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Yaakov Lappin

Yaakov Lappin

Yaakov Lappin is an Israel-based military affairs correspondent and analyst. He is the in-house analyst at the Miryam Institute; a research associate at the Alma Research and Education Center; and a research associate at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies at Bar-Ilan University. He is a frequent guest commentator on international television news networks, including Sky News and i24 News. Lappin is the author of Virtual Caliphate: Exposing the Islamist State on the Internet. Follow him at: www.patreon.com/yaakovlappin.

An Israeli soldier examines anti-tank ordnance seized from Hezbollah's Radwan Force in Southern Lebanon, Dec. 28, 2024. Credit: IDF.
Analysis
Hezbollah’s Radwan Force and the risk of northern infiltration
Despite significant degradation, Israeli observers warn that Hezbollah retains the capability for localized cross-border raids.
Mar. 19, 2026
Yaakov Lappin
Ali Larijani
Analysis
Ali Larijani, Iran’s ‘de facto ruler,’ eliminated in IAF strike
Mar. 18, 2026
Yaakov Lappin
Israel Defense Forces troops from the 91st Division conduct ground operations against key Hezbollah strongholds in Southern Lebanon, March 15, 2026. Credit: IDF.
Analysis
‘Only IDF presence in Lebanon can defend northern Israel’
Mar. 17, 2026
Yaakov Lappin
Thousands of Palestinians attend a rally in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, marking the 34th anniversary of the Hamas Islamic movement, Dec. 10, 2021. Photo by Atia Mohammed/Flash90.
Israel News
Palestinian terror factions could ‘seek escalation’ for fear of losing limelight to Russia-Ukraine war
Former Israeli Defense Ministry official tells JNS that both Hamas and Tanzim seem disturbed by the Palestinian issue being “pushed into the corner.”
Mar. 11, 2022
Yaakov Lappin
The Egyptian border as seen from Road 10 in southern Israel, Dec. 5, 2018. Photo by Yossi Zeliger/Flash90.
Israel News
IDF’s fight against Sinai drug smugglers is also linked to security
If they can infiltrate from the Egyptian desert area that borders the Jewish state, then so can terrorists; the Israel Defense Forces has teamed up with police to cut trafficking runs by half.
Mar. 9, 2022
Yaakov Lappin
The Iranian Shahed 129 UAV. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
Israel News
IDF adapts its capabilities to deal with ‘pandemic of Iranian UAVs’
With Tehran viewing itself as a regional power in possession of advanced technology, coupled with a commitment to “self-reliance,” its military industries have produced a sprawling industry of unmanned aerial vehicle mass-production lines.
Mar. 8, 2022
Yaakov Lappin
Israeli reserve soldiers patrol on the border with Syria, in the Golan Heights, Jan. 25, 2022. Photo by Michael Giladi/Flash90.
World News
As Ukraine crisis rages, deconfliction with Russia over Syria remains a core Israeli interest
Since 2015, Israel has been forced to develop an efficient mechanism to deconflict with Russia over Syria in order to stop its worst enemy, Iran, from building a war machine on Syrian soil.
Mar. 2, 2022
Yaakov Lappin
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry deliver opening remarks for the U.S.-Egypt Strategic Dialogue, at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 8, 2021. Credit: U.S. State Department Photo by Freddie Everett.
News
US decision to withhold $130 million from Egypt aid has ‘undoubtedly harmed relations’
One way that Egypt has been responding to America’s pressure is by not putting all of its eggs in one basket and diversifying its defense purchases, making significant procurements from France, such as 30 Dassault fighter jets, and Russia, which has sold Cairo 24 Sukhoi SU-35 fighter jets.
Feb. 28, 2022
Yaakov Lappin
Russian Navy ships in the Black Sea. Credit: Vectorkel/Shutterstock.
News
Russia could be preparing new challenge for West in Mediterranean, former Israeli envoy warns
Moscow recently held a major Mediterranean military exercise; Jerusalem’s situation is a “very difficult challenge,” says former Israeli Ambassador to Russia and Ukraine Zvi Magen.
Feb. 25, 2022
Yaakov Lappin
Israeli soldiers patrol on the border with Syria in the Golan on Jan. 25, 2022. Photo by Michael Giladi/Flash90.
Israel News
Video provides rare glimpse into Hezbollah’s entrenchment in southern Syria
“Even now, Hezbollah’s Golan File Unit gathers intelligence and awaits an opportunity to attack Israel,” says a report by the Alma Research and Education Center.
Feb. 23, 2022
Yaakov Lappin
The flags of allied groups: Hamas, Hezbollah, Yemen, Iraq, Fatimids, the popular uprising and the Islamic Republic of Iran, Jan 7, 2020. Credit: Saeediex/Shutterstock.
Israel News
Houthis and Hezbollah are learning warfighting techniques from one another
“Hezbollah and the Houthis are linked by a mutual sympathy of two Shi’ite organizations, each working in their arena. This cooperation is part of a system that is headed by Tehran. This is the right way to look at it,” Col. (res.) Shaul Shay tells JNS.
Feb. 15, 2022
Yaakov Lappin
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