Podcast appearances and mentions of al monitor

Assistons-nous au coup de grâce porté à la bande de Gaza et à ses habitants ? Question posée après l'adoption par Benjamin NETANYAHU et son cabinet d'un grand plan de conquête de la bande de Gaza qui passe par un déplacement de la population gazaouie, qui vit déjà un enfer humanitaire… Alors quels sont les véritables buts de guerre d'Israël ? Sommes nous entrés officiellement dans une logique d'annexion des territoires ? Comment arrêter ce carnage et envisager un avenir pour les deux peuples qui vivent sur cette terre ? On en débat ce mardi 6 mai avec nos invités : ▶︎ Clothilde Mraffko, Journaliste indépendante▶︎ Selim Nassib, Écrivain, journaliste, auteur de « Le génie de Beyrouth : Rue de la fortune de Dieu » aux éditions Dargaud (07.02.25)▶︎ Denis Charbit, Politiste, professeur de science politique à l'Open University of Israel , auteur de « Israël , l'impossible état normal » aux éditions Calmann-Levy (18.09.24)▶︎ Raphaël Pitti, Médecin humanitaire, fondateur de l'ONG Humanité, Solidarité et Médecine (HuSoMe)▶︎ Jadd Hilal, Écrivain, chercheur en littérature et philosophie▶︎ Rina Bassist, Journaliste correspondante pour la radio israélienne, rédactrice au journal américain Al-Monitor, ancienne diplomate israélienne

Une audience particulièrement houleuse s'est tenue ce mardi 8 avril 2025 devant la Cour suprême israélienne, symbole des tensions politiques dans le pays. Les recours contre le limogeage du chef de l'Agence de la sécurité intérieure (Shin Bet), Ronen Bar, étaient examinés. Cette décision est dénoncée par ses détracteurs comme une dérive autocratique du pouvoir. Tout comme le vote à l'unanimité, fin mars, d'une motion de défiance inédite contre la procureure générale Gali Baharav-Miara. Dans le contexte de l'offensive à Gaza et de la colonisation en Cisjordanie, Israël constitue-t-il encore une démocratie ? Qu'est-ce qui pourrait stopper le Premier ministre Benyamin Netanyahu ?Pour en débattre Sylvaine Bulle, sociologue, chercheuse à l'École des hautes études en sciences sociales), autrice du livre Sociologie de Jérusalem (Éditions de La Découverte, 2020) Rina Bassist, correspondante de la radio israélienne à Paris et rédactrice au journal Al-Monitor Éric Danon, ambassadeur de France en Israël de 2019 à 2023À lire aussiIsraël: Benyamin Netanyahu mis en cause pour «conflit d'intérêts» pour le renvoi du chef du Shin Bet

Une audience particulièrement houleuse s'est tenue ce mardi 8 avril 2025 devant la Cour suprême israélienne, symbole des tensions politiques dans le pays. Les recours contre le limogeage du chef de l'Agence de la sécurité intérieure (Shin Bet), Ronen Bar, étaient examinés. Cette décision est dénoncée par ses détracteurs comme une dérive autocratique du pouvoir. Tout comme le vote à l'unanimité, fin mars, d'une motion de défiance inédite contre la procureure générale Gali Baharav-Miara. Dans le contexte de l'offensive à Gaza et de la colonisation en Cisjordanie, Israël constitue-t-il encore une démocratie ? Qu'est-ce qui pourrait stopper le Premier ministre Benyamin Netanyahu ?Pour en débattre Sylvaine Bulle, sociologue, chercheuse à l'École des hautes études en sciences sociales), autrice du livre Sociologie de Jérusalem (Éditions de La Découverte, 2020) Rina Bassist, correspondante de la radio israélienne à Paris et rédactrice au journal Al-Monitor Éric Danon, ambassadeur de France en Israël de 2019 à 2023À lire aussiIsraël: Benyamin Netanyahu mis en cause pour «conflit d'intérêts» pour le renvoi du chef du Shin Bet

For months Turkey's President Erdogan has avoided wading into the latest peace process with Turkey's Kurds and the PKK. Last week he broke his silence, saying he was prepared to meet with members of the country's pro-Kurdish DEM Party who have played a key role in talks with Abdullah Ocalan. Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor's chief correspondent based in Paris and covering major stories on Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what Erdogan's willingness to engage with Kurdish leaders means for this process.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkey's Erdogan says he's ready to meet with Kurds brokering peace with PKKTurkey's Erdogan discusses Russia-Ukraine war, Syria in first official call with TrumpErdoğan's top rival detained, faces block to presidential candidacyTurkey detains Erdogan's main rival on array of chargesJake Sullivan: ‘We worked behind the scenes'

On Rising today, Robby Soave delivers his radar on President Biden's possible preemptive pardon of former chief of NIH'S National Institutes of Allergy And Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci. Joyce Karam, senior editor at Al-Monitor, weighs in on toppling of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria. President-elect Donald Trump gives his first major sit down interview to "Meet The Press" host Kristen Welker. The Lever's David Sirota discusses the fraud and greed within the health insurance industry, and the reaction over murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. A Manhattan jury acquits former marine Daniel Penny in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely. This and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Le 21 novembre 2024, la Cour pénale internationale émettait des mandats d'arrêt pour crimes de guerre et crimes contre l'humanité à l'encontre de trois personnalités politiques mises en cause dans la guerre à Gaza. Parmi elles, Benyamin Netanyahu. Depuis, la France a fait l'objet de critiques après avoir annoncé qu'elle n'arrêterait pas le Premier ministre israélien si celui-ci foulait le sol français, évoquant son immunité diplomatique. Benyamin Netanyahu doit-il être jugé ? Un dirigeant dans l'exercice de ses fonctions est-il voué à ne pas rendre de comptes ? Comment parfaire la justice internationale ? Pour en débattre :- Rina Bassist, correspondante israélienne à Paris, rédactrice pour le journal américain Al-Monitor, ancienne diplomate- Patrick Baudouin, président d'honneur de la Fédération internationale des droits humains (FIDH)- Yann Jurovics, maître de conférences en Droit international à l'Université Paris Saclay, ancien juriste auprès des tribunaux internationaux.

