Log in

goodpods headphones icon

To access all our features

Open the Goodpods app
Close icon
The Live Drop - Daniel Levin Negotiates Hostage Release and Mediates Armed Conflict in the Middle East

Daniel Levin Negotiates Hostage Release and Mediates Armed Conflict in the Middle East

10/15/21 • 58 min

The Live Drop

In his new book Proof of Life, American author Daniel Levin dives into the Syrian shadows - an underground industry of war where everything is for sale: arms, drugs, even people. In this thriller/memoir he draws on his perceptions and experience as a a lawyer turned armed conflict negotiator who, for the past twenty years, has worked with governments and development institutions worldwide. After a fairly worldly upbringing, he served in the Israeli Special Forces, studied law, taught in Arabic, and now uses his extensive Middle Eastern contacts and cultural understanding for diplomatic and mediation efforts as well.


In this interview, I showed up for the story of a Syrian hostage negotiation, and stayed for the wide-ranging discussion of the importance of historical context in any conflict resolution and the potential institutional reforms that must also take that into consideration. We talked about the government/ruling situation in Afganistan, Lebanon, and Isreal - and the author’s uncanny sense of smell.


More about Daniel Levin ---> https://www.daniellevinauthor.com


Resources mentioned:


Lichtenstein Foundation for State Governance

Empire of the Summer Moon, S. C. Gwynne

Nothing but A Circus, Daniel Levin

The Martyr Made Podcast - Origins of Zion


I hope you've enjoyed listening to this episode. I could use your help to make more...


I like to keep the track clean of ads, and sales pitches. As such, meeting costs and finding time to produce this podcast is a challenge, so any support is appreciated. If you would like to help make Season Three operational, please consider a one time donation of any amount right here ---> https://www.paypal.me/thelivedrop


Or alternatively, join The Live Drop Patreon community for exclusive commentary and content starting with a $5 monthly donation ---> https://www.patreon.com/thelivedrop


As always, please rate and review the show on iTunes. Your input is appreciated.


Thank you for listening and your support,


Mark Valley

Creator/Host

thelivedrop.com

Get bonus content on Patreon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

plus icon
bookmark

In his new book Proof of Life, American author Daniel Levin dives into the Syrian shadows - an underground industry of war where everything is for sale: arms, drugs, even people. In this thriller/memoir he draws on his perceptions and experience as a a lawyer turned armed conflict negotiator who, for the past twenty years, has worked with governments and development institutions worldwide. After a fairly worldly upbringing, he served in the Israeli Special Forces, studied law, taught in Arabic, and now uses his extensive Middle Eastern contacts and cultural understanding for diplomatic and mediation efforts as well.


In this interview, I showed up for the story of a Syrian hostage negotiation, and stayed for the wide-ranging discussion of the importance of historical context in any conflict resolution and the potential institutional reforms that must also take that into consideration. We talked about the government/ruling situation in Afganistan, Lebanon, and Isreal - and the author’s uncanny sense of smell.


More about Daniel Levin ---> https://www.daniellevinauthor.com


Resources mentioned:


Lichtenstein Foundation for State Governance

Empire of the Summer Moon, S. C. Gwynne

Nothing but A Circus, Daniel Levin

The Martyr Made Podcast - Origins of Zion


I hope you've enjoyed listening to this episode. I could use your help to make more...


I like to keep the track clean of ads, and sales pitches. As such, meeting costs and finding time to produce this podcast is a challenge, so any support is appreciated. If you would like to help make Season Three operational, please consider a one time donation of any amount right here ---> https://www.paypal.me/thelivedrop


Or alternatively, join The Live Drop Patreon community for exclusive commentary and content starting with a $5 monthly donation ---> https://www.patreon.com/thelivedrop


As always, please rate and review the show on iTunes. Your input is appreciated.


