It’s taken longer than usual to get to posting this, but I’m pleased to share my recent podcast with Dr. Dania Thafer, Executive Director of the Gulf International Forum, professorial lecturer at Georgetown University, and prominent expert on all things related to the Gulf states. Our conversation about the impact of the US-Israeli war against Iran on the Arab Gulf states continues The Debrief’s coverage of the war, its origins, and its profound consequences for the Middle East and the world, as well as for all of us here in the United States.
The topics Dania and I discussed included:
Bearing the brunt of Iran’s retaliation for US-Israeli attacks: ~80% of Iranian missile attacks have targeted the Gulf, compared to 17% aimed at Israel
Economic woes: their causes and likely impact on Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and others in the region depending on their humanitarian and reconstruction aid
The Gulf Cooperation Council: six Arab monarchies, what binds them together, and instances when they’ve been torn apart (e.g. the anti-Qatar blockade)
Prognosis for the GCC: tensions between UAE and Saudi Arabia, UAE’s withdrawal from OPEC, and also reasons for continued coordination
Israel as a “revisionist power”: how the Saudis and other Gulf states have revised threat perceptions of Israel, while UAE doubles down on Abraham Accords ties
Iran and the GCC: Gulf states’ changed perception of Iran and how that will affect their future approach to the Iranian regime
US-GCC ties: how the Gulf states’ reliance on the US security umbrella (and financial investments in the Trumps and Witkoffs) failed and what that will mean for relations going forward
If wonky conversations about the Middle East are your thing (guilty over here), this conversation is for you. I think we kept it accessible, so you don’t need to be a Middle East expert in order to watch and (hopefully!) learn. As always, I’d love to hear what you think!
Friends, I’ve been working hard to bring you top-tier, multifaceted analysis to keep you informed throughout the US-Israeli war against Iran. I need your help in order to continue this work. If you appreciate the insights The Debrief brings you, please consider becoming a paid subscriber now. You can also show your support with a one-time donation in any amount. Thank you.
Coming Up Next: A Hard, Important Conversation
Thursday, May 14 at 11am Eastern:
Sexual Violence and Torture of Palestinians in Israeli Prisons with Sari Bashi
Following the publication of Nick Kristof’s NYT piece in which she is quoted, Sari Bashi of The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI) will return to The Debrief to discuss the well-documented fact of sexual violence and torture of Palestinians in Israeli prisons.
Hamas committed sexual violence on/after October 7th, documented in the just-released report of the Civil Commission on Oct. 7th crimes. The Commission details horrifying crimes committed against Israelis.
I hope it goes without saying that rapes by Hamas don’t provide license for rapes by Israeli soldiers, prison guards, or settlers.
As Kristof puts it, “Whatever our views of the Middle East conflict, we should be able to unite in condemning rape.”
This is an extremely difficult topic. Speaking about it on The Debrief won’t be easy. However, it’s immoral for us to walk away, or worse, smear Kristof, NYT, and others who are bringing victims’ testimonies to light — as some are currently doing.
In addition, Sari and I will discuss Israel’s move to establish a military tribunal for mass prosecutions of Palestinians allegedly involved in the October 7 attack.
Under the Special Tribunal Law just passed by the Knesset, PCATI and other human rights organizations warn that suspects will lack “basic procedural protections essential to a fair trial.” Sari told NPR that the special tribunal could amount to “show trials and mass executions based on confessions extracted through torture.”
If you have questions you would like Sari and me to discuss, please let me know.
Thanks for watching, reading, sharing, and supporting The Debrief!
I hope to see many of you on Thursday at 11am Eastern.
Warm regards,
Debra
