The Watchman Newscast with Erick Stakelbeck

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down a stunning archaeological discovery in Jerusalem--an ornate, 2,000-year-old building uncovered near the Western Wall. This ancient structure from the time of Jesus is being called one of the most important discoveries in years--and brings the New Testament period to life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down Iran's rapidly escalating proxy war against U.S. forces in Iraq. In the latest attacks, two U.S. soldiers were wounded and the American Embassy in Baghdad was targeted by rockets. Will the Biden administration allow Iran to succeed in pushing the U.S. out of Iraq for good? Plus,we visit Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, to hear how Iraq's Kurds--who've been loyal U.S. allies-- are being targeted by Iran and its proxies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down how the Iranian regime and its Shia militia proxies have basically declared war on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria. The wave of attacks continued today as Iran’s proxies launched 14 rockets at an airbase in western Iraq that houses U.S. troops. Their goal is to push the U.S. out of the Middle East completely--and weak American leadership only emboldens them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the latest missile and drone attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq, carried out by Iran-backed Shia militias. Plus, Iran accuses Israel of striking one of its nuclear sites and Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah uses Nazi-style rhetoric to threaten the Jewish State. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the continued Hamas arson balloon attacks against southern Israel and Israel’s “zero tolerance” response. Plus, the U.S. State Department just implicated Turkey for the use of child soldiers, a dubious first for a NATO member country. So why is the Biden administration at the same time considering giving Turkey control over Afghanistan’s main airport? Would this be a scenario where the fox is guarding the henhouse? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck sits down with CBN News host, Chris Mitchell, and best-selling author, Joel Rosenberg, at TBN's Jerusalem studio. They discuss what we can expect from Israel’s new government and leader, Naftali Bennett, if a future war with Hezbollah arises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck gets exclusive access to join the Israel Defense Forces for a live-fire night combat tank drill. Located on the Golden heights near the Syria border, this drill is designed to prepare for the possibility of war in the north, specifically Hezbollah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. carried out airstrikes last night against Iran-backed Shia militia, killing four of the militiamen. Aircraft targeted three sites along the Iraq-Syria border for destruction in retaliation for drone attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq. The targets apparently were linked to the drone program: “operational and weapons storage facilities,” according to the Pentagon. These strikes are better than nothing but are not enough to deter Iran and its militias from continuing attacks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck travels to the highest and most northern point in Israel, Mount Hermon. Located where Israel, Lebanon and Syria meet, this snow-capped mountain is a crucial security buffer for Israel as it looks to block Iran’s advances from Syria. How important is Mount Hermon? Israelis call it “the eyes of the nation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the latest developments in the sabotage attack against an Iranian nuclear facility earlier this week. Contrary to the Iranian regime's statements, it now appears that the attack against the facility in Kharaj was successful and that a drone was used to target the site. Speaking of drones, the U.S. and Israel have put together a task force to counter the growing drone threat posed by Iran and its terror proxies in the region. Will the Middle East become an Iranian drone-free zone? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down news that the U.S government has shut down dozens of Iranian websites. The news comes as Iran says it thwarted an attempted sabotage attack against one of its nuclear facilities. With a radical new Iranian President set to take office, is a major war in the Middle East looming? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the Iranian regime's growing attack drone arsenal and how it threatens the U.S. and Israel. Iranian media outlets are reporting that two drones packed with explosives targeted a base housing U.S. forces in Iraq overnight. As Iran becomes a drone superpower and shares its drone expertise with its terror proxies in the region, Israel is testing new technology to combat this growing threat. Israel just successfully tested a high-powered laser that can shoot down drones and could become a major asset. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the "election" of Iran's new president, Ebrahim Raisi, in a vote that was anything but free and fair. Raisi was the hand-picked choice of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, and is considered his possible successor. Raisi's ascension represents an even more radical turn for the Iranian regime: he even became known as the "Butcher of Tehran" for his role in the mass execution of Iranian dissidents and was sanctioned by the U.S. What does his new role mean for Israel, the Middle East, and the West and does it make more war likely? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the latest escalation by Hamas against Israel and whether Hamas has already broken a shaky ceasefire. After three weeks of relative calm, Hamas has launched a series of arson balloons from Gaza this week, causing dozens of fires throughout southern Israel. Plus, who is Ebrahim Raisi, the man likely to be Iran’s next president? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the latest Hamas terror onslaught against Israel: incendiary balloons that have scorched land throughout Israel's south. How is Israel's new government responding to these attacks? And will Israel's enemies continue to test Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in these early days of his premiereship? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck is in Jerusalem to break down Israel’s new government. Who is Israel’s new Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett? Erick interviewed Bennett a few years back and shares his insights. Plus, what will Benjamin Netanyahu do now that he is out of office for the first time in 12 years? