Shows
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 134: Kiran NazishToday’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 sp...
2026-02-101h 10
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirThe Democrats Need a Concrete Governing AgendaSince 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 impea...
2026-02-0507 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 133: Yaakov KatzToday’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...
2026-02-0351 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 131: Tsvi BiskToday'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.
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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...
2026-01-1957 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 130: Moshe Ma'ozWe 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 Easter...
2026-01-1342 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 129: David L. PhillipsToday’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.
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David L. Phillips is an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s School of...
2025-12-2342 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 128: Ziad AbuZayyadToday’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 th...
2025-12-021h 13On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 127: Michael BedenbaughToday’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 p...
2025-11-101h 00On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 126: Carlein BoersWelcome 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 a...
2025-10-2153 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 125: Mark D. FriedmanToday’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...
2025-09-2355 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 124: Hillel SchenkerWelcome to another episode of “On the Issues with Alon Ben-Meir.” Today’s guest is Hillel Schenker, co-editor of the Palestine-Israel Journal, a Jerusalem-based independent, joint Israeli-Palestinian English-language quarterly. In this episode, Alon and Hillel discuss the current growing protests in Israel calling for an end to the war and release of the hostages, Netanyahu’s current strategy in Gaza, and the role of the international community in reaching an end to the war.
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Hillel Schenker is co-editor of the Palestine-Israel Journal, a Jerusalem-based independent English-language quarterly, initiated and maintained by a group of prominent Israeli and Palestinian academic...
2025-09-0352 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 121: Milica JavdanToday’s guest is Milica Javdan, a political scientist and activist in the Iranian opposition’s women’s movement. In this episode, Alon and Milica discuss what work the Iranian opposition is undertaking, both inside and outside Iran, the impact of Israeli and US attacks on Iran and how that impacts the relationship of the Iranian people with the regime, and the prospect of regime change in Iran.
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Milica Javdan is a political scientist focusing on political theory regarding Shia Islam’s understanding of just governance. She has been active in the Iranian opposition’s women’s movement for over 22...
2025-07-1350 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 120: Anne SpeckhardToday’s guest is Anne Speckhard, Director of the International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism. She previously served for over two decades as Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine. She has interviewed over 800 terrorists, their family members and supporters in various parts of the world including in Western Europe, the Balkans, Central Asia, the Former Soviet Union and the Middle East, and has also been training key stakeholders in law enforcement, intelligence, educators, and other countering violent extremism professionals on the use of counter-narrative messaging materials both locally and internationally.
In this episode, Al...
2025-04-2654 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 119: Edita TahiriWelcome to another episode of “On the Issues with Alon Ben-Meir.” Today’s guest is Edita Tahiri, former Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Chief Negotiator of Kosovo. She is a key founder and leader of the movement for Kosovo’s independence, and as Chief Negotiator of Kosovo, she is the signatory of the first-ever agreement reached between Kosovo and Serbia, after 20 years of peace talks.
In this episode, we discuss the recent election in Kosovo, what the possibilities are for forming a new government, the current status of talks between Kosovo and Serbia, and what effect the new US a...
2025-03-171h 07
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 118: "Joseph," a Former Turkish University ProfessorWelcome to another episode of “On the Issues with Alon Ben-Meir.” We have an unusual situation for today’s episode, where our guest is appearing via a pseudonym, “Joseph.” Joseph is a Turkish university professor, now living in exile in the United States after serving six years in prison on charges of being a member of the Hizmet movement. Although he and his immediate family are now in the US, Joseph is using a pseudonym due to Erdogan’s tyranny and overreach, to protect friends and family still living in Turkey, as many others in his situation have done. We hope you wil...
2025-01-271h 04
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 117: Xhemajl RexhaToday’s guest is Xhemajl Rexha, a Kosovar journalist and Chairperson of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, an organization with some 700 members of all ethnic communities in Kosovo. Xhemajl is currently on a two-month fellowship with the World Press Institute, based in St. Paul/Minneapolis, Minnesota. In this episode, Alon and Xhemajl discuss the state of media freedom and journalist safety in Kosovo, government interference in the media’s workings, and Kosovo’s upcoming election in February 2025.
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Xhemajl Rexha is a journalist from Kosovo, working with main broadcasters there since 2005. He worked as a journalist, host, and editor...
2024-10-1541 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 116: Jeta Abazi GashiToday’s guest is Jeta Abazi Gashi, an award-winning journalist from Kosovo and a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at the Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication at the George Washington University. In this episode, Alon and Jeta discuss the question of identity and belonging among Kosovar youth, especially given Kosovo’s status as the youngest state in Europe, their views on nationalism and secularism, and Kosovo’s relations with Europe and the United States.
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An award-winning journalist from Kosovo, Jeta Abazi Gashi has a background in three disciplines, journalism, political science, and history. She is completing her Ph.D. at...
2024-09-2459 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 115: Agather AtuhaireToday’s guest is Agather Atuhaire, a Ugandan lawyer, journalist, and digital activist. She is the host of Agora Discourse, a digital public square, and has been involved in social media campaigns that have sparked national conversations and policy changes on the poor state of roads, healthcare, and security. Agather is the 2023 recipient of the EU Human Rights Defenders Award and a 2024 recipient of the US State Department’s International Women of Courage Award.
In this episode, Alon and Agather discuss freedom of the press and the situation for journalists in Uganda, including intimidation of journalists, the current political situation in t...
2024-09-0242 min
The WOR Saturday Morning Show with Larry MendteLarry discusses the backchannel negotiations of the U. S. and Israel with Dr. Alon Ben-Meir, Senior Fellow at the World Policy InstituteDr. Alon Ben Meir is a retired professor of International Relations, formerly at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs and Senior Fellow at the World Policy Institute. Ben-Meir is an expert on Middle East and West Balkan affairs, international negotiations, and conflict resolution. In the past two decades, Ben-Meir has been directly involved in various backchannel negotiations involving Israel and its neighboring countries and Turkey. Ben-Meir is featured on a variety of television networks and also regularly briefs at the U.S. State Department for the International Visitors Program. He writes a weekly article that is syndicated globally. Dr. B...
