On The Issues With Alon Ben-meir

Today’s guest is Eric Margolis, an award-winning, internationally syndicated columnist. He appears as an expert on foreign affairs on CNN, BBC, France 2, France 24, Fox News, CTV, and CBC. In this episode, Alon and Eric discuss the ongoing war on Iran, including the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing negotiations to resolve the conflict, Trump’s and Netanyahu’s motivations behind the war, US-Canada relations under Trump, and the impact of the ongoing conflict on the US midterm elections. Full bio Eric S. Margolis is an award-winning, internationally syndicated columnist. His articles have appeared in the New York Times, the International Herald Tribune the Los Angeles Times, Times of London, the Gulf Times, the Khaleej Times, Nation – Pakistan, Hurriyet, – Turkey, Sun Times Malaysia and other news sites in Asia. He is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post, Lew Rockwell. He appears as an expert on foreign affairs on CNN, BBC, France 2, France 24, Fox News, CTV and CBC. His internet column

Today’s guest is Yossef Ben-Meir, co-founder and president of the High Atlas Foundation, a Moroccan-US nongovernment organization dedicated to sustainable development. In this episode, Alon and Yossef discuss sustainable development in Morocco and the role the High Atlas Foundation has played in development. Particularly, they discuss the importance of water infrastructure in uplifting everyday Moroccans, the environmental and societal implications of planting millions of trees across Morocco, and the critical importance of community participation in establishing development projects which will benefit local communities. Full bio Yossef Ben-Meir is co-founder and president of the High Atlas Foundation, a Moroccan-U.S. nongovernment organization dedicated to sustainable development. In Morocco, he was also a Peace Corps Volunteer (1993-95), Associate Peace Corps Director (1998-99), Research Fellow at the American Institute of Maghreb Studies (2003-4), and Assistant Professor at Al Akhawayn University at the S

Welcome to another episode of “On the Issues with Alon Ben-Meir.” Today’s guest is Daoud Kuttab, an award-winning Palestinian journalist and former Ferris Professor of Journalism at Princeton University. In this episode, Alon and Daoud discuss the deterioration of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process since the 1993 Oslo Accords, the failures of Israeli and Palestinian leaderships in the intervening years, and what steps can be taken now to revive the peace process and work toward realizing a Palestinian state. Full bio Daoud Kuttab is an award-winning Palestinian journalist and former Ferris Professor of Journalism at Princeton University. He is author of State of Palestine NOW: practical and logical arguments for the best way to bring peace to the Middle East.

Today’s guest is David Rabinowitz, a retired academic psychiatrist, previously working as Director of Ambulatory Mental Health services in the Division of Psychiatry Rambam Medical Campus, Haifa Israel. Outside of the mental health field, his main interest is the political psychology of the Israel-Palestine Conflict. In this episode, Alon and David discuss the Israeli perspective toward the current war with Iran, including the peoples’ fears and anxieties, how Netanyahu has over the past 20 years shaped the Israeli public mindset and worldview, and the political psychology of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Full bio David Rabinowitz MD is a psychiatrist with an abiding interest in the psychological dimensions of the Israel-Palestinian conflict. He is South African born and has lived in Israel since 1987. Aside from clinical work his interests have included medical education, clinical ethics, sexology and transgender health. He has worked for most of his career in a senior capacity in a major teaching hosp

On the Issues Episode 139: Elie Podeh by Alon Ben-Meir

Today’s guest is Marwan Muasher, vice president for studies at Carnegie, and former foreign minister and deputy prime minister of Jordan. In this episode, Alon and Marwan discuss Jordan’s reaction to the war against Iran, the impacts of Israel’s actions in the West Bank on Jordan, and what the future of Israeli-Palestinian and Israeli-Arab peace may look like. Full bio Marwan Muasher is vice president for studies at Carnegie, where he oversees research in Washington and Beirut on the Middle East. Muasher served as foreign minister (2002–2004) and deputy prime minister (2004–2005) of Jordan, and his career has spanned the areas of diplomacy, development, civil society, and communications. Muasher began his career as a journalist for the Jordan Times. He then served at the Ministry of Planning, at the prime minister’s office as press adviser, and as director of the Jordan Information Bureau in Washington. In 1995, Muasher opened Jordan’s first embassy in Israel, and in 1996 he became minister of information a

Welcome to another episode of “On the Issues with Alon Ben-Meir.” Today’s guest is Abdülhamit Bilici, a veteran journalist, editor, commentator, and media executive with over 25 years of experience in journalism, editorial leadership, and international affairs. He served as CEO of Zaman Media Group until its seizure by the Turkish government in March 2016, after which he went into exile in the United States. In this episode, Alon and Hamit discuss the current war on Iran’s impact on Turkey, what role Turkey may play in trying to find an end to the current conflict, and how this and other regional conflicts impact Turkish domestic issues, particularly in relation to the Kurds. Full bio Abdülhamit Bilici is a veteran journalist, editor, commentator, and media executive with over 25 years of experience in journalism, editorial leadership, and international affairs. He served as the Editor-in-Chief of Zaman, formerly Turkey’s highest-circulating newspaper, and later as CEO of Zaman Media Group, which included To

