Podcasts about bessma momani

Whether it's Canada's trade war with the U.S., NATO spending, or our relations with China and India, whichever party forms Canada's next government is going to have a slew of challenges to deal with. To better understand where the major parties might take Canadian foreign policy, host Steve Paikin chats with: Richard Shimooka, Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, and contributing writer at The Hub; Stephanie Carvin, Associate Professor of International Affairs at Carleton University, and author of: "Stand on Guard: Reassessing Threats to Canada's National Security;" Bessma Momani, Professor of Political Science at the University of Waterloo, and Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, and Adam Chapnick, Professor of defence studies at the Royal Military College of Canada, and co-author of: "Canada First, Not Canada Alone: A History of Canadian Foreign Policy." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Human Rights Talks, Shelly Ghai Bajaj (University of Waterloo) talks about the use of chat apps by diaspora communities in Canada. Shelly explores the flow, spread, and transfer of mis/disinformation on private chat and closed direct messaging apps among ethnocultural diasporic communities. Whether its about public health or politics, transnational disinformation creates multiple challenges for communities and for democracy.  Shelly Ghai Bajaj (Ph.D., University of Toronto, 2022) is a Postdoctoral Fellow working with Dr. Bessma Momani on projects relating to identity, democracy, disinformation, and social media. She studies comparative politics of both developing and advanced industrial democracies and is interested in the politics of identity and ethnonationalist mobilization, political parties and party strategy, the use of social media by political actors, and South Asian politics  

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with Rob Russo, Stephanie Levitz and David Staples about the highlights and lowlights of the year in Canadian politics, researcher Rachel Plotnick explores what the rise, fall and return of buttons can teach us about the human-machine relationship, Bessma Momani and Kareem Shaheen discuss Syria's future after the Assad regime, and author Katherine Rundell makes her case for cultivating wonder in our chaotic world.Discover more at cbc.ca/Sunday

This week on The Sunday Magazine, guest host David Common speaks with Arif Lalani and Bessma Momani about the week in global conflict from the Middle East and Ukraine, podcaster Jon Ronson talks about how COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns helped fuel culture wars, Dr. Bachir Tajaldin reflects on the recovery effort one year after the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, CBC Calgary's Jason Markusoff breaks down Alberta's new gender policies for children and youth, and culture critic Aisha Harris discusses the intersection of identity and entertainment. Find more at at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with political scientist Bessma Momani and former Canadian diplomat Arif Lalani about the global events that shaped 2023, The Sunday Magazine producer Pete Mitton explores Disney's hold on the world's imagination as the company turns 100, The New Yorker staff writer Susan Orlean talks about what animals can teach us about being human, and Pulitzer Prize-winning science journalist Ed Yong reveals the wild world of animal senses.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with South Asian history professor Neilesh Bose about how Canada's allegations against India are playing out in diaspora communities, political science professor Bessma Momani and former diplomat Arif Lalani unpack how recent events are affecting Canada's role on the world stage, Karl Subban talks about finding joy in hockey despite the problems plaguing it, IPCC chair Jim Skee reflects on the climate crisis, and Royal Ontario Museum curator Alexandra Palmer unspools the radical history of the cardigan. Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

China's President Xi Jinping visits Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss peace with Ukraine this week. Observers say this is the latest effort by Beijing to become a global power broker — at the expense of the United States. We talk to Bessma Momani, a professor of political science at the University of Waterloo; and Ava Shen, an expert on Chinese foreign policy with the Eurasia Group.

Thousands have died in massive earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, but rescuers are still scrambling to free survivors and help the displaced. We talk to CBC's Chris Brown in Adana, southern Turkey; Ismail Alabdullah, a member of Syrian Civil Defence in Sarmada, Syria; and Bessma Momani, a professor of political science at the University of Waterloo.

Civic unrest continues in Iran, and it has caught the world's attention. People are showing acts of support for those who are protesting within the country. Hossein Raeesi, adjunct research professor at Department of Law and Legal Studies at Carleton University, and Bessma Momani, senior fellow for the Centre for International Governance Innovation and professor of political science at the University of Waterloo provide an update about what's happening in Iran.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women took to the streets across Iran this month after the tragic death of a young woman named Mahsa Amini who was detained by the so-called morality police.And women around the world have added their voices since, turning out for demonstrations by the thousands in solidarity.What happens next could be momentous, or crushing. For insight, we welcome Ramin Jahanbegloo, director, Mahatma Gandhi Centre on Nonviolence and Peace; Bessma Momani, political science professor at the University of Waterloo; and Haideh Moghissi, emerita professor and Trudeau Fellow at York University.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After being repaired in Montreal, a gas turbine will now be returned to Germany where it will help supply power to that country from Russia. The return is an exception to Canada's sanctions on Moscow, and has been met with protest from Ukraine. To discuss the tensions between supporting Ukraine and meeting energy needs, guest host Catherine Cullen talks to Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko, and Bessma Momani, professor of political science at the University of Waterloo.

Hub Dialogues (part of The Hub, Canada's daily information source for public policy – https://www.thehub.ca) are in-depth conversations about big ideas from the worlds of business, economics, geopolitics, public policy, and technology.The Hub Dialogues feature The Hub's editor-at-large, Sean Speer, in conversation with leading entrepreneurs, policymakers, scholars, and thinkers on the issues and challenges that will shape Canada's future at home and abroad.This episode of Hub Dialogues features host Sean Speer in conversation with University of Ottawa professor Thomas Juneau who is the co-editor (along with Bessma Momani) of an interesting, new book, Middle Power in the Middle East: Canada's Foreign and Defence Policies in a Changing Region.If you like what you are hearing on Hub Dialogues consider subscribing to The Hub's daily email newsletter featuring our insights and analysis on public policy issues. Subscription is free. Simply sign up here: https://newsletter.thehub.ca/.The Hub is Canada's leading information source for public policy. Stridently non-partisan, The Hub is committed to delivering to Canadians the latest analysis and cutting-edge perspectives into the debates that are shaping our collective future.Visit The Hub now at https://www.thehub.ca. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Finland's Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen discusses why her country wants to join NATO; and Bessma Momani, political science professor at the University of Waterloo, discusses how Russia might respond.

We speak with Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly about what more Canada can do to assist Ukraine; plus our foreign affairs panel, comprised of political science experts Aisha Ahmad and Bessma Momani, breaks down what she said and the current geopolitical situation.

Canada's stake in the Russia-Ukraine crisis and Colombia's presidential race. Plus: separating politics and sport. Andrew Mueller speaks to Bessma Momani, Oscar Guardiola-Rivera, Tessa Szyskowitz and Henry Rees-Sheridan.

Dr. Bessma Momani, Professor of Political Science at the University of Waterloo, unpacks the April sedition case involving Prince Hamzah. She discusses Jordanian public opinion toward Prince Hamzah and the overall affair. Finally, Professor Momani explains the long-term implications of the plot for Jordan and the lessons for King Abdullah.

