Podcasts about arab american institute

Send us a textMargot Patterson talks to Dr. James Zogby about the Trump administration's effort to deport foreign students and scholars who have protested Israel's war on Gaza. The attempt to stifle dissent over U.S. support for Israel is part of a larger attack on free speech and academic freedom at universities that the Trump administration is waging. Pollster, Middle East scholar and the founder and president of the Arab-American Institute, the political and policy research arm of the Arab-American community, Dr. Zogby says what's being dismantled is an architecture of human rights that will not easily be rebuilt.

James Zogby, founder and president of the Arab American Institute and former member of the DNC's Executive Committee, gives his take on the state of the Democratic Party and trending political stories. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Ahmed Moor speaks with political strategist and former FMEP Fellow Rania Batrice together with Maya Berry, Executive Director of the Arab American Institute, and Margaret Zaknoen DeReus, Executive Director of the IMEU Policy Project. They discuss the role of Israel's genocide in Gaza – and the U.S.'s facilitation of it through weapons and political support – in the 2024 elections, drawing from newly available data, including the IMEU Policy Project's January 2025 poll, which shows that "Gaza was a top issue for Biden 2020 Voters Who Cast A Ballot For Someone Besides Harris."  They look at voter behavior among Arab Americans and in many other communities, at relationships between the Democratic Party and grassroots activists, and at the ways in which Arab Americans have been blamed for the Democratic loss. Key Resources: New Poll Shows Gaza Was A Top Issue For Biden 2020 Voters Who Cast A Ballot For Someone Besides Harris, from the IMEU: https://www.imeupolicyproject.org/postelection-polling Depressing the Vote: Genocide and 2024 US Presidential Race, Halah Ahmad, Al Shabaka: https://al-shabaka.org/briefs/depressing-the-vote-genocide-and-2024-us-presidential-race/ Rania Batrice is the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, an activist and strategist for progressive change, a public relations specialist, and a political consultant. Rania has worked as a Democratic operative for over twenty years, lending her expertise across political, non-profit, legislative strategy and crisis management both in the United States and around the world. For Bernie Sanders' 2016 run for president, she served as Iowa Communications Director, the National Director of Surrogates and as Deputy Campaign Manager. In addition to Rania's expertise in strategy, policy and communications, her portfolio includes over 15 years of experience in conflict resolution, mediation, and organizational development. Her firm, Batrice and Associates, has worked for social justice through a variety of avenues, collaborating with organizations including Human Rights Watch, the Arab American Institute, March for Our Lives, Color of Change, March For Science, Sunrise Movement, and NDN Collective and more. Rania has been a featured speaker for a wide range of events, including addressing climate change at the Social Good Summit, the UN Youth Climate Summit and the UN General Assembly. Maya Berry is Executive Director of the Arab American Institute (AAI), a non-profit, nonpartisan, national civil rights advocacy organization founded to nurture and encourage direct participation in our political and civic life to mobilize a strong, educated, and empowered Arab American community. She previously worked at AAI, establishing its first government relations department, which she led for five years before becoming Legislative Director for House Minority Whip David Bonior, where she managed the Congressman's legislative strategy and developed policies on international relations, human rights, immigration, civil rights and liberties, and trade. Margaret Zaknoen DeReus is the Executive Director of the IMEU Policy Project, which is affiliated with the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU).  Ahmed Moor is a Palestinian-American writer born in Gaza. He is an advisory board member of the US Campaign for Palestinian rights, co-editor of After Zionism (Saqi Books) and is currently writing a book about Palestine. He also currently serves on the board of the Independence Media Foundation. His work has been published in The Guardian, The London Review of Books, The Nation, and elsewhere. He earned a BA at the University of Pennsylvania and an MPP at Harvard University. Original music by Jalal Yaquoub.

Omar Baddar and Jake Newfield debate whether Israel is an Apartheid State, and also whether Jihadism and Terrorism are caused by oppression. Omar is a Palestinian-American political analyst, human rights advocate, and digital producer based in Washington, DC. He is the Communications Director at Public Citizen and formerly served as Deputy Director of the Arab American Institute. With an M.A. in International Relations, he focuses on U.S. policy in the Middle East and has appeared on CNN, BBC, and Al Jazeera. His writings on Middle Eastern conflicts and progressive advocacy have been featured in Newsweek and HuffPost. For the Sake of Argument podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jakenewfield Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4k9DDGJz02ibpUpervM5EY Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/for-the-sake-of-argument/id1567749546 Twitter: https://twitter.com/JakeNewfield Timeline: 00:00 - Introduction 00:36 - Syria: Assad's collapse 05:13 - Ceasefire with Hezbollah 07:41 - Donald Trump 12:41 - Iran 14:17 - DEBATE: Israel vs Palestine 23:18 - Is Israel an Apartheid State? 27:51 - Jihadism

Ralph welcomes Marc Rotenberg, founder and president of the Center for AI and Digital Policy to fill us in on the latest international treaty aimed at putting guardrails on the potential Frankenstein monster that is Artificial Intelligence. Plus, as we get to the end of the Medicare enrollment period, we put out one last warning for listeners to avoid the scam that is Medicare Advantage.Marc Rotenberg is the founder and president of the Center for AI and Digital Policy, a global organization focused on emerging challenges associated with Artificial Intelligence. He serves as an expert advisor on AI policy to many organizations including the Council of Europe, the Council on Foreign Relations, the European Parliament, the Global Partnership on AI, the OECD, and UNESCO. What troubles me is the gap between an increasingly obscure, technical, and complex technology—abbreviated into “AI” —and public understanding. You know, when motor vehicles came and we tried to regulate them and did, people understood motor vehicles in their daily lives. When solar energy started coming on, they saw solar roof panels. They could see it, they could understand it, they could actually work putting solar panels on roofs of buildings. This area is just producing a massively expanding gap between the experts from various disciplines, and the power structure of corporatism, and their government servants and the rest of the people in the world.Ralph NaderThe difference between these two types of [AI] systems is that with the old ones we could inspect them and interrogate them. If one of the factors being used for an outcome was, for example, race or nationality, we could say, well, that's impermissible and you can't use an automated system in that way. The problem today with the probabilistic systems that US companies have become increasingly reliant on is that it's very difficult to actually tell whether those factors are contributing to an outcome. And so for that reason, there are a lot of computer scientists rightly concerned about the problem of algorithmic bias.Marc Rotenberg[The sponsors of California SB 1047] wanted companies that were building these big complicated systems to undertake a safety plan, identify the harms, and make those plans available to the Attorney General…In fact, I work with many governments around the world on AI regulation and this concept of having an impact assessment is fairly obvious. You don't want to build these large complex systems without some assessment of what the risk might be.Marc RotenbergWe've always understood that when you create devices that have consequences, there has to be some circuit breaker. The companies didn't like that either. [They said] it's too difficult to predict what those scenarios might be, but that was almost precisely the point of the legislation, you see, because if those scenarios exist and you haven't identified them yet, you choose to deploy these large foundational models without any safety mechanism in place, and all of us are at risk. So I thought it was an important bill and not only am I disappointed that the governor vetoed it, but as I said, I think he made a mistake. This is not simply about politics. This is actually about science, and it's about the direction these systems are heading.Marc RotenbergThat's where we are in this moment—opaque systems that the experts don't understand, increasingly being deployed by organizations that also don't understand these systems, and an industry that says, “don't regulate us.” This is not going to end well.Marc RotenbergIn Case You Haven't Heard with Francesco DesantisNews 11/27/241. Last week, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. According to a statement from ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, the international legal body found reasonable grounds to believe that each has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the use of starvation as a method of warfare and intentionally directing attacks against civilians. This news has been met with varied reactions throughout the world. These have been meticulously documented by Just Security. The United States, which is under no obligation to honor the warrant as it is not a party to the Rome Statute, has said it “fundamentally rejects” the judgment and has called the issuing of warrants “outrageous.” Canada, which is party to the Rome Statue has vowed to uphold their treaty obligations despite their close ties to Israel. Germany however, another signatory to the Rome Statute, has suggested that they would not honor the warrants. In a statement, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib said the warrants are “long overdue” and signal that “the days of the Israeli apartheid government operating with impunity are ending.” One can only hope that is true.2. On November 21st, 19 Senators voted for at least one of the three Joint Resolutions of Disapproval regarding additional arms transfers to Israel. As Jewish Voice for Peace Action puts it, “this is an unprecedented show of Senate opposition to President Biden's disastrous foreign policy of unconditional support for the Israeli military.” The 19 Senators include Independents Bernie Sanders and Angus King, progressive Democrats like Elizabeth Warren, Chris Van Hollen and Raphael Warnock, and Democratic caucus leaders like Dick Durbin, among many others. Perhaps the most notable supporter however is Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia, whom Ryan Grim notes is the only Democrat representing a state Trump won and who is up for reelection in 2026 to vote for the resolution. Ossoff cited President Reagan's decision to withhold cluster munitions during the IDF occupation of Beirut in a floor speech explaining his vote. The Middle East Eye reports that the Biden Administration deployed Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer to whip votes against the JRD.3. Last week, we covered H.R. 9495, aka the “nonprofit killer” bill targeting pro-Palestine NGOs. Since then, the bill has passed the House. Per the Guardian, the bill passed 219-184, with fifteen Democrats crossing the aisle to grant incoming-President Trump the unilateral power to obliterate any non-profit organization he dislikes, a list sure to be extensive. Congressman Jamie Raskin is quoted saying “A sixth-grader would know this is unconstitutional…They want us to vote to give the president Orwellian powers and the not-for-profit sector Kafkaesque nightmares.” The bill now moves to the Senate, where it is unlikely to pass while Democrats cling to control. Come January however, Republicans will hold a decisive majority in the upper chamber.4. President-elect Donald Trump has announced his selection of Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer as his pick for Secretary of Labor. Chavez-DeRemer is perhaps the most pro-labor Republican in Congress, with the AFL-CIO noting that she is one of only three Republicans to cosponsor the PRO Act and one of eight to cosponsor the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act. Chavez-DeRemer was reportedly the favored choice of Teamsters President Sean O'Brien, who controversially became the first ever Teamster to address the RNC earlier this year. While her selection has been greeted with cautious optimism by many labor allies, anti-labor conservatives are melting down at the prospect. Akash Chougule of Americans for Prosperity accused Trump of giving “A giant middle finger to red states,” by “picking a teachers union hack” and urged Senate Republicans to reject the nomination.5. Unfortunately, most of Trump's selections are much, much worse. Perhaps worst of all, Trump has chosen Mehmet Cengiz Öz – better known as Dr. Oz – to lead the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Beyond his lack of qualifications and history of promoting crackpot medical theories, Oz is a longtime proponent of pushing more seniors into privatized Medicare Advantage, or “Disadvantage,” plans, per Yahoo! Finance. This report notes that the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 called for making Medicare Advantage the default health program for seniors.6. According to CNN, Brazilian police have arrested five people who conspired to assassinate leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, better known as Lula, in 2022. This assassination plot was allegedly cooked up even before Lula took office, and included plans to kill Lula's Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The conspirators included a former high-ranking Bolsonaro advisor and military special forces personnel. Reuters reports investigators have discovered evidence that Bolsonaro himself was involved in the scheme.7. In more news from Latin America, Drop Site reports that the United States and Colombia engaged in a secretive agreement to allow the country's previous U.S.-backed conservative President Ivan Duque to utilize the Israeli Pegasus spyware for internal surveillance in the country. Details of the transaction and of the utilization of the spyware remain “murky,” but American and Colombian officials maintain it was used to target drug-trafficking groups and not domestic political opponents. Just two months ago, Colombia's leftist President Gustavo Petro delivered a televised speech revealing details of this shadowy arrangement, including that the Duque government flew $11 million cash from Bogotá to Tel Aviv. As Drop Site notes, “In Colombia, there's a long legacy of state intelligence agencies surveilling political opposition leaders. With the news that the U.S. secretly helped acquire and deploy powerful espionage software in their country, the government is furious at the gross violation of their sovereignty. They fear that Colombia's history of politically motivated surveillance, backed by the U.S. government, lives on to this day.”8. Following the Democrats' electoral wipeout, the race for new DNC leadership is on. Media attention has mostly been focused on the race to succeed Jamie Harrison as DNC Chair, but POLITICO is out with a story on James Zogby's bid for the DNC vice chair seat. Zogby, a longtime DNC member, Bernie Sanders ally and president of the Arab American Institute has criticized the party's position on Israel and particularly of the Kamala Harris campaign's refusal to allow a Palestinian-American speaker at this year's convention. He called the move “unimaginative, overly cautious and completely out of touch with where voters are.” This report notes Zogby's involvement in the 2016 DNC Unity Reform Commission, and his successful push to strip substantial power away from the so-called superdelegates.9. Speaking of Democratic Party rot, the Lever reports that in its final days the Biden Administration is handing corporations a “get out of jail free card.” A new Justice Department policy dictates that the government will essentially look the other way at corporate misconduct, even if the company has “committed multiple crimes, earned significant profit from their wrongdoing, and failed to self-disclose the misconduct — as long as the companies demonstrate they ‘acted in good faith' to try to come clean.” This is the logical endpoint of the longstanding Biden era soft-touch approach intended to encourage corporations to self-police, an idea that is patently absurd on its face. Public Citizen's Corporate Crime expert Rick Claypool described the policy as “bending over backward to protect corporations.”10. Finally, on November 23rd lawyer and former progressive congressional candidate Brent Welder posted a fundraising email from Bernie Sanders that immediately attracted substantial interest for its strong language. In this note, Sanders writes “The Democrats ran a campaign protecting the status quo and tinkering around the edges…Will the Democratic leadership learn the lessons of their defeat and create a party that stands with the working class[?]…unlikely.” The email ends with a list of tough questions, including “should we be supporting Independent candidates who are prepared to take on both parties?” Many on the Left read this as Bernie opening the door to a “dirty break” with the Democratic Party, perhaps even an attempt to form some kind of independent alliance or third party. In a follow-up interview with John Nichols in the Nation, Sanders clarified that he is not calling for the creation of a new party, but “Where it is more advantageous to run as an independent, outside of the Democratic [Party]…we should do that.” Whether anything will come of this remains to be seen, but if nothing else the severity of his rhetoric reflects the intensity of dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party in light of their second humiliating defeat at the hands of a clownish, fascistic game show host. Perhaps a populist left third party is a far-fetched, unachievable goal. On the other hand, how many times can we go back to the Democratic Party expecting different results. Something has got to give, or else the few remaining pillars of our democracy will wither and die under sustained assault by the Right and their corporate overlords.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Many of Vice President Kamala Harris' rallies in the closing days of the campaign were interrupted by people angry about the mounting death toll in Gaza and Lebanon and the Biden administration's support for Israel. That anger may have been expressed at the polls on Election Day. James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, joins John Yang to discuss. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Many of Vice President Kamala Harris' rallies in the closing days of the campaign were interrupted by people angry about the mounting death toll in Gaza and Lebanon and the Biden administration's support for Israel. That anger may have been expressed at the polls on Election Day. James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, joins John Yang to discuss. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

