We've been off for a few week, but now we're back!While we were on holiday, Jordan took the opportunity to implement a new cybercrime law that has set alarm bells ringing among human rights defenders. The cybercrime law contains some incredibly vague language, which critics say will allow the government to target free speech, and effect the basic rights of Jordanians. It will also limit the ability of Jordanians to call out corruption or human rights abuses in the country. This week on The New Arab Voice, what’s in Jordan’s new cybercrime bill? How will it impact Jordanians? Why are the cracking down in this way and what does King Abdullah have to gain from this? And what does it mean for democratic hopes in the country. To help guide us through Jordan's cybercrime bill, we're joined by Marwa Fatafta (@marwasf) a digital rights advocate and works as the MENA policy and advocacy manager at Access Now (@accessnow), a global digital rights organisation.We also speak with Jamal Al Tahat (@JamalAlTahat1) to guide us through the thinking of the Jordanian state. Jamal is  is a senior consultant at Democracy for the Arab World Now or DAWN (@DAWNmenaorg). He has spent decades advocating for democratisation in Jordan.And finally, we speak with Issam Ureiqat (@IsamUraiqat). issam is the Director of Al-Hudood (@AlHudoodNet), an online satire publication that was recently blocked in Jordan because of jokes the website made about the royal family. This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iraq is known for its high temperatures. But with the impacts of climate change becoming ever more pronounced, the summer heat in Iraq has become unbearable for many, and also threatens to make large areas of the country uninhabitable. As Iraq inches towards this unbearably hot future, its ability to adapt is decreasing year after year. The Iraqi population has been growing while the water supply is dwindling and in most cities, public electricity is already too unreliable to guarantee access to air conditioning for all.This week on The New Arab Voice, we ask how are Iraqi cities being impacted by climate change? Who is most affected by it? What resources do Iraqis have to deal with increasing heat? And beyond climate change, what factors are fuelling climate injustice in the country?To help us understand these issues, we speak with Dr Biyar Zaza, a resident doctor working the largest public hospitals in Erbil, the Rojhalat hospital. Zeinab Shuker (@zfshuker), a sociologist and visiting climate fellow at Century International (@TCFdotorg). Nabil Musa, the founder of Waterkeepers Iraq (@WaterkeepersIQ) - a global network of activists advocating on behalf of the world’s rivers. And Khaled Suleiman (@ksulaiman), a Kurdish Iraqi environmental journalist.This podcast is written by Lyse Mauvais (@lyse_mauvais) and produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Riad Salameh spent 30 years at the top of Lebanon’s Central Bank. Some called him a magician. But in recent years, his tricks have been revealed to devastating effects.In 2019 the Lebanese economy dramatically collapsed and many inside and outside the country pointed the finger of blame at Riad Salameh. Despite the economic problems, he stayed on. But on the last day of July, Riad Salameh walked out of Lebanon’s Central Bank for the last time. This week on The New Arab Voice, we sat down with Karim Bitar (@karimbitar) to discuss the departure of Riad Salameh, his time at the Central Bank, the accusation that have been levelled at him by people in Lebanon, and abroad, and what the future holds for the Lebanese Central Bank. Sign up to our newsletter here. This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The release of Patrick Zaki was some rare good human rights news from Egypt. After being sentenced to three years in jail, he was then pardoned the next day by President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi, and was able to return to Italy. Patrick had been hanging in legal limbo since 2020, when he was first arrested, and subsequently charged with “disseminating false news” and “inciting to protest”.His release was warmly welcomed by human rights defenders and lead to questions as to whether we could see more releases and presidential pardons, particularly as the work of the National Dialogue builds up. The National Dialogue was first announced by the president last year, but was then delayed, only starting work this year. It has been tasked with discussing political, economic, and social issues in Egypt. Some opposition members in Egypt are hoping that it could serve as platform to steer the country back to democracy. Others are more skeptical.This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the case of Patrick Zaki and why he was arrested, the state of human rights in Egypt, and the National Dialogue and whether it will be able to make an impact. Joining us to discuss human rights in Egypt is Dr. Aida Seif el-Dawla, a retired professor of psychiatry, and one of four founders of the El Nadim Center for the Psychological Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence and Torture, an Egyptian independent NGO, founded in 1993.And to help us understand the National Dialogue, we speak with Mirette Mabrouk, a senior fellow and the Director of the Egypt and Horn of Africa programme at the Middle East Institute. Sign up to our newsletter here. This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The people of northern Syria were recently dealt a terrible blow. At the UN Security Council, on 11 July, permanent member Russia vetoed the extension of UN deliveries through the Bab al-Hawa crossing. It had served as a vital lifeline for the over 4 million people who live in the north west, and are in desperate need of help. Following the Russian veto, the Assad regime stepped in and said that they would grant permission to the UN for the delivery of aid. This offer was quickly and firmly rejected by opposing members of the Security Council, who are all to aware of the Assad regime's history of weaponising aid. This week on The New Arab Voice, we examine the humanitarian needs in northern Syria, why the cross border aid is so vital, what alternatives might be available, and the terms of the Assad regime's offer and why it is so unacceptable. Also we explore the diplomacy of the United Nations Security Council. Why is the council making decisions about aid? How is Russia using the issue of aid at the UN? How does the veto work, and should it be abandoned? And is it time for reforms at the UN?To guide us through aid efforts and issues in northern Syria, we're joined by Natasha Hall (@NatashaHallDC), senior fellow with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (@CSISMidEast).And to untangle UN diplomacy, we speak with Richard Gowan (@RichardGowan1), UN Director for the International Crisis Group (@CrisisGroup).Find our newsletter here. This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The recent violence in the Jenin refugee camp was a shocking and violent development. The incursion left 12 dead, over a hundred wounded, and a trail of destruction to infrastructure that will make life in the camp even more difficult. As Israeli soldiers made their way through the camp, Palestine activists in London took to the streets to express their anger and opposition to the events in the West Bank, and to the British government's relationship with the government in Israel. This week on The New Arab Voice we look at the state of Palestine activism is the UK. What are Palestine activists doing to get their message across? Are they seeing any success? How might legislation like the 'Anti-Boycott Bill' effect the work of Palestine activists? And should the movement seek greater cooperation with the UK government. The struggle for Palestine in the UK is ongoing, but there is a precedent in the country for successful campaigns.The former apartheid regime in South Africa was an appalling crime, and during the life of this regime, campaigns in the UK, through intense efforts, manage to raise awareness and effect real change in South Africa, via the UK. This week, we look at how that anti-apartheid campaign managed to achieve its success, and what lessons can be learnt, to help those fighting against Palestinian oppression.Joining us to talk about the recent events in Jenin, we speak with Qassam Muaddi (@QassaMMuaddi), The New Arab's West Bank correspondent.To explain the state of Palestine activism in the UK, we're joined by Jeanine Hourani (@jeaninehourani), a Palestinian organiser and a PhD candidate at the University of Exeter looking at women’sresistance and mental health in Palestine.And to remind us of the struggle face by anti-apartheid campaigners , we speak with famed activist Lord Peter Hain (@PeterHain).This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the prison at Guantanamo Bay was opened, it was announced that it would hold terror suspects, picked up by the US in their War on Terror. It quickly became a dungeon that tortured its inmates and violated some of the most basic principles of humanity. Subsequent presidents, although not all, have said that they will close down the site and release the prisoners. However this task has been fraught with difficulties. While the vast majority have been never been found guilty, or even been charged with a crime; those that have been charged, have claimed that the evidence against them was extracted by torture, and was only given to make the abuses stop. Such is the case of Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri.In May, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention condemned his continued detention, and the torture that he suffered in prison, and how he had been denied rights to guarantee and fair trial. This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the case of Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, how the torture he endured at the hands of his captors is playing into his trial, how efforts to close the prison have failed, and what needs to happen to ensure that victims of Guantanamo get justice. We speak with Katie Carmon, a lawyer for the Military Commissions Defense Organization, and one of the lawyers