Today’s guest is Dr. Wiola Rebecka, a Doctor of Psychology and human rights activist whose work focuses on the long-term consequences of conflict-related sexual violence. In this episode, Alon and Wiola discuss the issue of abducted Ukrainian children in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which now marks its 4th year. They discuss the magnitude of this crisis in terms of number of children abducted, the various abuses taking place against abducted children, including forced Russianization and in some cases torture and sexual violence, and the support systems needed to care for these children in the aftermath. Full bio Dr. Wioletta (Wiola) Rebecka is a Doctor of Psychology and human rights activist whose work focuses on the long-term consequences of conflict-related sexual violence. She is the author of the War Rape Survivors Syndrome (WRSS) framework, the heuristic model of the Social Political Nervous System (SPNS), and the SERS method (Stabilization, Education, Redirection, Self-awareness), devel

Today’s guest is Hafza Girdap, Spokesperson for Advocates of Silenced Turkey and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology, Criminology and Anthropology at Hofstra University. In this episode, Alon and Hafza discuss the ten years since the attempted coup in Turkey in 2016, the countless human rights violations committed by the Erdogan government since then, and the status of women’s rights and minority rights in Turkey. Full bio Hafza Girdap is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology, Criminology and Anthropology at Hofstra University and the Spokesperson for Advocates of Silenced Turkey (AST). She holds a Ph.D. in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Stony Brook University, New York. Her research focuses on gender, race, immigration, racialization and identity, human and women’s rights in Muslim-majority contexts, and the integration and adaptation of Muslim immigrant women, with particular attention to the redefinition of their cultural identities. Beyond her academic wor

Today’s guest is Kiran Nazish, an award-winning journalist, professor, and founding director of the Coalition for Women in Journalism and Women Press Freedom. In this episode, Alon and Kiran discuss the state of press freedom in the United States and the transgressions that the Trump administration has committed against them; how the United States relates to other countries known as violators of press freedom; and how to protect journalists by strengthening democratic institutions. Full bio Kiran Nazish is an award winning journalist, professor and founding director of the Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom. Kiran Nazish spent two decades as a journalist and foreign correspondent covering Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Mexico and many other places in a post 9/11 world for the New York Times, LA Times, MSNBC, ABC News, USA Today and many others. Witnessing the inequality and discrimination women journalists faced in newsrooms around the world, she founded the Coalition For Women I

Since Trump reassumed the presidency, the rank and file of the Democrats have been busy criticizing, for good reason, Trump’s unhinged exercise of power. Given Trump’s onslaught on just about every norm of America’s political, cultural, and economic way of life, the Democrats cannot possibly exhaust the range of criticism they can level at Trump and the Republican Party that has enabled him. As they gear up for the midterm elections, it would be natural for the Democrats to continue exhibiting disgust about Trump’s outrageous transgressions and engage in acrimonious narratives against the Republicans and threaten to impeach Trump should they win the House in the midterm election. That would be the wrong and absolutely counterproductive strategy. Continue reading at: https://alonben-meir.com/writing/the-democrats-need-a-concrete-governing-agenda/

Today’s guest is Yaakov Katz, a journalist, author, and senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute. His newest book, co-authored with Amir Bohbot, is While Israel Slept – How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East. In this episode, Alon and Yaakov discuss Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza and the “Trump factor” that has emerged in the peacemaking process; the need for a political, not just military, process in finding an end to the Gaza war and ultimately the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; how to bring both peoples back toward a mindset where peace could be possible; and the lack of leadership on both sides in being willing to make concessions to make real change possible. Full bio Yaakov Katz is an author, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute & the co-founder of MEAD, the premier Middle East-America policy forum. Between 2016 and 2023, Yaakov was editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post where he continues to serve as a columnist. Yaakov also writes for th

Today’s guest is Michael Bedenbaugh, a political analyst and author, whose latest book, Reviving Our Republic: 95 Theses for the Future of America, argues the need for political renewal in the United States and presents recommendations for such reforms in a historical context. Mike’s diverse background includes five years of service in the US Navy, as well as previously serving as president and executive director of Preservation South Carolina, working to protect and preserve the state’s historic places. In this episode, we discuss the current Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Minneapolis, Minnesota, including the deaths of two civilians, the Trump administration’s strategy in conducting these operations and the general atmosphere that has been created since Trump’s return to power, and how the United States as a whole can put a stop to these actions and the general pervasive divide in the country. Full bio American author and political thinker Mike Bedenbaugh is a respected voice in constituti

Today's guest is Tsvi Bisk, an independent futurist, social researcher, and strategy planning consultant. In this episode, Alon and Tsvi discuss Israeli reactions toward October 7 and the subsequent war in Gaza, how geopolitics in relation to Israel has changed since that day, and whether or not there is still a prospect of peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Full bio Tsvi Bisk is an independent futurist, social researcher, and strategy planning consultant. He is the director of the Center for Strategic Futuristic Thinking and the founder and director of the Strategic Educational Planning Institute. For more than 20 years, he was a senior associate of the Beit Berl Institute (the research and education arm of the Israel Labor Movement). Bisk is the author of five books, and has published more than one hundred essays and articles in English and Hebrew in a variety of publications. His latest book is titled Cosmodeism: A Worldview for the Space-Age: How an Evolutionary Cosmos is Creating God.