Does the absence of foreign affairs discussion during the federal election campaign indicate a shift of the priorities of government, and of Canadians? We ask University of Waterloo's Bessma Momani; Adam Chapnik of the Canadian Forces College; Lauren Dobson-Hughes, a gender and development consultant; and Garry Keller of Strategy Corp. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harjit Sajjan, Defence Minister; Tom Walters, CTV News; Basir, Afghan who is trying to get out of Afghanistan; Glen McGregor, CTV News; Kevin Gallagher, CTV News; Annie Bergeron-Oliver, CTV News; Karina Gould, Liberal Party candidate; Michelle Rempel Garner, Conservative Party Candidate; Heather McPherson, NDP candidate; Joyce Napier, CTV News; Laura Stone, the Globe and Mail; Bessma Momani, Centre for International Governance Innovation; Dalia Fahmy, Long Island University; Asma Faizi, Afghan Women's Organization; Maj. (Ret'd) Quentin Innis, retired CAF Major who served in Afghanistsan; and Kevin Page, Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy.

Maj.-Gen. (Ret'd) Denis Thompson, former NATO Task Force Commander in Kandahar; Nasseb; former interpreter for Canadian Forces; Glen McGregor, CTV News; Kevin Gallagher, CTV News; Annie Bergeron-Oliver, CTV News; Sean Fraser, Liberal Party candidate; John Barlow, Conservative Party Candidate; Bonita Zarrillo, NDP candidate; Dr. Katharine Smart, President of the Canadian Medical Association; Bob Fife, the Globe and Mail; Fatima Syed, The Backbench; Tom Mulcair, CTV News Political Analyst; Bessma Momani, Centre for International Governance Innovation; Chris Alexander; former Canadian ambassador to Afghanistan; Maj.-Gen. (Ret'd) David Fraser, former commander of NATO Forces in Afghanistan; Rachel Aiello, CTV News; and Kevin Page, Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy.

What kind of regime will the Taliban establish in Afghanistan, and how will neighbouring powers react, and interact? We discuss the geopolitical fallout of the Taliban's resurgence with Obaidullah Baheer, a lecturer at the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul; Madiha Afzal, the David M. Rubenstein fellow for foreign policy at the Brookings Institute in Washington, D.C.; and Bessma Momani, a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation in Waterloo, Ont.

What is the path to real peace in the Middle East, after the recent fighting between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group in Gaza? We discuss the road ahead with Bessma Momani, a political scientist at the University of Waterloo who specializes in Middle East politics and economics; and Daniel Kurtzer, a former US diplomat, who served as the country's ambassador to Egypt under Bill Clinton and ambassador to Israel under George W. Bush.

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman talks about Jordan with Dr. Bessma Momani, professor of political science at the University of Waterloo and one of Canada's leading experts on the Middle East. Dr. Momani and Jon explore the recent controversy over former Crown Prince Hamzeh and the government’s concerns over public discontent. Then, Jon, Natasha Hall, and Danny Sharp discuss Jordanians' relationship with the state. Bessma Momani, “Opinion: The authorities in Jordan sounded the alarm about a coup. Jordanians aren’t convinced,” Washington Post, April 7, 2021. Bessma Momani, “Our feminist foreign policy is not perfect, but in Jordan, it’s doing a lot of good,” The Globe and Mail, March 31, 2019. Will Todman, "The Collapse of Jordan's Social Safety Net," CSIS, December 17, 2019. Episode Transcript, "Jordan's Royal Intrigue," CSIS, April 20, 2021.

This past weekend, an exceptional series of events rocked the normally quiet nation of Jordan as an apparent schism between members of the country's royal family led to the detention of the country's former crown prince, Prince Hamzeh, and the arrest of several of his associates on allegations that they were undermining the country's national security—potentially in coordination with certain foreign interests. Hamzeh responded with a series of leaked videos in both Arabic and English, accusing the government led by King Abdullah II of ineffectiveness and corruption, dragging the royal family's internal tensions even further into the light of day. To talk through this unexpected crisis, Scott R. Anderson sat down with Bessma Momani of the University of Waterloo and Ghaith al-Omari of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. They discussed the history of royal succession in Jordan, how this latest crisis maps onto Jordan's changing political dynamics and what it all might mean for the broader region.

Palace intrigue is shaking one of the Middle East's most historically-stable monarchies. Jordan's King Abdullah is challenged by the former crown prince, his half-brother, Prince Hamzah. Nick Schifrin explores the long-simmering reasons for the family feud, and Dr. Bessma Momani, professor of Political Science at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, joins us to discuss the confrontation. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Palace intrigue is shaking one of the Middle East's most historically-stable monarchies. Jordan's King Abdullah is challenged by the former crown prince, his half-brother, Prince Hamzah. Nick Schifrin explores the long-simmering reasons for the family feud, and Dr. Bessma Momani, professor of Political Science at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, joins us to discuss the confrontation. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In the 45th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about LCol Taylor's public letter about misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces, the heated exchange between Biden and Putin and Canada gaining allies over China's ‘hostage diplomacy.' Today's feature interview guest is Dr. Bessma Momani [24:45], Director of the Defence and Security Foresight Group. This week's RnR segment [45:00], where we will provide some levity in these trying times with entertainment reviews and suggestions; Steve's RnR picks for the week are: 1. Space 1999 – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072564/ 2. The Coroner – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8593252/ 3. Resident Alien – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8690918/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: Diplomacy in a COVID World with Ambassador Bob Rae As the United Nations celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2020, it and its members confront unprecedented crises including the COVID-19 pandemic, global economic recession, ongoing displacement of millions of people, and the existential threat of climate change. Canada has long had a leading role within the United Nations system and has effectively used multilateral approaches to advance its foreign and economic policy interests over the years. Moving past its unsuccessful bid for a seat on the UN Security Council, Canada's new Permanent Representative Bob Rae is actively pursuing an agenda of international collaboration with the aim of coordinating responses to the pandemic and economic recovery efforts. In a time of social distancing and virtual meetings, Ambassador Rae is pivoting Canada's diplomatic approach at the UN and building new alliances to keep Canadian interests front and center on the world stage. Moderator: Dr. Bessma Momani, Professor of Political Science at the University of Waterloo; Senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance and Innovation (CIGI); Non-Resident Fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, D.C. Speaker: Bob Rae, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations in New York *The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.* *Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*

Carla Qualtrough, Employment & Workforce Development Minister; Jody Wilson-Raybould, Independent - B.C.; Matthew Green, NDP - Ontario; Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Liberal - Ontario; Bessma Momani, University of Waterloo; Lisa Raitt, CTV News Political Analyst; Joyce Napier, CTV News; Molly Thomas, CTV News.                          *The viewpoints expressed in this podcast represent the opinions of the host and participants as of the date of publication and are not intended to be a substitute for medical advice and best practices by leading medical authorities as the information surrounding the current coronavirus pandemic is constantly evolving.