Le 21 novembre 2024, la Cour pénale internationale émettait des mandats d'arrêt pour crimes de guerre et crimes contre l'humanité à l'encontre de trois personnalités politiques mises en cause dans la guerre à Gaza. Parmi elles, Benyamin Netanyahu. Depuis, la France a fait l'objet de critiques après avoir annoncé qu'elle n'arrêterait pas le Premier ministre israélien si celui-ci foulait le sol français, évoquant son immunité diplomatique. Benyamin Netanyahu doit-il être jugé ? Un dirigeant dans l'exercice de ses fonctions est-il voué à ne pas rendre de comptes ? Comment parfaire la justice internationale ? Pour en débattre :- Rina Bassist, correspondante israélienne à Paris, rédactrice pour le journal américain Al-Monitor, ancienne diplomate- Patrick Baudouin, président d'honneur de la Fédération internationale des droits humains (FIDH)- Yann Jurovics, maître de conférences en Droit international à l'Université Paris Saclay, ancien juriste auprès des tribunaux internationaux.

Décryptage ce soir consacré aux commémorations du 7 octobre en Israël, un an après la terrible attaque terroriste perpétrée par le Hamas, qui a fait 1 205 morts, 251 personnes enlevées, des milliers de blessés dans ce qui reste le pire massacre qu'ait jamais connu l'État hébreu. Un an plus tard, le traumatisme demeure en Israël, et toute la région est également emportée dans cette descente aux enfers, avec la guerre meurtrière dans la bande de Gaza, étendue maintenant au Liban. Comment trouver un chemin vers la paix dans cette spirale sanglante ? On en parle ce soir avec notre invitée Rina Bassist, correspondante israélienne à Paris, rédactrice pour le journal américain Al-Monitor et Justine Fontaine, grand reporter à RFI  qui rentre de reportage en Israël.

Jim Muir, one of the most seasoned Western journalists in the Middle East, has been covering the Arab-Israeli conflict for almost 50 years. Muir tells Al-Monitor that the latest round of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah is unlike any other in the past, with unforeseeable consequences for both sides, as well for Lebanon and Iran.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Earlier this month a Turkish-flagged vessel suspected of carrying weapons to Libya blocked the EU's naval mission Irini from inspecting its cargo. This isn't the first time this has happened. The timing of this shipment, however, which comes amid an escalating row over the leadership of the country's Central Bank, is fueling speculation of renewed conflict in Libya. Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor's chief correspondent covering major stories on the Middle East and North Africa, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this unfolding crisis in Libya, and break down whether this should be a cause for concern in the Mediterranean.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Libyan Central Bank standoff fuels conflict fears as Turkey, Russia send weaponsFrom Turkey, exiled Libyan Central Bank governor decries 'coup d'etat'Burning oil tanker is safely towed away from Yemen after rebel attacksGreece to ban new short-term lets in Athens for at least a year

On this special Labor Day edition of RealClearPolitics, Andrew Walworth interviews presidential historian Tevi Troy on his new book, “The Power and the Money,” about the changing relationship between leading corporate CEOs and American presidents. Then, Tom Bevan interviews Andrew Parasiliti from Al-Monitor about the future of the Middle East and America's policy options in the region. Next, Carl Cannon talks to former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D. RI) about his efforts to help American families deal with addiction to prescription medication. And finally, RCP contributor Charlie Stone interviews retired journalist Frank Beaman about his experience covering the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago, including his encounter with Abbie Hoffman and the Yippies.

Daoud Kuttab, director general of the Amman-based Balad Radio discusses the new election law for the September 10 parliamentary race. Kuttab, a veteran Al-Monitor columnist, explains which political parties are expected to do well in the race. He details the key domestic policy issues being raised in the campaign along with how the Gaza war will impact the elections. Finally, Kuttab addresses expected voter turnout during the upcoming election.

