Jordan Herzberg

Syria At a Crossroads

Lt. Col. Jordan Herzberg explains the predicament the new Syrian leader, Ahmed al – Shaara finds himself in, and how both internal and external pressures will determine whether he is successful in turning Syria around.

The modern state of Syria, as we know it, disappeared 13 months ago with the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. One year later, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former jihadist, is now the darling of the West and has already had two meetings with US President Donald Trump.

Will President Sharaa still be in power next December? Large parts of the country were destroyed in a brutal, decade-long civil war, which resulted in the deaths of over 500,000 people and the displacement of 1/3rd of the country. Hundreds of thousands of Syrian exiles are beginning the slow journey back to their homeland as they empty out of European and surrounding Arab countries. President Sharaa will have his hands full as he tries to rebuild his ethnically fragmented and physically devastated country.

Many regional and international players have vested interests in Syria. Turkey, the main backer of Sharaa, seeks payback in the form of military bases in Syria, as well as lucrative construction and infrastructure contracts to rebuild the state.

Iran, which for decades was Syria’s closest ally, seeks to reassert its influence and is funding various proxies in the state in order to further its own interests as it continues to do its utmost to export its radical form of Shiite Islam.

Israel’s border with Syria has had its fair share of unrest since the fall of the Assad regime. A significant presence of Israel Defense Forces soldiers is now stationed in Syria, patrolling the area of Syria that is adjacent to the Golan Heights. Israeli government and military leaders have stated that these soldiers will remain in Syria until the situation stabilizes.

For decades, Russia has had air and naval bases in Syria, utilizing Syria’s location to advance its interests in the Middle East, and is currently providing asylum to the fallen Assad regime and key members of its deposed leadership.

Lt. Col. Herzberg, who recently served in Syria on behalf of the IDF, will share his insights on what is happening in Syria now, and more importantly, what are the different scenarios that may shape Syria’s immediate and long-term future.

The Civil Military Cooperation Center – An Insider’s View

Lt. Col. Jordan Herzberg shares his insights on the behind-the-scenes, high-stakes international diplomacy that is determining the future of the Gaza Strip.

In September 1978, the Camp David Accords were signed between US President Jimmy Carter, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, paving the way for the historic Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. The peace, albeit cold, has endured for nearly 50 years of turmoil in the Middle East. What most observers aren’t aware of is that the deal almost fell through because of the Gaza Strip. Sadat insisted that Israel completely withdraw from the occupied Sinai Peninsula, which Israel captured in the 1967 Six-Day War. Begin surprised Sadat by not only agreeing to a Sinai withdrawal but also insisting on returning the Gaza Strip as well. Sadat, having absolutely no interest in absorbing the few hundred thousand Palestinian refugees living in Gaza at the time, threatened to cancel the Peace Treaty if Begin did not back down. Needless to say, Begin backed down, and the rest is history.

Since Israel’s disengagement from Gaza in 2005, Israel and Hamas have had five rounds of fighting, including the current war prompted by Hamas’ surprise October 7th, 2023, attack on Israel, resulting in the massacre of over 1,200 Israelis.

The Gaza Strip, which is located on a beautiful strip of the Mediterranean Sea, once boasted beautiful villas and world-class agriculture, but has regressed into wasteland. But things are about to change at a much quicker pace than any of us can imagine.

In October 2025, the US sent a three-star general, Lt. General Patrick Frank, to lead a 200-plus US Army delegation to Israel to personally implement the Twenty Point Trump Peace Plan for the Gaza Strip. As a result, the US and Israeli militaries established the Civil Military Cooperation Center (CMCC). Several hundred US and Israeli officers, as well as representatives of 26 foreign armies and 25 leading NGOs from the UN, EU, and international organizations such as the Red Cross, amongst others, are working together to build a better future for Gaza residents.

Lt. Col. Herzberg will share his insights on the behind-the-scenes daily high-stakes diplomacy that is shaping the future of the Gaza Strip.