Andrew Scheer, Outgoing Conservative Party Leader; Lloyd Axworthy, Former Foreign Affairs Minister; Richard Fadden, Former CSIS Director; Joyce Napier, CTV News; Tom Mulcair, CTV News Political Analyst; Robert Benzie, Toronto Star; Bessma Momani, University of Waterloo.  *The viewpoints expressed in this podcast represent the opinions of the host and participants as of the date of publication and are not intended to be a substitute for medical advice and best practices by leading medical authorities as the information surrounding the current coronavirus pandemic is constantly evolving.

Panelists remarks during GIF's panel "From Mega Reform Plans to Budget Cuts, What does the Future Hold for the Saudi Economy?" Panel's moderator David Rundell was joined by Dr. Bessma Momani, Dr. Hani K. Findakly, and Dr. Ghiyath Nakshbendi. https://gulfif.org/ Twitter: @GulfIntlForum Facebook: @GulfIntlForum LinkedIn: @GulfIntlForum

Bessma Momani is Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Waterloo. She is also Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation. In this interview, Bessma speaks about freedom of the press, the Middle East and the murder of Jamal Khashoggi     

On Tuesday night, Canadians were supposed to get an election debate devoted to foreign policy. We haven’t heard much about foreign policy at all in this campaign, with most of the conversation focusing on topics like affordability, health care, and climate change. Three party leaders agreed to attend, but the debate was canceled by organizers when Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau refused to participate. What’s at stake when we neglect to talk about foreign policy during an election campaign? Host Tamara Khandaker discusses with Bessma Momani, a professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Waterloo. They deliver a primer on some of the issues that seem to be on the back burner right now.

The two-state solution, once an acclaimed proposal to the intractable Israel-Palestine conflict, is becoming obsolete. And the Trump administration's deal of the century, even if it is never unveiled, is part of a larger effort to ensure that solution cannot be renewed. Al Bawaba spoke with Bessma Momani, a professor of political science at the University of Waterloo, who has focused her career on Middle East politics and political economy. In her conversation with Al Bawba, Momani contextualizes the deal of the century, including Jared Kushner's much-maligned ‘Peace to Prosperity' economic plan, with the decades-long shift towards a one-state solution.

Your hosts today. Lynn Desjardins, Levon Sevunts, Terry Haig and Marie-Claude Simard (listen or watch video of show at the bottom) UN expert warns of a coming 'climate apartheid' A man walks through land in Bhola, Bangladesh where his home was washed away by rising water. Scientists project seas will rise an average of around one meter this century. Just 65 centimeters would swallow about 40 per cent of the country’s productive land, according to the World Bank. (Shahria Sharmin/AP Photo/Nov. 17, 2015) A United Nations expert says the world is risking what he calls a “climate apartheid” scenario where the rich can pay to escape heat, hunger and conflict while the poor are left to suffer. Climate change threatens democracy and human rights, says UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Philip Alston in a new report. To get some Canadian reaction to his use of such strong language, Lynn reached Philip Loring, professor of geography at Canada’s University of Guelph. Washington and Tehran at impasse as Trump threatens Iran with 'obliteration' Iran on Tuesday sharply criticized new U.S. sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic's supreme leader and other top officials, saying the measures spell the "permanent closure" for diplomacy between the two nations. For his part, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani described the White House as "afflicted by mental retardation." Photo taken in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, June 25, 2019 (Iranian Presidency Office via AP) Tensions between the United States and Iran reached new highs U.S.when President Donald Trump threatened this week to obliterate parts of Iran. And Iranian officials called White House actions "mentally retarded." All this posturing and tough talk came after new US sanctions against Iran.On Monday President Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions against Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures. The moves came after Iran shot down a U.S. drone on June 20. The US was about to launch a retaliatory strike when Trump called it off at the last minute, saying too many people would have been killed. The US is sending additional forces to the Persian Gulf and Iran has threatened that if attacked it will inflict a lot of pain on the US all across the region. For more on, this Levon  spoke with Bessma Momani who teaches at political science and international relations at the University of Waterloo in Ontario. He asked her what did she make of this latest round of tough talk and name calling. An anonymous gift sparks a lot of love in a Nova Scotia town A Nova Scotia community has been warmed by an anonymous gesture from a stranger who placed $100 bill and a message of positivity in a town park. The treasure was found by New Glasgow town employee Doug Miller while setting up for a funding announcement over the weekend. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Geralyn MacDonald) A random–and anonymous–act of kindness has residents of the Nova Scotia town of New Glasgow feeling pretty good about themselves and life in general these days, says Terry. The good vibes began over the weekend of June22, 2019 when town worker Doug Miller began setting up for a funding announcement in a local park. It was cold and dark and Miller was working alone when he noticed something: a baggie…with a $100 bill and a note inside. Terry called Miller to find out what exactly happened. Listen to The Link June 28, 2019. ListenEN_The_Link-20190628-WEE15 Watch The Link June 28, 2019.  Images of the week window.jQuery || document.write('

Washington and Tehran have reached a dangerous impasse as U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to obliterate parts of Iran if it attacked “anything American,” with Iranian officials calling White House actions “mentally retarded,” says Bessma Momani, Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Waterloo.

What keeps global economy experts up at night? Is it Brexit, Chinese debt, the impact of technology on work, or the “unknown unknowns” — those issues we haven’t yet anticipated? This episode convenes several guests who were in Washington, D.C. recently for the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund. With host Bessma Momani, they discuss how long the current global slowdown could last, the impact of bad policy — or a lack of any policy at all — on living standards, and, despite the many areas of concern, why it is best to focus on being prepared for crisis. Our host Bessma Momani is professor at the Balsillie School of International Affairs and University of Waterloo and a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation. She’s also a non-resident senior fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C. and a Fulbright Scholar. She has been non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. and a 2015 Fellow at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation. She’s a frequent analyst and expert on international affairs in Canadian and global media. This week’s guests Rachel Ziemba is an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. Her research focuses on the interlinkages between economics, finance and security issues. She previously served as head of emerging and frontier markets and co-head of research at Roubini Global Economics, a global macro strategy and country risk firm. Before that, Rachel also worked for the Canadian International Development Agency in Cairo, Egypt, and the International Development Research Centre in Ottawa, Canada on development economic issues. Babak Abbaszadeh is president and chief executive officer of non-profit organization Toronto Centre. Previously, Babak held leadership positions in major internationally oriented Canadian financial institutions such as the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Sun Life Financial. Babak was also chief of staff to two senior cabinet ministers. Bob Fay is director of the Centre for International Governance Innovation’s Global Economy Program and is responsible for the research direction of the program and its related activities. Prior to joining CIGI, Bob held several senior roles at the Bank of Canada, most recently as senior director overseeing work to assess developments and implications arising from the digitization of the Canadian economy. Tom Bernes is a distinguished fellow with the Centre for International Governance Innovation. After a distinguished career in the Canadian public service and at leading international economic institutions, Tom was CIGI’s executive director from 2009 to 2012. He has held high-level positions at the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Government of Canada.

