine/iran-strike-israel-america.html

Bergman's reporting in the "New York Times” about the recent Soleimani strike (with over 26 other "Times" reporters): https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/11/us/politics/iran-trump.html

Favorite podcast: "The Daily" _________________________________________________

Link to the application for the Tikvah Fund high school program: https://tikvahfund.org/hs/tsp2020/overview/