Middle East Week

Lisa Goldman, contributing editor at +972 Magazine and a fellow at New America, comes on the show to discuss recent events in Israeli politics. Topics covered include: Background on the events leading up to Israel’s recent election Israel becoming a partisan issue in the U.S. Netanyahu’s narrow majority in the Knesset & his preference for the status quo The Obama - Netanyahu relationship Issues that are driving Israeli domestic politics The growing wealth gap in Israel Ayman Odeh and the Joint List Links: Lisa Goldman (@lisang) | Twitter Karl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Middle East Week Facebook page Rate & review the show in iTunes Thanks to patron Sandin Rekic. You can support the podcast by making a small donation on Patreon!

Aaron Stein comes back on the show to discuss Turkey’s upcoming election, their fight against ISIS, and relations with Saudi Arabia. Topics we covered include: An overview of the key political parties and politicians in Turkey Constitutional changes Erdogan and the AKP are pursuing Potential backlash AKP could face for pushing for a presidential system Kurdish politicians’ decision to run as a political party, as opposed to running as individual independent candidates The evolution of how Turkey views the ISIS threat Turkey’s strategy to fight ISIS in Syria Turkey’s lack of influence in Iraq, and how that effects their view of ISIS The rapprochement between Turkey and Saudi Arabia Links: Turkey’s Role in a Shifting Syria by Aaron for the Atlantic Council’s MENASource blog Aaron’s podcasts: Turkey Wonk & Arms Control Wonk Aaron Stein (@aaronstein1) on Twitter Karl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Thanks to patrons Andrew and David de Bruijn. You can support the

Thomas Hegghammer comes back on the show to discuss his work studying jihadi culture. He recently gave a lecture titled Why Terrorists Weep: The Socio-Cultural Practices of Jihadi Militants (PDF). Topics we covered include: What “jihadi culture” means, and why it’s worth studying Challenges in separating cultural practices from military ones The practical applications of this area of study Regional differences in jihadi culture Relevance of studying jihadi culture for improving CVE programs Jihadi leader’s strategic use of cultural practices Jihadis adopting Sufi practices Links: Frontpage | Thomas Hegghammer Thomas Hegghammer (@Hegghammer) on Twitter Saudi Arabia in Transition: Insights on Social, Political, Economic and Religious Change by Bernard Haykel, Thomas Hegghammer, Stéphane Lacroix Karl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Please rate & review the show in iTunes Check out the podcast on Facebook Thanks to Scott Herbert for supporting the podcast. You can help suppo

Elizabeth Dickinson comes back on the show to discuss efforts to raise money and provide humanitarian aid to Syrians. Some of the topics we covered include: Donor conferences hosted by Kuwait UNSC action to allow aid to go to Syria without Assad’s approval Aid organizations being unable to access people in Syria to provide services International NGOs inability to use international staff in Syria The fear of terrorism as a motivating factor driving aid donations Groups trying to plan for the long-term humanitarian challenges in Syria New strategies aid organizations are trying Links: Holding Out the Hat for Syria | Foreign Policy Deca - a cooperative of award-winning journalists bringing deeply reported, global stories straight to your phone, tablet, or computer Elizabeth Dickinson - Journalist Elizabeth Dickinson (@dickinsonbeth) on Twitter Karl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Thanks to David de Bruijn for supporting the Middle East Week podcast! You can help support the show by making a small donat

Michael Stephens comes back on the show to talk about the ongoing war in Yemen. We covered many topics related to Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the region: What caused Saudi Arabia to launch their air campaign The coalition the Saudis have built Oman’s decision not to join the coalition Pakistan’s decision not to support a ground invasion in Yemen Rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Turkey, and what that could mean for the region How Iran views the situation in Yemen compared to its other concerns in the region Options available to try to end the fighting The humanitarian crisis in Yemen that continues to worsen Links: RUSI - Michael Stephens Michael Stephens (@MStephensGulf) on Twitter Karl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Thanks to Alex Dunne and Scott Herbert for supporting the podcast! You can help support the show by making a small donation on Patreon! Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes Check out the Middle East Week Facebook page

Matthew Levitt comes back on the show to talk about his expert testimony in the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, as well as the process of radicalization and countering violent extremism. Matthew Levitt - The Washington Institute for Near East Policy Matthew Levitt (@Levitt_Matt) on Twitter Tsarnaev jurors to hear more about militant materials on his electronic devices - The Boston Globe Boston Marathon bombing trial: witnesses and exhibits Visit middleeastweek.org for pictures of some of the exhibits from the trial.