On this special episode of On the Nose—recorded live on November 4th at McNally Jackson Books in Manhattan—Jewish Currents senior reporter Alex Kane hosts a discussion about foreign policy and the 2024 presidential election. Historian Stephen Wertheim, Arab American Institute executive director Maya Berry, and national security reporter Spencer Ackerman discuss Donald Trump's and Kamala Harris's foreign policy visions, regional war in the Middle East, and the bipartisan consensus on upholding US empire. Thanks to Jesse Brenneman for producing and to Nathan Salsburg for the use of his song “VIII (All That Were Calculated Have Passed).Further Reading:“Some Muslim Americans moving to Jill Stein in potential blow to Kamala Harris,” Andrea Shalal, Reuters“New Poll Finds Arab American Voters Evenly Divided in the 2024 Presidential Election,” Arab American InstituteReign of Terror: How the 9/11 Era Destabilized America and Produced Trump by Spencer Ackerman“How Kamala Harris Should Put America First — for Real,” Stephen Werheim, The New York Times“America's Foreign Policy Inertia,” Stephen Wertheim and Christopher S. Chivvis, Foreign Affairs

Maya Berry (@imayaberry), Executive Director of the Arab American Institute, joins the brothers for a wide-ranging conversation covering anti-Arab racism in the United States, hate crime tracking, the location of Arab Americans in the US racial lexicon, and the impossible position Arab Americans find themselves in the build-up to the 2024 presidential election. Watch the episode on our YouTube channel Date of recording: Oct 10, 2024. Follow us on our socials: X: @MakdisiStreet YouTube: @MakdisiStreet Insta: @Makdisist TikTok: @Makdisistreet Music by Hadiiiiii *Sign up at Patreon.com/MakdisiStreet to access all the bonus content, including the latest bonus episode: a live conversation with Samir Makdisi*  

In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Peter Beinart speaks with Maya Berry, Executive Director of the Arab American Institute. The two discuss Maya's experience testifying on hate crimes before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September, where several Republican Senators challenged her in expressly anti-Arab ways. Peter and May discuss Maya's testimony on anti-Arab hate crimes and why it's so difficult to collect good data on them. Additionally, Peter and Maya talk about the 2024 presidential election and the ways in which Vice President Kamala Harris has botched her relationship with Arab Americans. For video & more on Maya Berry's testimony in the 9/17/24 hearing, see the resources on our landing page: https://fmep.org/resource/the-bipartisan-betrayal-of-arab-americans/ Original music by Jalal Yaquoub.

FMEP Fellow Peter Beinart speaks with Maya Berry, Executive Director of the Arab American Institute to discuss Maya's experience testifying on hate crimes before the Senate Judiciary Committee, where several Republican Senators challenged her in expressly anti-Arab ways. For more information and resources, please visit: https://fmep.org/resource/the-bipartisan-betrayal-of-arab-americans/

For almost a year now, Israel has been using artificial intelligence to bomb targets in Gaza. Artificial intelligence can process information from surveillance networks much more quickly than a human can, and it automatically creates targets. In my imagination I see call centers with operators being pressured to meet their kill quotas. Show Notes: Hearing in Senate from Arab American Institute, Maya Berry: https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2024/09/senator-john-kennedy-maya-berry-arab-american-institute-hate-crimes-hearing.html Trump remarks regarding Jewish voters: https://www.democracynow.org/2024/9/20/headlines/trump_says_jewish_voters_will_be_to_blame_if_he_loses_novembers_election Article about 2016 election and influence of U.S. Jewish population: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/did-jews-really-elepct-the-president-of-the-united-states-in-the-2016-election/ Al Jazeera reporting on pager attacks: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/18/how-did-hezbollah-get-the-pagers-that-exploded-in-lebanon Dianne Feinstein retirement: https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/18/dianne-feinstein-senate-resign-retire-pelosi-schiff-lee-00097595 NATO: What You Need To Know: https://davidswanson.org/new-book-about-nato-by-medea-benjamin-and-david-swanson/ Caitlin Johnstone essay: https://substack.com/home/post/p-149270702?source=queue Biden's bomb factory economy: https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/29/biden-admin-map-states-benefit-ukraine-aid-00129068

This week, Laureen and Mike bring you the head of the Arab American Institute who can't even recognize her own blatant antisemitism and then you'll hear from two "journalists" who can't agree on the definition of genocide. All this and presidential candidate Donald Trump suggests that if he loses the election, it will be the Jews' fault. Thank you for listening, subscribing, and sharing the Third Opinion Podcast!

Bernie Sanders delivered the keynote speech at Progressive Central 2024, a conference held at the Chicago Teachers Union building just ahead of the Democratic National Convention. The two-day event posed progressive solutions to the crises undermining contemporary society and politics — many things missing from the convention itself.The session, introduced by Alan Minsky of Progressive Democrats of America (and producer of this podcast), opens with remarks from Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, followed by features Senator Bernie Sanders in dialogue with The Nation's John Nichols. Lastly, we hear from Representative Maxwell Frost. Progressive Central 2024 was hosted by PDA in coordination with The Nation, The Arab American Institute, and Operation Rainbow/PUSH.Jacobin Radio with Suzi Weissman features conversations with leading thinkers and activists, with a focus on labor, the economy, and protest movements. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The news cycle gets ahead of all of us. Get caught up each week with Crosstalk and the Friday News Round-Up- Here's a sample of what Jim presented to listeners-----Hezbollah launched 140 missiles at northern Israel overnight with Israel responding by carrying out a targeted strike on Beirut. ----Israel has condemned an adopted U.N. resolution demanding that all Israeli forces and civilians pull out of Palestinian areas within a year.----Hamas terrorists have confiscated so much humanitarian aid that the terror group is struggling to find space to store it.----Israel's atomic chief has warned that Syria built an undeclared nuclear facility after Iran, which he said has, -in alarming amounts conducting covert nuclear activities.-----Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reiterated that the kingdom would not recognize Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state, according the Times of Israel. ----Invited by Senate Democrats, Maya Berry, an Arab-American pro-terrorist testified at an antisemitism hearing on Tuesday. Berry is the executive director of the Arab American Institute- a virulently anti-Israel organization. Jim provided audio from the hearing. ----The man suspected in an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump evidently spent nearly 12 hours in the bushes around the former president's golf course before Secret Service agents spotted his rifle and opened fire. ----Representative Matt Gaetz said a senior Homeland Security Department official approached him as a whistleblower shortly before the second assassination attempt on Donald Trump's life.

The news cycle gets ahead of all of us. Get caught up each week with Crosstalk and the Friday News Round-Up! Here's a sample of what Jim presented to listeners:--Hezbollah launched 140 missiles at northern Israel overnight with Israel responding by carrying out a targeted strike on Beirut. --Israel has condemned an adopted U.N. resolution demanding that all Israeli forces and civilians pull out of Palestinian areas within a year.--Hamas terrorists have confiscated so much humanitarian aid that the terror group is struggling to find space to store it.--Israel's atomic chief has warned that Syria built an undeclared nuclear facility after Iran, which he said has, "in alarming amounts conducting covert nuclear activities."--Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reiterated that the kingdom would not recognize Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state, according the Times of Israel. --Invited by Senate Democrats, Maya Berry, an Arab-American pro-terrorist testified at an antisemitism hearing on Tuesday. Berry is the executive director of the Arab American Institute; a virulently anti-Israel organization. Jim provided audio from the hearing. --The man suspected in an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump evidently spent nearly 12 hours in the bushes around the former president's golf course before Secret Service agents spotted his rifle and opened fire. --Representative Matt Gaetz said a senior Homeland Security Department official approached him as a whistleblower shortly before the second assassination attempt on Donald Trump's life.

The news cycle gets ahead of all of us. Get caught up each week with Crosstalk and the Friday News Round-Up- Here's a sample of what Jim presented to listeners-----Hezbollah launched 140 missiles at northern Israel overnight with Israel responding by carrying out a targeted strike on Beirut. ----Israel has condemned an adopted U.N. resolution demanding that all Israeli forces and civilians pull out of Palestinian areas within a year.----Hamas terrorists have confiscated so much humanitarian aid that the terror group is struggling to find space to store it.----Israel's atomic chief has warned that Syria built an undeclared nuclear facility after Iran, which he said has, -in alarming amounts conducting covert nuclear activities.-----Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reiterated that the kingdom would not recognize Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state, according the Times of Israel. ----Invited by Senate Democrats, Maya Berry, an Arab-American pro-terrorist testified at an antisemitism hearing on Tuesday. Berry is the executive director of the Arab American Institute- a virulently anti-Israel organization. Jim provided audio from the hearing. ----The man suspected in an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump evidently spent nearly 12 hours in the bushes around the former president's golf course before Secret Service agents spotted his rifle and opened fire. ----Representative Matt Gaetz said a senior Homeland Security Department official approached him as a whistleblower shortly before the second assassination attempt on Donald Trump's life.

The news cycle gets ahead of all of us. Get caught up each week with Crosstalk and the Friday News Round-Up! Here's a sample of what Jim presented to listeners:--Hezbollah launched 140 missiles at northern Israel overnight with Israel responding by carrying out a targeted strike on Beirut. --Israel has condemned an adopted U.N. resolution demanding that all Israeli forces and civilians pull out of Palestinian areas within a year.--Hamas terrorists have confiscated so much humanitarian aid that the terror group is struggling to find space to store it.--Israel's atomic chief has warned that Syria built an undeclared nuclear facility after Iran, which he said has, "in alarming amounts conducting covert nuclear activities."--Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reiterated that the kingdom would not recognize Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state, according the Times of Israel. --Invited by Senate Democrats, Maya Berry, an Arab-American pro-terrorist testified at an antisemitism hearing on Tuesday. Berry is the executive director of the Arab American Institute; a virulently anti-Israel organization. Jim provided audio from the hearing. --The man suspected in an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump evidently spent nearly 12 hours in the bushes around the former president's golf course before Secret Service agents spotted his rifle and opened fire. --Representative Matt Gaetz said a senior Homeland Security Department official approached him as a whistleblower shortly before the second assassination attempt on Donald Trump's life.

If there ever were a time for James Zogby to revisit the City Club, it would be now. The last time we heard from him was in 2011 when he spoke about his latest book Arab Voices: What They Are Saying to Us and Why it Matters, which outlined America's problematic relationship with the Arab world, and why that relationship has remained persistently difficult. Now, James Zogby joins us once again to reflect on where we are today.rnrnJames Zogby co-founded the Arab American Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based organization which serves as the political and policy research arm of the Arab American community, in 1985 and continues to serve as its president. He is Director of Zogby Research Services, a firm that has conducted groundbreaking surveys across the Middle East. For the past 3 decades, he has served in leadership roles in the Democratic National Committee. He currently serves as Chair of the DNC Ethnic Council, and from 2000 to 2017, he served on the DNC's Executive Committee.

* Gaza War Continues to Kill as Massive Israeli Protests Blame Netanyahu for Latest Hostage Deaths; James J. Zogby, co-founder and president of the Arab American Institute; Producer: Scott Harris. * Activists Protesting Federal Reserve Climate Policy Block Road to Wyoming Annual Symposium; Ethan Wright a climate activist working with Climate Defiance and Planet Over Profit; Producer: Melinda Tuhus. * Coalition Demands US News Media Aggressively Cover Election Campaign Threats to Democracy; Nora Benavidez, Senior Counsel and Director of Digital Justice and Civil Rights at FreePress.net; Producer: Scott Harris.

