FIDF Live

Friends of The IDF

Moving stories, exclusive base visits, donor spotlights. Bringing the men and women of the IDF directly to you.

  1. VOR 6 TAGEN

    FIDF LIVE BRIEFING: SFC. Kelly Kobani, IDF Spokesperson's Unit - February 8, 2026

    In this FIDF IDF Live briefing, host Laura Krinsky speaks with Sgt. First Class Kelly Kobani from the Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson’s Unit about the “eighth front”: the media, legitimacy, and narrative war surrounding the fighting. Kobani describes a “post-truth” environment where false claims can reach millions within minutes, forcing a constant tradeoff between speed and accuracy as information must be verified through multiple layers before it can be released. She argues Hamas leverages an echo chamber—seed a story, then watch institutions like the United Nations and outlets such as CNN, BBC, and The New York Times amplify it—while Israel lacks comparable “validators.” She notes that even with a huge communications operation (press queries, delegations, multilingual platforms), constraints like notifying families before confirming casualties and framing choices by outlets like the Associated Press often mean Israel is fighting after a narrative has already hardened. Strategically, her team triages which “fires” to engage, uses influencers/third parties and targeted exclusives, tailors messaging to Israeli/global/Arabic audiences, and experiments with innovation—especially Gen Z outreach via YouTube and more personal, “authentic” storytelling. The episode closes with a direct call for supporters to help “rebrand” soldiers by sharing human stories and backing FIDF’s work supporting troops’ physical, mental, and emotional needs—because when Israel’s defenders are supported, Israel’s voice has a better chance in the legitimacy fight.

    37 Min.
  2. 25. JAN.

    FIDF LIVE BRIEFING: Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director, FDD - January 25, 2026

    In this week's FIDF briefing, host Lara Krinsky, FIDF Director of Content and Production, welcomes Jonathan Schanzer (FDD), Executive Director of the Foundation for Defense Democracies, who maps the IDF's “strategic chessboard." Schanzer argues the region is nearing a peak moment in a conflict driven by Iran and its proxies, pointing to renewed unrest inside Iran amid economic freefall, regime crackdowns, and reports of mass violence, all in the shadow of recent direct Israel–Iran confrontation and U.S. pressure. He says the massive U.S. force posture in the region suggests real readiness for action, but emphasizes that outcomes are hard to predict because so much hinges on President Trump’s next move. The discussion then shifts to the risk of a wider “ring of fire” response—whether Hezbollah, Iraqi militias, the Houthis, and other proxies might attempt a saturation-style missile campaign—and what that would demand from Israel’s layered defenses. Gaza is treated as a diminished battlefield in this scenario, with attention moving to “phase two” plans for the strip’s future and the unresolved question of hostages, while Schanzer repeatedly flags Qatar and Turkey as dangerous actors shaping postwar arrangements. The host closes with a blunt call to action: stay informed, speak up, and materially support the soldiers carrying the burden of deterrence through FIDF.

    38 Min.
  3. 11. JAN.

    FIDF LIVE BRIEFING: Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan, FIDF CEO - January 11, 2026

    This briefing kicks off FIDF’s first episode of 2026 with host Laura speaking to Maj. Gen. Nadav Hadad about a volatile, “historic year already unfolding” and what it means for Israel’s security. They start with Iran’s unrest—women protesting, economic collapse, and signs of broader labor participation—while Hadad cautions that the regime’s layered security forces make an actual overthrow hard to predict. The conversation widens to Hezbollah and Lebanon, arguing that Iran’s financial pressure and disrupted money pipelines (including laundering routes tied to South America) could weaken Hezbollah’s posture, but that Israel still has to act frequently to prevent rebuilds near the border. Hadad then lays out a 2026 reality in which Israel’s borders remain unstable—Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Judea/Samaria—requiring heavy troop presence, reduced training time, and a major reservist burden that also strains the economy. On modern warfare, he credits Israeli/U.S. technological superiority but stresses that “boots on the ground” and the quality of soldiers and commanders remain decisive. The briefing closes with a call for American Jewish unity and tangible support through FIDF—especially expanded programs for reservists, families, and wounded soldiers, including mental health and PTSD—framing the mission as “their job is to protect Israel; ours is to look after them.”