Today we were pleased to host Gerald Kepes, President of Competitive Energy Strategies, and Sudan Maccio, Chief Legal Counsel of PetroTal, for a discussion focused on Venezuelan politics, energy and economics. Jerry has over 40 years of experience as a consultant and petroleum geologist and is a regular contributor to Al-Monitor on the geopolitics of energy in the Middle East and North Africa. Sudan started his career at PDVSA and brings over 30 years of extensive legal experience in global energy across legal, commercial, and leadership roles. We were thrilled to bring Jerry and Sudan together to discuss the recent Venezuelan election. In our conversation, Jerry and Sudan provide an overview of the recent election and the country's opposition to President Maduro's claimed victory. We discuss the current situation on the ground with ongoing protests, reactions from neighboring countries, the refugee crisis, how the military has been corrupted to support the ruling party and the potential for shifts in loyalty, and how the crisis is influencing global markets. We explore other geopolitical crises to understand potential strategy and outcomes, the possibilities and implications of foreign intervention, and influence from outside actors including Cuba, China, Russia, Iran and even Hezbollah. We also examine the role of the US in potentially intervening, possible outcomes, long-term implications, and much more. We ended by discussing how we can help the citizens of Venezuela and amplify their humanitarian needs. It was an enlightening discussion, and we are thankful to Jerry and Sudan for sharing their insights with us all. Mike Bradley opened the conversation by highlighting that U.S. markets, so far this week, are mostly in churn-mode and laser focused on Wednesday's FOMC Rate Decision Meeting. Bond traders expect the FED to leave interest rates unchanged but are hopeful Chairman Powell will indicate that the FED could be positioned, as early as September, to cut interest rates. WTI price has moved lower over the last few weeks due to growing fundamental concerns with 2H'24 oil demand (mostly slowing Chinese demand) but has plunged this week to ~$75/bbl mostly due to “technical” factors (Brent & WTI) breaking through 50/100/200 day moving averages which is leading to an unwind of “net” long interest in the crude complex. On the broader market front, he noted a continued rotation of AI/Big Tech names into the Russell 2000 due to a growing bet that the FED will be signaling a looser interest rate policy. The recent equity rotation could quickly unwind if the FED doesn't signal a looser interest rate policy at the upcoming FOMC meeting. He also noted Q2 reporting up to this point has been dominated by Oil Services and natural-gas levered E&Ps but is now broadening out to all energy subsectors. He flagged a few key themes coming from Q2 calls including lower onshore oil service activity levels, a continuation of natural gas curtailments, and U.S. refiners highlighting that weaker refining cracks are resulting in global refining run cuts. Jeff Tillery also joined and added his perspective and inquiries to the discussion. We hope you find the discussion as insightful as we did. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Venezuelan people and we are hopeful for a peaceful and democratic resolution. Our best to you all. Thank you for your support and friendship!

Hamidreza Azizi is a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. He tells Al-Monitor that Iran's proxies in Yemen, Iraq and Syria will likely carry out a coordinated campaign to avenge Haniyeh's death and that the chances of a ceasefire in Gaza have been dealt a crippling blow. The risk of a full-blown regional conflict is rising.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A few months ago, thousands of Armenians took to the streets in anti-government protests calling on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign. Protesters, led by Archbishop Galstanyan, have blasted Pashinyan for what they see as endless concessions being made to Azerbaijan and Turkey with nothing to show for it in return. Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor's chief correspondent covering major stories on the Middle East and North Africa who has covered conflicts in Iraq, Syria and the South Caucasus, joins me to look into these protests and break down what's at stake in the region as Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey, continues to demand further concessions from Armenia.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Archbishop seeking Armenian PM's ouster over concessions to Turkey, Azerbaijan down but not outDiplomatic efforts to decrease tensions as Turkey deploys warships near KasosTensions rise again in the AegeanPM: Progress, lost chances in past 50 yrs

Former Turkish Prime Minister and leader of the pro-Islamic Future Party Ahmet Davutoglu met with Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Khaled Meshal this week and shared their conditions for peace with Al-Monitor. Davutoglu sharply criticized the governments of Turkey and Arab states, saying they had done close to nothing for Gaza.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Claims that Turkish President Erdogan has canceled an upcoming meeting at the White House have been circulating in Turkish media. With neither Washington nor Ankara formally denying the rumors, it is raising more questions about whether they are true or not. In the meantime, it seems Ankara is once again putting up hurdles with regard to NATO, this time over the approval of former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the new secretary-general. Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor's chief correspondent covering major stories on the Middle East and North Africa, including Turkey, joins Thanos Davelis to get to the bottom of these rumors around Erdogan's White House visit.Read Amberin Zaman's latest here: Has Turkey's Erdogan axed his Biden meeting because of Israel?You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:French ask to borrow air defense systemPyatt: Greece can cover 80% of needs via RES

Less than a year after securing another term, Turkish President Erdogan's Justice and Development Party suffered its worst defeat in its 22-year history in Sunday's municipal elections. All eyes were on Istanbul, where Ekrem Imamoglu easily won reelection and is increasingly cementing his place as Erdogan's political challenger. Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor's chief correspondent covering major stories on the Middle East and North Africa, including Turkey, joins Thanos Davelis to break down Sunday's results, what this defeat means for Erdogan, and look at whether the opposition's resurgence can now reshape Turkey's national politics. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suffers an electoral disasterTurkish local elections: Opposition stuns Erdogan with historic victoryDefense Min unveils ‘Agenda 2030' for armed forces restructuringMitsotakis launches campaign for Euro elections stressing security, stabilityPM notes high stakes of Euro elections

In a major escalation in the Middle East crisis, three US service members were killed and dozens more injured in a drone strike on the Syrian-Jordanian border by the Iranian-backed Islamic Resistance. This comes as attacks on US personnel in Iraq and Syria have surged since October, and as Washington has been debating a full withdrawal from Syria. Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor's chief correspondent covering major stories on the Middle East and North Africa, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this latest deadly attack, what it could mean for the region, and what a potential US withdrawal from Syria would mean for America's partners on the ground - the Syrian Kurds - and for the fight against ISIS.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:U.S. troops killed, wounded in Jordan attack blamed on Iranian proxiesPentagon floats plan for its Syrian Kurd allies to partner with Assad against ISISAmerica Is Planning to Withdraw From Syria—and Create a DisasterUS opens F-35 window to AnkaraUS ready to welcome Turkey ‘back into F-35 family' if S-400 issue is resolved

