Welcome to The Times of Israel's newest podcast series, Friday Focus. Each Friday, join diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman and host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe.

This week, we're joined by John Spencer, the chief of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point, a research center dedicated to the study of war and warfare. Spencer is a retired Major in the US Army and is a leading expert in military operations in dense and subterranean urban areas.

Spencer reached out to us after we released a Friday Focus podcast, "10 truths about the Gaza war, 20 months in," based on Berman's in-depth analysis, "For now, victory is still within reach: 10 truths about the Gaza war, 20 months in."

Today's conversation is a meeting of the minds in which Berman and Spencer delve into the nuts and bolts of the war in Gaza so far.

Friday Focuscan be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves and the video was edited by Thomas Girsch.

IMAGE: IDF forces operate in the Gaza Strip in this July 3, 2025, handout photo. (IDF)

Welcome to The Times of Israel's newest podcast series, <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/friday-focus/">Friday Focus</a>. Each Friday, join <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/lazar-berman/">diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman</a> and host <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/">deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan</a> for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe.
This week, we're joined by<a href="https://www.johnspenceronline.com/"> John Spencer</a>, the chief of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point, a research center dedicated to the study of war and warfare. Spencer is a retired Major in the US Army and is a leading expert in military operations in dense and subterranean urban areas.
Spencer reached out to us after we released a Friday Focus podcast, <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/friday-focus-with-lazar-berman-10-truths-about-the-gaza-war-20-months-in/">"10 truths about the Gaza war, 20 months in,"</a> based on Berman's in-depth analysis, <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-now-victory-still-in-reach-10-truths-about-the-gaza-war-20-months-in/">"For now, victory is still within reach: 10 truths about the Gaza war, 20 months in."</a>
Today's conversation is a meeting of the minds in which Berman and Spencer delve into the nuts and bolts of the war in Gaza so far.
Friday Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves and the video was edited by Thomas Girsch.
IMAGE: IDF forces operate in the Gaza Strip in this July 3, 2025, handout photo. (IDF)

Welcome to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing: Your update on what’s important in Israel, the Middle East and The Jewish World.

Welcome to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing: Your update on what&rsquo;s important in Israel, the Middle East and The Jewish World.