In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP President Lara Friedman speaks with Saudi researcher and analyst of Saudi foreign policy Aziz Alghashian about the impact of Israel's now more than 4-month-long war on Gaza on the political calculations and policies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  Aziz is a fellow at Sectarianism, Proxies & De-sectarianisation (SEPAD) and at the Center for Applied Research in Partnership with the Orient (CARPO). He earned his PhD from the University of Essex, where he taught International Relations, Politics and Middle Eastern Studies. And most important for the purposes of today’s podcast, the focus of Aziz’s current research and writing is Saudi policy towards Israel, and Arab-Israeli relations.

Original music by Jalal Yaquoub.