Free Speech, Moral Clarity, and the Israel-Gaza Debate with Bret Stephens

In this episode, New York Times columnist Bret Stephens joins CIS executive director Tom Switzer to confront the most contentious narratives surrounding the Israel-Gaza war and the future of liberal democracy.

Drawing on his experience as a journalist and foreign policy analyst, Stephens reflects on the challenges of achieving lasting peace, the role of outside powers, and the difficult choices facing Israel and its neighbours.

They also explore how public debates on these issues reveal deeper tensions in Western societies—about free speech, moral clarity, and the ability to respond to complex global challenges with confidence and unity.