BICOM's Podcast

Episode 176 | JCPOA Endgame?

Sam Nurding speaks to Professor Eyal Zisser, the Vice Rector of Tel Aviv University and the holder of The Yona and Dina Ettinger Chair in Contemporary History of the Middle East. They discuss the latests developments in the JCPOA talks, whether an agreement is imminent and the Israeli political and defense view of a possible agreement. They also discuss whether Iran's attack on an alleged Israeli 'strategic centre' and possible cyber attack on Israeli government websites yesterday mark an escalation in hostilities between the countries. They examine the latest developments in Israel's efforts to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, and more. 

Episode 175 | Analysis of the Russian-Ukrainian War

Richard Pater speaks with Middle East analyst and former MK Ksenia Svetlova. They discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and how the war is perceived inside Russia. Ksenia gives her assessment Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s surprise visit to Moscow and how Israel is in a unique position to mediate the conflict. They also discuss the impact of the war on the Iran nuclear talks and on the region.     

Episode 174 | From Ukraine to Vienna to Bahrain

Richard Pater speaks to Amichai Stein, diplomatic correspondent at Kan News, the Israeli public broadcasting corporation. They discuss the situation in Ukraine and the Israel's diplomatic dilemma in relation to Russia. They talk about the latest developments in nuclear talks in Vienna and the reasons why Israel sent a delegation there last week. They also reflect on a busy week of Israeli regional diplomacy.

Episode 173 | Exploring the UK-Israel trade talks

Richard Pater speaks to Lord Ian Austin, UK Trade envoy to Israel, about his latest trip with the Secretary to State for International Trade, Anne-Marie Trevelyan to open negotiations with Israel for a free trade agreement. Lord Austin and Richard also discuss how the UK can both benefit from and advance the Abraham Accords as well as the Iranian threat.

Episode 172 | The Arab citizens of Israel

Richard Pater speaks to Dr Arik Rudnitzky, a researcher in  the 'Arab Society in Israel Programme' at the Israel Democracy Institute. In the same week that Amnesty International UK released a damning new report accusing Israel of maintaining an “apartheid regime” not only in the West Bank, but inside Israel too, Richard and Arik discuss the social, political and economic situation of the Arab citizenry in Israel. Arik explains some of the important social and economic programmes in the new budget for the Arab sector, the current situation over the military draft for young Arabs, government actions to tackle the level of crime in Arab towns, as well as the political dynamics between the United Arab List (in government) and the Joint Arab List (in opposition). 

Episode 171 | The rift in the US negotiating team in Vienna and Bibi’s plea bargain

Richard Pater speaks to Senior Contributing Editor and Diplomatic Correspondent of The Jerusalem Post Lahav Harkov about a wide range of current diplomatic and political issues. They discuss the meeting between Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and Palestinian minister Hussein al-Sheikh, the rift in the US negotiating team in Vienna talks, whether Benjamin Netanyahu's plea bargain option will continue with the next attorney general, and the future of the Abraham Accords.

Episode 170 | What’s happening in Sheikh Jarrah and East Jerusalem

Richard Pater speaks with Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum about the background and legal case of the latest eviction in Sheikh Jarrah. Fleur also refutes the recent claim from the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem that extreme Israeli groups are trying to expel Christians from the city. They also discuss some of the initiatives that the municipality is undertaking to improve social services and economic prosperity for East Jerusalem residents. 

Episode 169 | Recapping the Christmas break

Samuel Nurding speaks to BICOM Director Richard Pater about events that transpired over the Christmas period.  Most significantly, Defence Minister Benny Gantz hosting PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in his home and the Palestinian view of right wing politician Ayelet Shaked. They also discuss Hamas’s latest provocation towards Israel, and an update from the Knesset. To catch up on events in Israel, be sure to listen to this episode.

Episode 168 | From Vienna to Tehran

In this episode, Samuel Nurding speaks with Dr Sanam Vakil. Sanam is the Deputy Director and Senior Research Fellow of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House, where she leads project work on Iran and the Gulf. They discuss the British and Iranian negotiation positions during the 7th round of talks in Vienna, what is driving deescalation in the region and what the regional response has been to the Abraham Accords. 

Episode 167 | Understanding Iran with a former IDF intelligence officer

In this episode, Samuel Nurding speaks to Major (res.) Danny Citrinowicz, who has over 20 years of experience in intelligence and analysis and was in charge of the Iran file in the IDF’s Military Intelligence unit as well as the IDF’s representative at the Israeli embassy in Washington. They discuss what the main stumbling blocks are between the US and Iran in returning to the JCPOA nuclear deal, whether Russia has the influence and ability to separate Syria from Iran, and assess the importance of Israel's recently military exercises with its Gulf allies in the region.