representing Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri.Also, Andy Worthington (@GuantanamoAndy), an investigative journalist, activist, and author of The Guantanamo Files.And Mansoor Adayfi (@MansoorAdayfi), a Yemeni national who was picked up by the US 2002, accused of being a member of a terrorist organisation and sent to Guantanamo, where he would remain until 2016. Adayfi has accused the US of torturing him during his interrogations  Sign up to the newsletter here. This podcast is written by Nadine Talaat and produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The golfing world was upturned at the start of June, with the news that a deal had been struck between the PGA and the Saudi-funded LIV Golf. After months of warring words and a flurry of lawsuits the two sides agreed to come together and put hostiles aside. The deal will see a return of some of the biggest names in golf and also see a huge investment into the game by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.Like the initial creation of LIV Golf, this investment has created controversy and prompted claims of sportswashing. The PGA has been accused of ignoring the appalling human rights abuses of the Saudi regime and whitewashing the reputation of the like of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the recent deal between the PGA and LIV Golf, the implications for human rights and sportswashing, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, and what the Gulf nation hopes to achieve with such spending. To talk about Saudi Arabia and human rights, we’re joined by Joey Shea (@joey_shea), a Human Rights Watch (@hrw) researcher in the Middle East and North Africa Division investigating human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. And to explain all about the Saudi PIF and what they hope to achieve, we speak with Imad K. Harb (@harb3imad), the Director of Research and Analysis at Arab Center Washington DC (@ArabCenterWDC)This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a report by Amnesty International, titled Apartheid Automated, the human rights group laid out how the Israeli government is using technology as a tool of oppression. This technological tyranny is perhaps best seen at the many checkpoints that Palestinians are forced to traverse as part of their daily lives. Cameras and algorithms are permanently watching every Palestinian who passes through; monitoring their movements and activities. This constant surveillance creates part of what is know as the 'chilling effect'.It is also believed to work hand in hand with other technologies used by soldiers on the ground. This week on The New Arab Voice we delve into the latest Amnesty report, and examine how technology is being used, what it means for Palestinians, and how it fits into a wider system of apartheid.Joining us is Dr. Matt Mahmoudi (@DocMattMoudi), a researcher at Amnesty Tech (@AmnestyTech), and the author of Apartheid Automated. Also, Jalal Abukhater (@JalalAK_jojo), a Palestinian writer and activist. And Mona Shtaya (@Monashtayya), who until recently, worked as an advocacy and communication manager for 7amleh (@7amleh), a non-profit organisation aimed at enabling Palestinian and Arab civil society to effectively utilise the tools of digital advocacy through professional capacity building, defending digital rights and building influential digital media campaigns.Sign up to our newsletter here. This podcast is written by Nick McAlpin and produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After two rounds of voting in Turkey, President Erdogan is back as the president. Going into the first round of voting there were high hopes that the opposition had a real chance of dislodging the Turkish strongman; however these hopes failed to materialise at the ballot boxes. Back in office, Erdogan will have a long list of urgent matters that will need his attention, including a failing economy, foreign policy, growing anger over refugees, and domestic issues.This week on The New Arab Voice, we examine why they opposition failed to live up to the hopes that were pinned on them, how Erdogan was able to use the state to secure victory, what the main issues of the election were, and what we can expect to see from Erdogan over the next five years. Joining us to talk Turkey and elections, we're joined by Howard Eissenstat (@heissenstat). Howard is an associate professor at St. Lawrence University and a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute (@MiddleEastInst). Also speaking this week is Soner Cagaptay (@SonerCagaptay), a senior fellow and the director of the Turkish Research Program at The Washington Institute (@WashInstitute), and author of The New Sultan: Erdogan and the Crisis of Modern Turkey.This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was returned to the Arab League this month. Twelve years after Syria was suspended, in response to their brutal crackdown against civilians protesters, the group of nations, led by Saudi Arabia welcomed back the Assad regime. The move signalled a major shift in diplomacy in the region, and simultaneously a continuation of other diplomatic moves in the