“Arab Thinkers Call to Abandon Boycotts and Engage with Israel” — from the New York Times, a report on the inaugural conference of the Arab Council for Regional Integration, established with assistance from the Center for Peace Communications. Joseph Braude is among the participants interviewed by journalist David Halbfinger.
“Former DIA chief David Shedd: Iran is filling the void in Syria and Iraq” — from Al-Majalla, Joseph Braude‘s exclusive interview with David Shedd, former Acting Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. In it, Shedd assesses present-day White House foreign policies in light of his own experience in successive administrations. He raises his concern about a limited focus on ISIS which does not adequately take into account Iranian and Russian gains from an ISIS defeat. And he compares the legacy of an Obama administration marked by consistent indecision with a Trump administration that has proved bold, robust, and incoherent. To read the article, click here.
“Danny Glaser: Iran and Hamas are United in Their Desire to Wreak Havoc in the Region” – from Al-Majalla, Joseph Braude‘s q&a with one of the U.S. government’s recent former Assistant Secretaries of the Treasury for Terrorist Financing. Glaser focuses on Hamas and its role as an Iranian client militia, as well as its history of financial corruption. The article was noted in the August 21 daily newsletter of Isranet.
“Centrism for Britain, Tolerance Across the Middle East: An Exclusive Interview with Tony Blair” – from Al-Majalla, Joseph Braude‘s q&a with the former British Prime Minister. (Read it here.) In it, Blair calls for a restoration of centrism in British politics and compromise over “Brexit.” He reflects on new leadership in the Arab world, assesses prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking within the framework of a regional settlement, And calls upon the West to recognize that at the heart of regional tumult and bloodshed lies a conflict of values — between the forces of extremism and champions of tolerance.
“Saudi Arabia in the Crucible” – from Current Trends in Islamist Ideology: A lengthy interview with Abdulrahman Al-Rashed, the dean of Saudi reformist media. Topics include prospects for religio-ideological and education reform in the Kingdom; nascent civil society groups and how outsiders can assist; and a proposed new step in Saudi-Israeli relations. Read here. Elaph, the popular Saudi online news magazine, has published a report on the article at this link. Meanwhile, the “Israeli Arab” proposal has garnered attention in Israel’s Hebrew and English press, as well as Norway and elsewhere. For its part, the Israel Peace Initiative, an NGO devoted to building support for a regional solution to the conflict, responded warmly to Al-Rashed’s suggestion in an article in Yediot Aharonot. Some political blogs in the U.S. also drew attention to the Arab-Israeli proposal. To Tweet the interview, click here.
“Surveying Saudi Arabia’s Youthful Majority” – from FPRI E-Notes: Joseph Braude‘s analysis of a substantial telephone opinion poll of more than 500 Saudis, coupled with a metadata study of over 15 million Tweets originating in the kingdom, shows that Saudi millennials prioritize domestic reforms over foreign policy and would prefer to see someone their age run the country. Read. (The article was also published in the Huffington Post at this link.)
“A Clean Election for UN Secretary-General Gets Dirty” – from Majalla, an expose of the 11th-hour campaign by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and shady parties in Europe to slander UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and promote her rival for candidacy as UN Secretary General — a darling of the European far-right. Read it here.
“Dennis Ross: Iran cannot be a partner in the struggle against ISIS” – from Majalla, an interview with veteran Mid-East envoy Dennis Ross about the Iranian nuclear deal, proxy wars in Arab lands, and hopes for a regional solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Read it here. The article was also posted to the Web site of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, where Ross serves as Counselor and Distinguished Fellow. It was also republished by Maha Hamdan of The Intelligence Community Inc. In addition to reactions by the Israeli Activist Alliance, the article was referenced in an article in The National Interest and condemned by Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force commander Major General Qassem Soleimani.
“An Ideology of Impurity – How Internal Divisions Within Isis May Prove to Be Its Undoing” – from Majalla, an analysis of potential weaknesses within ISIS, informed by a discussion with three prominent American specialists on the group. Read.
“Toward a New International Partnership to Challenge Hate Speech” – from Majalla, a modest proposal for transnational cooperation in the struggle against religious incitement on the airwaves and online. Read.
“What to Do About Saudi Arabia” – From the Foreign Policy Research Institute’s “E-Notes” series, a substantial think piece examining American misconceptions about Saudi Arabia and its institutions, the role reformists within the kingdom are playing today, and how the United States can pursue “competitive soft power” policies to encourage further reforms. Read. The article was also republished by the Center for Security Studies in Zurich at this link, the Eurasia Review at this link, and Newsjor here.
“The Militia in the Living Room” – From The American Interest, an armed Iranian proxy in Iraq, lauded by the United States for its struggle against ISIS, is using satellite television to tear the country apart.Co-written with Aaron Lobel of America Abroad Media. Read.