2024-06-2309 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 114: Fatou BaldehWelcome to another episode of “On the Issues with Alon Ben-Meir.” Today’s guest is Fatou Baldeh, a survivor of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and a Gender Justice specialist with an extensive experience in gender, health and development. Over the past decade she has been a leading advocate and contributor to knowledge on women’s rights and the eradication of entrenched gender norms and practices, including eradication of FGM in The Gambia and the UK. In this episode, Alon and Fatou discuss the challenges from local communities in combatting female genital mutilation, the proposed repeal of The Gambia’s FGM ban and it...
2024-04-2345 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 113: Lamar Zala GranToday’s guest is Lamar Zala Gran, an Afghan activist and founder of the nonprofit organization Empowering Afghan Women, which provides online courses for high school girls in Afghanistan. She is currently a student at Berea College in Kentucky, continuing her educational journey from the American University of Afghanistan after escaping the country in 2022. In this episode, Alon and Lamar discuss her firsthand experience of the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, the status of women and young Afghans currently under Taliban rule, and what role the international community can play in alleviating the terrible human rights situation in the country.
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2024-04-0159 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 110: Marwan MuasherToday’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 the Israel-Hamas war – what exit strategy that can be envisioned at this time and what parameters will need to be established, what changes are needed among the Israeli, Palestinian, and American governments to enable a conducive negotiating process, and the current conflagration’s impact on Jordan.
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Marwan Muasher is vice president for studies at Carnegie, where he oversees research in Washington and Beirut on the Middle East. Muasher served as for...
2024-01-2943 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 109: Dov WaxmanToday’s guest is Dov Waxman, a professor of political science and the director of the Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies at UCLA. This special episode was recorded in two parts; the second part was recorded in late September, just a week and a half before Hamas’ attack on Israel, and the first part was recorded in October, two weeks after the outbreak of war and just before Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza began.
In this episode, Alon and Dov begin with an analysis of Hamas’ attack on Israel, the divide among Palestinian leadership between the Palestinian Authorit...
2023-11-061h 24On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 108: Yossi AlpherWelcome to another episode of “On the Issues with Alon Ben-Meir.” Today’s guest is Yossi Alpher, a consultant and writer on Israel-related strategic issues. He is a former intelligence officer, and served as Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Israel in July 2000, during the Camp David talks, concentrating on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. In this episode, we discuss Israel’s current response to Hamas’ attacks against Israel on October 7, various scenarios of how the response will proceed from here, an analysis of the various players in the broader conflict, including Hezbollah, and whether or not Israel can fully eliminate...
2023-10-181h 03On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 106: Dr. Emily Bashah and Hon. Paul JohnsonToday’s guests are the Honorable Paul Johnson, former mayor of Phoenix, Arizona, and Dr. Emily Bashah, a clinical psychologist. Paul and Emily are the authors of the book Addictive Ideologies, where they discuss the psychology that leads to terrorism and strategies to combat extremism. In this episode, Alon, Paul, and Emily use the experience of the Jewish population of Iraq to discuss radicalized ideologies in society and how they develop and spread on an individual and societal basis, the growing polarization in the United States and around the world, and what steps can be taken to resolve the increasing di...
2023-08-211h 20On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 105: Koby HubermanToday’s guest is Koby Huberman, co-founder of the Israeli Peace Initiative, which works with Israeli leaders and decision makers in order to promote a new regional alliance with Israel and key Arab states. In this episode, Alon and Koby discuss Alon’s proposal for an Israeli-Palestinian-Jordanian confederation, alongside Koby’s work on a Regional Framework for all states, leveraging past discussions and agreements toward a future resolution.
This discussion was held on July 22 as part of a new discussion series on Alon’s proposal for an Israeli-Palestinian-Jordanian confederation, the full video of which is posted on YouTube. You can find fut...
2023-08-011h 27On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 104: Azadeh NikzadehToday’s guest is Azadeh Nikzadeh, an Iranian writer, director, producer, and women’s rights activist. Azadeh’s current project is a short film, inspired by the true story of Sarina Esmailzadeh, a young teenager who was brutally murdered by security forces during a women's rights protest in September 2022, that aims to shed light on the struggles of Iranian women and their fight against state-led violence.
In this episode, Alon and Azadeh discuss the current status of women’s rights in Iran, the current protests in Iran against mandatory hijab, and what role the international community can play in the fight fo...
2023-07-0453 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 103: Berat BuzhalaToday’s guest is Berat Buzhala, a Kosovar journalist and former Member of Parliament for the Democratic Party of Kosovo. Buzhala is the founder of the media group Nacionale, and was a co-founder of Gazeta Express. In this episode, Alon and Berat discuss the recent turmoil in northern Kosovo over the election of four Albanian mayors in Serb-majority municipalities after the election was boycotted by ethnic Serbs, the mistakes that Prime Minister Albin Kurti has taken during this crisis and beyond, and how this has impacted relations between Kosovo and the US.
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Berat Buzhala belongs to the Kosovo jo...
2023-06-0954 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 102: Cemre UlkerToday’s guest is Cemre Ulker, the UN Representative and US Director of the Journalists and Writers Foundation. Cemre is a human rights expert dedicated to the gender-sensitive implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, and focuses on civil and political rights violations and issues related to violence against women and sexual violence in conflict.
In this episode focusing on the upcoming elections in Turkey on May 14, Alon and Cemre discuss the social dynamics in Turkey, the Turkish peoples’ distrust of Erdogan and his one-man authoritarian rule, the current status of the opposition, and women’s rights issues in Turkey.
Full bioCem...
2023-04-1750 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 101: Naim RashitiToday’s guest is Naim Rashiti, Executive Director of the Balkans Group, a think tank dedicated to regional cooperation and peace in the Balkans. In this episode, which was recorded prior to the agreement reached between Kosovo and Serbia on March 18, Alon and Naim discuss Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Kosovo’s challenges with corruption and other domestic issues, and the impact of Turkish and Russian influences in the Balkans.
