Middle East Focus Barbara A. Leaf | 'Taking the Edge Off the Middle East' Ep. 7
Feb 6, 2025
Barbara A. Leaf, a seasoned diplomat and former US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, joins the discussion to illuminate pressing issues in the Middle East. She delves into the potential responses of a second Trump administration to emerging 'black swan' events. The conversation covers the complexities of U.S. policy in Syria, the impact of humanitarian aid freezes, and the shifting geopolitical landscape involving Iran and the Hamas-Israel conflict. Leaf's insights underscore the critical need for effective diplomacy in ensuring regional stability.
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Defunding USAID
- Defunding USAID is a critical national security mistake.
- It disables vital foreign assistance, worsening threats like migration and conflict.
Syria Aid Freeze Impact
- Barbara Leaf highlights the immediate impact of the aid freeze in Syria.
- Halted assistance led to guards abandoning ISIS family camps and critical supply disruptions.
Syria Trip
- Barbara Leaf recounts her trip to Syria with General Rubenstein, Roger Carstens, and Jumana Khadour.
- They waited in Amman for a week before meeting with Abu Muhammad al-Julani.