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As countries in the Eastern Mediterranean - particularly Greece, Cyprus, and Israel - deepen their ties, they are also faced with the challenges posed by malign actors across the region. This includes countries like Russia, Iran, and Turkey, but also non-state actors like Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis in the Red Sea. Jonathan Spyer, director of research at the Middle East Forum and a contributor to the Jerusalem Post, the Wall Street Journal and The Australian, joins Thanos Davelis as we explore these security challenges and look at how East Med countries can work together to address them.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:No One Should Be Surprised About the Syrian MassacresTurkey, Israel have begun talks to avoid clashes in Syria, sources sayHigh-stakes poker over energy linkPM: ‘A trade war only produces losers'
Insights from British-Israeli analyst, writer, and journalist of Middle Eastern affairs Jonathan Spyer (Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security) for ISGAP.
PREVIEW: SYRIA: FDD Senior Vice President Jonathan Spyer analyzes Russia's potential accommodation with Damascus jihadists. More later. 1910 Damascus
PREVIEW: SYRIA: FDD Executive Director President Jonathan Spyer analyzes Russia's potential accommodation with the Damascus jihadists. More later. 1870 Damascus
PREVIEW: TURKEY: Colleague Jonathan Spyer of the Middle East Forum identifies the combatants in Northeast Syria, momentarily observing a ceasefire. More tonight. 1912 Damascus
SYRIA: : Gunplay Syrian National Army vs YPG. Jonathan Spyer: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/assad-falls-thanks-to-a-weak-tehran-iran-proxy-network-paper-tigers-more-defeats-will-follow-36d1d3fe https://thespectator.com/topic/bashar-al-assad-fell-syria/ 1925 SYRIA
GOOG EVENING: The show begins in Ukraine, looking for a negotiation it cannot likely survive... 1940 UKRAINE CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR FIRST HOUR9-915#UKRAINE: Concessions on the table? Anatol Lieven, Quincy Institute915-930#ROMANIA: Unstable, fearful. Anatol Lieven, Quincy Institute930-945EU: FRANCE: Limited growth. #SCALAREPORT: Chris Riegel CEO, Scala.com @Stratacache. 945-1000SYRIA: Search for chemical weapons not yet destroyed. Andrea Stricker, FDD SECOND HOUR10-1015SYRIA: : Gunplay Syrian National Army vs YPG. Jonathan Spyer: 1. https://www.wsj.com/opinion/assad-falls-thanks-to-a-weak-tehran-iran-proxy-network-paper-tigers-more-defeats-will-follow-36d1d3fe 2. https://thespectator.com/topic/bashar-al-assad-fell-syria/ 1015-1030IRAN: Maximum pressure restart. Richard Goldberg: 1. https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2024/12/09/how-to-bring-back-maximum-pressure-on-iran/ 2. https://nypost.com/2024/11/12/opinion/stefanik-will-bring-trumps-america-first-agenda-to-the-un/ 1030-1045 #PA: 89 year-old Mahmoud stalls. Yoni Ben Menachem: 1. https://arabexpert.co.il/en/2024/12/02/14497/ 2. https://arabexpert.co.il/en/2024/11/27/14455/ 1045-1100 LEBANON: Litani River. Maj. Gen. (Res.) Gilad Ach: 1. https://www.jns.org/eruption-of-a-dam-an-idf-reservist-fights-hezbollah-in-lebanon/ 2. https://www.jns.org/watch-idf-troops-in-gaza-rescue-wounded-under-heavy-hamas-fire/ THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 SYRIA: What does Turkiye want? Cliff May, FDD 1115-1130 #MRMARKET: DOGE can work. Veronique DeRugy, Mercatus Center 1130-1145 POTUS: Legacy of the 46th. Conrad Black, National Post. 1145-1200 CENTRAL ASIA: Where the uranium ore is found. Svanta Cornel, American Foreign Policy Council. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 1/;2: #HOTEL MARS: Beersheet 1 and Beersheet 2 on the moon. : Amir Notea, David Livingston. 1215-1230 1/;2: #HOTEL MARS: Beersheet 1 and Beersheet 2 on the moon. : Amir Notea, David Livingston. 1230-1245 RUSSIA: Rouble still sinking. Michael Bernstam, Hoover Institution 1245-100 am LATIN AMERIXA: MERCOSUR reawakens. Alllison Fedirka, @GPFutures
Jamie is joined by Jonathan Spyer—director of research at the Middle East Forum and writer for the Jerusalem Post—to explain the insurgency in Syria. The Agenda: —Syria post-ISIS —The fall of Assad's regime? —Lessons from Israel and Gaza —Syrian Kurds —Turkey's interests in Syria —Proxy War or Local Uprising? —What should happen next? The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this week's episode of The Jerusalem Post Podcast, Tamar Uriel-Beeri and Zvika Klein speak to Jonathan Spyer about the ongoing conflict in Syria, who are the parties fighting, and why the situation escalated now.
