In this episode of the Promised Land podcast, Deputy Director of Domestic Policy and Promised Land project lead Peter Copeland interviews Mustafa Akyol, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, where he focuses on the intersection of public policy, Islam, and modernity. Together, they discuss Islam and western civilization, sorting through the tensions that may exist, how those might be overcome, and the extent and limits of reinterpretation and reform in religion. They also cover Islamic extremism, the Israel-Palestine conflict, Mustafa’s new book The Islamic Moses, Islam’s relationship to the other Abrahamic religions, and the role of religion in contemporary society, as many increasingly turn to it in the postmodern era, in search of meaning and values.

Guest Biography:

Mustafa Akyol is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, where he focuses on the intersection of public policy, Islam, and modernity. He is the author of acclaimed books such as Reopening Muslim Minds: A Return to Reason, Freedom, and Tolerance, The Islamic Moses: How the Prophet Inspired Jews and Muslims to Flourish Together and Change the World, and Why, As a Muslim, I Defend Liberty. He was a long-time contributing opinion writer for The New York Times and teaches classes at Boston College and Foreign Service Institute. In July 2021, the Prospect magazine of the UK listed him among “The world’s top 50 thinkers.”

In this episode, we turn our focus to the power of interfaith allyship in confronting antisemitism and championing pluralism. Reverend Dr. Andrew Bennett is uniquely suited to this conversation. As Canada’s first ambassador for religious freedom, a Deacon of the Catholic Church, and the program director for faith communities at Cardus, his career has been devoted to fostering dialogue across divides. His work has consistently championed the belief that true pluralism rests on our shared humanity and the dignity inherent in every person.

Andrew sits down with your host, MLI Senior Fellow Casey Babb, whose expertise in counterterrorism and public policy offers a nuanced perspective to the discussion. Together, they delve into the troubling rise of antisemitism, the moral erosion in our public discourse, and the urgent need for solidarity between Christian and Jewish communities. They also explore Andrew’s work on a ground-breaking effort to build interfaith partnerships across Canada.

On November 18, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute hosted Arsen Ostrovsky for a compelling discussion on Israel's conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, exploring the broader implications for Canada and global stability. In this episode, we’d like to share that discussion with you. 

Arsen Ostrovsky is a distinguished expert in international law and human rights, and the CEO of the International Legal Forum: a global network combating extremism, terror, and antisemitism. His work has taken him to the United Nations, the U.S. Congress, the British Parliament, and beyond, where he’s been at the forefront of advocating for justice in the face of rising global tensions. In this episode, Arsen delivers a comprehensive analysis of the multi-front war Israel faces spanning physical, legal, and narrative battlegrounds.

Interviewing him is the Macdonald Laurier Institute’s Senior Fellow Casey Babb, whose rich background in terrorism and international security ensures an incisive and thought-provoking discussion. Together, they explore the legal, ethical, and geopolitical dimensions of Israel’s ongoing struggle against terror and extremism, and the broader implications it carries for both Canada and the global community.

In this episode, MLI Senior Fellow Casey Babb interviews Urban Warfare expert John Spencer on Israel's complex battle against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Spencer outlines Hamas' guerrilla tactics, embedded within dense civilian areas where people ae used as human shields and which complicate hostage rescue efforts for Israel. The conversation highlights Israel’s precision airstrikes targeting Hezbollah’s military leadership, and its ground operations protecting the northern border. Spencer sheds light on the changing nature of modern warfare, Israel's humanitarian challenges and the difficulty of countering international criticism. A compelling look at the demands of urban warfare in the Middle East.

In this powerful episode of The Promised Land, host Dagny Pawlak speaks with Éloge Butera, a survivor of the Tutsi genocide in Rwanda and a member of the Jewish community, about the rising tide of antisemitism in Canada. Drawing from his unique perspective, Butera reflects on the dangerous parallels between the rhetoric surrounding Jews today and the language used in the lead-up to historical genocides, including his own traumatic experience in Rwanda. As incidents of hate and violence against Jews increase, Butera discusses the critical role of media, political narratives, and international organizations in either curbing or exacerbating these dangers. With the rise of anti-Zionism, especially following the October 7 attacks, Butera warns of the long-term consequences of ignoring or downplaying these ideologies, urging the world to recognize the destructive potential before it’s too late. This episode offers a sobering look at how unchecked hate can escalate and the urgent need for action to defend Jewish communities worldwide.

In this episode, MLI Senior Fellow Casey Babb speaks with Einat Wilf, an expert in Middle Eastern affairs, about the ideological underpinnings driving conflicts in Israel and the region. They discuss how Israel's recent period of perceived safety masked growing threats, highlighting the need to counteract ideologies like Palestinianism and Hezbollah's influence. Wilf argues for a comprehensive approach beyond military action, advocating for the global recognition of these ideologies' dangers. The conversation also touches on the psychological impact of hostages, the challenges Israel faces in defending itself internationally, and the urgent need for strategic and diplomatic measures.

In this episode of the Promised Land Podcast, MLI Senior Fellow Casey Babb sits down with Ambassador Immo Moed to discuss how the escalating conflict in the Middle East, particularly in Israel, is reverberating through Canadian society. Ambassador Moed sheds light on the challenges facing Jewish communities in Canada as they confront rising tensions and antisemitism. With insightful analysis, we explore how global events are shaping local communities, influencing public discourse, and impacting Canadian values. Join us for a thoughtful conversation on the intersection of international conflict and its profound effects on our society at home.