Episode #26 - NOvember 1st, 2020

In this month's episode, we look at two cold international conflicts that seem to be headed in different directions. First, we talk with Dr. Ezzedine Fishere, senior lecturer at Dartmouth College, about the history of the Arab Israeli conflict and what the warming ties between Israel and some of its Arab neighbors really means. We then talk with the Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston about the rising tensions between Taiwan and China, as well as the importance of the US Taiwan relationship.

Ezzedine Fishere - Ezzedine C. Fishere is a Senior Lecturer at Dartmouth College where he teaches courses on Middle East politics and cultures. Before coming to Dartmouth in September 2016, he taught at the Political Science department of the American University in Cairo, worked as a diplomat, wrote novels and – since the Tahrir Uprising, got engaged in Egyptian politics. This includes advising pro-democracy political groups, writing extensively for Arabic and international media outlets, and speaking about Middle East political realities – to the media and in conferences.

Director General Sun - Jonathan Sun is the new Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Boston. He arrived in Boston on July 28 after spending the past four years in Taiwan. Prior to that, Sun had spent six years in New York and another six in Washington D.C. As the new Director-General of TECO Boston, Sun hopes to continue the work of his predecessors to strengthen the ties between Taiwan and New England. Sun began his career in 1998 working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan. During his first three years, he worked in the Department of North American Affairs. Then, he was sent to New York for six years where he served as the assistant to the Director-General of TECO in New York. After three-and-a-half years, he was sent to Washington D.C. He worked in the Political Division for a total of six years. Returning to Taipei again after his time in D.C., Sun worked in three different departments where he spent a total of four years until he left for Boston.

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