On his show, Phil Donahue never shied away from questioning those in power, be they government officials or corporate CEOs. And there was no more frequent guest on his program than Ralph Nader. Along with guests Joan Claybrook, Michael Jacobson and Jeff Cohen, we pay tribute to a man Ralph calls “the greatest enabler and defender of the First Amendment right of free speech in American history.”Joan Claybrook is one of the public interest champions of the modern consumer movement, and she is president emeritus of Public Citizen. Prior to becoming president of Public Citizen, Ms. Claybrook was head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the Carter administration from 1977 to 1981. Before serving as NHTSA administrator, she founded and ran Public Citizen's Congress Watch division and worked for the Public Interest Research Group, the National Traffic Safety Bureau, the Social Security Administration, and the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.[Phil Donahue] had the deepest understanding of the First Amendment of anybody I've ever met. And the reason is that not only did he have these voiceless leaders and victims on a show that other media would avoid like the plague—it would upset their advertisers, who would upset their corporate bosses—he would have people on whose views he vehemently disagreed with.Ralph NaderPhil [Donahue] knew that it wasn't just important to reach people on his show—that he had to have them accessible to materials that elaborated it in greater detail. And he did that for lots of people. But it all started with his sense of the purpose of the media and a public philosophy of justice for all.Ralph NaderDonahue was a great source of help to get information out to the public that they really wanted. And no one else would publicize it.Joan ClaybrookMichael Jacobson holds a PhD. in microbiology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and he co-founded and then led the Center for Science in the Public Interest for four decades. Dr. Jacobson is the author of Salt Wars: The Battle Over the Biggest Killer in the American Diet. And he is the founder of the National Food Museum.Phil really was one of a kind— where he studied up on the topic, he knew it thoroughly, he was smart, he was generous, kind, thoughtful, asked good questions. So it was just a wonderful, positive experience for various reasons to be on his terrific daytime TV show.Dr. Michael JacobsonJeff Cohen is Co-Founder and Policy Director at RootsAction. He is a media critic, columnist, documentary filmmaker, and retired journalism professor who founded the media watch group FAIR—Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting— in 1986. For years, he was a regular pundit on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC discussing issues of media and politics, and he is the author of Cable News Confidential: My Misadventures in Corporate Media. He was senior producer of MSNBC's Phil Donahue Show until it was terminated on the eve of the Iraq war.Management wrecked the show, and then they terminated the show three weeks before the invasion of Iraq. And remember, they terminated us right after the biggest anti-war marches in global history up until that point. And obviously there was a huge audience— if they had allowed Phil Donahue to be Phil Donahue and put on the experts that we wanted to put on. And we would have gotten huge ratings—but they ruined the show, they hurt our ratings. [And] when we were terminated—in spite of all of management's interference—we were still the most-watched program on MSNBC. Management doesn't usually cancel their most-watched television show, but they did it at MSNBC.Jeff CohenIn Case You Haven't Heard with Francesco DeSantisNews 8/21/241. Last week, the Kamala Harris campaign announced their first major policy proposal: “a federal ban on corporate price gouging on groceries,” per the New York Times. In a statement to reporters, the campaign said this policy would “[set]…rules of the road to make clear that big corporations can't unfairly exploit consumers to run up excessive corporate profits on food and groceries,” according to the Washington Post. Reporter Jeff Stein further elaborates that this plan is expected to include “[money] for small firms to compete [and will] Challenge [industry] mergers.” This policy stems from the Federal Trade Commission report published by the New York Times in March, that found “Large Grocers Took Advantage of Pandemic Supply Chain Disruptions …[and] used rising costs as an opportunity to further hike prices.”2. This week of course Kamala Harris is in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention. Just before the convention, Mother Jones ran a profile of progressive Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, in which he said “What's happening right now [in Palestine] is not only egregious, it is genocidal.” Chicago is the largest local government in the United States to pass a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Further illustrating the success of pro-Palestine activism, Prem Thakker of the Intercept reports the DNC “will host [its] first ever panel on Palestinian human rights,” featuring Layla Elabed, co-leader of the Uncommitted movement, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, former Congressman Andy Levin, and Jim Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, among others. Ms. Elabed and her compatriot Abbas Alawieh said in a statement “Our focus remains on policy change. Vice President Harris has an opportunity to unite the party against Trump…by turning the page toward a human rights policy that saves lives…We will keep pushing for our party's leadership to break away from its current financing of Israel's horrific assault on Gaza and military rule over Palestinians.”3. Yet another sign that pro-Palestine activism is shifting the center of gravity in the Democratic Party, last Friday dozens of congressional Democrats – including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi – sent a letter to President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken “urging a halt to weapons transfers to Israel,” per AP. This letter referred to the Israeli strike on American aid workers with the World Central Kitchen relief group, saying “In light of the recent strike against aid workers and the ever-worsening humanitarian crisis, we believe it is unjustifiable to approve these weapons transfers.” Other signatories include Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Barbara Lee, and AOC. This letter comes on the heels of a series of state polls by IMEU and YouGov showing “A significant share of Democrats and independent voters in pivotal swing states…are more likely to vote for the Democratic presidential nominee…if said nominee pledges support for an arms embargo to Israel,” per Zeteo. In Pennsylvania, 34% said more likely and only 7% less likely; in Georgia 39% said more likely and only 5% less likely, with similar numbers in Arizona. Put simply, it is clear that an arms embargo is both good politics and good policy. Even Pelosi knows it.4. A scandal is unfolding at the University of Florida, centering on a massive misuse of funds by the University president, former Senator Ben Sasse. The Alligator, the university newspaper, reports “In his 17-month stint as UF president, Ben Sasse more than tripled his office's spending, directing millions in university funds into secretive consulting contracts and high-paying positions for his GOP allies.” This piece continues “A majority of the spending surge was driven by lucrative contracts with big-name consulting firms and high-salaried, remote positions for Sasse's former U.S. Senate staff and Republican officials…[these] contracts have been kept largely under wraps, leaving the public in the dark about what the contracted firms did to earn their fees.” So much for the party of fiscal responsibility.5. A new piece in St. Louis magazine recounts the ongoing miscarriage of justice against Yolanda Greene. Ms. Greene was “fired from her job after being arrested—even though the police report that provided the basis of the charges against her is clearly contradicted by bystander video.” This piece continues “The police report says that Greene struck one of the officers ‘several times in the back near his neck, head, and shoulders with what appeared to be a closed fist.' [and that she] ‘actively assaulte[d]' a second officer.” Yet the bystander video shows “Greene on the ground and an officer [striking] her several times…A different video, captured by an officer's body camera, records another officer exclaiming, ‘Don't throw a strike'—even as the officer atop Greene does just that.” Mark Pedroli, Greene's lawyer, is quoted saying “I sent the tape over to [Wesley] Bell's office and said, ‘You're prosecuting the wrong people. You should be prosecuting the police for lying in these reports,'” yet Bell – who is nearly guaranteed a spot in the next congress after his successful AIPAC-backed primary against Cori Bush – is pressing ahead with these charges.6. Continuing its series on civil asset forfeiture, libertarian magazine Reason reports “A new class action lawsuit accuses Indiana law enforcement of seizing millions of dollars a year in cash from FedEx packages without ever informing owners of what crime they're suspected of violating.” This piece cites Sam Gedge a senior attorney at the “libertarian public interest law firm,” Institute for Justice, which claims “the Marion County Prosecutor's Office has sued to forfeit $2.5 million in currency from at least 130 FedEx parcels in transit from one non-Indiana state to another over the past two years. This scheme is one of the most predatory we have seen…It's illegal and unconstitutional for Indiana to forfeit in-transit money whose only connection to Indiana is the happenstance of FedEx's shipping practices.”7. According ProPublica, Arizona's experiment with school vouchers has failed spectacularly. As the publication explains “In 2022, Arizona pioneered the largest school voucher program in the history of education…any parent in the state…could get a taxpayer-funded voucher worth up to tens of thousands of dollars to spend on private school tuition, extracurricular programs or homeschooling supplies…Yet in a lesson for…other states, Arizona's…experiment has since precipitated a budget meltdown. The state this year faced a $1.4 billion budget shortfall, much of which was a result of the new voucher spending…Last fiscal year alone, the price tag of universal vouchers in Arizona skyrocketed from an original official estimate of just under $65 million to roughly $332 million…[and] another $429 million in costs is expected this year.” We hope this catastrophic budget implosion gives pause to the prominent Republicans and Democrats boosting the canard of “school choice.”8. The Federal Trade Commission has announced a new rule that will “combat fake reviews and testimonials by prohibiting their sale or purchase and allow the [FTC] to seek civil penalties against knowing violators.” FTC Chair Lina Khan adds “Fake reviews not only waste people's time and money, but also pollute the marketplace and divert business away from honest competitors…By strengthening the FTC's toolkit to fight deceptive advertising, the final rule will protect Americans from getting cheated, put businesses that unlawfully game the system on notice, and promote markets that are fair, honest, and competitive.” These types of much-needed, commonsense consumer protection rules are exactly why billionaires and corporate America are terrified of Lina Khan and have been mounting a shadowy campaign for her ouster.9. More Perfect Union reports “Ride share drivers in Massachusetts are now guaranteed a minimum wage of $32.50/hr, plus benefits.” According to the Verge, “The two companies also agreed to pay a combined $175 million, the bulk of which will be paid out to ‘current and former drivers who were underpaid by the companies,' [Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea] Campbell's office announced.” Despite these victories, Uber and Lyft drivers will still be classified as independent contractors instead of employees.10. Finally, per Huffington Post labor reporter Dave Jamieson, “The Culinary Union has reached a tentative agreement on its first contract with longtime Vegas Strip holdouts the Venetian and Palazzo [closing] a long chapter in which previous owner Sheldon Adelson successfully resisted organizing efforts.” In addition to the Culinary Union, the deal with the Venetian and Palazzo's new owners – private equity firm Apollo Global Management – also includes Bartenders Local 165, Operating Engineers Local 501 and Teamsters Local 986. As the Nevada Independent notes, “Combined, the Venetian and Palazzo have some 8,000 gaming and nongaming workers covering 7,100 hotel rooms, 225,000 square feet of casino space and 2.3 million square feet of convention space. It's unclear how many members of the workforce could be covered by the union agreements.”This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes Jeff Cohen from the activist group “Roots Action,” whose “Step Aside Joe” campaign was years ahead of the curve urging Joe Biden – for many reasons – to keep his promise to be a one-term president. Plus, Harvey Rosenfield, founder of Consumer Watchdog, updates us on how the insurance industry in cahoots with governor Gavin Newsom wants to roll back the immensely successful Prop 103 that over the years has saved Californians billions of dollars in insurance premiums and why this struggle has implications for auto and homeowner insurance premiums across the country.Jeff Cohen is Co-Founder and Policy Director at RootsAction. He is a media critic, columnist, documentary filmmaker, and retired journalism professor who founded the media watch group FAIR—Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting— in 1986. For years, he was a regular pundit on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC discussing issues of media and politics, and he is the author of Cable News Confidential: My Misadventures in Corporate Media.Now, the challenge is reminiscent of Hubert Humphrey and Lyndon Baines Johnson. And when Hubert Humphrey ran for President in 1968—he was LBJ's Vice President—he had to face the question, is he gonna stay loyal to Johnson's position on the Vietnam War…or is he going to be faithful to his own personal judgment, which was to find a way to get out of the Vietnam War. He chose the former, to be loyal—he didn't distance himself—and he lost the election.Ralph NaderYou have all of these constituencies that want a change in policy…The base of the party is for peace and social justice. Not for continual expansion of the military budget. People forget that the Democratic platform in 2020 called for a reduction in military spending, and Joe Biden has increased military spending every year.Jeff CohenWe've organized around that point that if we cut the military budget—which has grown year after year under Joe Biden—and we took that money and spent it on healthcare and housing and education, imagine what a society we would have. If we uplifted working-class people. And when I look at what Joe Biden ran in in 2020—and the promises that were made that have been broken—if he had kept even half of these promises the Democrats would be winning in a landslide.Jeff CohenHarvey Rosenfield is one of the nation's foremost consumer advocates and founder of the advocacy group, Consumer Watchdog. Among many other accomplishments, Mr. Rosenfield authored Proposition 103 that has saved consumers hundreds of millions of dollars in auto insurance premiums. He has also co-authored groundbreaking initiatives on HMO reform and utility rate deregulation and is the author of the book, Silent Violence, Silent Death: the Hidden Epidemic of Medical Malpractice.The insurance industry never stopped fighting [Prop 103]. Even though they lost at the ballot box, they constantly tried to relitigate that election. They couldn't believe that the voters would have the temerity to tell the insurance companies how to conduct business in the state of California.Harvey RosenfieldThis kind of economic blackmail—boycotting state after state in order to up their profits—has worked in the past for insurance companies and this is what they're doing now. And it's easy to predict that as their bottom line improves, as the stock market improves…they'll start coming back into these states with the promise of far higher rates, and things will calm down. But in the meantime, people will have been soaked for tens of billions, hundreds of billions of dollars nationwide.Harvey RosenfieldIn Case You Haven't Heard with Francesco DeSantis1. This week, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will address the United States Congress for an unprecedented fourth time. According to the Wall Street Journal, presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris will skip Netanyahu's address, but will meet with the Prime Minister – who is wanted on war crimes charges by the International Criminal Court – and is expected to tell him that “it is time for the war to end” and to stop the “suffering of Palestinian civilians.” Harris is expected to take a new foreign policy approach, likely doing away with key Biden administration figures like Jake Sullivan, Anthony Blinken and Lloyd Austin. Jim Zogby, founder of the Arab American Institute, has stated that Harris has shown “far greater empathy for Palestinians than Biden.”2. With Harris taking center stage, the Intercept's Prem Thakker reports that Representative Rashida Tlaib has released a statement saying “I welcome the opportunity to engage Vice President Harris as my team and I work hard to inspire our Democratic base...They want to see a permanent ceasefire and an end to the funding of genocide in Gaza…They want us to fight against corporate greed that wants to eliminate unions and keep our families in the cycle of poverty. I am eager to speak to Vice President Harris about all of these issues and more.” Unlike other prominent progressive lawmakers – such as Bernie Sanders and AOC – Tlaib did not back Biden against the campaign to have him step aside as the Democratic nominee, and crucially, appears to be using whatever leverage she has to demand Harris push vigorously for a ceasefire in Gaza.3. The New York Times reports several major unions – including the The American Postal Workers Union, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, the Service Employees International Union, United Auto Workers, United Electrical Workers, and the National Education Association, the largest union in the U.S. – have sent a letter to the Biden Administration demanding they “halt all military aid to Israel.” This letter emphasizes that “it is clear that the Israeli government will continue …until it is forced to stop,” and that “Stopping US military aid to Israel is the quickest and most sure way to do so.” APWU President Mark Dimondstein said in a statement “Our unions are hearing the cries of humanity as this vicious war continues…Working people and our unions are horrified that our tax dollars are financing this ongoing tragedy.”4. Reuters reports that in talks hosted in China this week, “Palestinian rivals including Hamas and Fatah agreed to form a unity government.” Al Maydeen reports “The meetings saw the participation of 14 Palestinian factions, including Fatah, Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine.” The so-called Beijing Declaration promises to “end the Palestinian national division [and] unify national efforts to confront…[Israeli] aggression and stop the genocide.” Implementation of this agreement will be monitored by Egypt, Algeria, China, and Russia.5. In the United Kingdom, “Five climate activists who planned a protest to cause gridlock and block traffic over four days on a major highway circling London were sentenced…to as much as five years in prison,” per ABC. Just Stop Oil, the group planning the protest, “called the prison terms ‘an obscene perversion of justice... for nothing more than attending a Zoom call.'” Protesting this decision, many prominent climate activists – ranging from Independent MP Jeremy Corbyn to Rowan Williams, Former Archbishop of Canterbury to musician Brian Eno – have signed a letter calling this “one of the greatest injustices in a British court in modern history…making a mockery of the right to a fair trial.” This letter also notes that these sentences are “higher than those given to many who commit serious sexual assault.” This letter also cites the United Nations special rapporteur on environmental defenders, who called this “a dark day for peaceful environmental protest, the protection of environmental defenders and indeed anyone concerned with the exercise of their fundamental freedoms in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.”6. In more climate related news, in New York City landlords are required to provide heat for tenants in the winter. Yet, there is no equivalent rule for landlords to provide air conditioning for tenants during the increasingly blistering summers. Now, Gothamist reports New York City Councilmember Lincoln Restler of Brooklyn plans to introduce a bill “requiring [landlords] to ensure tenants can cool their homes to at least 78 degrees when it is 82 degrees or warmer during the summer.” Restler is quoted saying “Heat is the number one climate or weather-related killer – not just nationally, but right here in New York City…We've already suffered three awful heat waves this summer. Can you imagine what it's like to try to manage it without air conditioning or any cooling device in your apartment?” This move comes amid other attempts to legislate heat protections as temperatures continue to rise.7. In an infuriating example of corporate greed, the Guardian reports that pharmaceutical giant Gilead is charging outrageous prices for a new drug described as “the closest we have ever been to an HIV vaccine.” According to this report, “Lenacapavir, sold as Sunlenca…currently costs $42,250 for the first year…[yet] In a study…experts calculated that the minimum price for mass production of a generic version…allowing for 30% profit, was $40 a year.” This report continues “Given by injection every six months, lenacapavir can prevent infection and suppress HIV in people who are already infected…In a trial, the drug offered 100% protection to more than 5,000 women in South Africa and Uganda.”8. In a welcome check against corporate greed, the Federal Communications Commission has “voted to end exorbitant phone and video call rates that have burdened incarcerated people and their families fordecades.” The new rules will cap the cost of a 15-minute phone call at 90 cents for large jails and $1.35 for small ones. As of now, a 15-minute phone call can cost as much as $11.35 in a large jail and over $12 in a small one. The new rules also bar added fees.9. In more positive regulatory news, the Federal Trade Commission has “issued orders to eight companies offering surveillance pricing products and services that incorporate data about consumers' characteristics and behavior. The orders seek information about the potential impact these practices have on privacy, competition, and consumer protection.” The companies in question include Mastercard, JPMorgan Chase, and perennial corporate malefactor, McKinsey. Indicating the universality of this move, no more than 3 members of the FTC can be of the same party yet the Commission voted 5-0 to issue these orders.10. Finally, in some local news, NBC4 Washington reports that “Former President Donald Trump has threatened a federal takeover of Washington, D.C., if he wins a second term in November.” Leaving aside the ever-present bluster and bombast that accompany such Trump pronouncements, NBC4 makes the crucial point that because D.C. lacks statehood “The president can take over the police department and many of the powers the mayor and D.C. Council have.” In light of this credible threat, it is more critical than ever that Congress act on D.C. Statehood and end the unjust status quo of taxation without representation.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Recording of our July 25, 2024 webinar with Rebecca Abou-Chedid. This conversation was hosted by Hadar Susskind. Hadar Susskind and Rebecca Abou-Chedid analyze Netanyahu's visit to DC (and his address to Congress on July 24th). They delve into the impact on American and international politics, the American Jewish community, and the Arab American community. Rebecca Abou-Chedid serves on the board of directors of the IMEU Policy Project, Anera, the Foundation for Middle East Peace, and SEED for Change. Rebecca also served for five years as co-chair of the board of directors of Just Vision. She is a partner in the Projects group at Norton Rose Fulbright and previously served as a law clerk in the Executive Office for Immigration Review at the US Department of Justice, as National Political Director at the Arab American Institute, and the Director of Outreach at the New America Foundation's Middle East Task Force. 

