Off The Hookah With Phil And Cooper

Iraq is finally moving towards forming a new government; this week their parliament elected a new speaker. Following up from their discussion in Episode 68, Phil and Cooper break down what the choice says about Iraq’s future. Also, an agreement between Russia and Turkey temporarily prevents a humanitarian disaster in Syria. Iran 1, US 0: Iraq chooses a parliament speaker (Ali Mamouri) Iraq's Abadi under fire from pro-Iran political factions (Mustafa Saadoun) Iraqi Kurds stuck between Iran, US (Fazel Hawramy) Sistani calls for nominating new faces for next prime minister (Ali Mamouri) Turkey, Russia agree to buffer zone in Syria’s Idlib (Ayla Jean Yackley) Erdogan scores diplomatic wins in meetings with Putin, Merkel (Cengiz Candar) What Putin-Erdogan deal means for Idlib (Max Suchkov) Music: The Grateful Dead & Hamza el Din - Ollin Arageed (iTunes | Spotify)

Phil and Cooper speak with Al-Monitor’s Washington Editor, Julian Pecquet, about this week’s release of the annual series The Influence Game – an incisive research project on how US lobbying plays a role in shaping Middle East policy. Julian and our hosts talk about the Gulf’s dwindling influence war on Qatar, Turkey’s bad investment and other issues. Please be sure to register online for free to access the Influence Game as well as Al-Monitor’s archive of thousands of great articles. Music: Rachid Taha - Barra Barra (iTunes | Spotify)

Our hosts give a much-needed update on Iraq’s governmental chaos stemming from this year’s election and recount. Now that the recount is finished, why haven’t they been able to choose a new prime minister, or form a new government? The answer seems complicated, but Phil and Cooper explain the global forces (i.e. America and Iran) that are prolonging the issue. Also, Nike’s got a controversial new ad campaign. As Iraq wraps up election recount, is a new government in sight? (Ali Mamouri) Iran-US conflict leaves Abadi in a dilemma (Ali Mamouri) Kurds put conditions for allying with Shiites to form government (Omar Sattar) Shiite split heats up as Iraqi lawmakers fail to elect speaker (Hamdi Malik) Music: Ahmed Fakroun - Soleil Soleil (iTunes | Spotify)

America’s relationship with Palestine has grown even more fragile over the last few days, when the Trump Administration decided to cut much needed foreign aid to them. What’s the reasoning, and why now? Also, tension is building in Syria’s Idlib region – Phil and Cooper break down what Turkey, the Kurds and Russia have to do with it. Palestinian aid critics wary of Trump cuts (Bryant Harris) Israel, US seek to redefine Palestinian refugees (Ben Caspit) Turkey strives to unite rebel factions in Syria against Assad (Khaled al-Khateb) Idlib locals worry as regime offensive looms (Mohammed al-Khatieb) Turkey amasses force of Syrian rebel factions at Idlib (Fehim Tastekin) Will Turkey’s 'strategic partnership' with Russia cover Idlib? (Semih Idiz) Our Spotify playlist is available here. Music: Elissa - Aayshalak (iTunes | Spotify)

This week marks the 30th anniversary of the end of the Iran-Iraq War, and many of the scars of this war are still visible. Phil and Cooper break down the entirety of the war, from its major players to its major battles, as well as how the war is playing a role in recent tensions. Iran-Iraq War continues to claim lives 30 years on (Makram Najmuddine) Iran-Iraq War continues to claim lives (Leila Alikarami) Our Spotify playlist is available here. Music: Googoosh - Respect (iTunes | Spotify)

We spoke too soon. Since last week’s discussion about sanctions in Turkey, a lot has changed: tensions have risen between the US and Turkey over the latter’s imprisonment of pastor Andrew Brunson, and neither one is backing down. Phil and Cooper recap what’s happened so far and get some perspective from Al-Monitor contributor Ayla Jean Yackley, who’s been covering the situation and joins us from Istanbul. Music: Neşe Karaböcek – “Yali Yali” (Todd Terje edit on Soundcloud | YouTube). Neşe Karaböcek’s music is available on iTunes and Spotify.