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck tours a home in Ashkelon, Israel that was destroyed by a Hamas rocket in last month's war. The owner of the home joins Erick to explain the death and devastation caused by the rocket attack, and his personal pain over losing all of his possessions. In the process, he gives a glimpse into the difficult lives of ordinary Israelis who live in the shadow of Hamas-ruled Gaza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck gets an exclusive, up close look at a modern marvel of Israeli innovation: Iron Dome. Erick visits the now legendary missile defense system today with the Israel Defense Forces at an undisclosed location in southern Israel, near the Hamas stronghold of Gaza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck is joined on the Israel/Lebanon border by Israel Defense Forces Major (Res.) and security expert Elliot Chodoff to discuss the Hezbollah threat. Erick and Elliot have an incredible vantage point overlooking Hezbollah’s home base of southern Lebanon as they analyze this terror army’s lethal capabilities, its coming showdown with Israel and the Iranian regime’s role in spreading chaos in the region. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck is joined by Jonathan Cahn, bestselling author of The Harbinger and The Harbinger II, who shares thoughts on the prophetic future of America and Israel. As the United States drifts further away from God, is there still time to turn things around? Plus, why is Israel moving more and more to the center of world events? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck is on the ground in Jerusalem with Israeli tour guide and archaeologist Danny "The Digger" Herman to share the true history of the world's holiest site: the Temple Mount. Both Jewish Temples once stood there, Jesus taught there and Islam's Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa mosque are there today. So, who really has a claim to this ancient site and why will it become even more of a flashpoint in the days to come? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the latest developments in Israel's ongoing political drama. Will the so-called “change coalition” be sworn in as Israel’s new government in the coming days? And are Israel’s enemies, led by the Iranian regime, lining up to test Israel’s potential new leadership? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck is joined by Alex Traiman, Jerusalem Bureau Chief of JNS.off, to break down the latest developments in the Israeli political situation as a coalition attempts to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Plus, Iran’s largest warship sank today in the Gulf of Oman. Was this the latest blow in the “shadow war” at sea between Israel and Iran? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the possibility that a new coalition government comprised of right-wing, left-wing and centrist parties is about to replace Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's longest serving Prime Minister. Plus, more evidence is emerging that Iran closely coordinated the recent Gaza war as a "dry run" with its proxies, Hezbollah and Hamas, as they prepare for a larger, future conflict with Israel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the UN’s Human Rights Council‘s unprecedented decision to pursue an investigation into alleged Israeli human rights violations against Palestinians in Gaza. How can an organization whose members include some of the world’s worst human rights violators pass judgment on a democratic nation like Israel? And why are Hamas war crimes against both Israelis and Palestinians being largely ignored? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the truth about Hamas that far too many are ignoring. Hamas is an Iranian proxy that is committed to Israel's destruction. These aren't "freedom fighters," folks. Hamas is also the self-described Palestinian wing of the radical Muslim Brotherhood movement. And it is raising up generation after generation of young people to hate Israel--literally from the cradle to the grave. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the battle that is brewing over Jerusalem. Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah is now threatening Israel with a “regional war” over the city, echoing the leaders of Iran and Hamas. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also escalating his radical rhetoric about re-claiming Jerusalem. Why are the eyes of the world turning increasingly towards Israel’s ancient capital? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down news that an Iranian drone factory was hit by an explosion this weekend. The blast came on the heels of Iran's unveiling of a new attack drone, named "Gaza," in honor of Iran's terror proxies, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Also, Israel says that Iran sent a drone packed with explosives into Israeli airspace last week (which Israel shot down). So, could Israel have targeted the drone factory? And why are the leaders of Iran, Hamas and Islamic JIhad congratulating each other over the latest Gaza war between Israel and Hamas? #Israel #Iran #Hamas #Gaza Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and shares some of the big takeaways from the just completed war. Has Hamas been set back for years, as Israeli officials suggest? Or will the Iran-backed terror group return to fight another day, sooner rather than later? Plus, how did Iran use the conflict as a "dry run" for a future, larger war against Israel? And what was the real cause behind the war? Hint: it can be found in the Hamas founding charter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down news that Israel shot down an Iranian drone--packed with explosives--that entered Israeli airspace earlier this week. Israel says Iranian forces launched the drone: further proof that Iran is the not-so-hidden hand beyond it's proxy, Hamas, as the Gaza-based terror group continues to launch rockets at Israel. Plus, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus joins the Newscast to provide an on-the-ground report on the external extensive damage Israel has inflicted on Hamas during this latest round of fighting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down reports that President Biden is pressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to enter a ceasefire with the terror group Hamas and “de-escalate” the situation today. All this as rockets continue to fall on Israel from Gaza. Plus, four rockets targeted Israel from Lebanon today. Is a new front emerging in the war? