For 30 years, New York's legendary Comedy Cellar has served as the launching pad for greatest stand up comedians in the world. Colin Quinn, Dave Chappelle, Ray Romano, Dave Attell, Chris Rock, Jon Stewart, Dane Cook, Robert Kelly and Greg Giraldo are just a few of the comedians who began as Cellar regulars. But classic stage performances have never been the only show going on at the Cellar. The biggest comedians in the world come to sit at the table upstairs, where comedians come to argue and discuss the events of the day and their lives, sharpening their their comedy knives on each other. This kibitzing (an inspiration for Comedy Central's Tough Crowd), has always been a private affair... until now. Join us for a weekly peek into the happenings at the Comedy Cellar's comedian table, where the funniest people in the world debate and discuss. Subscribe now and don't miss a second of it. We would love to hear your comments. Email them to podcast@comedycellar.com
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For 30 years, New York's legendary Comedy Cellar has served as the launching pad for greatest stand up comedians in the world. Colin Quinn, Dave Chappelle, Ray Romano, Dave Attell, Chris Rock, Jon Stewart, Dane Cook, Robert Kelly and Greg Giraldo are just a few of the comedians who began as Cellar regulars. But classic stage performances have never been the only show going on at the Cellar. The biggest comedians in the world come to sit at the table upstairs, where comedians come to argue and discuss the events of the day and their lives, sharpening their their comedy knives on each other. This kibitzing (an inspiration for Comedy Central's Tough Crowd), has always been a private affair... until now. Join us for a weekly peek into the happenings at the Comedy Cellar's comedian table, where the funniest people in the world debate and discuss. Subscribe now and don't miss a second of it. We would love to hear your comments. Email them to podcast@comedycellar.com
Did Israel Win in Gaza? “Yes — Emphatically, and Tragically, No.” Ambassador Michael Oren.
The Comedy Cellar: Live from the Table
1 hour 12 minutes
3 weeks ago
Did Israel Win in Gaza? “Yes — Emphatically, and Tragically, No.” Ambassador Michael Oren.
With his son Yoav Oren (former IDF special‑forces soldier) Ambassador Michael Oren (historian; former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S.) sits down for anunvarnished assessment of the war what “victory” actually means.
Highlights:
Psychology of war & the IDF: A deep dive into moral erosion under prolonged combat; how rage, fear, and fatigue are managed; why some units choose capture‑over‑kill in close quarters; and the IDF practice of embedding psychologists with frontline units during Gaza operations to stabilize judgment in real time.
Oren’s two‑line verdict: “Emphatically yes” on military success; “tragically no” because the fight mutates if Hamas retains weapons and cover.
The “Hezbollah model” in Gaza: why a foreign peacekeeping shield + undisbursed weapons equals a forever threat.
Hostages, Doha, and leverage: what actually forced movement — and what happens next if disarmament stalls.
Gaza casualty math, explained from Oren’s perspective (the 1:1 claim and why the numbers are contested).
How Hamas turns humanitarian aid into a war economy; the logistics and the alleged skimming.
On restraint under fire: Yoav’s close‑quarters firefight, triage under fire, and the decision to capture, not kill.
Anti‑Semitism’s uncensored return in the West — and why, according to Oren, arguments and “hasbara” often misfire.
USS Liberty: Oren’s step‑by‑step rebuttal to the “deliberate attack” narrative.
The strategic endgame: surgical strikes, cutting aid diversion, and whether disarmament is possible without a full re‑invasion.
00:00 Intro
01:50 Did Israel “win”?
04:30 Gaza’s tunnels and the unique urban fight
06:10 Multi‑front picture (Hezbollah, Iran, Houthis)
07:45 From battlefield gains to regional diplomacy
08:50 Hostages and the “diplomatic shield”
12:50 Why Hamas released hostages (and why it mattered)
15:10 Will Israelis accept another ground push?
15:40 Surgical strikes vs. re‑invasion
16:30 Aid diversion and UN logistics
23:00 Doha strike debate
32:10 IDF conduct under fire; Yoav’s firefight
41:00 Rules of engagement, restraint, and misinformation
55:20 Psych support embedded with IDF units
59:00 USS Liberty — the case against conspiracy
1:09:10 Closing thoughts: victory, vigilance, and what comes next
The Comedy Cellar: Live from the Table
For 30 years, New York's legendary Comedy Cellar has served as the launching pad for greatest stand up comedians in the world. Colin Quinn, Dave Chappelle, Ray Romano, Dave Attell, Chris Rock, Jon Stewart, Dane Cook, Robert Kelly and Greg Giraldo are just a few of the comedians who began as Cellar regulars. But classic stage performances have never been the only show going on at the Cellar. The biggest comedians in the world come to sit at the table upstairs, where comedians come to argue and discuss the events of the day and their lives, sharpening their their comedy knives on each other. This kibitzing (an inspiration for Comedy Central's Tough Crowd), has always been a private affair... until now. Join us for a weekly peek into the happenings at the Comedy Cellar's comedian table, where the funniest people in the world debate and discuss. Subscribe now and don't miss a second of it. We would love to hear your comments. Email them to podcast@comedycellar.com