Jonathan Spyer, director of research at the Middle East Forum, who has visited Syria numerous times, including a few months ago, says that the Assad's regime, now bolstered by Iranian-backed militias from Iraq and Hizbullah fighters from Lebanon as well as the Russian air force, is not in danger of falling at this time. But, he said in an interview with Arieh O'Sullivan, the rebel's quick capture of Allepo shows how weak the Iran-led axis has become.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Join "The Quad" for an exclusive inside look at the ceasefire in the war against Hezbollah! Israeli innovation envoy Fleur Hassan-Nahoum sits down with Middle East expert Jonathan Spyer for analysis and perspective you won't hear anywhere else.They discuss details of the agreement; what the ceasefire means for the Jewish state, Lebanon and Iran; how President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration may have influenced the deal; and how the truce affects Hamas and Israel's future.Subscribe now to JNS TV:Stay informed about Israel and the Jewish world!Latest news: Get in-depth analysis at https://bit.ly/jewish_news_serviceSubscribe for more: Never miss a story - sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribe_to_JNSSupport our work: Your donation helps JNS fight for accurate headlines: https://bit.ly/Support_JNS
FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with British-Israeli analyst, writer, and journalist Jonathan Spyer, who serves as the director of research at the Middle East Forum.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/
Charles Asher Small interviews Natan Sharansky (Chairman, ISGAP; former political prisoner and human rights activist) and Jonathan Spyer (Journalist of Middle Eastern Affairs; Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, Jerusalem, Israel) from the ISGAP-Oxford Summer Institute for Curriculum Development in Critical Contemporary Antisemitism Studies.
Join us for an exclusive inside look at what makes the Iranian axis tick! Fleur Hassan-Nahoum sits down with expert Middle East analyst and writer, Jonathan Spyer, for analysis and perspective you won't hear anywhere else. We'll discuss Hezbollah's original attack on October 8; what motivates Iran; how Gulf countries and Jordan perceive Iranian aims; and looking for the light at the end of this war. Stay informed about Israel and the Jewish World! Latest news: Get in-depth analysis at https://bit.ly/jewish_news_serviceSubscribe for more: Never miss a story - sign up for our newsletter https://bit.ly/subscribe_to_JNSSupport our work: Your donation helps JNS fight for accurate headlines: https://bit.ly/Support_JNS
#Hezbollah: Much bigger war. Jonathan Spyer is director of research at the Middle East Forum. A journalist, he co-founded the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis, reports for Jane's Intelligence Review, writes a column for the Jerusalem Post, and is a contributor to the Wall Street Journal and The Australian. https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-june-20-2024/ 1899 Beirut
How has the October 7th massacre challenged Israeli public opinion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? What about 'day after' planning? Has it seriously begun? And does peace lie with the Gulf states? Just how much do the Saudis and the UAE want Israel to win? Who in Palestinian society is there to deal peace with? Is there anyone? Has the Israeli left anywhere left to go? Is war from Lebanon inevitable? While the Houthis, another Iranian proxy, bomb western ships in the Suez Canal, how many fronts could this war open? Is the escalation so inevitable that Iran joins the fray directly? Russia in Syria, Iran's land bridge there. Let's update that too. Why is it imperative that Israelis from both the north and south return to their towns and kibbutzim? Two of Israel's leading journalists and analysts join me here in London thanks to Elnet UK, a bipartisan, cross-party international organisation, who stand above politics, working to advance UK-Israel relations. We go deeper into the conflict, wading through the hardship, to try to find a route to a better day. Haviv Rettig Gur is a senior analyst for The Times of Israel. He's covered the politics, foreign policy, education and relationship Israel has with the Jewish diaspora for 20 years, he served as Director of Communications for the Jewish Agency and taught at the best pre-military academies in Israel. He was a correspondent at the Jerusalem Post. Jonathan Spyer is Director of Research at the Middle East Forum and edits the Forum's journal, the Middle East Quarterly. He has reported from Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey, Ukraine and back home including in Gaza and Judea and Samaria. LISTEN NOW for a in-depth analysis of today's Middle East and hopes for a better tomorrow.