Tensions between the United States and Iran-backed Houthi rebels continue to escalate in the Red Sea, disrupting maritime traffic in a key shipping lane. A barrage of US airstrikes against the Houthis shows little signs of slowing them down. The Shiite rebels insist they won't stop targeting merchant ships and US naval vessels unless Israel ends its war against Palestinians in Gaza. Kuwaiti academic Bader Al-Saif tell Al-Monitor they should be taken at their word. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Egypt has been coming under “conflicting pressures” as the war in Gaza unfolds, both from Israel, the US, the EU, Hamas, and its public, all while looking at a potential economic crisis at home, leading to a difficult balancing act for Egypt. Despite these pressures, Egypt's role in this conflict has become increasingly pivotal for the US. The recent visit by CIA Director William Burns to Egypt and Congress's “exceptionally fast” confirmation of Washington's new ambassador to Egypt underscore this importance. Sean Mathews joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the tightrope Egypt's President Sisi is walking amid the war in Gaza, and look at the increasingly pivotal role Cairo is playing.Sean Mathews is a journalist for Middle East Eye based in Greece and the wider region writing about business, security and politics. His coverage spans from across the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans. His reporting has also appeared in Al Jazeera, The Economist, and Al Monitor.Read Sean Mathews' latest: Riled by Israel's Gaza plans, Egypt pushes backYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Israel-Gaza: Neighboring Egypt's tricky tightrope actEU throws weight behind Cypriot plan to ship aid to GazaCyprus outlines plan for maritime corridor to get aid to GazaAs price of olive oil soars, chainsaw-wielding thieves target Mediterranean's century-old treesSharp decline in olive oil production projected

In another special edition of the podcast, we have the audio from the fourth edition of our live Q&A webinar series on the Israel-Hamas war, where Al-Monitor's Columnist Ali Hashem, Senior News Editor Joyce Karam, and Palestine Columnist Daoud Kuttab discussed the conflict's latest developments, including Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah's big speech and calls by US President Joe Biden for a humanitarian pause in the fighting, as well as answered guest questions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal  First –   Axios World Editor Laurin-Whitney Gottbrath and Al-Monitor senior news editor Joyce Karam discuss regional and global reaction to the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas.  Then- we dig into Congress's role in foreign policy - as the White House prepares to send its 100-billion dollar supplemental funding request for aid to Israel and Ukraine. That conversation with Jordan Tama of American University's school of International Service. Plus – NPR "Morning Edition" co-host and author Steve Inskeep discusses his latest book "Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America."    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Turkey's President Erdogan appears to be shifting away from his initial moderate tone following the shocking Hamas terror attack this past weekend. Instead, he slammed Israel and the US this week over their response to this terrorist attack. At the same time, Erdogan vowed on Wednesday to escalate Ankara's ongoing military campaign against the Kurds in northeast Syria even as Syrian Kurds accuse Turkey of war crimes. Amberin Zaman, the chief correspondent of Al Monitor, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss Erdogan's latest escalation of rhetoric against Israel and the US, look into his threats to step up Ankara's military campaign against the Kurds in northeast Syria, and break down whether Syria's Kurds are slipping further down Washington's list of priorities following the Hamas attack.Read Amberin Zaman's latest here: Syrian Kurds accuse Turkey of war crimes as Erdogan vows escalationTurkey's Erdogan strikes moderate stance as Israel-Hamas war ragesYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to the Situation in and in Relation to SyriaGaza war tests fragile Israel-Turkey rapprochement as Erdogan ups rhetoricWhy Israel-Hamas is Erdoğan's new ‘mission impossible'EU Commission's Schinas stresses ‘respect for democracy' for West Balkans' accessionGreeks denounce Albanian trial of mayor-elect as politicalND aiming for complete dominance

