Fellow Phyllis Bennis directs the New Internationalism Project at IPS, focusing on Middle East, U.S. wars and UN issues. She is also a fellow of the Transnational Institute in Amsterdam. In 2001 she helped found the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, and now serves on the national board of Jewish Voice for Peace. She works with many anti-war and Palestinian rights organizations, writing and speaking widely across the U.S. and around the world. She has served as an informal adviser to several top UN officials on Middle East issues and was twice short-listed to become the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Phyllis has written and edited eleven books. Among her latest is the just-published 7th updated edition of her popular Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict. She has also written Before & After: US Foreign Policy and the War on Terror and Challenging Empire: How People, Governments and the UN Defy U.S. Power.

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Latest

Are We at the Brink of War?

A deep into the growing crisis following the U.S. assassination of Qassem Soleimani, the third most powerful Iranian leader.

Assassination of Top Iranian General Could Provoke Disastrous Regional War

Understanding Trump’s decision to assassinate Soleimani, what retaliation from Iran might look like, and how it got to this point.

Soleimani’s Assassination Violates International Law and Puts Peace Further Out of Reach

Phyllis Bennis says Congress must stop Trump from taking the U.S. to war without any justification or provocation.

The Assassination of Suleimani Escalates the Threat of War

President Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal nearly two years ago started the US down this path with Iran.

I’m Jewish. I Fight Anti-Semitism and I Support Palestinian Rights.

Anti-Zionism isn’t anti-Semitism. A new generation of young Jews — and a bunch of us who aren’t so young anymore — know that’s wrong.

Afghanistan to Swap Taliban Leaders for Western Professors

Phyllis Bennis joins Al Jazeera to discuss Afghan president Ashraf Ghani’s agreeing to a prisoner exchange with Taliban leadership.

The Link Between US Militarism and the Climate Crisis

Phyllis Bennis joins Fire Drill Fridays to draw attention to the intricate connection between war, militarism, and the climate emergency.

War and the Military: A Teach-In

Phyllis Bennis joins Fire Drill Fridays for to discuss the interconnectedness of war, the military, and climate change.

Trump Has Stolen the Anti-War Mantle. Here’s How to Get It Back.

His claims about wanting to “end endless US wars” are lies—but they’re effective, because the massive anti-war movement that we need is missing in action.

US Abandons Kurds Again

Trump’s decision to withdraw troops has resulted in hundreds of thousands of civilians being displaced by clashes between the Turkish military and Kurds.

Israel’s Election and Its Impact on US-Israeli Relations

Phyllis Bennis discusses Israel’s recent election, whether changes are likely to come for Palestinians, and the Israeli government’s shift toward the right.

The Middle East and North Africa Shouldn’t Be A Playground for Foreign Powers

Foreign powers, and the U.S. in particular, have long been entrenched in the Middle East and North Africa region, either directly or through proxies.

US to Bolster Saudi Defense with Troops, Weapons

Phyllis Bennis discusses the U.S. plan to bolster Saudi Arabia’s defense capabilities and to arm Saudi Arabia with more weapons.

Israel’s Occupation Is the Problem, Not Its Leader

No matter the victor in Israel’s parliamentary election, policies oppressing the Palestinian people are likely to continue.

John Bolton Ousted As National Security Advisor

John Bolton’s tenure as National Security Advisor has officially ended, but whether U.S.-Iran talks will resume are still uncertain.

Trump Says Jews Who Support Democrats are “Disloyal”

President Trump flipped a longtime anti-Semitic trope on its head, saying Jews who vote for Democrats are disloyal, not to the United States, but to Israel.

Israel’s Ban on Tlaib and Omar Shows Netanyahu and Trump’s Contempt for Democracy

The episode may have laid the foundation for a deeper critique of the Trump-Netanyahu partnership, and of U.S. policy toward Israel and Palestine.

Trump Tweets, Then Netanyahu Bans Reps. Ilhan Omar & Rashida Tlaib From Israel

Jim Zogby and Phyllis Bennis discuss the Trump-Netanyahu dynamic, the diminishing power of AIPAC, and the political battle against Rep. Omar and Rep. Tlaib.

In the US Killing Fields, We’re Way Past ‘Thoughts and Prayers Are Not Enough’

The mass shootings aren’t just symptoms of guns or mental illness, but also of Trump promoting and encouraging white supremacy, racism, and xenophobia.

House Anti-BDS Resolution Reveals the Power and Limits of the Israeli Lobby

The defense of Palestinian rights has become more acceptable and accusations of anti-Semitism have become more sparing in the mainstream media, despite the House’s recent resolution against the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement.

Program Director

New Internationalism

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anti-war movements, International Law, Iran, Iraq, ISIS, Israel-Palestine, Middle East, military budget, Refugees, sanctuary movement, Saudi Arabia, Syria, terrorism, Torture, U.S. foreign policy, U.S. wars, United Nations, War on Terror, Yemen

The KPFA Evening News

KPFA | December 24, 2022

Episode 171: The Midterms & US Foreign Policy

CodePink Radio | November 23, 2022

Phyllis Bennis on Katie Halper Show on Ukraine

Katie Halper Show | October 25, 2022

Phyllis Bennis on the Tavis Smiley Show on Ukraine

KBLA 1580 AM, The Tavis Smiley Show | August 25, 2022

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