Venezuela's downward economic spiral and humanitarian crisis continues, amid an ongoing power struggle between President Nicolas Maduro and Juan Guaido, the self-declared interim president. Guaido's call for Venezuelans to overthrow Maduro last month failed. The president remains in power despite increasing US sanctions and the Trump administration's threats of military force. And while the geopolitical showdown continues, leaders from Latin America and Europe have voiced their strong support for a negotiated solution. Representatives from both sides have agreed to sit down together to resolve the crisis diplomatically. Can Venezuela overcome its worsening economic situation and sustain the ongoing threats of Washington's gunboat diplomacy?

Guests:

Terry Miller, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Economic and Social Council and Director of the Center for International Trade and Economics at the Heritage Foundation.

Pedro Burelli, a Venezuela national and former member of the executive board of Petróleos de Venezuela, the Venezuelan state-owned oil and natural gas company. He is now founder and managing director of B+V Advisors.

Fulton Armstrong, a former official at the National Security Council, National Intelligence Council, the CIA, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He is currently a senior fellow at American University's Center for Latin American and Latino Studies.

#Venezuela #Maduro #Guaido

Over the last 3 decades, there have been several attempts to reach a peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians. But none of them materialized. Here is a look back at some of the key moments in the so-called peace process.

#PalestineIsrael #BiggerThanFive #peace

What do those who live in Jerusalem think about the prospects for peace between Palestinians and Israelis? Meet Ahmed Muna, a resident of East Jerusalem and Ella Stahl, a resident of West Jerusalem and hear their thoughts about the White House's plan for peace.

#Jerusalem #BiggerThanFive #peaceplan

After working for more than two years on a plan for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and White House senior advisor, Jared Kushner, is set to unveil his long-awaited proposal in the coming weeks.

Although the details have not yet been released, Kushner's plan is expected to focus primarily on security for Israel and economic development for Palestinians. Those familiar with it, say it will likely enshrine Israel's control over the occupied territories while failing to ensure full Palestinian sovereignty.

The newly re-elected Israeli Prime Minister says he will consider the plan but the leader of the Palestinian Authority has been critical of what he calls the Trump administration’s blatant bias towards Israel.

In this episode of Bigger Than Five, we discuss the so-called ‘Deal of the Century’.

Guests:

Matthew Brodsky

Senior fellow, The Security Studies Group

Khaled Elgindy

Author, Blind Spot: America and the Palestinians, from Balfour to Trump

Harley Lippman

Member of AIPAC's National Council

#BiggerThanFive #IsraelPalestine #Aipac

Is the American strategy to counter Iran through a close alliance with Saudi Arabia and Egypt misguided? Former U.S. ambassador Cameron Hume discusses geopolitics in the Middle East amid popular uprisings in Sudan and Algeria.

Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/28xMIs8ndDc

#CameronHume #US #MiddleEast

Bigger Than Five looks at the aftermath of the 2011 Arab uprisings amidst a new surge of protests in Sudan and Algeria.

Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28xMIs8ndDc

#MiddleEast #ArabSpring #Algeria

Protesters in Sudan toppled President Omar al-Bashir, but with cautious optimism, they remain in the streets, calling for civilian rule. Bigger Than Five goes to Khartoum to meet some of those protesters. Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28xMIs8ndDc

#Sudan #BiggerThanFive #AlBashir

Millions of people across two of Africa's largest countries have toppled their country's strongmen. But will people power be enough to break the military’s grip and push back foreign meddling? What have protesters learned from the 2011 Arab uprisings?

#BiggerThanFive #PeoplePower #ArabSpring

Millions of people across two of Africa's largest countries have toppled their country's strongmen. But will people power be enough to break the military’s grip and push back foreign meddling? What have protesters learned from the 2011 Arab uprisings?

In Sudan, protestors vow to remain in the streets until the military hands over the country's political transition to a civilian government. This follows the ouster of President Omar al-Bashir who spent 30 years in power and is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

And in Algeria, mass protests continue with people calling for the downfall of "Le Pouvoir" or the establishment, weeks after they pushed out the ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika whose rule lasted two decades. Several prominent figures around the president, including his brother, have since been arrested.

Guests:

Cameron Hume

U.S. Ambassador to Algeria (1997-2000) & U.S. Chief of Mission to Sudan (2005-2007)

Isma'il Kushkush

Sudanese-American journalist and United Nations Foundation Reporting Fellow at the International Center for Journalists

Thomas Hill

Senior Program Officer for North Africa at the United States Institute of Peace & Former Foreign Affairs Officer at the State Department

#Sudan #Algeria #Libya #Egypt #Sisi #Bouteflika #Bashir #Protests #Yemen #Arab Spring #independence #Algeria #Sudan #Middle East #Uprising #Revolution #Sudanese #Military #Le Pouvoir #Establishment #Middle East #North Africa #Foreign Policy

How do you end the occupation of a country? And what happens to the government the occupiers leave behind?

#BiggerThanFive #occupation #EndingOccupation