The Thinking Muslim I Was Inside the U.S. State Department - Until Gaza Broke Me with Josh Paul.
6 snips
Jul 7, 2025 
Josh Paul, a former director at the U.S. State Department, shares his shocking resignation over America's military support to Israel amidst the Gaza crisis. He highlights the profound moral dilemmas faced in U.S. arms policy and the humanitarian implications for civilians in Gaza. Paul argues that these events challenge the principles of a rules-based order and expose contradictions in U.S. foreign policy. He discusses the diminishing American influence and pressures for reevaluation, underscoring the urgency of addressing this global crisis.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Resignation Over Gaza Arms Policy
- Josh Paul resigned from the State Department over the policy of approving lethal arms transfers to Israel during the Gaza conflict in October 2023.
- He witnessed a bottom-up process flipped, with top-level political orders demanding rapid approval of every Israeli weapons request.
Political Pressure Silences Staff
- Around 80% of State Department staff shared Josh Paul's concerns but political pressure discouraged public dissent.
- Few resigned publicly; most faced a political problem, not a policy problem, when dealing with Israel.
US Complicity Extends Beyond Arms
- The US is complicit in Gaza's destruction through arms, diplomacy, and suppressing free speech.
- Gaza symbolizes a critical intersection affecting global issues like human rights, environment, and freedom of speech.