Jonathon Morgan comes on the show to talk about using data science to analyze and understand issues in the Middle East. Jonathon is the co-founder of CrisisNET, and recently co-authored the ISIS Twitter Census with J.M. Berger. Topics: The data collection and verification involved in making the ISIS Twitter Census Dealing with multiple languages in their data set Information that can be learned from a large data set of ISIS supporters Potential to use data like this to study radicalization and improve countering violent extremism strategies Why journalists, scholars, and others should try using data science tools and techniques How to start using data science, even if you have no experience Limitations of data science and “big data” How to ask the right questions to make your data more valuable How subject matter experts can better work with data scientists Links: The ISIS Twitter Census: Defining and describing the population of ISIS supporters on Twitter - paper Jonathon co-authored with J.M.

Kirk Sowell comes back on the show to talk about his new paper Jordanian Salafism and the Jihad in Syria. We covered a lot of information including: What is Salafism and Salafi-Jihadism? Who is Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, and how did he come to play a central role in these issues? The split between Maqdisi and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi Jordanian Salafi-Jihadists turn towards Syria and Jabhat al-Nusra The effects of the ISIS-JaN split on Jordanian Salafi-Jihadists What the Jordanian government lets the Jordanian Salafi-Jihadists do, and why Maqdisi’s role in the efforts to free Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kassasbeh What could be next for Maqdisi and the Jordanian Salafi-Jihadists Links: Inside Iraqi Politics - biweekly newsletter that Kirk publishes Kirk H. Sowell (@UticensisRisk) on Twitter Karl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Support the podcast by making a small donation on Patreon! Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

David Andrew Weinberg comes on the show to talk about human rights in Saudi Arabia. We covered many topics including: What are the most pressing human rights issues in Saudi Arabia? How much influence does the U.S. have to affect change on Saudi human rights issues? Saudi policies that have lead to, or perpetuated, human rights abuses in other Middle Eastern countries The strategic implications of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record What it takes to get changes implemented in Saudi Arabia How the U.S. can push for change without jeopardizing its relationship with Saudi Arabia Links: Dr. David Andrew Weinberg | Foundation for Defense of Democracies New Report Documents Saudi Rights Abuses That Harm U.S. Interests Sweden Breaks Arms Agreement, Saudi Arabia Recalls Ambassador David A. Weinberg (@DavidAWeinberg) on Twitter Karl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes This episode was supported by Scott Herbert. You can help support the show by making a small donation on Patreo

Dina Esfandiary comes on the show to talk about the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran, including many issues that aren’t explained well (or at all) in news reports. Topics covered include: Netanyahu’s speech to congress and Israeli objections to a deal The issue of a “sunset clause” in the deal being negotiated Major obstacles the negotiations still need to overcome, and what is most likely to cause them to fail Problems with focusing on breakout time, and what the various centrifuge numbers being discussed really mean Details on the sanctions Iran has faced, and what could happen as they are removed How Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, view the ongoing negotiations What could happen if a deal isn’t reached by the upcoming deadlines How the Supreme Leader and the Iranian public view the negotiations Links: Dina Esfandiary: Discussing the extension of nuclear negotiations | IISS King’s College London - Dina Esfandiary Dina Esfandiary (@DEsfandiary) on Twitter

Adam Baron comes back on the show to talk about the recent political drama in Yemen. We covered some of the major events of the past few months and then discussed other issues including: Former ex-president Hadi ‘leaving’ Sanaa for Aden Embassy closures in Yemen and what that could mean for the country The southern secession movement and why they’ve been unable to capitalize on Yemen’s political chaos The Houthi’s aims, and the blunders that have eroded some of their popular support The potential for Yemen’s political problems to become far more violent Failures of the international community to effectively handle the situation in Yemen Role of Saudi Arabia, Iran, and other neighboring countries in the current conflict Humanitarian problems that go largely unnoticed but could have serious long-term implications Links: Adam Baron Adam Baron | European Council on Foreign Relations Adam Baron (@adammbaron) on Twitter Karl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Subscribe to the po

Hassan Hassan comes on the show to talk about issues related to the fight against ISIS. Topics we covered include: ISIS growth in North Africa Where ISIS is winning, and where it is losing Tactical vs. strategic effects of airstrikes on ISIS Influence of Management of Savegery on ISIS actions and propaganda Importance of local forces and tribes in fighting ISIS Challenges to building those local forces ISIS is setting the agenda, but the world needs to change that Links: ISIS: Inside the Army of Terror: Michael Weiss, Hassan Hassan Amazon.com Destroying ISIL is about more than vengeance | The National Jordan’s fights against ISIL no longer ‘someone else’s war’ | The National Hassan Hassan (@hxhassan) on Twitter Karl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes Support the podcast by making a small donation on Patreon!

Phillip Smyth comes back on the show to talk about The Shiite Jihad in Syria and Its Regional Effects, his recent monograph for The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Topics covered include: Why Shiite jihadi groups don’t receive nearly as much attention as Sunni ones Recruitment methods used by Shiite militia groups Risks faced by not addressing the issue of Shiite jihadi groups Phillip’s policy recommendations presented in his monograph Links: The Fight Against ISIL: Shiite Militias and the Coalition Effort - Policy forum featuring Phillip Smyth, Michael Knights, and P.J. Dermer Hizballah Cavalcade | JIHADOLOGY Phillip Smyth (@PhillipSmyth) on Twitter Karl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes Support the podcast by making a small donation on Patreon!

