Conflict Uncovered with Elliot Chodoff (Another Rough Day in the Middle East)

Iran, Israel, and the Dangerous Middle of a Crisis Episode Description In this episode of Conflict Uncovered, Elliot Chodoff and Zev Uslan examine the unstable middle ground between war, negotiation, deterrence, and wishful thinking in the Middle East. The conversation focuses on Iran, Israel, and the United States at a moment when diplomacy and military pressure are unfolding at the same time. El...

Episode Description In this episode of Conflict Uncovered, Elliot Chodoff examines the strategic and ideological problems at the heart of negotiations with Iran. The discussion focuses on a recurring failure in Western diplomacy: treating agreements as if both sides understand truth, obligation, compromise, and long-term interest in the same way. Iran’s regime does not approach negotiations like a...

The Long Road to Oct 7, Part 7 Gaza, Disengagement, and the Limits of Defensive Thinking Episode Description In Part 7 of The Long Road to Oct 7, Elliot Chodoff and Zev Uslan continue tracing the strategic path that led to October 7 by focusing on Gaza, disengagement, and the assumptions that shaped Israeli security thinking in the early 2000s. This episode looks at the period between the Second I...

In this episode of Conflict Uncovered, Elliot Chodoff and Zev Uslan continue their series on the long road to October 7 by looking at the period from Israel’s Lebanon withdrawal through the Second Intifada and into the security-barrier era. The conversation focuses on how Israeli leaders, the public, and the defense establishment interpreted withdrawal, deterrence, terrorism, and defensive infrast...

The Long Road to Oct 7, Part 5 Technology, Mass, and the Limits of the “Small Smart Army” Episode Description In Part 5 of The Long Road to Oct 7, Elliot Chodoff and Zev Uslan examine one of the central assumptions behind modern Israeli military planning: that a smaller, leaner, more technologically advanced force could replace the need for mass, depth, and redundancy. For decades, Israel moved to...

The Long Road to October 7, Part 4 Systemic Failure, Strategic Complacency, and the Illusion of Readiness Episode Description In Part 4 of The Long Road to October 7, Elliot Chodoff and Zev Uslan continue examining how Israel reached one of the most catastrophic security failures in its history. This episode moves beyond the question of what happened in the final hours before the attack and focuse...

Reserves, Logistics, and the Cost of Peacetime Thinking Episode Description In this episode of Conflict Uncovered, Elliot Chodoff and Zev Uslan continue tracing the long institutional road that led to October 7. The focus shifts from intelligence failure as a single event to the deeper military systems that had been weakening for decades: reserves, logistics, training, professional standards, and...

War is not just a sequence of violent events. It is a condition, a structure, and a long-term contest of will, power, and organization. In this episode, Elliot Chodoff and Zev Uslan go beyond the headlines to examine what war actually is and why misunderstanding its nature leads to bad analysis, weak preparation, and dangerous assumptions. Using Israel’s military history as a case study, they trac...

Most people misunderstand the story behind October 7 not because they lack intelligence, but because they are looking in the wrong place. The roots of the failure run far deeper than a single day, a single decision, or a single intelligence breakdown. In this episode, Elliot Chodoff and Zev Uslan examine the organizational culture, military assumptions, and historical patterns that helped set the...

In this episode of Conflict Uncovered, Eliot Chodoff sits down with Zev Uslan to examine one of the most misunderstood dimensions of the Israel-Palestine conflict: the land itself, and the narratives attached to it. While many outsiders frame the conflict as a straightforward dispute over territory, resources, or borders, Eliot and Zev argue that the deeper drivers are historical memory, identity,...

War, Proportionality, and the Gaza Conflict Episode Summary In this episode of Conflict Uncovered, host Eliot Chodoff is joined by Zev Uslan for a deep discussion on the Gaza war, proportionality in war, international law, and the ethics of modern conflict. Together, they examine how just war theory applies to the Israel-Hamas war, including the principles of discrimination, civilian immunity, and...

