On the inaugural episode of Conflict & Cuisine, Jerusalem Post Magazine editor Erica Schachne and Middle East analyst Seth J. Frantzman discuss the ongoing situation in the Middle East, ranging from possible Israel-Saudi Arabia normalization, to the ongoing developments in Syria, to the recent missile attacks by the Houthis in Yemen.
When discussing the Houthis, Schachne and Frantzman noted a recent intercepted missile strike and the persistence of this Yemen-based group.
"This was a group who was not really on our radar," Franzman said. "They're from Yemen. It's more than 2,000 kilometers away, it's not easy to get back at them when they do this. Israel has been under threat now for over a year and two months now."
"The Houthis were totally underestimated, everyone had such low expectations of them," Schachne noted, referring to them as an Iranian proxy group. "Nobody knew they existed." Since then, Israel has managed to heavily hinder Hamas and Hezbollah capabilities. Ultimately, though, it's the Houthis who are the last ones standing.
"Somehow, it's the Houthis who keep annoying us," Schachne said. "They're like the weak little kid who becomes this really strong athlete, and they're enjoying their moment."
"And they throw rocks at you from very far away and you have to catch them in a net," Frantzman added.
What's going on in Syria?
Frantzman and Schachne both noted the changes in Syria in the wake of the downfall of the Assad regime, recently toppled at the hands of the HTS organization led by Abu Mohammed al-Julani, the nom de guerre of Ahmad al-Shaara.
The cohosts described Julani's life story of having been a "warmer and cuddlier" al-Qaeda and then heading HTS. During the civil war, he managed to seize control of the Idlib province, going unnoticed for several years until the end of 2024 when he managed to fully oust the Assad regime.
However, HTS being an armed Islamist organization has caused some to worry about its newfound leadership over Syria may mean for the region.
"I'm very excited for the Syrians, but I'm wary," Schachne said. "We don't know if it's just going to be another rebel group that's going to be oppressive and... create chaos."