Full bio
Naim Rashiti is the Executive Director of the Balkans Group and has almost two decades of experience in political and international affairs. His expertise spans from conflict resolution and inter-ethnic relations to E...
2023-03-2853 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 100: John J. NanceWelcome to another episode of “On the Issues with Alon Ben-Meir.” Today’s guest is John J. Nance, a decorated Air Force veteran, aviation safety expert, and New York Times bestselling author, whose latest book, “The Nine Lives of Cristal Global,” discusses the need of Saudi Arabia to modify its economic approach to succeed in the future. In this episode, Alon and John discuss human rights in Saudi Arabia and how the US should approach that issue, Saudi Arabia’s role in the oil market, and Israel’s desire to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia and how the Saudis can utilize that f...
2023-03-1356 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 97: Fadia ThabetToday’s guest is Fadia Thabet, a Yemeni conflict analysis and peacebuilding practitioner. Fadia worked on countering violent extremism, or CVE, programs in the MENA region, focusing on Al Qaeda and ISIS movements, and gender-based violence prevention. In this episode, Alon and Fadia discuss child soldiers and child recruitment in the war in Yemen, the roles of both Saudi Arabia and Iran in the war, and the April ceasefire, which recently ended.
Full bio
Fadia Thabet is a conflict analysis and peacebuilding practitioner focused on conflict transformation initiatives design and training. Fadia worked on countering violent extremism programs (CVE) in th...
2022-10-0955 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 94: Suzan Khairi KhederToday’s guest is Suzan Khairi Khedher, a Yazidi lawyer and activist supporting girls’ development. In this episode, Alon and Suzan discuss the genocide of the Yazidi people and their ongoing plight, relations between the Yazidis and the central government in Iraq, and the ongoing need for support from the international community.
Full bio
Suzan Khairi Khedher is a Yazidi lawyer and activist in the supporting and development of girls. Born in 1998 in Khanasor village-Sinjar. She graduated with a BA in Political Science and Law from University of Duhok in 2018. She was the first among her classmates for four consecutive year...
2022-05-1034 min
The Settlement ProjectInterview with Professor Alon Ben Meir on Israeli Palestinian RelationsAs part of The PWPA Podcast interview series, PWPA president, Dr. Frank Kaufmann speaks with Professor Alon Ben Meir about his latest writing on Israeli-Palestinian relations.Professor Alon Ben Meir speaks on hopes for Israeli-Palestinian collaboration and reconciliation in PWPA scholars interview. Visit Professors World Peace Association here. Dr. Alon Ben Meir is a professor at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs and Senior Fellow at the World Policy Institute. Ben-Meir is an expert on Middle East and West Balkan affairs, international negotiations, and conflict resolution. In the past two decades, Ben-Meir has been directly involved in...
2022-04-1049 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 90: Ruth Ben-GhiatToday’s guest is Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Professor of History and Italian Studies at New York University and a historian and commentator on fascism, authoritarian leaders, and propaganda, and the threats these present to democracies. In this episode, we discuss her latest book, Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present, Trump’s authoritarian behavior here in the United States, and what steps can be taken to reverse authoritarian trends around the world.
Full bio:
Ruth Ben-Ghiat is a historian and commentator on fascism, authoritarian leaders, and propaganda — and the threats these present to democracies. As author or editor of six books, with over 100 op-eds...
2022-03-1646 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 82: Igballe RogovaWelcome to another episode of “On the Issues with Alon Ben-Meir.” Today’s guest is Igballe Rogova, an internationally renowned women’s rights advocate and co-founder and Executive Director of the Kosovo Women’s Network. She was also behind the founding of the Women’s Peace Coalition and the Regional Women’s Lobby for Peace, Security and Justice in South East Europe, bringing women’s priorities and political preferences into the regional peace-making process. Igo was also a member of the High-level Advisory Group on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, and served on the NATO Civil Society Ad...
2021-10-1245 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 80: Moshe Ma'ozToday's guest is 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. 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 visiting professor, scholar, and fellow at many leading universities and institutions around the world. He has served as an advisor...
2021-09-1452 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 77: Niloofar RahmaniWelcome back to a new episode of “On the Issues with Alon Ben-Meir”. Today’s guest is Niloofar Rahmani. Niloofar is the first female fixed-wing pilot in the Afghani Air Force, earning her wings in 2012, and the first female pilot in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. In 2015, she was awarded the US Department of State’s International Women of Courage award for her dedication to her career and commitment to encouraging other young women to join the Air Force, all in the face of death threats against herself and her family. Her book, “Open Skies: My Life as Afghani...
2021-08-0340 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 76: Erwan FouéréToday’s guest is Erwan Fouéré, Associate Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies, where he focuses on the EU’s role in the Balkans, with a specific focus on Macedonia. Prior to joining CEPS, Erwan served for 38 years with the EU institutions in various capacities, including at Headquarters and the European External Action Service. His most recent appointment was as Special Representative for the Irish 2012 Chairmanship of the OSCE.
In this episode, Alon and Erwan discuss a multitude of issues surrounding the European Union and the Western Balkans region, including the enlargement of the EU, partic...
2021-07-1951 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 74: Elizabeth ProdromouToday’s guest is Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, where she teaches in the Program in International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution and is Faculty Director of the Initiative on Religion, Law, and Diplomacy. In this episode, Alon and Elizabeth discuss Turkey’s efforts to expand its influence in the Middle East and the Balkans, Turkey’s relationship with NATO and the West, and increasing authoritarianism in Turkey under Erdogan’s leadership.
Dr. Elizabeth H. Prodromou is a faculty member at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, where directs...
2020-10-0545 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 73: Anna Di LellioMy guest today is Anna Di Lellio, a sociologist and policy analyst with a broad range of interests and experience, from American politics and culture to nationalism, security and state building in the Balkans.
