A Political Earthquake in New York

A Political Earthquake in New York

Author: Arab Center Washington DC July 3, 2025 Duration: 55:29

Peter Beinart, Heba Gowayed, and Yousef Munayyer discuss Zohran Mamdani's surprise victory in New York City's mayoral Democratic primary and the implication it may have for US domestic and foreign policy.


Produced by the Arab Center Washington DC, Five Questions offers a focused and structured approach to understanding complex current events, primarily centered on the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy. Each episode features an expert guest-a scholar, analyst, or practitioner-who is posed five precisely crafted questions on a single pressing topic. This format moves beyond surface-level headlines to dissect the historical context, political dynamics, and human impact of an issue, providing listeners with substantive clarity in a manageable timeframe. You’ll hear in-depth discussions that unpack the nuances behind the news, from regional conflicts and diplomatic relations to economic shifts and social movements. The conversation is driven by curiosity and a commitment to expert insight, aiming to build knowledge through deliberate inquiry. This podcast is for anyone seeking a deeper, more organized understanding of world affairs without jargon or unnecessary digression. The disciplined five-question structure ensures every conversation is direct, informative, and naturally progresses from foundational concepts to deeper implications, making intricate subjects more accessible. Tune in for a thoughtful analysis that prioritizes depth and perspective on the stories that shape our global landscape.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Five Questions
Podcast Episodes
Crossing the Red Line [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:52
Akbar Shahid Ahmed and Yousef Munayyer discuss Ahmed’s new book Crossing the Red Line, examining the Biden administration’s Gaza policy, internal dissent, political calculations, and the future of Democratic Party debate…
The Enduring Influence of Marwan Barghouti [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:26
Arab Barghouti and Yousef Munayyer discuss Marwan Barghouti’s imprisonment, his enduring influence in #Palestinian politics, the human impact on families of detainees, and the debate over leadership, justice, and the fut…
After Gaza: Shifting Palestinian Public Opinion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:42
Khalil Shikaki and Khalil E. Jahshan discuss new polling on #Palestinian politics, declining Hamas support, election prospects, and public attitudes after the #Gaza war.
The Foundations of Zionism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:18
Sabri Jiryis and Khalil Jahshan discuss Jiryis’s lifelong research on Zionism, the roots and evolution of Zionist ideology, and the future of Israel and Palestine in a wide-ranging conversation.
Breaking Down the US–Iran Memorandum of Understanding [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:50
Laura Rozen and Yousef Munayyer unpack the Memorandum of Understanding between the US and #Iran, examining key sticking points, regional tensions, and what lies ahead in the uncertain path toward a final agreement.
Shifting US Opinion on Palestine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:55
Matt Duss and Yousef Munayyer unpack the shifting landscape of American public opinion on #Israel and its implications for the future US engagement in the #MiddleEast.
Syria: A Modern History [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:18
Daniel Neep and Khalil E. Jahshan discuss Neep's new book, Syria: A Modern History. From Ottoman roots to civil war, he unpacks how history shapes #Syria's struggles today.
The Complexities of Human Rights Reporting on Palestine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:43
Yousef Munayyer and Omar Shakir discuss his decision to depart from Human Rights Watch, the contents of the report that the organization sought to withhold, and the broader challenges of conducting human rights documenta…
Crime, Neglect, and Politics in Israel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:11
Yousef Munayyer and Muhammad Mustafa explore rising crime in Palestinian towns inside #Israel, the government’s willful neglect, and the shifting domestic political landscape ahead of the Israeli elections.
Unrest in Iran: Economic Drivers and External Dynamics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:04
Negar Mortazavi and Yousef Munayyer examine the latest unrest in Iran amid a deepening economic crisis, intensifying US sanctions, and rising threats of external military intervention.