Thank you for listening and your support,


Mark Valley

Creator/Host

thelivedrop.com

Get bonus content on Patreon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

undefined - Todd Bensman Surveys the Southern Border and the Convoluted Path of Human Trafficking

Todd Bensman Surveys the Southern Border and the Convoluted Path of Human Trafficking

Back in April 2021, Todd Bensman talked with me about the nexus between immigration and national security in his book America’s Covert Border War: the Untold Story of the Nation’s Battle to Prevent Jihadist Infiltration. Todd is an award-winning journalist who transitioned to a career as a national security intelligence professional for the Texas Department of Public Safety and then returned to writing and publishing.
We talk about the threat of muslim extremists crossing and the varied and circuitous international routes they may take - how some, like some Haitians now, can cross from Panama through the storied Darien Gap and across Mexico to seek asylum after crossing into the U.S. Todd currently serves as the Texas-based Senior National Security Fellow for the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), a Washington, D.C. immigration policy institute. While we talk around the politics of the border, his book is a story of the ambitious and intrigue-laden covert American counterterrorism programs built after 9/11 from the U.S. border to the tip of South America. Todd raises the question: have we become a victim of our own counterterrorism success?
Recorded earlier this year, on April 16th, 2021
More on the author and recent articles can be found at:
ToddBensman.com

Todd Bensmen - Center for Immigration Studies (CIS)
Twitter @BensmanTodd
Abid Ali Khan Indicted and Sanctioned
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/pakistani-national-indicted-and-sanctioned-human-smuggling-conspiracy

**Edited by Pete Turner
I hope you've enjoyed listening to this episode. I could use your help to make more...
I like to keep the track clean of ads, and sales pitches. As such, meeting costs and finding time to produce this podcast is a challenge, so any support is appreciated. If you would like to help make Season Three operational, please consider a one time donation of any amount right here --->
https://www.paypal.me/thelivedropOr alternatively, join The Live Drop Patreon community for exclusive commentary and content starting with a $5 monthly donation ---> https://www.patreon.com/thelivedropAs always, please rate and review the show on iTunes. Your input is appreciated.

Thank you for listening and your support,

Mark Valley
Creator/Host
thelivedrop.com

Get bonus content on Patreon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

undefined - Former CIA Senior Intelligence Officer Marc Polymeropoulos Offers Clarity In Crisis

Former CIA Senior Intelligence Officer Marc Polymeropoulos Offers Clarity In Crisis

Marc Polymeropoulos has had to live with the consequences of decisions made under the most high-stress circumstances you can imagine as a senior intelligence officer in the CIA, retiring from his 26 years of service as one of the CIA’s most decorated field officers. In his book Clarity in Crisis, Marc shares how true leaders need to lead in and through times of crisis and thrive under conditions of ambiguity, rather than message their way out or duck from hard decisions. Far from mere theory, Marc outlines the unique and specific mindset and strategies he himself practiced and honed throughout his remarkable career. In this interview Marc starts with an explanation of an operational act: the Mad Minute, before we discuss some of the chapters of his unconventional and insightful book of hard earned leadership principles. There is a steady theme of humility in his advice and anecdotes. Marc shares examples to highlight some of his principles which include: giving recognition to less visible but no less important team members; maintain composure through authenticity; and his focus on constantly developing others with early opportunity. His advice is ambitious, effective and proven in some of the most dangerous regions of the past two decades. In 2017 Marc experienced a traumatic brain injury in Moscow from a directed energy attack. He discusses the doubts he had to negotiate, his treatment, art therapy, and advice to others who may be similarly afflicted. We wrap up with a timely discussion of Havana Syndrome. What is it? Who is likely responsible? What are the initial symptoms that tell you to 'Get off the X.' Marc decisively negotiates the Dirty Dozen questions with aplomb. Results? He's definitely tip-of-the-spear material. Sound-Off - Working to ensure anonymous, consistent quality mental health care for veterans.https://www.gq.com/story/cia-investigation-and-russian-microwave-attacksTwitter @MpolymerIf you've enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please consider signing up as a contributing patron and join the community for exclusive commentary, transcripts and other content. A $10 a month donation will really keep us going ---> https://www.patreon.com/thelivedrop Alternatively, if you would like to keep us operational you could offer a one time donation of any amount right here ---> https://www.paypal.me/thelivedrop

Shouts out to our first three Patreoners! Live Drop welcomes new operatives to the network: STANLEY, NEWFANG, and KIWICAT.

Thank you for listening and your support,Mark Valleycreator/host

Get bonus content on Patreon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Comments

Generate a badge

Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode

Select type & size
Open dropdown icon
share badge image

<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/the-live-drop-37388/daniel-levin-negotiates-hostage-release-and-mediates-armed-conflict-in-17066913"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to daniel levin negotiates hostage release and mediates armed conflict in the middle east on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>

Copy