Ep. 17: The History: The Rise of Hamas and Hezbollah (Dr. Joseph Croitoru – Author & Journalist, Freiburg i. Br.)

Guest: Dr. Joseph Croitoru, Journalist & Author, Freiburg i.Br. Hosts: Efe & Ysusuf Bio: Dr. Joseph Croitoru, born 1960 in Haifa, is a historian, author, and journalist. He studied history, art history, and Judaic studies in Jerusalem and Freiburg im Breisgau and earned a doctorate on the history of suicide attacks. For decades, he has reported as a Middle East expert for major media outlets such as the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and the Süddeutsche Zeitung. He is a leading authority on Hamas and Hezbollah and his work is a standard reference for understanding their structure, ideology and role in the region. His most recent book on Hezbollah is the first comprehensive reference in German. His clear analysis and exceptional historical depth, make him one of Germany’s most outstanding experts on the Middle East conflict. In 2021, he was awarded the Peace Prize of the Geschwister Korn and Gerstenmann Foundation for his literary work promoting peace. In this episode:  In this episode, we talk with Dr. Croitoru about the origins, ideology, structures, and strategies of Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as their roles in regional, international, and Israeli politics. We examine historical developments, the events of October 7, 2023, current dynamics, and possible future perspectives. Special focus is given to Croitoru’s recent books, which have significantly shaped the discourse on Islamist movements in the Middle East and the struggle over Jerusalem. We also explore the financing and external support of Hamas and Hezbollah, with an emphasis on the strategic roles of Iran and Qatar. This includes their funding, provision of weapons, political backing, and influence on Israeli politics through proxy actions and regional power dynamics. This episode is was recorded on November 14, 2025.