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IDF pushes forward, reaches the doorstop of Damascus

“Jerusalem Minute” with Middle East correspondent Josh Hasten, Ep. 48

Developments in Syria continue to unfold, and JNS CEO and Jerusalem bureau chief Alex Traiman and Middle East correspondent Josh Hasten are here to cover it. This week, the Israel Defense Forces pushed forward to secure the Jewish state’s border in the Golan Heights area.

Meanwhile, Druze communities on the seamline have declared a desire to be annexed by Jerusalem. Whether or not that happens remains to be seen.

They also discuss Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the people of Iran; fear of possible unrest spilling over to Jordan; the latest in ceasefire talks with Hamas; not-so-surprising revelations about reported Gaza death tolls; Palestinian infighting; U.S. President-elect Donald Trump meeting with Saudis; and a surge in terrorist attacks.

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Alex Traiman is the CEO and Jerusalem bureau chief of the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) and host of “Jerusalem Minute.” A seasoned Israeli journalist, documentary filmmaker and startup consultant, he is an expert on Israeli politics and U.S.-Israel relations. He has interviewed top political figures, including Israeli leaders, U.S. senators and national security officials with insights featured on major networks like BBC, Bloomberg, CBS, NBC, Fox and Newsmax. A former NCAA champion fencer and Yeshiva University Sports Hall of Fame member, he made aliyah in 2004, and lives in Jerusalem with his wife and five children.
Josh Hasten is a Middle East correspondent for JNS. He is co-host of the JNS podcast “Jerusalem Minute,” as well as the host of the JNS podcast “Judeacation.” He also hosts the weekly radio program “Israel Uncensored” on “The Land of Israel Radio Network.” An award-winning freelance journalist, he writes regularly for JNS and other publications. He is also a sought-after guest for television and radio interviews on current events in Israel, having appeared on CNN, BBC, Sky News, Fox, APTV, WABC, ILTV, i24News, and many others.
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