“It’s Not Just the Jihadi Web” – From The American Interest, a case for exceeding the focus on jihadi social media to formulate policies that counter jihadist television networks in the Middle East to which the social media activity is umbilically linked. Co-written with Aaron Lobel of America Abroad Media. Read.
“On the Execution of Saudi Cleric Nimr Al-Nimr” – From the Foreign Policy Research Institute blog Geopoliticus, timely comment on the political background of a Saudi Shi’ite cleric who was executed by the Saudi government in 2015. Widely read, excerpted, and syndicated, the article was subsequently cited in this Wall Street Journal editorial, as well as an essay bv Hussein Ibish and and analytical piece in Foreign Policy magazine. Read.
“The Warrior King” – From The American Interest: The world cheered at rumors that King Abdullah of Jordan would personally take part in air raids against ISIS. Here’s why the morale-boosting social media sensation was probably no accident. Read. (Among numerous articles about the viral Tweet that sparked the article were publications ranging from Mediaite to Breitbart, as well as Twitchy, The Washington Examiner, James Bigila’s blog, and Hotair.com.) The Dutch newspaper Het Lattste Nieuws also covered the article and follow-on discussion.
“New Generation of Saudi Royals in Line to Run Country” – On National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, Joseph Braude spoke with host Robert Siegel about the House of Saud’s line of succession following the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. Listen.
“Ten Percent of Western Recruits to ISIS Are Women” – from The National Interest, a study of why some women from Muslim countries and the West have joined ISIS, and how others can help defeat it. Co-written with Ahmed Charai. Read.
“Learning Logic in the Middle East” – from The American Interest, a multimedia presentation on how Arab youth are using new media to promote critical thinking in their societies. Read.
“The Policeman and the Journalist – A Mid-East Policy Dilemma” – From Tablet, how a televised remark in favor of saving Israeli innocents by the police chief of Dubai police chief Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, published in Tablet Magazine, illuminates a dilemma in American policies toward Arabic media and Arab security services. Read.
“Radio Beijing in the Middle East” – from The American Interest, a report on how the Chinese government uses Arabic-language media to advance its soft power objectives in the Middle East and North Africa. Read. The article was also published by Al-Mesbar Center, where Joseph Braude serves as Advisor; and in Majalla magazine.
“A Jew Broadcasts to Morocco, Building a Relationship with an Arab Audience” – from Tablet, an account of Joseph Braude’s experience as the host of a weekly commentary on Moroccan national radio. Read.
“Korean Voices Make Waves on Arabic Radio” – From Majalla, how the Korean Broadcasting Service Arabic section wins new friends for the country across North Africa and the Middle East. Read.
“The Muslim Brotherhood’s More Frightening Offshoot” – From The Atlantic, a report by Joseph Braude on a new Brotherhood affiliate in three Gulf states now exploiting the Syrian civil war to train for armed attacks back home. Read.
“The UAE’s Brotherhood Problem” – Report on the widely-misunderstood history and circumstances of Al-Islah, the Brotherhood branch in the UAE, as well as its more militant offshoot, Hezb al-Umma. The article was published in numerous venues, including Al-Mesbar Center’s Web site, where Joseph Braude serves as Advisor. The article is an elaboration of an article (described above) which appeared in The Atlantic.
“Drugs and Thugs in the New Egypt” – from The Fix, the first in a two-part investigation of the influx of drugs and drug traffickers into Egypt and its threat to the country’s fledgling democratic experiment. Read.
“Rehab vs. Religion in Rocky Egypt” – from The Fix, part two in an investigation of the 2012 Egyptian drug wave, examining how treatment activists are racing against time and challenging religious taboos to gain acceptance. Read.
“Indulging Enemies, Ignoring Friends,” from Majalla (Arabic), an overall assessment of US foreign policy and two rival camps in Washington with opposing views on Islamist movements. The first of Joseph Braude‘s bi-weekly columns for Al-Majalla.
“Local Media in Support of Political Reform in North Africa” – a new research study by Joseph Braude, published in the new book, Towards Democratic Transitions: The Case of North Africa.
“For Insight into the Mid-East, Tune In to Ramadan TV” – From The Wall Street Journal, how this year’s crop of Ramadan TV serials has veered away from anti-Semitic themes and toward an all-out assault on Islamist groups. Read.
“All Hail the (Democratic) King” – From The New York Times, how a Moroccan constitutional referendum has raised new hopes for reform in North Africa. Read.
“Round City Poets” – from Bookforum, a review of Reuven Snir’s translated anthology of Iraqi poetry. Read. The article was subsequently discussed by Michael Weingarten after he reviewed the book in his blog,”Investigations and Fantasies.” It was also used by the publisher, Harvard University Press, to promote the book.