Twenty-five years after the genocide against the Tutsi began in Rwanda, in April, 1994, this episode takes a look at the lessons learned since then, for media, peacekeepers and communities that have lived through conflict and violence. Joining host Bessma Momani is genocide survivor Régine Uwibereyeho King, author Allan Thompson and researchers Timothy Donais and Eric Tanguay. They explain why this was indeed a global event, not just a Rwandan event, and what kind of wake up call it gave to journalists, media consumers and the United Nations. The gap still exists between what protection is promised to civilians in harm’s way and what is actually given, but has the gap lessened? How far have we come in learning how to prevent such an atrocity, which saw 800,000 to 1 million people killed in 100 days? Our host Bessma Momani is professor at the Balsillie School of International Affairs and University of Waterloo and a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation. She’s also a non-resident senior fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C. and a Fulbright Scholar. She has been non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. and a 2015 Fellow at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation. She’s a frequent analyst and expert on international affairs in Canadian and global media. This week’s guests Timothy Donais is the director of the Masters in International Policy program, associate director of the PhD program in Global Governance and associate professor in the Department of Global Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University. He also serves as the chair of the Peace and Conflict Studies Association of Canada. Eric Tanguay is a PhD candidate with the Balsillie School of International Affairs. His current research focuses primarily on the recent history of political and ethnic violence in Kenya; the politicization of ethnicity; the role of civil society organizations in shaping political consciousness and identity; and the role of memory and history in facilitating conflict resolution and post-conflict reconciliation. Eric completed his Master’s degree in history at Wilfrid Laurier. Régine Uwibereyeho King is an associate professor in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary. She has a Ph.D. from the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto. As a survivor of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, she has dedicated her life to social justice, human rights for all, and healthy communities. Allan Thompson is a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, where he leads the book project Media and Mass Atrocity: The Rwanda Genocide and Beyond. Allan joined the faculty of Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication in 2003, after 17 years as a reporter with The Toronto Star.

With the release of their new book, Empty Planet, authors Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitson join podcast host Bessma Momani in Waterloo, Ontario, for a discussion around questioning what appears to be “settled science” around population growth. Will the world’s population continue to grow until it hits 11 billion, or will it plateau around 9 billion and then start to decline? The authors share stories and insights from their research for their book, which took them to all corners of the world, and explain how communities with very different economic circumstances, especially women, are offering the same message: as the world becomes increasingly urban, they want to limit the number of children they will have. How does such a projection reshape the way we understand environmental and economic policy? What have projections until now not taken into account? Listen this week to find out. Our host Bessma Momani is professor at the Balsillie School of International Affairs and University of Waterloo and a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation. She’s also a non-resident senior fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C. and a Fulbright Scholar. She has been non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. and a 2015 Fellow at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation. She’s a frequent analyst and expert on international affairs in Canadian and global media. This week’s guests Darrell Bricker is chief executive officer of Ipsos Public Affairs, the world’s leading social and opinion research firm. Prior to joining Ipsos, Bricker was director of Public Opinion Research in the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada. He holds a Ph.D. in political science from Carleton University. John Ibbitson is writer-at-large for the Globe and Mail, having also served as chief political writer, political affairs columnist and bureau chief in Washington and Ottawa. His previous political books include the national number-one bestselling, The Big Shift (with Darrell Bricker), The Polite Revolution: Perfecting the Canadian Dream and Open and Shut: Why America Has Barack Obama and Canada Has Stephen Harper. Canada and The World is produced by Trevor Hunsberger and edited by Francy Goudreault.

Is there peace to keep in Mali? This episode looks at the complex political, economic and security landscape in Mali and the Sahel region as a whole. What do Canada’s 250 troops contribute to the peacekeeping mission? Is it enough? Is the Canadian government reflecting enough on the actions and potential impact Canadian mining companies have there? Three junior scholars — all experts on various Africa-related topics — join Bessma Momani to talk about the angles less heard when it comes to West Africa (including the cheerier topic of African cinema!). Our host Bessma Momani is professor at the Balsillie School of International Affairs and University of Waterloo and a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation. She’s also a non-resident senior fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C. and a Fulbright Scholar. She has been non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. and a 2015 Fellow at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation. She’s a frequent analyst and expert on international affairs in Canadian and global media. This week's guests Ousmane Aly Diallo is a Ph.D. candidate and a doctoral fellow at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, Wilfrid Laurier University. His dissertation thesis focuses on the crisis in Mali (2012-) and its impact on security governance in West Africa and the understanding of ‘regions’ by security actors. Ousmane is also part of a multi-year research project on the influence of the informal economy on the patterns of political violence, and in the behaviours of non-state armed groups in Northern Mali. Nadège Compaoré is a Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA) Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Waterloo. Prior to BSIA, she was a Research Analyst at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research and a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Social Science at York University. Her work lies at the intersection of international relations, global political economy and international law scholarships, which guide her analysis of global and regional governance measures targeting the oil, gas and mining industries in Africa. Abdiasis Issa is a Ph.D. candidate, Global Governance program, at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, Wilfrid Laurier University. Abdi specializes in international security, regionalism and African development. Canada and The World is produced and edited by Matthew Markudis.

Canada and the World, Ep. 33: How does the world see Canada? A podcast series from OpenCanada.org and the Balsillie School of International Affairs. Is Canada the idealistic, ambitious, liberal country it purports to be when it comes to its role in the world? Does the world see it that way? Not a simple question. This episode brings four critical thinkers together to break down the questions, myths and popular ideas surrounding Canada’s interaction on the global stage. How does the view of Canada vary depending on who is doing the looking, from friendly state allies to the foreign societies where Canadian actors are involved? If Canada is seen as one of the last defenders of liberal democracy, is it hypocritical or has it delivered? And, especially during election time, why does Canada promise to “punch above its weight,” when limited resources and security considerations mean priorities are necessary? Listen as Christian Leuprecht, Claire Wählen, Aisha Ahmad and Steve Saideman join Bessma Momani in Ottawa to discuss. Our host Bessma Momani is professor at the Balsillie School of International Affairs and University of Waterloo and a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation. She’s also a non-resident senior fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C. and a Fulbright Scholar. She has been non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. and a 2015 Fellow at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation. She’s a frequent analyst and expert on international affairs in Canadian and global media. This week’s guests Christian Leuprecht is a professor of political science and economics at the Royal Military College of Canada and an Eisenhower fellow at the NATO Defence College in Rome. He is cross-appointed with the department of political studies and the school of policy studies at Queen’s University, where he is affiliated with the Queen’s Centre for International and Defence Policy and the Institute of Intergovernmental Relations. He is also a Munk senior fellow in security and defence at the Macdonald Laurier Institute. Claire Wählen is the program director for NATO’s 70th anniversary celebrations in Canada through the NATO Association of Canada, as well as a junior research fellow. She holds a Bachelor in Journalism (Honours) with a double honour in Political Science from the University of King’s College and Dalhousie University respectively. She is also a former parliamentary reporter for iPolitics.ca. Aisha Ahmad is an assistant professor of political science at the University of Toronto, a senior researcher at the Munk School of Global Affairs, and the author of Jihad & Co.: Black Markets and Islamist Power. Stephen Saideman holds the Paterson Chair in International Affairs at Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs. He has written four books: The Ties That Divide: Ethnic Politics, Foreign Policy and International Conflict; For Kin or Country: Xenophobia, Nationalism and War (with R. William Ayres); NATO in Afghanistan: Fighting Together, Fighting Alone (with David Auerswald); and Adapting in the Dust: Lessons Learned from Canada’s War in Afghanistan, as well as articles and chapters on nationalism, ethnic conflict, civil war, alliance dynamics, and civil-military relations. Canada and The World is produced and edited by Matthew Markudis.

