The State of Affairs

Avi Abraham Benlolo
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The State of Affairs is a thought-provoking podcast hosted by Dr. Avi Abraham Benlolo, featuring candid conversations with leaders, policymakers, diplomats, business executives, and changemakers from around the world. Each episode explores the defining issues shaping our time—from geopolitics, democracy, and national security to human rights, business, innovation, and global leadership. Through insightful interviews and informed analysis, The State of Affairs provides listeners with the context and perspectives needed to better understand today's rapidly changing world.

  1. 13h ago

    25 YEARS AFTER 9/11

    Twenty-five years after the September 11 terrorist attacks, The State of Affairs speaks with Maureen Basnicki, whose husband, Ken, was murdered on the 106th floor of the World Trade Center’s North Tower. Maureen recounts the terror of that day, the devastating impact on her family and her continuing quest for justice. How did she transform unimaginable grief into the Canadian National Day of Service? Why are victims of terrorism still too often abandoned by their governments? The conversation also confronts CBC’s insulting directive instructing journalists not to call 9/11 a terrorist attack—and its reversal following widespread outrage. Was the reversal enough? Why did Canada’s public broadcaster need a special exception to state an indisputable truth? Twenty-five years later, the most difficult questions remain: Did we win the war on terror—or has terrorism simply evolved and found new ways to threaten our societies? Was justice ever delivered for Ken and the nearly 3,000 people murdered on 9/11? Has Canada meaningfully supported victims of terrorism, or have families been left to confront grief, trauma, legal battles and financial burdens largely on their own? And what must governments do now to ensure that remembrance is accompanied by accountability, protection and action?. This is a powerful conversation about remembrance, justice, moral clarity and the obligation to call terrorism by its name. Learn more and support our work at WWW.AGPIWORLD.COM

    25 YEARS AFTER 9/11

  2. Aug 24

    Israel’s Battle for Truth at the UN in Geneva

    Why is Israel the only country permanently singled out by the United Nations Human Rights Council? Can democracies defend human rights when authoritarian regimes sit in judgment of them? And what happens when international law is weaponized, special rapporteurs abandon neutrality and the atrocities of October 7 are subjected to moral inversion? In this compelling episode of The State of Affairs, Avi Abraham Benlolo speaks with Ambassador Daniel Meron, Israel’s representative to the United Nations and international institutions in Geneva, about the diplomatic battle taking place inside the UN system. Why did Israel disengage from the Human Rights Council? Can its structural bias ever be reformed? Why do friendly nations express private sympathy for Israel but fail to support it publicly? Has anti-Israel politicization infected organizations and other international bodies? Should Israel continue fighting for fairness within these institutions—or begin building alternative alliances? Ambassador Meron also discusses Israel’s humanitarian, medical and technological contributions, the challenges confronting Israeli diplomacy and where he still finds reason for optimism. Produced by the Abraham Global Peace Initiative. Learn more and support our work at agpiworld.com.

    Israel’s Battle for Truth at the UN in Geneva

  3. Aug 17

    IS AMERICAN SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL AN ACT OF GENEROSITY—OR ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS THE UNITED STATES MAKES?

    In this episode of The State of Affairs, Avi Abraham Benlolo speaks with Ambassador (ret.) Yoram Ettinger about the military intelligence, defence technology, battlefield experience and economic innovation Israel provides the United States. Their discussion examines the F-35 program as a powerful example of an alliance that works in both directions. How much is that contribution worth to the United States and the wider F-35 program? Why has the U.S. State Department repeatedly misread the Middle East? Is it possible that Iran already has the bomb? Can diplomacy ever contain Iran’s revolutionary regime—or does negotiation merely give Tehran additional time, money and legitimacy? This is a compelling examination of the assumptions shaping American policy—and whether following conventional wisdom could place Israel’s future at risk. To learn more about AGPI and support our important work, visit www.agpiworld.com.

    IS AMERICAN SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL AN ACT OF GENEROSITY—OR ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS THE UNITED STATES MAKES?

  4. Aug 12

    Back to Campus: What Can Jewish Students Expect?

    A federally commissioned study of approximately 900 Jewish postsecondary students found that 95.7 per cent had experienced or witnessed antisemitism. Seventy per cent said their institution does not take antisemitism seriously, 68 per cent described campus as unsafe for Jewish students, and 22 per cent reported experiencing or witnessing physical violence directed at Jews. In this episode, Avi Abraham Benlolo speaks with the President and CEO of the Association for Canadian Studies and Metropolis Institute, Jack Jedwab about whether antisemitism has become systemic, why Jewish students are concealing their identities, how professors and student organizations contribute to the climate, and why university complaint systems have lost credibility. They also examine new polling showing a sharp decline in Canadian attitudes toward Judaism and ask whether campuses are reflecting a broader social crisis—or helping create it. The State of Affairs is created by The Abraham Global Peace Initiative, a prominent Canadian think-tank working to counter antisemitism, defend Israel and promote democracy.

    Back to Campus: What Can Jewish Students Expect?