Biden's out and Kamala is in. Francesca and comedian Nato Green dig into the Vice President's record in California, whether she'll prove to be better on Gaza, and if she is or is not, brat. Then James Zogby, political analyst and founder of the Arab American Institute joins to talk about how Harris should play a meeting with Bibi (if she must meet with him at all) and how Biden being surrounded by yes men meant he was the last to grasp what everyone saw. To see Francesca's full rant about Kamala check out here. Featuring: Nato Green, comedian https://www.instagram.com/mrnatogreen/?hl=en https://x.com/natogreen James Zogby, co-founder of the Arab American Institute https://x.com/jjz1600 *** Francesca and Matt Lieb Are In Chicago for the DNC! Monday 8/19 LIVE Bitchuation Room X Bad Hasbara Podcast. Tickets here: https://bit.ly/3wKW5Rf Tuesday 8/20 LIVE Stand Up: Francesca Fiorentini & Matt Lieb Co-Headline. Tickets here: https://bit.ly/3yN5fgp ** The Bitchuation Room Podcast is available everywhere you get your podcasts. It streams LIVE every TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY and FRIDAY at 1/4pmEST on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/franifio and Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifio Support The Bitchuation Room by becoming a Patron: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom to get special perks and listen/watchback privileges of the Wednesday *BONUS BISH* Tip the show via Venmo:@TBR-LIVE Cash-App:@TBRLIVE Music by Nick Stargu Follow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPod, Instagram: @BitchuationRoom , TikTok: @BitchuationRoom Get your TBR merch: www.bitchuationroom.com *** Get 20% off SUNSET LAKE CBD with code FRANTIFA at check out. Explore all their organic, vertically-integrated craft CBD products including tinctures, gummies, smokables, salves and more: www.sunsetlakecbd.com.

Founder and president of the Arab American Institute, author and Senior DNC Committee Member, James Zogby, discusses his proposal for an alternative way to replace President Biden and the impact of the transition.

A recent survey conducted by political advocacy group the Arab American Institute found that President Joe Biden's disapproval has increased among Arab American voters. Plus, Detroit People's Food Co-op offering free yoga classes, and more. Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

*Ongoing Gaza Catastrophe Rouses Michigan Primary Voters to Send Biden a Message; James J. Zogby Ph.D., co-founder and president of the Arab American Institute; Producer: Scott Harris. *The World and Americans Must Hold all Israeli Institutions Accountable for Occupation, Apartheid, and Genocide; Ofer Neiman, a Jewish Israeli anti-apartheid activist living in Jerusalem; Producer: Melinda Tuhus. *Review of Trump's Total Immunity Claim, Effectively Delays Jan 6 Trial Until After Election; Thomas G. Moukawsher, a former Connecticut complex litigation judge; Producer: Scott Harris.

Will Joe Biden and Donald Trump face each other in the US election in November? The current and former presidents swept polls in the Super Tuesday vote. Now, they hope to get their parties' nominations. But what are American voters' priorities this time round? In this episode: James Zogby, President, Arab American Institute. Arshad Hasan, Democratic Party Political Strategist.  Rina Shah, Conservative Political Adviser. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP's Sarah Anne Minkin talks to Rania Batrice, political strategist, activist, coalition builder, and one of FMEP's 2023-2024 Palestinian Non-Resident Fellows. Rania discusses her background, the vision and values guiding her wide-ranging work, and the urgent and high-stakes political opportunities for Palestinians and their allies in this US election year.  Rania Batrice is the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, an activist and strategist for progressive change, a public relations specialist, and a political consultant. Rania has worked as a Democratic operative for over twenty years, lending her expertise across political, non-profit, legislative strategy and crisis management both in the United States and around the world. For Bernie Sanders' 2016 run for president, she served as Iowa Communications Director, the National Director of Surrogates and as Deputy Campaign Manager. In addition to Rania's expertise in strategy, policy and communications, her portfolio includes over 15 years of experience in conflict resolution, mediation, and organizational development. Her firm, Batrice and Associates, has worked for social justice through a variety of avenues, collaborating with organizations including Human Rights Watch, the Arab American Institute, March for Our Lives, Color of Change, March For Science, Sunrise Movement, and NDN Collective and more. Rania has been a featured speaker for a wide range of events, including addressing climate change at the Social Good Summit, the UN Youth Climate Summit and the UN General Assembly. Rania has received numerous accolades and awards for her work in the progressive movement, including the “Exceptional Woman of Excellence” award presented by the World Economic Forum and the “Woman of Purpose” award presented by the Purpose Project. Sarah Anne Minkin, PhD, is the Director of Programs & Partnerships. She leads FMEP's programming, works to deepen FMEP's relationships with existing and potential grantees, and builds relationships with new partners in the philanthropic community. Sarah Anne earned her doctorate at the University of California-Berkeley and is an affiliated faculty member at UC-Berkeley's Center for Right-Wing Studies. Original music by Jalal Yaquoub.

On Wednesday, the UN security council voted to back a resolution calling for a humanitarian pause in Gaza and the release of all the Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The US and the UK abstained on the resolution, saying they could not give their full support because it did not explicitly criticise Hamas. Joe Biden is facing growing calls to demand a ceasefire in Gaza. In a letter presented to him on Tuesday, more than 500 political appointees and staff members criticised the extent of the president's support for Israel. But what about the communities directly involved? What do Arab-American and Jewish American voters think of Biden's response since the 7 October attacks? Jonathan Freedland speaks to Dr James Zogby, of the Arab American Institute, and Jodi Rudoren, of The Forward, to discuss it

Arab American Institute co-founder and President James J. Zogby: As Israeli Bombs Kill 10,000 Palestinians in Gaza, Worldwide Protests Demand Humanitarian CeasefireEmpire State College Assistant Professor of labor studies Jeff Schuhrke: UAW Strike Ends Winning Historic Agreements with Big 3 AutomakersConcerned Health Professionals of New York co-founder Dr. Sandra Steingraber: New Edition of ‘Compendium on Fracking' Finds Health Hazards Linked to Home Use of Natural GasBob Nixon's Under-reported News Summary• Argentine Economy Minister Sérgio Massa heads to runoff election against libertarian Javier Milei• Billion of dollars to clean up abandoned oil and gas wells a drop in the bucket• Voters in 10 states trying to protect abortion rights as GOP sets up roadblocksVisit our website at BTLonline.org for more information, in-depth interviews, related links, transcripts and subscribe to our BTL Weekly Summary and/or podcasts. New episodes every Wednesday at 12 noon ET, website updated Wednesdays after 4 p.m. ETProduced by Squeaky Wheel Productions: Scott Harris, Melinda Tuhus, Bob Nixon, Anna Manzo, Susan Bramhall, Jeff Yates and Mary Hunt. Theme music by Richard Hill and Mikata.

Arab American Institute co-founder and President James J. Zogby: As Israeli Bombs Kill 10,000 Palestinians in Gaza, Worldwide Protests Demand Humanitarian CeasefireEmpire State College Assistant Professor of labor studies Jeff Schuhrke: UAW Strike Ends Winning Historic Agreements with Big 3 AutomakersConcerned Health Professionals of New York co-founder Dr. Sandra Steingraber: New Edition of ‘Compendium on Fracking' Finds Health Hazards Linked to Home Use of Natural GasBob Nixon's Under-reported News Summary• Argentine Economy Minister Sérgio Massa heads to runoff election against libertarian Javier Milei• Billion of dollars to clean up abandoned oil and gas wells a drop in the bucket• Voters in 10 states trying to protect abortion rights as GOP sets up roadblocksVisit our website at BTLonline.org for more information, in-depth interviews, related links and transcripts and to sign up for our BTL Weekly Summary. New episodes every Wednesday at 12 noon ET, website updated Wednesdays after 4 p.m. ETProduced by Squeaky Wheel Productions: Scott Harris, Melinda Tuhus, Bob Nixon, Anna Manzo, Susan Bramhall, Jeff Yates and Mary Hunt. Theme music by Richard Hill and Mikata.

Arab American Institute co-founder and President James J. Zogby: As Israeli Bombs Kill 10,000 Palestinians in Gaza, Worldwide Protests Demand Humanitarian Ceasefire Empire State College Assistant Professor of labor studies Jeff Schuhrke: UAW Strike Ends Winning Historic Agreements with Big 3 Automakers Concerned Health Professionals of New York co-founder Dr. Sandra Steingraber: New Edition of ‘Compendium on Fracking' Finds Health Hazards Linked to Home Use of Natural Gas Bob Nixon's Under-reported News Summary • Argentine Economy Minister Sérgio Massa heads to runoff election against libertarian Javier Milei • Billion of dollars to clean up abandoned oil and gas wells a drop in the bucket • Voters in 10 states trying to protect abortion rights as GOP sets up roadblocks

Dr. James Zogby joins us to discuss how the Biden administrations actions during the Israel-Hamas war might cost the President crucial Arab American votes in 2024. A recent poll from the New York Times and Siena College found Trump leading Biden in six crucial battleground states. Zogby is a co-founder of the Arab American Institute, which advocates on behalf of the 3.7 million Arab Americans across the country. He is also the Director of Zogby Research Services, a firm that takes the pulse of public sentiment across the Middle East.Email us at midday@wypr.org, tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Several nations are calling Israel's war on Gaza a genocide. An Israeli minister calls for a nuclear attack, and the Prime Minister quotes the Bible, referring to war wiping out enemies of Israel. Is Israel engaged in genocide? And if so, what can be done? Join Host Nick Clark Guests:  Sir Geoffrey Nice - Barrister and former war crimes prosecutor.  Omar Baddar - Political Analyst and Member, National Policy Council of the Arab American Institute.  Mustafa Barghouti - Secretary General, Palestinian National Initiative. 

