The Ineffectiveness of Military Force in Resolving Conflict

Patreon: https://bit.ly/3v8OhY7

Robinson’s Fashion Empire: http://bit.ly/3XBKqO2

Some speakers, like Norman (https://youtu.be/vhFm62msNGc), are whip-smart and all I can do is ask a question before letting them take me along for the ride. Others are just as sharp, but the interview is an entirely different experience. I feel silly being this dramatic, so forgive me; it just seems that what follows is the proper extended metaphor to describe our conversation. Rashid crackles with energy when he talks, just as if he were a fighter. Even if he’s not using his fists, his cadence is like a boxer’s and I had to roll with the punches. This was another great one, and as usual I bear very little responsibility beyond sticking it out in the ring. I’m going to resist the urge to make any more boxing comments and instead finish with this: Thanks for listening.

- Robinson

P.S. In a number of recent episodes I’ve mentioned Maui Nui Venison, which is a company operating out of Hawaii that manages the invasive deer population of Maui that is decimating the landscape. Instead of culling the animals and disposing of their bodies, the meat is butchered and sold. It is the only meat I eat, full-stop, and the ethical reasons are sufficient for this, but it is also the best meat that I have ever eaten. I reached out to Maui Nui and told them that I support what they are doing and would like to be of any help that I can. They gave me this coupon code—ROBINSON—which you can use for 20% off. I am not being paid for this in any way. I believe in what they are doing and I want this model to succeed. People are going to be eating meat for the foreseeable future and I would be happier if it was not factory-farmed meat. So please check Maui Nui out and give them a try!

---

Rashid Khalidi is the Edward Said Professor Emeritus of Modern Arab Studies at Columbia University. He was editor of the Journal of Palestine Studies, President of the Middle East Studies Association, and an advisor to the Palestinian delegation to the Madrid and Washington Arab-Israeli peace negotiations from October 1992 until June 1993. In this episode, Rashid and Robinson discuss the history that culminated in October 7th, 2023, what has happened since then, and what might happen in the future. More particularly, they talk about Zionism, the Nakba, how Gaza was created, the war between Israel and Hamas, Egypt’s role in the crisis, the question of genocide, and the future of Palestine. Rashid’s most recent book is The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine (Metropolitan Books, 2021).

The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: https://a.co/d/7Mrwuz9

The Neck and the Sword: https://shorturl.at/N7HRo

A New Abyss (The Guardian Long Read): https://shorturl.at/oVn5j

OUTLINE

00:00 Introduction

01:07 On His Palestinian Ancestors’ Battle Against Zionism

04:04 Is the Israel-Hamas War an American War?

06:04 How Far Back Must We Go to Understand October 7th?

07:33 The Nakba Versus the Bible

12:42 The Zionist Propaganda War

15:40 Is the War Between Israel and Hamas Fought in the Media?

18:52 Is All Zionist History Propaganda?

22:12 How Did the Nakba Create Gaza?

27:16 How Rashid’s Family Was Scattered by the Nakba

28:45 Has Gaza Become a Concentration Camp?

33:10 Did Hamas Cause the Apocalyptic Blockade on Gaza?

38:04 Did the Election of Hamas Further Doom Gaza?

40:21 Is Israel Committing Genocide in Gaza?

45:17 Were the War Crimes of October 7th Justified?

46:52 Can Israel’s War Crimes Against Gaza Be Justified?

48:48 Can Israel Destroy Hamas?

51:30 Is Egypt Responsible for the Gaza Crisis?

53:30 Who Are the Biggest Players in the Israel-Hamas War?

54:30 Is the Israel-Hamas War Just Beginning?

01:00:07 How Soon Will Israel Conquer Gaza?

01:05:19 Rashid’s Hope for the Future of Israel and Palestine

Robinson’s Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com

Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University.