IsraelCast Episode 199

With his unique background as an Iraqi- and Lebanese-raised former journalist who has since become an outspoken voice for democracy and liberty, Hussain Abdul-Hussain remains one of the world’s foremost experts on Middle East relations in a time of growing unrest in Gulf State countries. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Hussain to discuss the dangers and rewards of speaking out, the increase in ties between Arab nations and Israel, and what a post-war reconstruction plan might look like for Gaza.

Hussain Abdul-Hussain is a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, focusing on the Gulf region and Yemen. He previously worked as a reporter and Managing Editor at Beirut’s The Daily Star, where he reported from the Lebanese border with Israel. In Washington, Hussain helped set up and manage the Arabic satellite network Alhurra Iraq, after which he headed the Washington Bureau of Kuwaiti daily Alrai. Hussain served as a visiting fellow at London’s Chatham House and has been published in The New York Times, Washington Post, and various Arabic publications. He has appeared on CNN and MSNBC and is a frequent commentator on major Arabic satellite networks.