BICOM's Podcast

Episode 159 | The Abraham Accords one year on

In this episode, Director Richard Pater interviews Dr Moran Zaga on the eve of the one year anniversary of the signing of the Araham Accords. Dr Zaga speaks about the impact the accords has had on the region during its first year, analyses how Israel and its new Gulf partners will look to expand ties in the year ahead, and examine how other regional countries can take advantage of the shifting strategic map of the Middle East.    

Dr Zaga is a research fellow at the University of Haifa focused on the geopolitics of the Gulf. She is also a policy fellow at Mitvim, the Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies, where she specialises on existing and potential cooperation between Israel and the UAE.

Episode 158 | What does the withdrawal from Afghanistan mean for the US role in Middle East?

Professor Jonathan Rynhold, the Deputy Head of the department of Political Studies at Bar-Ilan University, speaks about the future of American leadership following its withdrawal from Afghanistan, specifically whether the "American Era" is over in global politics, and the Middle East in particular, or whether the basic coordinates of US leadership will remain in place. His opening remarks were part of a BICOM Webinar held on 9 September 2021.

Episode 157 | Bennett goes to Washington

Research Associate Samuel Nurding speaks with Robert Wexler, President of the Washington-based S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace and former Democratic member of Congress from 1997 to 2010. Robert discusses the impact of the first meeting between Prime Minister Bennett and President Biden, as well as the shifting sands of support for Israel within the US Democratic Party and why Michael Herzog is an excellent choice for the next Israeli ambassador to the US.  

Episode 156 | Tensions on Israel’s northern border

Ronie Gazit speaks to retired Brigadier General Assaf Orion about the latest escalation with Lebanon, and the threats from Syria and Iran. Brig Gen Orion explains the background to Palestinian groups responsible for the recent rocket attack from Lebanon.  They discuss whether Hezbollah will further escalate the situation and growing frustration from the Druze community in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah. They also discuss Iran’s malign regional behavior, Israeli-Russian deconfliction in Syria and what more the international community should be doing to stabilise the increasingly volatile situations in Lebanon, Syria and the region as a whole.

Episode 155 | Gil Troy reflects on Ben & Jerry's and Lapid's antisemitism agenda

Director Richard Pater talks with distinguished historian Professor Gil Troy about the latest developments in Israeli politics. They discuss the true meaning of Ben & Jerry's recent decision to boycott Israeli settlements, assess Foreign Minister Yair Lapid's new agenda to talk about antisemitism and look toward Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's upcoming trip to the US. 

Episode 154 | A scorecard of the government's first five weeks in office

In this episode, Research Associate Samuel Nurding and Director Richard Pater discuss the how the new Israeli government is holding up after five weeks in power. Richard also explains how the opposition is acting in new and unprecedented ways, the rivalry emerging between the United Arab List and the opposition-based Joint Arab List, and the potential government-ending obstacles that lay in wait.

 

Episode 153 | The future of the JCPOA and Iran under President Raisi

Research Associate Samuel Nurding speaks to Henry Rome, the deputy head of research at the geopolitical risk consultancy firm, the Eurasia Group. Samuel and Henry discuss the state of play at the nuclear talks in Vienna, what Iran's foreign policy may be under President Raisi, and how a return to the JCPOA agreement could impact the balance in the region.

Episode 152 | An Israeli journalist in London

Richard Pater speaks to Elad Simchayoff,  the European correspondent for Israel’s Channel 12 News. Richard and Elad discuss how the Bennett-Lapid government has fared in its first couple weeks in power and what we may expect to see from opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu. Elad also discusses his experience being an Israeli journalist in London, the growing anti-Israel rhetoric he has seen over the years, covering UK politics for an Israeli audience, and UK-Israel relations more broadly.  

Episode 151 | Understanding Biden's approach to the Middle East with Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer

In this episode, BICOM's Samuel Nurding speaks with Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer about the Biden administration's approach to the Middle East. Ambassador Kurtzer draws on his unique experience as the US Ambassador to Israel and Egypt to discuss the US role in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, the challenges of confronting Iran and reconstruction in Gaza, and Israel's relations with its neighbours in the region.

Daniel C. Kurtzer is the S. Daniel Abraham Professor of Middle East Policy Studies at Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs. During a 29-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service, Ambassador Kurtzer served as the United States Ambassador to Israel and as the United States Ambassador to Egypt.

Episode 150 | Iran and the JCPOA, a view from Israel

Brig Gen (ret) Michael Herzog talks to Ronie Gazit about the Vienna talks and the implications for Israel, should the US return to the nuclear deal.  They discuss the most important elements Israel would like to see in a new deal and the significance of the Iranian threat when it comes to Israel’s relations with Arab countries. Gen Herzog also reflects on the latest escalation between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip and what the US, Gulf countries and broader international community should do to rebuild Gaza without strengthening Hamas.