Counterbalance

Prominent Israeli intellectual Gadi Taub joins hosts Mike Doran and Peter Rough for an update on Israel’s judicial reform, the uproar it has caused in Israel, and the attacks it is receiving from President Biden and his friends in the American press. The trio discuss whether those attacks are truly over the substance of the judicial reform or whether they are actually a stealthy means of pursuing their disagreement with Prime Minister Netanyahu over his Iran policy.

This week, Peter Rough and Mike Doran welcome Yuri Sak, senior advisor to Ukraine’s minister of defense, to the podcast. Yuri is the brains behind the social media and messaging operation of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, and he tells Peter and Mike about the dynamics of communicating to friendly and hostile audiences alike during a time of war.

Counterbalance is back and welcomes new co-host Peter Rough, Director of Hudson Institute's Center on Europe and Eurasia. In this episode, Peter interviews returning co-host Mike Doran about his recent trip to Saudi Arabia. A longstanding pillar of American security architecture in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is increasingly demonstrating autonomy in foreign policy. Peter and Michael discuss the reasons for the kingdom's opening to China and its implications for regional security and Great Power competition.

Ahmed Obali, founder of Gunaz TV and human rights activist for the Iranian Azerbaijani people, joins Mike and Marshall to discuss the on-going protests in Iran. The death of the young Iranian Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini on September 16 provoked unprecedented protests and riots against the Islamic Republic. Obali offers his insights on the current demonstrations, on the ethnic divisions that might lead to the Islamic Republic’s demise, and the implications for the United States. O

bali discusses the risks of easing the sanctions placed on the Islamic Republic at a time when the Biden administration lacks a comprehensive Iran strategy.

Australian Shadow Defense Minister and Member of Parliament, The Hon. Andrew Hastie, joins Mike to about the West’s strategy toward China as well as the importance of the US-Australia alliance. Chinese leader Xi Jinping clearly seeks to dethrone the United States as the leader of the international order, he does not hesitate to threaten Australia in pursuit of that goal. Hastie offers his views on China’s ambitions, its intimidation tactics, and how the West should respond.