Arab Talk with Jess & Jamal

Jess and Jamal discuss President Trump’s executive order designed to cut off aid to colleges that tolerate anti-Semitism. However, many First Amendment advocates see it as an effort to stifle free speech and criticism of Israel. Jess and Jamal discuss the impact of this executive order on academic freedom.

Jamal Dajani interviews journalist and cooking show host Blanche Shaheen who has recently published her first cooking book, "Feast in the Middle East: A Personal Journey of Family and Cuisine." According to Shaheen, readers will be able to recreate street foods like chicken shawarma and crispy falafel in their own kitchens or move on to more complex dishes and delicious desserts. Shaheen also discusses her recent trip to Palestine and her connection to the land, people, culture and cuisine. Link to order the book: https://secure.mybookorders.com/Orderpage/2189

Jess & Jamal discuss the recent indictment of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. They also discuss US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s announcement that the Trump administration is reversing its stance on Israeli settlements in the West Bank which are considered illegal under international law, a move that was condemned by Palestinians and many countries around the world.

Jess & Jamal interview Dr. Rabab Abdulhadi (San Francisco State University) & Dr. Simona Sharoni (Merrimack College) about the recent Israeli attacks on Gaza, which resulted in the death of at least 24 Palestinians, including a father and his two children. They also discuss anti-Semitism, white supremacy and attacks on academic freedom.

Jess and Jamal discuss the recent revelations that two former employees of Twitter were charged with spying for Saudi Arabia by snooping into thousands of private accounts seeking personal information about critics of the Saudi royal family. They also discuss Representative Andy Levin’s fact-finding visit to the West Bank and his criticism of the Israeli Occupation.

Jess and Jamal discuss the recent vote by the US House of Representatives to endorse the Democratic-led impeachment inquiry into President Trump. The vote was 232-196 to approve a resolution that sets out rules for an impeachment process, and it was only the third time in modern history that the House had taken a vote on an impeachment inquiry into a sitting president. Jess and Jamal also discuss the two-hour raid that led to the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Jess and Jamal discuss the mass protests that have challenged governments and captured attention around the world. They analyze the reasons behind the ongoing demonstrations in Lebanon, and whether the Lebanese government will be able to end decades of corruption and economic mismanagement. Jess and Jamal also talk about the fate of the Kurds in Syria after they were thrown under the bus by President Trump.

Jess & Jamal discuss Trump’s letter to the President of Turkey, Recep Erdogan. In it, he tries to persuade Erdogan to negotiate by lobbing insults at him — saying Erdogan could be viewed as “the devil,” and “don’t be a fool.” He also tells Erdogan that he could destroy the Turkish economy. How will Turkey react? And is the US ready to lose its strategic alliance with Turkey? Jess and Jamal also talk about the winners and losers of the Democratic Debate.

Jess & Jamal discuss the major shift in US military policy in Syria, as President Trump gives his endorsement for a Turkish military operation that would sweep away American-backed Kurdish forces near the border in Syria. Turkey considers the Kurdish forces to be a terrorist insurgency; some members in Congress view them as the most reliable partner in fighting ISIS. They also discuss the arrest of two associates of President Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani on charges that they schemed to “funnel foreign money to U.S. politicians in a bid to affect U.S.-Ukraine relations and launch a marijuana business.”

Jess & Jamal discuss the recent popular protests against Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi which have spread to at least eight cities, including Cairo, Alexandria, and Suez. The protests appear, in part, to have been sparked by a series of videos posted by Egyptian exile Mohamed Ali. Jess & Jamal also discuss the continuing saga of Donald Trump’s impeachment and the President's obsession with finding dirt on former Vice President Joe Biden.