Jonathan Spyer, director of the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis, said Iran's self-declared immunity as it orchastrates its regional proxies could be changing. In light of the assassination of an Iranian general in Syria and comments today by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant that Israel has retaliated widely, he told reporter Arieh O'Sullivan that the current situation is no longer a war with just Hamas in Gaza, but rather a wider multi-front conflict. (photo: Mohammed Zaatari/AP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Middle East Forum's Jonathan Spyer on why Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies are maintaining daily low-level attacks against northern Israel after five weeks of war. Iranian Americans on why they participated in the March for Israel rally in Washington. Iranian American activist Sarah Raviani on the status of congressional legislation to tighten U.S. sanctions on Iran's Islamist rulers. Baha'i International Community's Simin Fahandej on what is behind a surge in Iran's arrests of minority Baha'is.
On the podcast: In The Spectator's cover piece Jonathan Spyer writes that as America's role in international security diminishes history is moving Iran's way, with political Islam now commanding much of the Middle East. He is joined by Ravi Agrawal, editor in chief of Foreign Policy and host of the FP Live podcast, to discuss whether America is still the world's policeman. Also this week: In the magazine this week, The Spectator's literary editor Sam Leith speaks to Jacques Testard, publisher at Fitzcarraldo Editions, the indie publishing house which has just won its fourth nobel prize in under ten years. They have kindly allowed us to hear a section of their conversation in which they discuss the joy of translations, how a literary publishing house should exist as a work of art in and of itself and why winning prizes isn't everything. And finally: In his arts lead, journalist Dan Hitchens reviews Georgian Illuminations, an exhibition at Sir John Soane's Museum on the golden age of public spectacle. He joins the podcast alongside Louise Stewart, co-curator of the exhibition, to uncover how the Georgian's invented nightlife. Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
On the podcast: In The Spectator's cover piece Jonathan Spyer writes that as America's role in international security diminishes history is moving Iran's way, with political Islam now commanding much of the Middle East. He is joined by Ravi Agrawal, editor in chief of Foreign Policy and host of the FP Live podcast, to discuss whether America is still the world's policeman. Also this week: In the magazine this week, The Spectator's literary editor Sam Leith speaks to Jacques Testard, publisher at Fitzcarraldo Editions, the indie publishing house which has just won its fourth nobel prize in under ten years. They have kindly allowed us to hear a section of their conversation in which they discuss the joy of translations, how a literary publishing house should exist as a work of art in and of itself and why winning prizes isn't everything. And finally: In his arts lead, journalist Dan Hitchens reviews Georgian Illuminations, an exhibition at Sir John Soane's Museum on the golden age of public spectacle. He joins the podcast alongside Louise Stewart, co-curator of the exhibition, to uncover how the Georgian's invented nightlife. Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
Jonathan Spyer is anything but an armchair analyst. He joins Eve Harow to discuss the regional aspects of Israel's war on Hamas. His experiences in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq have left him sadly not surprised by the unfathomable violence and cruelty which was also the modus operandi of ISIS, destroyed by the US and Britain. Will they let Israel do the same or will the usual double standards apply? Eve has spent the week raising money for security and medical equipment for first responders (including Arugot Farm) and for games for evacuated families. (She's also baked many cookies for soldiers.) Standing with Israel is standing with the reason God created humanity.
