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Q&A with Josh Paul in The Nation magazine: https://mailchi.mp/lauraflanders.org/...

On October 18, Josh Paul resigned from his position after 11 years in the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. Now he’s sounding the alarm on President Biden and the US’ role in the Israel-Hamas conflict. This video dives deep into Paul's decision and unpacks the death and destruction in Gaza that compelled him to take such a significant stand.

"We cannot be both against occupation, and for it. We cannot be both for freedom, and against it. And we cannot be for a better world, while contributing to one that is materially worse,” writes Josh Paul in his letter of resignation. After 11 years in the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs — the entity most responsible for arms transfers to allies and partners — Paul quit October 18, over increased, “indeed expedited” arms sales to Israel. In this conversation, one of the first full-length interviews with Paul since his resignation, he sits down with Laura Flanders to discuss why he resigned, his concerns about how the weapons will be used, the unique way that Israel is treated when it comes to US arms sales and why the US approach to creating peace in the Middle East is clearly not working. US double standards and hypocrisy when it comes to human rights crimes, he says, are dangerous for all concerned. All that, plus a commentary for Laura on the war economy.

“The impact of the operation may be to kill terrorists, but it will also raise another generation who has no confidence in the peace process...This is not a recipe for lasting peace.” - Josh Paul

"There is just an unwillingness to criticize Israel...There are many reasons for that, some of them legitimate, but what it means at the end of the day is I think if you don't have a global standard, you don't have a standard..." - Josh Paul

🔹 In this episode you’ll get
1️⃣ A thorough examination of Josh Paul's decision, a move that has stirred various reactions within the State Department, but also across the interagency and congressional staff.
2️⃣ An in-depth analysis of the circumstances surrounding his resignation, and the professional and personal challenges that diplomats often confront, especially in high-stakes scenarios such as the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
3️⃣ A breakdown of the US’ approach to creating peace in the Middle East, and why it is failing.
4️⃣ More information on the US’ military spending, and why President Biden’s expedited transfer of arms to Israel is a unique situation.

Guest:
Josh Paul: Former State Department Director, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

👁‍🗨 Engage & Learn
Drop a comment sharing your thoughts on Josh Paul’s resignation, the US’ response to the Israel-Hamas conflict and what you want to see us report on next.

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Executive Producer: Laura Flanders
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#israel #gaza #palestine