Her research and publications focus on Kosovo, where she worked for years, as spokesperson for the United Nations World Food Program during the 1999 NATO intervention; Media Commissioner under the aegis of the Organization for the Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE); research analyst and advisor on the Kosovo Liberation Army program of reintegration for the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations Mission in Kosovo; a...
2020-09-0151 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 72: Visar DuriqiToday's guest is Visar Duriqi, an investigative journalist from Kosovo. He has been working as a journalist since January of 2009.
As part of Kosovo Center for Investigative Journalism, which is a project of Çohu!, an anticorruption NGO, he investigated public procurement, corruption going on in the energy sector, relations between donors to political campaigns and the public budget as well as reporting about the radicalization of Islam at a time when other media were not reporting on this topic.
At BIRN and Pristina Insight, he published articles related to the economy and health system as well as organized crime and c...
2020-06-2357 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 71: Melissa J. WildeMelissa J. Wilde is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania. Her first book, Vatican II, won the Distinguished Book Award from the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. Although most of Wilde’s research has focused on religious change, her most recent research—which she describes as the study of “complex religion”—focuses on what has not changed within American religion, in particular, the enduring ways that it intersects with race, class, and gender today. Her latest book is Birth Control Battles: How Race and Class Divided American Religion.
In this episode, we discuss gender inequality...
2020-05-1948 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 70: Ahmet S. YaylaThis week's guest is Dr. Ahmet S. Yayla, Assistant Professor and Director of the Center for Homeland Security at DeSales University, where he teaches courses in cybercrime, homeland security, and terrorism and counterterrorism. He formerly served as a full professor and the chair of the Department of Sociology at Harran University in Turkey. He is a 20-year veteran of the counterterrorism and operations department in the Turkish National Police and served as the chief of counterterrorism in Sanliurfa, Turkey between 2010 and 2013. He has an MS in criminal justice and a Ph.D. in information science and criminal justice from the...
2020-04-0642 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 69: Sean YomToday’s guest is Sean Yom, Associate Professor of Political Science at Temple University and Senior Fellow in the Middle East Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. He is a specialist on regimes and governance in the Middle East, especially in Arab monarchies like Jordan, Kuwait, and Morocco. In this episode, they discuss the advantages and disadvantages of monarchies versus liberal democracies, American foreign policy in the Middle East, and the United States’ relationship with Israel.
Sean Yom is Associate Professor of Political Science at Temple University and Senior Fellow in the Middle East Program at the Foreign Policy Rese...
2020-03-2257 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 68: Sitki ÖzcanToday's guest is Sıtkı Özcan, a Turkish journalist based in the United States, where he writes for Kronos Haber. He is the former US Bureau Chief of Zaman Amerika, which was unable to remain open after the seizure of its sister publication Zaman in Turkey.
In this episode, we discuss the bilateral relations between the United States and Turkey, Turkey’s relations with its regional neighbors, and Turkish President Erdogan – his politics, his standing in Turkey, and his relations with other foreign leaders.
2020-03-0951 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 67: Aaron David MillerToday's guest is Aaron David Miller, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and former State Department Middle East analyst and negotiator in Republican and Democratic administrations. In this episode, we discuss Gulliver’s Troubles—the assassination of Iranian General Qassim Soleimani, US involvement in Iraq and the broader Middle East, and the American role in Israeli-Palestinian peace.
Full Bio
Aaron David Miller is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, focusing on U.S. foreign policy. He has written five books, including his most recent, The End of Greatness: Why America Can’t Have (and Do...
2020-02-2339 minOn the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 66: Abdülhamit BiliciToday's guest is Abdülhamit Bilici, a journalist and editor-in-chief of the Zaman newspaper until its seizure in 2016 by the Turkish government. In this episode, we discuss Erdogan’s initial rise to power and his current political prospects, the direction of Turkey under Erdogan, and what Turkey’s political future could look like.
2020-02-0928 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 65: Mehnaz AfridiMy guest today is Mehnaz Afridi, Director of the Holocaust, Genocide and Interfaith Education Center at Manhattan College. In this episode, we discuss the misperception of the relationship between Jews and Muslims, what approaches can be taken to create reconciliation between Israelis and Arabs, the rise of antisemitism in the United States, and the future of religious coexistence.
Mehnaz M. Afridi is the director of Manhattan College Holocaust, Genocide, and Interfaith Education Center. The goal of the center is to "help eradicate human suffering, prejudice, and racism through education." She is also an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Manhattan...
2020-01-2646 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 64: David MakovskyToday's guest is David Makovsky, the Ziegler distinguished fellow at The Washington Institute and director of the Project on Arab-Israel Relations. He is also an adjunct professor in Middle East studies at Johns Hopkins University's Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). In 2013-2014, he worked in the Office of the U.S. Secretary of State, serving as a senior advisor to the Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations.
Author of numerous Washington Institute monographs and essays on issues related to the Middle East Peace Process and the Arab-Israeli conflict, he is also coauthor, with Dennis Ross, of the 2019...
2019-12-1530 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 63: Elie FriedmanDr. Elie Friedman is Director of the Center for Strategic Dialogue at Netanya Academic College and a researcher of communications and discourse with an emphasis on conflict studies and public diplomacy. Through his various roles at the center, he has a wealth of experience managing the various projects, including grant writing, reporting, budget management, and coordination with strategic partners and international participants in our events. Dr. Friedman completed his doctorate at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Communications department and a post-doctorate at Lancaster University. He has published widely in numerous academic journals and recently published his first monograph at Routledge...
2019-09-0343 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 62: Govind DwivediToday's guest is Govind Dwivedi. Major General G G Dwivedi retired as an Assistant Chief Integrated Defence Staff (strategic) in 2009, after 38 years of distinguished service in the Indian Army (Infantry). A Veteran of the Bangladesh War in 1971, he later commanded unit/formations in intense operational environment; as well as held important staff, instructional and foreign assignments.
