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On December 4, the entire United Nations Security Council made an unprecedented trip to Syria. It is hard to overstate what a significant turning point this represents — both for the Security Council and the United Nations as a whole. For thirteen long years, the civil war in Syria was the largest and most brutal conflict in the world, and one that stymied the United Nations by exposing massive geopolitical rifts between key global powers. We may now look to Gaza or Ukraine as examples of paralysis at the Security Council — but it was Syria that first broke it. Now, all fifteen members are in Damascus, in an important show of unity. Mark and Anjali break down why this trip is so significant and what role the UN can play in supporting Syria's democratic transition. After the paywall: Mark and Anjali discuss shocking new revelations about the UN's budget, and what the official "pre-launch" of the selection process for the next Secretary-General tells us about how the UN's next leader will be chosen. Discount link to listen to full episode: https://www.globaldispatches.org/40percentoff
The two faces of France in its dealings with Israel
Jon Najarian, co-founder of Market Rebellion and TradeMonster, discusses how his first trip to Armenia and his daughters' influence have deepened his relationship to his heritage. He shares a remarkable family story, from the founding of the Lazar Najarian–Calouste Gulbenkian School in Syria to pioneering organ-transplant surgery in the United States.
Today is the feast of St. John Damascene, a priest, monk and Doctor of the Church who lived in the 8th Century. He was born in Damascus in Syria and like so many Christians in that part of the world today he was forced to leave because some of the Muslim majority had grown hostile toward Christians. Fr. Kubicki unpacks more about St. John Damascene on today's reflection.
Israel's war against Hamas has left wives without their husband, children without their parents, and parents without their children. On December 4, 2025, Ambassador Summit 2025 hosted a special memorial service at Mt. Herzl to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives to protect Israel from an existential threat, Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and the Houthis. In this episode of the Blessors of Israel Podcast, Dr. Matthew Dodd shares his thoughts regarding the memorial service along with insights about the importance of standing with Israel at this critical hour.Visit the Blessors of Israel Website: https://www.blessors.org/ Thank you for supporting Blessors of Israel. Donate Online: https://blessors.org/donate/Please Subscribe and Like our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUfbl_rf8O_uwKrfzCh04jgSubscribe to our Spotify Channel: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/blessorsofisrael Subscribe to our Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blessors-of-israedl/id1699662615Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlessorsofIsrael/Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlessorsIGettr: https://gettr.com/i/blessorsofisrael Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-1670015Thank you for watching. Please like and share this video.We would love to hear your comments.Those who bless Israel will be blessed (Genesis 12:3).Pastor Rich JonesPastor Matthew DoddDr. Matthew DoddRich Jones Blessors of IsraelMatthew Dodd Blessors of IsraelBlessors of IsraelBlessers of IsraelTags:Pastor Rich JonesPastor Matthew DoddRich JonesDr. Matthew DoddRich Jones, Blessors of Israel, Rich Jones, Blessers of Israel, Matthew Dodd, Blessors of Israel, Matthew Dodd, Blessers of Israel, Blessers of Israel, Blessors of Israel, Two-State Solution, Palestine, Modern Palestinian Problem, Israel, Jesus Christ, Anti-Semitism, Prophecy Update, End Times Prophecy, Latter Days, Bible Prophecy, The Great Tribulation, Hamas, Gaza Strip, Terrorism, Hezbollah, Iran, Russia, Persia, Gog and Magog, BRICS, China, CCP, Persia, Iran, Turkey, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, India, Yahya Sinwar, Nasrallah, Ismail Haniyeh, Deif, United Nations, Terrorism, Antisemitism, Syria, Bashar al Assad, HTS, Damascus, Mount Hermon, Erdogan, Netanyahu, Trump, Putin, Ceasefire, Hostages, al Jolani, al Sharaa, Holocaust Day of Remembrance, China, Egypt, Iran Nuclear Deal, Trump, War, WWIII, Hamas, Anti-Semitism, October 7, 2023, Trump's 20-Point Peace Plan, Qatar, Egypt, Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, Erdogan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Hostages, Nova Festival Site, Friends of Zion, Mt. Herzl
Pastor Rich Jones and Dr. Matthew Dodd were invited by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Friends of Zion Ministry to travel to Israel for the Ambassador Summit 2025 – 1,000 Pastors United. In this episode of the Blessors of Israel Podcast, Dr. Dodd shares his initial reflections from the Nova Festival site, where Hamas terrorists launched a brutal attack on October 7, 2023, resulting in the tragic deaths of 400 individuals and the hostage-taking of over 40 others.Visit the Blessors of Israel Website: https://www.blessors.org/ Thank you for supporting Blessors of Israel. Donate Online: https://blessors.org/donate/Please Subscribe and Like our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUfbl_rf8O_uwKrfzCh04jgSubscribe to our Spotify Channel: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/blessorsofisrael Subscribe to our Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blessors-of-israedl/id1699662615Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlessorsofIsrael/Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlessorsIGettr: https://gettr.com/i/blessorsofisrael Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-1670015Thank you for watching. Please like and share this video.We would love to hear your comments.Those who bless Israel will be blessed (Genesis 12:3).Pastor Rich JonesPastor Matthew DoddDr. Matthew DoddRich Jones Blessors of IsraelMatthew Dodd Blessors of IsraelBlessors of IsraelBlessers of IsraelTags:Pastor Rich JonesPastor Matthew DoddRich JonesDr. Matthew DoddRich Jones, Blessors of Israel, Rich Jones, Blessers of Israel, Matthew Dodd, Blessors of Israel, Matthew Dodd, Blessers of Israel, Blessers of Israel, Blessors of Israel, Two-State Solution, Palestine, Modern Palestinian Problem, Israel, Jesus Christ, Anti-Semitism, Prophecy Update, End Times Prophecy, Latter Days, Bible Prophecy, The Great Tribulation, Hamas, Gaza Strip, Terrorism, Hezbollah, Iran, Russia, Persia, Gog and Magog, BRICS, China, CCP, Persia, Iran, Turkey, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, India, Yahya Sinwar, Nasrallah, Ismail Haniyeh, Deif, United Nations, Terrorism, Antisemitism, Syria, Bashar al Assad, HTS, Damascus, Mount Hermon, Erdogan, Netanyahu, Trump, Putin, Ceasefire, Hostages, al Jolani, al Sharaa, Holocaust Day of Remembrance, China, Egypt, Iran Nuclear Deal, Trump, War, WWIII, Hamas, Anti-Semitism, October 7, 2023, Trump's 20-Point Peace Plan, Qatar, Egypt, Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, Erdogan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Hostages, Nova Festival Site
On the first day of the Ambassador Summit 2025, Pastor Rich Jones met with Dr. Matthew Dodd at the Nova Festival Site, the tragic location where Hamas terrorists took the lives of 400 young men and women and held over 40 others hostage. In this poignant podcast, Pastor Rich and Dr. Dodd share their reflections on the heinous crimes against humanity that unfolded at Nova on October 7, 2023.Visit the Blessors of Israel Website: https://www.blessors.org/ Thank you for supporting Blessors of Israel. Donate Online: https://blessors.org/donate/Please Subscribe and Like our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUfbl_rf8O_uwKrfzCh04jgSubscribe to our Spotify Channel: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/blessorsofisrael Subscribe to our Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blessors-of-israedl/id1699662615Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlessorsofIsrael/Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlessorsIGettr: https://gettr.com/i/blessorsofisrael Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-1670015Thank you for watching. Please like and share this video.We would love to hear your comments.Those who bless Israel will be blessed (Genesis 12:3).Pastor Rich JonesPastor Matthew DoddDr. Matthew DoddRich Jones Blessors of IsraelMatthew Dodd Blessors of IsraelBlessors of IsraelBlessers of IsraelTags:Pastor Rich JonesPastor Matthew DoddRich JonesDr. Matthew DoddRich Jones, Blessors of Israel, Rich Jones, Blessers of Israel, Matthew Dodd, Blessors of Israel, Matthew Dodd, Blessers of Israel, Blessers of Israel, Blessors of Israel, Two-State Solution, Palestine, Modern Palestinian Problem, Israel, Jesus Christ, Anti-Semitism, Prophecy Update, End Times Prophecy, Latter Days, Bible Prophecy, The Great Tribulation, Hamas, Gaza Strip, Terrorism, Hezbollah, Iran, Russia, Persia, Gog and Magog, BRICS, China, CCP, Persia, Iran, Turkey, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, India, Yahya Sinwar, Nasrallah, Ismail Haniyeh, Deif, United Nations, Terrorism, Antisemitism, Syria, Bashar al Assad, HTS, Damascus, Mount Hermon, Erdogan, Netanyahu, Trump, Putin, Ceasefire, Hostages, al Jolani, al Sharaa, Holocaust Day of Remembrance, China, Egypt, Iran Nuclear Deal, Trump, War, WWIII, Hamas, Anti-Semitism, October 7, 2023, Trump's 20-Point Peace Plan, Qatar, Egypt, Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, Erdogan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Hostages, Nova Festival Site, Friends of Zion
Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/TYT and use code TYT and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! The Trump administration can't get their story straight on the Venezuela boat strikes. Tim Pool says Donald Trump is becoming a neo-con and slams the Venezuela regime change op. New details regarding hte alleged DC shooter, who was recruited by the CIA as a teenager. Trump attempts to put an end to Israel's strikes in Syria. Hosts: Ana Kasparian, Cenk Uygur SUBSCRIBE on YOUTUBE ☞ https://www.youtube.com/@TheYoungTurks FOLLOW US ON: FACEBOOK ☞ https://www.facebook.com/theyoungturks TWITTER ☞ https://twitter.com/TheYoungTurks INSTAGRAM ☞ https://www.instagram.com/theyoungturks TIKTOK ☞ https://www.tiktok.com/@theyoungturks
Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/TYT and use code TYT and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! The Trump administration can't get their story straight on the Venezuela boat strikes. Tim Pool says Donald Trump is becoming a neo-con and slams the Venezuela regime change op. New details regarding hte alleged DC shooter, who was recruited by the CIA as a teenager. Trump attempts to put an end to Israel's strikes in Syria. Hosts: Ana Kasparian, Cenk Uygur SUBSCRIBE on YOUTUBE ☞ https://www.youtube.com/@TheYoungTurks FOLLOW US ON: FACEBOOK ☞ https://www.facebook.com/theyoungturks TWITTER ☞ https://twitter.com/TheYoungTurks INSTAGRAM ☞ https://www.instagram.com/theyoungturks TIKTOK ☞ https://www.tiktok.com/@theyoungturks
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: A new strategy appears to be emerging in Gaza, as clan-based militias step into areas where Hamas is barred from operating. We'll break down who these groups are, why they're rising now, and whether they represent the first real alternative to Hamas' rule. Former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández — convicted of working alongside drug traffickers — is now a free man. We'll explain what we've learned about the lobbying behind his pardon. New reporting from The New York Times sheds light on the controversial double strike against a drug-trafficking boat, with officials saying Secretary of War Pete Hegseth ordered the first attack — but not the strike that killed survivors. And in today's Back of the Brief — Prime Minister Netanyahu receives a rare brushback from President Trump after Israeli strikes in Syria. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief True Classic: Upgrade your wardrobe and save on @trueclassic at https://trueclassic.com/PDB#trueclassicpod DeleteMe: Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to https://joindeleteme.com/BRIEF and use promo code BRIEF at checkout. Lean: Visit https://BrickhouseSale.com for 30% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kevork Almassian : The Terrors of Syria Today.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Ghost breaks down a packed geopolitical landscape, starting with Maduro's message to Trump accusing U.S. agencies of fueling the Aragua Train cartel and outlining the role of DEA informant Alex Saab in exposing cartel and corporate networks. He then moves to Ukraine, covering Trump's 19-point peace plan, Wyckoff and Kushner's meeting with Putin, deep corruption inside Zelensky's circle, and NATO's escalating rhetoric as Europe faces internal fractures. From there, Ghost tracks major realignments in the Middle East as Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia all arrive in Tehran at the same time, signaling a possible regional power shift. He closes with rising tension around Syria, Netanyahu's political crisis, and Russia's expanding influence, tying together how each region is reshaping global power all at once.
