The Arab Case for Israel: History, Mythology, and Pathways to Peace

The Palestinian statehood narrative rests on a foundation that FDD’s Hussain Abdul-Hussain argues was constructed, not inherited. In The Arab Case for Israel, he traces Palestinian national identity to 1964 and inter-Arab rivalry, not ancient roots, and contends that the “lost state” narrative is a vision for a Middle East without Israel, not a recoverable past. U.S. pressure on Iran’s nuclear program, Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, and the demonstrated dividends of the Abraham Accords have cracked open a moment of genuine regional realignment. Hussain’s argument isn’t academic — it’s a call for Arab leaders to seize that window and embrace normalization publicly, before it closes. Join FDD for a policy conversation on what Arab-Israeli peace actually requires, and whether the region is ready to get there. FDD research fellow and author Hussain Abdul-Hussain will be joined by Morgan Ortagus, former U.S. deputy Presidential Envoy to the Middle East, in a discussion moderated by David Schenker, Taube senior fellow and director of the Rubin Program on Arab Politics at the Washington Institute. — 🌐 FDD is a nonpartisan research institute focused on national security & foreign policy. Subscribe to @FDD on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC92qc2WwrEdmJ7ThqGR9yfw?sub_confirmation=1 Follow FDD: 🔗 X: https://x.com/FDD/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundation-for-defense-of-democracies/ 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fdd_org/ 🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/followFDD/ 🔗 Website: https://www.fdd.org/ Listen to FDD Podcasts: 🎙️ Morning Brief: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmEsAFBNkqsN_iDwsy2Q3CygonqiwtEcc 🎙️ Foreign Podicy: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmEsAFBNkqsOTj86AthTC_2kZRPMej2op 🎙️ The Iran Breakdown: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmEsAFBNkqsMQnt5pypwEX0ul0NyIjd3E The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) is a Washington, DC-based nonpartisan 501(c)(3) research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy. FDD does not accept donations from any foreign governments. FDD conducts in-depth research, produces accurate and timely analyses, identifies illicit activities, and provides policy options — all with the aim of strengthening U.S. national security and reducing or eliminating threats posed by adversaries and enemies of the United States and other free nations. Founded shortly after the attacks of September 11, 2001, FDD conducts actionable research prepared by experts and scholars from a variety of backgrounds — including government, intelligence, military, private sector, academia, and journalism. It brings proficiency in foreign languages, law, finance, technology, and other skills to its work. FDD regularly provides open-source research and analyses to policymakers and the media. Since its founding, FDD has shared its expertise with the Bush, Obama, Biden, and Trump administrations and congressional offices on a bipartisan basis. In addition to its in-house experts, FDD collaborates with and seeks counsel from a range of distinguished advisors. FDD houses three Centers on American Power: the Center on Military and Political Power, the Center on Economic and Financial Power, and the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation. FDD Experts: https://www.fdd.org/team/fdd-team/ FDD Advisors: https://www.fdd.org/team/advisors/ FDD Centers on American Power: https://www.fdd.org/fdd-centers-on-american-power/ 00:00-04:00- Introduction 04:00-09:00- Hussain's Backstory 09:00-13:00- The Aramaic Accords 13:00-18:00- Why Saudi Normalization Failed 18:00-29:00- Lebanon/Israeli Negotiations 29:00-35:00- The Iran War 35:00-42:00- A Deal with Iran? 42:00-46:00- The Gulf 46:00-50:00- Syria 50:00-55:00- Iraq 55:00-58:00- Turkey 58:00-1:00:00- Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood 1:00:00-1:12:00- Q&A