Jews and Muslims in the US say they're experiencing rising bigotry and hatred as a result of the Israel-Hamas war; facing threats in synagogues and mosques, on the streets, on college campuses, and even in their own homes. Maya Berry is the Executive Director of the Arab American Institute. She speaks with Laura Coates about the FBI hate crime data that backs up an alarming increase in reported incidents. Plus, disgraced crypto king Sam Bankman-Fried is found guilty of fraud, and potentially faces a 110-year sentence. And, the FBI investigates whether NYC Mayor Adams received illegal donations from foreign nationals. Also, The Beatles drop their “final” song with a little help from A.I. For daily information on the Israel-Gaza conflict, check out CNN's podcast ‘Tug of War: Attack on Israel'. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jews and Muslims in the US say they're experiencing rising bigotry and hatred as a result of the Israel-Hamas war; facing threats in synagogues and mosques, on the streets, on college campuses, and even in their own homes. Maya Berry is the Executive Director of the Arab American Institute. She speaks with Laura Coates about the FBI hate crime data that backs up an alarming increase in reported incidents. Plus, disgraced crypto king Sam Bankman-Fried is found guilty of fraud, and potentially faces a 110-year sentence. And, the FBI investigates whether NYC Mayor Adams received illegal donations from foreign nationals. Also, The Beatles drop their “final” song with a little help from A.I. For daily information on the Israel-Gaza conflict, check out CNN's podcast ‘Tug of War: Attack on Israel'. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A recent poll from the Arab American Institute found a sharp decline in support for President Joe Biden among Arab Americans since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Plus, the city will host part two of its Minority and Women-Based Enterprise Certification Fair this Saturday. Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

*) UN chief says Hamas blitz 'didn't happen in a vacuum', riling Israel UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has rankled Israel at the United Nations Security Council meeting in which he stressed the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel "did not happen in a vacuum”. Opening the session on Tuesday, Guterres said there was no excuse for the operation by Hamas on Israeli settlements but also warned against "collective punishment" of the Palestinians. He then said Hamas operation "did not happen in a vacuum" as the Palestinians have been "subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation." His remarks infuriated Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. *) UNSC deepening crisis in Gaza with one-sided approach: President Erdogan The International community is failing in the face of Israel's lawless and indiscriminate attacks on civilians in Palestine's Gaza, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said. In his message on the 78th anniversary of the United Nations, Erdogan thanked those working under its framework for peace and justice in the world. He said a party that is a bystander to "collective punishment" of the people in Gaza cannot offer hope to humanity, and ensure peace, stability *) Biden's Israel support angers Muslim Americans; could jeopardise 2024 votes Muslim Americans and their allies are criticising President Joe Biden's response to the Israeli war on Gaza, asking him to do more to prevent a humanitarian crisis in the blockaded enclave or risk losing their support in the 2024 election. Many Arab Americans and Muslim Americans are upset Biden has not pushed for any humanitarian ceasefire even as Palestinians are being killed by Israel's bombardment of besieged Gaza. In hotly contested Michigan, Arab Americans account for 5 percent of the vote. In other battleground states, Pennsylvania and Ohio, they are between 1.7 percent to 2 percent, said Jim Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute. Biden won Michigan with 50.6 percent of the vote in 2020, compared to 47.8 percent for Trump, and Pennsylvania with 50.01 percent to Trump's 48.84 percent, a difference of less than 81,000 votes. *) US is world's 'biggest disruptor' of peace — China The United States is the "biggest disruptor of regional peace and stability" in the world, China has said in a scathing response to a Pentagon report on China's growing military buildup. "The US has sent depleted uranium munitions and cluster bombs to Ukraine, sent its carrier battle groups to the Mediterranean and weapons and munitions to Israel, is this the so-called 'gospel' the 'human rights defender is bringing to the area?" said Wu Qian, the spokesperson for China's Defence Ministry. *) Netflix and Spielberg combine for 'binge watch' story of life on Earth "Life on Our Planet," the new natural history series from Netflix and Steven Spielberg, sets out to tell the entire, dramatic story of life on Earth in a serialised, "binge-watch" format. Streaming globally from Wednesday, the show's eight episodes transport viewers through Earth's five previous mass extinction events, each recreated with computer-generated visual effects. Aside from a series of cliffhanger finales, "Life on Our Planet" finds dramatic tension with a series of ordinary, loveable underdogs who "win" evolution against the odds — at least for a few hundred million years.

In our continued coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Ralph welcomes James Zogby, co-founder and president of the Arab American Institute and author of "Palestinians: The Invisible Victims.” Then, no-nukes activist Harvey Wasserman joins to warn us about the dangerous condition of nuclear reactors across the country, including the threat of “embrittlement” at the California reactor in Diablo Canyon. James Zogby is co-founder and president of the Arab American Institute, and he is featured frequently on national and international media as an expert on Middle East affairs. Since 1992, he has written a weekly column— “Washington Watch” —that is published in 12 countries. He is the author of several books, including Looking at Iran: The Rise and Fall of Iran in Arab Public Opinion, The Tumultuous Decade: Arab, Turkish, and Iranian Public Opinion - 2010-2019, Arab Voices: What They Are Saying to Us, and Why it Matters, and Palestinians: The Invisible Victims.There are two narratives, and we have to understand both. There's Israeli trauma and Jewish trauma, and there's Palestinian and Arab trauma. Both are real because there are two groups of humanity who each have histories. When we adopt one and ignore the other, then we end up creating the kind of torment the Palestinians have been living with.James ZogbyThis does not make Israel more secure. Taking massive amounts of Palestinian lives, evacuating them, forcing them to flee from their homes, murdering them from the air—doesn't make them more secure. At the end of the day, when the dust settles and the tears dry, you're going to have a whole lot more dead people, a whole lot more anger, a whole lot more frustration, and nothing else will change in Gaza or in the West Bank.James ZogbyHamas was a tiny religious organization which was fostered into a more powerful organization by the United States and Israel. They thought that if they built up a religious organization, it would undermine the PLO (the Palestine Liberation Organization). And once again, just as in Afghanistan, we create our own adversaries, blundering back and forth.Ralph NaderHarvey Wasserman is a journalist, author, democracy activist, and advocate for renewable energy. Mr. Wasserman is the author of Solartopia! Our Green-Powered Earth, and The People's Spiral Of U.S. History. He has written and researched atomic energy since 1973, and co-authored Killing Our Own: The Disaster of America's Experience With Atomic Energy.There's only one explanation why they're continuing to operate these two reactors and all the other reactors in the United States. And that's because the commercial reactor industry is now the infrastructure of the nuclear weapons industry. If you like nuclear power, you love nuclear weapons. They are joined at the hip, these two industries.Harvey WassermanThese two reactors are upwind of the entire United States. An accident at Diablo Canyon could—within four hours—send an apocalyptic radioactive cloud into Los Angeles, into the Central Valley where we get our fruits and vegetables for the winter, and into the Bay Area. The stakes could not be higher. And again, these are military facilities, masquerading as fighters of global warming, which is absolutely ridiculous.Harvey WassermanIn Case You Haven't Heard with Francesco DeSantis1. The Huffington Post reports that the State Department has imposed a censorship regime, directing high-level diplomats involved in Middle East affairs to refrain from using the following phrases: “de-escalation/ceasefire, end to violence/bloodshed, and restoring calm.” This mirrors White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre's response to a reporter's question during a recent briefing, when she deemed calls for a ceasefire by progressives in Congress “wrong…repugnant, and…disgraceful.” Rejecting this censorious framework, Rep. Jamaal Bowman tweeted that the “Official statement from [his] office [is] De-escalate. End the violence. Restore calm.”2. According to Semafor, MSNBC has “quietly” pulled their Muslim anchors from the air, preventing them from covering the rapidly escalating situation in Gaza. “The network did not air a scheduled Thursday night episode of The Mehdi Hasan Show…reversed a plan for Ayman Mohyeldin to fill in this week…for…Joy Reid's 7 p.m. show… [and] the network also plans to have Alicia Menendez fill in …for Ali Velshi.” This piece goes on to quote from anonymous MSNBC sources who “[feel] all three hosts have some of the deepest knowledge of the conflict.” NBC denies this is an intentional and coordinated move, instead claiming these shifts are merely “coincidental.” Meanwhile, MSNBC did prominently feature New York City Mayor Eric Adams making the extraordinarily dubious claim that “the DSA and others [were] carrying swastikas and calling for the extermination of Jewish people.” DSA members are now mulling a suit against the mayor for defamation, per City and State NY.3. The Intercept is out with a story about divisions within the liberal Zionist advocacy group, J Street. Per the story, J Street is supporting a congressional resolution that “pledges unconditional support to Israel's war in Gaza,” which “makes no mention of Palestinian civilians.” In response, over 1,000 former J Street staffers and representatives are urging the organization to join calls for a ceasefire. J Street's position mirrors that of many congressional progressives who have been hesitant to call for a ceasefire even as the civilian death toll continues to mount.4. Law schools have become another major venue for conflict on this issue. The Jewish Law Students Association of the City University of New York has issued a statement, expressing their “uncompromising solidarity with the Palestinian people in their righteous struggle for self-determination,” and noting that “institutions like the UN have consistently demonstrated an unwillingness and/or inability to hold Israel accountable over its blatant disregard for international law.” Similar statements have come out of Harvard, Columbia, and NYU – leading top law firm Davis Polk to rescind job offers they had extended to students from these institutions, per NBC. Some donors have also cut ties with Harvard over the statement, including the Wexner foundation, founded by former Victoria's Secret CEO and close Epstein associate Leslie Wexner.5. The Washington Post reports Venezuela and the United States have reached a breakthrough agreement in which the U.S. will ease sanctions on the country's oil industry, and in exchange the country will hold  “a competitive, internationally monitored presidential election next year.” This agreement represents a win for both nations, with the Biden administration hoping it will ease oil and gas prices, while the Maduro administration will, at long last, have the opportunity to reaffirm its legitimacy following the Trump-backed coup attempt that began in 2019.6. Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has called on the full Senate to expel Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey following his indictment on corruption charges and allegations by the Department of Justice that he was acting as an unregistered foreign agent. Fetterman's statement reads “Senator Menendez should not be a U.S. Senator. He should have been gone long ago. It is time for every one of my colleagues in the Senate to join me in expelling Senator Menendez…This is not a close call.” This from the Hill.7. Negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP have broken down yet again, this time over two specific issues. The first, according to the LA Times, is the actors' demand for a 2% share of streaming revenue, or alternatively 57 cents per subscriber per year. The studios have called this an “overreach” which would “create an untenable economic burden.” The other major point of contention is AI, with the studios “continuing to demand ‘consent' on the first day of employment for use of a performer's digital replica for an entire cinematic universe (or any franchise project),” per Deadline. Meanwhile, the guild has lauded a new Senate bill – the NO FAKES Act – which would “prevent a person from producing or distributing an unauthorized AI-generated replica of an individual to perform in an audiovisual or sound recording without the consent of the individual being replicated.” SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said of the bill “A performer's voice and their appearance are all part of their unique essence, and it's not ok when those are used without their permission. Consent is key,” per Deadline.  8. Finally, the Guardian reports that Indian officials have approved a trial for sedition against renowned author Arundhati Roy concerning a 2010 speech she made on Kashmir. The article notes Reporters Without Borders has warned that “press freedom is in crisis” in India. Roy herself has been an outspoken critic of the rising tide of Hindu nationalism in India, which has earned her the ire of right-wing authoritarian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Maya Berry, executive director of the Arab-American Institute, discusses Arab-Americans' outrage at the Biden administration's announcement Sept. 27th that it is accepting Israel into the U.S. visa waiver program, a program which allows citizens from select countries to travel to the United States without a visa. Arab-American, Palestinian-American and U.S. Muslim civil rights groups say Israel doesn't meet the United States' own established criteria for admission to the program and violates Arab-Americans' rights as U.S. citizens to equal protection under the law. The visa waiver program requires reciprocity in how citizens enrolled in the program are treated, but as 15 U.S. senators noted in a letter to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken dated Sept. 8, Israel does not yet meet the standards for admittances, and Israel continues to discriminate against Arab-Americans, particularly Palestinian-Americans, seeking to travel to and inside Israel and the Occupied Territories. Berry says her own country is now facilitating Israeli discrimination against her and other U.S. citizens, not only Arab-Americans but all U.S. advocates of Palestinian human rights, who also face discrimination at Israel's borders.

Jimmy Carter, at the age of 98, is America's oldest former president. Last week, the Carter family announced that Mr. Carter was entering hospice at his home in Plains, Georgia. As the world prepares to bid farewell to the 39th U.S. president, re-assessments of his extraordinary life and legacy have begun in earnest, drawing new attention to the unique sweep and impact of Jimmy Carter's accomplishments, from his emergence as a standout liberal Georgia governor who championed civil rights to his election in 1976 as the post-Watergate US president who forged the historic Camp David Middle East Peace Accord. Mr. Carter has been widely praised as one of the nation's most successful ex-presidents for his four decades of work with the Carter Center's international peace, pro-democracy and global health campaigns — work that earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Joining Tom now with an appreciation of Mr. Carter is Dr. James Zogby, an influential Middle East policy expert and the founder and president of the Arab American Institute. Dr. James Zogby joins Tom on Zoom from Washington, DC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Seddon is live with Diana Buttu and Omar Baddar for a Deep Dive illuminating the latest iteration of Israel's evermore extreme right wing government.  We'll be exploring the Netanyahu-led government's rhetoric and actions which have already included explicit calls for more land grabs across the West Bank and the expulsion of more Palestinians from their homes. We'll also be questioning the nature of the ongoing protests in Tel Aviv and what they reveal about the wider concern among the Israeli public, or lack of it, for the millions of Palestinians enduring Israel's ongoing occupation. Diana Buttu is a lawyer and analyst based in Haifa. Her commentaries have appeared in the NYT, Washington Post, Boston Globe, CNN and the Guardian among others. She is also a DAWN fellow.  Omar Baddar is a Palestinian-American political analyst. He previously served as communications director for the Institute for Middle East Understanding, deputy director of the Arab American Institute, a co-host and producer with Al Jazeera, and executive director of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee of Massachusetts. He holds a master's degree in political science, with research focusing on U.S. policy toward Palestine and Israel, and his media appearances include MSNBC, BBC, and Al Jazeera, among many other outlets.

Today's two-part episode is a study in contrasts. On one hand, the Partnership for Peace Fund strives to create a social and economic environment in which sustainable peace can become possible. On the other, hard political realities and gridlock undermine cooperation at every turn. The episode begins by discussing peace-building efforts with George Salem, co-founder and Chairman of the Arab American Institute and Inaugural Chair of the Partnership for Peace Advisory Board. The discussion then turns to political realities and facts on the ground with Brian Katulis, Vice President of Policy at MEI, and Khaled Elgindy, Senior Fellow and Director of the Program on Palestine and Palestinian-Israeli Affairs.

