Lesson from the Jewish Diaspora: Never Give Up – On the Issues, Episode 150
Speaking with a professor whose mind and heart are in the right place is like digging for the truth and its deeper historical roots. He is the remarkable scholar who recently founded the Institute for Humanitarian Conflict Resolution (IHCR) in New York.
I recently had the privilege of appearing as a guest on the milestone 150th Episode of “On the Issues”, the podcast hosted by Professor Alon Ben-Meir, which originally aired on June 2, 2026. As a writer, it was a profound opportunity to engage with Professor Ben-Meir, who is widely recognized in Israel, the United States, and throughout the Jewish Diaspora as a vital voice on Middle Eastern affairs, international negotiations, and conflict resolution.
As a Senior Fellow at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs, Professor Ben-Meir has spent decades studying Middle East politics and the thorns in world affairs. He has consistently advocated for dialogue, human rights, regional cooperation, and a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians, while participating in numerous unofficial diplomatic initiatives.
In our wide-ranging and highly civil discussion, we avoided a polarizing tone to focus directly on some of the most pressing challenges facing our world. We discussed the consequences of the October 7 attack on Israel, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the rise of antisemitism internationally, developments involving Israel and Iran, and the broader political and historical forces shaping current events. Specifically, we analyzed Iran’s strategic use of “mosaic warfare” and economic warfare. Our conversation also provided a blunt psychological assessment of modern political leadership, characterizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “dangerously obsessed” with power (within the context of our discussion).
Throughout the episode, we examined the vital importance of historical memory, democratic values, civil liberties, and the role of political leadership during periods of crisis and uncertainty.
Introducing me to his audience, Professor Ben-Meir described my background as “a political scientist, writer, and independent researcher focusing on the role of personality in history and politics, modern history, antisemitism, and the legacy of the Holocaust.” He noted that my “letters have appeared in major international outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post.” To expand on that background, alongside a plethora of articles, letter-interventions and essays I have authored, I have also published a few books in Greece, including my 2025 novel-essay When Shakespeare Was Lost, 1585–1592. Professor Ben-Meir kindly emphasized that my research into the role of personality allows me to spot dangerous patterns of authoritarianism before they fully take root.
Reflecting on his invitation, it was a great honor for me to participate in this substantive dialogue with a scholar whose longstanding commitment to peace and human rights has earned international respect across academic, diplomatic, and public spheres. I closed our good conversation with a stark warning about the dangers of “galloping authoritarianism everywhere,” noting that the vulnerable, the workers, and the children always pay the highest price for the decisions of elites.
If there is one lesson I took away from my conversation with Professor Ben-Meir, it is never to give up. It is also a lesson I have taken away from the Jewish Diaspora: never give up. Never to surrender, even at a moment when authoritarianism appears to be galloping across many parts of the world and human rights violations continue as if nobody is watching. His lifelong commitment to dialogue, peace, and human dignity serves as a reminder that the defense of democratic values is not the work of a single moment, but of a lifetime. Ultimately, I felt I was speaking with a major public intellectual. I will remember this experience, as the podcast provided encouragement to me as an American (of Greek origin) navigating these complex global issues.
The full episode and my guest biography are available on Alon Ben-Meir’s official website.
