Taking heat from both sides may be exactly where you need to be as that unifies all sides in their respect for you. Keep up the brilliant and courageous journalism.
Your article tonight was very interesting, with the four viewpoints on the question regarding is the Middle East inching closer to full-blown war?
--Host Nick Clark, environment editor at Al Jazeera English
--Dan Perry, Mideast/Europe/Africa/Caribbean/Associated Press, author/publisher of Ask Questions Later
--Roxane Farmanfarmaian, professor of modern Middle East politics/University of Cambridge
--Julien Barnes-Dacey, director of the Middle East and North Africa program/European Council for Foreign Relations
The topic of what narrative is the most likely course of action:
1. A more symbolic response against Iran
2. A tactical strike on Iran
3. An attempt to overhaul the region's balance of power
Dan, your response that because Israel is a deeply divided society, you favored a symbolic response, with the attention that Iran's chaos project has no business surrounding Israel with proxy militias. Your fore thought of what is the cost? And can it conceivably work?
Thank you for your expertise regarding that Israel has been careful about taking on Iran directly.
Here is what I've read regarding tonight's question: where is the off-ramp?
The assassinations of three leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah have pushed the Middle East to the brink of a larger war. (08-4-24) Part 1 of Fareed’s
I listened to the entire conversation and felt, Mr. Perry, you acquitted yourself remarkably well. I have a few comments:
a) It was important to on Aljazeera, in particular, not to sound like a Netanyahu clone with accusations of anti-semitism and blanket denials of the poor decisions Israel has made. This was accomplished with aplomb.
b) It was also important not to accept facile narratives as advanced by the English panelist about Iran telegraphing their attack (they didn't) and not trying to harm civilians (of course, they were). I thought this was accomplished effectively.
c) The EU representative panelist came across as someone with minimal gravitas which even the moderator picked up on. Having such a light-weight EU talking head on the panel actually was beneficial in that it showed once again EU Israel-Hamas positioning is heavy on sanctimony and passion, but does not have much else on offer.
d) I personally disagree that a "symbolic response" (among the three options) is a good choice for the Israelis. The ONLY way Iran will ever reset its calculus around employing proxies and a "slow asphyxiation strategy" vis-a-vis Israel is if they decide the costs of this strategy exceed its benefits. Doing horrific damage to Iran's ports, oil fields, and refineries might provide an impetus towards such a reassessment of cost and benefits.
e) With respect to Gazan deaths, Mr. Perry, I would have thought it a reasonable response to quote from Yahya Sinwar's own texts in which he welcomes the benefits of seeing tens of thousands of Gazan killed in service to his cause. Perhaps this is a lost cause but I do find citing Sinwar's own words to be at least a bit effective in undermining the all too prevalent narrative around "Israel's genocidal actions."
All in all, Mr. Perry, I encourage you to continue doing exactly as you did on Al Jazeera. Very well done, indeed!
I watch Aljazeera and I happy to see you attempt to present a more reasonable position.
Excellent job Dan Perry!
Taking heat from both sides may be exactly where you need to be as that unifies all sides in their respect for you. Keep up the brilliant and courageous journalism.
Your article tonight was very interesting, with the four viewpoints on the question regarding is the Middle East inching closer to full-blown war?
--Host Nick Clark, environment editor at Al Jazeera English
--Dan Perry, Mideast/Europe/Africa/Caribbean/Associated Press, author/publisher of Ask Questions Later
--Roxane Farmanfarmaian, professor of modern Middle East politics/University of Cambridge
--Julien Barnes-Dacey, director of the Middle East and North Africa program/European Council for Foreign Relations
The topic of what narrative is the most likely course of action:
1. A more symbolic response against Iran
2. A tactical strike on Iran
3. An attempt to overhaul the region's balance of power
Dan, your response that because Israel is a deeply divided society, you favored a symbolic response, with the attention that Iran's chaos project has no business surrounding Israel with proxy militias. Your fore thought of what is the cost? And can it conceivably work?
Thank you for your expertise regarding that Israel has been careful about taking on Iran directly.
Here is what I've read regarding tonight's question: where is the off-ramp?
The assassinations of three leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah have pushed the Middle East to the brink of a larger war. (08-4-24) Part 1 of Fareed’s
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/vBW6LoNVXQMYkDsx/
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Points of Clarity | Is the Israel-Hamas War Already Becoming a Wider Conflict? (01-25-24)
https://youtu.be/Oav6XlRQHWg
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https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/explainer-roots-and-realities-10-conflicts-middle-east
Explainer: The Roots and Realities of 10 Conflicts in the Middle East
By Robin Wright | February 5, 2024
--Israel and Hamas
--Israel and Hezbollah
--Israel and Iran
--Israel and the Arab World
--Three Houthi Wars in Yemen
--Iran Proxy Attacks on US Forces in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan
--Iran and the United States
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https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/arsonist-and-firefighter-how-hezbollah-radicalizes-and-recruits-youth
The Arsonist and the Firefighter: How Hezbollah Radicalizes and Recruits Youth
By Seda Güneş | October 1, 2024
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https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/360deg-reactions-one-year-october-7
360° Reactions: One Year Since October 7
By James F. Jeffrey, David Hale, Marina Ottaway & 3 more | October 3, 2024
--Gaza: The Big Picture(s) | By MEP Chair Ambassador James F. Jeffrey
--Lessons Learned and Otherwise | By Global Fellow Ambassador David Hale
--A Region Standing Outside the International Order | By MEP Fellow Marina Ottaway
--Gaza War Dooms Biden’s Middle East Master Security Plan | By MEP Fellow David B. Ottaway
--The US Enabled a Middle East Bully | By Global Fellow Joe Macaron
--The War Protects an Unpopular Government | By Global Fellow Guy Laron
I listened to the entire conversation and felt, Mr. Perry, you acquitted yourself remarkably well. I have a few comments:
a) It was important to on Aljazeera, in particular, not to sound like a Netanyahu clone with accusations of anti-semitism and blanket denials of the poor decisions Israel has made. This was accomplished with aplomb.
b) It was also important not to accept facile narratives as advanced by the English panelist about Iran telegraphing their attack (they didn't) and not trying to harm civilians (of course, they were). I thought this was accomplished effectively.
c) The EU representative panelist came across as someone with minimal gravitas which even the moderator picked up on. Having such a light-weight EU talking head on the panel actually was beneficial in that it showed once again EU Israel-Hamas positioning is heavy on sanctimony and passion, but does not have much else on offer.
d) I personally disagree that a "symbolic response" (among the three options) is a good choice for the Israelis. The ONLY way Iran will ever reset its calculus around employing proxies and a "slow asphyxiation strategy" vis-a-vis Israel is if they decide the costs of this strategy exceed its benefits. Doing horrific damage to Iran's ports, oil fields, and refineries might provide an impetus towards such a reassessment of cost and benefits.
e) With respect to Gazan deaths, Mr. Perry, I would have thought it a reasonable response to quote from Yahya Sinwar's own texts in which he welcomes the benefits of seeing tens of thousands of Gazan killed in service to his cause. Perhaps this is a lost cause but I do find citing Sinwar's own words to be at least a bit effective in undermining the all too prevalent narrative around "Israel's genocidal actions."
All in all, Mr. Perry, I encourage you to continue doing exactly as you did on Al Jazeera. Very well done, indeed!