Welcome to pushback. I'm Aaron Mante. In less than one week, Israel has attacked three

other states, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon. The bombing in Iraq reportedly targeted the popular

mobilization forces, or PMF, an Iranian-aligned militia. Israel also bombed Syria, killing

members of the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

And in Lebanon, an Israeli drone carrying explosives crashed into a building housing at Hezbollah

Media Center.

Israeli warplanes also reportedly bombed a base belonging to the PFLP, another Hezbollah

ally in Lebanon. Israel claims that it's acting to stop Iran and its

allies from carrying out attacks. But there's an obvious question here. Is Israel trying to

prevent attacks from Iran and its allies, or is it trying to provoke one? Rani Akalik is

an independent journalist, a host for In The Now, and a co-host of the podcast

Unauthorized Disclosure.

Welcome, Ronnie Akalik to pushback.

So Israel says that it is carrying out these attacks to deter Iran to prevent Iran from carrying

out attacks.

And that line seems to have been accepted here in the U.S.

I want to read you a quote, for example, from the Washington Post.

They call these attacks by Israel, quote,

a significant escalation of Israeli efforts to contain the expansion of Iranian influence in the region."

Roni, what is your take on what Israel is doing here?

I mean, the framing of this entire thing is insane.

You have Israel, a country that has bombed three of its neighbors,

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