Itai Ater is a Professor of Economics at the Coller School of Management at Tel Aviv University, a Research Fellow at CEPR, and head of the Israeli Economists’ Forum for Democracy. He holds undergraduate degrees in law and economics from Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a PhD in economics from Stanford University. Over the years, he has also been a visiting professor at University of California, Berkeley and a senior fellow at the Israeli Democracy Institute.

His current research focuses on recent emigration trends from Israel which is the main focus in this interview with the discussion spotlighting Israel's brain drain.

More broadly, his work examines the cost of living, competition, and transportation policy, with a focus on issues that directly affect everyday life in Israel. (0:31-29:23)

Israel goes to the polls very soon – the stakes couldn’t be higher.

JNF Australia hosted an exclusive online briefing with Amit Segal – Chief Political Analyst at Channel 12 News and Israel Hayom, bestselling author, and one of Israel’s most influential media voices on politics and current affairs.

A frequent contributor to the widely followed Call Me Back podcast, Amit unpacked the rapidly evolving political landscape ahead of Israel’s 2026 elections – including:

🎙️ The key players shaping Israel’s future
🎙️ The major issues driving the national conversation
🎙️ What the elections could mean for Israel and the Jewish world   (29:29-43:32)

As U.S.-Iran negotiations continue, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah may be entering a new phase, with the prospect of expanded military operations toward Beirut looming.

Media Central invited Dr. Shmuel Bar, a former senior Israeli intelligence official and expert on Middle East strategy and national security, to discuss the strategic implications of a widening campaign. The linkage between developments in Lebanon and negotiations with Iran were examined, and how this dynamic may constrain Israel's freedom of action, while steering the conflict toward a prolonged war of attrition rather than a decisive outcome.

The briefing also explored the broader implications for regional security, deterrence and the future of Israel and Lebanon.

Dr. Bar has extensive experience analyzing Iran and regional developments and currently focuses on intelligence assessments across the Middle East. He is also a member of Commanders for Israel’s Security (CIS).  (43:38-57:24)