Palestinian incitement against Israel has been long established as the main obstacle to peace between Israelis and Palestinians. But this incitement - in Palestinian media, school textbooks and mosques, is only part of the equation. Palestinian incitement has also manifested in the continued rejectionism of the Palestinian leadership, which is sending an unmistakable message to the Palestinians, that Israel is an illegitimate state which should be opposed. In light of decades of this Palestinian incitement and rejectionism, is there any light at the end of the tunnel? Or has the Palestinian leadership poisoned an entire generation to oppose Israel, all but rendering any future peace all but impossible? To help provide much-needed context, we are joined this week by Jonathan Spyer. He is an analyst, author and journalist specializing in the region. He is the director of the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis (MECRA), a Research Fellow at the Jerusalem Center for Strategy and Security and a Fellow at the Middle East Forum. Welcome to The Honest Report podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thehonestreport/message
Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploration into one key issue shaping Israel and the Jewish world — right now. Eleven years ago, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered his much-quoted "Iranian nuclear duck" speech at AIPAC warning against United States plans for a nuclear deal. Fast forward to today and we hear reports that the United States is now looking for a “less for less” deal to stave off that Iranian duck's final launch. This week alone, Iran made international headlines as it claimed it had developed a hypersonic missile capable of traveling at 15 times the speed of sound. We were likewise told that Iran will head a naval alliance in cooperation with other Gulf states. And we heard that Iran is set to reopen its embassy in Saudi Arabia. There are new truces in the region and a re-embrace of Syria in the Arab League. And that's just the beginning. This week, Dr. Jonathan Spyer, the director of research at the Middle East Forum and editor of Middle East Quarterly, gives us a whirlwind tour of the new alliances threading through a tangled region. A freelance security analyst for Janes Information Group and a columnist at the Jerusalem Post, Spyer is also an on-the-ground journalist who has entered Syria, Lebanon and Iraq numerous times and is the author of the 2018 book “Days of the Fall: A Reporter's Journey in the Syria and Iraq Wars.” And so this week of increased news out of Iran, we ask Jonathan Spyer, what matters now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on iTunes, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, PlayerFM or wherever you get your podcasts. IMAGE: Dr. Jonathan Spyer on a reporting trip in Mosul, Iraq, September 2017. (courtesy)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Photo: No known restrictions on publication. @Batchelorshow USS Thornton 1920 #Iran: Dr. Jonathan Spyer- Jonathan Spyer, director of the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis (MECRA), a Research Fellow at the Jerusalem Center for Strategy and Security and a Fellow at the Middle East Forum. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/04/28/lebanon-iran-hezbollah-amirabdollahian-israel/fbc4e53a-e5db-11ed-9696-8e874fd710b8_story.html https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iranian-president-lands-damascus-first-visit-since-syrian-conflict-began-2011-2023-05-03/ https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-739165 https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-741546 https://www.barrons.com/news/iran-s-raisi-on-syria-visit-urges-anti-israel-unity-b35aae24
Photo: No known restrictions on publication. @Batchelorshow #Kurdistan: #Iraq: #Iran: #Syria: Jonathan Spyer director of the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis (MECRA), a Research Fellow at the Jerusalem Center for Strategy and Security and a Fellow at the Middle East Forum. Malcolm Hoenlein @Conf_of_pres @mhoenlein1 https://jonathanspyer.com/ https://www.axios.com/2022/12/07/cia-warned-turkey-strikes-syria-kurds-us-troops https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/21/iran-attacks-positions-in-northern-iraq-targeting-kurdish-groupso
Recent events in northwest Syria included indications that Turkey may currently be colluding or partnering with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a terrorist group closely linked to Al-Qaeda. Under Erdogan, Turkey has long worked in close collaboration with Islamist insurgent groups in its ongoing fight against Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) and its Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). What would be the repercussions of a partnership between Turkey and HTS, and what is the evidence that Turkey has established such an alliance?
On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down Iran's foiled attempts to kidnap Israeli diplomats and tourists in Istanbul. One of the targets, according to the report, was the former Israeli ambassador. Plus, top expert Dr. Jonathan Spyer, a fellow for the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security joins us with key insight as Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov touches down in Iran to discuss nuclear deal cooperation. Should Israel be concerned with the growing strategic alliance between Iran and Russia? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Photo: #Syria: #UAW: #Russia: #Ukraine: Assad sending homicides to Ukraine. Jonathan Spyer @jonathan_spyer ; Fellow, Middle East Forum; travels extensively in Syria, Iraq, Kurdistan. LSE Ph.D. Malcolm Hoenlein @Conf_of_pres @mhoenlein1 https://www.jns.org/after-assad-visit-uae-could-play-role-mediating-between-syria-and-israel/ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/24/how-russia-is-using-tactics-from-the-syrian-playbook-in-ukraine https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/18/bashar-al-assad-visits-uae-in-attempt-to-build-arab-relations https://nypost.com/2022/03/29/no-one-believes-biden-has-a-red-line-in-ukraine-after-syria-debacle/ Dr. Jonathan Spyer is one of the few Western/Israeli experts to have travelled extensively in Syria, Iraq and the Kurdish areas during the recent years of conflict. He holds a Ph.D. in international relations from the London School of Economics & an MA in Middle East politics from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London: is a Fellow at the Middle East Forum. .Spyer is a regular contributor to Jane's Intelligence Review, has published in leading journals and media outlets including Middle East Quarterly, Times (of London), Foreign Policy, Wall Street Journal, Guardian, Haaretz, Atlantic, Australian, National Post, Globe and Mail, Jerusalem Report, Jerusalem Post and others; and has appeared on CNN, al-Jazeera, Fox, BBC, Sky, and other outlets.
On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck is joined by top Middle East analyst Jonathan Spyer and Mati Shoshani of TBN Jerusalem on Israel's Golan Heights to break down what Iran's radical regime really wants. What are the religious, civilizations and geopolitical reasons that drive Iran's drive for a nuclear weapon and it's vendetta against the United States and Israel? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck breaks down Iran's grand strategy for the Middle East and how it affects America. To get the inside story, we head to Israel's Golan Heights, along the Syrian border, with Middle East expert Jonathan Spyer and TBN Jerusalem correspondent Mati Shoshani. What does Iran's regime want and what are they doing to try to achieve their nefarious goals? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Photo: The 138–126 BCE travels of Zhang Qian to the West, including Persia; from the Mogao Caves, 618–712 CE mural.. CBS Eye on the World with John Batchelor CBS Audio Network @Batchelorshow The New Axis Powers for the New Cold War. Jonathan Spyer, MECRA. @jonathan_spyer Malcolm Hoenlein @Conf_of_pres @mhoenlein1 Jonathan Spyer is a Middle East analyst, author and journalist specializing in the Levant and Iraq. He is the director of the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis (MECRA), a Research Fellow at the Jerusalem Center for Strategy and Security and a Fellow at the Middle East Forum. https://jonathanspyer.com/2021/09/26/iran-china-alliance/ https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/iranian-membership-shanghai-cooperation-organization-motivations-and-implications https://www.axios.com/russia-trilateral-talks-us-israel-syria-ccaac91f-d746-4fd8-8cbe-34fd396846cd.html https://www.jpost.com/opinion/is-syria-returning-to-the-arab-fold-opinion-680287
Perversely, Hezbollah gains from the collapse of Lebanon's economy and from the rocket attacks against Israel, even though they threaten full-scale war. Can the West take steps to reduce Hezbollah's power in Lebanon? What can Israel do to protect its interests?
Journalist, author and Mid East analyst Dr. Jonathan Spyer discusses with Eve Harow some of the acute and chronic ‘dysfunctional' -or more correctly, highly functional but quite dangerous- regimes in countries bordering or near Israel. How is Lebanon's collapse related to Iran? Is the insurgency in Iraq more worrisome than we think? Is the Biden administration dealing with the JCPOA talks correctly? Can Jordan be considered a reliable Western ally? How do Turkey and Russia play into this all too real game of RISK? These questions and more are answered by a veteran analyst and information gatherer, whose sources are not on twitter or instagram. (This is recording of the newest in a series of webinars sponsored by One Israel Fund.)
In this episode, Kasim sits down with British-Israeli analyst, writer, and journalist of Middle Eastern affairs, Jonathan Spyer, and the two discuss Iran and its proxies. Learn how Iran exercises its malevolent influence across the region and how a US-Iran Deal could reshape the Middle East and harm our ally, Israel. And don't miss a special biblical encouragement from one of CUFI on Campus's Regional Field Coordinators, Cherith Runyon.