Episode 105! Amjad Ahmad, a leading venture capitalist and seasoned investment professional with extensive experience in VC and private equity in emerging markets, joins The 966. Amjad discusses the VC ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, the MENA region, and globally today. In addition to over two decades of experience investing in the region, Amjad is also chairman and founding director of the EmpowerME initiative at the Atlantic Council, a program which empowers entrepreneurs, women, and the private sector in the region and which oversees in collaboration with Georgetown University the WIn Fellowship, a fully sponsored year-long program for female entrepreneurs from the region. Amjad also sits on the board of directors for several companies in the US and across the region. Before the discussion, the hosts discuss crypto in the MENA region, an incredible report on giga-projects from Knight Frank highlighting growth in Saudi Arabia, and much more in the concluding Yallah! segment. 6:50 - Richard's One Big Thing is crypto in the MENA region and the region's growth as a player in that space. Saudi Arabia is the fastest growing crypto economy globally amid a regional drive in the sector. The kingdom led globally with a 12% increase in crypto transaction volume reaching nearly $31 billion from July 2022 through June 2023, according to an industry report released Tuesday cited by Al Monitor. 17:27 - Lucien's One Big Thing is a recent report from the real estate firm Knight Frank on Saudi Arabia, which included an excellent update on the progress and top-level figures of Saudi Arabia's giga-projects. This one is available online and published by 2x previous guest of The 966, Faisal Durrani, who is partner and head of MENA research for the global real estate firm. The firm reviews how the total value of real estate (and infrastructure) projects since the launch of Saudi Arabia's National Transformation Plan in 2016 has crossed US$ 1.25 trillion. "The phenomenal transformation in 2022's fastest- growing major global economy is clearly visible across the entire urban landscape, with the Kingdom's Giga projects set to deliver a new urban future for Saudi Arabia through a transformed and vastly expanded residential, office, retail, hospitality and industrial offering, designed to support the projected population growth which is expected to top 50 million by 2030 (government forecasts) as well as the arrival of 100 million international visitors by 2030," the report said. 24:18 - Amjad Ahmad, a leading venture capitalist and seasoned investment professional with extensive experience in VC and private equity in emerging markets, joins The 966.1:24:30 - Yallah! 6 top storylines to get you up to speed on Saudi Arabia this week. Saudi Arabia said on Monday it has decided to end light-touch oversight of its nuclear activities by the U.N. atomic watchdog and switch to full-blown safeguards, a change the agency has been demanding for years.Soudah Peaks is Saudi's new luxury mountain destination opening in Aseer in 2033. Spanning across 627 square kilometres, it will sit 3,015 metres above sea level on the highest mountain peak in Saudi and will have 2,700 keys, 1,336 residential units, over 30 attractions and 80,000 square metres of commerical space.As many as 500 leaders, sector experts and officials from 120 countries are expected to attend the World Tourism Day in Riyadh on September 27-28, the organising committee for the events said. World Tourism Day 2023 will be held under the slogan “Green Tourism and Investment”. Saudi traffic authorities have said a visitor is allowed to use a foreign driving licence for one year in the kingdom, which is seeking to attract more tourists as part of efforts to diversify its oil-reliant economy.In a significant move toward economic diversification and revolutionizing the national transportation landscape, the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority has granted Lucid Motors a permit to operate a manufacturing unit in King Abdullah Economic City. The Saudi foreign minister addressed the UN General Assembly on 24 September in a speech calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state and a “just, comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue” while criticizing Israel for its ongoing illegal building of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Episode 95! Following several weeks of amazing special guests on the program (with many more to come in the weeks and months ahead) the hosts fly solo this week and discuss some of the biggest storylines and topics on Saudi Arabia this week. First, the hosts discuss Richard's one big thing this week, the Islamic new year. Muslims around the world observe and celebrate the Islamic New Year, also called the Hijri New Year, which marks the beginning of a new lunar Hijri year. The Islamic year is several days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, so its first day changes every year. Then the hosts discuss Lucien's one big thing, a global heat wave that has areas of the Middle East breaking records. On July 16, 2023, Persian Gulf International Airport in Iran reported a heat index of 152°F (66.7°C). In Riyadh this week, high temps are hovering around 115 degrees or so, which is about 46 degrees celsius. The hosts conclude the program as always with six top storylines on Saudi Arabia to get you up to speed heading into the weekend. 7:47 - Richard's one big thing this week is a discussion of the Islamic new year. Muslims around the world observe and celebrate the Islamic New Year, also called the Hijri New Year, which marks the beginning of a new lunar Hijri year. The Islamic year is several days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, so its first day changes every year.15:45 - Lucien's one big thing, a global heat wave that has areas of the Middle East breaking records. On July 16, 2023, Persian Gulf International Airport in Iran reported a heat index of 152°F (66.7°C). In Riyadh this week, high temps are hovering around 115 degrees or so, which is about 46 degrees celsius.27:06 - Yallah! Six top storylines on Saudi Arabia to get you up to date heading into the weekend. •Saudi Arabia was the most active country for contract awards in a recent MEED survey for 2022. •Saudi Arabia agreed on Tuesday to buy Turkish drones in the biggest defence contract in Turkey's history as President Tayyip Erdogan reaped the benefits of his diplomatic push to repair ties with Gulf powers and help Ankara's struggling economy. •Saudi Arabia was considered the 28th best country to live in as an expat and the United States ranked 30th, according to the Expat Insider 2023.•The Japanese premier, Fumio Kishida, kicked off his Gulf tour over the weekend with a stop in Saudi Arabia.•An official from Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed to Al-Monitor that work has begun on a land bridge project connecting the country to Saudi Arabia, and that it will operate even if diplomatic ties between the two countries are not officially normalized.•Saudi Arabia was announced as the host of the 2027 Pan Arab Games at the conclusion of this year's  multi-sport event in Algeria.

President Erdogan's recent “U-turn” on Sweden's accession to NATO has led to a number of observers wondering whether Turkey may be pivoting away from Russia and returning to the West, with some asking how long Erdogan's special relationship with Putin can last. Amberin Zaman, a senior correspondent reporting from the Middle East, North Africa and Europe exclusively for Al-Monitor, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why none of Erdogan's latest moves amount to a pivot away from Russia any more than they signal a real reset with the West. Instead, this is simply Erdogan navigating Ankara's relationships in ways that he believes best benefit Turkey's interests and above all his own political survival.Read Amberin Zaman's latest piece in Al Monitor here: Erdogan's NATO moves agitate Russia but don't spell Turkey's sharp shift to WestYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Russia's war might have a new casualty: The Putin-Erdogan bondTurkey's Double Dealing in the Ukraine WarTourism enjoys total recoveryBold agenda for Greek-Turkish relations

In recent months, the Middle East has witnessed significant developments that could reshape the global order, rivaling the impact of Russia's war on Ukraine. These include China's efforts to reconcile Iran and Saudi Arabia, the Arab League's celebration of Syria's President Assad's return, Saudi Arabia's applications to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICs, countries like Morocco, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey distancing themselves from political Islam, and the strengthening web of diplomatic, economic, and financial ties among China, Saudi Arabia, other Arab countries, Iran, and Russia. These changes indicate the emergence of a new Middle Eastern political order, where the influence of the United States and Europe is anticipated to diminish. Gilles Kepel, a renowned Middle East expert and Al-Monitor columnist, recently discussed these transformative changes on the New Thinking for a New World podcast.

