Issue 83: Holiday Leftovers
If you’re anything like me, then springtime holidays coincide with other distracting and time consuming tasks: switching the kids’ wardrobes, U.S. taxes 🙄, and general tidying around the house. Under such circumstances, it is difficult to set aside the required time to keep track of the news cycle (or your investment portfolio) and make sense of everything going on in our crazy world.
That can be a blessing in disguise. I spent most of the past week hiking with family and friends. The world - and the war - almost faded into the background. When your feet are planted firmly to the ground it is easier to focus on the path ahead and not get distracted by the surrounding noises.
Spending a week “away from it all” with my family was an immense privilege, a compulsory yet futile exercise in escapism. We found comfort in each other’s company, but didn’t shy away from the strange, tragic moment we are living in. How could we when on at least one occasion Houthi missile fire sent us back into our shelters? How could we with a Passover table decorated with reminders of the hostages in Gaza? How could we when the Haggadah is replete with both subtle and direct messages about faith, liberation, and remembrance - and, as usual, leaving us with more questions than answers?
The roots causes of human suffering in this land over the last year and a half have not been addressed. The war grinds on. No miracles are coming. So what path must we now commit ourselves to if we want to feel differently this time next year?
As many of us return to the familiar rhythm of daily life, I thought I’d share a sweet and savory mix of content.
I was invited on the Kültürkampf podcast (hosted by Selim Koru and Nick Danforth) to discuss how the collapse of the Assad regime has seemingly ushered in a new chapter in Turkey-Israel relations, and what that means for the two countries as well as the region. I had never met Selim before, but consider him and Nick two of the sharpest Turkey analysts out there. It was a treat talking to them about the shifts taking place in the region. You can access the episode (half-free, half pay-walled) here.
Much of my academic/policy focus is on the nexus of big business, infrastructure, and geopolitics. As I shared in my February newsletter, one of the projects that is gaining momentum among foreign policy circles is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). I recently wrote that the US should start investing diplomatically in “tomorrow’s global superhighway” just like its European partners. I also recommend a piece written by Kristina Kausch on why IMEC is back on the global agenda.
One of the most compelling conversations I’ve had the opportunity to listen to Daniel Gordis’ three part conversation with Prof. Eugene Kandel, one of Israel’s better known economists, on the Israel from the Inside podcast. I’m sharing links to their conversations, which range from addressing Israel’s institutional limitations, potential solutions, and what that potentially means for the country’s future. With any luck I’ll find the time to address Kandel’s proposals - along with those of several other Israeli voices - in the coming months.
Thanks for taking the time to read. As always, I welcome your comments and questions.
Best,
Gabi