The Mad Minute | Ep. 004 | Interview with Glenn Corn | Events in Lebanon & Israel
Combat Story
Ryan Fugit
4.8 • 1.3K Ratings
🗓️ 18 January 2025
⏱️ 29 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this special crossover edition of Combat Story and the Mad Minute, we discuss regional issues in the Middle East with 30 year CIA and State Department legend Glenn Corn. We delve into the significant recent developments in the Middle East, focusing on the ceasefire agreements involving Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah, as well as Lebanon's election of a new president after a prolonged political deadlock.
Israel and Hamas reached a pivotal ceasefire agreement after 15 months of intense conflict. This truce, facilitated by international mediators including U.S. President Joe Biden, President-elect Donald Trump, and Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, aims to end hostilities and initiate the release of hostages and prisoners. The first phase, set to commence on January 19, 2025, includes a six-week truce during which Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Subsequent phases will address the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the reconstruction of the region under international supervision.
In Lebanon, the political landscape has undergone a transformative change with the election of army commander Joseph Aoun as president on January 9, 2025, ending a two-year vacancy. Aoun secured 99 votes in the parliamentary session, surpassing the required two-thirds majority. His election is seen as a diminishment of Hezbollah's influence, especially following the recent conflict with Israel and the assassination of veteran leader Hassan Nasrallah. In his victory speech, President Aoun emphasized a new phase for Lebanon, commitment to the ceasefire with Israel, and the establishment of a national security strategy. His presidency is viewed as pivotal for the country's postwar reconstruction efforts and economic recovery.
Join us as we analyze the roles of key figures such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hamas' interim political chief Khalil al-Hayya, and Egypt's General Intelligence Director Hassan Rashad in these negotiations. We also explore the implications of these ceasefires and Lebanon's presidential election on the geopolitical landscape, the challenges in implementing the agreements, and the prospects for lasting peace in the region.
Don't miss this comprehensive discussion on the dynamic and evolving situation in Lebanon and Israel, providing insights into the complex interplay of political and military strategies shaping the future of the Middle East.
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Show Notes:
00:00 Introduction
00:22 Lebanon's Political Landscape and Recent Changes
02:22 Hezbollah's Influence and Recent Developments
03:07 Impact of Israeli Actions on Hezbollah
08:40 Lebanese Armed Forces and Hezbollah Relations
10:27 Regional Winners and Losers
14:15 Advice for the New Administration
17:47 Personal Reflections on Lebanon
19:19 Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement
22:10 Focus on Iran and Regional Dynamics
27:08 Global and Regional Concerns
28:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Okay. Blen, thanks for coming back on here and spending some time to talk about another volatile and very interesting area of the world. |
| 0:08.6 | This time really squarely in the Middle East, Lebanon, Israel, Hamas. |
| 0:13.2 | Great to see, Ryan. And, yeah, happy to talk about this fascinating region that we call the Levant. |
| 0:20.9 | Yeah. |
| 0:21.8 | And since we're talking Lebanon, obviously for people who have not been following along |
| 0:27.7 | over the past week or so, some pretty big movements with a president appointed, obviously |
| 0:36.4 | stark changes with Hezbollah in the region that we'll get into. |
| 0:40.1 | But just to provide some context for folks, you know this region very well. |
| 0:45.2 | I was just wondering if you have anything that comes to mind from time that you have spent |
| 0:49.1 | in Lebanon before we dig into some of the politics behind it. |
| 0:53.2 | Yeah. |
| 0:54.1 | Listen, I mean, I say this about a lot of places, but the Lebanese are incredible people. |
| 0:58.5 | They're wonderful people. |
| 1:00.0 | It's a beautiful country, incredible history, culture, food, great wine. |
| 1:05.8 | Those of you who are wine drinkers out there. |
| 1:07.6 | If you're not wine drinkers, I hope I didn't offend you with that. |
| 1:10.6 | But now, amazing, like, culture. Actually, a good beer called Almaza. |
| 1:16.4 | Oh. Raft beer. And so what I'm going to say during the interview, I mean, in the last |
| 1:21.7 | month or so, there's been some really very positive changes, which I am very happy to see because |
| 1:28.5 | I think the Lebanese people need some good news after years of going through some very, very |
| 1:33.8 | hard times for a number of reasons. But much of it caused by Iran, the Iranian Islamic Republic, |
| 1:40.6 | and their proxy Lebanese haszbollah in my assessment. |
... |
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