“A First Read on Post-Revolutionary Egyptian Media” – from the University of Southern California – Annenberg Center’s Center’s Public Diplomacy blog, Joseph Braude’s review of Naomi Sakr’s book, Transformations in Egyptian Journalism. Read here. This favorable reading was used by Ms. Sakr’s publisher, I.B. Tauris, to promote the book.
“Reforming Arab Police” – from Al-Arabiya, lessons from Morocco about how an Arab security force can overhaul its inculcation of cadets to support greater respect for human rights and anti-corruption measures. Read. The article was also syndicated by the Common Ground News Service, via this link.
“How Joseph Braude Shadowed Moroccan Detectives to Trace a Mystery” – From the Australian Broadcasting Company’s “Conversations with Richard Fidler,” the story of Joseph’s experience embedded with a plainclothes detective unit of the Moroccan police in Casablanca. Listen here.
“Hungry for Asian Islam” – From The Wall Street Journal, an op-ed piece by Joseph Braude on how Islamic seminaries in the Far East can help their Arab neighbors to the west. Read
“West-East” – From The Los Angeles Times Sunday Magazine: a Palestinian-American woman aspires to change how Americans view Arabs by fusing pop music, east and west. Read the PDF version here, or read the article as posted on the LA Times Web site here. The article was also shared by the LibforAll Foundation, at this link.
Reelpolitik — from The Los Angeles Times Sunday Magazine: a readout on how Arab societies view American blockbuster movies. Read. Boston College professor Martha Bayles, an expert on cultural policy and U.S. public diplomacy, reacted to the story in her blog, “Serious Popcorn,” at this link.
“Egyptian TV’s Mixed Message” – From Tablet, how a new hit pan-Arab TV series about Israel reveals a subtle shift in attitudes toward the Jewish state. Read
“A World Power Talks” – From Glamour, Joseph Braude’s exclusive interview with former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, a few weeks before her tragic death. Read the PDF version, or read the article as posted on Glamour’s Web site.
“Workers of the Arab World Unite” – From Foreign Policy, a report from Tunisia on labor unions’ gritty struggle against Islamist groups. Read
“Islam in the Crucible” – From Playboy: the changing face of Islamic culture in Jordan, reported by Joseph Braude from inside the country’s mosques and Islamic seminaries. Read
“Bernie Kerik Won’t Fold” – From Best Life: disgraced ed-NYPD top cop battles his own personal demons while rebuilding Jordanian King Abdullah’s prison infrastructure. Read. To gauge some readers’ reactions to the article, follow the heated discussion here.
“Playing from Memory” – From The New Republic: Iraqi Israeli musician Yair Dalal revives the sound of Baghdad’s Jewish community and pines for countries he is forbidden to visit. Joseph Braude‘s profile of a remarkable performer and composer. Read
“Survivor: Baghdad” — From The New Republic: Joseph Braude recalls a poignant visit to one of the last surviving Jews in Baghdad. Read.
“Paper Over” – From The New Republic, how Arab newspapers spun the Iraqi elections. Read
“Imagined Community” – From The New Republic, a report from Joseph Braude on why American Islamist newspaper endorses John Kerry. Read
To view Joseph Braude’s author page at Majalla magazine, click here.
To view Joseph Braude’s author page at Asharq Alawsat, click here.
To view Joseph Braude’s collected E-Notes and Geopoliticus entries at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, click here.
To view Joseph Braude’s author page at The Huffington Post, click here.
To view Joseph Braude’s author page on Amazon, click here.
To view Joseph Braude’s author page at Tablet magazine, click here.
To view Joseph Braude’s author page at The Atlantic, click here.
To view Joseph Braude’s author page at The American Interest, click here.
To view Joseph Braude’s author page at Foreign Policy, click here.
To view Joseph Braude’s author page at The National Interest, click here.
To view Joseph Braude’s author page at The Fix, click here.
To view Joseph Braude’s author page at The New York Post, click here.
To view Joseph Braude’s author page at Men’s Health, click here.
To view Joseph Braude’s author page at The New Republic, click here.
To view Joseph Braude’s author page on Random House Audio, click here.
To view Joseph Braude’s page on Quotes.net, click here.
To view Joseph Braude’s page on MuckRack, click here.
To view Joseph Braude’s author page on Medium, click here.
To view Joseph Braude’s page on Tumblr, click here.
To view Joseph Braude’s page on Quora, click here; blog, click here.
Joseph Braude’s work on media in the Arab world as a component of liberalization and reform has been covered in the National Endowment for Democracy’s “Democracy Digest.”
Joseph Braude’s articles are also shared via Linkedin and Facebook, and Tweeted regularly, and are aggregated by quoshe.com at this link.