A graduate of National Defence Academy Kharkvasla, he holds M Sc, MBA, M.Phil (double) in Defence & Strategic Studies from Madras University and a Ph.D. in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Besides Interpretership in Chinese from the School of Foreign...
2019-08-2037 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 61: Marc PieriniIn this episode, I go in-depth with Marc Pierini on Turkey, Erdogan’s political future, Turkey’s relations with Europe and the West, and the future of Turkey within NATO.
Marc Pierini is a visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe, where his research focuses on developments in the Middle East and Turkey from a European perspective.
Pierini was a career EU diplomat from December 1976 to April 2012. He was EU ambassador and head of delegation to Turkey (2006–2011) and ambassador to Tunisia and Libya (2002–2006), Syria (1998–2002), and Morocco (1991–1995). He also served as the first coordinator for the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, or the Barcelona Process, from 1995 to 1998 and...
2019-08-0444 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 60: Uk LushiUk Lushi is an Albanian-American author and investor. He has worked for several global corporations and investment companies such as General Electric, Dynamic Credit Partners and IntTra Group.
His articles and opinions have been published in the US, Germany, Kosovo, Macedonia and Albania. Lushi holds a BA in Mathematics and Economics from Columbia University in New York City.
In this episode, we discuss corruption in Kosovo and how to battle it.
2019-05-201h 17
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 59: Maha Hosain AzizDr Maha Hosain Aziz is an NYU professor (MA IR Program), blogger and consultant focused on global risk & prediction. She has been called a "global thinker to watch" by Dr Nouriel Roubini for her first book Future World Order; Dr Ian Bremmer and Kishore Mahbubani call her book a "must-read." Dr Aziz is also a visiting fellow at the LSE's Institute of Global Affairs and a cartoonist who created the award-winning 2016 political comic book, The Global Kid (all sales to education nonprofits), which is being adapted into a political graphic novel. She is a Jordanian-born Pakistani who grew up in...
2019-05-0629 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 58: William RosenbergWilliam L. Rosenberg, PhD, is a Professor of Political Science at Drexel University.
Rosenberg is the author of over 80 articles, papers and technical reports. He is a co-author of two books related to public opinion and public policy, "News Verdicts, the Debates and Presidential Campaigns" and "The Politics of Disenchantment: Bush, Clinton, Perot and the Press.” He is a well known expert in the presidential election process as well public opinion and media related to the campaigns.
In addition, Rosenberg has served as Principal Investigator on a number of large-scale multi-year evaluation studies for various government agencies at both the st...
2019-04-0948 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 57: Ian LustickDr. Ian Lustick teaches courses at the University of Pennsylvania on Middle Eastern politics, comparative politics, political identities and institutions, techniques of hegemonic analysis, the expansion and contraction of states, and on relationships among complexity, evolution, and politics. He is a recipient of awards from the Carnegie Corporation, the National Science Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Social Sciences Research Council, the Middle East Peace Foundation, and the United States Institute of Peace. Before coming to Penn, Professor Lustick holds the Bess W. Heyman Chair. Before coming to Penn he taught for fifteen years at Dartmouth College and...
2019-03-2658 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn The Issues Episode 56: Brendan O'LearyBrendan O'Leary is an Irish, European Union, and US citizen, and since 2003 has been the Lauder Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author, co-author, and co-editor of 26 books; and the author or co-author of hundreds of articles or chapters in peer-reviewed journals and university presses, encyclopedia articles, and numerous other forms of publication.
Professor O’Leary was the inaugural winner of the Juan Linz prize of the International Political Science Association for contributions to the study of multinational societies, federalism and power-sharing, and in 2016 he was elected an honorary member of the Royal Irish Ac...
2019-03-1246 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 55: Artan HaraqijaArtan Haraqija is an investigative journalist with 20 years’ experience covering organized crime, corruption, radical religious groups and the European Union Integration in the Balkans, and international media organizations. He has a Master’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Westminster in London, UK.
In this episode, we discuss radicalization in Kosovo, the increased religious influence from Turkey and Saudi Arabia, the lack of protection for journalists, corruption, and what hope the people of Kosovo can have towards their future.
2019-02-1858 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 54: Thanassis CambanisThanassis Cambanis is an author, journalist and fellow at The Century Foundation, who specializes in the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy. He is co-director of TCF’s “Arab Politics beyond the Uprisings.” His most recent book, Once Upon A Revolution: An Egyptian Story (Simon and Schuster: 2015), chronicles Egyptian efforts to create a new political order. His first book, A Privilege to Die: Inside Hezbollah’s Legions and Their Endless War Against Israel, was published in 2010. He writes “The Internationalist” column for The Boston Globe Ideas, and regularly contributes to The Atlantic, Foreign Policy and The New York Times.
He has taugh...
2019-02-0535 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 53: Mary Beth AltierIn this episode, I speak with Dr. Mary Beth Altier about statebuilding and political violence, using the example of Northern Ireland as a way to examine conflicts and political violence in the Middle East, particularly by way of ISIS and al-Qaeda.
Dr. Mary Beth Altier is a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU’s Center for Global Affairs. She received her Ph.D. in Politics from Princeton University in 2011 and then worked as a post-doctoral research fellow at the Pennsylvania State University on a U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.K. government funded project on terrorist disengagement, re-engagement, and re...
2019-01-2240 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 52: Adrian ShtuniAdrian Shtuni is a Washington, D.C.-based foreign policy and security analyst with a regional focus on the Western Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean. He consults on countering violent extremism (CVE), counterterrorism, political risk, irregular migration, and other transnational threats. He also designs and implements CVE trainings and programs, and regularly presents at national and international conferences, summits, and symposiums. He holds a M.Sc. in Foreign Service with a concentration in International Relations and Security from Georgetown University.
2019-01-0742 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 51: Pierre VimontI am honored to have a special guest for today’s episode, Pierre Vimont. During his thirty-eight-year diplomatic career with the French foreign service, he served as the first executive secretary-general of the European External Action Service, ambassador to the United States, and ambassador to the European Union. Mr. Vimont was appointed as the chief of staff to three former French foreign ministers. He holds the title, Ambassador of France, a dignity bestowed for life to only a few French career diplomats. More recently he served as the Special Envoy for the French initiative for a Middle East Peace Conference, an...
