How to Lose Friends and Influence People: Falling opinions in the US and Israel's hasbara efforts

The recent win of Abdul el-Sayed in the Michigan Democratic primary was the latest in a string of defeats for AIPAC backed candidates. 

While still strong in some areas of the US, in others, the backing of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is a hindrance to candidates in others. 

As AIPAC and political candidates approaching the Midterm elections in November try to weave the lines of US public approval, Israel is continuing its efforts to influence public opinion, with ever greater spending on social media hasbara efforts. 

This week on The New Arab Voice podcast, we look at the state of public opinion in the US, and what the recent victories of pro-Palestinian candidates means for the upcoming elections, with insights from Gregory Aftandilian, Senior Professorial Lecturer at the School of International Service at American University.

We also speak with Nick Cleveland Stout, Research associate at the Quincy Institute in the Democratizing Foreign Policy program. Nick recently published a report titled: The Eighth Front: Inside Israel’s $1 Billion Influence Campaign, which documents Israel's efforts to influence US public opinion and sway policy in the US politics. 

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge).

Theme music by Omar al-Fil with additional music from Audio Network.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com