Athens is currently on the radar for many looking to purchase real estate, but it has also emerged as a magnet for Israelis looking to escape a cost of living crisis at home, and more recently, Israel's political turmoil. The real estate boom is unique as it coincides with a strengthening of ties between Greece and Israel, underlining how deepening political relations are trickling down to local economies. Israelis aren't the only ones in the Middle East looking to Athens as a base, as people from around the region have their eyes on the Greek capital. Sean Mathews, an Athens based journalist, joins Thanos Davelis to look at why Israelis are drawn to Athens, what this means for Athenian real estate, and why Athens has emerged as a safe bet for many across the region.Sean Mathews is an Athens based journalist for Middle East Eye writing about business, security and politics. His coverage spans from across the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans. His reporting has also appeared in Al Jazeera, The Economist, and Al Monitor.Read Sean Mathew's latest article in the Middle East Eye: In Greece, Israelis find cheap property, nightlife and political refugeYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Russia, Syria, Turkey and Iran hold high-level talks in MoscowChristodoulides: The Cyprus problem is a European concern

We are back to our roots this week with a talk about finance - and fintech in particular. To lend some further expertise to the conversation, I invited London-based financial journalist Harry Clynch to the show as we discuss fintech, AI, and Bitcoin and where he thinks this ship is heading. Enjoy the show! ______________________________________________________________ ABOUT OUR GUEST: Harry Clynch is a financial journalist based in London. He is the Features Editor at Disruption Banking and writes about financial markets and international affairs for a wide range of publications, including The Spectator, Al-Monitor, The Africa Report, African Business, and more. ______________________________________________________________ CONTACT HARRY: Website: https://www.disruptionbanking.com/author/harryclynch/ Email: clynchharry@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-clynch-6bb338112/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/clynchharry ______________________________________________________________ SOCIAL LINKS: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AaronKatsmanLC/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AaronKatsman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-katsman-6550441/ ______________________________________________________________ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-aaron-katsman-show/id1192234142 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-aaron-katsman-show Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1lePc1pC0giBFV1nzCGsQR ______________________________________________________________ VISIT MY WEBSITE: Website: https://www.aaronkatsman.com/ ______________________________________________________________ CONTACT ME: Email me: aaron@lighthousecapital.co.il ______________________________________________________________ DISCLAIMER: Aaron Katsman is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call 02-624-0995 for a consultation on how to handle U.S. brokerage accounts from Israel. This video is for education purposes only and is not intended to give investment, legal or tax advice. If such advice is needed, contact a licensed professional who can help you. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not of Portfolio Resources Group Inc., or its affiliates. Neither PRG nor its affiliates give tax or legal advice.

As Turkey threatens to mount a fresh ground assault against the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in northeast Syria, America's Syrian Kurdish allies are warning that Washington and the Kremlin need to take a much firmer stance to prevent a Turkish offensive that will further undermine the battle against the Islamic State. While Washington has expressed “strong opposition” to a new Turkish military operation in Syria, sources have also indicated that Turkey is spurning all mediation efforts. Amberin Zaman, a senior correspondent reporting from the Middle East, North Africa and Europe exclusively for Al-Monitor, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the increasing likelihood of a Turkish offensive, the response from Washington and Moscow, and the options on the table for Syria's Kurds. Read Amberin Zaman's latest reports here: Syrian Kurdish commander says Kobani likely target of threatened Turkish ground offensiveSyrian Kurdish commander slams US response to Turkish attacks as US diplomats evacuated from SyriaAmerican aid volunteer David Eubank says Syrian Kurds feel even more betrayed by US in wake of Turkey's most recent attacksYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greece to get EU-funded anti-disinformation hubGreece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary agree to boost gas grid interconnections

Turkey is threatening to mount a fresh ground assault against the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in northeast Syria after a wave of airstrikes that left 11 civilians and numerous Kurdish fighters dead. US officials say they are trying to de-escalate the situation, but their Syrian Kurdish allies say Washington's response has been weak and is unlikely to stave off another Turkish offensive. David Eubank, founder of the Free Burma Rangers, a volunteer group that assists civilians in conflict zones, came out of northeast Syria yesterday where he witnessed the devastation wreaked by Turkey's latest airstrikes. He told Al-Monitor that the sense of betrayal by the United States is even deeper than when President Donald Trump gave Turkey the green light to invade large chunks of northeast Syria in 2019. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With the world's attention focused on Ukraine, Turkey has escalated its campaign against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) across its own borders in Iraq and Syria. Meghan Bodette, director of research at the Kurdish Peace Institute in Washington DC, tells Al-Monitor that Turkey is increasingly targeting activists, politicians and other civilian figures associated with the Kurdish political movement founded by imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. This is because Turkey fears the legitimacy such individuals lend to Kurdish aspirations. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