A Snapshot of Israel’s Security Challenges in 2026

Since October 7, 2023, the State of Israel has been fighting a seven-front war. Slightly less than 2,000 soldiers and civilians have been killed, and many more wounded, physically and emotionally. Despite these high casualty figures, many security experts argue that Israel has never been safer militarily. Will 2026 be a year of relative stability, or a third consecutive year of war for the nation of Israel?

Hamas’ surprise attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, began as a single-front war. Had the late leader of Hamas, Yahya Sinwar, known what the results would be of this attack in Gaza in particular and in the region in general, it is highly unlikely that he would have gone through with the surprise attack. A majority of Gaza is completely destroyed, with most of its population displaced, and Hizballah’s strategic and tactical leadership was eliminated, Syria’s Assad regime, which reigned for over 50 years, came to an abrupt end, and the Israel Defense Forces, with the cooperation of the United States, struck a severe blow to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.

Even after the stunning blows Israel delivered upon its enemies since October 7, 2023, the country still finds itself surrounded by enemies on many fronts. Hizballah, while suffering a severe blow at the hands of the IDF, still functions as a terror organization with the capabilities of a state army. Syrian President Ahmad al- Sharaa controls less than half of its sovereign territory, while in the other half tens of thousands of Islamic jihadists and pro-Shiite militias are training to attack Israel. Iran’s desperate economic situation and political upheaval, combined with the blow it received in the 12 Day War with Israel in June 2025, may cause it to engage in drastic measures, including another ballistic missile attack aimed at population centers in Israel. And let’s not forget the West Bank, which has resulted in an increase in Palestinian terror since the October 7th surprise attack.

Lt Col. Herzberg will discuss these active fronts and provide a security analysis based on his own firsthand experiences in these combat theatres.

The October 7th War

Gain critical insights into the most significant conflict in Israeli history. Lt. Col. Herzberg provides a comprehensive analysis of the October 7th attacks and their aftermath, examining Israel’s simultaneous military engagements on multiple fronts. Through his unique military expertise, he explores strategic challenges in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, offering potential scenarios for regional stability. The discussion delves into the role Iran and Turkey currently play in the conflict. Learn how these recent events are reshaping military doctrine, diplomatic relations, and the broader Middle Eastern security situation.

• Explaining the failure from both strategic and tactical levels  
• How the IDF is winning on seven fronts
• What does the day after look like in the region?  

Israel and the Palestinians

Navigate the complex landscape of Israeli-Palestinian relations with an expert who has intimate knowledge of the region’s dynamics. Lt. Col. Herzberg illuminates the multifaceted realities of life in the West Bank/Judea Samaria, including examining settlements and the Security Barrier’s effect on both Israelis and Palestinians. The talk includes an analysis of past peace initiatives, current challenges, and potential pathways forward, providing balanced perspectives on this crucial aspect of Middle Eastern politics.

• Peace Process
• Security Barrier
• Settlements
• Palestinian politics

Israel and Its People

Discover the rich tapestry of Israeli society through an exploration of its diverse communities. Lt. Col. Herzberg offers invaluable insights into the relationships between various Israeli ethnic and religious groups, examining how they contribute to the nation’s unique character. The talk will pay special attention to the role of the Ultra-Orthodox community in Israel’s future, addressing key issues such as labor issues, military conscription, and demographic trends. Learn how these internal dynamics shape Israel’s social fabric and influence its political, economic, and cultural development.  

• Relations among Israel’s many different ethnic and religious groups
• Ultra-Orthodox Jews and Israel’s future including economic participation, conscription, and demography

Jerusalem

Embark on a fascinating journey through Jerusalem’s past, present, and future with an expert who understands the city’s unique fabric, Lt. Col. Jordan Herzberg, serving as an elected official on a local community council in Jerusalem, presents an engaging analysis of Jerusalem’s projected development towards 2050, examining urban planning challenges and opportunities. Through detailed historical content, discover how the city’s borders have evolved and shaped its current reality. The presentation addresses crucial demographic trends and their implications for Jerusalem’s future development, including infrastructure, housing, and community relations. Gain valuable insights into how this ancient city is adapting to modern challenges while preserving its historical significance.    

• What will the city look like in 2050?
• History of the city’s borders and population growth
• Demographic challenges and implications for the city’s future