BICOM's Podcast

In this episode, Daniel J. Levy speaks with Edmund Fitton-Brown, former UK Ambassador to Yemen, about the evolving Houthi threat and its implications for Israel, the Gulf states, and the broader regional balance of power. They explore the role of the Houthis in Iran’s attempts to project power in the region and in ongoing talks about the Iranian nuclear programme. Edmund Fitton-Brown is a veteran...

In this episode, Daniel J. Levy speaks with Dr Lynette Nusbacher about the future of UK–Israel relations, as viewed from a British strategic perspective. They explore how the Labour government’s evolving stance – including threats of sanctions and the suspension of trade talks – is reshaping bilateral ties, and what this means for defence, intelligence and cyber cooperation. Dr Lynette Nusbacher i...

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks with veteran journalist and Middle East expert Henrique Cymerman about his extraordinary 12-year relationship with Pope Francis. They discuss Cymerman’s unique role as an emissary between the Vatican and the Middle East, including organising the Pope’s historic visit to Israel, brokering interfaith peace initiatives, and advocating for Israeli hostages in Gaza...

In this episode, Daniel Levy hosts Professor Chuck Freilich for a discussion on the current state of US-Iran nuclear negotiations and the broader strategic implications for Israel and the region. They explore how Donald Trump’s diplomatic posture shapes the unfolding talks and whether a viable deal is within reach. Professor Chuck Freilich is a former Israeli deputy national security advisor and c...

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks with Professor Ofra Bengio about the historical evolution and contemporary challenges of the Kurdish people across the Middle East. They discuss how being divided among four main states shaped Kurdish identity and delve into recent challenges, including the rise of the new Jolani regime in Syria. Professor Ofra Bengio is a senior research fellow at the Moshe D...

In this episode, Richard Pater discusses with Professor Charles Asher Small the ideological and financial influence of Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood on Western academia, especially in the UK and the US. Professor Small outlines how Qatar’s soft power has contributed to the spread of antisemitism and anti-democratic values on university campuses and beyond. Professor Small  is the founder and di...

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks to Tom Wegner, founder of the newly launched Center for Middle East Normalization. They discuss the center’s role in fostering civil society connections between Israel and pro-democracy, pro-peace groups across the region. Wegner shares insights from his experience in Israeli politics, military coordination with the Palestinian Authority Security Forces, and i...

In this episode, Dr Amira Halperin speaks with Professor Chaim Hames, the Rector of Ben Gurion University of the Negev. They discuss the horrific situation on campus following October 7th when, 88 members of the BGU community, students, staff, and family members, were murdered, and 6 students were taken hostage. One-third of the student body are active reservists. Prof. Hames also shares his exper...

In this episode, Dr Amira Halperin speaks to Lt.-Col. (res.) Maurice Hirsch about the release of Palestinian prisoners in the ceasefire deal, and the state of security in the West Bank.   Lt-Col (res.) Hirsch served as Director of the Military Prosecution for Judea and Samaria. Since retiring from the IDF, Hirsch worked as the Head of Legal Strategies for Palestinian Media Watch, as a Senior Milit...

In this episode Richard Pater speaks to Ilan Berman, Senior Vice President at the American Foreign Policy Council. The conversation was recorded as part of a live media briefing following Prime Minister Netanyahu's meeting with President Trump. They discuss a range of regional issues including Trump’s plan for Gaza and his likely approach towards Iran.  Ilan is an expert on regional security in th...

In this episode, Dr Amira Halperin speaks to Sarri Singer. Sarri is the founder and director of Strength to Strength, a charity based in New York, established to bring survivors of terrorism and their families together globally to heal. After witnessing 9/11, Sarri moved to Israel and volunteered her time to help Israeli victims of terror attacks. In 2003, Sarri herself was a victim of the Davidka...

In this episode, Daniel J. Levy speaks with Dr Lynette Nusbacher. Recorded hours before Israel and Hamas agreed to the US, Egyptian, and Qatari-brokered Gaza ceasefire deal on Wednesday, they discuss how it would be implemented as well as what future phases might be and the impact of the deal on the Israeli government.  Dr Nusbacher is a former British Army intelligence officer and served as Head...

In this episode, Dr Amira Halperin speaks with Professor Gerald Steinberg. They discuss Israel hostage agreement with Hamas, and the concessions Israel will have to make. Professor Steinberg, with his broad expertise also shares his concerns over rising  violence in the West Bank  and the role humanitarian organisations play both inside Gaza and their influence in international law.  The also disc...

