Lazar Berman

Milstein Writing Fellow

Lazar Berman is the diplomatic correspondent at the Times of Israel, where he also covers Christian Affairs. He holds an M.A. in Security Studies from Georgetown University and taught at Salahuddin University in Iraqi Kurdistan. Berman is a reserve captain in the IDF’s Commando Brigade and served in a Bedouin unit during his active service.

Articles by this Author
The Syrian flag. As Syria's new government strives to gain international legitimacy after overthrowing the Bashar al-Assad regime, Western countries seem open to giving a chance to the government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, head of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group.
Middle East Forum Online
As European and Arab Leaders Rush to Meet Syria’s New Leader, Israel Calls for Caution
Ahmed Al-Sharaa Hopes to Convince the World He’s Left His Jihadist past Behind, but FM Gideon Sa’Ar and Other Senior Officials Are Not Persuaded
January 5, 2025
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Lazar Berman
The flags of Iran’s proxies, including the Palestinian Authority, Iraq, Hezbollah, Iran, and Yemen; Tehran, Jan. 7, 2020.
Middle East Forum Online
As Iran’s Network of Proxies Withers, Israel Has an Opening to Revive Its Own
After Years on the Defensive, Israel Is Now on the March Against Those Proxies
December 31, 2024
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Lazar Berman
Ahnaf Kalam
Middle East Forum Online
Israel Shifts Focus to Houthis, but It Needs Partners to Defeat Distant Foe
After Hundreds of Missiles Fired at Israel, PM Says Yemeni Rebels Will Meet Same Fate as Hamas and Hezbollah
December 25, 2024
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Lazar Berman
Missiles are aimed at the sky at sunset with Iran's flag.
Its Proxies Pummeled, Iran Is Suddenly More Vulnerable Than Ever. Will It Go Nuclear?
Hezbollah is weakened, Assad is history, and Tehran’s air defenses have been hit. With Trump coming back, will Khamenei decide to play his last card – and will Israel strike?
December 22, 2024
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Lazar Berman
The Daily Mail, a British tabloid, announces Assad's fall on Dec. 9, 2024.
Middle East Forum Online
Sinwar’s ‘Al-Aqsa Flood’ Washed Iran’s Axis Away, but That Doesn’t Spell Plain Sailing for Israel
Hamas, Hezbollah, and Assad’s Syria No Longer Pose a Strategic Threat, but Unpredictable Turkey and Its Proxies Are Ascendant
December 9, 2024
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Lazar Berman
Donald Trump wrote on Dec. 2 that “if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity.”
Middle East Forum Online
Isolated Hamas Faces Collapsing Negotiating Stance After Drastic Trump Threat
Terror Group Pinned Hopes of Salvation on the Iranian Axis and World Pressure on Israel, but Now Has Little Time Until President Trump Returns
December 4, 2024
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Lazar Berman
A poster depicting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Middle East Forum Online
Rebels in Syria Take Advantage of Israel’s Successes Against a Weakened Iran Axis
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Had Been Building Up Its Military Capabilities for Years in Preparation for Such an Offensive
December 1, 2024
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Lazar Berman
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stressed that “the war will not end until we realize all its goals, including the return of the residents of the north safely home.”
Middle East Forum Online
PM Vows to Respond to All Truce Breaches, but Hezbollah Intends to Make Him Think Twice
Israel Will Face New Dilemmas in Tackling Overt and Less Clear Ceasefire Violations, with Every Rocket from Lebanon a Potential Political Headache
November 28, 2024
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Lazar Berman
Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman
Middle East Forum Online
MBS’s ‘Genocide’ Critique of Israel Is Worrying, but a Saudi Deal Is Not a Lost Cause
MBS Sharpened His Criticism of Israel and Continues to Warm Ties with Iran, but a Defense Pact with the U.S. Is Still His Priority and Tehran Is Still the Chief Foe
November 19, 2024
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Lazar Berman
Smoke rises from the southern Beirut suburbs following an October 2024 Israeli airstrike on a Hezbollah target.
Middle East Forum Online
Despite Optimism Around Chances for Lebanon Deal, Immense Obstacles Remain