We are happy to welcome back to the podcast Moshe Ma’oz, Professor Emeritus of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a previous Director of the university’s Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace. In this episode, Alon and Moshe discuss Israeli perspectives of the last two years of conflict with the Palestinians, global perspectives towards a Palestinian state and a two-state solution, and the still-indispensable role of the United States in finding a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Bio Moshe Ma’oz is Professor Emeritus of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a previous Director of the university’s Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace. Professor Ma’oz is renowned for his expertise in Arab and Middle East affairs, and has published extensively on Islam and on the history and politics of the Middle East. He is a leading expert on Syria. Professor Ma’oz has been a

Today’s guest is David L. Phillips, Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and previously Director of the Program on Peace-building and Rights at Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights. In this episode, Alon and David have an in-depth discussion on Syria, including Trump’s removal of sanctions on the country, issues of governance in Syria, especially considering the country’s numerous ethnic and religious minorities, and what can be expected of Ahmed al-Sharaa as an interim leader of Syria. Full bio David L. Phillips is an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. He was previously Director of the Program on Peace-building and Rights at Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights. Phillips has served as Foreign Affairs Expert and as Senior Adviser to the U.S. Department of State and as Senior Adviser to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Phillips has worked at academi

Today’s guest is Ziad AbuZayyad, co-founder and editor of Palestine-Israel Journal, a former Palestinian Authority minister, former Chair of Law and Constitution in the Palestinian Parliament, and a negotiator in the post-Oslo Accords Cairo negotiations which led to the creation of the Palestinian Authority. In this episode, Alon and Ziad discuss the war on Gaza and its devastating impacts, the current situation in the West Bank and the interconnectedness of the two scenarios in the West Bank and Gaza, and the various prospects of moving forward toward a solution that respects Palestinian and Israeli sovereignties, and how to address those challenges. Full Bio ZIAD ABUZAYYAD is the Co-Founder and Editor of Palestine Israel Journal (www.pij.org). He is a former PA minister (1998 – 2002), former legislator and Chair of Law and Constitution in the Palestinian Parliament (1996 – 2006). AbuZayyad was the Head of the Palestinian Delegation to the multilateral talks on Arms Control and Regional Security (ACRS),

Today’s guest is Michael Bedenbaugh, a political analyst and author, whose latest book, Reviving Our Republic: 95 Theses for the Future of America, argues the need for political renewal in the United States and presents recommendations for such reforms in a historical context. Mike’s diverse background includes five years of service in the US Navy, as well as previously serving as president and executive director of Preservation South Carolina, working to protect and preserve the state’s historic places. In this episode, Alon and Mike discuss the ceding of congressional power to the president over the years, and how that power shift looks under Trump, the crisis of leadership in the United States, and the possibility of going, as Mike describes, back to the country’s foundational goal of neutrality. Full bio American author and political thinker Mike Bedenbaugh is a respected voice in constitutional principles and American governance, historic preservation, and community development. Born with a reverence

Welcome to another episode of “On the Issues with Alon Ben-Meir.” Today’s guest is Carlein Boers, a political scientist focusing on the national political process in Israel as well as proposals toward a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. She also served seventeen years as a civilian officer in the field of military international cooperation and special air operations. In this episode, Alon and Carlein discuss the seemingly thorniest issue discussed in negotiations over a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine – the status of Jerusalem. They discuss previous negotiations involving Jerusalem, as well as propose novel ideas for its status and relation to future Israeli and Palestinian states. Full bio Ms. Carlein Boers is a political scientist and an alumnus from the Diplomatic Studies Program at Clingendael Institute. In 2018, she participated in the U.S. State Department 'International Visitor Leadership Program', focusing on rebuilding Iraq and Syria post-Da'esh/ISIS. Her academic specializat

Today’s guest is Mark D. Friedman, an independent scholar working in the field of political theory and ethics. His latest book, Come Now, Let us Reason Together: Uncovering the Torah’s Liberal Values, discusses what he describes as the fundamental misconception about Judaism, that because the ultra-Orthodox follow ancient traditions and strictly adhere to halakhah, that the rigid practices that characterize their communities represent authentic Judaism. In this episode, Mark and Alon dive into this discussion on understanding Judaism, and discuss how this relates to current events and policies in Israel, and perceptions of Judaism in the here and now. Full bio After retiring from the successful practice of corporate law, Mark D. Friedman returned to his first love, the study of philosophy. He is currently an independent scholar working in the field of political theory and ethics. He has written three books: Nozick’s Libertarian Project: An Elaboration and Defense (2011), Libertarian Philosophy in the Real Wo