Today's focus is on sanctions: what are they, and how have the Trump Administration used them recently in Iran and Turkey? Phil and Cooper discuss the impact of these decisions on these already-struggling economies, and what the US is hoping to gain. Also, Dinesh D'Souza struggled to make another movie. US reimposes sanctions as Iran deal crumbles (Bryant Harris) Sanctions threaten Iran's dream of becoming Eurasian transport hub (Mohsen Shariatinia) China set to fill vacuum left by French carmakers exiting Iran (Mohsen Shariatinia) Why is Europe underplaying its hand on Iran? (Axel Hellman) US hopes new sanctions fuel Iran protests (Laura Rozen) Trump makes good on threat to sanction Turkey (Bryant Harris) Turkey fumes over US sanctions, vows to retaliate (Semih Idiz) Turkey remains defiant in row with US over pastor as deal falls through (Amberin Zaman) Brunson affair taking economic toll on Turkey (Amberin Zaman) Music: Simge - Miş Miş (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

Phil and Cooper speak with Al-Monitor Palestine Pulse columnist Daoud Kuttab, about his new longform piece ‘Abbas bids Adieu,’ which delves into the Palestinian president’s ongoing struggles to renew his legacy and how it compares to his predecessor Yasser Arafat’s way of doing business. Also, zoo troubles in Egypt. Abbas bids Adieu (Daoud Kuttab) Music: Ali Hassan Kuban - Mabruk (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

Touching on two topics today: first, Israel passed a controversial new law that makes their Jewish roots official, though it’s been legislated at the expense of Arab Israelis and other minorities in the country. Second, Mike Pompeo made a bombastic speech about freedom in Iran – what does it say about the Trump policy on dealing with the Islamic Republic? Also, ABBA. 03:56 - Israeli legislators strip Arabic of official language status (Shlomi Eldar) 03:56 - Palestinians outraged at Jewish nation-state law (Daoud Kuttab) 11:55 - More fire and fury: Trump, Pompeo offer mixed messages on Iran (Laura Rozen) 11:55 - Rouhani, Trump in a war of words Music: Hashemesh Tizrach - Guy & Yahel (iTunes | Spotify)  

Protests have broken out in southern Iraq, where citizens are arguing for the government to provide better basic services such as electricity and clean water. Phil and Cooper break down what’s happened so far, and how it relates to Iraq’s political atmosphere today. Also, Turkey has been holding an American pastor in jail since 2016, and how it’s become a political stalemate between Presidents Trump and Erdogan. 03:17 - Billion dollar debt, heat wave push Iran to cut electricity to Iraq (Ali Mamouri) 03:17 - Oil installations hit by protests in southern Iraq (Ali Mamouri) 03:17 - Iraq may soon be without a government, as clock runs out (Ali Mamouri) 03:17 - Iraqi protests escalate with no new government in sight (Ali Mamouri) 10:10 - Hopes soar for US pastor's release as Trump fist-bumps Erdogan (Amberin Zaman) 10:10 - Erdogan wants more from Trump before Turkey will free pastor (Amberin Zaman) Music: Jadal - Salma (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

Next week, US President Donald Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki to talk shop. Phil and Cooper, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed after a week off, jump headfirst into the summit, discussing recent tensions and how this summit relates to the Middle East, specifically Syria. Also, friend of the pod and Al-Monitor’s Russia-Mideast editor Max Suchkov joins us from Moscow to give his expert analysis. Bolton lays ground for Trump, Putin summit (Max Suchkov) Russia, Jordan discuss Syria in run-up to Trump-Putin summit (Marianna Belenkaya) Can Russia deliver on Trump’s hope of ousting Iran from Syria? (Kirill Semenov) South Syria offensive rages as thousands flee (Tamer Osman) монеточка (Monetochka) - каждый раз (Every Time) (iTunes | Spotify)

Phil and Cooper follow up on last week’s episode breaking down the Turkish presidential elections with the results — who won, who lost and what’s next for the country. Also, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife has been charged with fraud. We look into the history and what this spells for the highest office in Israel. Erdogan declares victory in historic Turkish vote (Ayla Jean Yackley) What’s next for Turkey following Erdogan’s election win? (Amberin Zaman) Erdogan still faces uphill battle despite electoral victory (Semih Idiz) Turkish opposition's unity crumbles as electoral slogans fade (Amberin Zaman) Turkish opposition fails miserably in critical election test (Sibel Hurtas) Netanyahu seemingly unfazed by wife's fraud indictment (Ben Caspit) Music: Eifo HaYeled - What I’m Going Through (Bandcamp | iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

