Tug of War

Latest Episodes:

The US-Israel Divide Over a Two-State Solution Jan 24, 2024

Show notes

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected calls for Palestinian sovereignty as Israel fights Hamas in Gaza. The Biden administration continues to push for a two-state solution, as Biden and Netanyahu remain publicly at odds over what will happen to Gaza once the war is over. In this episode, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour explains what a two-state solution could look like and why domestic pressures may be behind Netanyahu’s sharp comments.

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The Gazan Doctor's Phone Call That Shook Israelis Jan 19, 2024

Show notes

Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish is known as the first Palestinian doctor to hold a staff position at an Israeli hospital, advocating for peace while delivering thousands of babies. Then during fighting between Israel and Hamas in 2009, the Gazan doctor became known for a phone call. After learning an Israeli airstrike had killed his three daughters, he called his friend and TV reporter, who broadcast his anguished call live on the air. 15 years later, we revisit his story — and hear how he’s still advocating for peace amid the current war.

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What’s Really Behind the Houthi Red Sea Attacks Jan 17, 2024

Show notes

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen continue to target cargo ships in the Red Sea despite multiple rounds of retaliatory strikes on Houthi targets from a US-led coalition. Meanwhile, Iran itself launched missiles into Iraq and Syria, escalating fears of a wider war in the region amid Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. In this episode, CNN military analyst and retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling explains what the Biden administration is weighing as it navigates the situation and looks at what the Houthis are really after.

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CNN Goes Inside Gaza’s Tunnels Jan 12, 2024

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Hamas has long used an intricate series of tunnels in Gaza to transport weapons and do battle with Israeli forces. A number of Israeli hostages are also believed to be held underground after being kidnapped on October 7th. In this episode, CNN’s Nic Robertson tells us what he saw in one of the tunnels while embedded with the Israel Defense Forces in Khan Younis and how they factor into the next phase of the ground campaign.

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The Genocide Case Against Israel Jan 10, 2024

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South Africa has filed an unprecedented genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice over its war in Gaza. As court proceedings get underway this week, Israel is slamming the case and defending its methods as it fights Hamas. In this episode, we hear from CNN's Abbas Al Lawati on why while a ruling on genocide could take years and how the case could have immediate ramifications in Gaza and on the world stage.

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Can The US Help Reduce Tensions in the Middle East? Jan 08, 2024

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is back in the Middle East for meetings with key players as tensions remain high across the region. As Israel continues to strike inside Gaza, a number of attacks in Lebanon have raised the prospect of a wider war. In this episode, we examine Blinken’s message and political divisions inside Israel’s war cabinet for postwar plans in Gaza.

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A Former Hamas Hostage Tells Her Story Jan 05, 2024

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Doron Katz Asher describes October 7th as a “war movie.” On that day, she was thrown into the back of a tractor with her 5-year-old and 2-year-old daughters and taken hostage into Gaza. The family spent nearly 50 days in Hamas captivity, which she describes as “psychological warfare.” She spoke exclusively with CNN’s Bianna Golodryga about the harrowing experience and how she and her daughters are coping.

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Why Fewer Troops May Not Mean Less War in Gaza Jan 03, 2024

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The Israel Defense Forces say military operations in Gaza will continue “throughout” this year, even as it withdraws a number of reservists from the territory. The move comes as senior US officials anticipate a transition to a lower-intensity strategy that narrowly targets Hamas militants and leaders. However, Palestinians in Gaza continue to experience widespread hunger and displacement as the civilian death toll rises. In this episode, CNN’s Elliott Gotkine examines what the next few months of war could bring and how an unprecedented decision from Israel’s Supreme Court to strike a controversial government plan to limit the powers of the judiciary could impact public sentiment.

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Investigating a ‘Slow-Motion Annexation’ in the West Bank Dec 22, 2023

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Palestinians in the occupied West Bank say they are being forced from their homes due to violence from extremist Israeli settlers and Israeli military actions, which the Israel Defense Forces often says is in response to suspected terror activity. However, some say it’s becoming increasingly hard to tell the two groups apart. In this episode, CNN Chief International Investigative Correspondent Nima Elbagir takes us inside the territory, where she witnessed how settlers and the Israeli military are working together to create a culture of fear amongst Palestinian families.

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Why Are Container Ships Being Attacked in the Red Sea? Dec 20, 2023

Show notes

As Israel continues its military operation in Gaza, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels are stepping up their strikes on ships in the Red Sea in retaliation. A senior US military official says the breadth of attacks has not been seen in at least “two generations.” In this episode, CNN’s Katie Bo Lillis explains why the Houthis are targeting ships and how the attacks could continue to snarl worldwide shipping and commerce.

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