U.S. and Israeli Officials Laud Progress Toward Ending Fighting Between Hezbollah and IDF, but the Iran-Backed Group Is Unlikely to Accept Netanyahu’s Core Demands
November 13, 2024
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Lazar Berman
Karim Khan, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, single-handedly set back international law and scuttled diplomatic efforts for peace.
Middle East Forum Online
Could Trump’s Victory Spur ICC to Quickly Issue Arrest Warrant Against Netanyahu?
Returning U.S. President Took Harsh Measures Against the Hague Court in 2020; Biden Reversed Them
November 8, 2024
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Lazar Berman
President Donald Trump (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the White House balcony during the signing ceremony for the Abraham Accords; Sept. 15, 2020.
Middle East Forum Online
Trump and Netanyahu, Newly Empowered, to Reunite; Israel Risks Overplaying Its Hand
Prime Minister Got the Outcome He Wanted in the US Elections
November 7, 2024
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Lazar Berman
An Israeli Air Force Boeing 707 tanker demonstrates mid-air refueling with F-15s at a 2017 Israeli air show. Israeli fighter planes refueled during their strikes on Iran on Oct. 26, 2024.
Middle East Forum Online
Though Limited, Israel’s Highly Successful Attack Leaves Iran More Vulnerable than Ever
Iran Knew an Attack Was Coming, Yet It Could Do Nothing to Stop Israeli Jets from Carrying Out Their Operation Deliberately and Systematically
October 27, 2024
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Lazar Berman
Ahnaf Kalam
Middle East Forum Online
Netanyahu Sees Opportunity in Sinwar’s Death; Does That Mean Escalation in Fighting or a Deal?
The Elimination of Hamas’s Most Dominant Figure Could Open a Small Window of Opportunity to Achieve Israel’s Elusive War Aims
October 18, 2024
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Lazar Berman
Displaced Palestinians from Rafah in a tent city at the Egyptian border, March 8, 2024.
Middle East Forum Online
After Sinwar Killing, Netanyahu Sees Vindication in His Rafah Approach
Over the Course of Four Months, the Military Systematically Dismantled Hamas’s Rafah Brigade
October 18, 2024
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Lazar Berman
A downed Israeli spy drone on display at the Military Museum in Tehran, September, 9, 2019. A monitor in the background shows Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Middle East Forum Online
A Nervous Iran Wanted to Restore Old Regional Order, but Israel Is on the Offensive
After Decades of a Defensive Deterrence and Containment Strategy, Post-October 7 Israel Shifted to the Strategic Offensive Against the Iranian Alliance
October 2, 2024
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Lazar Berman
View of Lebanon as seen from Ghajar, also Rhadjar, an Alawite-Arab village located on border between Lebanon and Golan Heights of Israel.
Middle East Forum Online
A Limited Lebanon Raid with Narrow Goals Is No Game-Changer, but Comes with Risks
The Idea of the Current Operation Is Certainly Not to Defeat Hezbollah, nor Is It Designed to Engage and Kill Its Fighters
October 1, 2024
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Lazar Berman
A military salute and funeral ceremony performed by Hezbollah fighters in Jwayya, Lebanon, on April 7, 2024.
Middle East Forum Online
Israel Is Pounding Hezbollah, but in War the Iran-Backed Force Will Be a Lethal Foe
The Bulk of Hezbollah’s Capabilities Remains Intact, and Maneuvering IDF Troops Will Face Anti-tank Missiles, Mines, and Drones — Not to Mention Tunnels
September 25, 2024
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Lazar Berman
Nasrallah
Middle East Forum Online
String of IDF Successes Might Cause Nasrallah to Back Down, but Won’t Lead to Victory
Israel is hoping stunning tactical achievements will head off war against Hezbollah, but defeating the organization requires a different approach.
September 23, 2024
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Lazar Berman
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah (Left) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel hopes Nasrallah and his Iranian patrons will decide the price of their ideological and practical support for Hamas is becoming too high.
Israel Keeps Moving up the Escalation Ladder, Hoping Nasrallah Will Jump Off
The Decision on the Next Stage of the Fight Remains in Nasrallah’s Hands
September 23, 2024
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Lazar Berman
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