2018-12-181h 21
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 50: Nathan J. BrownIn today's episode, I talk with Nathan J. Brown, professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University, about Israel, Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority, and the challenges of coming to a peace agreement.
Nathan J. Brown, a professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University, is a distinguished scholar and author of six well-received books on Arab politics. Brown brings his special expertise on Islamist movements, Egyptian politics, Palestinian politics, and Arab law and constitutionalism to Carnegie. Brown’s latest book, Arguing Islam After the Revival of Arab Politics, was published by Oxford University Pr...
2018-12-0437 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 49: Daniel SerwerProfessor Daniel Serwer (Ph.D., Princeton) directs the Conflict Management Program at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He is also a Senior Fellow at its Center for Transatlantic Relations and affiliated as a Scholar with the Middle East Institute. His current interests focus on the civilian instruments needed to protect U.S. national security as well as transition and state-building in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Balkans. His book, Righting the Balance: How You Can Help Protect America, was published in November 2013 by Potomac Books.
Formerly vice president for centers of peacebuilding innovation at the...
2018-11-2050 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 47: Michele DunneMichele Dunne is the director and a senior fellow in Carnegie’s Middle East Program, where her research focuses on political and economic change in Arab countries, particularly Egypt, as well as U.S. policy in the Middle East. She was the founding director of the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East at the Atlantic Council from 2011 to 2013 and was a senior associate and editor of the Arab Reform Bulletin at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace from 2006 to 2011.
Dunne was a Middle East specialist at the U.S. Department of State from 1986 to 2003, where she served in assignments th...
2018-10-2331 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 46: James ZogbyDr. James J. Zogby is the author of Arab Voices (Palgrave Macmillan, 2010) and the founder and president of the Arab American Institute (AAI), a Washington, D.C.-based organization, which serves as the political and policy research arm of the Arab American community. Additionally, Dr. Zogby is Managing Director of Zogby Research Services, LLC (ZRS), specializing in research and communications.
During his four decade long career, Zogby also co-founded and directed the Palestine Human Rights Campaign, The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, and Save Lebanon, Inc.
In 1993, he was asked by Vice President Al Gore to lead Builders for Peace, a private...
2018-10-0951 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 45: Arbana XharraArbana Xharra is an investigative journalist from Kosovo. She authored a series of investigative reports on religious extremists and Turkey’s Islamic agenda operating in the Balkans. She has won numerous awards for her reporting, and was a 2015 recipient of the International Women of Courage Award from the US State Department.
2018-09-1149 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 44: Robert LapinerMy guest today is Robert Lapiner, Professor of Humanities and Dean Emeritus of the School for Professional Studies at New York University.
From 2011-2013, Robert Lapiner served as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Global Continuing Education at New York University, which would eventually become the School of Professional Studies. Prior to that, Lapiner was the Dean of the New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies, where he remains a member of the faculty.
Lapiner joined NYU after serving as the Dean of Continuing Education and UCLA Extension, and faculty associate at the UCLA Center for International Development Education...
2018-08-2843 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 43: Alexander CooleyAlexander Cooley is the Claire Tow Professor of Political Science at Barnard College and Director of Columbia University's Harriman Institute (2016-18).
Professor Cooley’s research examines how external actors have shaped the development and sovereignty of the former Soviet states, with a focus on Central Asia and the Caucasus. He is author and/or editor of six academic books. His most recent book Dictators without Borders explores the rise of "extraterriorial authoritarianism" and how Western professionals support the transnational networks of Central Asian elites.
In addition to his academic research, Professor Cooley serves on several international advisory boards and has te...
2018-08-1448 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 42: Yossef Ben-MeirMy guest today is Dr. Yossef Ben-Meir, president of operations for the High Atlas Foundation, which he co-founded in 2000.
He originally came to Morocco as a Peace Corps volunteer in 1993. From 1998 to 1999, he served as an Associate Peace Corps Director there, managing the agriculture and environment program in Morocco. He was also a professor at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane from 2009 to 2010.
Dr. Ben-Meir holds a PhD in sociology from the University of New Mexico (2009) where he also taught. In addition, he has an MA in international development from Clark University (1997) and...
2018-07-1749 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 41: Ahmed ZohnyMy guest today is Ahmed Zohny, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at Coppin State University. Zohny served as a Senior Adviser to the United States Department of State/ USAID project of technical assistance to the government of Egypt (2005-2007). He advised the World Bank Institute on a wide variety of issues, including quality of graduate and professional programs worldwide. He served as an adviser and leadership trainer on issues of Public Policy Development, Implementation & Evaluation, Governance, Human Capital Management and Development for Senior Government Managers from the Middle East at the Economic Development Institute of the World...
2018-07-0340 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 40: Anthony OberschallMy guest today is Anthony Oberschall, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has written on social movements, collective action, ethnic conflicts, genocide and mass violence, counterinsurgency, peacemaking in civil strife, and other related topics. You can find Anthony's book, which we discuss in the episode, at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Conflict-Peace-Building-Divided-Societies/dp/0415411610.
2018-06-1947 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 39: William MorrisOn this episode, I speak with William Morris, Secretary General of the Next Century Foundation, about the role of the UN in global humanitarian crises, the Syrian civil war, and the broader situation in the Middle East.
Bio:
William Morris is Secretary General of the Next Century Foundation, as well as being a broadcaster. He has worked as a farmer, miner and publisher, and for the past 20 years has worked extensively within the area of conflict resolution, principally in the Middle East. William was awarded an honorary doctorate in law by the Earl of St Andrews, Chancellor of the University...
