(178) War in the Real World: What Critics of Israel Don’t Understand, with Colonel John Spencer

What compels someone to leave behind everything they know — their country, their faith, their identity — in search of truth and freedom? This week on Shoulder to Shoulder, Pastor Doug and Rabbi Pesach speak with Dan Burmawi, a former Muslim from Jordan who left Islam and the Middle East behind to embrace Christianity and life in the United States. Dan shares the powerful story of his spiritual and personal transformation, the challenges of walking away from Islam, and his passionate mission to build bridges between Christians and Jews in a fractured world. It’s a bold, deeply human conversation about faith, freedom, and the future of interreligious understanding.

In this timely episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki speak with Major (ret.) Andrew Fox about the latest developments in Israel’s war against Iran. They explore the IDF’s remarkable military achievements, the geopolitical and spiritual implications of regime change in Tehran, and the possible endgame scenarios. With clarity and conviction, the conversation unpacks what this moment means for Israel, the region, and people of faith around the world.

Military analyst Elliot Chodoff returns to Shoulder to Shoulder for a wide-ranging and sobering conversation about the current state of the war in Gaza. He explains why engaging with the Abu Shabab militia is a dangerous mistake, explores what a realistic endgame might look like, and challenges the notion of “total victory” in modern asymmetric warfare. With Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki, Chodoff offers sharp, insightful analysis on where the conflict stands—and where it may be headed.

For nearly two millennia, much of Christian theology has promoted the idea that the Church has permanently superseded Israel in God's covenant — a belief known as replacement theology. In this enlightening and challenging conversation, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki speak with theologian Dr. Gerry McDermott about how this view became dominant, how it misreads both the Hebrew Bible and New Testament, and why it's essential for Christians to rediscover Israel's unique and ongoing role in God's redemptive purposes. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in Jewish-Christian relations, biblical theology, or the future of interfaith cooperation.

As war rages in Israel and antisemitic rhetoric spreads in the media, Pastor Doug and Pesach issue a challenge to people of faith: will we stay silent, or will we speak truth in love — even when it’s uncomfortable? This episode confronts the disturbing trend of Christian influencers embracing anti-Jewish narratives, and looks to Shavuot and Pentecost for guidance, unity, and spiritual strength. To read Doug's article, "Christians, We Have a Problem," click here.

In this episode, Pastor Doug and Rabbi Pesach speak with national security expert Dave Reaboi about Qatar’s extensive and troubling influence on American policy. While many conservatives remain strong supporters of Donald Trump, Reaboi lays out how Qatari lobbying reached deep into his administration—with serious consequences for Israel. We explore how a hostile regime has used money, media, and access to undermine American interests and isolate Israel. This conversation is a wake-up call for those who care about faith, freedom, and the future of the U.S.-Israel alliance.

In this special episode, we’re joined by Father Frank Pavone for an in-depth conversation about the newly elected Pope Leo and what his leadership might signal for the global Catholic Church. We explore the early signs of his priorities, his potential impact on moral and social issues, and the spiritual tone he may set for a new generation of believers. The conversation also turns to the issue of abortion, with Father Pavone offering insight into the rising pro-life sentiment among younger generations and what this cultural shift means for people of faith. Whether you're Catholic or not, this episode invites thoughtful reflection on leadership, life, and the values shaping our future.

In this week’s episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Doug and Pesach reconnect while Doug is in the heart of Washington, D.C. for a jam-packed week of advocacy and prayer. Doug shares his firsthand reflections from the National Day of Prayer events, the Israel Embassy gathering, and Israel Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill. But that’s just the beginning. The conversation shifts to the pressing situation in Gaza, where Doug and Pesach tackle the question few are willing to ask: What is the endgame? With Israel gaining confidence in not just defending itself by conquering and occupying Gaza.  Is the world ready for an Israel that no longer plays defense? Should Israel become more comfortable with a permanent presence in Gaza? Doug and Pesach don’t hold back as they explore the deeper implications of a shifting Middle East and what it means for Jews, Christians, and freedom-loving people everywhere. This episode is a powerful blend of current events, theological insight, and bold questions. You won’t want to miss it.

In this provocative episode, Doug and Pesach sit down with Robert Spencer, director of Jihad Watch and a prominent voice on radical Islam and its impact on the West. Spencer shares the history of the caliphate, and explains how the current map of the Middle East is a direct result of a specific historical event, and has little do to with ethnicity or even logic. He shares his views on the theological and political dimensions of the Muslim Brotherhood, the role of ideology in contemporary conflicts, where Iran and Qatar fit into this belief system, why Americans need to care about fundamentalism in the Middle East, and the challenges Israel - and all liberal democracies - face in responding to religious extremism.

In this powerful episode, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and Pastor Doug Reed speak with Colonel John Spencer—Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at West Point and a globally recognized expert on modern combat—to unpack the complexities of Israel's war against Hamas. Colonel Spencer offers a clear-eyed analysis of urban warfare, the ethical challenges faced by democratic militaries, and the rigorous standards of international law. Together, they address the widespread misinformation fueling anti-Israel sentiment and explain why much of the global criticism ignores the realities of combat and the legal obligations Israel upholds on the battlefield.