While everyone's attention is on Ukraine, key developments in Syria have gone under the radar. Recent reports put the spotlight on Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the jihadi faction that runs the northwestern province of Idlib, which had moved into Afrin, the Kurdish-majority enclave that was occupied by Turkey in 2018. This move, and the broader trend we are seeing of gradual HTS expansion and consolidation have raised questions about where Turkey stands in this power grab as it's an open secret that Turkey and HTS collaborate on the ground. Amberin Zaman, a senior correspondent reporting from the Middle East, North Africa and Europe exclusively for Al-Monitor, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what's at stake in northern Syria. Read Amberin Zaman's piece in Al Monitor here: Are Syria's HTS jihadis Turkey's new friends?You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Zelenskyy thanks Greece for tanks, EU bid, solidarityErdoğan gears up for huge pre-election spending spree in TurkeyTurkey set to increase defense spending

Al-Monitor's Business Correspondent Salim Essaid discusses Saudi Arabia's investments in esports; trends in cryptocurrency markets in the Gulf; AI governance in the UAE; the region's evolution as a hub in global climate policy, and Al-Monitor's Pro coverage.Saudi esports success depends on local businesses, say industry players - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle EastLatest PRO Memo: NEOM's ambitious concepts present funding, feasibility challenges for Saudi Arabia - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle EastUN envoy welcomes climate spotlight on Egypt, Africa - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle EastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sam is a tutor of politics and international relations at the University of Oxford, and an Associate Fellow at the British defence think tank, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). He contributes regularly to media outlets, such as Foreign Policy, the Washington Post, Newsweek, and Al-Monitor, and think tanks, such as the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Middle East Institute. In this podcast we discuss: 1) What was behind Ukraine's recent counter-offensive win. 2) Why the Russian army is weaker than expected. 3) Why the counter-offensive started in September. 4) How the West is supporting Ukraine. 5) How internal dissent within the West could reduce support. 6) Whether Russia has any gas leverage left with Europe. 7) Status of the new war front between Armenia and Azerbaijan. 8) Whether Putin's popularity suffered. 9) How the main players around Putin are faring. 10) Whether Ukraine aims to recapture the Donbas and Crimea. 11) Whether there are peace talks. 12) Points of escalation from Russia. 12) Lessons from Russia-Chechnya wars.

Adam Lucente, Al-Monitor correspondent, discusses the background, controversy and prospects for LIV Golf, the professional tour backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.Golf commentator who criticized Saudi-backed LIV Golf sued for defamation - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle EastSaudi Public Investment Fund acquires shares in Amazon, Google, Uber - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East9/11 victims protest Saudi-funded LIV Golf event at Trump course - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle EastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ali Hashem, Al-Monitor columnist and journalist for Al Jazeera English, discusses the latest on the Iran nuclear deal, what it means for the region, and how it could open up the prospect of direct US-Iran diplomacy under the JCPOAJoint Commission.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gilad Halpern is a journalist, broadcaster and media historian. He is the News and Current Affairs Editor at TLV1 Radio, and host of The Tel Aviv Review, a podcast dedicated to all things intellectual (and Israeli). He is an Idit Fellow at the University of Haifa, researching the history of the Jewish press in Mandatory Palestine. Previously, he was Managing Editor for Ynetnews and Assignments Editor for Haaretz English Edition. His work appeared on the BBC, Al Jazeera, Al Monitor, Time Out magazine, the Jewish Quarterly and the Jewish Chronicle. Gilad will be teaching HUM 410 Studies in Popular Culture and HUM 580 Media and Conflict. 

Elizabeth Hagedorn, Al-Monitor State Department Correspondent, and Andrew give their takes on US Iran Envoy Rob Malley's testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, why the Iran nuclear deal still has a pulse, the turnaround in US-Saudi relations, and US President Joe Biden's upcoming travel to the Middle East.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Al-Monitor columnist Daoud Kuttab discusses the background to the confrontations at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and what comes next, whether Hamas is gaining in the West Bank, Palestinian perceptions of the Israeli Arab Raam Party, and more!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

4 de mayo | San Juan, ArgentinaAccurate description de la Met Gala. Bienvenido a La Wikly.Leer esta newsletter te llevará 7 minutos y 12 segundos.

Al-Monitor columnist Kadri Gursel discusses the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on Turkey's economy and domestic politics; why Turkey is well-positioned as mediator between Kyiv and Moscow; why the purchase of the S-400 was ‘a consequence of distress' and ‘doomed to fail;' Turkey's policies toward Syria and the Kurds; whether Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman can bury the hatchet; why the 2023 elections will be a ‘remarkable example'' for Turkey's democratic transition; and more!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

De acuerdo al Monitor de Sequía, 68.90 % de la superficie del país registra afectaciones por la falta de lluviasDiputados del PRI presentaron una iniciativa, a fin de mantener las escuelas de tiempo completoEl gobierno chino acusa a Estados Unidos de financiar 26 laboratorios biológicos en Ucrania

