Episode #105: Bahrain Drain (feat. Shlomi Eldar & Daoud Kuttab)

Two weeks ago, the Trump White House unveiled the first half of their long-awaited Israel-Palestine peace plan, called “Peace & Prosperity,” at a workshop event in Bahrain. But even before the summit began, analysts and leaders in the region criticized the circumstances of the event, especially after it was announced that neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians would have official representatives attending. So in the aftermath of Jared Kushner’s killer Powerpoint skills, what were the reactions to the peace plan, and what happens next? To get both perspectives, Phil and Cooper speak with Israel Pulse columnist Shlomi Eldar and Palestine Pulse columnist Daoud Kuttab.  The winners and losers of the Bahrain conference (Daoud Kuttab) US Bahrain conference premature (Yossi Beilin) Why Bahrain conference won’t be enough for peace (Akiva Eldar) US, Netanyahu hand-pick Israeli journalists for Bahrain conference (Shlomi Eldar) Palestinians expect little from Bahrain summit (Daoud Kuttab) Under US plan, Palestinian refugees will still be refugees (Adnan Abu Amer) Why Arabs are pressuring PA to take part in Bahrain summit (Ahmad Melhem) Extra Listening: Episode #16, The Trump Doctrine (8/2/2017): A review of President Trump’s Middle East policy. Episode #34, Quds You Be More Wrong? (12/13/2017): Phil and Cooper discuss President Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Episode #40, Two to Tango (2/9/2018): Daoud Kuttab joins the pod for the first time to talk about the floundering peace talks. Episode #67, Deep Cuts (8/30/2018): The US makes massive cuts in aid to Palestine. Music: Maysa Daw - “Your Eyes” (Spotify | Apple Music)