James Zogby talked about his work in the field of political and policy research within the Arab American community.James J. Zogby is the founder and president of the Arab American Institute (AAI), a Washington, D.C.-based organization which serves as the political and policy research arm of the Arab American community. He is also managing director of Zogby Research Services, which specializes in groundbreaking public opinion polling across the Arab world. Zogby is a lecturer and scholar in Middle Eastern affairs and a visiting professor of Social Research and Public Polling at New York University in Abu Dhabi. A lecturer and scholar on Middle East issues, U.S.-Arab relations, and the history of the Arab American community, Zogby appears frequently on television and radio. Zogby is the author of Arab Voices (Palgrave Macmillan, October 2010), among other books and publications. Zogby has testified before U.S. House and Senate committees and has addressed the United Nations and other international forums. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.Created and hosted by Mikey Muhanna, afikra Edited by: Ramzi RammanTheme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/About the afikra Conversations:Our long-form interview series features academics, arts, ‎and media experts who are helping document and/or shape the history and culture of the Arab world through their ‎work. Our hope is that by having the guest share their expertise and story, the community still walks away with newfound curiosity - and maybe some good recommendations about new nerdy rabbit holes to dive into headfirst. ‎Following the interview, there is a moderated town-hall-style Q&A with questions coming from the live virtual audience ‎on Zoom.‎ Join the live audience: https://www.afikra.com/rsvp   FollowYoutube - Instagram (@afikra_) - Facebook - Twitter Support www.afikra.com/supportAbout afikra:‎afikra is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region- past, present, and future - through conversations driven by curiosity. Read more about us on  afikra.com

Janai Nelson Janai Nelson, Associate Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund joins us to discuss the banning of books that teach a truthful version of history, and how she will lead the NAACP LDF in Spring of 2022 after the departure of current president, Sherrilyn Ifill.  Arab Americans Are 'White' On The Census. But Should They Be? In the fall of 2021, Boston mayoral candidate Annissa Essaibi George, like many other Arab Americans, chose to identify publicly as a person of color. But the thing is Arab Americans are considered “white” on government forms. That means Arab Americans and people from the Middle East...who descend from countries that span Africa and Asia...are left out of a process that decides the political map, federal funding and medical research. For decades, Arab American organizations have pushed the federal government to adjust official forms to stop what they say is erasure. But the question is, what is a person of color - and are Arab Americans a part of the group? Sarah Gualtieri, historian and professor of American studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California (USC) and Maya Berry, executive director at the Arab American Institute, join The Takeaway to discuss more.  Asian Americans Secure Historic Political Wins Across The Country A report from Politico in 2021 revealed that elected officials from the Asian American and Pacific Islander community were the LEAST represented demographic in American politics, making up less than ONE percent of all people who hold office. But that's starting to change. In fact, this November was a historic election cycle for AAPI communities across the country. Asian Americans will serve for the first time as Mayor in Boston and Cincinnati. 5 Asian Americans were elected to New York's city council this year. Jane Junn, professor at University of Southern California and Arun Venugopal, Race and Justice Reporter at WNYC, join The Takeaway to discuss more.   

Janai Nelson Janai Nelson, Associate Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund joins us to discuss the banning of books that teach a truthful version of history, and how she will lead the NAACP LDF in Spring of 2022 after the departure of current president, Sherrilyn Ifill.  Arab Americans Are 'White' On The Census. But Should They Be? In the fall of 2021, Boston mayoral candidate Annissa Essaibi George, like many other Arab Americans, chose to identify publicly as a person of color. But the thing is Arab Americans are considered “white” on government forms. That means Arab Americans and people from the Middle East...who descend from countries that span Africa and Asia...are left out of a process that decides the political map, federal funding and medical research. For decades, Arab American organizations have pushed the federal government to adjust official forms to stop what they say is erasure. But the question is, what is a person of color - and are Arab Americans a part of the group? Sarah Gualtieri, historian and professor of American studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California (USC) and Maya Berry, executive director at the Arab American Institute, join The Takeaway to discuss more.  Asian Americans Secure Historic Political Wins Across The Country A report from Politico in 2021 revealed that elected officials from the Asian American and Pacific Islander community were the LEAST represented demographic in American politics, making up less than ONE percent of all people who hold office. But that's starting to change. In fact, this November was a historic election cycle for AAPI communities across the country. Asian Americans will serve for the first time as Mayor in Boston and Cincinnati. 5 Asian Americans were elected to New York's city council this year. Jane Junn, professor at University of Southern California and Arun Venugopal, Race and Justice Reporter at WNYC, join The Takeaway to discuss more.   

Host Omar Baddar sits down with Maya Berry, Executive Director of the Arab American Institute to discuss Biden's administration to include Israel in the US visa waiver program.

Thirteen Republicans Voted for the Infrastructure Bill. Now They're Facing Backlash. After months of back and forth in Congress, the House of Representatives passed the Senate version of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act last Friday. The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill now goes to President Biden's desk, where he's expected to sign it into law. The passage of the bill was ultimately a bipartisan effort, with 13 Republicans voting “yes” alongside their Democratic counterparts in the House.For those 13 Republicans, the days since the vote haven't been the easiest. They're facing backlash from fellow Republicans, including former president Donald Trump who said they should be “ashamed of themselves” for “helping the Democrats.” Arab Americans Are 'White' On The Census. But Should They Be? Boston mayoral candidate Annissa Essaibi George, like many other Arab Americans, chose to identify publicly as a person of color. But the thing is, Arab Americans are considered “white” on government forms. We spoke with historian and professor of American studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California (USC) Sarah Gualtieri and Maya Berry, the executive director at the Arab American Institute.  Redistricting and Voting Rights Redistricting is underway in many states, and as lawmakers draw new political lines for their state and congressional seats, it could leave masses of voters without a voice in their elections. The Takeaway looks at redistricting and voting rights with Ari Berman, senior reporter at Mother Jones covering voting rights. Ari, always great to have you here. For segment transcripts, see individual segment pages.  

Thirteen Republicans Voted for the Infrastructure Bill. Now They're Facing Backlash. After months of back and forth in Congress, the House of Representatives passed the Senate version of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act last Friday. The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill now goes to President Biden's desk, where he's expected to sign it into law. The passage of the bill was ultimately a bipartisan effort, with 13 Republicans voting “yes” alongside their Democratic counterparts in the House.For those 13 Republicans, the days since the vote haven't been the easiest. They're facing backlash from fellow Republicans, including former president Donald Trump who said they should be “ashamed of themselves” for “helping the Democrats.” Arab Americans Are 'White' On The Census. But Should They Be? Boston mayoral candidate Annissa Essaibi George, like many other Arab Americans, chose to identify publicly as a person of color. But the thing is, Arab Americans are considered “white” on government forms. We spoke with historian and professor of American studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California (USC) Sarah Gualtieri and Maya Berry, the executive director at the Arab American Institute.  Redistricting and Voting Rights Redistricting is underway in many states, and as lawmakers draw new political lines for their state and congressional seats, it could leave masses of voters without a voice in their elections. The Takeaway looks at redistricting and voting rights with Ari Berman, senior reporter at Mother Jones covering voting rights. Ari, always great to have you here. For segment transcripts, see individual segment pages.  

“While there are differences, to be sure, between anti-Semitism and anti-Arab bigotry, the animus that has driven the hostility directed against both Arabs and Jews springs from the same source,” James Zogby argues in a recent piece for YubaNet. In this week's episode of The Marc Steiner Show, Marc welcomes Zogby back to the show to discuss the intertwined historical roots of anti-Arabism and anti-Semitism, as well as the hope that peace movements among new generations of Israelies and Palestinians can break the historical cycle of violence. James Zogby is the founder and president of the Arab American Institute, managing director of Zogby Research Services, former member of the Democratic National Committee's Executive Committee, and author of Arab Voices: What They Are Saying to Us, and Why It Matters.Tune in for new segments of The Marc Steiner Show every Tuesday and Friday on TRNN.Pre-Production/Studio/Post Production: Stephen Frank

“While there are differences, to be sure, between anti-Semitism and anti-Arab bigotry, the animus that has driven the hostility directed against both Arabs and Jews springs from the same source,” James Zogby argues in a recent piece for YubaNet. In this week's episode of The Marc Steiner Show, Marc welcomes Zogby back to the show to discuss the intertwined historical roots of anti-Arabism and anti-Semitism, as well as the hope that peace movements among new generations of Israelies and Palestinians can break the historical cycle of violence. James Zogby is the founder and president of the Arab American Institute, managing director of Zogby Research Services, former member of the Democratic National Committee's Executive Committee, and author of Arab Voices: What They Are Saying to Us, and Why It Matters.Tune in for new segments of The Marc Steiner Show every Tuesday and Friday on TRNN.Pre-Production/Studio/Post Production: Stephen Frank

Patreon only: Max Blumenthal on experiencing more antisemitism in Israel from Israeli Jews than anywhere else & the idiocy of Debra Messing. https://www.patreon.com/posts/51641714 Katie & Leslie talk pop culture, the death of Kentaro Miura, trolls, and Leslie's past cold weather naivety. Then, Arab-American Institute (https://twitter.com/AAIUSA) founder Jim Zogby (https://twitter.com/jjz1600) reflects on the state of affairs in Israel Palestine, the shift in the US political status quo, Netanyahu's corruption trial, his wife's dirty laundry, how we got here & what's next. Max Blumenthal also drops by to provide his take, as well as agree to be made aware of the dumpster fire that keeps on giving that is Debra Messing, which you can check out in full at Patreon.

It’s been a busy week for national politics, from the Biden Administration trying to de-escalate in the Middle East to the GOP ouster of Representative Liz Cheney. Plus, one perspective on how the U.S. media is talking about the Middle East And, making social media safe for the LGTBQ+ community Guests: Omar Baddar, Palestinian-American political analyst and a member of the National Policy Council of the Arab American Institute. And Axios' Margaret Talev & Ina Fried. Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, Justin Kaufmann, Amy Pedulla, Naomi Shavin, Alex Sugiura, and Michael Hanf. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. Go deeper: GLAAD finds top social media sites "categorically unsafe" Liz Cheney's game plan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Not In Our Town podcast features powerful voices from people across the country who are taking a stand against hate and working to create safe and inclusive communities for all. In this episode, we examine how the tragic killing of Khalid Jabara, a young man who was murdered by his next door neighbor in a hate crime, prompted a call for vital changes in hate crime law and reporting. NIOT's Jeremy Jue hears from the Jabara family about the events leading up to the murder of Khalid Jabara in Tulsa, Okla. on April 12, 2016. The podcast features Khalid's mother Haifa and his two siblings, Rami and Victoria, on the events leading up to Khalid's tragic death, Maya Berry, Executive Director of the Arab American Institute and NIOT Founder Patrice O'Neil

Senator Turner has a historical heart-to-heart with Dr. James Zogby, founder and president of the Arab American Institute, which centers on the fact that justice is not a destination but a journey. Join them as they recount movements started and continued by our greats, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Reverend Jesse Jackson, Barbara Jordan, Shirley Chisolm, and Senator Bernie Sanders. (Be sure to listen until the end where Dr. Zogby drops some inspiration perfect for April’s Arab American Heritage Month!) #HelloSomebody

Senator Turner has a historical heart-to-heart with Dr. James Zogby, founder and president of the Arab American Institute, which centers on the fact that justice is not a destination but a journey. Join them as they recount movements started and continued by our greats, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Reverend Jesse Jackson, Barbara Jordan, Shirley Chisolm, and Senator Bernie Sanders. (Be sure to listen until the end where Dr. Zogby drops some inspiration perfect for April’s Arab American Heritage Month!) #HelloSomebody

Dr. Zogby is the founder and president of the Arab American Institute, a Washington, D.C.–based organization that serves as a political and policy research arm of the Arab-American community. He is also a Fellow at the Sanders Institute. We discuss the current situation with the ICC and Palestine and what role the Biden administration will play in it. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/district34/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/district34/support

CODEPINK's Medea Benjamin and Marcy Winograd, and Hanieh Jodat-Barnes were joined by four special guests: Huwaida Arraf, co-founder, International Solidarity Movement; Omar Baddar, political analyst & former deputy director, Arab American Institute; Ariel Gold, co-director, CODEPINK; and Estee Chandler, board member, Jewish Voice for Peace. They discussed the International Criminal Court’s investigation of Israeli war crimes; the Boycott-Divest-Sanction (BDS) movement; the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s definition of anti-Semitism and its threat to free speech; and the Biden administration’s complicity with Israeli apartheid.

