East to West | Voices of the Middle East

In this episode of East to West, host Sarah Martinez Amir sits down with Ambassador Michael Oren - former Israel Ambassador the United States - and Dr. Dan Diker, President of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, for an in-depth discussion on the potential impacts of the upcoming U.S. election on the Middle East.

Together, they explore the contrasting approaches of former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, examining how each might navigate the complexities of the ongoing regional conflict and what their leadership could mean for Israel and its allies. With sharp analysis and insider insights, Ambassador Oren and Dr. Diker shed light on the stakes for U.S. foreign policy and the future of Middle Eastern diplomacy.

In this compelling episode of East to West, Suzan Quitaz and Khaled Abu Toameh host Diliman Abdulkader, founder of American Friends of Kurdistan, for an honest conversation on Kurdish-Israeli relations and Turkey’s shifting dynamics in the Middle East. Abdulkader discusses the frustration felt by many Kurds, as they believe the world's support often appears limited to moments when it benefits other interests, rather than a genuine commitment to the Kurdish cause.

In this episode, Sarah Martinez interviews Hamid Alsharifi, an Islamic researcher and Iraq's former Ambassador to Kuwait, for an in-depth discussion on the escalating conflict in Lebanon, the ongoing Gaza war, and the rise of Hamas and Islamic terror.

Alsharifi sheds light on the implications for the region and Israel's role in confronting these threats. He condemns Hezbollah constant rocket attacks on Israel since Oct. 8, 2023 and calls Hezbollah a "laboratory bacterium" a proxy army created and funded by Iran.

In this special episode, Sarah Martinez sits down with Daniel Lifshitz to share the harrowing story of his friends and his grandparents, Oded and Yocheved Lifshitz. On October 7, 2023, they were kidnapped by Hamas during the brutal attack on Israel. While 85-year-old Yocheved Lifshitz was released after 17 days in captivity, Daniel’s grandfather, Oded, remains a hostage in Gaza.

In this episode, Sarah Martinez sits down with Stuart Polak, Baron Polak CBE, a British Conservative politician, life peer in the House of Lords, and honorary president of the Conservative Friends of Israel. Polak delves into the rise of pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel protests sweeping across England, the alarming surge of Radical Islamism, and the troubling rise of antisemitism in the country.

In this episode, Sarah Martinez interviews Hemdat Salay, a resident of Kibbutz Kfar Sold near the Lebanon border, for an in-depth discussion on the escalating conflict in Lebanon, and the rise of Hezbollah's threat. Salay shares her firsthand experiences living in a frontline community and the impact of constant rocket attacks from Hezbollah since October 8, 2023.

In this episode, Sarah Martinez sits down with Gilad Tocatly, the acclaimed film and television director and producer behind the powerful new documentary "The Day That Never Ends," airing on Kan 11. Tocatly dives deep into the harrowing events of October 7th, 2023, when a series of atrocities unfolded, leading to the loss of over 1,200 lives. With insights gathered from more than 100 interviews featured in the documentary, Tocatly explores the emotional and social ramifications of that day, shedding light on the personal stories of those affected.

In this episode of East to West, Sarah Martinez interviews U.S. foreign policy expert Dr. David Wurmser, former Middle East Adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney, about the role of the United States in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Dr. Wurmser offers a detailed analysis of the situation, stating: "The current administration does not view itself as Israel's ally but rather as a neutral observer in the region."

How much support does Hezbollah actually have in Lebanon? In this episode of East to West, Sarah Martinez sits down with Dr. Ghassan Bou Diab, a Lebanese peace activist and the Executive Director of the Demokrattia Center for Research & Strategic Studies. Together, they explore the complex role Hezbollah plays in Lebanese society and the consequences for those who dare to speak out against the terror group. Dr. Bou Diab offers valuable insights into the political and social dynamics that surround Hezbollah and the impact it has on the lives of everyday Lebanese citizens.

In this episode of East to West, Susan Quitaz interview Egyptian national security expert Khaled Hassan about his recent research into BBC Arabic’s biased coverage of the Israel-Hamas war. Hassan boldly states: “BBC Arabic is the British Al Jazeera funded to promote pro-Hamas content.” Listen to an in-depth discussion about media bias and its dangerous impact on global public opinion.