Conversation with Fareed Zakaria — The Conflict in Israel and the State of Foreign Affairs
Oct 12, 2023
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Fareed Zakaria, host of Fareed Zakaria GPS on CNN and a columnist for The Washington Post, joins Scott Galloway to break down the conflict in Israel and its implications. They also discuss Disney's future, the declining IPO market, geopolitical relationships, swing states, family and parenting, the changing media landscape, and the meaning of wellness.
The conflict in Israel is a reflection of the larger challenge of maintaining a rules-based international order without the dominant presence of the United States.
The invasion of Iraq by the United States led to a decrease in American willingness to engage militarily in the Middle East and had lasting repercussions on stability in the region.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's efforts in modernizing Saudi Arabia have shown progress in gender equality, economic opening, and alignment with Western interests.
Deep dives
The Withdrawal of American Power in the Middle East
The podcast discusses the withdrawal of American power in the Middle East and the resulting jockeying for advantage among different actors in the region. It highlights how Israel has been trying to marginalize the Palestinians by making peace with Arab countries, which in turn has provoked Hamas to launch attacks to draw attention to the Palestinian cause. The conflict in Israel is seen as a reflection of the larger challenge of maintaining a rules-based international order without the dominant presence of the United States.
The Geopolitical Impact of the Invasion of Iraq
The podcast suggests that the invasion of Iraq by the United States is viewed as a catastrophic geopolitical decision. It argues that the invasion led to a decrease in American willingness to engage militarily in the Middle East and a growing weariness towards the region. The repercussions of this decision, including the destruction of the region and the rise of extremist groups, have had a lasting impact on the stability and order in the Middle East.
The Modernization of Saudi Arabia and MBS as a Western Asset
The podcast discusses the modernization efforts of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). It acknowledges the human rights concerns and the murder of Jamal Khashoggi as unforgivable actions. However, it highlights the significant progress in Saudi Arabia's modernization, including steps towards gender equality, opening up the economy, and engaging with the West. It suggests that MBS could be a valuable asset for the West due to his efforts in modernizing the country and aligning it with Western interests.
Israeli Government's Focus on Judicial Independence and Annexation
The Israeli government has focused on overturning judicial independence and making Palestinian statehood unviable in the West Bank, possibly leading to a lack of attention on the situation in Gaza.
Perceptions of Terrorism and Reaction
The act of terrorism perpetrated by Hamas is seen as barbarous and unjustifiable, potentially reversing the growing empathy towards the Palestinian cause. There may be a disproportionate body count due to superior firepower, which could evoke sympathy and perception of a brutal Israeli response.
Fareed Zakaria, the host of Fareed Zakaria GPS on CNN and a columnist for The Washington Post, joins Scott to break down the conflict in Israel, including the historical context that is needed to know and the implications that are to follow within the region and around the globe.
Scott opens with his thoughts on what Disney should do next and the role of a corporate board. He also discusses his thoughts on the IPO market, specifically why it’s in structural decline.