From the moment you hear Lynn Hazan, 70, speak, one thing is unmistakable: performance isn't just something she does — it's the lens through which she experiences the world.Born and raised in Canada, Lynn moves comfortably among French, English, and the Spanish and Hebrew she loves practicing. Her multicultural roots run deep: her parents were French citizens born in Egypt and Syria, and her Jewish faith has been a guiding force since childhood. It was at Jewish conferences, surrounded by stories and ideas, that Lynn first understood the power of storytelling to transform communication.Curiosity drives her. Travel energizes her. She has journeyed on multiple humanitarian trips, including a 1995 performing tour in Ukraine that left a lasting imprint. Wherever she goes, Lynn becomes a bridge — sharing stories people-to-people, culture-to-culture. Her own family's history inspires her daily; she lost her father at 12 and her mother decades later at 92, and their lives continue to shape her sense of purpose.Professionally, Lynn is a force of creativity. A natural salesperson from the start, she built a dynamic recruitment business where imagination and strategy coexist. She channels her love of storytelling into every interaction, coaching candidates to “sell themselves” with clarity and confidence. It's why she's widely known as the storytelling recruiter — a title she carries proudly and passes on to her interns like a legacy. “I thrive on creativity, ask a million questions and learn wherever I go.” - Lynn HazanCONNECT WITH LYNN:Email: lynn@lhazan.comWebsite: lhazan.com
"Three Things You Need to Know"...US & Syria conducting joint strikes on ISIS...owning a car more and more expensive...ozone hole is shrinking.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mali, a vast country larger than most of Western Europe added together is a country whose central authority has largely collapsed and whose capital city Bamako is surrounded by radical Islamist militants. There seems to be a pattern here, with Syria and Afghanistan having fallen as Western countries lose interest. As with Syria, the corrupt Malian government had allied itself with Russia, apparently to little effect. I spoke to Tessa Devereaux of SOAS about Mali and the wider Sahel, and what it means for all of us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
For 25 years, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Lynsey Addario has covered conflicts and humanitarian crises across the globe, from Sudan to Syria. She's been kidnapped twice, thrown from a car, and shelled in war zones more times than she can count. A new Nat Geo/Disney+ documentary called 'Love+War' follows Addario as she is torn in two directions – her all-consuming reporting in Ukraine and her life at home as a wife and mother of two young kids. Addario spoke with Fresh Air contributor, host of Talk Easy, Sam Fragoso. Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews 'Some Bright Nowhere,' by Ann Packer.Follow Fresh Air on instagram @nprfreshair, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for gems from the Fresh Air archive, staff recommendations, and a peek behind the scenes. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Palestinian Islamic Jihad Presence in Syria and Iranian Ties — John Batchelor, Bill Roggio, Akmed Sharawari — Sharawari documents that Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) maintains operational presence in Syria, conducting activities from refugee camps adjacent to Damascus, maintaining historical organizational relationships with the Assadregime structure. Roggio emphasizes that PIJ functions as a crucial Iranian proxy organization, receiving weapons, financial resources, and operational guidance from Tehran's security apparatus. Batchelor notes that although PIJ was a major participant in the October 7th attacks on Israel, Shara's current government is reluctant to provide full institutional sponsorship due to significant associated political and security risks from Israeli retaliation. 1920 DAMASCUS
Hamas Reemerges in Southern Syria Near Golan Heights — John Batchelor, Bill Roggio, Akmed Sharawari — Sharawari reports that Hamas has been systematically rebuilding military infrastructure in southern Syria, reportedly coordinating with Lebanese Muslim Brotherhood networks operating near the Golan Heights in the village of Bei Jin. Roggio notes that Syria's new government under Shara is unlikely to conduct forceful suppression operations due to widespread domestic sympathy for Palestinian causes among the Syrian population. Batchelor emphasizes that Israel'sstrategic position on Mount Hermon provides significant tactical advantage against threats originating from both Syriaand Lebanon, enabling rapid response to emerging security threats. 1500
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu receives his fifth invitation to visit US President Donald Trump at the White House, discusses Berman, an important opportunity given the Gaza ceasefire that is stuck in its first phase. Berman notes that Trump wants to further Israel's security agreements with Syria, where there were clashes last week between IDF troops and Islamist Syrians. He says that conversation will be the centerpiece of the Trump-Netanyahu meetup, if it takes place. After the US signed major agreements with Saudi Arabia during the recent White House meeting between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Berman notes that Trump's focus is on other conflicts right now, and not necessarily on Israel and Saudi relations. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Trump speaks to Netanyahu, invites him to visit, warns Israel not to ‘interfere’ in Syria As Trump and Saudi prince heat up ties, Israel normalization left out in the cold Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: President Donald Trump talks with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Jerusalem. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Amid the controversy over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request for a pardon from his corruption charges, President Trump invites him to the White House again, with both discussing demilitarizing Gaza and disarming Hamas, as ... ...
The 2026 midterm elections are still a year away. Still, Republicans and Democrats are already in full election mode as a critical U.S. House seat is up for grabs on December 2nd, for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District.In light of the allegations that Gov. Tim Walz was complicit in fraud that wasted millions of Minnesota taxpayer dollars, he is now exhibiting concern and taking action. However, the employees of Minnesota's Department of Human Services are attempting to set the record straight. They took to X to tell the truth about Tim Walz's real actions, which not only knowingly enabled the fraud to continue but also targeted anyone who tried to stop it.Months after the Department of Health and Human Services concluded that mRNA technology poses more risks than benefits against respiratory viruses, the Food and Drug Administration admitted in an internal letter that the COVID-19 vaccines killed numerous children. (Not COVID-19, not comorbidities, but the vaccines!)Dr. Brian Cox — former Army judge advocate, Cornell law professor, and one of the most meticulous Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) analysts in the field - defended War Secretary Pete Hegseth from allegations of "War Crimes" by responding to the anonymous, self-styled "Former JAGs Working Group." Dr. Cox's response? "Not only is the anonymous JAG letter unconvincing, it's built on fundamental misstatements of the law, misreadings of the facts, and a dangerously destabilizing narrative about "unlawful orders" that fractures trust within the force." And that was just the beginning.Güiria, a port city in Venezuela, is on the verge of economic collapse. The town has been dependent on the smuggling of illicit narcotics and other contraband. It is now facing economic challenges following the Trump administration's strikes on drug trafficking boats.In May of 2024, 18-year-old Ryan Al Najjar, a native of Syria, went missing in the Netherlands. Six days after she was reported missing, her body was found in a lake in the northern part of the country. Her hands and feet were bound. That is a horrific enough story by itself, but that is just the beginning. Al Najjar's father and brothers are now being prosecuted for her murder and could face up to 25 years in prison. And you will never guess what the brothers' defense of the murder is: Honor killings are just "part of their culture."Become a supporter of Tapp into the Truth: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tapp-into-the-truth--556114/support Tapp into the Truth on Rumble. Follow, watch the older shows, and join the live streams.“Remember Pop Rocks? Now, imagine they gave you superpowers.” Please let me introduce you to Energy Rocks! Born from the grit and ambition of a competitive athlete who wanted a better, cleaner way to fuel the body and mind, without the hassle of mixing powders, messy bottles, or caffeine crashes. Energy Rocks is a reimagining of energy into something fun, functional, and fantastically effective. A delicious popping candy energy supplement that delivers a rapid boost of clean energy and focus — anytime, anywhere. No water. No mixing. No bulky bottles. Just open, pop it in your mouth, and get ready to rock. Making any time the right time to “Get in the Zone, One Pop at a Time.”Take This Free Quiz To Find Out The Best & Worst Foods To Avoid For Joint Pain!Do you wake up in the morning with stiff joints or pain in your hips, back, knees, or elbows? Then, chances are you're feeling the effects of chronic inflammation taking its toll on your body. The good news is that it is NEVER too late to help get this under control. And the best part is certain foods help you do this naturally, without the need for prescription medications.If recent events have proven anything, you need to be as prepared as possible for when things go sideways. You certainly can't count on the government for help. True liberty requires self-reliance. My Patriot SupplySupport American jobs! Support the show! Get great products at great prices! Go to My Pillow and use promo code TAPP to save! Visit Patriot Mobile or Call (817) 380-9081 to take advantage of a FREE Month of service when you switch using promo code TAPP! Morning Kick is a revolutionary new daily drink from Roundhouse Provisions that combines ultra-potent greens like spirulina and kale with probiotics, prebiotics, collagen, and even ashwagandha. Just mix with water, stir, and enjoy!Follow Tapp into the Truth on Locals Follow Tapp into the Truth on SubstackHero SoapPatriot DepotBlue CoolersKoa CoffeeBrainMDDiamond CBDSauce Bae2nd SkullEinstokBeanstoxBelle IsleMomento AIHoneyFund"Homegrown" Boone's BourbonBlackout Coffee Co.Full Circle Brewing Co.Pasmosa Sangria
Jotam Confino er en dansk-israelsk journalist og forfatter med spesialfelt i Midtøsten. Han flyttet til Israel i 2018 for å jobbe som journalist, og han holder en mastergrad i sikkerhet og diplomati samt en bachelor i internasjonale studier. Confino har skrevet og bidratt til store internasjonale medier som The Telegraph, CBS News, BBC, USA Today, Haaretz, Daily Mail og The Sun. Han er kjent for å kombinere tradisjonell journalistikk med bruk av åpne sosiale kilder, og han er åpen for debatt på sosiale medier. Han skrev også boken "Netanyahu's Israel: Rise of the Far Right," som gir innsikt i Israels nyere historie og politikk.► NY BOK UTE NÅ: Frykt og Stillhet - jødiske stemmer i Norge etter 7. oktober. Bestill her: https://bok.norli.no/frykt-og-stillhet► STØTT ARBEIDET PÅ VIPPSOm du ønsker å støtte arbeidet med denne podcasten, kan du bidra med et stort eller lite beløp, etter eget ønske. All støtte settes pris på, og du bidrar til arbeidet med å lage flere episoder. Bruk Vippsnummer: #823278► BLI MEDLEM Fremover vil de som er støttemedlemmer få tilgang til episodene først. Da støtter du podcasten med det samme som prisen av en kaffe hver måned. Setter stor pris på om du blir støttemedlem. Tusen takk.► Annonsere på Henrik Beckheim Podcast?Send en mail til post@henrikbeckheim.no ► MERCH: Kjøp klær, kopper, capser og mer: https://henrikbeckheim.com/store► Linker:Youtube | Nettside | TikTok | Instagram | Podimo | Facebook | Apple
Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureGermany is following the green new scam and their economy is breaking down. They are now reporting that it is to expensive to light the Christmas lights. Trump new economic system is working, gas prices are falling, in 20 states they are below $3. The [CB] is pushing Bitcoin down using ETF’s, this will fail. Trump’s new system is getting more powerful. The [DS] is now coordinating to stop Trump, Trump is dismantling their criminal syndicate world wide and the money flow is coming to an end. Trump is following the rule of law every step of the way and in the end he will put those people in that will follow the rule of law to bring these people to justice. The pieces of the puzzle are coming together and the [DS] is panicking. Economy https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1995421655469052033?s=20 (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1995532756097388760?s=20 Trump Bump: Black Friday spending soars as 2025 poised to be first quarter trillion dollar season Black Friday spending surged this year to new highs, fueled by record-breaking online spending that reached $11.8 billion on Black Friday alone, according to market data. Online sales made on Black Friday made up about 10% of total sales for the month of November, more than $111 billion dollars, according to Adobe Analytics's report on holiday shopping trends. This represents a 9.1% increase in online sales compared to last year. Adobe tracks over 1 trillion U.S. retail site visits. Adobe predicts that the 2025 holiday season, which continues through Christmas, is poised to become the first quarter trillion dollar season online in U.S. history. The firm forecasts that a record $253.4 billion will be spent on online purchases this year. Source: justthenews.com https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1995295289268371468?s=20 Issuer (Company) ETF Ticker Net Flow (US$M, November 2025) BlackRock IBIT -1,935.3 Grayscale GBTC -168.4 Fidelity FBTC -138.7 VanEck HODL -107.8 Ark/21Shares ARKB -84.0 Bitwise BITB -73.0 ProShares (Bruce) BTC -29.0 WisdomTree BTCW -6.0 Franklin Templeton EZBC -2.4 Valkyrie BRRR 0.0 Invesco/Galaxy BTCO +5.0 November 20: -$903.2 million (largest single-day outflow). November 13: -$866.7 million. November 14: -$492.1 million. Since November 30, 2025, was a Sunday with no market trading, there were no ETF flows or outflows on that specific day. However, on the most recent trading day (November 28, 2025), the overall universe of ETFs experienced net outflows totaling $2.6 billion, though certain categories like corporate debt ETFs saw inflows. https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1995492405685129297?s=20 Political/Rights https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1995184800320082100?s=20 https://twitter.com/KennethRWebster/status/1994952935391019481?s=20 https://twitter.com/ScottMechkowski/status/1995217213918228872?s=20 manufactured chaos is putting people in danger, and if it continues, it's only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt… or worse https://twitter.com/StephenM/status/1995226723122897014?s=20 https://twitter.com/FBIDDBongino/status/1995297340052144415?s=20 I'm glad that these emails are available for your review. https://twitter.com/amuse/status/1995320096940552330?s=20 His first directive: forward all earlier email threads exchanged before his start date so he could review progress and accelerate the release. The emails outline pending redactions and confirm the Bureau was responsive. Far from hesitating, Bongino treated the release as a day-one priority for the Trump administration. https://twitter.com/amuse/status/1995564133526225391?s=20 DOGE https://twitter.com/Real_RobN/status/1995350937360380071?s=20 • 2,095,247 in 2024 — on it's way out the door. With 1.4 million illegal aliens on Medicaid. And Millions received driver’s licences, registered to vote, and have already voted. https://twitter.com/X22Report/status/1995486921905356986?s=20 Geopolitical Trump-Backed Tito Asfura Wins Massive Electoral Victory… But Potential for Election Fraud Remains National Party of Honduras (PNH) presidential candidate Tito ‘Papi' Asfura won a massive electoral victory on Sunday, defeating his leftist competitors in a huge vindication of President Donald Trump's bold foreign policy moves in Latin America. President Trump's emphatic endorsement of Papi last week, where he indicated he would support the country substantially moving forward, only if the PNH was successful against “communist” parties in the national elections. Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/MJTruthUltra/status/1995544957323456880?s=20 War/Peace important that Israel maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria, and that nothing takes place that will interfere with Syria's evolution into a prosperous State. The new President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is working diligently to make sure good things happen, and that both Syria and Israel will have a long and prosperous relationship together. This is a historic opportunity, and adds to the SUCCESS, already attained, for PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST! https://twitter.com/Rasmussen_Poll/status/1995203244516315424?s=20 Pete Hegseth Post of Cartoon Meme on Targeting Narco-Terrorists Outrages Liberals Secretary of War Pete Hegseth posted a cartoon meme Sunday about the Trump administration's military campaign targeting South American drug boats that drew outrage from liberals upset about the attacks. The post has gone viral with over five million views as of late Sunday night. Hegseth posted a cartoon meme of Canadian children's book character Franklin the Turtle titled “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists”, that features Franklin on a military helicopter firing on drug boats, with the message, “For your Christmas wish list”: https://twitter.com/PeteHegseth/status/1995291042346852861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1995291042346852861%7Ctwgr%5E0d100b50e564a16ab61377137acc8f821f5fdaaa%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2025%2F12%2Fpete-hegseth-post-cartoon-meme-targeting-narco-terrorists%2F https://twitter.com/redsteeze/status/1995378734694842656? https://twitter.com/drawandstrike/status/1995175663498637524?s=20 Source: thegatewaypundit.com Trump Reportedly Gave Venezuela's Maduro an Ultimatum: Resign and Leave, or Face the Consequences Trump Told Maduro to Leave: Save Yourself, Your Family Trump has reportedly told Maduro how it's going to be. https://twitter.com/JimFergusonUK/status/1995439376319308137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1995439376319308137%7Ctwgr%5Eb76bda1788ef546b30960efae726f61e9c980e0a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2025%2F12%2Ftrump-reportedly-gave-venezuelas-maduro-ultimatum-resign-leave%2F Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/ElectionWiz/status/1995237384242508193?s=20 https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1995503150518747250?s=20 Iran, and Nicaragua are too weak economically. Russia is bogged down in the war with Ukraine, while China is preoccupied with its own problems. Moscow and Beijing are focused on building relations with Trump and are unwilling to spend political capital on Maduro. Trump names ‘difficult problem' for Ukraine “The corruption situation going on is not helpful,” the US president has said Corruption remains one of Ukraine's main problems, Trump added that both Russia and Ukraine would like the conflict to end, and that “there's a good chance we can make a deal.”Ukraine was rocked by a major corruption scandal last month involving figures in Vladimir Zelensky's inner circle. The country's Western-backed anti-corruption agencies alleged that Timbur Mindich, the Ukrainian leader's former longtime business partner, was the ringleader of a $100 million kickback scheme in the energy sector, which relies heavily on foreign aid. Mindich fled the country to evade arrest, apparently after being tipped off. Source: rt.com https://twitter.com/GhostEzraQ/status/1995513424957067375?s=20 Popcorn ready? https://twitter.com/WallStreetMav/status/1995501750816825413?s=20 https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1995230383743312004?s=20 still another side to consider, that being Russia. Zelensky and Macron Meet in Paris Again Amid Peace Talks Flurr Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday at the Elysée presidential palace in Paris, part of a flurry of diplomatic activity aimed at brokering the terms for a potential ceasefire in the nearly four-year-old war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy's visit to Paris followed a meeting between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in Florida on Sunday, which Secretary of State Marco Rubio described as productive. The two sides have worked to make revisions to a proposed U.S.-authored plan that was developed in negotiations between Washington and Moscow but criticized as being too weighted toward Russian demands. Source: breitbart.com Medical/False Flags https://twitter.com/RealJamesWoods/status/1995403047300927907?s=20https://twitter.com/tracybeanz/status/1995468595128627471?s=20 https://twitter.com/tracybeanz/status/1995468595128627471?s=20 [DS] Agenda https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1995188426786885670?s=20 https://twitter.com/GhostEzraQ/status/1995567208445977021?s=20 https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1995266775810740620?s=20 OUTRAGE ON CAPITOL HILL: Rogue Judges Boasberg and Boardman Now Refuse to Testify Before the Senate U.S. District Judge James Boasberg and U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman have both turned down invitations to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week at the explosive hearing titled “Impeachment: Holding Rogue Judges Accountable. Their absence should come as no surprise to anyone paying attention. These are not neutral judges, they are political operatives wielding federal robes as weapons against the will of the American people. In a statement shared on X, investigative commentator Mike Benz laid out three specific criminal charges that Attorney General Pam Bondi could immediately bring against Judge Boasberg in connection to the Arctic Frost scandal. 1. Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law (18 U.S.C. § 242):The prosecution alleges that by issuing the gag order, Judge Boasberg willfully deprived U.S. senators of their statutory right under 2 U.S.C. § 6628 to receive notification of legal processes seeking disclosure of Senate data, thereby violating their constitutional protections under the Speech or Debate Clause and separation of powers principles. Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/amuse/status/1995513956643885253?s=20 thousands of judges in climate litigation, supplying them with the arguments, case law, and “approved” scientific narratives to ensure rulings against oil companies. The New Venture Fund also trains prosecutors to deliver the very arguments these judges have been primed to accept. Legal experts warn this turns climate lawsuits into scripted show trials with predetermined outcomes, placing America's energy sector at an engineered disadvantage. https://twitter.com/MJTruthUltra/status/1995531341975449748?s=20 NGO's, I'd be panicking too. The Democratic National Committee raised a total of $685,840,729 in 2024. Did you really think that Americans gave that much money to a party who wanted to defund the police, who stopped arresting criminals, hellbent on aborting babies, wants to mutilate children, and allow men into women's bathrooms? https://twitter.com/pepesgrandma/status/1995361098409619725?s=20 https://twitter.com/amuse/status/1995274712734216328?s=20 Kelly's stratospheric balloon startup, World View, in 2013 and 2016. Kelly quietly moved the Chinese investment into a secretive blind trust when he ran for Senate. Now he's part of the Seditious Six telling US troops to ignore President Trump's lawful orders and warning they could be prosecuted once Democrats are “back in control.” Critics note the irony: a senator with CCP-linked funding undermining the chain of command of the U.S. military. The Sedition 6: All Roads Lead to Ron Conway Report https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/1995545363999326341?s=20 https://twitter.com/DataRepublican/status/1995528879050719506?s=20 https://twitter.com/SaltyGoat17/status/1994389697188217270?s=20 https://twitter.com/DC_Draino/status/1995153965651223012?s=20 It is Section 2387 of Title 18, Chapter 115, which falls under general federal criminal law governing crimes like treason, sedition, and subversive activities President Trump's Plan https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1995512799133655450?s=20 Next steps could be for the administration to ask a full panel of 3rd Circuit judges to reconsider the decision – or going right to the U.S. Supreme Court. https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1995270338826076313?s=20 https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1995567423077106141?s=20 https://twitter.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1995512909351530925?s=20 (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");
Former NFL quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Phil Simms shares his successful career, spanning 15 years in the NFL. He highlights growing up in Kentucky and why he chased his dream of becoming a professional athlete all the way to the top. Later, Jason and Phil dive into college football and how the game has evolved since Phil played. Bring on the Stupid: A Texas Plumber spots his truck being driven by ISIS in Syria, after selling it to a reseller. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode, Jason Ingber sits down with comedian Menachem Kashanian, an Iranian-Jewish storyteller with one of the most shocking true experiences you'll ever hear. Menachem reveals how a supposed Netflix casting call for the show Tehran led him into a covert Israeli operation designed to rescue 500 Jewish refugees trapped in Syria. What began as a mysterious Facebook message turned into a month of tactical training, a new identity, and a mission known internally as "Free the Flute." He explains how he was trained to pose as an introverted Armenian musician, learned to play the nay (Middle Eastern flute), infiltrated a Syrian orchestra, and used music to gather intelligence inside refugee camps, ultimately helping save hundreds of lives. Menachem also shares hilarious and unbelievable stories from his personal life, including: • His eccentric billionaire uncle Darush, a dominant figure in Beverly Hills real estate • Wild encounters with Kris Jenner, the Kardashians, and Erewhon staff • The creation of his prank series Old Blood (Hun Parol) • His docuseries Know Before Who You Stand • His friendship with Floyd Mayweather, who quietly supports Jewish communities • A chilling conversation with Mika Kubi, the woman who interrogated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar for 180+ hours This episode blends comedy, Middle Eastern culture, real-life spy operations, and powerful Jewish storytelling, all through Menachem's unique, unfiltered voice.