In this episode Dr Amira Halperin speaks with MK Shelly Tal Meron. They discuss the prospects of a hostage deal, the displaced Israelis in northern and southern Israel. She also presents a vision for the day after the war end and the involvement of President Trump in the negotiations.  MK Meron is a Yesh Atid MK and the co-Chair of the Israel-UK Parliamentary Friendship Group. She is a member of t...

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks to Jonathan Paris about the latest developments following the fall of Assad. They discuss the future of Syria and the role of Turkey and Iran plus the potential ramifications for Lebanon and Jordan. Jonathan also explores the potential strategy of the incoming Trump administration in relation to Iran. Jonathan Paris is a London-based Middle East analyst and fo...

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks to Behnam Ben Taleblu about Iran, its internal politics, proxies and the future of the region under President Trump. Behnam Ben Taleblu is the senior director of FDD’s Iran Programme. Prior to his time at FDD, Behnam worked on non-proliferation issues at an arms control think tank in Washington. Behnam earned his MA in international relations from the Universi...

In this episode Richard Pater speaks to Dr. Michal Hatuel-Radoshitzky about the ICC, international lawfare, and the UN and UNRWA in Gaza. Dr. Hatuel-Radoshitzky is a senior adviser and programme director at Mind Israel and a founding member of the Dvora Forum. She is an adjunct lecturer at Tel Aviv University, where she earned her PhD.

In this episode Richard Pater talks to Professor Jonathan Rynhold about the impact of Trumps's victory on the region. They explore the potential impact on the current fighting in Lebanon and Gaza as well the Iranian threat and the prospect of normalisation with Saudi Arabia. Professor Rynhold is the Head of the department of Political Studies and the Academic Director of the Jonathan Sacks institu...

In this episode Richard Pater speaks with Dr. Joshua Krasna, ahead of the 30th anniversary of Israel – Jordan diplomatic ties. They discuss cooperation in the fields of energy and security whist political relations remain fraught.  They also discuss the ramifications of the ongoing war, its effect on domestic Jordanian politics, Palestinian – Jordanian ties and more. Dr. Krasna served for 30 years...

In this episode Dr Amira Halperin speaks with Professor Dorit Nitzan. They discuss the mechanism of humanitarian aid to Gaza, as Israel works in coordination with international organisations including UNRWA. Professor Nitzan highlights the complexity of the mission that Israel has taken on since the beginning of the war. Professor Dorit Nitzan is an advisor on humanitarian aid to Israel’s Defence...

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks to Hagar Chemali about the current situation in Lebanon, including her assessment of the public’s view of Hezbollah.  Hagar also shares her perspective on US regional policy and gives her prediction for the US presidential election.  Chemali is a former US official, serving in various positions in the Obama administration including as Director for Syria and Le...

In this episode, Daniel J. Levy speaks to Dr Nir Boms about the 4th anniversary of the signing of the Abraham Accords. They discuss the state of the Accords, their potential for expansion, as well as current relations with Jordan and Egypt. Boms is a Research Fellow at the Moshe Dayan Center at Tel Aviv University. He is the Chairman of the Syria Research Forum and the Gulf Israel Policy Forum, as...

In this episode a day ahead of hostage release and ceasefire negotiations resuming in Qatar, Dr Amira Halperin speaks with Professor Uzi Rabi. They discuss the possibility of an Iranian strike on Israel following Ismail Haniyeh's assassination in Tehran, as well as American attempts to prevent the outbreak of a catastrophic regional war. He also argues that the terrorists groups, Hamas and Hezboll...

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks to Dr Guy Ziv. They discuss PM Netanyahu's recent visit to the US, his speech to Congress, and meetings with President Biden, VP Harris, and former President Trump. They also discuss the state of US-Israel ties, and his recent book, Netanyahu vs The Generals: The Battle for Israel's Future. Dr Guy Ziv is an associate professor in American University's School o...

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks to Egyptian analyst Haisan Hassanein. They discuss Israeli-Egyptian ties in the context of the operation in Rafah. Haisan shares his assessment of Egypt’s current relations with Palestinian factions and rivalries with other regional powers.   Haisan was born and grew up in Egypt, before moving to the US. He is currently adjunct fellow at the Foundation for the...