In the first segment of this week's "Marc Steiner Show," we discuss what changes we should and shouldn't expect in U.S. policy toward Palestine and Israel in the Biden era. For this segment, Marc is joined by James Zogby, founder and president of the Arab American Institute, managing director of Zogby Research Services, former member of the Democratic National Committee, and author of “Arab Voices: What They Are Saying to Us, and Why It Matters”; and Phyllis Bennis, director of the New Internationalism Project at the Institute for Policy Studies, founding member of the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, national board member of Jewish Voice for Peace, and author of numerous books, including “Love Wins: Palestinian Perseverance Behind Walls.”Then, we talk to some of the student organizers who are leading the grassroots effort to force the University of Florida to unequivocally end its use of unpaid prison labor. For this segment, Marc is joined by University of Florida undergraduates Jerry Jerome and Ava Kaplan (who is also a member of Dream Defenders), as well as Will Boose, a UF alumnus and member of the Coalition to Abolish Prison Slavery.To watch video versions of “The Marc Steiner Show,” visit: https://therealnews.com/the-marc-steiner-show

The Biden administration — prompted by the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by extremist supporters of Donald Trump — has announced a sweeping review of how the federal government deals with threats of domestic terrorism.Leaders in the House and Senate have also introduced legislation that they say would strengthen law enforcement efforts to address domestic terrorism. But 135 human rights groups have written a joint letter to lawmakers opposing an expansion of terrorism laws.“As well-intended as it is, we're pretty confident that when those laws get put in place, they're not necessarily going to be going after, you know, the Proud Boys per se. It's much more likely that it would be, Arab Americans, American Muslims, Black Lives Matter protesters. It's just a pattern that we regrettably are quite familiar with.”Maya Berry, Arab American Institute“As well-intended as it is, we're pretty confident that when those laws get put in place, they're not necessarily going to be going after, you know, the Proud Boys per se,” said Maya Berry, executive director of the Arab American Institute, one of the organizations that signed the letter to lawmakers. “It's much more likely that it would be, Arab Americans, American Muslims, Black Lives Matter protesters. It's just a pattern that we regrettably are quite familiar with.”Related: How Biden's Keystone XL Pipeline cancellation could test US-Canada relationsBut others say law enforcement has done everything it can under existing laws, and it hasn’t been enough.Tom O’Connor, an FBI agent who worked on white supremacist criminal activity and domestic terrorism until he retired in 2019, said part of the problem is that there’s no statute under US law that establishes criminal penalties solely for “domestic terrorism.”“In the 23 years that I worked domestic extremists, no one was ever charged as being a domestic terrorist — and that’s what they should be charged with,” he said. “By making domestic political violence a criminal offense under federal law, you’re not adding any investigative or surveillance authorities to law enforcement. You are just making the crime of political violence illegal in the United States.”Some proposed legislation would put a review board in place to help prevent law enforcement abuses like those that occurred in the past, said Jason Blazakis, former director of the State Department’s counterterrorism office. He is now the director of the Middlebury Institute’s Center on Terrorism, Extremism and Counterterrorism.“Unfortunately, I think there's kind of a knee-jerk reaction against the possibility of a domestic terrorism law,” Blazakis said. “I think there are a lot of people who don’t understand it can be narrowly tailored.”Related: China hopes for cooperation, better relations under BidenAs things are now, he said, white suspects aren’t called "terrorists" as often as Black people and other people of color. Blazakis said that creates an optic that exacerbates existing racial inequities.“So, I think there is an important symbolic value to a domestic terrorism update that would allow for the United States to start considering, quite frankly, white people as terrorists, to not just brown or Black people or people who may worship a certain faith,” he said.That doesn’t persuade Berry of the Arab American Institute.“I appreciate when people are saying, ‘We want to call it the same thing to kind of, in some ways, vindicates your community.’ OK, I mean, fine, if you feel strongly about that, that's great,” she said. “For me, though, it's about doubling down on a deeply flawed and highly discriminatory counterterrorism regime that we've had in place.”For instance, the FBI surveilled Martin Luther King Jr. and infiltrated the Black Panthers. After 9/11, authorities wiretapped and detained people without warrants. They profiled and targeted Muslim Americans and other people of color in the name of national security.Related: Biden supporters across the political spectrum unified by outrage, heartbreak and hopeBerry said new laws giving law enforcement more authority would just lead to more abuses. She said there are already many laws on the books that allow authorities to go after white extremists effectively. They just don’t use the legal term terrorism.“It's not a situation where I need to call it terrorism in order for it to be taken seriously. We can take it seriously without that.”Maya Berry, Arab American Institute“It's not a situation where I need to call it terrorism in order for it to be taken seriously,” Berry said. “We can take it seriously without that.”But Berry said federal law enforcement hasn’t been taking white extremists seriously and hasn’t been fully enforcing existing laws, despite the dramatic rise in hate crimes against people of color. And, the increasing pace of incidents involving white nationalists.Related: 5 major challenges facing Biden on Day One   “There have been very specific examples of white supremacist violence that should have warranted a more serious response,” Berry said. “We just need the will to really take that threat more seriously and do that before we talk about the law change.”

Dr. James Zogby is the founder and president of the Arab American Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based organization. He talks about how a new Democrat administration in the US might affect security in the Middle East, the prospect of trade between old rivals and the best solution for the Palestinian cause. You can follow James Zogby on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jjz1600

Dr. James Zogby is the founder and president of the Arab American Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based organization. He talks about how a new Democrat administration in the US might affect security in the Middle East, the prospect of trade between old rivals and the best solution for the Palestinian cause. You can follow James Zogby on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jjz1600See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, CODEPINK's national co-director Ariel Gold talks with Dr. James Zogby, president and founder of the Arab American Institute. They discuss the upcoiming election and what a Biden presidency would mean for Arab-Americans and the struggle for Palestinian rights. The second part of today’s program includes CODEPINK's Middle East coordinator Danaka Katovich discussing Saudi Arabia's male guardianship and Kafala systems with Dr. Hala Aldosari and Bethany Alhaidari.

The Ray Hanania Show Live WNZK AM 690 on the US Arab Radio Network Sponsored by the Arab News Newspaper Oct. 9, 2020 Friday #ArabRadio Brilliant Zoom interview with @JimZogby president @AAIUSA  #ArabAmericanInstitute  on transformation of US politics from Newt Gingrich during Bill Clinton years thru George W. Bush, Barack Obama to @RealDonaldTrump, defending @JoeBiden. https://vimeo.com/466592079  The Ray Hanania Show Live WNZK AM 690 on the US Arab Radio Network It's Oct. 9, 2020 … and this is the Friday edition of “The Ray Hanania Show,” … I’m Ray Hanania, special US Correspondent for the Arab News Newspaper … and columnist and media consultant here in the US. The Ray Hanania Show is brought to you on the US Arab Radio Network on WNZK AM 690 in Detroit Michigan … proudly sponsored by the Arab News Newspaper where I write Op-Eds and news and features, and sponsored by many other businesses, organizations and charities … The Arab News Newspaper is the Middle East’s leading English language print newspaper with editions in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Japan, Pakistan, France and bureaus in London, New York and Chicago where I am based … The US Arab Radio Network was launched in 2005 by journalist and radio network founder Laila Alhusini in an effort to energize and empower Arab Americans … WNZK AM 690 is one of the country’s leading radio stations offering formats for ethnic American communities The Ray Hanania Show is broadcast every Wednesday through the election in November and on the 2nd Friday of every month featuring guests who address election issues in the news … for more information on our program go to the www.ArabNews.com/us2020election  or www.Hanania.com or   www.ArabRadio.us If you are outside of the Greater Detroit region, you can watch and listen to our show on the Arab News Facebook page at Facebook.com/rghanania Our radio show call-in number is 248-557-3300     We’re looking at the US General election for president and we have several great guests We have Jim Zogby the founder and president of the Arab American Institute, AAI, a Washington, D.C.–based organization that serves as a political and policy research arm of the Arab-American community. Jim is a supporter of the Joe Biden Campaign and he’ll talk to us about his perspectives on the debates and the upcoming election. We are broadcasting on Live Radio in Michigan on WNZK AM 690 this morning … 8 AM In Great Detroit, Ohio and Canada … and 7 AM in Chicago, 1 PM in London, 3 PM in Riyadh and Jerusalem, and 4 PM in Dubai If you are outside of the Greater Detroit region, you can watch and listen to our show on the Arab News Facebook page at Facebook.com/TheArabNews Our radio show call-in number is 248-557-3300     Use these links to listen online :  www.Facebook.com/thearabnews https://arabradio.us/live  https://www.radio.net/s/usarabradio

JAMES ZOGBY The Tumultuous Decade: Arab Public Opinion and the Upheavals of 2010–2019 STEUBEN PRESS 2020 September 4, 2020 James M. Dorsey James Zogby’s The Tumultuous Decade: Arab Public Opinion and the Upheavals of 2010–2019 (Steuben Press, 2020) takes the reader on a decade-long tour of the Middle East as the region reverberates from popular revolts that toppled long-standing dictators, civil and proxy wars that sparked some of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, foreign interventions and seemingly intractable power struggles. It does so through the eyes of ordinary Arabs, Iranians, and Turks rather than the region’s political elites. Zogby’s ability to tease out a sense of public opinion in a part of the world in which freedom of expression and freedom of the media are rare quantities constitutes an important contribution to the literature and understanding of a region that often seems too complex and intricate to easily wrap one’s head around. In a world of autocracy, repression and conflict, polls often offer ordinary citizens a rare opportunity to express an opinion. Zogby demonstrates that autocratic and authoritarian leaders frequently ignore public opinion but track it closely and at times are swayed by what the public thinks and wants. Years of polling also demonstrates that failure to understand public sentiment and/or take it into account produces misinformed and misguided policies not only by rulers in the region but also governments like that of the United States. Zogby’s discussion of Iraq since the 2003 US invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein illustrates the point. So does his analysis of polling of attitudes over several years in countries that overthrew their leaders during the 2011 popular Arab revolts as well as of perceptions of Iran and Palestinians incapable of wresting themselves from Israeli occupation. Zogby’s book offers a different look at the Middle East, one that offers fresh insights on the basis of citizens’ aspirations rather than what authoritarian and often corrupt elites would like the world to believe. James Zogby is director of Zogby Research Services, a firm that has conducted groundbreaking surveys across the Middle East, and the founder and president of the Washington, DC-based Arab American Institute. James M. Dorsey is a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute. He is the author of the syndicated, column, blog and podcast, The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer

James Zogby’s The Tumultuous Decade: Arab Public Opinion and the Upheavals of 2010–2019 (Steuben Press, 2020) takes the reader on a decade-long tour of the Middle East as the region reverberates from popular revolts that toppled long-standing dictators, civil and proxy wars that sparked some of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, foreign interventions and seemingly intractable power struggles. It does so through the eyes of ordinary Arabs, Iranians, and Turks rather than the region’s political elites. Zogby’s ability to tease out a sense of public opinion in a part of the world in which freedom of expression and freedom of the media are rare quantities constitutes an important contribution to the literature and understanding of a region that often seems too complex and intricate to easily wrap one’s head around. In a world of autocracy, repression and conflict, polls often offer ordinary citizens a rare opportunity to express an opinion. Zogby demonstrates that autocratic and authoritarian leaders frequently ignore public opinion but track it closely and at times are swayed by what the public thinks and wants. Years of polling also demonstrates that failure to understand public sentiment and/or take it into account produces misinformed and misguided policies not only by rulers in the region but also governments like that of the United States. Zogby’s discussion of Iraq since the 2003 US invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein illustrates the point. So does his analysis of polling of attitudes over several years in countries that overthrew their leaders during the 2011 popular Arab revolts as well as of perceptions of Iran and Palestinians incapable of wresting themselves from Israeli occupation. Zogby’s book offers a different look at the Middle East, one that offers fresh insights on the basis of citizens’ aspirations rather than what authoritarian and often corrupt elites would like the world to believe. James Zogby is director of Zogby Research Services, a firm that has conducted groundbreaking surveys across the Middle East, and the founder and president of the Washington, DC-based Arab American Institute. James M. Dorsey is a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Zogby’s The Tumultuous Decade: Arab Public Opinion and the Upheavals of 2010–2019 (Steuben Press, 2020) takes the reader on a decade-long tour of the Middle East as the region reverberates from popular revolts that toppled long-standing dictators, civil and proxy wars that sparked some of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, foreign interventions and seemingly intractable power struggles. It does so through the eyes of ordinary Arabs, Iranians, and Turks rather than the region’s political elites. Zogby’s ability to tease out a sense of public opinion in a part of the world in which freedom of expression and freedom of the media are rare quantities constitutes an important contribution to the literature and understanding of a region that often seems too complex and intricate to easily wrap one’s head around. In a world of autocracy, repression and conflict, polls often offer ordinary citizens a rare opportunity to express an opinion. Zogby demonstrates that autocratic and authoritarian leaders frequently ignore public opinion but track it closely and at times are swayed by what the public thinks and wants. Years of polling also demonstrates that failure to understand public sentiment and/or take it into account produces misinformed and misguided policies not only by rulers in the region but also governments like that of the United States. Zogby’s discussion of Iraq since the 2003 US invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein illustrates the point. So does his analysis of polling of attitudes over several years in countries that overthrew their leaders during the 2011 popular Arab revolts as well as of perceptions of Iran and Palestinians incapable of wresting themselves from Israeli occupation. Zogby’s book offers a different look at the Middle East, one that offers fresh insights on the basis of citizens’ aspirations rather than what authoritarian and often corrupt elites would like the world to believe. James Zogby is director of Zogby Research Services, a firm that has conducted groundbreaking surveys across the Middle East, and the founder and president of the Washington, DC-based Arab American Institute. James M. Dorsey is a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Zogby’s The Tumultuous Decade: Arab Public Opinion and the Upheavals of 2010–2019 (Steuben Press, 2020) takes the reader on a decade-long tour of the Middle East as the region reverberates from popular revolts that toppled long-standing dictators, civil and proxy wars that sparked some of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, foreign interventions and seemingly intractable power struggles. It does so through the eyes of ordinary Arabs, Iranians, and Turks rather than the region’s political elites. Zogby’s ability to tease out a sense of public opinion in a part of the world in which freedom of expression and freedom of the media are rare quantities constitutes an important contribution to the literature and understanding of a region that often seems too complex and intricate to easily wrap one’s head around. In a world of autocracy, repression and conflict, polls often offer ordinary citizens a rare opportunity to express an opinion. Zogby demonstrates that autocratic and authoritarian leaders frequently ignore public opinion but track it closely and at times are swayed by what the public thinks and wants. Years of polling also demonstrates that failure to understand public sentiment and/or take it into account produces misinformed and misguided policies not only by rulers in the region but also governments like that of the United States. Zogby’s discussion of Iraq since the 2003 US invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein illustrates the point. So does his analysis of polling of attitudes over several years in countries that overthrew their leaders during the 2011 popular Arab revolts as well as of perceptions of Iran and Palestinians incapable of wresting themselves from Israeli occupation. Zogby’s book offers a different look at the Middle East, one that offers fresh insights on the basis of citizens’ aspirations rather than what authoritarian and often corrupt elites would like the world to believe. James Zogby is director of Zogby Research Services, a firm that has conducted groundbreaking surveys across the Middle East, and the founder and president of the Washington, DC-based Arab American Institute. James M. Dorsey is a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week James Zogby, founder and president of the Arab American Institute and former member of the DNC Executive Committee, joins CODEPINK’s Ariel Gold to discuss the 2020 DNC draft platform and how it address Palestinian rights. On the second part of the show, she talks to Saudi legal scholar Abdullah Alaoudh about the shifting sands in the Saudi regime as the king's health declines and MbS is soon to take the crown.