Stories from Syria, Guinea-Bissau, Venezuela, and elsewhere This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.foreignexchanges.news/subscribe
In this episode of Q After Hours, Alpha Warrior and Josh Reid break down the rapidly escalating situation in the Middle East, focusing on the coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes across Syria, Iraq, and beyond. They examine Israel's expansion of military operations into multiple countries, the quiet but significant movements of U.S. naval assets, and the intelligence signals suggesting a broader regional conflict is being prepared. The hosts connect these developments to shifting alliances, Iran's strategic maneuvers, and the wider global power realignments forming ahead of 2025. They also dive into domestic narratives, from media manipulation to political framing, and analyze how controlled chaos is being used to shape public perception of foreign policy and national security. Blending hard analysis with late-night energy, Alpha and Josh map out the deeper structures behind the headlines and outline the patterns they believe point toward a major turning point.
Jon Herold kicks off the December 1 Daily Herold with post-Thanksgiving catch-up before diving straight into the drip-drip chaos surrounding Emerald Robinson's ongoing claims about election interference and the Three Musketeers story. He walks through the logical gaps, the lack of sourcing, the contradictions about 2016, and why he believes the narrative ultimately works to delegitimize Trump rather than expose wrongdoing. From there Jon broadens the lens to the wider information war, calling out media hit pieces like the New York Times' attempted takedown of David Sacks, the parallels to attacks against Badlands, and how irregular warfare operates by generating false conflicts and weaponized narratives. He checks in on the lack of new federal documents, DoD updates, Doge's missing Friday posts, and Trump's latest Truth Social messages about Syria, the Sedition 6, and Mark Twain. Later he examines peace-deal rumors around Ukraine, the legal battle over Alina Habba's appointment, and key geopolitical shifts including Venezuelan tensions and Biden-era foreign policy failures. Jon closes with reflections on Bitcoin as energy-based currency, the Flynn debate, and even college-football coaching chaos, all tied back to the larger fight over information, legitimacy, and narrative control.
Enjoyed this episode or the podcast in general? Send me a text message:A copper sunrise over the Mojave, a silent climb into the haze, and radar screens that fade to nothing—our story begins with a moment that changed how airpower thinks. We trace the F-22 Raptor's path from Cold War anxiety to apex hunter, exploring why the Air Force bet on a fighter that wouldn't just outfly enemies but erase itself from their world.We dig into the Advanced Tactical Fighter program's audacious requirements—supercruise, all-aspect stealth, and sensor fusion—and the high-stakes duel between the YF-22 and YF-23. From Skunk Works' obsessive engineering to the ITO-coated canopy and internal weapon bays, we show how the Raptor fused stealth, speed, and agility into a single kill chain that ends fights before they begin. You'll hear how Northern Edge 2006 set a new benchmark, why the Raptor led the first wave over Syria, and how a seemingly simple balloon interception reaffirmed the Air Force's trust when certainty mattered most.We also zoom out to compare philosophies: the F-22's pure air dominance, the F-35 Lightning II's information advantage, and the Su-57's hybrid compromise. Together, the Raptor and Lightning create a layered system—one cleans the sky, the other turns it into a networked command post. Finally, we look ahead to NGAD and its family of systems, autonomous wingmen, and resilient networks that carry the Raptor's lessons forward: win with information, survive with stealth, and adapt faster than the threat evolves.If you enjoy deep dives into aerospace, strategy, and the tech that quietly shapes the world, follow the show, share this episode with a friend, and leave a quick review to help others find it. What do you think wins the future: agility, stealth, or information?Support the showTo help support this podcast and become a PilotPhotog ProCast member: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1555784/supportIf you enjoy this episode, subscribe to this podcast, you can find links to most podcast streaming services here: PilotPhotog Podcast (buzzsprout.com) Sign up for the free weekly newsletter Hangar Flyingwith Tog here: https://hangarflyingwithtog.com You can check out my YouTube channel for many videos on fighter planes here: https://youtube.com/c/PilotPhotog If you'd like to support this podcast via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PilotPhotog And finally, you can follow me on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/pilotphotog
Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owen about Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu asking for a presidential pardon in the numerous corruption cases against him, as well as Syria witnessing its most deadly attack by a foreign nation since its former President was ousted last year.
From being shot at in Syria to navigating the gang-controlled streets of Haiti, a new YouTube series is shining a light on some of Sky's most hard-hitting journalism. Hotspots takes you behind the scenes in hostile environments around the world to deliver the story behind the story. Our correspondents Stuart Ramsay and Alex Crawford join Niall Paterson to discuss their important work and where they'd like to go next. You can watch Hotspots here: youtube.com/@SkyNewsHotspots And subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Producers: Tom Gillespie & Emily Hulme Editor: Mike Bovill
This week: 53 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 347 Palestinians in Gaza. Israel is expanding the area under its control in Gaza. Israel killed at least 13 people in Syria. Israel has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023. In this episode: Ibrahim al-Khalili, (@_ibrahimalkhalili) Al Jazeera Correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@abuoazzum) Al Jazeera Correspondent Osama Bin Javaid (@osamabinjavaid) Al Jazeera Correspondent Zeina Khodr (@ZeinakhodrAljaz) Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced and mixed by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Andrew Greiner and Munera AlDosari is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. The commander of Hamas’s East Rafah Battalion, his deputy, and two other terror operatives were confirmed by the military to have been killed early this morning after attempting to flee a tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip. The soldiers there recovered the weapon of a slain IDF soldier, Staff Sgt. Or Mizrahi, a Nahal fighter who was killed while battling terrorists on the Gaza border during the October 7, 2023, onslaught. Fabian updates on the Hamas operatives trapped in the tunnels. The IDF said it killed three Palestinians who crossed the Gaza ceasefire line in two separate incidents in the Strip’s south on Saturday, with two of them identified as young children. Fabian was in the Gaza Strip last week: We learn how the IDF is operating along the Yellow Line and whether Gazans are aware of the demarcation. Six Israeli soldiers were wounded, including three seriously, after coming under fire by gunmen during an arrest operation in southern Syria early Friday morning. While arrest operations in Syria are no longer unusual, they rarely are accompanied by gunfights. Fabian unravels what we know about the ambush. Officers of the police’s elite Yamam unit detained a cell of five terror operatives in the northern West Bank that was planning an “imminent” attack, security forces said this morning. The arrest comes as the military is continuing to carry out a major counterterrorism operation in several northern West Bank towns. We hear about Hamas smuggling attempts into the West Bank and a much-examined incident in which Border Police officers are now under investigation over the fatal shooting on Thursday of two unarmed Palestinian terror suspects in the West Bank’s Jenin. We end the program learning about Maj. Gen. (ret.) Dan Tolkowsky, the fifth commander of the Israeli Air Force and later a key figure in the development of Israel’s high-tech and venture capital sectors. He died overnight Friday in his home in Tel Aviv at the age of 104. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: IDF vows to hunt down dozens of Hamas fighters still holed up in Rafah Brothers, 8 and 11, killed in south Gaza strike; IDF: ‘Suspects’ crossed Yellow Line Six soldiers hurt in gun battle as IDF detains terror suspects in southern Syria Attacker killed, IDF says, 60 reportedly detained in northern West Bank operation Shin Bet says it foiled Hamas plot to smuggle arms into West Bank using Israelis Border cops who killed unarmed terror suspects after surrender say they feared harm Dan Tolkowsky, former air force commander and Israeli tech pioneer, dies at 104 Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE: This picture taken on June 8, 2025, shows a tunnel at the European Hospital during a controlled embed organized by the Israeli military, in Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip. (AFP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hey everyone, I wanted to let you all know that I'll be giving online classes starting this January, and that I'm still accepting new people for the very first class. I recommend doing so asap as I've already had to open up a second class due to that amazing response I've received so far. All details below.The class is entitled “Beware of Small States: An overview of Lebanon from 1975 to 2025.” We will go beyond sensationalist headlines and shallow coverage, and beyond simplistic, top-down explanations for the country. Instead of a linear timeline of events, which you can get from Wikipedia anyway, you will get a messy one. After all, politics is not linear. Political actors evoke events from the recent or not-so-recent past as part of their politics in the present. In addition to the structured syllabus, I will use personal stories as someone who grew up in Lebanon in a very conservative, at times even Far Right, Christian environment, to explain how my own personal journey away from right-wing and towards left-wing, quasi-anarchist, politics has helped me understand Lebanon better, and hopefully help you too.RegisterJust send me an email at ayoub@thefirethesetimes.com or a Signal message @ ayoub.02. I will send you the syllabus as well as all the required details including how to pay for the class if you're interested in taking it.When? Weekly from Saturday Jan 17th, 4pm UK time. 5 sessions. Week 1 (Jan 17): The stories we tell ourselves about this painfully ordinary country.Week 2 (Jan 24): Five academic-y concepts that are easier to understand than they seem.Week 3 (Jan 31): We Are the Children of the Children of War.Week 4 (Feb 7): From Life in the Midst of History to The CollapseWeek 5 (Feb 14): Lebanon yesterday, today, tomorrowFees: $300Discounts: For Hauntologies (my newsletter) subscribers (past or present)50% off for paid subscribers100% off for Founding MembersAnyone joining the class will get:Access to all 5 sessionsLifetime access to the Google DriveLifetime access to the Hauntologies newsletter without paying extra (subscribers pay $50 a year on average)Discounts on future classesAn invitation to join a Signal groupMore classes to comeIn addition to repeating this class, here are the titles and brief descriptions of the other classes currently being prepared. You can already register your interest by email or Signal to those as well - and I'll just send you an email or text when they're ready.The Ghosts of Israel's Future, looking at what the horrors unleashed by Israel during the ongoing genocide reveal about that country's politics, and the people, Jews, Israelis and Palestinians alike, who predicted it. Estimated fee is $300 for 5 sessions. Against Multipolar Imperialism, looking at why we cannot accept multipolarity as a valid alternative to a US-dominated world, especially as that involves accepting authoritarian states and effectively sacrificing whole populations as collateral. We will look at China, Taiwan, Ukraine, Russia, so-called Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, Hong Kong, Syria, Israel-Palestine, Iran, El Salvador, Argentina, Tigray and Ethiopia, Bosnia and of course Lebanon. Estimated fee is $300 for 5 sessions. Cancelling the Apocalypse: From James Baldwin to Solarpunk and beyond. Estimated fee is $300 for 5 sessions. Postwar Hauntings: Modern Lebanon Through Its Cinema. This will be a much more in-depth exploration of Lebanon post-1990 through its cinema, which was the topic of my PhD dissertation. We will watch movies, discuss them, and explore Lebanon through them. Estimated fee is $600 for 6 sessions.