    33 Min.
  4. 16.11.2025

    FIDF Live Briefing: LTC Nadav Shoshani, IDF International Spokesperson - November 16, 2025

    FIDF Director of Content and Production Lara Krinsky is joined by Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, the international spokesperson for the IDF, who shares insights from his frontline communications role during the ongoing conflict. Shoshani opens by acknowledging the mental and emotional toll of the past two years — both for soldiers and Israeli society — and expresses deep gratitude to FIDF supporters for their continued solidarity. He describes how soldiers in the field often ask whether the world still supports them, and he reassures them by conveying the encouragement and love shown by diaspora communities. Shoshani explains the complexities of communicating Israel’s position in a hostile global media environment, especially when Hamas hides behind civilian infrastructure and manipulates narratives. He emphasizes that the IDF is not just fighting militarily but also morally, doing its best to uphold international law and ethical conduct even under fire. He reflects on the pain of losing soldiers and the heavy responsibility of representing Israel’s truth on the world stage. Despite the challenges, he remains hopeful and inspired by the unity and resilience of Israeli society and the unwavering support from Jewish communities abroad. He ends with a call for continued advocacy, reminding listeners that their voices and actions help boost morale and protect Israel’s legitimacy in the court of public opinion. Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs.

    31 Min.
  5. 02.11.2025

    FIDF Live Briefing: Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan, FIDF CEO - November 2, 2025

    Jackie Cherkas, VP of the FIDF LA Young Leadership Board and VP of Sales at Vizer, is joined by FIDF CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan to discuss Jackie’s personal journey as a first-generation American and her passion for supporting the IDF and Jewish community. Major General (Res.) Nadav Padan shares insight into Israel’s strategic and social challenges during the ongoing conflict with Hamas. He emphasizes the vital connection between the IDF and Israeli society, particularly the role of reservists who left families and careers to serve. Padan highlights the IDF’s values-driven approach and stresses the importance of strengthening public trust through moral, ethical conduct — even during war. He outlines Israel’s multi-front reality, describing how the conflict in Gaza intersects with threats from Hezbollah in the north and Iran’s strategic ambitions. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is acknowledged, but Padan reaffirms that Hamas embeds itself in civilian infrastructure, complicating Israel’s military response. He stresses that support for Israeli soldiers — both moral and material — has never been more critical, especially for those returning to civilian life after months in uniform. Padan urges the global Jewish community to remain united and vocal in support of Israel and the IDF, framing FIDF as the bridge between American Jews and Israeli soldiers. He closes with a message of resilience, partnership, and gratitude for the solidarity shown by young Jewish leaders and communities worldwide. Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs.

    30 Min.
  6. 12.10.2025

    FIDF Live Briefing: Maj. Gen. (Res.) Giora Eiland, Former Head, The National Security Council of Israel - October 12, 2025

    FIDF CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan is joined by Former Head of the National Security Council of Israel Maj. Gen. (Res.) Giora Eiland to discuss the implications of the recently signed ceasefire agreement in Gaza and its strategic consequences. He outlines three main themes: the current ceasefire phase, the more complicated upcoming phase, and the broader regional dynamics. The first phase involved intensive negotiations with key players like Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, and while difficult to achieve, it offers temporary humanitarian relief and a pause in combat. The second phase—which is still uncertain—will address deeper issues such as governance, disarmament, and the fate of remaining hostages. Eiland warns that while Hamas is militarily weakened, it remains politically defiant, and that prolonging the war without a clear endgame may damage Israel's strategic standing. He emphasizes that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be isolated from wider regional shifts, including changing alliances and the role of external actors like Iran. Importantly, he calls for Israel to shape a coherent vision for “the day after,” including security guarantees and a realistic political framework. Eiland stresses that only by combining military pressure with diplomatic planning can Israel protect its interests and avoid international isolation. Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs.

    37 Min.

Info

Moving stories, exclusive base visits, donor spotlights. Bringing the men and women of the IDF directly to you.

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