128: Iran, Gaza and the new American right, with Sohrab Ahmari
Summary
Haviv discusses the rise of anti-Semitism on the American right and the strained U.S.-Israel relationship with guest Saurab Amari. They explore the tension between legitimate criticism of Israeli policies in Gaza and the West Bank and the resurgence of anti-Jewish conspiracy theories. The conversation also covers Amari’s personal journey from Iranian-born atheist to Catholic conservative and his views on J.D. Vance’s political alliances.
Topics discussed
Introduction and guest background
The ecosystem of right-wing anti-Semitism
Guest's journey from atheism to Catholic Zionism
Psychoanalytic theory of anti-Semitism and political polarization
Comparing Gaza to Yemen and other conflicts
Critiques of Israel vs. other US allies and settlements
Israeli security dilemmas and the moral imaginary
The failure of the 2005 Gaza disengagement
US aid, humanitarian crisis, and political pressure
The Iranian regime and the ideology of destruction
Historical context: Nasserism and Arab nationalism
US strategic priorities and Middle East engagement
Conclusion: The necessity of defeating the enemy
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