The state of the Israel-Hamas war; Will Hezbollah join the war? Bill Maher on US politics and higher education
Nov 5, 2023
auto_awesome
CNN correspondent Jeremy Diamond gives an update on Israel's fight against Hamas. Former Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Nasser al-Kidwa discusses the need for a new Palestinian Authority to integrate Hamas. Journalist Kim Ghattas talks about the possibility of Hezbollah joining the war. Bill Maher discusses US politics, social media, cancel culture, and higher education.
Israel should combine military responses with a political strategy to weaken Hamas and present a pathway to a Palestinian state.
Israel should focus on having Gaza governed by Palestinians and employ a non-combatant Arab force to facilitate a transition and ensure Palestinian governance in the long run.
Deep dives
Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982
In 1982, the Israeli government led by Manacham Begin launched a large-scale invasion of Lebanon in order to remove the Palestinian group PLO from the country. The invasion resulted in significant casualties and violence, including a massacre of hundreds of civilians in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps. The invasion also contributed to the rise of Hezbollah, a powerful Iranian-backed Shiite group in Lebanon, which has since posed a major threat to Israel's security.
The importance of political operations
As discussed by scholars Robert Pape and David Petraeus, sustained selective attacks against identified terrorists coupled with political operations that drive wedges between terrorists and local populations are key to create lasting damage to terrorist organizations. Israel should consider combining military responses to attacks from Hamas with a political strategy that presents a pathway to a Palestinian state, offering the population hope for a better future.
Challenges in ruling Gaza post-war
If Israel were to succeed in significantly weakening Hamas, it would not be able to obliterate the group completely. It may face difficulties in post-war governance, as Gaza holds an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 Hamas fighters alongside a population of over 2 million, with mixed views towards Hamas. Strategically, Israel should focus on having Gaza governed by Palestinians, employing a non-combatant Arab force for a limited period to facilitate a transition and ensure the governance of Gaza is ultimately in the hands of Palestinians.
Potential escalation in the Middle East
While Israel deals with the conflict in Gaza, there are concerns about wider tensions in the region. Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, recently warned about the possibility of an escalated conflict in Lebanon. Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed groups have already exchanged fire with Israel, and there are fears of Iran's direct involvement. The situation highlights the risk of potential miscalculations and the need for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.
This week, Fareed talks with CNN correspondent Jeremy Diamond who embedded with the IDF to report in Gaza and gives an update on Israel's fight against Hamas.
Next, Fareed speaks with the former Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Nasser al-Kidwa, who tells Fareed there is a need for a new Palestinian Authority that can integrate Hamas into its government.
Then, Kim Ghattas, journalist and author of "The Black Wave," talks with Fareed about Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's recent speech and her thoughts on whether the group is likely to join the war in support of Hamas.
Plus, Fareed sits down for an interview with Bill Maher, host of "Real Time" on HBO. They talk about US politics and the 2024 election, social media, cancel culture, and the state of higher education in the US.