Arab Talk with Jess & Jamal

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.

Jess & Jamal discuss the recent announcement by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to launch a formal investigation that could lead to impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. In a detailed, nine-page complaint, a whistleblower said "senior White House officials" worked to "lock down" all records of a presidential phone call this summer, out of fear that they "had witnessed the president abuse his office for personal gain." Will these impeachment proceedings lead to the downfall of Donald Trump or will they backfire?

Jamal interviews Dr. Rabab Abdulhadi about the results of the Israeli elections and their impact on Palestinian Israeli citizens, and other Palestinians living under Israeli Occupation. Dr. Abdulhadi also discusses the recent controversy surrounding Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau as pictures and a video have resurfaced showing him in “blackface.” She also discusses the renewed attacks on her by AMCHA and other Zionist groups who have been for many years trying to suppress her academic freedom, which is protected under the First Amendment.

Along with Dr. Rabab Abdulhadi, Jess & Jamal discuss Benjamin Netanyahu’s last-ditch efforts to distract from his corruption charges and attract Israeli right-wing voters before national elections next week. Dr. Abdulhadi also discusses the systematic smear campaigns by hate groups funded by the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, which has been contributing millions of dollars to anti-Muslim, far-right, and right-wing campus-based groups for the past fifteen years.

Jess & Jamal discuss U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga’s recent ruling that the federal government's watchlist of "known or suspected terrorists" is unconstitutional. Judge Trenga ruled that the Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB) violated due process because there was no clear standard for people to be included or removed from the list. They also discuss the reasons behind the resignation of Jason Greenblatt, US special envoy to the Middle East and architect behind Trump’s “Deal of the Century.”

Jess and Jamal discuss the recent escalations between Israel and Iran, following a series of Israeli attacks in Iraq and Lebanon and Hezbollah's threats to retaliate. Israel’s state of high alert over potential cross border attacks comes days after U.S. officials leaked confirmation Israel was behind a July bombing at a weapons factory in Iraq. Also, Lebanon has blamed Israel for a drone strike in the suburbs of Beirut.

Jess & Jamal discuss President Trump’s tweet quoting from a right-wing conspiracy theorist who called him "the King of Israel." “President Trump is the greatest President for Jews and for Israel in the history of the world…  Jewish people in Israel love him... like he’s the King of Israel” This comes just a day after telling reporters that Jewish people who vote for Democrats are disloyal.