For review:1. President Trump: Airspace Above Venezuela Considered To Be Closed In Its Entirety. “To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY,” President Trump said in a post on Truth Social.2. President Zelensky's Chief of Staff Resigns From Corruption Scandal.Andriy Yermak resigned as chief of staff on Friday after an anti-corruption raid at his home. 3. Ukraine is sending a high-level delegation to the U.S. on Saturday for more talks on the Trump administration's Peace Plan- ahead of White House envoy Steve Witkoff's visit to Moscow expected early next week.The Ukrainian delegation will now be led by the head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umerov, after Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff was forced to resign on Friday amid a corruption scandal.4. German Chancellor Merz said Friday he is pressing the Belgian government to come to an agreement with the EU to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine.Belgium, which hosts international deposit organization Euroclear, fears such a move could expose it to crippling legal and financial reprisals from Moscow.5. Hezbollah's leader (Naim Qassem) on Friday said the terror group had the right to respond to Israel's killing of its top military chief in a strike on Beirut's southern suburbs.6. The Lebanese army took dozens of journalists from local and and international media outlets Friday on a tour of the rugged border area between Israel and Lebanon. Parts of the zone south of the Litani River and north of the border with Israel were formerly a Hezbollah stronghold, off limits to the Lebanese national army and UN peacekeepers deployed in the area.7. The IDF is considering an expanded operation in southern Syria if it finds that Syrian government forces were involved in gunfire at IDF soldiers during an arrest operation in Syria's south early Friday morning. The IDF could transition to conducting fewer arrest operations against terror operatives active near the border and instead increase airstrikes to eliminate targets.8. The US Navy is cancelling its Constellation frigate program following months of cost overruns and delays but plans to keep two vessels that are already being built in Wisconsin.
We explain how President Donald Trump plans to escalate his immigration crackdown. Syria is accusing Israel of committing a war crime in a military raid. Authorities have released more information about why the Hong Kong apartment complex inferno was so devastating. A fleet of UPS planes will be out of action this busy holiday season. Plus, one of the most famous museums in the world is hiking prices, but only for some travelers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Early Islamic writings describe jihad, plunder, intimidation, and martyrdom as part of this system, and leaders like Khalid ibn al-Walid became icons of conquest. For centuries, places like Syria, Israel, Egypt, and Lebanon were Christian lands shaped by Greek and Roman culture. By the time Muhammad appeared in the 600s, Christianity was the dominant worldview across the entire region. Once Muhammad introduced his teachings and united the Arab tribes, everything changed quickly. Within just a few decades, Islamic armies swept across Christian territories with terror. They created a belief system that directly contradicted core Christian truths — especially the divinity of Jesus, the cross, and the resurrection. It wasn't just a political shift — it was a spiritual one. It changed the future of entire nations and created a worldview clash that still shapes global tensions today. In the end, Christians can't afford to treat Islam as just another spiritual option. The New Testament consistently warns about teachings that distort the person of Jesus, and Islam—by its own doctrine—does exactly that. The goal isn't hostility; Christians should understand Islam well enough to stand firm, stay discerning, and confidently present the truth of Christ in a world filled with competing claims.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your daily news in under three minutes. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes! Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
Roka Sheddo fled the war in Syria to Germany 11 years ago. She is speaking to us about the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, its importance and how it is observed in Kurdish society and the diaspora. She explains the situation of women—especially Kurdish women—in a European society within the framework of cultural perspectives, rights foundations and educational assistance. - Ev hevpeyvîna bi Roka Şido re li ser Roja Navneteweyî ya Ji-holêrakirina Tundiya li ser Jinan e, girîngiya vê rojê û awayê ku di civaka kurd û diyaspore de tê hêsibandin e. Hevpeyvîn di destpêkê de girîngiya 25 Mijdarê wek rojeke ku balê dide ser pêwîstiya şopandina mînakên girîng yên têkoşîna jinan li dijî tundutûjiyê, ewlehiya civakî û mafên bingehîn e ku tên şikandîn. Her weha, di nav civakeke Ewropî de rewşa jinan—bi taybetî jinên Kurd—di nav çarçoveya dîtinên çandî, bingehên mafî û alîkarîya perwerdehiyê de tê şirove kirin.
Since the fall of the Syrian regime in December 2024, the NGO Handicap International has recorded 725 accidents and nearly 1,400 victims of landmines and explosive ordnance throughout the country, compared to 933 victims in 2023. The increase in these figures in recent months is partly due to the return of residents to war-torn areas previously occupied by Assad's forces.
Linda Gradstein and Noah Efron talk about (1) our slow slouch seemingly back towards war on four fronts – Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iran – why is it happening and where might it lead? and (2) what to make of three new political parties that have set themselves up, as we near the start of Knesset election campaigns. For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: How does celebrating the Pilgrim's first year in the New World look and feel when you do it in the very old world of the Holy Land? All that and Isaac and ourselves, Israelis in paradisical Hawaii, and Opera in Tel Aviv. Plus, new music for these uncertain times.
In 2022, IDEAS explored how the brutal strategy called "urbicide" — the intentional killing of a city — is used in war to destroy residents' sense of home and belonging. This podcast revisits the original story and includes a brief update from architect Ammar Azzouz. Since the collapse of the Assad regime last year, he has returned to Homs, Syria, twice. He tells IDEAS he has mixed emotions being home again.*This episode is part of our series, The Idea of Home.It originally aired on June 16, 2022.Guests in this podcast:Ammar Azzouz is an architectural critic and analyst at Arup, as well as a research associate at the University of Oxford. His most recent book is Domicide: Architecture, War and the Destruction of Home in Syria. Nasser Rabbat is a professor and the director of the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at MIT. He has published numerous articles and several books on topics ranging from Mamluk architecture to Antique Syria, 19th century Cairo, Orientalism, and urbicide.Marwa Al-Sabouni is a Syrian architect based in Homs and the author of The Battle for Home: The Vision of a Young Architect in Syria and Building for Hope: Towards an Architecture of Belonging.Hiba Bou Akar is an assistant professor in the Urban Planning program at Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. She is the author of For the War Yet to Come: Planning Beirut's Frontiers.Nada Moumtaz is an assistant professor in the Department of Study of Religion and Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations at the University of Toronto. She trained and worked as an architect in Beirut, Lebanon, and is the author of God's Property: Islam, Charity, and the Modern State.
Unleashed: The Political News Hour with Nate Cain – Nate Cain breaks down the real origin of the feud: MTG's fury over President Trump's timeline on releasing the Epstein client list, her sudden opposition to ending Obamacare subsidies, her criticism of U.S. aid to Israel, and her outrage over Trump hosting Syria's new president at the White House. We'll talk straight – Republicans can...