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the latest developments in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas--Israel says it will continue to strike Hamas until it decimates the terror group's capabilities. Meanwhile, a new tunnel threat develops to Israel's north courtesy of another Iran-backed proxy, Hezbollah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the latest developments in the ongoing war between Israel and Iran-backed terror groups in Gaza. Early Monday, Israeli eliminated a top commander for Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The Israel Defense Forces also crushed a massive underground terror tunnel network used by Hamas. As the fighting continues to rage, we look at how a nuclear-armed Iran would embolden Hamas even more in a future war against Israel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the latest developments in Israel's ongoing war with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces used a tactical "head fake" in order to decimate a vast network of underground terror tunnels overnight. Yet rockets keep falling on Israeli cities and towns. What comes next and why is May 14th such an important day in Israel's history? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the latest developments in the ongoing war between Israel and the Iran-backed terror group, Hamas. Is Israel preparing a ground offensive to root out Hamas terrorists in Gaza? And is the Iranian regime using this current conflict as a "dry run" for a future, larger battle against Israel? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the latest developments in the battle between Israel and Iran-backed terror groups in Gaza. Over 1,200 rockets have been launched at Israeli cities nationwide since Monday. Israel has eliminated Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad leaders in response. Is a full-scale war on the horizon? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the ongoing rocket barrage by the Gaza-based terror groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad against Israel—with hundreds upon hundreds of rockets targeting Israeli cities. How is Israel responding and what comes next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the emerging threat that Yemen's Houthis pose to Israel. Could the Iranian regime activate it's Houthi proxy--with its growing arsenal of attack drones and missiles--against Israel and open a new front on the Jewish State's southern flank? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down three major, developing Middle East stories: 1) Israel carried out airstrikes in Syria overnight. 2) U.S. forces in Iraq were targeted for the third night in a row by rockets, courtesy of Iran-backed Shia militias. 3) A shadowy Hamas military commander is threatening Israel. It's a wars and rumors of wars update. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck head’s out on the Red Sea with Israel Defense Forces Reserve Major Elliot Chodoff to see why it is so vital to Israel’s security—and how Iran and its Yemen-based proxy, the Houthis, are stirring up trouble on this strategic waterway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down three major developing Middle East stories: 1) U.S. personnel in Iraq were targeted yet again this weekend with a rocket barrage by Iran-backed Shia militias. Is Iran trying to chase the U.S. out of the region? 2) The Biden White House denies reports of a prisoner swap with Iran and that it plans to release $7 billion dollars in frozen Iranian assets back to the regime. 3) Two Israleis were critically wounded this weekend in a Palestinian terror attack. Is a new Palestinian escalation on the horizon? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck looks at one of the most important events in the history of Christianity: the conversion of the Roman centurion Cornelius, as described in the Book of Acts. Erick visits the Israeli cities of Joppa and Caesarea for a firsthand look at the very places where the story of Cornelius unfolded and where he became the first recorded Gentile follower of Jesus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the new version of the Iran nuclear deal that the Biden White House seems determined to put in place, and how it will put America and Israel in jeopardy. Plus, Iran-backed Shia militias target U.S personnel in Iraq yet again—this time, with an explosive-packed drone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down news that the United States and Israel are establishing a joint "working group" that will look to counter Iran's growing attack drone and precision guided missile (PGM) programs that threaten the entire Middle East. Iran is looking to become a drone and missile superpower and has shown no hesitation in using its growing arsenal--and passing it off to its terrorist proxies across the region. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down news that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps harassed two U.S. Coast Guard ships in the Persian Gulf earlier this month. What is Iran up to? Plus, John Kerry is in hot water for allegedly leaking sensitive information about Israeli operations to Iran’s Foreign Minister, Javad Zarif. Will Kerry face consequences? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the ongoing rocket barrages out of Gaza against the communities of southern Israel over the past three nights and whether the situation could escalate into a larger conflict between Israel and Hamas. Plus, is the Iranian regime the true force behind this latest escalation? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down a major incident Thursday, as a missile from Syria landed just miles from Israel's nuclear reactor in Dimona. Israeli and U.S. officials say the missile landed near the reactor because of Syrian incompetence and bad aim. But Iran and Hezbollah have threatened to strike Dimona in the past. Could Israel's nuclear reactor be a target for its enemies in a future war? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down three reasons why Iran should never have a nuclear weapon. With the Biden administration set to re-enter the Iran nuclear deal, and Israel vowing never to allow Iran to acquire the world's deadliest weapons, the stakes have never been higher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down the possible collapse of Lebanon and Hezbollah's response. For years, the Iran-backed terror group has maintained a "state within a state" in southern Lebanon, at Israel's doorstep. Now that Lebanon is facing a possible economic collapse and widespread unrest, will Hezbollah--and its Iranian master--assume an even more powerful role? And what are the broader implications for Israel and the region, as a major war looms? #Lebanon #Hezbollah #Iran #Israel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down Iran’s annual Army Day parade on April 18th, which showcased Iran’s growing attack drone arsenal. The Iranian regime says it’s drones are a “trump card” that it will use on the battlefield against its enemies, while also passing them off to its terrorist proxies across the Middle East, like Yemen’s Houthis. Plus, what was really behind the mysterious death of a top Iranian commander? #Iran #Israel #drones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices