Author and journalist Ruthie Blum discussed Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Iran and its broader geopolitical implications, arguing that it presents a rare opportunity for both Israel and the United States to shift the balance of power in the region—and globally.
Blum, a senior contributing editor at Jewish News Syndicate and former adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, echoed the case made by former U.S. Navy official Seth Kropsy, who wrote in The Wall Street Journal that a weakened Iran could cripple Russia’s sanctions evasion network and give the U.S. greater leverage over China. Blum agreed, adding that from Israel’s perspective, Iran is not only a regional adversary but a global threat whose defeat would benefit the Arab world and the West alike.
She dismissed reports of discord between Netanyahu and former President Donald Trump over how to proceed with Iran, characterizing any perceived “daylight” between them as more public relations strategy than real disagreement. She also pushed back on rumors that Trump advised Netanyahu not to target Iran’s Supreme Leader, calling those reports “fake news” and speculating that any such stance would be more about optics than policy.
Blum argued that neutralizing Iran’s leadership—both in the regime and among its terrorist proxies—has proven effective and should remain a priority. While she stopped short of calling for direct U.S.-led regime change, she emphasized the importance of backing Iranian opposition movements with moral support, contrasting Trump’s posture with what she described as the Obama and Biden administrations’ reluctance to encourage internal resistance.
On the ground in Israel, she described a country under fire but united. Her own children, she noted, have spent nights in bomb shelters amid missile attacks from Iran, but she said there’s overwhelming support for the military campaign. Despite the risk, she said Israelis view the current operation as essential and historic.
Still, she acknowledged that full victory depends on Israel’s ability to strike Iran’s nuclear enrichment facility at Fordow—something that may require either U.S. assistance or access to advanced American bunker-busting munitions. While she said she would prefer Israel handle it independently to avoid claims that the U.S. is being dragged into war, she expressed optimism that Trump understands the strategic value and might eventually back direct support.
Blum concluded with a rare note of optimism, saying she sees a shift in both global perception and regional dynamics that could mark a turning point in the decades-long standoff with Iran. While the war is far from over, she suggested that the current moment offers a chance to rewrite the balance of power in the Middle East—and beyond.