Five years after the signing of the Abraham Accords, the Middle East looks very different—defined by both extraordinary cooperation and unprecedented challenges. In this episode, we unpack how Israel's defensive war on seven fronts affected regional partnerships, why Abraham Accords nations have stood by the Jewish state, and what expanded normalization could look like as countries like Saudi Arabia and others weigh making such monumental decisions. We also explore the growing importance of humanitarian coordination, people-to-people diplomacy, and the critical role AJC is playing in supporting deeper regional collaboration. From shifting narratives to new economic and security opportunities, we chart what the next five years could mean for peace, stability, and integration across the region. *The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views or position of AJC. This episode is up-to-date as of November 25, 2025. Read the transcript: Building What's Next | Architects of Peace - Episode 6 | AJC Resources: AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace - Tune in weekly for new episodes. The Abraham Accords, Explained AJC.org/CNME - Find more from AJC's Center for a New Middle East Listen – AJC Podcasts: The Forgotten Exodus People of the Pod Follow Architects of Peace on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace You can reach us at: podcasts@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Transcript: ANNE DREAZEN: One thing that I have learned from my many years at the Department of Defense is that military instruments of power are not sufficient to really build longlasting peace and stability. The importance of trade, of economic development, of people-to-people ties, is so essential to what we think of as an enduring or a lasting peace. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: In September 2020, the world saw what had been years–decades–in the making. Landmark peace agreements dubbed the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and two Arabian Gulf States, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain. Later, in December, they were joined by the Kingdom of Morocco. Five years later, AJC is pulling back the curtain to meet key individuals who built the trust that led to these breakthroughs and build bonds that would last. Introducing: the Architects of Peace. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: It has been five years since Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain signed the Abraham Accords on the South Lawn of the White House. In those five years, Russia invaded Ukraine, sparking a massive refugee crisis. The U.S. elected one president then re-elected his predecessor who had ushered in the Abraham Accords in the first place. And amid news that Saudi Arabia might be next to join the Accords, the Hamas terror group breached the border between Israel and Gaza, murdered more than 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 more. Israel suddenly found itself fighting an existential war against Iran and its terror proxies on multiple fronts – Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Iran itself. At the same time, Israel also fought a worldwide war of public opinion – as Hamas elevated the death toll in Gaza by using Palestinian civilians as human shields and activists waged a war of disinformation on social media that turned international public perception against the Jewish state. Through it all, the Abraham Accords held. ALI RASHID AL NUAIMI: There are those who work hard to undermine what we are doing. And this is where many question: 'How come the UAE is still part of the Abraham Accords?' MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi is a leading parliamentarian and educator in the United Arab Emirates. He has served as the Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University and the Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge. He currently serves as the Chairman of the International Steering Board of Hedayah, The International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism. The center is based in Abu Dhabi. He was one of the first to go on Israeli and Arab media to talk to the general public about the Abraham Accords and was known for correcting news anchors and other interview subjects, that the UAE had not simply agreed to live in peace with the Jewish state. It had agreed to actively engage with the Israeli people. ALI RASHID AL NUAIMI: We saw the importance of engaging with both sides. We saw the importance of talking to the Israeli general public. We saw the importance of dialogue with the government in Israel, the Knesset, the NGO, the academician, businessman. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: That engagement started almost immediately with flights back and forth, musical collaborations, culinary exchanges, academic partnerships, business arrangements–much of which came to a halt on October 7, 2023. But that simply meant the nature of the engagement changed. Since the start of the Israel-Hamas War, the UAE has provided extensive humanitarian aid to Gaza, delivering more than 100,000 tons of food, medical supplies, tents, and clothing, by land, air and sea—about 46% of the total assistance that entered Gaza. It established six desalination plants with a combined capacity of two million gallons per day. And, in addition to operating field and floating hospitals that treated 73,000 patients, the UAE also provided five ambulances, facilitated a polio vaccination campaign, and evacuated 2,785 patients for treatment in the UAE. From Dr. Al-Nuami's point of view, the Abraham Accords made all of that humanitarian aid possible. ALI RASHID AL NUAIMI: This is why we were able to have these hospitals in Gaza, we were able to do these water solutions for the Palestinians, and we did so many things because there is a trust between us and the Israelis. That they allowed us to go and save the Palestinian people in Gaza. So there were so many challenges, but because we have the right leadership, who have the courage to make the right decision, who believe in the Abraham Accords principles, the vision, and who's working hard to transform the region. Where every everyone will enjoy security, stability, and prosperity without, you know, excluding anyone. Why the UAE didn't pull out of the Abraham Accords? My answer is this. It's not with the government, our engagement. The government will be there for two, three, four years, and they will change. Our Abraham Accords is with Israel as a nation, with the people, who will stay. Who are, we believe their root is here, and there is a history and there is a future that we have to share together. And this is where we have to work on what I call people to people diplomacy. This is sustainable peace. This is where you really build the bridges of trust, respect, partnership, and a shared responsibility about the whole region. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: On October 9, two years and two days after the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, the White House announced a ceasefire would take effect, the first step in a 20-point peace plan proposed for the region. Four days later, President Donald Trump joined the presidents of Egypt and Turkey, and the Emir of Qatar to announce a multilateral agreement to work toward a comprehensive and durable peace in Gaza. Since then, all but the remains of three hostages have been returned home, including Lt. Hadar Goldin, whose remains had been held since 2014, ending the longest hostage ordeal in Israel's history. Finally, the prospect of peace and progress seems to be re-emerging. But what is next for the Abraham Accords? Will they continue to hold and once again offer the possibilities that were promised on the White House Lawn in September 2020? Will they expand? And which countries will be next to sign on to the historic pact, setting aside decades of rejection to finally formalize full diplomatic relations with the Jewish state? The opportunities seem endless, just as they did in September 2020 when the Abraham Accords expanded the scope of what was suddenly possible in government, trade, and so much more. ANNE DREAZEN: The Abraham Accords really opened up lots of opportunities for us in the Department of Defense to really expand cooperation between Israel and its partners in the security sphere. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: Anne Dreazen spent the last 18 years as a civil servant in the U.S. Department of Defense. For most of that time, she worked on Middle East national security and defense policy, focusing on Iran, Iraq and Lebanon. And most recently serving as the principal director for Middle East policy, the senior civil service job overseeing the entire Middle East office. She was working at the Pentagon when the Abraham Accords were signed under the first Trump administration and immediately saw a shift in the region. ANNE DREAZEN: So, one thing that we saw at the very end of the first Trump administration, and it was made possible in part because of the success of the Abraham Accords, was the decision to move Israel from U.S. European Command into U.S. Central Command. And for many decades, it had been thought that that wouldn't be feasible because you wouldn't have any Middle East countries in CENTCOM that would really be willing to engage with Israel, even in very discreet minimal channels. But after the Abraham Accords, I think that led us policymakers and military leaders to sort of rethink that proposition, and it became very clear that, it would be better to increase cooperation between Israel and the other Gulf partners, because in many cases, they have similar security interests, specifically concerns about Iran and Iranian proxies and Iranian malign activity throughout the region. And so I think the Abraham Accords was one item that sort of laid the groundwork and really enabled and encouraged us to think creatively about ways through which we could, in the security and defense sphere, improve cooperation between Israel and other partners in the region. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: But sustaining peace in the region is more than a matter of maintaining security. Making sure young people can fulfill their dreams, make a contribution, build relationships and friendships across borders, and transcend religion and ideologies – even those in the security sphere know those are the necessary ingredients for peace and prosperity across the region. Despite the efforts of Hamas and other Iran-backed terror proxies to derail the Abraham Accords, the U.S., Arab, and Israeli leaders had continued to pursue plans for an Israeli-Saudi peace agreement and to explore a new security architecture to fight common threats. This spirit of optimism and determination led AJC to launch the Center for a New Middle East in June 2024. In October, Anne joined AJC to lead that initiative. ANNE DREAZEN: One thing that I have learned from my many years at the Department of Defense is that military instruments of power are not sufficient to really build long lasting peace and stability. The importance of trade, of economic development, of people-to-people ties is so essential to what we think of as an enduring or a lasting peace. And so at AJC, we're actually focused on those aspects of trying to advance normalization. Really trying to put more meat on the bones, in the case of where we already have agreements in place. So for example, with Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, the UAE and Morocco, trying to really build out what more can be done in terms of building economic ties, building people-to-people ties, and advancing those agreements. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: Of course, that work had already begun prior to Anne's arrival. Just two years after the Abraham Accords, Retired Ambassador to Oman Marc Sievers became director of AJC Abu Dhabi: The Sidney Lerner Center for Arab-Jewish Understanding, the first and only Jewish agency office in an Arab and Islamic country. After more than 30 years as a U.S. diplomat serving across the Middle East and North Africa, Marc has witnessed a number of false starts between Arab nations and Israel. While the Abraham Accords introduced an unprecedented approach, they didn't suddenly stabilize the region. Marc's four years in Abu Dhabi have been fraught. In January 2022, Houthis in north Yemen launched a drone and missile attack on Abu Dhabi, killing three civilians and injuring six others. In 2023, the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel, Israel's retaliation, and Israel's war on seven fronts dimmed Emiratis' public perception of Jews. As recently as this past August, the U.S. Mission to the UAE issued a dire warning to Israeli diplomats and Jewish institutions in Abu Dhabi – a threat that was taken seriously given the kidnapping and murder of a Chabad rabbi in 2024. But just as the UAE stood by its commitment to Israel, Marc and AJC stood by their commitment to the UAE and Arab neighbors, working to advance Arab-Jewish and Muslim-Jewish dialogue; combat regional antisemitism and extremism; and invigorate Jewish life across the region. From Marc's vantage point, the Abraham Accords revolutionized the concept of normalization, inspiring a level of loyalty he's never before seen. It's worth noting the precursor to the Abraham Accords: the Peace to Prosperity Summit. For decades, diplomats had frowned on the idea of an economic peace preceding a two-state solution. MARC SIEVERS: That idea's been out there for a long time. …It was just never embraced by those who thought, you know, first you have a two-state solution. You have a Palestinian state, and then other things will follow. This approach is kind of the opposite. You create an environment in which people feel they have an incentive, they have something to gain from cooperation, and that then can lead to a different political environment. I happen to think that's quite an interesting approach, because the other approach was tried for years and years, and it didn't succeed. Rather than a confrontational approach, this is a constructive approach that everyone benefits from. The Prosperity to Peace Conference was a very important step in that direction. It was harshly criticized by a lot of people, but I think it actually was a very kind of visionary approach to changing how things are done. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: The conference Marc is referring to took place in June 2019 – a two-day workshop in Bahrain's capital city of Manama, where the Trump administration began rolling out the economic portion of its peace plan, titled "Peace to Prosperity." The workshop's host Bahrain, as well as Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the Emirates participated, to varying degrees. The plan called for large scale investment, mostly by other countries in the Gulf and Europe, to advance the Palestinian economy, to integrate the Palestinian and Israelis' economies and establish a small but functional Palestinian state. Angered by Trump's recognition of Jerusalem, Palestinian leadership rejected the plan before ever seeing its details. But as former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman pointed out in an earlier episode of this series, that was expected. The plan enabled Israel to demonstrate that it was open to cooperation. It enabled the Trump administration to illustrate the opportunities missed if countries in the region continued to let Palestinian leadership call the shots. It was economic diplomacy at its finest. And it worked. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: Benjamin Rogers, AJC's Director for Middle East and North Africa Initiatives, who also serves as Deputy Director of the Center for a New Middle East, said the Center has focused heavily on expanding private sector engagement. Israelis and Arab entrepreneurs have quietly traveled to the U.S. as part of the Center's budding business collectives. BENJAMIN ROGERS: So people who are focused on med tech, people who are focused on agri tech, people who are focused on tourism. And what we do is we say, 'Hey, we want to talk about the Middle East. No, we do not want to talk about violence. No, we don't want to talk about death and destruction. Not because these issues are not important, but because we're here today to talk about innovation, and we're here to talk about the next generation, and what can we do?' And when you say, like, food security for example, how can Israelis and Arabs work together in a way that helps provide more food for the entire world? That's powerful. How can the Israelis and Arabs working together with the United States help combat cancer, help find solutions to new diseases? If you really want to get at the essence of the Abraham Accords – the ability to do better and work together, to your average person on the street, that's meaningful. And so one of the initiatives is, hey, let's bring together these innovators, these business leaders, private sector, and let's showcase to Arabs, Israelis, non-Jewish community, what the Middle East can be about. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: People-to-people connections. That's what AJC has done for decades, traveling to the region since 1950 to build bridges and relationships. But providing a platform to help facilitate business ventures? That's a new strategy, which is why AJC partnered with Blue Laurel Advisors. The firm has offices in Tel Aviv, Dubai, and Washington, D.C.. It specializes in helping companies navigate the geopolitics of doing business in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, and Israel. At AJC Global Forum in April, founder and Managing Director Tally Zingher told an audience that the Abraham Accords, which effectively lifted the UAE's ban on business with Israel, brought already existing deals above the radar. TALLY ZINGHER: We've been wowed by what the Center for a New Middle East has been able to do and put forth in the very short time that it's been incubated and Blue Laurel Advisors are really delighted to be part of this project and we're really aligned with its mission and its vision. It's quite simple in the region because the region is really driven by national agendas. I think it's no surprise that the appendix to the Abraham Accords was a direct parallel to the Abu Dhabi national vision. It's the key areas of growth in UAE and Saudi Arabia that are now really well aligned with Israeli strength. We're talking about the diversification efforts of the UAE and of Saudi Arabia. At Blue Laurel, we're quite focused on Saudi Arabia because of the real growth story underway there created by the diversification efforts. But they're focused on water, energy, renewable energy, healthy cyber security, tourism. Ten years ago when you were doing this work, 15 years ago there wasn't as much complementarity between Israel and the start-up innovation ecosystem and what was going on. The region is really ready and ripe to have Israeli innovation be a part of its growth trajectory. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: Benjy said there's another advantage to building bridges in the business world – continuity. BENJAMIN ROGERS:Out of the three sectors that we're focused on – diplomatic, business, and civil society – business relations are the most resistant to political conflict. There's this element of self interest in it, which I'm not saying is a bad thing, but when you tie the relationship to your own worth and your own value, you're much more likely to go through kind of the ebbs and flows of the political. Whereas, if you're a civil society, you're really at the mercy of populations. And if the timing is not right, it's not impossible to work together, but it's so much more difficult. Business is even more resistant than political engagement, because if political engagement is bad, the business relationship can still be good, because there's an element of self interest, and that element of we have to work together for the betterment of each other. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: The economic diplomacy complements AJC's partnership with civil society groups, other non-profits that work to bring people together to experience and embody each other's realities in the Middle East. The Center also has continued AJC's trademark traditional diplomacy to expand the circle of peace. Though Marc prefers to call it the circle of productivity. MARC SIEVERS: I think it achieved new relations for Israel that were perhaps different from what had happened with Egypt and Jordan, where we have long standing peace agreements, but very little contact between people, and very little engagement other than through very specific official channels. The Abraham Accords were different because there was a people-to-people element. The UAE in particular was flooded with Israeli tourists almost immediately after the Accords were signed, Bahrain less so, but there have been some. And not as many going the other way, but still, the human contacts were very much there. I think it was also building on this idea that economic engagement, joint partnerships, investment, build a kind of circle of productive relations that gradually hopefully expand and include broader parts of the region or the world that have been either in conflict with Israel or have refused to recognize Israel as a sovereign Jewish state. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: It being all of those things explains why the potential for expansion is all over the map. So where will the Abraham Accords likely go next? The Trump administration recently announced the addition of Kazakhstan. But as the Central Asian country already had diplomatic relations with Israel, the move was more of an endorsement of the Accords rather than an expansion. In November 2025, all eyes were on the White House when Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman paid a visit. In addition to the customary Oval Office meeting, President Trump also hosted the Saudi royal at a black-tie dinner. ANNE DREAZEN: Right now, everyone is really talking about and thinking, of course, about Saudi Arabia, and certainly I think there's a lot of promise now with the ceasefire having been achieved. That sort of lays a better groundwork to be able to think about whether we can, whether the United States can play an important role in bringing Saudi Arabia and Israel to the table to move forward on normalization. Certainly from the Saudis have have made they've cautioned that one of their prerequisites is a viable path toward Palestinian statehood. And we've known that, that's in President Trump's 20-point plan. So I think it remains to be seen whether or not Israel and Saudi Arabia can come to a mutually agreed upon way of addressing that key concern for Saudi Arabia. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: But there are also countries who only a year ago never would have considered a relationship with Israel. With Hezbollah diminished and a moderate and forward-leaning Lebanese government in place, quiet conversations are taking place that could lead to a significant diplomatic achievement, even if not as ambitious as the Abraham Accords. The same in Syria, where Ahmed al-Sharaa is sending positive signals that he would at least be willing to consider security arrangements. ANNE DREAZEN: Even if you don't have a Syrian Embassy opening up in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, even if you don't have an Israeli embassy opening up in Damascus, there could be other arrangements made, short of a full diplomatic peace accord that would lay the groundwork for some understandings on security, on borders. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: Marc said it remains to be seen whether Oman, his final diplomatic post, will join the Accords. Two years before the signing of the Accords, while serving as ambassador, there was a glimmer of hope. Well, more than a glimmer really. MARC SIEVERS: In Oman, the late Sultan Qaboos, a good, almost two years before the Abraham Accords, invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to visit him in his royal palace in Muscat. Netanyahu came with his wife, Sarah, but also with a lot of the top senior leadership. Certainly his military secretary, the head of the Mossad, a few other people. As soon as Netanyahu landed in Israel, the Omanis put it all over the media, and there were some wonderful videos of the Sultan giving Netanyahu a tour of the palace and a choir of children who came and sang, and some other things that the Sultan liked to do when he had important guests. And it was quite an interesting moment, and that was two years before. And that was not initiated by the United States. Unlike the Abraham Accords process, that was an Omani initiative, but again, other than the meeting itself, nothing really came of it. The Omanis took a lot of pride in what they had done, and then they backed away. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: Instead, Marc points to the country with the largest Muslim population in the world: Indonesia – especially following recent remarks to the United Nations General Assembly by Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto. PRABOWO SUBIANTO: We must have an independent Palestine, but we must also recognize, we must also respect, and we must also guarantee the safety and security of Israel. Only then can we have real peace. Real peace and no longer hate and no longer suspicion. The only solution is the two-state solution. The descendants of Abraham must live in reconciliation, peace, and harmony. Arabs, Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, all religions. We must live as one human family. Indonesia is committed to being part of making this vision a reality. MARC SIEVERS: We've heard that, you know, Indonesia needs some time to consider this, which makes a lot of sense. It's not something to be done lightly, and yet that would be a huge achievement. Obviously, Indonesia has never been a party to the conflict directly, but they also have never had relations with Israel, and they are the most populous Muslim country. Should that happen, it's a different kind of development than Saudi Arabia, but in some ways, it kind of internationalizes or broadens beyond the Middle East, the circle of peace. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: But in addition to adding signatories, Anne said AJC's Center for a New Middle East will work to strengthen the current relationships with countries that stayed committed during Israel's war against Hamas, despite public apprehensions. Anne recently traveled to Bahrain and the UAE with AJC's Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer Jason Isaacson, who has long led AJC's Middle East outreach. There, Anne discovered a significant slowdown in the momentum she witnessed when the Accords debuted. ANNE DREAZEN: I saw a real hesitancy during my travels in the region for politicians to publicly acknowledge and to publicly celebrate the Abraham Accords. They were much more likely to talk about peaceful coexistence and tolerance in what they characterize as a non-political way, meaning not tied to any sort of diplomatic agreements. So I saw that as a big impediment. I do think that among the leadership of a lot of these countries, though, there is a sense that they have to be more pragmatic than ever before in trying to establish, in time to sustain the ceasefire, and establish a more enduring stability in the region. So there's a bit of a disconnect, I think, between where a lot of the publics lie on this issue. But a lot of the political leaders recognize the importance of maintaining ties with Israel, and want to lay the groundwork for greater stability. We are very interested now in doing what we can as CNME, as the Center for New Middle East, to help rebuild those connections and help reinvigorate those relationships. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: This is especially the case in Bahrain, which has not seen the same economic dividends as the UAE. ANNE DREAZEN: Bahrain is a much smaller country than the UAE, and their key industries – they have less of a developed startup tech ecosystem than the UAE. And frankly, many of Bahrain's sectors don't overlap as neatly with some of Israel's emerging tech sectors, as is the case with the UAE. So, for example, Bahrain is very heavy on steel and aluminum manufacturing, on logistics. Manufacturing is a big part of the sector. Israeli tech doesn't really, in general, provide that many jobs in that type of sector. Tourism is another area where Bahrain is trying to develop as a top priority. This obviously was really challenged during the Abraham Accords, especially when direct flights stopped over Gulf air. So tourism was not a natural one, especially after October 7. Bahrain has really prioritized training their youth workforce to be able to take on jobs in IT and financial services, and this is one area we want to look into more and see what can be done. Bahrain is really prioritizing trying to build relationships in areas that can provide jobs to some of their youth. It is not as wealthy a country as the UAE, but it has a very educated young workforce. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: Again, fulfilling dreams, giving youth an opportunity to contribute. That's the necessary narrative to make the Abraham Accords a success. ALI RASHID AL NUAIMI: It's very important to focus on the youth, and how to create a narrative that will gain the heart and the mind of all youth in the region, the Israeli, the Palestinian, the Arabs, the Muslims. And this is where it is very important to counter hate that comes from both sides. Unfortunately, we still see some hate narratives that come from those far-right extremists who serve the extremists on the Arab side, taking advantage of what they are saying, what they are doing. From the beginning, I convey this message to many Israelis: please don't put the Palestinian people in one basket with Hamas, because if you do so, you will be saving Hamas. Hamas will take advantage of that. This is where it's very important to show the Palestinian people that we care about them. You know, we see them as human beings. We want a better future for them. We want to end their suffering. We want them to fulfill their dream within the region, that where everybody will feel safe, will feel respected, and that we all will live as neighbors, caring about each other's security and peace. We have to engage, have a dialogue, show others that we care about them, you see, and try to empower all those who believe in peace who believe that Israeli and Palestinian have to live together in peace and harmony. And it will take time, yes, but we don't have other options. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: But Dr. Al Nuaimi emphasizes that it can't be just a dialogue. It must be a conversation that includes the American voice. The UAE has been clear with the Israeli public on two occasions that attempts by Israel to unilaterally annex the West Bank would be a red line for the relationship between their two countries. But even as the five-year anniversary of the Abraham Accords approached, a milestone that should've been a reminder of the countries' mutual commitments, it took U.S. intervention for Israel to heed that warning. Anne Dreazen agrees that the U.S. plays an important role. She said Israel must continue to defend itself against threats. But in order to create a safe space for Israel in the long term, the U.S., the American Jewish community in particular, can help bridge connections and overcome cultural differences. That will keep the Accords moving in the right direction. ALI RASHID AL NUAIMI: I believe many Arab and Muslim leaders are eager to join it, but you know, they have to do their internal calculation within their people. We have to help them, not only us, but the Israelis. They are looking for a way, a path, to have them as neighbors, and to have a solution that the Palestinian will fulfill their dreams, but the Israeli also will be secure. I think having such a narrative that will take us to the next level by bringing other Arab countries and Muslim country to join the Abraham Accords. MANYA BRACHEAR PASHMAN: Thank you for listening. Atara Lakritz is our producer. T.K. Broderick is our sound engineer. Special thanks to Jason Isaacson, Sean Savage, and the entire AJC team for making this series possible. You can subscribe to Architects of Peace on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and you can learn more at AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace. The views and opinions of our guests don't necessarily reflect the positions of AJC. You can reach us at podcasts@ajc.org. If you've enjoyed this episode, please be sure to spread the word, and hop onto Apple Podcasts or Spotify to rate us and write a review to help more listeners find us. Music Credits: Middle East : ID: 279780040; Composer: Eric Sutherland Inspired Middle East: ID: 241884108; Composer: iCENTURY Mystical Middle East: ID: 212471911; Composer: Vicher
Russia's Ambitions in Southern Syria and Israel's Strategic Calculus — Akmed Sharawari — FDD's Akmed Sharawari discusses Russian officers touring southern Syria, potentially returning to staff deconfliction checkpoints between Israel and Syria. Israel reportedly prefers a Russian presence, including bases in western Syria, as a counterbalance to Turkey's growing influence over Damascus. Sharawari argues Israel should not trust Russia given its history of enabling Iranian-backed actors like Hezbollah. Despite ongoing Israeli operations, Hezbollah's smuggling routes remain operationAL. 1960 NASSER IN DAMASCUS
SHOW 11-24-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1852 THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT THE PEACE PLANS. FIRST HOUR 9-915 Ukraine Peace Plans, Concessions, and the Impact on US Alliances — Bill Roggio, Husain Haqqani — Bill Roggiosuggests Ukraine is losing militarily and must accept difficult territorial and military concessions to ensure state survival, predicting that proposed peace deals will ultimately collapse. Ambassador Haqqani emphasizes that U.S. abandonment of allies, exemplified in Afghanistan and Iraq, creates an international perception that America cannot be relied upon. Russia's prevailing would constitute a victory for the "axis of aggressors," including China, Iran, and North Korea, fundamentally weakening U.S. global influence. 915-930 930-945 945-1000 China's Floating Island, Metamaterials, and Polar Ambitions — Brandon Weichert, Gordon Chang — Brandon Weichert discusses China developing an artificial floating island, potentially engineered to withstand nuclear detonation. He characterizes the platform as a next-generation man-made island designed for anti-access and area-denial capabilities. Weichert emphasizes that the core technology—metamaterials—holds critical applications for infrastructure in extreme polar environments, including the Arctic and Antarctic. Gordon Chang notes widespread pessimism in China regarding the prohibitive cost of such massive engineering projects. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Targeting Terror: Muslim Brotherhood, Hezbollah, and Iran's Crises — Malcolm Hoenlein — Malcolm Hoenlein reports the U.S. is moving to designate the Muslim Brotherhood—Hamas progenitors—as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. He details Iran's severe internal crises, including critical water shortages and power blackouts caused by illegal cryptocurrency mining, alongside its continued drive to rebuild nuclear and conventional arsenals. Israel eliminated Hezbollah's second-in-command, Hashem Safieddine, in Beirut, directly countering Hezbollah's regeneration efforts in Lebanon. The U.S. is actively courting Saudi Arabia to counter China and Russia and encourage participation in the Abraham Accords. Share 1015-1030 1030-1045 Geopolitical Realignment: Venezuelan Cartel and Latin America's Rightward Shift — Ernesto Araujo, Alejandro Peña Esclusa — Alejandro Peña Esclusa discusses the U.S. designating Venezuela's Cartel of the Suns as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, noting they weaponize drug trafficking and maintain alliances with groups including Hezbollah. Ernesto Araujo addresses former Brazilian President Bolsonaro's recent detention and notes that indigenous protests undermined the Lula administration's narrative at COP 30. The upcoming Honduras election reflects a continental trend away from the corrupt "pink tide" regimes. 1045-1100 THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 The Unacceptable Price of Peace: Ukraine's Sticking Points — John Hardie — John Hardie details the Russian-drafted 28-point peace plan, which demanded Ukraine's withdrawal from Donbass, prohibition of NATO accession, and limitations on military force size. Ukraine, approaching negotiations strategically, refuses to surrender fortified Donbass territory essential for defense against future Russian aggression. Russia's maximalist demands render an acceptable settlement nearly impossible, though Ukrainians would accept a military freeze in place coupled with robust Western security guarantees. 1115-1130 1130-1145 Russia's Ambitions in Southern Syria and Israel's Strategic Calculus — Akmed Sharawari — FDD's Akmed Sharawari discusses Russian officers touring southern Syria, potentially returning to staff deconfliction checkpoints between Israel and Syria. Israel reportedly prefers a Russian presence, including bases in western Syria, as a counterbalance to Turkey's growing influence over Damascus. Sharawari argues Israel should not trust Russia given its history of enabling Iranian-backed actors like Hezbollah. Despite ongoing Israeli operations, Hezbollah's smuggling routes remain operational. 1145-1200 Prime Minister Carney's Early Highwire Act in Canadian Politics — Conrad Black — Conrad Black analyzes the early tenure of Canadian Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland (referred to as Carney in this segment), who narrowly secured passage of his budget. Carney campaigned partly on opposition to Donald Trump, demonstrating political agility by balancing competing party factions—advancing a new pipeline for Alberta while offering environmental concessions. Black notes that Canada remains conflicted regarding China, attempting to maintain trade relations while publicly condemning election interference. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Iran's Strategic Gains from the War in Ukraine — Jonathan Sayeh — Jonathan Sayeh states that Iran is celebrating Russia's advantageous position in Ukraine as a geopolitical win because it enabled Iran to export military weaponry and demonstrate combat capabilities internationally. Iran expects Russia to reciprocate this military assistance, potentially through air defense system modernization or advancement of Iran's nuclear program, despite profound mutual mistrust between the strategic partners. Iran benefits globally by selling weapons and leveraging instability to argue the U.S. has become an unreliable superpower. 1215-1230 1230-1245 Hezbollah Regeneration Efforts and the Fallout from a Targeted Beirut Strike — David Daoud, Bill Roggio — David Daoud reports that Israel killed Hezbollah's top military commander, Hashem Safieddine, in Beirut, marking an expansion of Israeli operations into the Lebanese capital. This escalation reflects Hezbollah's comprehensive regeneration efforts—including receiving billions in funding from Iran and developing domestic drone production capabilities—which are outpacing Israeli degradation operations. Hezbollah and Hamas view Russia's success in Ukraine as strategically beneficial because it diminishes American global hegemony. 1245-100 AM
The Hebrew word לברוח means to escape, but the same root has other interesting meanings in other verb formats. Guy also explains the meaning of חדר בריחה. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Livro'ach – To escape – לברוח "Ma ze be'etsem meshaneh mi-ma be'estem hem borchim" – What does it really matter what exactly they're running from – מה זה בעצם משנה ממה בעצם הם בורחים Livro'ach mi-mashehu – To flee something – לברוח ממשהו "Isha borachat mi-bsora" – "A woman flees a message'" – אישה בורחת מבשורה "Barach li pipi" – I peed myself – ברח לי פיפי Oy, barach li me-ha-rosh, slicha – Sorry, it slipped my mind – אוי, ברח לי מהראש Bricha – Escape – בריחה Brichat mochot – Brain drain – בריחת מוחות Lehavri'ach – To smuggle- להבריח Neshek – Firearms – נשק Samim – Drugs – סמים Hu mavri'ach et kol ha-haverot shelo – He drives all his girlfriends away – הוא מבריח את כל החברות שלו Perot muvrachim – Smuggled fruits – פירות מוברחים Ananas – Pineapple – אננס Havracha – Smuggling – הברחה Havrachot mi-Surya le-israel – Smuggling from Syria to Israel – הברחות מסוריה לישראל Chadar bricha – Escape room – חדר בריחה Borchanoot, eskepizem – Escapism – אסקפיזם, בורחנות Playlist and Clips: Miri Aloni – Ha-balada Al Hedva U-Shlomik (lyrics) Tel Aviv University – Brichat Mochot – Brain drain Mutsarim muvrachim – Smuggled goods Havrachot – Smuggling Ep. no. 183 about pipi HEB
When Damascus was liberated in December of last year and Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow, thousands of the regime's political prisoners were released from jail. Around the region, Syrians who had fled the country began returning home. It was a joyous occasion for so many who had lived as refugees in neighboring countries — including in Lebanon, which had hosted more Syrian refugees than any other country. But there are still hundreds — possibly thousands — of Syrians who remain political prisoners in Lebanon. Most, if not all, of these prisoners are being detained by Hezbollah for their activities opposing the Assad regime, which was a key Hezbollah ally during Syria's civil war. In today's episode, I speak with one of those detainees — whom I will call Omar — who managed to smuggle a phone into a prison in Lebanon. Omar was detained in 2024, but prior to that he worked to expose Hezbollah's mass detention of Syrian opposition activists. In our conversation, he tells his story and that of his fellow detainees. This episode came about through a chance encounter with Mouaz Moustafa as we were both attending the Halifax International Security Forum last week. Mouaz Moustafa is the director of the Syria Emergency Task Force and has played a key role in supporting Syria's democratic transition since the fall of the Assad regime. I actually met Mouaz a couple of years ago at this same conference, and when I ran into him in hallway this year, he pitched me the story and offered to translate the interview. This episode would not have happened if not for the Halifax International Security Forum, so a special thank you to the conveners of this important global gathering.
Tim discusses the latest news on the Epstein Files: Trump calling a reporter a 'piggy', Mike Johnson labeling the files a 'national security concern', and leaked emails showing Epstein's ties to foreign intelligence in Russia & Syria. Tim also explains American foreign policy in the 2000's and how to use that knowledge in Thanksgiving arguments with your family. American Royalty Tour