Prof. Bessma Momani says there was "much upside and little downside" to Canada in quickly granting asylum to Saudi Arabian teenager Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun.

Canada and Saudi Arabia have been at loggerheads over the past week ever since the Canadian Foreign Minister condemned Saudi Arabia’s arrest of Samar Badawi, a human rights activist. Saudi Arabia's reactions were extreme, including expelling the Canadian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, halting trade negotiations and the pulling of the Saudi Arabian ambassador for diplomatic consultation. To sort this all out, Lawfare senior editor Shannon Togawa Mercer  spoke to Scott Anderson, former diplomat and international lawyer, and Canadian professors Stephanie Carvin of The Intrepid Podcast and Carleton University, Bessma Momani of the Stimpson Center, and Thomas Juneau of the University of Ottowa. They spoke about Saudi Arabian and Canadian strategy, international legal considerations and what comes next.

The State Department is known as the agency that solves conflicts with words but a closer look reveals that it’s much more connected to war than most of us think. By examining the State Department’s funding for 2018, discover the State Department’s role in regime changes past, current, and future. In this episode, you’ll also get an introduction to the National Endowment for Democracy, a scandalous organization with a noble sounding name. Mike Glaser joins Jen for the Thank You’s. View the updated Omnibus Please Support Congressional Dish - Quick Links Click here to contribute a lump sum or set up a monthly contribution via PayPal Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Use your bank’s online bill pay function to mail contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North Number 4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Additional Reading Article: It's time for a coup in Venezuela by Jose R. Cardenas, Foreign Policy, June 5, 2018. Opinion: Venezuela needs a new government after rigged election keep socialist criminal Maduro in power by Roger F. Noriega, Fox News, May 23, 2018. Opinion: Venezuela's sham election by The Editorial Board, The New York Times, May 21, 2018. Report: Trump bans purchase of Venezuelan debt in new sanctions by John Paul Rathbone, Financial Times, May 21, 2018. Article and Video: Pompeo vows U.S., Mideast allies will 'crush' Iranian operatives around the world by Carol Morello, The Washington Post, May 21, 2018. Article: Venezuaela's Maduro re-elected amid outcry over vote by Luc Cohen and Andreina Aponte, Reuters, May 20, 2018. Opinion: It's time to hasten Maduro's exit from power by Marco Rubio, CNN, May 16, 2018. Letter: 34 organizations oppose rescission of Complex Crises Fund, FCNL, May 14, 2018. Report: Egypt population surge must be met with job growth, IMF says by Ahmed Feteha, Bloomberg, May 6, 2018. Opinion: A new hope for NGOs in Egypt by Andrew Miller, The Hill, April 23, 2018. Article: John Bolton is cleaning at the National Security Council by Eliza Relman, Business Insider, April 12, 2018. Opinion: The observer view: The west's ill-founded support for Sisi and his brutal regime, The Guardian, April 2, 2018. Article: John ("Bomb Iran") Bolton, the new warmonger in the White House by Robin Wright, The New Yorker, March 23, 2018. Report: State Dept. announces $1B in weapons sales to Saudi Arabia by Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, March 22, 2018. Report: Here's how many Americans don't have access to a 401(k) plan by Emmie Martin, CNBC, March 12, 2018. Report: Egypt's IMF program: Assessing the political economy challenges by Bessma Momani, Brookings, January 30, 2018. Article: Egypt: Time to entrench growth and make it more inclusive, IMF, January 23, 2018. Report: Arab Republic of Egypt : 2017 Article IV Consultation, Second Review Under the Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility, and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Arab Republic of Egypt, International Monetary Fund, January 22, 2018. Article: Beyond the Iran nuclear deal by John Bolton, WSJ, January 15, 2018. Article: Allison's goal: Keep Summit Point humming by Tim Cook, The Journal, December 11, 2017. Interview: An interview with Carl Gershman '65, President of the National Endowment for Democracy by Adrianne Owings, The Politic, November 20, 2017. Working Paper: Household wealth trends in the United States, 1962 to 2016: Has middle class wealth recovered? by Edward N. Wolff, The National Bureau of Economic Research, November 2017. Article: Millions of Americans are left out of the stock market boom by Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, October 20, 2017. Article: Egypt's Sisi meets Kushner after U.S. holds back aid by Ahmed Aboulenein, Reuters, August 23, 2017. Article/Video: Trump alarms Venezuela with talk of a 'military option' by The New York Times, August 12, 2017. Article: Why is Egypt's new NGO law controversial? by Farah Najjar, Aljazeera, May 31, 2017. Video: Construction progress on the new Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC), U.S. Department of State, April 1, 2017. Article: An actual American war criminal may become our second-ranking diplomat by Eric Alterman, The Nation, February 2, 2017. Report: National Endowment for Democracy is first 'undesirable' NGO banned in Russia by Alec Luhn, The Guardian, July 28, 2015. Article: Did State Dept. mislead Congress about findings in an OMB report? This lawmaker says so. by Colby Itkowitz, The Washington Post, May 12, 2015. Report: Two years after Benghazi, State battles lawmakers over training site for agents by Ben Kamisar, The Hill, April 12, 2015. Article: To stop Iran's bomb, bomb Iran by John R. Bolton, The New York Times, March 26, 2015. Article: Price to avoid another Benghazi? House leaders question $461 million training center by Josh Siegel, The Daily Signal, June 25, 2014. Report: CIA admits role in 1953 Iranian coup by Saeed Kamali and Richard Norton-Taylor, The Guardian, August 19, 2013. Article: Egyptian military ousts Morsi, suspends constitution by Abigail Hauslohner, William Booth, and Sharaf al-Hourani, The Washington Post, July 3, 2013. Report: McCain's rules on lobbying face test by Matthew Mosk and Jeffrey H. Bimbaum, The Washington Post, May 23, 2008. Article: Bush aims to raise whose budget? by Brendan Koerner, Slate, January 22, 2004. Article: The networks of "democratic" interference by Thierry Meyssan, Voltairenet, January 22, 2004. Article: Venezuala coup linked to Bush team by Ed Vulliamy, The Guardian, April 21, 2002. Article: Venezuela gets big I.M.F credit, backing market reforms by Paul Lewis, The New York Times, July 13, 1996. Resources Archive.org: National Endowment for Democracy: Form 990 (2002-2015) Campaign Contributions: Maurice Tempelsman Political Campaign Contributions 2016 Election Cycle Congressional Research Service: State, Foreign Operations Appropriations: A Guide to Component Accounts Energy Report: BP Statistical Review of World Energy June 2017 Friends Committee on National Legislation: The Complex Crisis Fund International Republican Institute: Board of Directors International Republican Institute: FAQs LinkedIn Profile: Alison Fortier LinkedIn Profile: Judy Black National Democratic Institute: Board of Directors National Democratic Institute: FAQs National Endowment for Democracy: History National Endowment for Democracy: William Blum Paladin Capital Group Info: Michael Steed Publication: Journal of Democracy USAid: Office of Program, Policy, and Management U.S. Department of State: Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC) U.S. Government Accountability Office: Retirement Security Reports Website: National Endowment for Democracy Sound Clip Sources Testimony: State Department Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request, Foreign Affairs Committee, C-SPAN, May 23, 2018. 5:32 Chairman Ed Royce (CA): The National Endowment for Democracy in particular should be strongly supported. Let’s face it: democracy is on the ropes worldwide; supporting it is a moral and strategic good. NED is backing critical programming in Venezuela and Nigeria and worldwide. It is no time to cut this programming. 6:00 Chairman Ed Royce (CA): The administration has rightly provided lethal arms to Ukraine, which remains under siege by Russian proxies. 6:16 Chairman Ed Royce (CA): A far more severe threat is Moscow’s information war. This committee has heard that Moscow’s goal isn’t so much to make Western citizens think this or think that; Russia’s goal is to destroy all confidence in objective thought. By undermining fact-based discussions with lies, our enemies hope to gravely damage Western democracies. The State Department must aggressively counter disinformation through its global engagement center, other means, and with department officials speaking out for the truth. 18:05 Mike Pompeo: On Monday I unveiled a new direction for the president’s Iran strategy. We will apply unprecedented financial pressure; coordinate with our DOD colleagues on deterrents efforts; support the Iranian people, perhaps most importantly; and hold out the prospect for a new deal with Iran. It simply needs to change its behavior. 19:40 Mike Pompeo: This budget request seeks $2.2 billion to help stimulate American economic growth by expanding markets for U.S. investment and ensuring the partner countries can fully participate in the global economy. 