2021 02 14 John Haller's Prophecy Update "Deplatforming Humanity" - Canceling the 'other'
Vi pratar med journalisten, författaren och analytikern Jonathan Spyer, som betonar att president Assad endast styr över 60 procent av Syrien, som lyfter fram att de kurdiska områdena i Syrien och Irak är de mest fredliga och välskötta i hela regionen, men som samtidigt befarar att det på sikt inte finns plats för några minoriteter i Mellanöstern. Stöd gärna podden genom en insättning via: Swish: 1236790943 Bg-nummer: 5528-2834
One of the Middle East's better publisised, but least understood political relationships is that of various Kurdish political actors and the state of Israel. To give background as well as insights on Israel-Kurdish relations is Jonathan Spyer, a journalist and analyst on Middle East politics as well as founder of MECRA.
British-Israeli journalist Jonathan Spyer’s U.S. visa was canceled for association with a “terrorist organization.” As a reporter, he has been in contact with various terrorist groups including Hezbollah, Hamas, and ISIS. But the U.S. government deemed unacceptable only his contact with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Although Spyer eventually got his visa, this incident raises many questions.
The Middle East is home to more than 35 million Kurds, whose nationalist aspirations have been thwarted for over 100 years. Now, an acclaimed battlefront reporter and analyst, British -Israeli, Jonathan Spyer has received notice from the US State Department that he is under a lifetime ban for entry to the US because of his support for the Kurds. His predicament denying his ability to travel to the US for policy forums, consultations and visits to family is truly Kafkaesque. Why is the US government carrying out the demands of Turkey’s Erdogan, a sworn enemy of Kurds against Spyer? Rod Reuven Dovid Bryant and Jerry Gordon of Israel News Talk Radio – Beyond the Matrix reached out to Jonathan Spyer to answer this question and his assessment of Turkey’s threats to normalization of relations between the Arab middle east and Israel. Jonathan Spyer is a research fellow at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategic Studies (JISS), a fellow at the Middle East Forum and a freelance security analyst and correspondent at IHS Janes. Spyer is the Executive Director of the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis (MECRA). He is the author of Days of the Fall: A Reporter's Journey in the Syria and Iraq Wars (Routledge, 2017) - an account of his field reporting in Syria and Iraq, and The Transforming Fire: the Rise of the Israel-Islamist Conflict, (Continuum, 2010). Spyer's work is published in many journals, including the Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel, Foreign Policy and the Wall Street Journal. He consults and advises for a wide variety of bodies in the governmental, NGO and private sectors. The following are some takeaways from this Israel News Talk Radio- Beyond the Matrix with Jonathan Spyer. On why Erdogan’s Turkey might have been behind the ban issued by the US. Spyer cites as leading possible reason that the US State Department may have been influenced by Erdogan to ban his entry as a foreign nation. Spyer’s believes that Erdogan’s animus against him is due to his coverage of Kurdish nationalist interests and aspirations, especially in Syria and the Turkish dictator’s handling of domestic and foreign journalists. Spyer has nothing against the Turkish people having traveled and enjoyed his time there. It is Erdogan who has stolen the liberties of his people. He earnestly believes that the US travel ban will be rectified shortly with the assistance of informal appeals of “friends”. On why Erdogan’s Turkey is a danger to the Region. Spyer considers Erdogan’s Turkey as a major disruption in the Middle East fostering destabilization in the region undermining countries. He considers Erdogan’s threat second only to Iran. This is reflected in Turkish invasion of Western Iraq, the ethnic cleansing of the enclave of Kurdish enclave of Afrin in Western Syria and invasion of northeaster Syria Kurdish heartland establishing a so-called safe Zone. Erdogan is organizing Sunnis in Northwest Lebanon, he has threatened the triple alliance of Israel, Greece, and Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean offshore energy development thwarting building of a pipeline to Europe by arbitrarily declaring an Exclusive Economic Zone from Libya to Turkey. His alliance with Hamas and Gaza and activities in Jerusalem are a threat to Israel. Through the Turkish paramilitary contracting firm of SADAT International Defense Consultancy, Erdogan is spreading his version of Political Islam by recruiting Islamist mercenaries. SADAT is headed by his former military advisor retired Brig. Gen. Turkish General Adnan Tanriverdi. SADAT is akin to ‘green men’ of Russia’s Wagner Group and Iran’s Shiite mercenaries in Syria and Iraq. However, Speyer considers Erdogan at risk of marginalizing Turkey given that his actions have exacerbated relations with Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, and the Gulf Emirates, especially the UAE, through his espousal of the Muslim Brotherhood doctrine. Beyond the Matrix 07OCT2020 - PODCAST
