Off The Hookah With Phil And Cooper

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced early presidential elections that will take place in just a couple of months. Why the rush? What are Erdogan’s chances, and who will run against him? To get some answers, Phil and Cooper speak with Al-Monitor Turkey Pulse columnist Pinar Tremblay. Also, Kanye West. Despite emphatic past denials, Erdogan calls for early elections (Pinar Tremblay) The dueling ayatollahs (Ali Mamouri) Music: She Past Away - Asimilasyon (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

Following up on last week’s podcast about the Syrian chemical weapons attack, Phil and Cooper discuss the resulting military action from the US, UK and France, what it indicates about Trump’s Syria policy and how other countries have reacted. Also, Jim Comey. 04:43 - Israel disappointed over US-led strike on Syria (Ben Caspit) 04:43 - Russia takes low-key approach to West's strike on Syria (Maxim Suchkov)  04:43 - Turkey's response to US-led Syria strikes: Not enough but welcomed (Pinar Tremblay) 04:43 - Congress seeks to exert more control over Middle East wars (Bryant Harris) Music: Hawa Dafi - Shams Elhoreye (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

A tragic chemical weapons attack happened this past weekend in Syria, and world leaders are up in arms about it. Phil and Cooper take a careful look at the situation and how different countries are planning their next moves. Al-Monitor's Washington editor, Julian Pecquet, stops by for a cameo question. Also, Qatar’s emir visited the US this week. 03:09 - Turkey squeezed as US-Russia tensions rise in Syria (Amberin Zaman) 03:09 - Iran condemns chemical weapons attacks, denies Syria’s role (Al-Monitor Staff) 21:30 - Qatar hires Trump-linked lobbyist ahead of emir’s visit (Bryant Harris) Song: Bu Kolthoum - Esset Abl El Noom (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

This past weekend’s events at the Gaza-Israel border saw some of the worst violence there since 2014. Phil and Cooper break down what happened and what’s next. Also, Sisi won his election and the sky is blue. 03:45 - Israel defends decision to deploy snipers amid Gaza protests (Akiva Eldar) 20:04 - Why Sisi doesn't need an official campaign (A correspondent in Egypt) Music: 47Soul - Intro to Shamstep (iTunes | Spotify)

You’ve probably heard about John Bolton by now – he’s about to become President Trump’s most trusted national security advisor. Phil and Cooper talk about his past, our present and how it will affect our future, with a focus on how he views the Middle East. Iranian official declares Bolton appointment a 'shame' (Al-Monitor Staff) Russians fear Bolton may doom Iran deal, stoke arms race (Max Suchkov)

It’s just Phil and Cooper, and in this week’s episode, they discuss three big issues: the status of Turkey’s military operation into Afrin to defeat the Kurds, a bill in US Congress failing to end support for the war in Yemen and the secret Israeli attack on a Syrian nuclear reactor. Whew! That was a mouthful. 04:29 - Turkey demands 'respect' after taking Syria’s Afrin from Kurdish militia (Ayla Jean Yackley) 04:29 - Turkey rolls into Afrin, apparently on way to Manbij (Metin Gurcan) 10:39 - Iran looms large as Congress casts Yemen war vote (Bryant Harris) 18:50 - The story behind Israel's secret strike on Syria's nuclear reactor (Ben Caspit) Music: Athena - Kafama Gore (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

Trump threw another wrench into America’s foreign policy by replacing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson via Twitter this week. Phil and Cooper speak with Al-Monitor’s diplomatic correspondent, Laura Rozen, to talk about how this bodes for the Middle East, including the Iran nuclear deal and the Saudi Arabia/Qatar spat. Apologies to Matt Damon. With Tillerson firing, Trump throws transatlantic Iran talks into disarray (Laura Rozen) Iran deal advocates prepare to battle Pompeo nomination (Bryant Harris) State Department shake-up leaves Qatar hanging (Jack Detsch) Music: Mona Haydar - Dog (feat. Jackie Cruz) (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)  

