Middle East History 101: The Origins of the Current Conflict (8/15/2006)

George Bisharat, Professor of Law in Middle Eastern Societies, UC Hastings
Noel Kaplowitz, Former Professor of International Relations and Middle East Affairs, UC Davis, UC Berkeley and UCLA
Andrew Ross, Executive Foreign and National Editor, San Francisco Chronicle
Frederic Wehrey, International Policy Analyst, RAND Corp.
Karen Breslau, San Francisco Bureau Chief, Newsweek - Moderator

The current clash between Israel and Hezbollah is deep-seated in the conflicts that have stretched over the last century between the many cultures, nationalisms, and religions of the Arab world. Hezbollah, Hamas, Sunni, Shiia and the Israeli Defense Forces – who are they and why does reconciliation seem impossible? How have Middle Eastern and Western leaders contributed to the conflict? Join INFORUM as we answer these questions, explore the region’s history and why this subject remains a hotbed of debate across the world.

This program was recorded in front of a live audience on August 15, 2006.