Israel and UAE's historic peace deal has implications not just on India, but on Pakistan which is slowly pivoting from the Arab Islamic world towards Turkic Islamic world, though the Imran Khan govt has been silent so far. In episode 549 of Cut The Clutter, Shekhar Gupta explains how the strategic picture is changing radically to the west of India.----more----Read Iranian diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif's piece in ThePrint https://theprint.in/opinion/the-us-is-using-the-un-to-destroy-the-un-writes-irans-foreign-minister-jawad-zarif/480362/----more----Read Pakistan’s former ambassador to US Husain Haqqani's piece in ThePrint https://theprint.in/opinion/bajwa-going-to-saudis-but-imran-khan-dreams-of-neo-ottoman-world/481107/----more----Read American diplomat Richard N. Haass' tweet on Israel-UAE deal https://twitter.com/RichardHaass/status/1293939741692497922 ----more----Read British-Israeli writer Jonathan Spyer's piece in The Jerusalem Post https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/turkey-pakistan-malaysia-and-qatar-form-troubling-new-alliance-629519----more----Read this piece that quotes International security expert Paul Sullivan https://theprint.in/world/israel-uae-accord-isnt-deal-of-the-century-but-still-a-foreign-policy-win-trump-wants/481372/
The Syrian civil war has been replaced by a clash of regional and global rivals with their local clients. Various conflicts are currently being played out on Syrian soil: Israel vs. Iran, Turkey vs. PKK, Assad regime vs. Turkey, US-led coalition vs. ISIS, Russia vs. US, and (still) the Assad regime vs. Sunni Islamist insurgents. Will the current situation become semi-permanent or will Damascus reimpose its rule throughout the country?
Today’s Guests Daniel Pipes, President Middle East Forum Abraham D. Sofaer, the George P. Shultz Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy and National Security Affairs, Emeritus. Abraham Sofaer is a former United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and then a Legal Adviser to the United States State Department. After resigning from the State Department he became the George P. Shultz Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy and National Security Affairs at theHoover Institution, Stanford University. Sofaer's work focuses on the power over war within the US government and on issues related to international law, terrorism, diplomacy, and national security. https://www.abesofaer.com/ Jonathan Spyer, Director of the Rubin Center, IDC Herzliya and Fellow at the Middle East Forum Jonathan Spyer is a Middle East analyst, author and journalist focusing on Syria, Lebanon and Israeli strategic affairs. Jonathan Spyer is Director of the Rubin Center for Research in International Affairs in Israel. Spyer holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from the London School of Economics and an M.A. in Middle East Politics from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. Twitter ID: @jonathan_spyer https://twitter.com/jonathan_spyer?lang=en https://jonathanspyer.com/ Jim Hanson, President of Security Studies Group Jim Hanson previously served in US Army Special Forces and conducted Counter-Terrorism, Counter-Insurgency as well as Diplomatic, Intelligence and Humanitarian operations in more than a dozen countries. He is the author of Cut Down the Black Flag – A Plan to Defeat the Islamic State. Twitter ID: @Uncle_Jimbo https://twitter.com/uncle_jimbo?lang=en
James Sorene, Richard Pater and Calev Ben Dor are joined by special guest Jonathan Spyer, Research Fellow at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategic Studies to discuss the Assad regime's military offensive in Southern Syria, US policy in Syria and the plight of Syrian refugees. The BICOM team also analyse the story of Khan al-Ahmar and the proposed Israeli demolition of the Bedouin settlement.
Middle East Centre Executive Director Johnathan Spyer talks about his new book 'Days of the Fall' See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
War reporter, Middle East analyst, and author, Jonathan Spyer, talks with Amichai Magen about his new book Days of the Fall: A Reporter's Journey in the Syria and Iraq Wars.