This week! We break down chapter 14 of "Triggered" wherein Donny proves he's really just a racist conspiracy theorist at heart. This week you'll hear Kevin reading from a list of verifiable hate crimes committed by individuals directly inspired by Trump. I know I missed a few during the episode that were on my list, and of course my list is nowhere near the full list of hate crimes inspired by Trump, but if you'd like to fact check me, or have a handy list to use on your crazy MAGA Uncle, I've put the list in the show-notes this week for you. If you want more you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/nygbc Music: "Say You Will" by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com List Of Trump-Inspired Hate Crimes Patrick Crusius 2019 El Paso Walmart shooter who wrote in his manifesto specifically about an immigrant “invasion” and “cultural and ethnic replacement” But don't worry, the mass shooter specifically said he felt this way about immigrants before trump so the shooting wasn't trump's fault. Caleb Joseph Illig, white man in Florida who punched latinx gas station attendant and yelled “this is for trump” in Dec 2016. Three Kansas Militia members convicted in 2019 of attempting to bomb an apartment building with a high number of Somali Immigrants. Posted pro-trump posts on social media and expressed an interest in killing them with bullets dipped in pigs blood after trump told that apocryphal story at a rally. Argued in court that they were acting in what they believed to be self defense because they thought if trump won Obama wouldn't allow him to take office. Steven leader who in August 2015 along with his brother beat a homeless Mexican man with a metal pole and when arrested told police “Donald Trump was right, all these illegals need to be deported” John Martin Roos of Oregon who the FBI arrested in 2015 with pipe bombs and an arsenal of weapons after he repeatedly threatened online “women, “the gays” African Americans, hispanics, President Obama, and the “Liberal Media” And who could best be described as a trump twitter troll. Henry Slapnick of Cleveland who in 2016 attacked his African American neighbors with a knife and said afterwards that “Donald Trump will fix them because they are scared of Donald Trump” Daniel Rowe of Olympia Washington who in 2016 attacked a mixed race couple in the street with a knife after seeing them kiss and told police that “he planned on heading down to the next Donald Trump rally and stomping out more of the Black Lives Matter group” The chief of the Bordentown New Jersey Police department who assaulted an African American youth in custody in 2016 and shortly after was recorded in secret saying “Donald Trump is the last hope for white people” Mark Feigin of Los Angeles who was arrested in 2016 after posting threatening messages to a mosque's Facebook page and who's lawyer argued that his trump supporting client only was addressing public issues raised y the trump campaign and using similar language then candidate trump was. Todd Warnken arrested for assault in 2016 for harassing an African american woman in a store and telling her “Trump is going to win, and if you don't like it I'm gonna beat your ass you n----r” David Howard arrested in 2016 for attempting to burn down his neighbor's house because a Muslim family had bought it. Who said “[With] the fact that the president wants these six countries vetted, everybody vetted before they come over, there's a concern about Muslims” Jacob Holtzlander arrested in 2016 for attacking an East African cab driver who repeatedly yelled racial slurs and “trump” during the attack. Dusty Paul Lacombe arrested in 2016 for randomly attacking an African American man in San Antonio, leaving his car, walking to the victim, stating he was a trump supporter, and attacking. Robin Rhodes who attacked a Muslim Delta airlines employee who was wearing a hijab at JFK airport in 2017 and told the victim afterwards when confronted with police present, “You did nothing, but ... [Expletive] Islam. [Expletive] ISIS. Trump is here now. He will get rid of all of you.” The 2017 Minnesota Mosque bombing which Sebastian Gorka told a reporter may be a fake hate crime, but was later revealed to be perpetrated by two white trump supporting militia members. Adam Purinton, who murdered two Indian men at a Kansas restaurant who he thought were Iranians in 2017, Yelling at them to “get out of [his] country” and calling them terrorists. Brandon Davis of North Carolina who in 2017 yelled homophobic slurs at a gay couple riding bikes followed by “you live in trump country now” Kenneth Sjarpe of Bellevue Washington who in 2017 yelled slurs and death threats at two brothers of middle eastern descent filling their car with gas and told police the next day that he “He said he supports Trump in keeping them out” Anthony Scott Ward of California who threatened to kill representative Maxine Waters for her opposition to trump in 2017. Former U.S. Diplomat William Patrick Zyring of Arlington VA who in 2018 was arrested for threatening employees of the Arab American Institute including sending an email a week after the inauguration that said “It's time for ethnic cleansing of Arabs in America. Elections have consequences. President Trump will cleanse America of [AAI President James] Zogby … and all Arab American terrorists.” James Patrick of Florida who was arrested in 2018 for threatening to kill Democrats if Brett “The Boof” Kavanaugh was not placed on the Supreme Court. Cesar Sayoc, the Magabomber, who sent pipe bombs to all of trump's enemies in 2018. Michael Brogan of Brooklyn who in 2018 was arrested for sending death threats to a Senator, leaving a voicemail that said “I'm going to put a bullet in ya. … You and your constant lambasting of President Trump. Oh, reproductive rights, reproductive rights.” David Boilau of Florida who in 2019 was arrested for breaking into an Iraqi family's home, burglarizing their mailbox, and throwing screws at their vehicle. He stated to police after arrest that “if he doesn't get rid of them, Trump will handle it.” Christopher Paul Hasson, the coast guard member who was arrested for planning a terrorist plot and had a massive arsenal and a hit list of Democratic politicians, and who's google search history included such searches as “civil war if trump impeached” “what if trump illegally impeached” and “where do most senators live in DC” Anthony Comello, the Q-Anon believer who in 2019 murdered the head of the Gambino crime family believing that the mob boss had connections to the deep state. Patrick Carlineo who threatened to Murder Rep Ilhan Omar in 2019 who told the FBI that, “he was a patriot, that he loves the President, and that he hates radical Muslims in our government” John Joseph Kless of Florida arrested for threatening several Democratic Politicians, saying in one of his emails “You won't f---ing tell Americans what to say, and you definitely don't tell our president, Donald Trump, what to say” Matthew Haviland of Rhode Island, Arrested in 2019 for threatening a college professor who expressed their support for abortion and criticism of trump, saying via email that “all Democrats must be eradicated," insisting the country now has "a president who's taking our country in a place of more freedom rather than less.” Scott Brian Haven who was arrested for threatening Democratic Lawmakers in 2019 saying “I am going to take up my second amendment right, and shoot you liberals in the head Eric Lin of Maryland who threatened a Hispanic woman and promised to kill all Hispanics. He had posted on his Facebook page around that time “I Thank God everday President Donald John Trump is President and that he will launch a Racial War and Crusade to keep the n----rs, S---s, and Muslims and any dangerous non-White or Ethnically or Culturally Foreign group ‘In Line” Clifton Blackwell of Milwauke who in 2019 threw acid on a Peruvian-American man's face after accusing him of being here illegally. When police interviewed a store clerk where he regularly shopped she told them he regularly would talk about his support for trump, and when police searched his home they found numerous gun parts and three letters addressed to trump. Alexandre Bissonnette, the 2017 Quebec Islamic Cultural Center who killed 6 and wounded 19, who searched the various social media sites 800 times for trump in the month leading up to the attack. James Fields, Heather Hayer's Murderer. Who's entire reason for being there that day was to tramp around in MAGA gear fighting protesters. Jeremy Christian, who stabbed two men to death for interfering with his harassment of Muslim women on a Portland train. Who wrote “If Donald Trump is the Next Hitler then I am joining his SS”

Host Omar Baddar speaks with Dr. James Zogby, co-founder and President of the Arab American Institute. Zogby has served on the Democratic National Committee since 1992 and was a member of the DNC's Executive Committee for 16 years. Omar also speaks with Matt Duss, foreign policy advisor to Senator and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. They discuss the emerging change in the Democratic Party towards Israel and Palestine, including what policy might look like in light of impending annexation.

Watch the video version of this conversation (for patrons): https://www.patreon.com/posts/2Fdoes-dark-web-32389794  Omar Baddar is an agnostic and a secularist of Muslim background who is Deputy Director of the Arab American Institute and a political analyst. His social and political commentary has appeared on BBC, MSNBC, Al Jazeera, The Daily Beast, and Huffpost, among other outlets. Omar joined us to discuss what he views as an unhealthy tolerance of anti-Muslim bigotry and other illiberal ideas in the “Intellectual Dark Web,” among other topics. Is he right? We got into this and a lot more in an animated, riveting discussion. Check it out.

Jim Zogby, pollster, founder and president of the Arab-American Institute and Bernie Sanders advisor talks about the way polls are reported and misreported on and why the press acts like pack of crows. Plus Malaika Jabali, Aaron Mate, Jordan Chariton and I talk about the corporate media at the Left Forum.

It's unusual for a freshman member of Congress to draw as much attention as Minnesota Democrat Ilhan Omar. In just a few short months in Congress, she has been the center of numerous media firestorms after making repeatedly making remarks her supporters believe are exposing the influence of a powerful lobbying group and what her detractors would say is anti-Semitic.On Capitol Hill, her own party's leadership has condemned her remarks on the influence of the pro-Israel lobby.Omar Baddar, deputy director of the Arab American Institute disagrees with Schumer. He thinks the Congresswoman is being targeted by a powerful political machine that is distorting her message in order to defend a status quo that is supportive of the Israeli government.Batya Ungar-Sargon, the opinion editor at the Jewish Daily Forward, agrees with Omar that the occupation of the Palestinians must end and that we need to change U.S. policy towards Israel. But she believes the Congresswoman's rhetoric has been needlessly polarizing and often moved us further away from a just solution.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/extremelyoffline)

In this episode, CJ speaks with Omar Baddar, the deputy director of the Arab American Institute, about the spiraling humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and what the furture holds for 2 million Palestinians there. Please help this podcast by donating as little as $1/month here: www.patreon.com/channeltherage

Dr. Jim Zogby on Trump's Jerusalem Declaration & the DNC Unity Reform Commission On this episode Tina-Desiree Berg talks to Dr. James J. Zogby president of the Arab American Institute and long-serving member of the Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee. This interview could not be more prescient given President Trump's radical move to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and order to move the U.S. Embassy to move from Tel Aviv. The move which contravenes 20 years of precedent and years of peace work in the region has sparked controversy. In this candid interview Dr. Zogby, a leading voice on the issue, hits back at the decision and discusses how this move compromises peace. Tina also discusses the upcoming DNC Unity Reform Commission which is holding it's final meeting in Washington, DC. Zogby a Bernie Sanders ally speaks candidly about his disappointment with the process and the failures of the DNC to embrace much needed reforms. Dr. James J. Zogby co-founded the Arab American Institute in 1985 and continues to serve as its president. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee and was twice appointed by President Obama to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom in 2013. In addition to writing a weekly column published in 12 countries, Zogby is the creator and host of the award-winning call-in political television show “Viewpoint,” and is frequently featured on national and international media as an expert on Middle East affairs. In 2010, Zogby published the highly-acclaimed book, Arab Voices. His 2013 e-book Looking at Iran: The Rise and Fall of Iran in Arab Public Opinion and "20 Years After Oslo" are drawn from his extensive polling across the Middle East with Zogby Research Services. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Total Tutor Neil Haley will interview Negin Farsad. Author of How to Make White People Laugh. Dubbed “smart, funny, and fascinating” by the Wall Street Journal, “hilarious and delightful” by Salon, and“funny as poop” by the Seattle Examiner, Negin's whip-smart, crazy-timely, creative work to date includes the 2014 film The Muslims are Coming (which she wrote, directed and starred in alongside the likes of Jon Stewart, Rachel Maddow and Lewis Black, and for which she won a humanitarian award from the Arab-American Institute), the 2009 documentary Nerdcore Rising (SXSW premiere, Cinedigm release), and writing and appearance credits on Comedy Central, MTV, PBS, IFC, Nickelodeon, and others. On May 24, 2016, Farsad's debut book – How to Make White People Laugh, a memoir-meets-social-justice-comedy manifesto – arrives in bookstores everywhere from Grand Central / Hachette Book Group.

The Total Tutor Neil Haley will interview Authors Meathead Goldwyn And Negin Farsad. For succulent results every time, nothing is more crucial than understanding the science behind the interaction of food, fire, heat, and smoke. This is the definitive guide to the concepts, methods, equipment, and accessories of barbecue and grilling. The founder and editor of the world's most popular BBQ and grilling website, AmazingRibs.com, Meathead applies the latest research to backyard cooking more than 100 thoroughly tested recipes.  Dubbed “smart, funny, and fascinating” by the Wall Street Journal, “hilarious and delightful” by Salon, and“funny as poop” by the Seattle Examiner, Negin's whip-smart, crazy-timely, creative work to date includes the 2014 film The Muslims are Coming (which she wrote, directed and starred in alongside the likes of Jon Stewart, Rachel Maddow and Lewis Black, and for which she won a humanitarian award from the Arab-American Institute), the 2009 documentary Nerdcore Rising (SXSW premiere, Cinedigm release), and writing and appearance credits on Comedy Central, MTV, PBS, IFC, Nickelodeon, and others.

Guests: Mark Weisbrot on Mexican election; James Zogby on Gaza crisis This week on CounterSpin: The still-unresolved presidential election in Mexico is a lot of things to the US press: a test of the appeal of trade deals like NAFTA, or a referendum on left-wing populism. It's no surprise that the consensus media favorite among is conservative candidate Felipe Calderon. But what's missing from the reporting? And when leftist candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador calls for counting every vote, why do some in the press consider that a problem? We'll ask Mark Weisbrot of the Center for Economic and Policy Research. Also on CounterSpin today, a major newspaper ran a recent column complaining that in Gaza, Israel is causing electricity blackouts, laying sieges, bombing and shelling, assassinating and imprisoning, killing and wounding civilians, including children and babies, in horrifying numbers, and justifying it with the schoolyard line, "they started it". If that sounds surprising, you should know that the paper was not a US one, but an Israeli one. How does US coverage of Gaza look in comparison? We'll hear from James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute. The post Counterspin – July 14, 2006 appeared first on KPFA.