Phil and Cooper give a much-needed update on the Syrian conflict, especially with the recent atrocities taking place in Eastern Ghouta outside of Damascus. Also, Egypt dreams of a Magic Kingdom, and Gary Cohn says so long. 04:32 - Syria's Eastern Ghouta faces 'another Aleppo' (Tamer Osman) 04:32 - Calls for truce fall on deaf ears in Syria's Ghouta (Anton Mardasov)  18:12 - Old meets Magic Kingdom: Disneyland-style park comes to Egypt (David Awad) Music: Khebez Dawle - Beta'ammer (iTunes | Spotify)

Following up on the big news about Netanyahu’s possible indictments, Phil and Cooper speak with Al-Monitor’s very own Israel Pulse columnist Akiva Eldar to discuss the criminal charges, Netanyahu’s hopes and dreams, and the fear of war. Also, a meatball thief and Ben Carson’s furniture. 04:42 - US ambassador to Israel lobbies in favor of settlers (Akiva Eldar) 04:42 - Israel plagued with political corruption (Akiva Eldar) 04:42 - Netanyahu’s real crime: Plundering land for settlers (Akiva Eldar) Music: Tuna - 30 Rock (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

Phil and Cooper talk about the US defense budget with Al-Monitor’s Pentagon correspondent, Jack Detsch, to get an idea on where the massive amounts of money for foreign armies and weapons square off with President Trump’s constantly-changing views on the Middle East. Also, Bibi gets an indictment recommendation, and Valentine’s Day. 04:22 - Bibi's fight has just begun (Ben Caspit) 10:22 - US support for Kurds in Iraq, Syria unaffected by tensions with Turkey (Jack Detsch) 10:22 - Pentagon budget retains same troop levels in Iraq, Syria (Jack Detsch)

This week’s episode is a Palestinian-centric pod, focusing on recent events such as the recognition of Jerusalem, the dead-in-the-water peace talks, and divisions between Fatah and Hamas. Phil and Cooper speak with Al-Monitor Palestine Pulse columnist Daoud Kuttab about these issues and more. Also, the Super Bowl. 05:24 - Abbas' diplomatic turn puts Washington in the rear-view mirror (Daoud Kuttab) 05:24 - Europe emerges as new sponsor of Mideast peace (Daoud Kuttab) 05:24 - Hamas chief's inclusion on US terror list will further derail peace efforts (Daoud Kuttab) Music: A-WA - Habib Galbi (iTunes | Spotify)

You may have heard about Afrin, Syria in the news recently – Turkey’s army started a military operation there to battle what they’ve called ‘terrorists’. But it’s a lot more complicated than that. Phil and Cooper break it down, and Al-Monitor Turkey Pulse columnist and Turkish security expert Metin Gurcan joins and talks shop on the recent operation. Also, the Grammys are trash. 05:52 - 4 factors affecting Turkey's new operation in Syria (Metin Gurcan) 05:52 - Ankara might be awaiting Russian OK for Afrin operation (Metin Gurcan)

It’s the 7th anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution, so Phil and Cooper break down what has happened since 2011 and the outlook for the country. Also, Shahira Amin joins to discuss her own struggles working for state-run media and her eventual break from them. 02:38 - Prize camels keep tradition alive in changing Saudi, but please no Botox! (Stephen Kalin/Reuters) 06:22 - Quitting the propaganda machine (Shahira Amin) 16:37 - Another general 'testing the waters' of Egypt's presidential race (Ahmed Youness) 16:37 - Who will run against Sisi in Egypt’s elections? (Muhammed Magdy) 16:37 - Can Sisi rival gain support of Egypt's Copts in 2018 elections? (Ahmed Fouad)

