Off The Hookah With Phil And Cooper

Saudi Arabia flew off the rails this weekend when a number of well-known Saudi princes and businessmen were arrested in an anti-corruption sweep, and the royal family may have even forced Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri to resign. Phil and Cooper recap and reflect on the weekend’s whirlwind of events. Also, Osama Bin Laden’s cyber life. 05:27 - High stakes as Saudi crown prince tries to remove opponents (Bruce Riedel) 13:32 - After Hariri’s resignation, what’s next for Lebanon? (Joe Macaron) 13:32 - US sticks by Lebanese army despite Hariri resignation (Jack Detsch) 13:32 - Saudi Arabia’s call for international coalition against Hezbollah faces obstacles (Ali Rizk) Music: Haifa Wehbe – El Wawa (iTunes | Spotify)

We're a day late, but Happy Halloween. Phil and Cooper forgo the usual back-and-forth and bring in the real expert — Al-Monitor's own Amberin Zaman — to discuss Iraqi Kurdistan's future after President Massoud Barzani stepped down from power this week. Also, Egyptian female pro wrestling. 05:46 - Ankara still frosty toward KRG as Barzani exists (Amberin Zaman) 22:43 - Female grapplers take it to the mat in Egypt (Salwa Samir) Music: Dawoud Hussein & Haya Al Shuaibi - Thriller (Michael Jackson cover) (YouTube)

Phil and Cooper give a long-due rundown on the recent reconciliation of Palestine – who’s involved, what it means and how will it affect Trump’s deal-of-the-century — “Believe me!” — a peace deal with Israel. Also, fan mail presents a great question about Turkey’s education policy and evolution. 03:30 - Palestinians gauge economic impact of reconciliation (Adnan Abu Amer) 03:30 - Palestinians keep wary eye on reconciliation agreement (Ahmad Abu Amer) 03:30 - Hamas, Fatah ignore elephant in the room, for now (Shlomi Eldar) 20:02 - What is Turkey’s problem with Darwin? (Mustafa Akyol) 20:02 - Turkish schools told to cut evolution, make room for Quran (Barin Kayaoglu) 22:35 - ‘Earth is flat,’ pro-Erdogan youth leader argues (Mustafa Akyol) Music: Khalas - Amoona (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube) Send us emails! You can reach us at podcast@al-monitor.com.

Last month's independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan angered a lot of its neighbors, and this past week saw the Iraqi army (with help) run the Kurds out of the contested territory of Kirkuk. Does this sound confusing? Phil and Cooper explain Kirkuk's importance in the Middle East, and how this scramble might affect the future of the region. Also, the Iran Deal and the Off the Hookah mail bag. 07:54 - How Iran helped Baghdad seize back Kirkuk (Fazel Hawramy) 07:54 - Assessing impact of shifting Iran-KRG relations (Bijan Khajehpour) 07:54 - Congress threatens to withhold arms from Baghdad (Bryant Harris) 15:42 - Trump punts fate of Iran deal to Congress (Laura Rozen) 15:42 - Trump, Congress play game of chicken with Iran (Bryant Harris) Song: Kathem Al Sahir - Chouby Akhz el Helwa (feat. Shakshaka) (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

US-Turkey relations are at an all-time low, and now it’s going to be harder for Americans to get visas to travel to Istanbul. Phil and Cooper explain the backstory of the scuffle between the two countries, and what’s happened since. Also, Saudi Arabian royalty visited Russia last week – what’s the significance of their first-ever visit from a Saudi king, and what might Russia be thinking? Also, Julian won an award, yeah Julian! 05:34 - Erdogan targets US envoy over escalating visa row (Amberin Zaman) 05:34 - Turkey, US keep finding ways to vex each other (Pinar Tremblay) 10:00 - Why are Turks disposing of $1 bills? (Tulay Cetingulec) 16:28 - Russians, Saudis look to spruce up relations (Max Suchkov) 16:28 - King Salman goes to Russia (Bruce Riedel) 16:28 - US missile defense sale to Saudis seen as effort to thwart Russia (Jack Detsch) Music: Elif Kaya - Tövbe Tövbe (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

Phil and Cooper figured that last week’s referendum in Kurdistan deserved a little more airtime, so we give an update on the threats that the Kurds are dealing with along their borders after this landmark vote. Also, Palestine joins Interpol, and fall is in the air. 05:38 - Iraqi Kurds watch nervously as Erdogan heads for Tehran (Amberin Zaman) 05:38 - Turkey, Iran, Iraq in shaky alignment against Iraqi Kurdistan (Fehim Tastekin) 05:38 - Iran’s pressure on Kurds could backfire (Fazel Hawramy) 16:02 - Palestine’s admission to Interpol sparks angry response from Israel (Daoud Kuttab) Music: Mohammed Assaf - Dammi Falastini (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