region, and in particular by Saudi Arabia.Along with Syria, Saudi Arabia sets to be a big winner from the deal. It will further cement their new relationship with Iran, and Iran's allies, including Russia and China. Furthermore it will help to cover the backs of Saudi Arabia as the US moves back from the region. Those set to lose out most from the deal is Syrian refugees in the region. Spread out across a number of neighbouring Arab states, these communities now face increased levels of hostilities, and a greater potential for forced deportations back to Syria, where they face terrible conditions.This week on The New Arab Voice, why has Syria been readmitted to the Arab League? Who stands to gain from the normalisation? And what does this mean for the Syrian people, both inside and outside the country?Joining us to discuss Syria's return to the Arab League, we speak with Malik al-Abdeh, conflict resolution expert focused on Syria and managing director of Conflict Mediation Solutions. Also Reva Dhingra (@Reva__D), a postdoctoral fellow at the Brookings Institution in the Foreign Policy Division (@BrookingsFP) and works with the Center for Middle East policy, with a particular focus on issues related to Syrian refugees.This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@newarab.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A year and a day have passed since the killing of veteran Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the occupied West Bank. Forensic Investigations, as well as investigations from multiple media organisations and the Palestinian Authority, have concluded that the Palestinian-American was shot by an Israeli sniper while covering a raid in Jenin. Video evidence, eyewitness testimony, spatial analysis, autopsy reports and other sources, have been used to confirm this conclusion. But in spite of the wealth of evidence, no one has been held accountable for her death. This week, The New Arab Voice looks at the detailed forensic investigations into Shireen’s death and how they were able to piece together the story of what happened on that tragic day.The episode also examines responses from the Israeli and American authorities, and explores what efforts have been made to hold the killers - both the individual who pulled the trigger and those up the chain of command - to account. We speak with Jumanah Bawazi, a researcher at Forensic Architecture (@ForensicArchi) - a multidisciplinary research group that partnered with Palestinian human rights organisation Al Haq to produce a 3D reconstruction of the crime scene. Rodney Dixon KC from Temple Garden Chambers (@TG_Chambers) - Al Jazeera’s legal counsel - discusses the formal request submitted to the International Criminal Court to conduct a thorough and independent investigation. UK Labour MP Kim Leadbeater (@kimleadbeater) explains why a thorough and independent investigation into the journalist’s death is “long overdue” and recounts her experience when meeting Shireen’s brother Anton. Lastly, Lamis Andoni (@LamisAndo) friend of Shireen and a Palestinian journalist speaks about what the Palestinian-American was like as a person and what motivated her to cover events in the occupied territories, as well as what justice may look like in the long-term. This podcast is written and produced by Rosie McCabe with help from Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@newarab.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Turkish citizen will be voting in a highly anticipated and consequential election on 14 May. The two frontrunners for the office of president, are incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the main opposition candidate Kemel Kilicdaroglu.They have both been holding rallies, attempting to reach as many voters as possible. Opposition candidate Kemel Kilicdaroglu did cause a stir at a campaign event, when he questioned the private nature of Turkey's drone manufacturers, and asked whether there should be more state control. With a backlash brewing, he quickly changed direction, pledging full support to the industry. The incident did raise some questions. What's so special about Turkey's drones? How do the private manufacturers and the state work together? How does the state us the drones? And what impact will the upcoming election have on the domestic drone industry?Joining us to discuss Turkey's drones is Soner Cagaptay (@SonerCagaptay), a senior fellow and the director of the Turkish Research Program at The Washington Institute (@WashInstitute). This podcast is written by Ali Abbas Ahmadi and produced by Hugo Goodridge.Theme music by Omar al-Fil. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@newarab.