19:55 Mike Pompeo: America’s message, a noble one, must be shared with the world at all times. Gentleman Royce, you mentioned the global engagement center. We will work with the 55-plus-million dollars available to cover both its original mission, counter extremism, plus countering state-sponsored disinformation campaigns. We will not tolerate Russian interference in our 2018 elections. Much work has been done; there’s more to do. Rest assured that we will take the appropriate countermeasures in response to the continued Russian efforts. 35:05 Mike Pompeo: First, with respect to Venezuela, we did this morning receive a formal notification that our charged affairs had been PNG’d. We will respond appropriately, certainly reciprocally, but perhaps more than that. Perhaps proportionately. We understand that there’s a second U.S. officer who will also be PNG’d. We’re well aware. We’re watching the Maduro regime continue to engage in destructive behavior for the Venezuelan people. 1:44:35 Paul Rep. Cook (CA): Foreign military sales. A number of the countries are concerned. Peru is— Mike Pompeo: Mm-hmm. Rep. Cook: —I think they’re putting in a plug for the C-130Js. Very, very interested. And so I obviously am very, very concerned. Before, in the past, we’re much more involved in that. And as I said, there’s a lot of countries, most notably China and Iran, that are involved in that. What can we do to increase foreign military sales in that region? Pompeo: I, for one, would advocate for working closely with them and encouraging them to purchase U.S. equipment that fit their country, that was the right tool set for them, for themselves and their security interests. I hope that we can, across the board, streamline the State Department’s process connected with foreign military sales. There’s work to do. Rep. Cook: And I brought up this subject before in regards to NATO. You know, Eastern Europe, they’re still reliant on the parts from Russia. Once you go with another country, you’re going to be dependent on that. So, I think we’ve got to look at that whole situation, or once they buy, they’re going to be buying there for the next five generations or something. Pompeo: Yes, sir. Rep. Cook: Thank you very much. I yield back. 1:54:17 Rep. Scott Perry (PA): And in Bosnia, I’m concerned that there’s an October election and there’s a problem with the constitution. The date and accords were never supposed to last 20 years. They have. But I’m concerned that we’re not headed in the right place there. And I just want to get your thoughts on that, if we’re going to wait to see what happens, if we’re going to take preemptive action. I would hate to see that thing burn down and then—with the United States having troops on the ground there to try and secure the peace, and also if we’re interested in pursuing putting some forces there, again, to thwart Russia, and if that’s a consideration. So, those two topics, sir. Mike Pompeo: So, let me start first with Bosnia. We’re working on the very issue you described. I can’t say a lot about it, but know that the State Department, others, Department of Defense are there. We understand the risk. We think the region’s very important. We know the—and this transitions to your second part of the question which is, we know the Russians are hard at work there destabilizing— Rep. Perry: As are the Turks, right? Pompeo: Yes. And so there are a handful, although admittedly not sufficiently sized levers currently being employed, and we’re working to develop a strategy that puts us in a better place. 1:55:35 Rep. Scott Perry (PA): Mr. Secretary, this is a picture—I’m sure you’re well aware—of an M1 tank manufactured right here in the United States, paid for by the citizens of the United States, with their taxes. That is a Hezbollah flag on it. I am concerned and have written letters regarding the Train and Equip Program in Iraq and the Shia Crescent and the land bridges they’re building across Iraq with the militias there again. Many of the Iranian people want freedom, they want peace, and the don’t agree with the regime that they’re working—living under. But I offered amendments in the NDAA to stop the funding and the Train and Equip Program. One was found in favor; one was not. So we leave it up to you. I want to make sure that you’re aware that this is happening, including militias like Kata’ib Hezbollah, listed as a terrorist organization for killing American soldiers. And if the Congress is unwilling to stop it, I hope you will be willing to stop the funding and the Train and Equip Program in Iraq and funding the Iranian militias that are willing to kill Americans and Jews and everybody across the Crescent that disagrees with them. Mike Pompeo: I’ll say this: it is the case that when we perform Train and Equip functions from time to time, equipment ends up in the hands of the wrong people. It’s a risk inherent in those operations. The question becomes, is the value we’re getting from that training, those exercises, outweigh the risk that that happens? You should know that the U.S. government works diligently to put rules and processes in place to make that picture, or pictures like that, as infrequent as possible. Rep. Perry: I don’t think the Iraqis are complying. 2:03:45 Rep. Ron DeSantis (FL): In terms of what’s going on in Venezuela, there’s a pretty significant Cuban presence of military intelligence. Is that your estimation? Mike Pompeo: I’m sorry. Could you repeat the question? Rep. DeSantis: In terms of the situation in Venezuela, propping up the Maduro regime, is part of that the Cuban military and intelligence apparatus? Pompeo: In this setting I can say there are a great deal of Cuban influence that is working alongside the Maduro regime. Rep. DeSantis: And it’s not helpful to what America wants. Pompeo: It runs adverse to U.S. interests, directly adverse to U.S. interests. 2:05:42 Rep. Ron DeSantis (FL): The Iranian people, obviously, are not happy with this regime. I mean, this is a militant, Islamic regime that’s been really imposed on relatively pro-Western populous, educated middle class. We see the protests. The president has spoken out, I think correctly. What can we do to help, because it seems like the regime cracks down on the social networks, they don’t want there to be a free flow of information, but I think it’s certainly in our interests to empower people who view this regime as illegitimate and not representative of their ideals. Mike Pompeo: It’s long been U.S. deeply held position that we will do the things we can to ensure that peoples all around the world have their human rights, their political rights, their capacity to express themselves. We shouldn’t shy away from that with respect to Iran, either. There are a number of tools that we can use, some of which I’m now responsible for their implementation; others exist other places in government. We should bring them all to bear to allow the Iranian people to be governed by the leaders that they choose. 2:59:44 Rep. Ted Lieu (CA): I’d like to ask you now about Yemen. As you know, the war in Yemen is now the world’s worst humanitarian disaster. Over 22 million people are now at risk of starvation, 8 million don’t know where their next meal will be, and every 10 minutes a child dies of preventable causes. So the U.S. is involved in Yemen in two ways. One is we are striking terrorists. Now, I don’t have a problem with that. But the other way we’re involved is we are assisting the Saudi-led military coalition. And again, I don’t have a problem with assisting our allies, but I do have a problem when that coalition is killing large numbers of civilians through airstrikes that are nowhere near military targets. And as of last September, more than 5,000 civilians have been killed, the majority from these airstrikes. In 2016 the State Department, its lawyers, have wrote a memo saying that because we’re refueling these planes, the Saudi jets, and also providing them other assistance, that U.S. personnel could be considered a co-belligerent and liable for war crimes. I know you just came on as secretary of state. Wonder if you’ve had a chance yet to read that memo. Mike Pompeo: I have not. Rep. Lieu: At your convenience. Pompeo: But I will. I will review the memo. Rep. Lieu: Thank you. I appreciate that. And if you could also make a request to your state department to see if members of Congress could also review that memo in a classified setting as well, that’d be appreciated. Pompeo: Have you—You’ve not had a—I take it you’ve not had a chance to see it. Rep. Lieu: We have not. Pompeo: Yes, sir. Rep. Lieu: So if you could make that request, that’d be great. Pompeo: I will review that, absolutely. Rep. Lieu: Thank you. So, when this conflict first started, we had all these airstrikes from Saudi-led coalition, and what it turned out is that it’s not that they were trying to hit a Houthi vehicle that was moving and they missed and struck a bunch of civilians; what ended up happening is they intentionally struck those civilian targets. So they struck hospitals, weddings, schools, markets, and last year they struck a funeral, that killed hundreds of people, twice. So they hit this funeral, and the jets went around and hit it again a second time. Very precise. That’s why the Obama administration actually stopped a shipment of precision-guided munitions because they realized actually these jets are intending to strike their targets and they were civilians. It’s my understanding that the Trump administration is now going to go forward with that sale. Just wondering why do you think anything has changed in Yemen that would authorize this sale to go forward? Mike Pompeo: So, I’m cursorily familiar with the incidents you’re describing. There are a very rigid set of rules that are thought deeply about in every national security agency that I’ve been part of—at the CIA before, now at State Department—with respect to providing munitions to organizations that are intentionally engaging in civilian targeting. We have a complex set of rules and prohibitions. We would never do that. It is this administration’s judgment that providing the precision-guided munitions actually decreases the risk to civilians. And it’s for that reason we think this actually makes sense, certainly for our allies and partners but also for citizens that are engaged in ordinary activity inside of Yemen. And if I might, this administration’s also taken serious action to do our best to reduce the humanitarian crisis that is Yemen as well. We’ve not resolved it, but we’ve made real progress. Rep. Lieu: Thank you. News Interview: Bolton: 'Our goal should be regime change in Iran', Fox News, January 1, 2018. Video: 2004 State of the Union Address , C-SPAN, January 20, 2004. Congress: Ron Paul: War with Iran has already been decided by the Financial Elite, C-SPAN, January 3, 2012. 