Category: This Week in the Middle East

In this episode, Dr. Yousri Khizran, from Shalem College and the Truman Institute at the Hebrew University, joins to discuss the development of politics in Arab society in Israel. Dr. Khizran presents a broad historical overview, analyzes the main trends shaping Arab politics today, and addresses the upcoming elections.

In this episode of "This Week in the Middle East," Dr. Tamar Eilam Gindin, a Middle East scholar and Iran expert, joins the show to discuss the meaning of new years in the region's cultures. The conversation moves from the myths of the ancient Near East, through the different calendars, to the political and social reality of present-day Iran.

This episode's guest is Prof. Eli Podeh of the Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at the Hebrew University and a member of the Mitvim Institute. Prof. Podeh surveys the history of the secret ties Israel maintains with Arab and Islamic states, a topic he wrote about in his book "From Mistress to Common-Law Wife." He explains why many countries preferred to maintain relations under the radar, why Israel agreed to this, and how the Abraham Accords and the October 7th war have affected this pattern of relations.

This episode's guest is Dr. Haim Koren, a veteran diplomat from Reichman University who served as Israel's ambassador to Egypt and South Sudan. The episode discusses the mechanisms for establishing initial ties between hostile states, and how secret contacts mature into diplomatic relations. The discussion follows a report of a secret meeting between the head of the Mossad and the Syrian foreign minister.