Why Israel’s Success Is America’s Success

·51 min·5 clips

Victoria Coates explains why pro-Hamas protests erupted on American campuses hours after the October 7th attack.

The episode begins with host Scot Bertram introducing the show from Hillsdale College, setting a hopeful tone for 2025 regarding Israel and America. The first segment features Dr. Jeremiah Regan, Executive Director of Online Learning at Hillsdale College, discussing the new online course 'Totalitarian Novels'. He explains the course covers '1984', 'Brave New World', 'Darkness at Noon', and 'That Hideous Strength', taught by President Dr. Larry Arnn. Regan contrasts Orwell's use of fear with Huxley's use of pleasure in depicting tyranny, and notes how 'That Hideous Strength' offers hope through ordinary resistance. He emphasizes the value of fiction in understanding and preventing totalitarianism. The second segment interviews Victoria Coates, Vice President at the Heritage Foundation and author of 'The Battle for the Jewish State'. Coates analyzes the aftermath of the October 7th, 2023, Hamas attack, including pro-Hamas protests on American campuses and anti-Semitism in politics. She discusses UNRWA's role in indoctrination and terrorism, the U.S.-Israel security partnership's benefits like missile defense and innovation, and critiques Obama's pivot to Iran. Coates also covers the Abraham Accords under Trump and predicts policy shifts with a potential second Trump term. The third segment features Dr. Eric Hutchinson, Associate Professor of Classics at Hillsdale, on Augustine and classical culture. Hutchinson provides a biographical sketch of Augustine, noting his vast literary output and influence. He describes how Augustine used classical rhetoric and philosophy while innovating genres like 'Confessions', and discusses Augustine's legacy in preserving classical knowledge through works like 'City of God'. The episode concludes with Bertram summarizing the interviews and promoting Hillsdale's podcast network.

As heard by us

An Israel-focused hour anchored in security arguments and a broader conversation.

Victoria Coates argues that Israel's success matters to the United States, and Scott Bertram keeps the discussion anchored in security and American interest.

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Why you'd press play

If you want a Hillsdale hour that moves from Israel to a classroom detour and ends in the classics, start here.

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