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The past few weeks in Sudan have been exceptionally violent. Two feuding generals, in charge of the biggest armed groups in the country, have launched their own personal war in Sudan. Nearly 500 people have died, and thousands have been forced to flee. The culprits are Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan’s armed forces, and Mohamad Hamdan Dagalo - popularly known as Hemedti - who heads the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Both Burhan and Hemedti rose under the rule of autocratic President Omar al-Bashir, when they were commanders during counter insurgency operations in Darfur in the early 2000s - what many now deem a genocide. Since then, the two leaders worked together, even ruling the country together since 2019. But theirs has only ever been a marriage of convenience. Internal rivalries and political disagreements eventually exploded earlier this month, and the RSF and the army have unleashed a war on Sudan - catching the country's helpless population in the crossfire. This week on The New Arab Voice, we examine the generals behind the violence in Sudan. Who are they? Why are they fighting? And will they ever make peace? For this episode, we sat down with Jihad Mashamoun (@ComradeJihad), an expert and analyst on Sudan; and David Shinn (@AmbShinn), the former US ambassador to Ethiopia and Burkina Faso.Sign up for the newsletter here.This podcast is written by Ali Abbas Ahmadi and produced by Hugo Goodridge.Theme music by Omar al-Fil. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@newarab.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During his most recent campaign to become Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu promised that he would overhaul the judiciary. When the elections came around, the fourth in five years, his Likud Party, with the help of some far-right allies, were able to command a majority in the Israeli Knesset. Netanyahu quickly started his plans to reform the judiciary, and almost as quickly Israelis took to the street to protest against the planned changes. Week after week, and month after month, the protests intensified and the pressure grew on Netanyahu and his government. Eventually, the pressure became too great, and Netanyahu announced that he would suspend the bill and attempt to seek a consensus. This week on The New Arab Voice, we examine the protest movement that rocked Israel. What prompted the protests? Who was on the streets protesting? What were the demands of the protesters? Why did Netanyahu change course and suspend the reforms? And what is the state of the bill today?For this episode, we sat down with Amjad Iraqi (@aj_iraqi). Amjad Iraqi is a senior editor at the Israeli publication +972 Magazine (@972mag); and also serves as a policy analyst at the think tank Al-Shabaka (@AlShabaka), and was previously an advocacy coordinator at the legal center Adalah.This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge.Theme music by Omar al-Fil. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@newarab.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the start of Spring we also saw the start of new diplomatic relationships being born. After years of intense rivalry, and to the surprise of many, Iran and Saudi Arabia announced that they had normalised relations. The two countries hadn't been on speaking turns since the Saudis executed a Shia cleric in 2016, and Iranian protesters had responded by burning down the embassy. With the restorations of relations, a new future awaits the two countries, which is likely to have a big impact on the region. Additionally, the deal was highly notably due to the involvement of China, who brokered the deal, and had the deal signed in their capital. This week on The New Arab Voice, we ask why have they chosen to normalise now? What is each side getting from the deal? And what’s the significance of China brokering the deal?Joining us to discuss Iran and Saudi Arabia, is  Vali Nasr, (@vali_nasr) Professor of International Affairs and Middle East Studies at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies; and Dr. Kristian Coates Ulrichsen (@Dr_Ulrichsen), Fellow for the Middle East at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy.Find our newsletter here.This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge.Theme music by Omar al-Fil. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@newarab.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three years into President Kais Saied’s rule and Tunisia is on the brink of an economic meltdown and widespread social collapse. Hundreds of thousands of Tunisians are barely surviving as standards of living plummet. Amid this climate of hopelessness, Saied has taken aim at opposition figures and other scapegoats, such as black African migrants. Arrests and attacks are becoming commonplace in the north African country, which slips ever further towards autocracy. This week, The New Arab Voice looks at what has happened in President Kais Saied’s Tunisia and who he has chosen to blame for the country’s ill fate. We speak with Seifeddine Ferjani (@Ferjani9arwi), the son of Said Ferjani, a Tunisian opposition figure currently detained in Tunisia. We include audio from a press conference with Kaouther Ferjani (@TheKaouther), Said’s daughter, and Temple Garden Chambers (@TG_Chambers) who filed an appeal to the UK foreign secretary to sanction top-ranking Tunisian officials, including the president. We also discuss creeping populism and social grievances in Tunisia with Fadil Aliriza (@FadilAliriza) founder and editor-and-chief of Meshkal; as well asTharwa Boulifi (@TharwaBoulifi) a young journalist in Tunisia. This podcast is written and produced by Rosie McCabe. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The settler attacks in the Palestinian town of Huwara were as shocking as they were brutal.Homes and businesses were set a blaze in a series of attacks that were described as a pogrom, and were the latest in a long list of Israeli violations of human rights and international law. The attacks in Huwara drew intense condemnation for government around the world, including in the US. The US is a long standing and traditional partner of the Israel and has consistently defended, ignored, or excused away their actions. But as the world becomes ever more away of the apartheid in Israel, this relationship is facing closer scrutiny from the voting public. This week on The New Arab Voice we explore how have relations between the two countries changed? Does Israel still enjoy unwavering support among Jewish Americans? And will the US stick with an increasingly far-right and openly racist government?We're joined by Lara Friedman (@LaraFriedmanDC), the President of the Foundation for Middle East Peace (@FMEP), Iman Abid (@imanabid_), the Director of Advocacy and organizing at the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (@USCPR_), and Robert Lipton (@wiremother), a Jewish American research scientist and poet from California and campaigner for Jewish Voice for Peace (@jvplive).This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge.Theme music by Omar al-Fil. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@newarab.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice we're joined by journalist Ali Abbas Ahmadi to examine the deadly floods that hit Pakistan six months ago. The rains started to fall in June and would not stop until August, during which time, the might Indus River would flood, spreading devastation ; particularly in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan.The floods killed 1,700 people and left tens of millions of Pakistanis homeless. The flood waters would also wash aways the livelihoods  of millions; laying waste to farms, killing livestock, and destroying stores of grain and seeds.This week, we speak with one of the farmers who lost their land and livelihood, and ask what are the major challenges facing those affected? How has Pakistan dealt with food shortages, and how has the political instability added to the failure to provide support. We speak with Dr Zaffar Mahmood (@DrZaffarMehmoo1), an independent expert on food safety and food security, who has worked as a consultant with the Pakistani government and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation. And Marvin Pervez, the regional director of an NGO called Community World Service Asia (@communitywsasia). Him and his team work with people on the ground in Pakistan.Sign up for our newsletter here.This podcast is written by Ali Abbas Ahmadi and produced by Hugo Goodridge.Theme music by Omar al-Fil. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@newarab.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week on The New Arab Voice we looked at the aftermath of the recent immense earthquake in Syria. This week, we're over the border in Turkey, which experience some of the worst devastation and the highest number of casualties. Immediately following the earthquake, the state's response was slow. The agency responsible for disasters, AFAD, missed the crucial window when the most number of people can be saved.It quickly became apparent to observers that there was a serious problem, and that these problems were being exposed at the worst possible time. As people questioned the response of AFAD, people also surveyed the devastation  and asked why so many buildings had pancaked; trapping people inside. Soon, stories of buildings that don't meet regulatory codes and payoffs started to emerge. These questions have put a huge amount of pressure on the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who was rumoured to be considering a delay for the scheduled parliamentary and presidential elections. This week on The New Arab Voice, we ask whether the state’s response to the earthquake was adequate? Why did so many buildings, that were built in a known high-risk earthquake area, collapse with such ease? And can the country move forward under President Erdogan’s leadership, or is it time for a change. Joining us to talk Turkey is Ömer Özkizilcik (@OmerOzkizilcik), an independent foreign policy and security analyst based in Ankara; and Mustafa Gurbuz (@Mustafa__Gurbuz) a nonresident Fellow at Arab Center Washington (@ArabCenterWDC) and a senior adjunct faculty in the Arab World Studies program in the Department of Critical Race, Gender, and Culture at American University in Washington, DC.Sign up to our newsletter here. This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge.Theme music by Omar al-Fil. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@newarab.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.