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Follow Aziz on X: @AzizAlghashian

00:00 Introduction and Background
03:00 Misconceptions about Saudi Arabia
06:13 Saudi Arabia's Experience with Terrorism
08:58 Life in Saudi Arabia
11:57 Cultural Differences in the UK
21:57 Purpose of Sending Overseas Cadets to Sandhurst
28:57 Leadership and Values at Sandhurst
33:07 Continuing Education and Focus on Saudi Foreign Policy
33:47 Understanding Saudi Foreign Policy
39:31 The Tendency Towards Empire Building in Islam
40:30 Saudi Arabia's View of Authority and Empire Building
48:23 The Role of Islam in Saudi Foreign Policy
53:40 Spreading Islam and Interfaith Dialogue
56:23 The Challenge of Saudi Arabia's Image
01:02:59 The Potential for Dialogue and Understanding
01:09:25 Normalization and the Saudi Position
01:15:20 Saudi Arabia's Demands for Normalization
01:16:35 Challenges to Normalization
01:17:35 Saudi Arabia's Contingency Position
01:18:04 Devastation of October 7th
01:19:01 Misinterpretation of Saudi Statements
01:19:30 Domestic Politicization of Saudi Arabia
01:20:28 Longing for Acceptance by the World
01:21:28 Biden's Anti-MBS Stance
01:22:27 Normalization with Iran
01:23:26 Flaw in Normalization with Iran
01:24:08 Saudi Policy Towards Israel
01:25:06 Saudi Communication with Israel
01:26:06 Complexity of Iran's Domestic Politics
01:27:04 Reframing the Relationship with Iran
01:28:04 Different Approaches to Security
01:29:05 Saudi Arabia's Economic Restructuring
01:30:22 Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030
01:32:42 Cultural Transformation and Innovation
01:36:28 Saudi Arabia's Tolerant Vision of Islam
01:40:23 Saudi Arabia's Economic and Social Reforms
01:45:28 Cutting Funding for Radical Islam
01:50:11 Saudi Arabia's Economic Restructuring
01:52:53 Long-Term Trends for Saudi Arabia

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:00 Regavim: Impacting Israel's Land Use Policy

10:00 Challenges in Israel's Land Use Policy

20:00 Outdated Laws in Judea and Samaria

25:00 Illegal Construction and Annexation

30:00 Contiguity and Security Concerns

31:46 The Complexity of Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

36:09 The Right Wing Perspective on Jewish Sovereignty

38:44 The Two-State Solution and the Eradication of Jordan

41:14 The Palestinian Refugee Population

44:01 The Black-and-White Presentation of the Conflict

45:14 The Need for Clear Borders and Protection

49:13 The Historical Trauma of Palestinians

52:25 The Palestinian Perspective on Security Control

56:18 The Burden of Occupation and the Desire for Peace

59:00 The Perception of Israelis as Settlers

01:01:28 The Role of Incitement and Education in Palestinian Society

01:04:14 The Challenge of Grafting Democracy onto a Non-Democratic Society

01:05:41 The Agenda of Annihilation

01:06:12 Resentment and Hatred

01:07:31 Loss of Territory

01:08:40 The Role of Egypt

01:09:39 Losing Control of the Territory

01:10:33 The Cultural Mindset

01:11:55 Lack of Resistance

01:14:31 Living Under Constant Rocket Attacks

01:16:22 Sanctions on Israeli Settlers

01:19:14 Exaggeration of Settler Violence

01:25:25 Faulty Data and Fabricated Narrative

01:30:13 Sanctioning the Entire Israeli Banking System

01:37:15 Undermining Israel's Democratic System

01:39:25 Peace Now's Targeting of Individuals

01:41:20 US Sanctions and Impediments to Two-State Solution

01:42:06 American Foreign Policy and Incoherence

01:43:27 Biden's Behavior and Impact on Elections

01:46:13 Sanctions and Demands on Israel

01:48:30 Israel's War for Survival

01:50:09 Israeli Realizations and Resolve

01:52:06 US Power and Israel's Importance

01:54:09 Israel's Capabilities and Need for Allies

01:56:04 Facing the Truth and Justifying Israel's Existence

01:57:23 Israel's Resolve and Lack of Allies

He has a master’s degree in intelligence studies from American Military University. He has written and contributed extensively to publications on Gaza’s affairs in U.S., Israeli, Jewish and Arab outlets.