2018-06-0441 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 38: Chuck FreilichI sit down with Chuck Freilich, former Israeli deputy national security adviser and senior fellow at the Belfer Center, to discuss Iran, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Israel's national security. Chuck’s latest book is available now from Oxford University Press; as a courtesy to my listeners, use the discount code ‘asflyq6’ for 30 percent off, only on Oxford’s website: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/israeli-national-security-9780190602932?cc=us&lang=en&
Bio:
Chuck Freilich, a former deputy national security adviser in Israel, is a senior fellow at the Belfer Center and the author of Zion's Dilemmas: How Israel Makes National Security Policy...
2018-05-2242 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 37: Harry VerhoevenI sit down with Harry Verhoeven, professor at the School of Foreign Service in Qatar, Georgetown University, to discuss the current geopolitical situation in the Gulf, and Qatar's role in the region and beyond.
Bio:
Professor Harry Verhoeven teaches at the School of Foreign Service in Qatar, Georgetown University. He is also editor of the Cambridge University Press series on Intelligence and National Security in Africa & the Middle East and an Associate Member of the Department of Politics and International Relations of the University of Oxford. His research focuses on elite politics, ideology and international relations. He was founder of...
2018-05-0838 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 36: Hillel SchenkerI recently sat down with Hillel Schenker, co-editor of the Palestine-Israel Journal, to discuss recent events in Gaza.
Hillel Schenker is co-editor of the Palestine-Israel Journal, a Jerusalem-based independent English-language quarterly, initiated and maintained by a group of prominent Israeli and Palestinian academics and journalists. It aims to shed light on, and analyze freely and critically, the complex issues dividing Israelis and Palestinians. Schenker served for 13 years as editor of New Outlook, the Israeli peace monthly founded in the spirit of Martin Buber's philosophy of dialogue, that served as a vehicle for understanding Israeli-Arab affairs and as a catalyst for...
2018-04-2444 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 35: Congressman Robert WexlerRobert Wexler is the President of the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace in Washington, DC. He served as a Democratic member of Congress from 1997 to 2010, representing Florida’s 19th district in the House of Representatives before retiring to lead the Center. Wexler was named one of the “50 Most Effective Legislators in Congress” by the influential magazine Congressional Quarterly and was named to the Forward 50 list as one of the most influential leaders in the American Jewish community.
In 2008, Congressman Wexler served as an advisor on Middle East and Israel issues to President Barack Obama during his presidential campai...
2018-04-0943 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 34: Ambassador David MackDavid Mack is the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs (1990-1993) and US Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (1986-1989). Mack's US diplomatic assignments included Iraq, Jordan, Jerusalem, Lebanon, Libya, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia. Mack has extensive experience and knowledge on Iraq, Libya and UAE. He also comments on US Middle East policy and the security of the Arabian Peninsula and Persian Gulf region.
2018-03-2750 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 33: Ambassador Warren ClarkAmbassador (ret.) Warren Clark is the former Executive Director of Churches for Middle East Peace. Clark began his career in the Foreign Service in Aleppo, Syria and has served in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Canada, and at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. Following his retirement from the State Department he worked as a private consultant and received a Master of Theological Studies degree from Virginia Theological Seminary. Clark speaks French and eastern Arabic.
2018-03-1242 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 32: Radwan ZiadehRadwan Ziadeh is the founder and director of the Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies in Syria, and co-founder and executive director of the Syrian Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Washington, DC. He is also Senior Middle East Fellow at Arab Center Washington, where he deals chiefly with issues pertaining to Syria. He has been documenting the ongoing human rights violations since the onset of the Syrian crisis and has testified before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva and the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in the US Congress. He served as a visiting fellow and scholar...
2018-02-2648 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 31: Erdoan ShipoliErdoan A. Shipoli has a PhD in Political Science and International Relations and is a visiting researcher at the Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding in the E. Walsh School of Foreign Affairs, Georgetown University. He is working on his new book “Islam, Securitization, and US Foreign Policy” focusing on Islam in US foreign policy and security, emphasizing on democracy promotion, how Islam became a security issue for the US, and the consequences.
He has served as a co-founder and leader of multiple internationally-recognized organizations and institutes, such as the Istanbul Leadership Institute, Lobbying School, and North American Professionals and Entrepreneurs Netw...
2018-02-1351 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 30: Mark WhitlockMark Whitlock is an adjunct lecturer in Columbia University's Negotiation and Conflict Resolution program where he teaches in the Capstone Thesis seminars. Whitlock’s research and practice examines identity-based political violence and decision-making, emphasizing operational early warning and response (EWR).
His research has specifically analyzed the theory to practice nexus, forecasting writ-large, and the prevention of mass atrocities/mass killing. He has conducted research and consulted on regional early warning architectures primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa and Central Europe with organizations including The Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the UN Office for West Af...
2018-01-3051 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 29: Tsvi BiskTsvi 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.
A transcript of this episode (lightly edited for clarity) is available here:
2018-01-1641 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 28: Alon LielMy guest today is Alon Liel.
Alon Liel has served the Israeli Foreign Ministry in various positions: the head of the Israeli mission in Turkey (1981-1983), the Foreign Ministry spokesman and the member of the Israeli negotiating team at the Taba talks with Egypt (1985–1987), Ambassador to South Africa in (1992-1994), Director General of the Ministry of Economy and Planning (1994-1996), Foreign Policy Advisor to Ehud Barak (1997-1999), Director General of the Foreign Ministry (2000-2001).
Liel is the author of several books, namely Turkey in the Middle East – Oil, Islam and Politics (1993), Black Justice – The South African Upheaval (1999), Turkey – The Military, Islam an...
2018-01-0249 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 27: Moshe Ma'ozMy guest today is 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. 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 visiting professor, scholar, and fellow at many leading universities and institutions around the world. He has served as an advis...
2017-12-1233 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 26: Safwan MasriMy guest today is Professor Safwan M. Masri, Executive Vice President for Global Centers and Global Development at Columbia University. In this role, he directs a number of Columbia’s global initiatives and is responsible for the development of an expanding network of Global Centers, located in Amman, Beijing, Istanbul, Mumbai, Nairobi, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago, and Tunis. These centers work to advance Columbia’s global mission and extend the University’s reach to address the pressing demands of our global society.
