Video: The Murder of the Druze, with Hussain Abdul Hussain

Hussein Abdel Hussein, a distinguished research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joined us today to share his expertise on Middle Eastern politics, particularly focusing on the Druze community and regional dynamics. As a leading authority on the subject, Hussein brings extensive knowledge about the complexities of Syrian politics, inter-community relations, and the broader geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. His insights have been particularly valuable in understanding the current situation facing the Druze community, their defensive mindset, and the intricate relationships between various regional powers. Hussein’s deep understanding of Middle Eastern sovereignty challenges and his experience in analyzing regional conflicts makes him uniquely qualified to address the complex issues facing Syria and its minority communities.

The meeting focused on the situation in Syria, particularly the Druze community and Israel’s intervention to protect them. Hussein Abdel Hussein, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, explained the unique characteristics of the Druze, including their defensive mindset and loyalty to their host countries. He emphasized that the recent violence in Syria was not initiated by the Druze, who were instead defending themselves against invaders. The discussion highlighted the complexities of Middle Eastern politics and the challenges of prioritizing democratic elections and individual rights in a region with a different cultural and societal focus.

Hussain discussed the situation in Syria, focusing on the Druze community’s plight and the actions of the new leader, Ahmad Shara, who previously had ties to Al-Qaeda. He criticized the approach of giving Islamists financial support, citing past failures, and emphasized the need for conditions to be set for Shara to gain trust. Hussain praised Israel’s intervention to protect the Druze and expressed frustration with Western countries, particularly the UK and France, for not supporting the Druze and for their previous role in backing Shara. He also highlighted the importance of shared power and concessions from Shara to ensure the safety of minority groups in Syria.

Hussain and Shoshana discussed the situation in Syria, emphasizing the lack of a concrete plan for post-Assad governance. Hussain argued that the U.S. and its allies could support non-Islamist factions like the Druze, Kurds, and Christians without direct military involvement, focusing on diplomatic and economic support. They highlighted the roles of Turkey, Qatar, and Iran in supporting Sunni Islamists and the need to exclude these countries from any reconstruction plan. Hussain proposed aligning with allies like the UAE, Kuwait, Morocco, Israel, and Cyprus to create a stable, inclusive Syria under Assad’s presidency, with concessions made to him in exchange for cooperation.

Hussain discussed the brutal attacks on the Druze in Syria, highlighting the involvement of two major clans from the northeast, Gaddat and Naim, which he believes were orchestrated by Syrian intelligence and Turkish interests, rather than being a simple tribal revenge. Shoshana raised questions about whether Al-Shara was directing these attacks and expressed skepticism about the possibility of a lasting peace if the attackers are true Islamists. Hussain explained that the main driver of the conflict in Syria is the competition between Turkey and Israel, and he suggested that the attack on the Druze was part of Turkey’s strategy to establish a foothold on the border with Israel.

Shoshana and Hussain discussed the complex dynamics between the US, Turkey, and Qatar, highlighting the challenges of balancing relations with Turkey as a NATO ally while addressing concerns about its and Qatar’s support for groups like Hamas. Hussain emphasized the need for an honest conversation with Turkey and Qatar, expressing frustration with their double-standard policies and calling for sanctions or confrontation if they continue undermining US interests. Shoshana raised questions about the US’s approach to negotiations with Hamas and Qatar, expressing skepticism about their willingness to align with US interests. Both participants expressed disappointment with the lack of action from Saudi Arabia and other Arab Gulf states in addressing regional issues, particularly in Syria and Lebanon, and questioned the effectiveness of current strategies in the region.

Hussain and Shoshana discussed the challenges of self-determination and sovereignty in the Middle East, highlighting inconsistencies in how different groups are treated. They explored how nation-states have been imposed on various populations, with Hussain noting that the Gulf region’s success may be due to its organic evolution compared to forced European ideas in other areas. They agreed that the West cannot force these concepts on others but can offer guidance and suggestions. Hussain optimistically viewed Israel’s recent actions as creating a window of opportunity for positive change in the region.

This recap was generate by computer.