Ismael Hossein-zadeh on Middle East Politics

Bill Resnick talks with Ismael Hossein-zadeh about events in the Middle East. Hossein-zadeh is Emeritus Professor of Economics at Drake University and an expert on Middle East issues. He describes the legacy of the cold war, when "Arab socialism" was supported by the USSR while monarchies and dictatorships were supported by the US. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Americans hoped for a post-cold-war "peace dividend," in which the military budget would be redirected to supporting social needs. Instead the US military has turned to attempts to change 'unfriendly regimes': those the US has opposed not because of their tyranny but because of their resistance to US influence and corporate control.  Ismael and Bill  also discuss the continuing importance of both multinational corporations and the Arab spring of 2011.

[map via wikipedia]