Middle East in Focus

Esty Chandler welcomes Rami Khoury to discuss the recent diplomatic talks between Lebanon and Israel. Khoury argues that the negotiations echo the failed Oslo process of the 1990s, suggesting that Israel has historically not honored agreements. He states that the Lebanese government is in a desperate position, relying on U.S. support to pressure Hezbollah to disarm. Khoury also highlights the ongoing violence and displacement in Iran due to U.S. and Israeli military actions, emphasizing the humanitarian impact of the war. Ryan Costello joins to discuss the civilian casualties and the destruction of infrastructure in Iran as a result of the conflict.

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Negwa Ibrahim states that Israel has killed over 73,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023. Ibrahim discusses the ongoing violence against Gaza's healthcare system, including an Israeli drone attack on Kamal Abwan Hospital. James Smith argues that the humanitarian access to Gaza is heavily restricted by Israel, complicating medical assistance. Smith describes his experiences in Gaza, highlighting the severe conditions faced by healthcare workers and patients. Matt Neshab outlines the escalation of Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, emphasizing the use of white phosphorus and the systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure.

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Amaya Gelman describes the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) as a proponent of the racial state and U.S. empire, arguing that its history reveals a conservative approach to civil rights. Gelman states that the ADL has often positioned itself against leftist movements and marginalized communities, particularly during the civil rights era. She explains that the ADL's definition of hate crimes has shifted the focus away from systemic racism to individual acts of bias, ultimately undermining broader anti-racist efforts. Gelman also discusses the ADL's role in shaping public discourse around anti-Semitism and its implications for Arab and Palestinian political organizing.

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Negwa Ibrahim introduces Henri Giroux, who discusses the concept of the military-industrial-academic complex, arguing that universities have become complicit in militarization and violence. Giroux states that the current U.S. administration has normalized militarization in society, contrasting it with previous administrations that masked their actions. He highlights the systemic issues within higher education, where funding aligns with military interests, undermining the role of universities as public goods. Curry Peterson-Smith later joins to discuss the implications of U.S. foreign policy in Iran and Lebanon, emphasizing the need for organized resistance against escalating militarization.

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Estee Chandler hosts survivors of the USS Liberty, including Larry Bowen, Mickey LeMay, Larry Slavins, and Don Pogler, who recount their experiences during the June 8, 1967 Israeli attack. Bowen describes the attack as a deliberate action against a U.S. naval vessel, emphasizing that the ship was clearly marked and in international waters. LeMay shares his severe injuries and the chaos during the attack, while Slavins discusses the long-term psychological effects of the incident. Pogler highlights the lack of investigation into the attack and the ongoing efforts for recognition and justice for the victims.

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The fiscal year 2027 budget proposal includes a $73 billion cut from non-defense discretionary spending while increasing military funding to $1.5 trillion. Rory Fanning argues that this budget reflects a prioritization of military expansion over domestic programs that support vulnerable populations. Fanning discusses his experiences as a soldier in Afghanistan, highlighting the impact of U.S. military actions on civilians and the moral implications of these wars. He emphasizes the need for a reckoning with the true costs of U.S. militarization and calls for greater awareness and resistance to the military-industrial complex.

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