Hussein Ibish comes back on the show to talk about recent issues in the Israeli - Palestinian conflict, including Palestinian efforts to join international organizations and treaties, support for Palestine from other Arab states, Israel’s withholding of Palestinian tax revenue, and much more. Links: Palestinians must tread carefully as US-Israel ties falter | The National Trying to join the ICC is yet another baffling move | The National Hussein Ibish’s columns in The National Hussein Ibish’s columns in NOW Media Hussein Ibish | The American Task Force on Palestine Ibishblog | the blog of Hussein Ibish Hussein Ibish (@Ibishblog) on Twitter Karl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes Please support the podcast by making a small, monthly donation on Patreon!

Shashank Joshi comes on the show to talk about India’s Middle East foreign policy. Topics we covered include: Importance of remittances from Indians living in the Middle East India’s relationship with Israel Why India sees an “advantage in obscurity” in deciding its Middle East strategies Indian hostages in Iraq and India’s inability to effectively respond to the situation India’s need for a “Look West” policy in addition to “Look East” India’s relationship with Iran and Saudi Arabia Links: Shashank Joshi | Why India Refuses to Engage the Middle East | Foreign Affairs Looking West - Shashank Joshi (PDF) Shashank Joshi (@shashj) on Twitter Karl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes Please support the podcast by making a small monthly donation on Patreon. Thank you!

Mary Fitzgerald comes back on the show to discuss the conflict in Libya. Topics we covered include: The two competing parliaments, their strengths and weaknesses, and the various armed groups that make up their coalitions The complexity of the conflict, and the importance of resisting simplistic narratives to describe the situation Political leaders’ ability to control the armed groups operating in Libya Attempts by the UN and UN Special Representative Bernadino Leon to deal with the crisis Contradictions between what Libyan political leaders say and what they do External actors’ role in the development and escalation of the crisis How Libya’s oil factors into the conflict What could come next in the Libyan conflict Make sure you check out the upcoming book that Mary co-authored: The Libyan Revolution and its Aftermath - you can pre-order it on Amazon. Mary Fitzgerald (@MaryFitzger) on Twitter Karl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter

Sam Heller comes on the show to talk about infighting in Jabhat al-Nusrah, JaN’s evolving strategy in Syria, and their relationship with Ahrar al-Sham and other jihadi groups in Syria. Sam’s recent posts on Jihadology.net: Recriminations on Social Media Shed Light on Jabhat al-Nusrah’s Inner Workings | JIHADOLOGY Muhammad al-Amin on Ahrar al-Sham’s Evolving Relationship with Jabhat al-Nusrah and Global Jihadism | JIHADOLOGY Links: Sam Heller (@AbuJamajem) on Twitter Karl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

Nate Rabkin comes back on the show to talk about the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). We discussed the problems that were exposed by the ISIS advance this summer, efforts over the past few months to rebuild the ISF, the importance of Shiite militias in Iraq, the lack of cooperation between the ISF and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, what US airstrikes and military advisors mean for the ISF, current problems within the ISF, and more. Nate is the managing editor of Inside Iraqi Politics, an excellent newsletter with in-depth information and analysis on Iraq. Subscribe to the Middle East Week podcast in iTunes

Aaron Stein joins me for part 2 of our discussion on Turkey’s Middle East foreign policy. You can listen to part 1 here. In this episode we talked about Turkey’s foreign policy towards Syria and Iraq, from the time the AKP came to power in 2002 to the current crisis. What Obama Doesn’t Understand About Syria - International Crisis Group by Noah Bonsey Turkey Wonk podcast Aaron Stein (@aaronstein1) on Twitter Karl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Sponsor: Scrivener - a powerful content-generation tool for writers that allows you to concentrate on composing and structuring long and difficult documents.

Aaron Stein joins me for a joint Middle East Week and Turkey Wonk podcast about Turkey’s foreign policy in the Middle East. This is part one of two episodes that are based on a forthcoming book by Aaron on this topic. In this first part we discussed: Turkey’s policy of “Strategic Depth” The motivations behind the AKP’s foreign policy strategy Turkey’s role as mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and their support for Hamas How Turkey reacted to the start of the Arab Spring in Tunisia Turkey’s reaction to the uprising in Libya and their role in the current conflict The ups and downs of Turkey’s foreign policy in Egypt after the fall of Mubarak Links: Turkey Wonk: Nuclear and Political Musings in Turkey and Beyond iTunes - Podcasts - Turkey Wonk by Aaron Stein Aaron Stein (@aaronstein1) on Twitter Karl Morand (KarlMorand) on Twitter Sponsor: Scrivener - a powerful content-generation tool for writers that allows you to concentrate on composing and struc