I.D.F. Counterstrikes In Gaza For Rocket Attack Another rocket has just been fired from Gaza into Israeli territory. The rocket has struck an empty field in southern Israel and no injuries or damage have been reported. The army has just launched a counter-attack against Hamas military targets in the strip. 2. Trump Threatens Cutting Aid To Palestinians US President Trump has just dropped an ultimatum. He's threatening to cut all aid to the Palestinians, unless they come back to the negotiation table. 3. Delta Airlines Gets Sued For Anti-Semitism A bombshell lawsuit has just been filed against delta airlines accusing the airline of practicing “anti-Jewish, anti-Hebrew, and anti-Israeli” behavior. Fighting For The Right To Die In Dignity Bina Divon, Chairman of the Lilach Association - To Live and Die with Dignity speaking at ILTV studio about the organization that is trying to bring to Israel the "Death with Dignity" Act that allows terminally ill people to end their lives by self-administrating lethal medication. Israeli Journalist ‘Sneaks' Into Syria An Israeli journalist Jonathan Spyer sneaked into Syria and even met twice with a top Syrian minister under the guise of traveling with a British passport. India Nixes $500M Deal With Israel India has just called off a massive defense deal with Israel's military, a deal worth half a billion dollars. Bennett Pitches Plan To Boost Army Draft Israel's Education Minister has just pitched a new plan to pump massive dollars into pre-army programs. The initiative would boost high school students' enrollment in courses and activities that prepare them for enlisting in the I.D.F., but more specifically in combat units. Preparing Israeli Youth For Successful Service Stav Gill, head of the pre-military preparatory program speaking at ILTV studio about a pre-military prep program that helps produce the next generation of leaders. Cell Phones Are The #1 Cause Of Auto Accidents In 2017, cell phone use while driving was the number one cause of car accidents in the country. 362 people were killed in car accidents in Israel just last year. Kids Discovers 10,000-Year-Old Knife A group of Israeli first-graders have just found a ten thousand year old flint knife, which experts now believe is the earliest known evidence of human settlement in the region. 11. Canines Controlling The Workplace The amazing story one Irish immigrant and his dog who he brings to his workplace. Custom C.R.M. Tools For Healthcare Companies Hagi Erez, Co-Founder of Aorta and Or Targownik, Co-Founder of AORTA speaking at ILTV studio the AORTA company that tackles medical errors. Seinfeld Takes A Break From The Tour Comedian Jerry Seinfeld toured the Ramon Air Force base with squadron 119 during his visit to Israel. Hebrew word Of The Day: PARVATI | משותק = FURRY Learn a New Hebrew word every day. Today's word is "parvati" which means "furry" The Weather Forecast Tonight is expected to be partly cloudy with a chance of rain and a rise in temperatures. The low will be fifty-three or twelve degrees Celsius. Tomorrow should be partly cloudy but with a drop in temperatures. The high will be around sixty-three or seventeen degrees Celsius. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jonathan Spyer, a Middle East analyst, journalist, and author, discusses his new book, “Days of the Fall: A Reporter’s Journey in the Syria and Iraq Wars,” a first-person account from behind the scenes of the top news story of this decade. This season of the Tel Aviv Review is made possible by The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute, which promotes humanistic, democratic, and liberal values in the social discourse in Israel.
Speaker: Dr. Jonathan Spyer Affiliation: Director, Rubin Center (formerly the GLORIA Center), Interdisciplinary Center of Herzliya; Fellow, Middle East Forum Title: "Antisemitism in the Contemporary Middle East: Survey And Analysis" Convener: Lloyd Fischler, Member, ISGAP Board of Directors and Board of Trustees Location: McGill University, Montreal, Canada Date: October 30, 2012 Description: Dr. Jonathan Spyer argues that the Middle East today is the most antisemitic region in the world. It is a region in which negative stereotypes of Jews, including ideas of Jewish conspiracy, exist in the mainstream. Spyer elucidates the pervasive presence of antisemtisim in contemporary Middle Eastern societies and notes two approaches that seek to explain the roots of this phenomenon. He goes on to explain the history of antisemitism and anti-Jewish sentiment in the contemporary Middle East.
We talked Syria, Iran, and much more with Jonathan Spyer, columnist for the Jerusalem Post, senior researcher for the GLORIA Center and fellow for the Middle East Forum. If you want to know everything that is going on in Syria and the Middle East, listen to this show!