Iraqi Kurdistan held an independence referendum this week for citizens to vote on whether they want to form their own country — so why is this a big deal and who is so against this? Phil and Cooper discuss this and more on a super-sized episode. Also: Saudi Arabia is feeling the need for speed (for all genders. Other rights reserved.) What's next after Kurdish independence vote? (Amberin Zaman) Court backs Baghdad by stalling Kurdish referendum (Hassan al-Shanoun) Sectarianism in Iraq peaks ahead of Kurdistan referendum (Fazel Hawramy) Israel cheers on Kurds while ignoring Palestinians (Mazal Mualem) Congress warns Kurds against further steps after independence vote (Bryant Harris) Music: Helly Luv - Revolution (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is convening this week in New York City, so heads of state from around the world are jockeying for who can get the longest speech and who can book the nicest presidential suite. Phil and Cooper travel up to the Big Apple to speak with Al-Monitor's diplomatic correspondent, Laura Rozen, who has been on-site, to discuss what she's been hearing within the halls of power.   Music: Elton John - Rocket Man (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

Phil and Cooper speak with Al-Monitor’s Congressional Correspondent, Bryant Harris, to learn more about Congress and Trump’s takes on Middle East foreign aid, in particular for Palestine and Egypt – no calculators necessary. Also, the Redskins are a garbage football team, FedEx Field is the worst stadium, and Cooper needs to be shamed for still being a fan. Key Senate panel votes to slash Palestinian aid over ‘martyr’ payments (Bryant Harris) Senate panel slashes military aid to Egypt (Bryant Harris) Song: Nesreen Tafesh – “123 Habibi” (Spotify | Youtube)

An international sheikh of mystery has entered as an unexpected variable in the Qatar blockade crisis, so Phil and Cooper deliver everything they know about this strange scenario. And in other strange spy-action, our hosts discuss the unspoken-of scandal of two Turkish intelligence agents getting captured by the PKK. Sorry we’re late on this one, folks. 1. Developing PKK kidnapping story concerns KRG officials - Fazel Hawramy 2. Turkish silence speaks volumes as PKK points to spy ring - Amberin Zaman Music: Zakaria Abdulla – “Bo Kurdistan” (iTunes | Spotify)

Lebanon’s opposing political alliances, along with US, UK, and Syrian Armed Forces, are all at odds with one another – yet they’re sharing the same battlefield and fighting against ISIS. Phil and Cooper break down their differences and the context behind these unique (and secret) partnerships. Also, an update on Qatar, a sexual health hotline in Lebanon, and Gorka bids farewell. 03:40 - US, UK join Lebanon's strange military bedfellows (Nour Samaha) 17:09 - Hotline helps Lebanese talk about sex (Florence Massena) Song: Haifa Wehbe – Baba Fen (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

There’s been a long ongoing insurgency in the Egypt’s Sinai peninsula between the central government and various insurgent groups. Phil and Cooper break down the situation and give a new update. Also, Turkish watermelons and solar eclipses. 05:10 - Why did tribes take up arms in Egypt's Sinai? (George Mikhail) 14:25 - Is Netanyahu’s son pulling him to the far-right? (Ben Caspit) 19:16 - Turks rediscover love for watermelon (Mehmet Cetingulec) Song: Cairokee - Akher Oghnya / The Last Song (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

You may have heard that Israel’s president, Benjamin Netanyahu, is dealing with a lot of scandals – some that may even end his political career.  Phil and Cooper break down the facts and talk about what the future holds for Israel. Also, Egyptians…in space. 03:38 - Netanyahu's legacy will haunt Israel (Akiva Eldar) 03:38 - Netanyahu’s show of strength actually reflects weakness (Mazal Mualem) 03:38 - Are Israelis indifferent to corruption around Netanyahu? (Akiva Eldar) 03:38 - Differing scenarios for a post-Netanyahu government (Ben Caspit) 03:38 - Netanyahu's money man set to tell all (Ben Caspit) 18:30 - Egypt’s outer space ambitions face real world setbacks (Amr Mostafa) Song: Static & Ben El Tavori - Tudo Bom (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

