In the Media
Prof. Kobi Michael discusses Iran’s efforts to isolate nuclear negotiations from its regional proxy and ballistic missile activities, concluding that a military operation may be inevitable because the Iranian regime is unlikely to meet American diplomatic demands.
He also contends that the IDF will eventually need to dismantle Hamas in the Gaza Strip, as the group remains a fundamental “spoiler” to any peace plan and only the Israeli military has the capability and will to demilitarize the area.
The full interview took place on ILTV on February 4, 2026.
Dr. Adi Schwartz argues that Gaza’s reconstruction must involve a complete overhaul of the Palestinian national narrative to end the long-standing ideological rejection of a sovereign Jewish state.,, He further emphasizes that the dissolution of UNRWA and the dismantling of the Iranian regime’s influence are critical for establishing long-term regional stability and prosperity.,,
The full briefing was made to the FDD on February 4, 2026.
Prof. Kobi Michael: The Palestinian National Council’s planned November elections are little more than political games and an attempt to project an image of legitimacy to the United States and the West.
Abbas’s advanced age at 90, if he is alive in November or close to November, and if he will be sure enough that Fatah can gain the election, then he will enable the election, but if he will have some good indications that he’s going to lose the election, then he will find very good excuses why they have to postpone the election.
The full interview was published in The Jerusalem Post on February 4, 2025.
Prof. Kobi Michael: Hamas “doesn’t intend to disarm itself and never intended to.Hamas will do all the possible and creative maneuvers and manipulations in order to keep its power and influence in the Gaza Strip.
The Israel Defense Forces are the only entity that can disarm Hamas. No one besides Turkey is willing to send its troops to the International Stabilization Force in order to fight Hamas,” referring to the planned force authorized by the United Nations to oversee security and demilitarization in Gaza.
Published in Fox News, January 29, 2026.
Prof. Kobi Michael highlights the return of hostages as a monumental achievement for Israeli resilience and the fulfillment of the national ethos that ensures “no soldier is left behind”,. He also emphasizes that the complete disarmament of Hamas by the IDF is a strategic necessity to prevent the group’s reconstitution and to enable any future reconstruction plan for Gaza.
The full interview took place on ILTV on January 26, 2026.
Meir Ben Shabbat: Hamas is no longer in a position where it feels its very existence is under threat; it remains the primary power in the Gaza Strip, deeply embedded in the population and in Gaza’s civilian systems. It skillfully exploits humanitarian aid and supplies entering the Strip for its own purposes.
Past vows by Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to disarm Hamas must be translated into a timetable and a clear, binding definition of what “disarmament” entails. We must show determination and complete the mission in Gaza until all the [war] objectives we defined are fully achieved.
Published in JNS, January 26, 2026.
Prof. Kobi Michael: The board could help expand the Abraham Accords, which he believes would benefit Israel. He said one of the board’s primary strategic goals is to draw countries such as Indonesia, Pakistan, and Malaysia closer to the accords while weakening their ties to China. This effort reflects close coordination behind the scenes between Trump and Netanyahu.
The board’s long-term impact is likely to be limited. However, the next few years could bring meaningful shifts in the international order if Trump succeeds in advancing the initiative while still in office. Trump has the political will to push parts of the plan through, at least in the short term.
As long as Trump is in power, he might succeed in doing some parts of the plan, although I am not sure after his term as president.
Published in allisraelnews, January 17, 2026.
Asher Fredman expresses skepticism regarding international efforts to disarm Hamas and establish a terror-free Gaza, noting that the specific details of how oversight committees will succeed remain unclear.
He also highlights the goal of regime change in Iran fueled by severe economic instability, envisioning a future where a liberalized Iran integrates into the region through the Abraham Accords.
The full interview took place on ILTV on January 21, 2026.
Asher Fredman: In the wake of Hamas’ October 7 massacre, trade continued, in some cases, to grow in 2024 and 2025, whereas in other cases it returned to 2023 levels. Sectors which have seen sustained growth include water, agri-food, cybersecurity, fintech, and defense.
Successful Gulf-Israel business relationships combine strategic priorities with genuine competitive advantages. While in Israel most deals have involved private companies and investors, in the GCC they have often included sovereign wealth funds or other entities with ties to the government. The most successful ventures, are those in which Israeli entities have shown a willingness to locate certain operations in the GCC country.
Published in TPS, January 21, 2026.

