East to West | Voices of the Middle East

In this episode of East to West, host Sarah Martinez Amir sits down with Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser, Director of the Project on Regional Middle East Developments at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Affairs, to break down the strategic implications of recent changes in Syria, Israel's military operations and their rationale, the critical importance of Mount Hermon, and regional power dynamics.

In this compelling episode of East to West, host Sarah Martinez Amir sits down with Peer Syed Mudassir Nazar Shah, a distinguished Sufi leader, scholar, and advocate for peace. Peer Shah addresses the importance of religious leaders speaking out against violence, such as the attacks of October 7th, and highlights the shared responsibility of global citizenship.

This episode explores the vital role of dialogue, collaboration, and collective action in fostering peaceful coexistence and harmony across borders. Peer Shah's message is a call to action for leaders and individuals alike to unite in the face of division and extremism.

In this gripping episode of East to West, host Sarah Martinez Amir interviews Catherine Perez-Shakdam, a courageous journalist and Middle East expert, who recounts her extraordinary journey infiltrating the Islamic Republic of Iran. Catherine shares firsthand details of her meetings with key figures, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi.

In this episode of East to West, host Sarah Martinez Amir is joined by Hazem Alghebra, former Senior Advisor at the U.S. State Department, to analyze the dramatic fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria. The capture of Damascus by Syrian rebels marks a historic turning point for the region, signaling the end of Assad’s rule.

A key factor in this momentous shift has been Israel's year-long campaign against Iran’s proxies in Syria, which played a crucial role in weakening the regime. Sarah and Hazem discuss how these developments are reshaping the Middle East’s political landscape and explore the potential for new opportunities for peace and stability. Yet, with this transformation comes both opportunity and risk.

Iran is waging a brutal campaign against dissent, executing critics both within and beyond its borders. In a special episode by the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, Journalist Sarah Martinez Amir examines the alarming record surge of executions in the IR including the shocking case of Jamshid Sharmahd.

In this powerful episode of East to West, host Sarah Martinez Amir interviews Dalia Ziada, the renowned Egyptian peace activist who was forced to flee her country after condemning Hamas and the October 7 massacre.

As a prominent voice for peace in the Middle East, Dalia shares her personal journey—from her brave decision to stand in support of Israel to the incitement campaign waged against her and her eventual exile to the United States. She reflects on the current political landscape in the Middle East, what the West doesn’t understand about the region, and the importance of peace between Israelis and Arabs for the sake of security for all.

In this episode of the East to West podcast, Sarah Martinez Amir sit down with Ghassan Ibrahim, a British-Syrian journalist and media personality, to discuss the rapidly unfolding events in Syria and Lebanon, with a focus on Hezbollah’s threats to both the Lebanese and Israeli peoples. Ibrahim provides insights into the multifaceted nature of these threats and their impact on regional stability, while also shedding light on the shifting political landscape amid rising tensions.

In this compelling episode of Eadt to West, jounalist Suzan Quitaz speaks with Zhila Mostajer, a Board Member of the Hengaw Organization, for a powerful conversation on women’s rights in Iran and the unique position of the Jewish community in the country. Mostajer shares her insights into the struggles Iranian women face under a regime that restricts their freedoms, and the ongoing efforts to resist and reclaim their rights.

In this episode of East to West, brought to you by the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, host Sarah Martinez Amir is joined by JCFA President Doctor Dan Diker to discuss the implications of Donald Trump's re-election for Israel at a critical time. They explore how Trump's foreign policy shaped the Middle East during his first term and what his second term will mean for Jerusalem as it fights a multi-front war against Iran and its terror proxy groups Hamas & Hezbollah. Tune in for expert analysis on the future of U.S. involvement in the Middle East and the region's shifting geopolitical landscape.

In this powerful episode of East to West, host Sarah Martinez Amir sits down with human rights campaigner Yasmine Mohammed, a passionate advocate for the rights of women in Muslim-majority countries and those suffering under religious fundamentalism worldwide. Yasmine shares her inspiring personal story, from escaping a forced and abusive marriage to Al-Qaeda operative Essam Marzouk to becoming a tireless advocate for women’s freedom.

In this intimate conversation, Yasmine reflects on her journey, the challenges she’s faced, and her unwavering commitment to advocating for women’s rights and freedom.