1:40:39* Senator Rand Paul (KY): I think many people would admit that the Iran agreement had some deficiencies. One of the largest deficiencies might have been that the $100 billion was released all at once instead of maybe gradually to help modulate behavior over a longer period of time. That being said, the $100 billion that was released was a great inducement to get Iran to sign the agreement. That was a carrot, and that carrot’s gone. They’ve gotten the good thing, and now we want compliance, and now we’re pulling out. And so the question is, what are the next inducements to get them to sign things, or will there not be? I think there’s a question with—there are two possibilities, basically, of what will happen. So you reintroduce the strongest sanctions ever. They either don’t work—that’s one possibility—because they’re unilateral, and some say unilateral sanctions won’t work. Let’s say they don’t work. That means Europe, China, and Russia continue to trade with them, and Iran says, “Well, they’re going to continue to trade with us. We’ll just keep abiding by the agreement.” They don’t develop any more nuclear weapons or technology towards that, but they don’t do anything else that you would like—ballistic missiles, less terrorism. So, really, basically, we don’t get what we want if the sanctions don’t work. Second possibility. Let’s say the sanctions do work. We have enough manipulation of money that flows through us from Europe. Europe does a lot of trade with us. Europe buckles. I think Russia and China still will trade with them, but let’s say Europe buckles. And let’s say it works, and it puts enough pressure on Iran, then there are two possibilities of what Iran does. The first possibility is they say, “Oh, Secretary Pompeo. We love Secretary Pompeo’s 12-point strategy, and we’re going to accept that.” I think that’s unlikely. The second possibility, if the sanctions work and they put enough pressure on them—Iran feels the pressure—is that they restart their nuclear centrifuge program. So those are two possibilities. But what I’d like to do is go through the 12 steps that you’d like Iran to do and sort of explore what these would mean if we thought about them in terms of bigger than Iran. So one of your first things is—and this came up during JCPOA, but nobody really could really get this done—you want Iran to reveal the military dimensions of its nuclear program. Well, let’s substitute Israel for Iran there. Does anybody think Israel’s going to reveal the military dimensions of their nuclear program? Well, you’ll say, “Well, they’re our friend.” Well, yeah, but from Iran’s perspective they see Israel as a rival and a regional rival. Let’s put Saudi Arabia in there. Well, Saudi Arabia revealed the military dimensions of its nuclear program. Well, some might say, “Mm, they don’t really have it.” But I’m guessing there are files over at the CIA that say, “Well, you know what? They have talked to people about purchasing it. Some say they have purchased nuclear technology.” I can guarantee we know that, and you probably can’t admit it, but let’s put Saudi Arabia in there. Are they willing to discuss anything they have done to develop nuclear weapons? So really what you’re asking for is something that they are never going to agree to. Okay? You can try to crip them. It’s sort of like unconditional surrender. You’re not getting that. Let’s move on. Proliferation of ballistic missiles. I don’t like them threatening surrounding countries or us with ballistic missiles. Nobody does. But they respond not just to us; they respond to Saudi Arabia. There’s a 1,000-year-old war over there. There’s a 1,000-year-old religious war over there, and there’s hostility between the two. So when we supply weapons and the Saudis buy ballistic missiles—the Saudis have a ballistic program—they respond to that. The Saudis and their allies, the Gulf sheikhdom, spend eight times more than Iran. So when you tell Iran, “Oh, well, you have to give up your ballistic-missile program,” but you don’t say anything to the Saudis, you think they’re ever going to sign that? They would have to be crippled and starving people in the streets for them ever to agree to give up their ballistic-missile program. Had we kept the Iran agreement with them and you said to the Iranians, “Well, we want less of an arms race over there. We’d like to have peace with Saudi Arabia. Could we get Saudi Arabia to the table, with Iran, to discuss either a freeze of ballistic missiles—” you know, when we went to Russia, we didn’t just succumb and say we’d give up our weapons. Neither did Russia. We did it in parity. We had an agreement. If you leave Saudi Arabia out of it and you leave Israel out of it and you look at Iran in isolation, that’s not the way they perceive it. So, don’t think they’re going to jump at your 12 notions here of what you’d like them to do. Mike Pompeo: Senator, may I make this one point? Paul: Go ahead. Pompeo: I think the example of Saudi Arabia’s a reasonable one. We have told the Saudis exactly what I asked from the Iranians. Paul: To talk about their nuclear program? Pompeo: They have said they want a peaceful nuclear-energy program, and we have told them we want a gold-standard, Section 123 agreement from them, which would not permit them to enrich. That is simply all I’ve asked of Iran as well. Paul: Do we have information that the Saudis have talked to actors in Pakistan and other places about purchasing nuclear technology? Pompeo: Sir, I can’t answer that here this morning. Paul: Which is to say we, in all likelihood, do have that information. And so the thing is it’s a one-way playing field. Unless we understand that there are two big players over there—really, three big players: you got Iran, you got Israel, and you got Saudi Arabia—we want Iran to do things we’re not willing to ask anybody else to do and that we would never do. So— Pompeo: Senator, I disagree with you. I think we ask most nations to do precisely what we’re asking Iran to do. Paul: Let’s move on to another one of your 12 points and the military support for the Houthi rebels. Well, once again, you’re asking them to end it, but you’re not asking the Saudis to end their bombardment of Yemen. I mean, if you look at the humanitarian disaster that is Yemen, it is squarely on the shoulders of the Saudis. And so we’re going to ask the Iranians to quit supplying—they, in all likelihood, are the ones supplying the missiles—and we get reports, and the Defense Department comes and says, “There’ve been 32 missiles strikes in Saudi Arabia.” Well, there’s been, like, 16,000 bombings of Yemen by Saudi Arabia. Nobody even mentions that. We act as if it didn’t even happen. If we are so ignorant that there’re two sides to this war, we’re never getting anywhere. Iran’s not going to stop doing that, but they might if you sat them down with the Saudi Arabians, said, “This arms race doesn’t make sense,” and Saudi Arabia’s willing to sit down at the table. You know, is Saudi Arabia willing to stop, another one’s withdrawal all forces under Iran’s command throughout the entirety of Syria? There were dozens of groups in there, even ISIS, that were getting weapons from Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In fact, one of the leaked emails from WikiLeaks was from Clinton to Podesta, saying, “My goodness. We’ve got to stop Saudi Arabia and Qatar from funding ISIS.” That’s a direct email. They were acknowledging they knew about it, and they were acknowledging it was a problem, but weapons were flowing in to all kinds of radicals in there. So if you want Iran to stop—and I mean, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are 10 times the problem, you know? The whole Syrian war has all of these radical jihadists. The people who attacked us came from Saudi Arabia. We ignore all that, and we lavish them with more bombs. So, really, until we acknowledge there are two sides to the war—or three sides to the war in the Middle East—you’re not going to get the agreement. I think it was naïve to pull out of the Iran agreement, and I think in the end, we’ll be worse off for it. United Nations Address: Jon Bolton U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., June 18, 2006. Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)  