The arrival of two superyachts belonging to the sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich in Turkey this week comes amid international efforts to freeze assets belonging to Russian billionaires with links to Russia's President Vladimir Putin, and is raising concerns in the West that Turkey could become a haven for Russian oligarchs looking to avoid sanctions. So far, Turkey has not joined in on sanctions against Russia, opting to carve out a middle road that enables it to maintain ties with both Russia and Ukraine in an effort to play a mediating role. Amberin Zaman joins our host Thanos Davelis to explore whether Turkey might become a haven for sanctioned Russians, discuss Turkey's broader role in illicit financing, and look at how this could impact Turkey's relations with the West.Amberin Zaman is a staff correspondent for Al-Monitor covering the Middle East, with a particular focus on Syria, Iraq, and Turkey.Read Amberin Zaman's latest piece for Al-Monitor here: Will Turkey become haven for sanctioned Russians?You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Roman Abramovich's yachts sail into Turkish squall over sanctionsEU leaders wrangle with issue of oil and gas imports from Russia at summitEU agrees on Russia sanctions so far, but energy dividesWest rejects Russia's rouble payments 'blackmail' as it rallies behind UkraineMitsotakis: NATO unified on backing Ukraine

How will Turkey's military and diplomatic support to Ukraine — while disassociating from the Western campaign to limit Russia's reach — determine its regional policies going forward? How will Armenia and Karabakh be impacted? How will negotiations regarding opening the Turkey-Armenia border figure into Turkey's calculus for its role in the region? Amberin Zaman is a veteran Turkish journalist who has covered Turkey and the region for a variety of international publications. She is Senior Correspondent for Al-Monitor. She speaks with Institute Director Salpi Ghazarian on the view of the Ukraine war from Turkey. This is Episode 10 of the limited series called Ukraine, Armenia & War. For more, visit Armenian.usc.edu.

Bijan Khajehpour, managing partner at Eurasian Nexus Partners and Al-Monitor columnist, explains how Iran's economic potential, and the prospects for foreign investment, depend on sanctions relief which would result from a nuclear deal; Raisi's progress on COVID vaccinations; Iran's relationships with Russia and China; and an update on Siamak Namazi, unjustly detained six years in Iran.https://amwaj.media/article/budget-1401https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/12/how-feasible-raisis-economic-roadmap-iranhttps://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/01/irans-days-rage-soleimani-anniversary-have-their-limitsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An interview with Al-Monitor contributor Osama Al-Sharif on Jordan's efforts to advance political reform. The episode discusses Jordanian public attitudes toward the reform measures and if the latest royal committee will lead to a strong parliamentary system.

Show NotesEpisode 5 - The Women of AlexandriaRaya and Sakina have become legends in Egypt, infamous for being the sisters who murdered the sex workers of Alexandria and burying them underneath their homes. Parents will no longer give their children the names “Raya” and “Sakina,” fearing they are cursed. Egyptians tell misbehaving children that the sisters will come for them if they don't do as they're told. But do the sisters deserve this infamy? And if they don't, then who were the real serial killers of Alexandria in 1920?Sources:Al-Hefnawy, Marwa. “Stinging Sisters.” Arab News. Saudi Research & Publishing Company, May 31, 2007. https://www.arabnews.com/node/299048. Awad, Mohamed. “The Metamorphosis of Mansheyah.” Edited by Hannah Davis Taieb and Kenneth Brown. Alexandria in Egypt, 1996. Bizawe, Eyal Sagui. “Sisters Without Mercy: Behind Egypt's Most Infamous Murder Case.” Haaretz. Haaretz Daily Newspaper, December 27, 2014. https://www.haaretz.com/.premium-sisters-without-mercy-1.5352259. Chiti, Elena. “Building a National Case in Interwar Egypt: Raya and Sakina's Crimes through the Pages of Al-Ahrām (Fall 1920).” History Compass, February 15, 2020. Esquire Staff. “New Series 'The Alexandria Killings' to Profile Egypt's Most Notorious Serial Killers.” Esquire Middle East. ITP Media Group, April 20, 2021. https://www.esquireme.com/content/52037-egypts-most-notorious-serial-killers-raya-and-sakina-tv-series-the-alexandria-killings. Mahmoud, Rasha. “Alexandria's France Street Still Living in Its Golden Age.” Al-Monitor. Al-Monitor, November 2, 2017. https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2017/11/france-st-reflects-alexandias-rich-heritage.htm. Moger, Robin. “An Excerpt from the Men of Raya and Sakina.” Jadaliyya. Jadaliyya, May 4, 2020. https://www.jadaliyya.com/Details/41064. Mustafa, Marie. “'Raya We Sakina Min Tani' Launches on Aug. 13 in Alexandria.” Egypt Today, August 14, 2019. https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/73863/Raya-we-Sakina-min-tani-launches-on-Aug-13-in. Rizk, Yunan Labib. “The Women Killers.” Al-Ahram Weekly, no. 434 (June 1999). St. Estephe. “Raya & Sekina Aly Hammam, Egyptian Serial Killing Sisters - 1920.” Unknown Gender History, February 8, 2015. https://unknownmisandry.blogspot.com/2011/09/raya-sakina-ablel-al-egyptian-serial.html. Takla, Nefertiti Mary. “Murder in Alexandria: The Gender, Sexual and Class Politics of Criminality in Egypt, 1914 - 1921,” 2016. “THE FITUWA: SALAH EISSA'S RAYA AND SAKINA IN ROBIN MOGER'S TRANSLATION.” The Sultan's Seal, February 3, 2018. https://sultansseal.com/2018/02/03/the-fituwa-salah-eissas-raya-and-sakina-in-robin-mogers-translation/. Music: Dellasera by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com