Presidential and parliamentary elections in Turkey are happening in a few days, so Phil and Cooper revisit why the elections were rescheduled to this month, who the main candidates are and what results we might expect to see. To get some more expert analysis, we speak with Al-Monitor Turkey Pulse contributor Ayla Jean Yackley, who joins us from Istanbul where she’s reporting on the elections. Turkey’s lira tumbles as inflation nears record high (Ayla Jean Yackley) Turkish opposition joins forces for parliament vote (Ayla Jean Yackley) Calls mount for Turkey to release jailed Kurdish politician ahead of vote (Ayla Jean Yackley) Polls show Erdogan ahead, but should Turks trust them? (Ayla Jean Yackley) Music: Aleyna Tilki - Yalnız Çiçek (feat. Emrah Karaduman) (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

Following up on Episode #53 ('Iraq the Vote'), Phil and Cooper give an update on the recent elections in Iraq. Over the past few weeks, there have been calls for a recount, an act of arson destroying ballots and the announcement of a big alliance. Al-Monitor's Iraq Pulse editor Ali Mamouri joins to give his expert views on what's been happening. Disputes over election results flare after Baghdad ballot fire (Ali Mamouri) Sadr allies with Iran-backed coalition to form government in Iraq (Ali Mamouri) Music: Shatha Hassoun - Aykhbal Aykhbal (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

The little kingdom of Jordan has been seeing historic protests recently, followed by the sacking of their prime minister. Phil and Cooper discuss what triggered the protests and what lies ahead for their new prime minister (and, more importantly, for their leader, King Abdullah II). Also, Turkey’s been on a firing streak, and their military is getting hurt the worst. 04:42 - Jordan’s days of rage force PM to resign (Osama al Sharif) 13:22 - Turkish military purges decimate career officer, pilot ranks (Metin Gurcan) Music: El Morabba3 - Asheek (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

This week, French President Emmanuel Macron had the representatives of Libya’s rival governments come together to pave a path forward for their country – so how did we get here? Phil and Cooper break down the basics of Libya since the 1970s and speak with Al-Monitor contributor Mustafa Fetouri about the state of the country and this week’s events. Music: Ahmed Fakroun - Gelty (iTunes | Spotify)

Phil and Cooper run the gamut of different issues in the Middle East this week, discussing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s recent speech about Iran, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas getting sick and the future of Palestine’s leadership, Turkey and Israel’s bitter feud over Gaza and a French petition about editing the Quran. 03:02 - America’s hawkish turn on Iran threatens Gulf alliance (Jack Detsch) 09:31 - Israel faces the unknown in post-Abbas era (Ben Caspit) 12:36 - Turkey and Israel: Barking, biting, but still doing business (Cengiz Candar) 17:37 - After calls to change the Quran, Turkey moves to ban all things French (Pinar Tremblay) 17:37 - French group's manifesto against Quran draws rebuttals in Egypt (Ahmed Fouad) Music: Khaled - Hiya Hiya (iTunes | Spotify)

The US officially opened its new embassy in Jerusalem, which led to protests that saw at least 60 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces. Phil and Cooper discuss the ramifications of the embassy move, as well as the history of the Nakba. Also, Iraq had elections and the results might change the country’s political landscape. 04:06 - US opens Jerusalem embassy amid Gaza bloodshed (Bryant Harris) 04:06 - Palestinians struggle to preserve memories in younger generation (Tessa Fox) 13:35 - Iraqi election results shock political class (Ali Mamouri) 13:35 - Iranian media react to populist cleric's victory in Iraq elections (Al-Monitor Staff) Music: Rida - Neseet El Nom (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

This week, President Trump withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal — what did he say and what’s the reality of the situation? Also, the Met Gala. 04:39 - The P5 minus 1: Trump exits Iran deal (Laura Rozen) 04:39 - EU divided over efforts to appease Trump on Iran deal - (Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi) 04:39 - Some Iranians say nuclear deal can survive if Europe cooperates (Al-Monitor Staff) Music: Fares Karam - Badna Nwallea (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pulled out the stops this week with a "smoking gun" about Iran and the nuclear deal. Except it wasn't really a smoking gun — it was more like a blank cartridge. Phil and Cooper dissect the presentation and how it plays into President Trump's May 12 deadline on whether to stay in or leave the deal. Also, Iran's government likes to censor things. Iran's TV censors draw ridicule, protests (Saied Jafari) For Netanyahu, Israel's only problem is Iran (Akiva Eldar) Trump, Netanyahu stand firm against Europe on Iran deal (Ben Caspit) Europe says Bibi's 'atomic archive' pitch proves need for Iran deal (Laura Rozen) Music: Static & Ben El Favori - Silsulim (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)