Donald Trump has withdrawn the US from the JCPOA - a multilateral agreement designed to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon - yet at the same time, the administration is pursuing an unprecedented summit with - already nuclear capable - North Korea... is there reason in this Trumpiness? To help work this out, I talk to Simon Palamar, from CIGI, and Prof. Bessma Momani from the University of Waterloo and the Balsillie School of International Affairs.

Carmel Kilkenny speaks with professor Bessma Momani about the air strikes on Syria on Saturday April 14, 2018.

Carmel Kilkenny speaks with Bessma Momani, professor at the University of Waterloo.

Prof. Bessma Momani thinks a rapprochement between Canada and Iran would be of greatest benefit to the Iranian diaspora in Canada.

Bessma Momani, nonresident fellow at the Brookings Doha Center and author of , examines how Arab countries would benefit from more women joining the formal workforce and how this would promote gender equality throughout the region. Also in this episode, David Wessel, senior fellow and director of the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy, provides his regular economic update. This week: five big questions on economic policy. Finally, Matt Fiedler, fellow with the Center for Health Policy in Economic Studies,  discusses why he became a scholar and why he believes health care reform is currently the most pressing policy issue. Subscribe to Brookings podcasts  or on , send feedback email to , and follow us and tweet us at  on Twitter.  The Brookings Cafeteria is a part of the .

Prof. Bessma Momani found immigrants to be highly entrepreneurial and a net benefit to Canada.

Prof. Bessma Momani says that in spite of the current ceasefire, the future looks bleak for the people of Syria.

Marc Lynch speaks with Bessma Momani to discuss her book, "Arab Dawn: Arab Youth and the Demographic Dividend They Will Bring." Momani is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Waterloo and the Balsillie School of International Affairs in Canada.

Marc Lynch speaks with Bessma Momani to discuss her book, "Arab Dawn: Arab Youth and the Demographic Dividend They Will Bring." Momani is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Waterloo and the Balsillie School of International Affairs in Canada.

Bessma Momani is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Waterloo and the Balsillie School of International Affairs, a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, and a 2015 fellow at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation. In the West, news about the Middle East is dominated by an endless stream of reports and commentary about civil war, sectarian violence, religious extremism, and economic stagnation. But do they tell the full story? For instance, who knew that university enrollment in the war-torn Palestinian territories exceeds that of Hong Kong, or that more than a third of Lebanese entrepreneurs are women? Change is on its way in the Middle East, argues Bessma Momani, and its cause is demographic. Today, one in five Arabs is between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four. Young, optimistic, and increasingly cosmopolitan, their generation will shape the region’s future. Drawing on interviews, surveys, and other research conducted with young people in fifteen countries across the Arab world, Momani describes the passion for entrepreneurship, reform, and equality among Arab youth. With insightful political analysis based on the latest statistics and first-hand accounts, Arab Dawn is an invigorating study of the Arab world and the transformative power of youth (published by UTP Insights).

Prof. Bessma Momani says the risks associated with Russia’s involvement in Syria are “absolutely unbelievable high.”

Bessma Momani, associate professor at the University of Waterloo, Ontario.