In Brief: The Israel-Hamas War (with Aaron David Miller)
Oct 13, 2023
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Preet interviews Aaron David Miller, a former State Department advisor on Middle East policy, about the Israel-Hamas war. They discuss the origins and ideology of Hamas, the rationality of their actions, Biden's handling of the crisis, Netanyahu's motivations, and the challenges and hope for Israel and Palestinians.
Hamas' ideology views historic Palestine as an Islamic wokf, not open to negotiation, posing a significant challenge to a potential resolution.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant loss of life and injuries on both sides, with devastating consequences for civilians, including children, elderly women, Holocaust survivors, and hostages.
Deep dives
Summary of the Podcast
This podcast episode discusses the ongoing crisis between Israel and Hamas, providing a background on Hamas and its ideology. It explores the recent attack carried out by Hamas, including the execution of Israeli civilians and soldiers and the taking of hostages. The Israeli response, including airstrikes and a complete siege of Gaza, is also discussed. The episode highlights the devastating consequences of the conflict, with numerous casualties on both sides. It further examines the possible involvement of Iran and the challenges faced by the Biden administration in managing the crisis. The episode concludes with a discussion on the implications for the future and the need for a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hamas and Its Ideology
Hamas, an Islamist group representing Palestinian views, emerged in the late 80s as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. Its ideology views historic Palestine as an Islamic wokf, not open to negotiation. Despite claims of moderation, Hamas continues to employ brutal tactics and attacks. In 2007, Hamas displaced the Palestinian Authority and now controls Gaza, while the Palestinian Authority has partial control of the West Bank. These differing visions of Palestine pose a significant challenge to any potential resolution.
Israeli Response and Devastating Consequences
Israel has responded to Hamas' attack with airstrikes and a complete siege of Gaza. The conflict has resulted in a significant loss of life and injuries on both sides, with over 1,200 Israelis and over 1,400 Palestinians killed. The episode highlights the tragic impact on civilians, including children, elderly women, Holocaust survivors, and hostages. The Israeli government's handling of the crisis is scrutinized, with criticisms of intelligence and operational failures.
Possible Involvement of Iran and Future Implications
While the extent of Iran's involvement in the attack is still being determined, there are indications of its support for Hamas, both politically and financially, aligning with Iran's objectives. The potential escalation of the conflict raises concerns about broader regional involvement, particularly along the Israeli-Lebanese border. The future consequences of Israel's response and the need for redress and accountability are also discussed, including the impact on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political future and the potential transformation of the Israeli government.
Aaron David Miller, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and former State Department advisor on Middle East policy and Israeli-Palestinian peace process joins Preet to discuss the big questions emerging around Israel-Hamas war.
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