It's hard to be still and take stock when you're standing on shifting sands. Equally it's impossible to build anything meaningful or lasting when the ground under your feet won't stop moving. That's why the title of this 'Middle East Analysis' podcast feels very appropriate in these uncertain times for the region and its people. Conflicts and wars - proxy or otherwise - come and go from the news headlines and the value and dignity of human life is degraded with every man, woman or child killed in the crossfire. Not much is solid, certain and reliable.
Today Dr Harry Hagopian looks at:
Israel/Palestine - a fragile ceasefire in Gaza and the Kairos II statement.
Lebanon - how can its government disarm Hezbollah and at the same time avoid civil war?
Sudan - the horrors of Al Fashir and a tragedy that has left millions in need of humanitarian aid
Syria - Interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to the White House and an easing of sanctions.
Saudi Arabia - Crown Prince MBS, Mohammed bin Salman - another leader visiting President Donald Trump - and the small matter of the F35s.
All this and more on the shifting sands of the MENA and Gulf region (and Sudan).
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It's hard to be still and take stock when you're standing on shifting sands. Equally it's impossible to build anything meaningful or lasting when the ground under your feet won't stop moving. That's why the title of this 'Middle East Analysis' podcast feels very appropriate in these uncertain times for the region and its people. Conflicts and wars - proxy or otherwise - come and go from the news headlines and the value and dignity of human life is degraded with every man, woman or child killed in the crossfire. Not much is solid, certain and reliable.
Today Dr Harry Hagopian looks at:
Israel/Palestine - a fragile ceasefire in Gaza and the Kairos II statement.
Lebanon - how can its government disarm Hezbollah and at the same time avoid civil war?
Sudan - the horrors of Al Fashir and a tragedy that has left millions in need of humanitarian aid
Syria - Interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to the White House and an easing of sanctions.
Saudi Arabia - Crown Prince MBS, Mohammed bin Salman - another leader visiting President Donald Trump - and the small matter of the F35s.
All this and more on the shifting sands of the MENA and Gulf region (and Sudan).
Our studio guest for this special 30-minute Middle East Analysis podcast is the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
Born in northern Italy, the Patriarch, a Franciscan, has spent 35 years of his ministry in the Holy Land. In this time he has seen many episodes of war and tension. The current cycle of violence is particularly devastating.
However, it is the season of Advent and the eyes of the world slowly turn to Bethlehem. Hope prevails in the darkness, and the Patriarch clings to this when discussing the region’s Christians.
Cardinal Pizzaballa talks about the intense and challenging situation facing the Catholics of Gaza, the West Bank and Israel. We talk in particular about the small community sheltering at the compound of the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City.
Our regular studio guest is the international lawyer, consultant and former Assistant General Secretary for the Middle East Council of Churches, Dr Harry Hagopian. Harry grew up in Jerusalem and his family has traditionally had close ties with the Patriarchate. He fondly reflects on how his father, a doctor, used to treat former Patriarchs at his GP surgery.
Cardinal Pizzaballa and Dr Hagopian share thoughts on a number of subjects in the half-hour podcast:
Gaza and the Christians sheltering at the Church of the Holy Family
Parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli and his joy at being back in Gaza
Memories of engagement with the various Churches of the Holy Land
Hope and grassroots dialogue in the face of war and violence
The Patriarch’s meditation on Advent and faith
Middle East Analysis
It's hard to be still and take stock when you're standing on shifting sands. Equally it's impossible to build anything meaningful or lasting when the ground under your feet won't stop moving. That's why the title of this 'Middle East Analysis' podcast feels very appropriate in these uncertain times for the region and its people. Conflicts and wars - proxy or otherwise - come and go from the news headlines and the value and dignity of human life is degraded with every man, woman or child killed in the crossfire. Not much is solid, certain and reliable.
Today Dr Harry Hagopian looks at:
Israel/Palestine - a fragile ceasefire in Gaza and the Kairos II statement.
Lebanon - how can its government disarm Hezbollah and at the same time avoid civil war?
Sudan - the horrors of Al Fashir and a tragedy that has left millions in need of humanitarian aid
Syria - Interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to the White House and an easing of sanctions.
Saudi Arabia - Crown Prince MBS, Mohammed bin Salman - another leader visiting President Donald Trump - and the small matter of the F35s.
All this and more on the shifting sands of the MENA and Gulf region (and Sudan).
