In this episode of the Indian Business Podcast, we speak with Reuven Azar, the Israeli Ambassador to India, to decode how Israel became one of the world’s most resilient and innovative nations despite being surrounded by hostility since its birth. We discuss the long-standing Israel-Iran conflict, the ideological roots of Islamic radicalization, and what really unfolded during the October 7th Hamas attacks. While the world sees Israel through headlines of war and conflict, Ambassador Reuven Azar gives us a ground-level understanding of the mindset, history, and strategy that drive the nation’s defense doctrine. From compulsory military service shaping entrepreneurial culture to how Israel became a powerhouse in defense tech and cybersecurity, this episode offers a rare diplomatic perspective on how nations survive, innovate, and lead under constant threat.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro 03:29 – How Israel Was Built? 09:51 – Root Cause of Radicalization 17:19 – Israel & Iran: What Changed? 22:25 – Did Israel’s Intel Fail on 7th October? 24:49 – Can Hamas Be Destroyed? 25:15 – Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Threat 29:08 – Why Israel Won’t Let Iran Go Nuclear 30:05 – Is Israel Pressured During Strikes? 32:49 – How Israel Shapes Global Perception 36:00 – Why Is Israel Attacking Syria? 43:10 – Is Israel Attacking Gaza’s Aid Centres? 48:42 – How Is Israel So Powerful Today? 52:03 – How Israel Became a Defense Superpower 55:19 – How Did Israel Become So Innovative in Startups? 1:02:16 – Final Message to India