BACK STORY With DANA LEWIS

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What does Israel hope to achieve with its limited ground operation in Lebanon, and how is Iran’s involvement shaping the conflict? Join us as we tackle these pressing questions with former Israeli Army Colonel Miri Eisen, who provides exclusive insights into Israel's defense strategies and the broader geopolitical landscape.  

The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon is heartbreaking and deserves global attention. This episode highlights the severe displacement of over a million people, compounded by Lebanon's economic collapse and political instability.  Dana Lewis talks to UNHRC's Rula Amin. 

And, Hassan Nasrallah, assassinated by Israel, led the Hezbollah for 32 years.  He was a key actor for Iran's meddling in Syria, Lebanon, and a role model for other extremist groups including ISIS and Al Qaeda.  I discuss his violent legacy with writer Kareem Shaheen.

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What will be the outcome of the Ukrainian conflict? Join us as Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, former commander of US Army Europe, shares his perspective on the ongoing war in Ukraine and the critical missteps in US foreign policy. We contrast media portrayals with on-the-ground realities, focusing on Ukrainian counteroffensives towards Kursk and the sluggish Russian advances.  

 

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On Back Story with Dana Lewis this week, Israel's leader P.M. Netanyahu is seeking to drive a wedge into America's political landscape. Will it back fire?  Former Israeli diplomat and advisor to multiple foreign ministers Alon Pinkas, believes Netanyahu is courting disaster. 

And Pinkas says Trump's remarks in the election debate on Israel, amount to a "concentrated pile of nonsense". Kamala Harris he says is right to pursue a two state solution. 

Israel and Gaza is one war to solve, but there are increasing calls for the Ukraine Russia war to enter ceasefire talks.  Is there a path to peace, or at least a map to getting the shooting stopped?  Colgate Political Science Prof. Masha Hedberg says the options for resolution are many, but neither side appears willing to put the brakes on now, but maybe later this year?

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Can Ukraine's audacious tactics in the Kursk region really turn the tide in this complex conflict with Russia? Join us for an in-depth discussion featuring Malcolm Davis from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, as we explore the critical implications of these strategic maneuvers on both sides.  Hear our analysis on why this conflict might drag on through 2025, hinging largely on Western military aid and potential shifts in the U.S. administration.

 Discover why Ukraine's victory is not just a regional matter but a global imperative for maintaining the balance between authoritarian regimes and liberal democracies.  

Can the European Union sustain the conflict if U.S. support dwindles under a future conservative administration? In our conversation with Anthony Constantini, we scrutinize the limitations Ukraine faces against Russia's vast reserves and explore how a shift in U.S. foreign policy could impact the European Union’s strategic position. We delve into the moral and strategic challenges of Ukraine's right to self-defense amidst continuous missile and drone attacks,  with former Navy Commander and Norway Military Attache Hans Petter Midttun.

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The strategic alliance between Russia and North Korea has the world on edge, and in this episode of Backstory, you'll understand why. Join us as we unpack the recent high-stakes meeting between President Putin and Kim Jong Un. General Ben Hodges provides expert insights into North Korea's agreement to supply Russia with millions of artillery shells and missiles for its war against Ukraine. Together, we investigate the technological exchanges that could significantly bolster North Korea's nuclear and satellite capabilities, posing grave risks to South Korea, Japan, and global security.  

 Oleg Ignatov talks to why Putin has embraced North Korea, a journey of desperation in his war against the west and quest to revive a Russian empire at all costs.

Lastly, hear from Natalia Drozd, chairwoman of the Dobrochyn Center NGO, as she shares the devastating impact of the prolonged Russian invasion on Ukraine's infrastructure.  

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This week on Back Story with Dana Lewis - Is the International Criminal Court a protector of global justice or an overreaching institution threatening national sovereignty? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Ambassador John Bolton as he critically examines the ICC's legitimacy and its impact on countries like the U.S. and Israel. Bolton argues that the court's actions undermine the democratic processes of sovereign nations.

And Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas predicts Netanyahu could be finished as Prime Minister in a matter of months.   We analyze Netanyahu's maneuvers to shift the narrative in his favour amidst growing political turmoil and potential resignations from key figures like Benny Gantz. Tune in for a thorough analysis of these critical issues and their broader geopolitical implications.

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On Back Story Russia's 300 billion in frozen funds may be about to thaw and fund Ukraine's defence, whether Russia likes it or not. The EU's bold maneuver to repurpose frozen Russian assets for Ukraine with guest Bill Browder.

Then, we pivot to a nation seemingly in mourning and turmoil—Iran—where the sudden demise of President Raisi in a helicopter crash has opened a Pandora's box of political outcomes.  

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 On Back Story Journalists  Reena Ninan and Dana Lewis, scrutinize the fabric of free speech and human rights, in the wake of police raids on University Campus' in America.   
Controversial debates on global arms supply take center stage when Omar Shakir of Human Rights Watch joins us, and his calls for justice against war crimes carried out by Israel and Hamas.

  And a new aid package for Ukraine to fight off Russia - will it make a difference?
(Ret) U.S. Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt weighing in on the Biden administration's latest arms approval.  "Not a game changer" but a vital chapter in Ukraine's defence says Kimmitt.

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Discover the twists in the narrative as we unveil the chilling ISIS-K attack in Moscow and the subsequent political maneuvering of the Putin regime.  Dana Lewis on the Kremlin's finger-pointing at Western nations and the manipulation of public perception. We expose the Kremlin's tactics, including the use of torture by Russian security services, and reveal the true culprits behind the mayhem. The discussion also spotlights the initial ISIS-K responsibility claims, which were quickly overshadowed by the Russian state media's distorted stories.

Venture into the ideological motivations driving Russia's aggressive stance in Ukraine with Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of national security and political science. 

 And, Joseph Shelze from The Soufan Center.

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On Back Story this week, the realities of urban and tunnel warfare through the eyes of Israeli soldiers battling Hamas in Gaza. 
Backstory takes you to the frontline with me, Dana Lewis, as we navigate the harrowing complexities of a conflict that blurs the lines between military strategy and civilian safety. Our guests, including IDF reservists Kerin Sokolov and Matan Yaffe, alongside David Sherez from TIKUN 2024, share the moral quandaries faced by those in uniform and the resilience that holds Israeli society together even as it grapples with international scrutiny and a profound civilian toll.
 
And what's next for Israel and it's Palestinian neighbours?  Israeli's can't agree on a path forward,. and that includes proposals for a 2 state solution.

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