00:00 Introduction

02:11 Life in Gaza

03:42 Concerns and Sleepless Nights

06:11 Impact of Bombings on Family Homes

07:15 Loss of Family Members

09:03 Dealing with Tragedy

10:02 Failed Leadership

13:26 War Crimes

16:21 War of Ideas

18:20 Failed Palestinian Leadership

22:02 Opportunity for Change

27:11 Gaza as a Model for Palestinian State

32:07 Responsibility and Moving Forward

38:22 Building a Better Future

43:09 Consequences of Hamas' Actions

43:50 The Consequences of Hamas' Actions

44:38 Poor Leadership and the Detrimental Effects on Palestinians

46:22 The Importance of Individual and Community Improvement

47:33 Hamas' Engineering Feats and Intentions

48:40 The Difference Between Hamas' Vision and Reality

49:25 The Complexity of Support for Hamas

50:21 Different Tiers of Support for Hamas

52:19 Support for Resistance and Hamas' Manipulation

55:19 The Role of Al Jazeera in Shaping Public Opinion

56:16 The Complexity of Al Jazeera's Coverage

58:26 Declining Viewership of Al Jazeera

59:25 The Manipulation of Public Opinion by Hamas

01:02:39 The Complexity of Support for Hamas in Polls

01:06:18 Shared Values and Influence of the United States

01:10:37 Challenges in Gauging Public Opinion in Gaza

01:21:39 The Need for Negotiated Settlement and Political Transformation

01:23:03 The Importance of Releasing Hostages

01:24:43 Political Off-Ramps for Hamas

01:25:57 Rehabilitation of Hamas Fighters

01:27:22 Inability to Eliminate Hamas

01:28:40 Immediate Deal and Off-Ramps for Hamas

01:30:34 Lessons from De-Baathification in Iraq

01:31:04 Incentivizing Former Hamas Members

01:32:01 Divorcing Military and Political Aspects of Hamas

01:33:10 Hamas' Political Struggles

01:34:02 Hamas' Shift to Violence

01:36:31 Multi-Phase Approach for Gaza

01:37:11 Religious vs. Political Leadership

01:38:44 Importance of Symbols like Al-Aqsa

01:43:11 Steps for a Constructive Palestinian Future

01:48:21 Gaza First Model

01:51:36 Palestinian Agency and Decision-Making

01:53:01 Potential Challenges and Opposition

01:56:14 Political Reckoning in Israel

01:57:02 Gratitude for Support

Nimrod was a senior foreign policy advisor to Shimon Peres, and maintains close contacts with the Egyptian intelligence community, Jordanian security establishment, Palestinian political leadership, and Saudi security experts, as well as with senior U.S., European, U.N., and other relevant officials dealing with Middle East policy.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflections

03:24 The Trauma of Recent Events

08:53 The Role of the Families of the Hostages

11:52 Proposed Solutions and the Oslo Process

19:23 The Conflict Between Objectives

22:59 The Morning After and the Biden Initiative

25:11 The Need for Palestinian Authority Reform

29:21 The Importance of Moral and Ethical Standards

36:12 The Cultural Shift Needed for Progress

41:13 The Necessity of an Amicable Split

44:43 The Popularity of Hamas and Trust in Polls

46:03 The Importance of Hope

48:02 Understanding Hope in the Palestinian Context

50:02 The Role of Religion in the Peace Process

55:08 The Need for Religious Framing in the Peace Process

59:38 Lessons from the Oslo Era

01:09:24 Balancing Emotional Connection and Political Arrangements

01:14:50 Considering Religious Aspects in the Peace Process

01:22:44 The Historic Fork in the Road

01:27:43 The Potential for Change

01:30:48 Regional Integration and Stabilization

01:32:23 Conditions for International Involvement

01:33:22 Stabilizing and Reforming the Palestinian Authority

01:34:17 Normalization with Saudi Arabia

01:35:47 The Fork in the Road

01:36:24 The Potential Future

01:37:18 The Gamble and Potential Outcomes

01:38:31 The Lack of a Plan B

01:39:09 Security Control and Trust in Gaza

01:39:53 Demilitarization and Smuggling Control

01:40:28 The Morning After and Gaza's Future

01:41:41 Political Considerations and Stuck in Jerusalem

01:42:24 Preparing for the Transition Period

01:43:12 Messengers and Ambassadors of Hope

01:44:06 Egypt's Alternative Strategy

00:00 Reconnecting and Reflecting on the Past

00:39 Military Service in Israel

01:08 Anti-Terror Unit and Daily Operations

02:17 The Reality of Daily Operations

03:06 Uncertainty and Emotional Impact

04:48 Transitioning to Civilian Life

05:22 Return to Service and Family Life

06:09 October 7th and the Start of the War

07:08 Preparing for Deployment

08:06 Mixed Emotions and Sense of Duty

09:38 Personal Connection and Impact

10:36 The Gravity of the Situation

11:47 The Reality of the Conflict

13:19 Witnessing the Destruction in Gaza

14:21 Fighting for Existence

15:03 The Importance of Service

16:18 Reserve Duty and Continued Service

19:08 Antisemitism and International Response

20:02 Belgium's Muslim Community

21:37 Family and Friends in Belgium

25:14 Sovereignty and Self-Defense

26:57 Preparing for War and Mixed Emotions

27:46 Proud and Excited to Serve

29:54 Living in Gaza and Constant Alertness

31:14 Entering Gaza and Protecting Convoys

32:37 The Danger of Daytime Operations

35:09 Close Calls and Constant Stress

39:54 Contact with the Enemy and Hearing Gunfire

42:02 Experiencing Friendly Fire

43:18 The Devastation of War

45:35 The Fragility of Civilization

48:32 The Reality of War

51:49 The Ruins of Gaza

53:14 The Consequences of Hate

54:37 The Orientation Towards Life

57:02 The Self-Destructive Nature of Hate

59:22 The Need for Change in Gaza

01:02:23 The Role of the People in Gaza

01:05:21 The Path to Ending the War

01:08:00 The Desire for Peace and Building

01:09:07 Teaching Children about the Conflict

01:13:45 The Safety of Israel

01:14:14 Gratitude for Sacrifices

Lior's Instagram handle: lior.bensouss

Episode timeline:

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:14 Joining the Army and Training

08:35 Entering Gaza and the Reality of War

30:04 Crossing into Gaza and Initial Impressions

36:35 Searching for Tunnels and Hostages

41:31 The Job and Experience in Gaza

45:32 The Role of Luck and Randomness in War

45:55 Randomness and Close Calls

47:12 Sleeping Conditions

48:24 Getting Used to the Sounds

49:02 Guard Duty and Sleep Patterns

51:11 Sleeping While Tired

51:18 Mental Focus During Missions

52:46 Food in the Army

54:37 The Shitty Existence of Soldiers

56:13 Motivation and Purpose

57:15 Silencing Negative Thoughts

58:57 The Fruits of Sacrifice

01:00:50 Eating Military Rations

01:04:32 Life After the Army

01:07:30 Leaving the Army

01:08:43 Communication with Family

01:12:14 Feeling Guilty

01:17:40 Possibility of Being Called Back

01:18:52 Loss and Mourning

01:20:47 Impact of Traumatic Experiences

01:23:10 Gratitude for Support

01:28:19 Impact of Music and Support for Soldiers

01:29:07 Generosity and Appreciation in Israeli Culture

01:30:20 Changing Attitudes Towards Military Service

01:31:20 The Importance of National Defense

Yishai Fleisher is the international spokesman for the Jewish community in Hebron, and the host of the Yishai Fleisher Israel Podcast.

He was also an adviser to Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel's minister of public security.

Follow Yishai on X: @YishaiFleisher

YouTube: @YishaiFleisherTV

Instagram: yishaifleisher

This episode was recorded before the Oct. 7 terrorist atrocities.

Follow him on X: @_ZachFoster

He writes a newsletter about Palestine: https://palestinenexus.com/