Just World Books Podcasts

The U.S. occupation of Iraq is scheduled to draw to a final end on December 31 of this year. Just World Books author Reidar Visser has closely tracked Washington's efforts to try to build a democratic, accountable government in Iraq and now, as the nearly nine years of occupation draws to an end he tells Helena Cobban that the political situation there is bleak. Support the show

On Friday, November 4, a small flotilla crewed by western and Palestinian peace activists was stopped and boarded by the Israeli Navy as its members tried to break Israel's blockade of Gaza by sailing into Gaza with medical supplies and letters from pen-pals. That same day, Just World Books owner Helena Cobban spoke by Skype with Laila El-Haddad, author of the acclaimed book 'Gaza Mom: Palestine, Politics, Parenting, and Everything In Between.'Support the show

Just World Books author Joshua Foust discussed mid-year trends in how U.S. policies in Afghanistan and Pakistan have been doing, with Dalia Mortada. In this lively discussion, Foust challenged much of what Gen. David Petraeus, until recently the commander of all U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan, has said about violence in the country having been reduced. Listen to this experienced analyst's take on the situation-- and buy his book!Support the show

On May 19, Just World Books will be publishing a fine new book by Lebanese agronomy specialist and social-justice activist Rami Zurayk. The book is called 'Food, Farming, and Freedom: Sowing the Arab Spring'. In this podcast episode, JWB owner Helena Cobban talks with Zurayk about a big civil-society action he participated in alongside other activists, centered around expressing supporting for the rights of the Palestinians. Sadly, the Israeli forces opened fire into Lebanon on some of the unarmed youths taking part, and killed ten of them. Zurayk talks about some of the background to the action there.Support the show

Visser talks from Norway about what led the U.S. democratization project in Iraq to fail, and how Iraq is NOT a model for activists in the current pro-democracy movements in the Middle East.Support the show

Laila El-Haddad reads an excerpt from her book, Gaza Mom, during an event at Westmont College. Full video of the event can be seen at http://bit.ly/dPjK7D Support the show

Excerpt from a discussion between Ambassador Chas W. Freeman Jr. and Steve Clemons at a New America Foundation event. Freeman discusses what the rise of China as an economic and military power means for the US. Full video available at http://bit.ly/dIat5e Support the show

In a discussion with the New America Foundation's Steve Clemons, Ambassador Chas W. Freeman Jr. argues that the US is no longer a qualified broker of peace between Israel and the Palestinians and that the process must be outsourced to other parties. A full video of the event can be seen at http://bit.ly/dIat5e Support the show

In a discussion at the Middle East Institute in Washington, DC, Reidar Visser speaks about the 2010 national elections and criticizes the US approach to Iraqi governance and the risk of sectarian imbalance in a power sharing model. A full podcast of the event is available at http://bit.ly/eURXOJ Support the show

Remarks by Chas W. Freeman Jr. to the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations on October 21, 2010. Transcript: http://bit.ly/8ZVVrPSupport the show

JWB author and Registan.net blogger Josh Foust discusses the Obama Administration's leadership of the war in Afghanistan, the resignation of National Security Advisor General Jim Jones and the impact of Pakistan on the fledgling war effort. Foust notes that the infighting of the Afghan government stands in strong contrast to the messaging that is broadcast from NATO's ISAF. Support the show

Just World Books author Laila El-Haddad describes why people in Gaza feel left out of the current round of U.S. peace diplomacy amidst continued Israeli attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza as Israel continues to construct illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. www.justworldbooks.comSupport the show

In the first half, Amb. Freeman talks about the current round of peace talks, which he describes as a "fraud". In the second half, he talks about his upcoming book, "America's Misadventures in the Middle East", coming out from Just World Books in early October.Support the show

As electric generators buzz in the background, Just World Books author Laila El-Haddad shares her experience overcoming everyday obstacles in Gaza with JWB founder Helena Cobban. From frequent power failures to a dearth of fresh produce, she explains how she is coping after her recent return to her family there and talks about her first book, "Gaza Mom: Palestine, Politics, Parenting, and Everything In Between," to be published on October 14, 2010.Support the show

Just World Books founder and veteran journalist Helena Cobban talks about what led her to establish this new and innovative company and the bold lineup and foreign policy thinkers who will share their thoughts and analysis in Just World Book titles this fall. Support the show