From tragedy to resilience: The story of Israel according to former PM Barak

From tragedy to resilience: The story of Israel according to former PM Barak | GZERO World

What does it truly mean to give the ultimate sacrifice? And how can we give meaning to those who have made it?

These were questions that former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak delved into in a recent interview with Ian Bremmer on GZERO World.

Barak, who spent 36 years in uniform and lost many friends, shared two anecdotes to illustrate the magnitude of sacrifice for Israel. It is a country, he says, that has used its tragic past to build a resilient present.

Watch the episode of GZERO World with Ian Bremmer: How Bibi could end Israel's democracy (or get ousted)

More from GZERO Media

- YouTube

Artificial intelligence is transforming the global workforce, but its impact looks different across economies. Christine Qiang, Global Director in the World Bank’s Digital Vice Presidency, tells GZERO Media’s Tony Maciulis that while “every single job will be reshaped,” developing countries are seeing faster growth in demand for AI skills than high-income nations.

Hamas militant stands guard, as heavy machinery operates at the site where searches are underway for the bodies of hostages killed after being seized by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attack, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, October 17, 2025.
REUTERS/Stringer

On Monday, Hamas freed the remaining 20 living hostages, while Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners — the first step in the ceasefire deal the two sides struck last week.

- YouTube

As the US economy continues to defy expectations, Eurasia Group Managing Director of Global Macro Robert Kahn says the key question is whether a slowdown has been avoided or merely delayed. “The headline here is the impressive resilience of the US, maybe also the global economy over the last six months,” Kahn tells GZERO Media’s Tony Maciulis on the sidelines of the 2025 World Bank–IMF Annual Meetings.