Off the Record is a show that aims to combat the world of misinformation, click-bait headlines and one-sided narratives. Hosted by Zina Rakhamilova, the show goes aims to bring back nuance and go beyond headlines to tackle difficult issues through honest, thoughtful conversations. Off the Record aims to bring pragmatic voices together to challenge assumptions and engage where others look away.
Israel's biggest challenge is not just on the battlefield, it is also on the world stage in the battle of public opinion.
In this episode of Off the Record, Zina Rakhamilova is joined by social media strategist, advocate, and JNS commentator Bellamy Bellucci for an honest conversation about Israel's growing PR crisis.
This conversation goes beyond social media and headlines. It explores the deeper questions of trust, leadership, identity, and the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship.
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who would benefit from this discussion.
Zina:
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Bellamy:
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13 Jul 2026
The Rise of Democratic Socialism: What It Means for America and Israel
Democratic socialism is no longer confined to college campuses or activist circles. Across the United States, candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are winning elections and bringing their ideas into city halls, state legislatures, and the mainstream of American politics.
In this episode of Off the Record, Zina Rakhamilova sits down with Dr. Eric Patterson, President and CEO of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, to discuss what democratic socialism actually is, why it is resonating with younger voters, and how the DSA has become one of the most influential movements on the American left
Zina:
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6 Jul 2026
Is America Preparing to Walk Away from Israel? Former Israeli Diplomat Explains
For decades, the U.S.-Israel alliance has been one of the closest strategic partnerships in the world. But is that relationship beginning to change?
As America celebrates its 250th Independence Day, reports have emerged that Israel is quietly preparing for the possibility that U.S. military aid may not last forever. At the same time, growing anti-Israel sentiment among younger Americans and shifting political dynamics in both Washington and Jerusalem are raising difficult questions about the future of the alliance.
In this episode of Off The Record, host Zina Rakhamilova sits down with veteran Israeli diplomat and former Consul General to Los Angeles, Yaki Dayan.
Zina:
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29 Jun 2026
Israel & Lebanon's Historic Agreement: Is Hezbollah Finally Finished?
For decades, Hezbollah has claimed to speak and fight on behalf of Lebanon while answering to the Iranian regime.This weekend, that may have begun to change.Israel and Lebanon have announced a historic 14-point framework agreement that goes far beyond a ceasefire. The agreement commits both countries to formally ending the conflict, restoring Lebanese sovereignty, dismantling Hezbollah's military infrastructure, and establishing a pathway toward peaceful relations.But can it actually work?In this episode of Off the Record, Zina Rakhamilova break down what is actually in the agreement, why one clause may fundamentally reshape the Middle East, how the United States plans to oversee implementation, and why Hezbollah and Iran may be the biggest obstacles to making it a reality.We are also joined by Fabian Maamari, a Lebanese-born peace activist living in Israel, to discuss what this moment means for Lebanon, Israel, and the future of the region.Zina: IG - https://www.instagram.com/itsmezina__/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@itsmezina__X - https://x.com/itsmezina__LI - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinarakhamilova/Fabian:IG - https://www.instagram.com/fabian_maamariFB - https://www.facebook.com/fabian.maamariTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@fabibi.musicJoin our community now and receive 24/7 of new & original content from the State of Israel.https://www.iltv.tv
25 Jun 2026
Why Lebanon Became the Focus of the US-Iran Negotiations
The first round of U.S.-Iran negotiations in Geneva has been described as "historic." But what is actually being negotiated and who stands to benefit?
In this episode of Off the Record, Zina Rakhamilova examines what happened during 18 hours of talks between senior U.S. officials and representatives of the Iranian regime. While the public discussion has centered on Iran's nuclear program, reports suggest the negotiations focused heavily on Lebanon, Hezbollah, sanctions relief, frozen Iranian assets, and a broader regional framework that could reshape the balance of power in the Middle East.
As Israel continues major military operations against Hezbollah's underground infrastructure in southern Lebanon, Iran is reportedly seeking diplomatic mechanisms that would constrain Israel's military response while advancing its own strategic objectives.
Joining the program is Dr. Nir Boms, Director of the TAU Workshop on Israel and the Middle East at Tel Aviv University, to break down what these negotiations could mean for Israel, Lebanon, the Gulf states, and the future of regional security.Zina:
IG - https://www.instagram.com/itsmezina__/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@itsmezina__ (https://www.tiktok.com/@itsmezina__)
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LI - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinarakhamilova/
18 Jun 2026
Trump’s Iran Deal: What the MoU Could Mean for Israel, Iran & the Middle East
The White House is calling it a breakthrough. Critics are calling it another dangerous concession.After months of war, escalating tensions between Israel, Iran, Hezbollah, and the United States have culminated in a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) set to be signed in Geneva. Supporters say it could prevent a wider regional conflict. Skeptics argue it risks repeating the mistakes of previous nuclear negotiations.In this episode of Off the Record, Zina Rakhamilova is joined by Max Meizlish, Research Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) and former U.S. Treasury sanctions official, to examine what we actually know about the dealand what remains unanswered.Zina: IG - @itsmezina__TikTok - @itsmezina__X - https://x.com/itsmezina__LI - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinarakhamilova/Join our community now and receive 24/7 of new & original content from the State of Israel.https://www.iltv.tv
11 Jun 2026
UNRWA, Hamas & The UN Blacklist
Israel has been placed on a United Nations blacklist alongside organizations such as Hamas, ISIS, and Boko Haram over allegations of conflict-related sexual violence. But what evidence was used, how was the decision made, and why is Israel pushing back?
In this episode of Off the Record, Zina Rakhamilova sits down with Jonathan Harounoff, Israel's International Spokesperson to the United Nations, to discuss the UN's controversial designation of the Israel Prison Service, allegations of bias within the UN system, and new reports linking additional UNRWA employees to Hamas and the October 7 attacks.
Zina:
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Jonathan Harounoff:
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X - @JonathanHaroun1
20 Apr 2026
Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire: What Comes Next?
Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, but inside Israel, the reaction has been anything but calm. From growing public anger to concerns over U.S. influence on Israeli security decisions, this moment is exposing deeper tensions about sovereignty, strategy, and what comes next.
At the same time, a potentially historic shift is unfolding: a possible direct channel between Israel and Lebanon, brokered at the highest levels.
Joining us is Jonathan Elkhoury, a political commentator with a unique personal story, born in Lebanon and now living in Israel, who brings critical insight into Hezbollah, Lebanese politics, and what this moment could mean for the region.
Is this ceasefire a pause… or the start of a larger realignment?
15 Apr 2026
No Deal: US–Iran Talks Collapse | Hezbollah, Hormuz & What Comes Next
After 21 hours of high-stakes negotiations in Pakistan, U.S.–Iran talks have ended with no deal — and major questions remain.
In this episode of Off The Record, Zina Rakhamilova breaks down the latest developments, from Iran’s refusal to disavow its nuclear program to the ongoing tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint for 20% of global energy.
We also examine the role of Hezbollah in ceasefire talks, Israel’s Operation Eternal Darkness, and whether any real military objectives have been achieved.
Joining the show is Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former U.S. Treasury terrorism finance analyst, to unpack:
The gap between U.S. and Iranian demands
Whether the ceasefire can actually hold
What “decimating Hezbollah” would realistically look like
Where U.S. and Israeli interests may diverge
The strategic implications of targeting infrastructure like bridges and power plants
As the region stands at a crossroads, this conversation goes beyond the headlines to examine what comes next.
🔔 Subscribe for more unfiltered analysis from Israel.
📲 Follow Zina for updates: @itsmezina__
23 Feb 2026
Tucker Carlson, Israel, and the Questions That Weren’t Asked
Tucker Carlson flew into Israel for just a few hours to interview U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, framing the conversation as “America’s Toxic Relationship With Israel.”
But what actually happened in that nearly three-hour sit-down?
In this episode of Off The Record, we break down the most outrageous moments of the interview — from conspiracy-laced insinuations to the dual loyalty trope and misleading claims about minorities in the Middle East.