Masri holds a senior research scholar appointment at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). He joine...
2017-10-3152 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 25: Nina KhrushchevaMy latest guest is Nina Khrushcheva, Professor of International Affairs at New School University in New York. She is senior fellow at the World Policy Institute and contributing editor to Project Syndicate: Association of Newspapers Around the World. After receiving her PhD from Princeton University, she had a two-year research appointment at the School of Historical Studies of Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and then served as Deputy Editor of East European Constitutional Review at NYU School of Law. She is a member of Council on Foreign Relations and a recipient of Great Immigrants: The Pride of America Award...
2017-10-1943 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 24: W.P.S. SidhuOn this episode, my guest Dr. Waheguru Pal Singh (W.P.S.) Sidhu and I discuss Iran, North Korea, and nuclear proliferation.
Dr. Waheguru Pal Singh Sidhu is Visiting Professor at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs and Non-Resident Fellow at NYU’s Center on International Cooperation (CIC), as well as Non-Resident Senior Fellow at Brookings. Prior to coming to CIC, he served as Vice President of Programs at the EastWest Institute in New York, and as Director of the New Issues in Security program at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP). Dr. Sidhu has researched, written, and...
2017-10-0349 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 23: Daisy KhanMy latest guest is Daisy Khan, Executive Director of the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA), a New York based non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening an expression of Islam based on cultural and religious harmony, as well as building bridges between Muslims and the general public. At ASMA, Daisy Khan has created a number of groundbreaking intra- and inter-faith programs. She has led numerous interfaith events, such as the theater production, Same Difference, and the Cordoba Bread Fest Banquet. She continues to mentor American Muslims on assimilation issues, balancing faith and modernity, the challenges of living as a minority, and...
2017-09-1750 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 22: Jonathan CristolMy guest this week is Jonathan Cristol, a fellow at the World Policy Institute in New York City and a senior fellow at Bard College’s Center for Civic Engagement in Annandale, New York. Dr. Cristol is a noted expert in Middle Eastern politics and international security.
At World Policy Institute he researches, writes about, and speaks on issues pertaining to international security, Middle East politics, and United States foreign policy in the Middle East and East Asia. His writing appears regularly in publications including CNN Opinion and World Policy Journal. Dr. Cristol appears frequently in television, radio, print, and po...
2017-08-2041 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 21: Ambassador Teuta SahatqijaMy guest for this episode is Ambassador Teuta Sahatqija.
Ambassador Sahatqija is Consul General at the Consulate General of the Republic of Kosovo in New York.
She is a well-known political activist and a Member of Kosovo’s Parliament. She is also the President of the Cross Party Women Parliamentary Caucus and Vice President of the Parliamentary Committee on Economic Development. She was an advisor to the former President Fatmir Sejdiu, chairwoman of the Reformist Party ORA, and a member of the Parliamentary Committees for International Affairs and Development. She was also a Founding Member of KUSA – Kosovo US Alumni.
Mrs. Sahatqija is...
2017-08-0645 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 20: Kelly BerkellMy guest on this episode is Kelly Berkell, an attorney and a Research Fellow at the Center on Terrorism at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She has worked in regional politics, including as legislative counsel to a New York State Assembly Member. Most recently, Kelly served as National Security Fellow at Fordham Law School’s Center on National Security, where she focused primarily on evolving cyber threats. A graduate of NYU School of Law and Barnard College, Kelly practiced securities and corporate litigation in Manhattan and Boston before moving into the public sector. She has served on the boards of...
2017-07-2338 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 19: Archbishop Bernardito AuzaMy latest guest is Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the Organization of American States.
Born in Talibon, Republic of the Philippines in 1959, he was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Tagbilaran on June 29, 1985, and incardinated to the newly created Diocese of Talibon in 1986. He earned his doctorate in Theology and entered into the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1990.
Archbishop Auza has served at the Apostolic Nunciature in Madagascar, Bulgaria, and Albania. He subsequently served in the Secretariat...
2017-07-0939 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 18: Emre CelikMy guest today is Emre Celik, President of the Rumi Forum. His work focuses on intercultural dialogue issues related to pluralism, social harmony, and peace building. Celik is originally from Australia, where he was involved in numerous interfaith and education projects in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. He has a degree in computer engineering and a master's degree in teaching.
A full transcript of this episode can be found here: http://alonben-meir.com/audio/issues-episode-18-emre-celik/
2017-06-2652 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 17: Sahar KhamisMy guest today is Dr. Sahar Khamis, associate professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Maryland. Dr. Khamis is an expert on Arab and Muslim media and the former head of the Mass Communications and Information Sciences Department at Qatar University. She’s a former Mellon Islamic Studies Initiative visiting professor at the University of Chicago.
She is the co-author of the books: Islam Dot Com: Contemporary Islamic Discourses in Cyberspace (Palgrave Macmillan, 2009) and Egyptian Revolution 2.0: Political Blogging, Civic Engagement and Citizen Journalism (Palgrave Macmillan, 2013). Additionally, she authored and co-authored numerous book chapters, journal articles and conference pa...
2017-06-1254 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 16 (Part 2): David RabinowitzMy guest today is David Rabinowitz, Director of the Mental Health Clinic at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, Israel. He has worked as a psychiatrist in charge of psychiatric outpatient services in both South Africa and Israel, and has invested in the development and teaching of professional skills and approaches in community mental health care.
My discussion with him today focuses on the psychological dimension of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
A full transcript can be found here:
2017-06-0658 min
On the Issues with Alon Ben-MeirOn the Issues Episode 16 (Part 1): David RabinowitzMy guest today is David Rabinowitz, Director of the Mental Health Clinic at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, Israel. He has worked as a psychiatrist in charge of psychiatric outpatient services in both South Africa and Israel, and has invested in the development and teaching of professional skills and approaches in community mental health care.
My discussion with him today focuses on the psychological dimension of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
2017-05-2948 min