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April 4, 2016

Title: Inside the Middle East
Topic: Middle East

Discussed by Avi Melamed
with Avi Melamed (www.avimelamed.com)

Part 1 of 3

America’s declining influence in international affairs can be reversed, but only if citizens and policymakers revolutionize their understanding of events in the Middle East with accurate information. New Guest, Avi Melamed, is an internationally acclaimed Middle East expert and former Senior Official on Arab Affairs and Intelligence. Fluent in Arabic, Hebrew, and English, he has spent decades operating in Arab cities, often in high-risk positions at sensitive times. Avi is also the author of “Inside the Middle East: Making Sense of the Most Dangerous and Complicated Place on Earth”.

In his book, Avi Melamed argues that “America is a declining power in the Middle East.” In this interview, he gives two reasons for this decline: 1) weak policy, and 2) friendliness to Iran. Listen in as he explains his opinion further and what the future looks like for the Middle East, America, and the entire world.

First of all, Russia has been gaining more strength and power in the last few years as they become bolder and more aggressive against those in the Middle East. “The Russians [recognize] the American’s in-cohesive lack of policy and weakening position. They are taking advantage of that,” Avi reveals. Secondly, Avi reminds us of the Iran Deal, which President Obama signed last year. This was a horrible decision, allowing hundreds of millions of dollars to flow to the Iran regime.

Many Middle Eastern experts like Avi Melamed credit these developments to the operating policy of the United States. Again, Avi believes that too many American leaders (even President Obama) look to the MSM for their information and not the experts themselves.

Listen in as Avi describes the initiative he began three years ago at the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College  and how he is teaching his students to gather, apply, and advise others of the correct information in the proper manner. “It’s about education and saying good-bye to the juvenile, unprofessional, immature approach regarding the Middle East,” Avi says passionately.

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Title: Part 2 of 3 - Inside the Middle East
Topic: Middle East

Discussed by Avi Melamed
with Avi Melamed (www.avimelamed.com)

In this second segment with Avi Melamed, he describes the greatest threats to American interests in the Middle East. First, he believes that too many people, including leaders, have a misunderstanding of the region. He warns that the next President of the United States must “regain balance between the Arab Sunni clans, which is the majority of the people in the Middle East.” Secondly, Avi says American leaders must “abandon the concept of an Israeli/Palestinian agreement.” Instead, he challenges us to adopt an Israeli/Arab agreement. Listen in as he explains why.

Avi also discusses the promotion of Democracy in the Middle East. Many believe that Democracy is not obtainable; Avi disagrees. “The concept is not negative. The problem was the inaccurate reading of the political, cultural, and economic social [aspect] of the people of the Middle East,” he states. He does, however, believe that it could have been approached differently.

Listen as Avi explains the current political situations in Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Shiites, Kurds, and Muslims, and why our leaders are so wrong in their assertion of the different sects.

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Title: Part 3 of 3 - Inside the Middle East
Topic: Middle East

Discussed by Avi Melamed
with Avi Melamed (www.avimelamed.com)

During the second segment, Avi Melamed briefly mentioned that he’d like to see an Israeli/Arab deal instead of an Israeli/Palestinian agreement. There are several reasons for this, which he outlines in his great book, “Inside the Middle East: Making Sense of the Most Dangerous and Complicated Place on Earth”.  He does believe a two-state solution is best and is achievable, but in a different manner than others.

Connecting Israel to the Arab state may not make a lot of sense to the average citizen. In fact, it may not make sense at all! However, Avi points out, “Forming an alliance [like this] lays the foundation for the opportunity to sign an Israeli/Arab agreement which the Palestinians could be part of…Stabilizing conditions would be set on the ground in order to enable Palestinians and Israelis to negotiate [everything] that is at stake.” This is definitely an interesting concept.

Listen in as Avi explains his thoughts on this issue in further detail, including taking control of the Gaza Strip. He also outlines five action steps American leaders must adopt immediately in order to reverse its declining power in the Middle East.

To order a copy of Avi Melamed’s new book, “Inside the Middle East: Making Sense of the Most Dangerous and Complicated Place on Earth”, click the above link.

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