We’re diving into an issue that sits at the core of Israel’s security and its enduring relationship with the United States: foreign aid.

U.S. assistance has been a critical force in strengthening Israel’s defense capabilities. But as Dr. Michael Oren explains, it hasn’t come without costs. While aid has helped build Israel’s military strength, it has also created strategic dependencies and, at times, limited Israel’s autonomy on the global stage.

In this conversation, we explore how U.S. aid to Israel evolved from early economic assistance into today’s substantial military funding. We examine why aid, while beneficial, can also be a double-edged sword — tying Israel’s hands when it comes to innovation, defense exports, and strategic decision-making.

Dr. Oren also walks us through the shifting political dynamics in the United States, including the growing influence of progressive voices that are reshaping foreign policy and making support for Israel increasingly contentious. He offers a candid assessment of how these trends are impacting the U.S.-Israel relationship — and why Israel must be prepared to rethink its approach to American aid.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others. We’d also love to hear your thoughts! Write to us at podcast@boundlessinsights.com

Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/

Referenced in this episode:
Dive deeper into the topic with Ambassador Michael Oren’s provocative 2021 article in Tablet Magazine: "Is U.S. Aid a Threat to Israel?"

As Israel marks its 77th Independence Day, we step back from the headlines to reflect on the extraordinary, improbable story of its survival and triumph.

Aviva Klompas opens with a moment from November 1947: just hours after the UN vote to establish a Jewish state, Golda Meir warned a jubilant crowd that the dream would not come easily. It would have to be fought for—and it would come at a cost.

Israel’s early years were defined by war, scarcity, and isolation. But against overwhelming odds, the state didn’t just survive—it reinvented itself, again and again, turning the impossible into the possible.

Each week on Boundless Insights, we tackle hard news: war, hostages, internal turmoil. But today, we remember where Israel began—and why hope remains central to its story.

Dr. Michael Oren joins the episode to bring that story to life. He reflects on pivotal moments that reveal the many faces of Israeli identity: courage, innovation, grief, and defiance. Together, we revisit the spirit of the founding generation, the resilience that shaped the nation, and the enduring hope that still lights the way forward.

A celebration of Israel at 77—through memory, storytelling, and the enduring miracle of the Jewish state.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others.

Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org

Israel is facing a domestic crisis with sweeping implications for its democracy, national security, and political leadership.

In a sworn affidavit to Israel’s Supreme Court, Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of demanding personal loyalty above the rule of law. Among the explosive allegations: that Netanyahu urged him to spy on Israeli citizens, interfere with the premier’s corruption trial, and defy Supreme Court rulings in the event of a constitutional crisis.

Bar says he was fired not for any professional failings—but for refusing to turn the Shin Bet into a political tool and refusing to protect the prime minister from legal accountability.

This episode isn’t just about one affidavit. It’s about the integrity of Israel’s institutions, the balance of power in a democracy without a written constitution, and what happens when security and politics collide.

To break it all down, host Aviva Klompas is joined by historian and former Israeli ambassador to the United States, Dr. Michael Oren.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others.

Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/