Understanding Radical Islamism and Cultural Perspectives on Violence In this episode, Elliot Chodoff and Zev Uslan explore the sociological, psychological, and ideological roots fueling radical Islamism and violent cultures. They discuss historical parallels, the influence of Western thought, and the religious narratives that drive violent behaviors today. Key topics: The comparison between radica...

The War with Iran: History, Escalation, and Strategic Insights In this episode, Elliot Chodoff and Don Uslan explore the complex history and ongoing conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States, unraveling the roots of recent hostilities and strategic intentions behind Iran's long-term actions.  Main Topics Covered: The origins of the Iran-Israel-US conflict dating back to the 1979 Iranian...

Elliot Chodoff and Don Uslan discuss the complexities of the ongoing conflict with Iran, media perceptions, missile technology, and Israel's defense systems. They analyze the strategic and technical aspects of missile defense, media bias, and the broader war context.   Keywords: Israel, Iran, missile defense, Iron Dome, Arrow, media bias, conflict analysis, military strategy Key Topics Israel's mi...

In this conversation, Elliot discusses the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, analyzing the military successes and failures of the IDF, the nature of the war as one of existence, and the implications of the hostage situation. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical context of the conflict and the future strategies Israel must adopt to deal with Hamas and ensure its sec...

In this conversation, Chodoff provides a comprehensive analysis of the recent military actions between Israel and Iran, tracing the historical context of their conflict, the strategic operations undertaken by Israel, and the implications of Iran's retaliatory actions. He discusses the role of the United States in supporting Israel and speculates on the future of the conflict, emphasizing the dynam...

Elliot discusses the recent events surrounding the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza and the Israeli government's proposal to arm a Palestinian militia as a counterweight to Hamas. He critiques the decision, drawing on historical examples to illustrate the potential dangers of such actions. Chodoff emphasizes the need for a clear military strategy and the risks associated with arming groups that may not al...

In this conversation, Elliot  discusses the current state of US-Israel relations under President Trump, addressing key issues such as the recent hostage release, changes in US military strategy, and the implications of Hamas's actions in Gaza. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the nuances of these relationships and the potential consequences of perceived shifts in US support for Israel...

Elliot reflects on the significance of Memorial Day and the transition to Independence Day in Israel, particularly in the context of ongoing conflict and the recent war. He discusses the emotional weight of commemorating those lost while also celebrating independence, addressing calls from some families of hostages to refrain from celebration. We emphasize the historical and existential importance...

Elliot discusses the recent protests in Gaza, analyzing the motivations behind them and the implications for Hamas and Israel. He explores the possibility of a genuine opposition to Hamas, the role of public opinion, and the potential for an uprising against the regime. Chodoff emphasizes the complexities of the situation, including the fear of Hamas and the desire to prevent further Israeli milit...

In this conversation, Elliot discusses the recent escalation of conflict between Israel and Hamas, focusing on the misinterpretation of the ceasefire, the rebuilding of Hamas's military capabilities, and the political dynamics surrounding hostage negotiations. He emphasizes the complexities of U.S.-Israel relations and the implications of military strategies in the ongoing conflict. takeaways The...

Elliot discusses the recent ceasefire in Israel, focusing on Hamas's violations, the hostage situation, and the implications of US support for Israel. He highlights the ongoing tensions and the potential for future military operations as both sides prepare for a possible escalation in conflict.   Key Takeaways: Hamas violated the ceasefire agreement almost immediately. Hostages were abused and tor...

Elliot discusses the current situation in Israel, focusing on President Trump's relocation plan for the residents of Gaza. He explores the historical context of Gaza, the challenges of the relocation plan, and the implications for the Palestinian population and Hamas. Chodoff emphasizes the ideological barriers to relocation and the practical difficulties of moving a large population, ultimately q...

With guest Yisrael Ne'eman 

Elliot discusses the complex dynamics surrounding the hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. He explores the ethical implications, the political pressures involved, and the potential consequences of the deal on Israel's security. Chodoff emphasizes the importance of understanding the broader regional context and the current state of the IDF as they navigate these negotiations. He concludes with a...