East to West | Voices of the Middle East

In this powerful episode of East to West, host Sarah Martinez Amir sits down with Dr. Irwin J. Mansdorf, a psychological warfare expert and senior fellow at the JCFA, to examine the disturbing psychological tactics used by Hamas during the war in Gaza.

Dr. Mansdorf, who specializes in psychological operations and propaganda, delves into the group's manipulative strategies, including their use of psychological asymmetry to portray themselves as victims. The discussion also covers the exploitation of hostages during their release as a means of psychological torment, how videos of hostages were released to exacerbate the pain of their families, and the media circus surrounding the hostage handover to the Red Cross.

Dr. Mansdorf reveals how Hamas has sought to rewrite its narrative, attempting to overshadow the atrocities committed on October 7th and gain international legitimacy through psychological manipulation.

In this deeply emotional and powerful special episode of

Peer Syed Mudassir Shah, a respected Pakistani religious

In a rare and honest conversation, Peer Syed Mudassir Shah

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire hostage release deal ending the 15-month war in Gaza.

In this episode of East to West, host Sarah Martinez Amir is joined by JCFA researcher Maurice Hirsch to discuss the heavy price Israel has agreed to pay to rescue the Israeli hostages held captive by Hamas. The high-stakes decision to release over 700 Palestinian prisoners, including notorious terrorists responsible for horrific attacks on Israeli civilians.

They also explore how the Palestinian Authority incentivizes terrorism with its "pay-for-slay" policy.

In this episode of East to West, Host Sarah Martinez Amir speaks with Dr. Habtom Mehari about the Houthi attacks on international commercial ships in the Bab El-Mandeb Strait.

They discuss how the Iranian proxy attacks disrupt international trade, strain economies, and escalate security tensions for Red Sea and Horn of Africa nations.

The conversation also examines how Israel can counter Iranian influence in the Horn of Africa by strengthening diplomatic ties with Eritrea, adding a strategic dimension to the region’s evolving dynamics.

In this thought-provoking episode of East to West, host Sarah Martinez Amir is joined by International Law Expert Ambassador Alan Baker to discuss the alarming escalation of Houthi attacks against Israeli civilians.

With nearly 300 attacks launched this year alone, these daily missile and drone strikes have escalated in recent weeks sending Israeli civilians to run for shelter almost every night. Yet, despite the overwhelming evidence and the significant threat posed, the international community—especially the United Nations—has largely remained silent.

Why is Yemen, a sovereign state and member of the UN, not held accountable for violating international law and crimes of aggression emanating from its territory?

In this pivotal episode of East to West, host Sarah Martinez Amir welcomes Issam Zeitoun, a Syrian activist and founder of the Syrian Peace Initiative, to discuss the historic toppling of the Assad regime and the future of a war-torn nation.

Issam shares his vision for Syria’s recovery, emphasizing the importance of establishing peaceful relations with Israel as part of a broader strategy for regional stability. As a staunch advocate for countering anti-Israel propaganda, he highlights the opportunity to build a new era of diplomacy and cooperation between the two nations.

The conversation also delves into the shared challenges facing the region, particularly the growing threat posed by Iran. Issam and Sarah discuss the urgent need for Syria and Israel to work together—alongside other regional actors—to counter Iran’s destabilizing activities and promote mutual security.

In this episode of East to West, host Sarah Martinez Amir is joined by U.S. foreign policy veteran David Wurmser to analyze the seismic impact of the Assad regime's fall on a global scale.

Together, they explore how this turning point reshapes global paradigms, shifts alliances, and redefines power dynamics in the Middle East and beyond. The discussion delves into the critical implications for Iran, Turkey, and Russia, examining how the regime's collapse affects their regional ambitions, and influence.

From shifting alliances to the broader geopolitical ripple effects, this episode offers expert insights into a pivotal moment in modern history.

In this special Christmas episode of East to West, hosted by Sarah Martinez Amir, we explore the alarming situation facing Christians living in Palestinian Authority and Hamas-controlled areas.

Elias Zarina, Co-Founder & Community Manager of the Jerusalemite Initiative, joins the discussion to unpack the findings of a new report by the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs. The study reveals a devastating 90% decline in the Christian population in the West Bank and Gaza, largely due to violence, harassment, and forced conversions.

Bethlehem is seeing an exodus of Christians, risking the erasure of Christianity from its birthplace. This episode highlights the forgotten victims of religious persecution and the silence surrounding their plight.

With a complex dual identity, Jonathan Elkhoury is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between Israel and Lebanon. In an eye-opening interview, he reveals the lesser-known story of the thousands of Lebanese Christians, including South Lebanon Army (SLA) members and their families, who fled to Israel in 2000 following Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

This special episode of East to West is part of a Christmas series focusing on the Christians of the Middle East, offering powerful insight into the persecution they face.

Hosted by Sarah Martinez Amir, we hear the incredible story of Marzieh Amirizadeh, a courageous woman sentenced to death by the Islamic Republic of Iran for converting to Christianity.

Marzieh shares her harrowing journey of escaping a death sentence in Iran for converting to Christianity, offering a deeply personal account of persecution, resilience, and the power of belief. Her strength and unwavering faith allowed her to survive this unimaginable ordeal and ultimately escape death. Join us for this moving conversation about faith, survival, and the enduring hope of Christians in the region.