BICOM's Podcast

Episode 253 | Qatar and the rise of antisemitism in academia

In this episode, Richard Pater discusses with Professor Charles Asher Small the ideological and financial influence of Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood on Western academia, especially in the UK and the US. Professor Small outlines how Qatar’s soft power has contributed to the spread of antisemitism and anti-democratic values on university campuses and beyond.

Professor Small  is the founder and director of the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP), holds academic degrees from University College London and Oxford University, and is currently a research fellow at St Edmund's College, University of Cambridge.

Episode 252 | Bridging Divides in the Middle East

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks to Tom Wegner, founder of the newly launched Center for Middle East Normalization. They discuss the center’s role in fostering civil society connections between Israel and pro-democracy, pro-peace groups across the region. Wegner shares insights from his experience in Israeli politics, military coordination with the Palestinian Authority Security Forces, and interfaith dialogue initiatives.

As a professional strategic consultant, Tom has led over 40 election campaigns and previously served as a spokesperson for the Peres Center for Peace. This year, Tom released his new book, The Abrahamic Revolution. Previously, he won the Global Books Award for Cannabis Wars and co-authored The Unity of the Believers with his Palestinian friend Elias N. J. Baboun.

Episode 251 | Ben Gurion University of the Negev

In this episode, Dr Amira Halperin speaks with Professor Chaim Hames, the Rector of Ben Gurion University of the Negev. They discuss the horrific situation on campus following October 7th when, 88 members of the BGU community, students, staff, and family members, were murdered, and 6 students were taken hostage. One-third of the student body are active reservists. Prof. Hames also shares his experiences and actions regarding academic boycotts and radicalisation on campuses outside of Israel. 

 

Professor Hames is a historian of religious thought. He received his PhD in Medieval History from Cambridge University in 1996.

Episode 250 | Palestinian prisoners

In this episode, Dr Amira Halperin speaks to Lt.-Col. (res.) Maurice Hirsch about the release of Palestinian prisoners in the ceasefire deal, and the state of security in the West Bank.

 

Lt-Col (res.) Hirsch served as Director of the Military Prosecution for Judea and Samaria. Since retiring from the IDF, Hirsch worked as the Head of Legal Strategies for Palestinian Media Watch, as a Senior Military Consultant for NGO Monitor, an advisor to the Ministry of Defense, and head of an advisory committee in the Ministry of Interior.

Episode 249 | Trump's plans for the region

In this episode Richard Pater speaks to Ilan Berman, Senior Vice President at the American Foreign Policy Council. The conversation was recorded as part of a live media briefing following Prime Minister Netanyahu's meeting with President Trump. They discuss a range of regional issues including Trump’s plan for Gaza and his likely approach towards Iran. 

Ilan is an expert on regional security in the Middle East. In the past he has consulted for the Central Intelligence Agency as well as the US Departments of State and Defence. An author and editor of a dozen books has been called one of America's "leading experts on the Middle East and Iran" by CNN.

Episode 248 | Surviving a suicide bus bombing

In this episode, Dr Amira Halperin speaks to Sarri Singer. Sarri is the founder and director of Strength to Strength, a charity based in New York, established to bring survivors of terrorism and their families together globally to heal. After witnessing 9/11, Sarri moved to Israel and volunteered her time to help Israeli victims of terror attacks. In 2003, Sarri herself was a victim of the Davidka Square bombing in Jerusalem in June 2003 by Hamas.

Content warning: this podcast contains some graphic content.

 

 

Episode 247 | Implementing the Gaza Ceasefire

In this episode, Daniel J. Levy speaks with Dr Lynette Nusbacher. Recorded hours before Israel and Hamas agreed to the US, Egyptian, and Qatari-brokered Gaza ceasefire deal on Wednesday, they discuss how it would be implemented as well as what future phases might be and the impact of the deal on the Israeli government. 

Dr Nusbacher is a former British Army intelligence officer and served as Head of the Strategic Horizons Unit in the UK Cabinet Office, and the Devil’s Advocate to Britain’s Joint Intelligence Committee. She was also a Senior Lecturer in War Studies at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Episode 246 | Israel, Palestinians & the international arena

In this episode, Dr Amira Halperin speaks with Professor Gerald Steinberg. They discuss Israel hostage agreement with Hamas, and the concessions Israel will have to make. Professor Steinberg, with his broad expertise also shares his concerns over rising  violence in the West Bank  and the role humanitarian organisations play both inside Gaza and their influence in international law.  The also discuss Trump's presidency and his approach to the Iranian nuclear programme .

Professor Gerald Steinberg is the founder and president of NGO Monitor. He is Professor Emeritus of political science and international relations at Bar Ilan University, where he taught for forty years. His research focuses on Middle East diplomacy and security, nuclear proliferation, and the politics of human rights and non-governmental organisations, an academic field that he pioneered 25 years ago.

Episode 245 | A view from the Knesset

In this episode Dr Amira Halperin speaks with MK Shelly Tal Meron. They discuss the prospects of a hostage deal, the displaced Israelis in northern and southern Israel. She also presents a vision for the day after the war end and the involvement of President Trump in the negotiations. 

MK Meron is a Yesh Atid MK and the co-Chair of the Israel-UK Parliamentary Friendship Group. She is a member of the Women's Rights and Finance committees in the Knesset. She completed her military service as a Captain in the Israeli Air Force.

Episode 244 | Regional roundup

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks to Jonathan Paris about the latest developments following the fall of Assad. They discuss the future of Syria and the role of Turkey and Iran plus the potential ramifications for Lebanon and Jordan. Jonathan also explores the potential strategy of the incoming Trump administration in relation to Iran. Jonathan Paris is a London-based Middle East analyst and former fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. He is currently Senior Fellow at the Center for Advanced Studies on Terrorism (CAST) and Senior Advisor Emeritus at the Chertoff Group where he shares his expertise on the region.