CUFI’s Middle East Briefing, a project of Christians United for Israel, is a news and policy podcast dedicated to keeping you informed about important issues and events in the Middle East. Every other week, CUFI’s Middle East Briefing Hosts, Kasim Hafeez and Corina Cater, will sit down with a special guest to discuss the latest news and delve deeper into issues pertinent to Israel and the broader Middle East.
As the largest pro-Israel organization in the United States, with over 10 million members, Christians United for Israel (CUFI) is the foremost Christian organization educating and empowering millions of Americans to speak and act with one voice in defense of Israel and the Jewish people. CUFI is committed to confronting indifference and combating anti-Semitism in all its forms wherever it may be found.
In this episode, Kasim and Corina are joined by Joe Richards, a dynamic and engaging founder of several non-profits whose personal story tied to 9/11 reminds us of how important it is to never forget that tragic day. Plus, receive a biblical encouragement from CUFI on Campus Regional Coordinator, Cherith Runyon.
In this episode, join Kasim and Corina as they talk to Kirby Calhoun, a 13-year army combat veteran who served a stint in Afghanistan, about recent events in the country. Plus, Randy Neal, CUFI’s National Outreach Director and Field Coordinator, shares a personal and powerful biblical encouragement.
In this week’s episode, Kasim and Corina are joined by CUFI’s Senior Director of Policy and Communications, Ari Morgenstern, and Director of Public Policy and Strategy at the CUFI Action Fund, Boris Zilberman, to discuss Lebanon’s recent attack against Israel. Learn how terrorist army Hezbollah is ruining Lebanon in the pursuit of its goal of destroying Israel. Plus, hear an encouraging biblical message from CUFI Field Coordinator, Bobby Scott.
In this episode, meet Delegate Kayla Kessinger, a dynamic and well-spoken woman of the Word with a passion for the United States and Israel. Hear her story and find out how God has uniquely positioned you to support Israel for such a time as this. Plus, hear a special biblical encouragement from CUFI’s Josh Ahrens, Director of the Israel Collective.
In this episode, Kasim and Corina interview Ambassador Michael Oren and delve into the US-Israel relationship, antisemitism, and more. And hear biblical encouragement from CUFI Field Coordinator Kirby Calhoun.
In this episode, Kasim is joined by Dr. Sheila Nazarian. Born in New York to a Jewish family from Iran that wanted to obtain birthright citizenship for her in the U.S. due to Iran becoming an Islamic republic as a result of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Nazarian and her family returned to Iran and were not permitted to leave. When Nazarian was six, she and her family were smuggled out of Iran into Pakistan in a truck filled with corn, and, shortly thereafter, emigrated to the U.S. Tune in to hear their fascinating conversation and also to hear a special biblical encouragement from Dan Ostrem, Video Producer of the Israel Collective
In this episode, Kasim and Corina will sit down with Sandra Parker, Chairwoman of the CUFI Action Fund to hear about CUFI’s special solidarity mission to Israel with Ambassador Nikki Haley and the CUFI team’s meeting with the Foreign Minister of the UAE. We also get an update on CUFI’s legislative efforts through the Action Fund–plus, hear a biblical encouragement from Raj Nair from the Israel Collective.
In this episode, Kasim and Corina ask social media guru Zina Rakhamilova for tips about how to be an effective pro-Israel advocate online and combat antisemitism on social media. Plus, hear a special biblical encouragement from CUFI’s National Outreach Director, Randy Neal.
In this episode, Kasim and his new co-host Corina have a heartfelt conversation with Daniel Pomerantz, CEO of Honest Reporting, about life in Israel during the recent Gaza-Israel conflict, Operation Guardian of the Walls. Hear directly from Jerusalem how difficult life under fire has been for our friends in Israel, especially in light of biased and false media coverage, and be encouraged by a special devotional by CUFI’s Donor Development Director, Hope Hernandez.
In this episode, Kasim and Corina are joined by Daniel Koren, Executive Director of Hasbara Fellowship Canada. Learn about the unique challenges for the Canadian Jewish and pro-Israel communities on college campuses as well as how covid-19 has contributed to a spike in antisemitism in the past year. Plus, hear special biblical encouragement from the Israel Collective’s Outreach Coordinator, Sammy Lopez.
Kasim Hafeez is a British citizen of Pakistani Muslim heritage who grew up being exposed to radical anti-Western, antisemitic, and anti-Israel ideas daily. During his teenage years, Kasim embraced a radical Islamist ideology and became very active in the anti-Israel movement. Thankfully, Alan Dershowitz’s book The Case for Israel challenged Kasim’s fundamental beliefs and caused him to undertake a period of research and reflection that led him to Israel in 2007. Witnessing the true nature of the Jewish state changed Kasim’s perception of Israel. He felt a moral obligation to publicly speak out for Israel and the dangers of radical Islam. He has spoken all over the world including the 2013 Global Forum on Combatting Antisemitism and before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Kasim has appeared on radio, television, and in print media. Kasim also appears alongside Holocaust survivor Irving Roth in CUFI’s full-length feature documentary Never Again?. To learn more, visit neveragainthemovie.com.
Corina Cater is CUFI’s Communications Associate. She formerly served as Chapter President of Belhaven University’s CUFI on Campus chapter from 2016-2018 and was selected as a Bonhoeffer Fellow in 2017. Holding a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Belhaven University and an M.A. in Biblical Studies from South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary, Corina’s passion is expositing the Word of God for the people of God through writing and speaking.