Can Hezbollah recover? Inside the battle for Lebanon's future

In the first episode of The Defense and Tech Podcast, host Anna Ahronheim sits down with Lt. Col. (Ret.) Sarit Zehavi, founder and CEO of ALMA Research Center, to examine Israel's northern security landscape in the aftermath of the war with Hezbollah. Sarit breaks down how Iran has doubled down on its support for Hezbollah despite the proxy's devastating losses, including increased boots on the ground and direct involvement in Lebanon's reconstruction.

She reveals that while Hezbollah has been "80% degraded" according to Israeli assessments, the terror group is actively rebuilding, particularly north of the Litani River, and still poses a significant threat with thousands of rockets and advanced drone capabilities. The conversation explores the effectiveness of Lebanon's armed forces in disarming Hezbollah, the concerning signs of collaboration between Lebanese military commanders and the terror group, and why Hezbollah will never voluntarily give up its weapons.

Sarit also addresses the uncertainty surrounding Syria's new leadership under Ahmed al-Sharaa and whether Israel can trust the former jihadi leader's transformation. From the Radwan Brigades' attempted recovery to Iran's Red Crescent operations serving as cover for IRGC activity, this episode offers an unflinching look at the threats Israel faces on its northern border, and why the situation, while improved, remains a potential tinderbox.