Mark Lavie is a veteran journalist covering Israel and the Middle East, and the author of Why Are We Still Afraid and Broken Spring. In this episode of the podcast, Mark shares a fascinating variety of stories, opinions, and expert analysis, derived from his decades of eyewitness experience in the region. Together with Mark, we take a deep dive into Israel’s complex socioeconomic reality, systemic problems in the press, the obsession of the media to play “gotcha” with public personalities and politicians alike, the transition of the media from objective reporter to active participant in world events, US press coverage of American Jewish attitudes towards Israel, the merits of Hasbara (Israeli public diplomacy), US military aid to Israel, Iran, his time living in Cairo covering the Arab Spring and much more!