Phil and Cooper discuss the upcoming Sochi congress, a summit of Syrian groups brokered by Russia, Iran and Turkey to discuss the country’s future. It’s complicated but we have our expert in the studio all the way from Moscow – Al-Monitor’s Russia-Mideast editor Max Suchkov. Also, we discuss the Emoji Movie and Turkish hackers. 05:48 - What 2018 looks like for Russia, US regarding Syria (Max Suchkov) 05:48 - Moscow’s leverage in Syria is strong, but limited (Max Suchkov) Music: Serebro - Mama Luba (iTunes | Spotify)

Off the Hookah returns for 2018 with a recap of the recent unrest in Iran: Phil and Cooper break down the timeline, the possible reasons for the protests and some of the figures who have been accused of organizing them. Also, the Egyptian government cracks down on kids breaking President Sisi’s balls. 04:05 - Protests in Iran unlikely to bring about change (Mohammad Ali Shabani) 04:05 - How Rouhani can use protests to advance reform (Mohammad Ali Shabani) 04:05 - Iran grapples with how to deal with protests (Ali Hashem) 04:05 - IRGC media producers open new front against Rouhani (Narges Bajoghli) 19:25 - Egyptian authorities clamp down on 'Sisi's balls' (Rasha Mahmoud) Music: Sirvan Khosravi - Soojehat Tekrarie (iTunes | Spotify)

Phil and Cooper thought about a clip show to commemorate the garbage bag that was 2017, but chose to do a panel recap instead. Al-Monitor's Washington bureau is on the pod this week to discuss the year in lobbying, defense and legislation with regard to the Middle East. This is the last episode of 2017; we’ll see you again January 10! Middle East Lobbying - The Influence Game Music: Klay BBj - Mayhebbouch Lehtiram (iTunes | Spotify)

We’re playing catch-up this week on Off the Hookah, discussing President Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the recent death of Yemen’s former president Ali Abdullah Saleh and what Saleh's legacy bodes for the future of the country. 03:19 - Arab leaders plan major response to Trump's Jerusalem move (Daoud Kuttab) 03:19 - Will Trump recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital? (Shlomi Eldar) 03:19 - Jerusalem recognition serves mainly Trump, Netanyahu (Ben Caspit) 11:53 - Yemen’s new, dangerous post-Saleh power vacuum (Giorgio Cafiero) 11:53 - Saudis fail at their own conspiracy (Bruce Riedel) Music: DAM - Street Poetry (iTunes | Spotify)

Al-Monitor’s own Israel Pulse columnist Ben Caspit joins Phil and Cooper to discuss the toils and troubles of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu, from his willingness to put up with Trump’s unpredictability, to his political dealings with Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the investigations and his future. Also, Michael Flynn. 14:12 - Are Israel, Saudi Arabia about to upgrade relations? (Ben Caspit) 19:09 - Why Netanyahu actually supports Palestinian reconciliation (Ben Caspit) Music: Peer Tasi - Dina Dina (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

Phil and Cooper discuss the weekend’s tragic attack at an Egyptian mosque, who might be responsible and possible ramifications for the region and the country’s president. Also, the Palestinians get a raw deal from the US State Department, Thanksgiving stories and the Royal Wedding. 05:50 - Sinai jihadis seek to sabotage Palestinian reconciliation (A correspondent in Sinai) 05:50 - Sinai massacre forebodes more violence (A correspondent in Sinai) 17:25 - PLO office closure threat could be last straw for Palestinians (Daoud Kuttab) Music: Tamer Hosny - Ya Meli Einy (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

Al-Monitor Gulf Pulse columnist Bruce Riedel joins this week’s podcast to give his expert insight into Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s recent shakedowns in the Saudi royal palace, what happens next and the reality of his big plans for the kingdom. Also, Phil’s out and Cooper talks about sports. 09:48 - High stakes as Saudi crown prince tries to remove opponents (Bruce Riedel) “Kings and Presidents: Saudi Arabia and the United States since FDR” by Bruce Riedel (available now on Amazon) Music: Qusai - Kattiyour (feat. Hamza) (iTunes | Spotify)