After nearly 27 years of diplomatic stasis, Saudi Arabia is reaching out to Iraq. Phil and Cooper shed some light on the little-discussed relations between these two countries, as well as Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's second inauguration this past week. Also, Frankenstein in Baghdad and other spooky stuff. 03:41 - Saudi Arabia engages Iraq after a quarter century (Bruce Riedel) 15:14 - Rouhani uses inauguration to send message of moderation (Ali Hashem) 15:14 - Rouhani officially begins second term (Ali Hashem) 15:14 - Iranian MPs face backlash over selfies with Mogherini (Al-Monitor Staff) 20:49 - 'Frankenstein in Baghdad' to come to life in film (Omar al-Jaffal) Song: Husam Al Rassam - Habibti Mnin (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

Phil and Cooper spend this week reviewing the Middle East policy of Donald Trump, or the lack thereof — from the Iran nuclear deal to the Syrian civil war. Also, Lebanese snails and the Jersey Shore. 03:58 - Trump's plan for Mideast peace fades (Ben Caspit) 03:58 - Trump risks fallout from Iran deal assault (Laura Rozen) 03:58 - Palestinians, Israelis disappointed over US envoy's talks (Uri Savir) 03:58 - Kushner's first foray into Mideast peace reveals challenges ahead (Daoud Kuttab) 24:45 - Lebanese entrepreneurs discover an appetite for snails (Chloe Domat) Song: Eyal Golan - Come Today (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

Phil and Cooper break down the tensions that have been rising recently between Israel and Palestine regarding metal detectors at a holy site, as well as an update on the Qatar blockade. Also, there's a new craze at your local mall kiosk, and it's not an airbrushed shirt of a gangsta Tweety Bird. Advice from your local Islamic scholar? Details at 11. 02:44 - Netanyahu's rash decision on Temple Mount sparks speculation (Ben Caspit) 02:44 - PA, Israel security coordination out as Temple Mount crisis continues (Shlomi Eldar) 12:38 - Trump administration looks to Oman for help navigating Middle East (Giorgio Cafiero) 12:38 - Tillerson calls on Saudi bloc to lift blockade on Qatar (Laura Rozen) 19:23 - Fatwa on the go: Egypt's Al-Azhar sets up shop in Cairo metro (Shahira Amin) Song: Apo & the Apostles - Fil Zaman (iTunes | Spotify | YouTube)

Cooper returns after a long bike ride through Europe, so he and Phil discuss the controversial Iranian exile group MEK and the wedge they’ve driven between Iran and Palestine. Also, the Notorious R.T.E. (Recep Tayyip Erdogan) celebrates one year of “democracy” since last year’s failed military coup in Turkey. 03:24 - Iran-PA relations continue to nosedive (Ahmad Melhem) 10:36 - Saudi prince's endorsement of MEK angers Iranian officials (Arash Karami) 16:36 - Turkey's divisions on display on 'Day of National Unity' (Cengiz Candar) 16:36 - ‘Justice March’ spawns unique coalition in Turkey (Sibel Hurtas) Song: Yas - Mosafer (iTunes | Spotify)  

Cooper disappeared while hiking in the Alps searching for the Yeti. His last note said he’d be back on the podcast next week. In lieu of this, Al-Monitor’s Washington Editor, Julian Pecquet, joins Phil to talk about the future of the war on ISIS, as well as upcoming defense budgets in the Trump age. Song: Tatazakarein by UTN1 (iTunes | Spotify)

Tensions are building between the US and Russia regarding the Syrian conflict, so Phil and Cooper speak with Al-Monitor's Russia-Mideast editor, Max Suchkov, to get the lowdown. Also, the Saudi Arabia has a new crown prince, and what that spells for the rest of the Middle East. 03:25 - The long-term cost of Saudi succession shake-up (Bruce Riedel) 04:53 - Gulf rift sends tremors through Yemen (Maysaa Shuja Al-Deen) 05:23 - Influence-rich Saudis blow through Sunni unity (Bruce Riedel) 08:48 - US attack on Syrian jet puts Putin under pressure (Max Suchkov) 25:35 - Russia picks 'bull terrier' as new ambassador to US (Max Suchkov) Music: Ya Soshla S Uma (All the Things She Said) by t.A.T.u. (Spotify | iTunes | Facebook)

Israel and Lebanon are each preparing for war, but why? Phil and Cooper break down the history between the two countries. Also, Iran strikes back at ISIS for the recent terror attacks in Tehran. 04:17 - IDF prepares for future of war in region (Ben Caspit) 04:17 - Are Hezbollah, Israel heading for a third war? (Nour Samaha) 10:51 - Hezbollah border tour offers a glimpse of possible war ahead (Associated Press/Zeina Karam) 17:06 - Iran's missile strikes in Syria send 'message' to region (Arash Karami) Song: Reo - Ometz (Spotify | iTunes | Bandcamp | Facebook)