Daily Briefing Feb. 16: ToI reporter finds business as usual in bustling, blasé Kyiv

Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and United States correspondent Jacob Magid join host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

In an in-depth discussion with Berman, reporting from Kyiv, we hear about the almost indifferent response to a potentially looming war that he discovers in the historic Brodsky Synagogue. We then learn of a pointedly different take from Israel’s envoy, Michael Brodsky, who calls on Israelis to leave the country while they still can.

Finally, Berman reports on the nationalism he has found in the streets in protests to “Save Ukraine” — but not necessarily from the Russians.

Next, we speak with Magid, who reviewed US former ambassador to Israel David Friedman’s new memoir “Sledgehammer.” Why the name, and who is the hero of this story?

Magid then discusses warnings from the US that violence may be in the offing when Jewish and Muslim holidays converge in April. What is behind this advance warning?

Discussed articles include:

At historic Kyiv synagogue, congregants scoff at talk of war

Kyiv envoy urges Israelis to leave, warns rescue flights might not be possible

In new book, Trump’s Israel envoy hammers 4 rocky years into a smooth path to peace

US fears repeat of violence in Israel as religious holy days converge in April

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