  5. Aug 10

    'Core of Palestinian Aspiration Built on Destroying Another Nation'

    Can an Arab Muslim defend Zionism while warning the West about the dangers of political Islamism? In this episode of The State of Affairs, Saudi-born peace advocate Loay Alshareef joins Avi Abraham Benlolo for a fearless discussion about Israel, antisemitism and the battle between peace and extremism. How did learning Hebrew and studying Jewish history transform Loay’s understanding of Zionism? Why does anti-Zionism so often descend into open antisemitism? What does the growing influence of radical ideology in Europe and North America mean for Western democracy?    From the Jewish people’s ancient connection to Jerusalem to the threats posed by Iran and the Houthis, Loay confronts the forces working to perpetuate conflict. Can the Abraham Accords withstand today’s regional turmoil? Is Saudi-Israel normalization still possible? And why does Loay remain convinced that Arab-Israeli peace will ultimately prevail?

    'Core of Palestinian Aspiration Built on Destroying Another Nation'

  6. Aug 3

    THE NEXT OCTOBER 7? THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY’S 70,000-MEMBER ARMED FORCE

    Could the next October 7-style attack come from Judea and Samaria? In this episode of The State of Affairs, Avi Abraham Benlolo speaks with Lt.-Col. (res.) Maurice Hirsch about his warning that the Palestinian Authority has built a military-capable force of approximately 70,000 armed personnel. More than 70,000 are reportedly stationed in Judea and Samaria (West Bank) —compared with only 12,000 permitted under the Oslo Accords. How did this force grow so dramatically? Why are its personnel allegedly being trained in sniping, artillery, armoured warfare, shoulder-fired missiles and parachuting? With Qalqilya only 14 kilometres from the Mediterranean, which Israeli cities would be threatened if these weapons were turned against Israel? Did Western funding and Israeli weapons transfers help create this danger? Does PA security coordination protect Israelis—or primarily preparing for war against them? Did the PA’s salaries and employment benefits for released terrorists help senior Hamas leaders prepare for October 7? Most importantly, what must Israel do now to prevent another October 7th catastrophe? To learn more about AGPI and support our important work, visit www.agpiworld.com.

    THE NEXT OCTOBER 7? THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY’S 70,000-MEMBER ARMED FORCE

  7. Jul 30

    "There Is No Exodus of Jews from Montreal" - Why Beryl Wajsman is Fighting Back

    “JEWS AREN’T ALLOWED HERE” A Montreal woman told a Jewish father at La Fontaine Park that dogs were allowed despite a nearby ban, launched an expletive-filled rant and declared in French: “Jews aren’t allowed here.” How did Montreal reach this point? Why have Jewish schools been struck by gunfire, synagogues attacked with incendiary devices and visibly Jewish residents assaulted and intimidated? Are political leaders confronting this crisis—or merely condemning each new incident before moving on? Has unchecked anti-Zionist incitement normalized hatred and helped turn hostile rhetoric into violence? Do police and prosecutors possess the resources, authority and political support needed to protect Montreal’s Jewish community? And after generations of Jewish life and achievement, can Montreal still offer Jewish families a safe and hopeful future? In this episode of The State of Affairs, Avi Abraham Benlolo asks journalist, lawyer, civic leader and the President of the Institute for Public Affairs of Montreal, Beryl Wajsman what is happening to Montreal—and why he remains determined to stay, fight back and reclaim the city. The State of Affairs podcast is produced by The Abraham Global Peace Initiative (AGPI). To support our work, please visit us at www.agpiworld.com

    "There Is No Exodus of Jews from Montreal" - Why Beryl Wajsman is Fighting Back

  8. Jul 28

    ISRAEL’S DEFINING MOMENT: IRAN, HAREDI UNREST AND THE ELECTION OF A LIFETIME

    Do Israelis want a third round of war against Iran? In this episode of The State of Affairs, former Canadian Ambassador to Israel Vivian Bercovici, joins AGPI's Chairman and CEO, Avi Abraham Benlolo for a candid assessment of Israel at a crossroads. How are Israelis coping after war, terrorism, trauma and political division? What do the current demonstrations by the Haredi community mean for Israel’s future, military service and the principle of shared national responsibility? Israel’s upcoming election is the most consequential in its history: what exactly will voters be deciding—and is there a leader capable of uniting the country? How do Israelis view the alarming rise of antisemitism in Canada and around the world? Finally, what message of hope, optimism and resilience does Ambassador Bercovici leave with us? Find out this and more on the latest episode of The State of Affairs. The Abraham Global Peace Initiative is a prominent Canadian think-tank that counters Antisemitism, defends Israel, advances democracy and promotes The Abraham Accords.

    ISRAEL’S DEFINING MOMENT: IRAN, HAREDI UNREST AND THE ELECTION OF A LIFETIME
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About

The State of Affairs is a thought-provoking podcast hosted by Dr. Avi Abraham Benlolo, featuring candid conversations with leaders, policymakers, diplomats, business executives, and changemakers from around the world. Each episode explores the defining issues shaping our time—from geopolitics, democracy, and national security to human rights, business, innovation, and global leadership. Through insightful interviews and informed analysis, The State of Affairs provides listeners with the context and perspectives needed to better understand today's rapidly changing world.

Information

  • Creator
    Avi Abraham Benlolo
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Avi Abraham Benlolo
  • Show Website
    The State of Affairs

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