Then we’re joined by Shadi Khalloul, an Israeli Aramaic Christian Maronite, former IDF lieutenant, and Chairman of the Israeli Christian Aramaic Association, who invited Tucker to meet Israel’s Christian community during his visit. He never received a response.
So what’s the real story about Christian life in Israel?
And what happens when narratives replace reality?
Watch the full breakdown.
16 Feb 2026
October 7 Exposed: Hamas, Intelligence Warnings & Israel’s Leadership Crisis
More than two years after October 7, the questions still haven’t gone away.
In this episode of Off The Record, Zina Rakhamilova sits down with journalist and author Yaakov Katz, whose latest book While Israel Slept examines the intelligence failures, political decisions, and strategic miscalculations that led to Hamas’ devastating attack.
We discuss:
* The intelligence assessments that said Hamas was “deterred”
* The newly released 55-page document from Prime Minister Netanyahu
* Why there is still no official state commission of inquiry
* Internal divisions in Israel and their impact on deterrence
Was October 7 a failure of intelligence? Of leadership? Or of strategy?
Watch the full conversation and decide for yourself.
#Israel #October7 #Hamas #MiddleEast #Security #Politics
2 Feb 2026
Iran on Edge: Explosions, Diplomacy, and the Looming Military Threat
Welcome to another episode of Off The Record with your host, Zina Rakhamilova. This week, we unpack the escalating tensions in Iran—from mysterious explosions in Bandar Abbas and Ahvaz to the stalled negotiations over the nuclear program.
Joining us is Janatan Sayeh, research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, who shares insight into Iran’s domestic unrest, regional influence, and what Washington and Tehran’s next moves might mean for global security.
27 Jan 2026
Iran Protests 2026: Massacre Reports, Blackout & Looming Military Threat
Thirty days into nationwide protests, Iran has entered its third week of a near-total internet blackout. With independent verification impossible, the true scale of the regime’s crackdown remains unclear, as reports point to mass shootings, executions, and falsified hospital records.
In this episode of Off the Record, we break down the latest developments inside Iran, rising tensions with the U.S., and new reporting that Washington is compiling evidence against regime figures involved in the violence. We also examine the role of the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij, and what international action could mean going forward.
We’re joined by Travis Hawley, former U.S. Air Force intelligence analyst, to help unpack what may come next as uncertainty continues to grow.
They explore the pressing issues shaping Israel, the United States, and their bilateral relationship, including the rise of woke political voices on both the right and left, the dynamics of military aid dependence, and what a secure future might look like for the two democracies as they work to safeguard Western ideals.
19 Jan 2026
Iran’s Brutal Crackdown on Protesters: What Comes Next?
In this episode of Off The Record, we examine the devastating crackdown on protesters in Iran and what it means for the country’s future. Zina Rakhamilova is joined by political commentator Sarah Raviani to confront some of the most difficult questions surrounding Iran today. Together, they cut through the noise to discuss the key issues, the human cost of the regime’s actions, and where Iran may be headed next.
13 Jan 2026
The Future of the US-Israel Relationship
On this episode of Off The Record, Zina Rakhamilova sits down with Or Shaked, U.S. Correspondent for Israel Hayom, Israel’s most widely read daily newspaper. They explore the pressing issues shaping Israel, the United States, and their bilateral relationship, including the rise of woke political voices on both the right and left, the dynamics of military aid dependence, and what a secure future might look like for the two democracies as they work to safeguard Western ideals.
In this episode of Off The Record, Zina Rakhamilova breaks down the week that shook the world, from massive protests in Iran demanding freedom to the dramatic U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife in Venezuela. We explore the implications for Israel, the U.S., and global security, cutting through the headlines to uncover what really matters. Join us for an unfiltered discussion on power, resistance, and the fight for justice.
31 Dec 2025
Former Israeli Hostage Romi Gonen Breaks Silence on Hamas Captivity and Abuse
On today’s episode of Off The Record, we discuss former hostage Romi Gonen’s first public interview about her captivity in Gaza, her testimony of sexual assault and harassment she faced in captivity and the global accountability gap surrounding October 7.
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