
#399 – Jared Kushner: Israel, Palestine, Hamas, Gaza, Iran, and the Middle East
Lex Fridman PodcastWed Oct 11 2023
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict:
- Hamas launches attacks on Israel.
- Tragedy resulting in loss of innocent lives.
- International community should support Israel and condemn Hamas.
- Iran supports Hamas and destabilizes the region.
Jared Kushner's Perspective:
- Believes Hamas is responsible for Palestinian suffering.
- Emphasizes need to eliminate or degrade Hamas' military capabilities.
- Highlights progress made during Trump administration, including strengthening relationships with allies and achieving peace through Abraham Accords.
- Criticizes Biden administration for reversing policies and providing funding to Iran without conditions.
Current Situation and Trajectories:
- Escalating violence between Israel and Gaza, potential ground invasion by Israeli forces.
- End state: security for Israel, improved lives for Palestinians through economic development.
- Trusting relationships among leaders crucial for progress towards peace.
- Avoid divisions that hinder progress, work towards unity among regional allies.
Leadership and Benjamin Netanyahu:
- Netanyahu seen as historic figure understanding security issues and global relations.
- Leadership crucial in ensuring Israel's security objectives met while avoiding unnecessary risks.
Support for Palestine Online:
- Widespread online support but many may not fully understand complexities of conflict.
- Important to recognize Hamas poses threat to both Israel's security and well-being of Palestinians themselves.
Hope for Future Peace Efforts:
- Focus on restoring security in Israel before further normalization efforts with countries like Saudi Arabia.
Russian Collusion Accusations:
- Accused of colluding with Russia after President Trump won the election in 2016.
- Media and opposition took accusations seriously, leading to special counsel investigations and testimonies before committees.
- Faced intense criticism and attacks from various media outlets and politicians.
- Psychological strength maintained by having confidence in innocence and focusing on what could be controlled.
- Support from family, friends, and spouse played a significant role in staying strong during challenging times.
Efficiency of Government Regulation:
- Neil Ferguson's book "The Great Degeneration" highlighted inefficiencies in government regulation.
- Regulations often put in place to address past crises rather than future problems.
- Trump administration focused on deregulation, eliminating regulations for every new one implemented.
- Private sector project management skills brought into government to improve efficiency.
Psychological Resilience:
- Maintaining a calm mind despite intense attacks requires discipline and focus on what can be controlled.
- Recognizing that personal actions are more important than external circumstances helps maintain optimism.
- Having support from loved ones plays a crucial role in psychological resilience.
- Learning from low points provides opportunities for growth and becoming better equipped to handle challenges.
Importance of Love:
- Love and support from spouse Ivanka helped navigate through difficult times.
- Witnessing her elegance under pressure served as an inspiration to stay positive and focused on goals.
Jersey Diners:
- Jersey diners hold a unique charm with their late-night atmosphere, friendly staff, and comforting food options.
- Symbolize both melancholy feelings and moments of joy, capturing the essence of life's struggles and joys.
Jared Kushner: Israel, Palestine, Hamas, Gaza, Iran, and the Middle East:
- Jared Kushner is a former Senior Advisor to President Donald Trump.
- He played a role in negotiating peace agreements between Israel and Arab countries.
- Vision 2030: A plan developed by Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, to modernize the economy and society of Saudi Arabia.
- MBS is described as high energy, smart, well-read, and a nationalist with a deep understanding of the tribal nature of the region.
- Kushner's approach to problem-solving involves setting big audacious goals and taking on new ideas that seem obvious in retrospect.
- The difficulty of achieving peace in the Middle East is attributed to structural issues and an incorrect incentive structure for negotiations.
- The lack of rule of law, judicial system, property rights, and opportunities for Palestinians contribute to ongoing conflicts in the region.
- Trust and betrayal are discussed in the context of personal experiences and lessons learned from difficult times.
- Bad things happen in the world, but leaders should focus on creating safety and security for their people while giving them opportunities for a better life.
Abraham Accords:
- The Abraham Accords are mentioned as important agreements between Israel and Arab countries negotiated during Kushner's time in office.
- The normalization of relations between Israel and Arab nations is seen as a positive step towards stability and cooperation in the region.
- Kushner emphasizes the importance of economic integration and security cooperation in creating a more peaceful Middle East.
- He highlights the potential for innovation, progress, and positive influence that can come from an economically strong and technologically advanced Middle East.
- The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine is mentioned as a significant hurdle to achieving lasting peace in the region.
- The need for structural changes, such as rule of law, property rights, and opportunities for the Palestinian people, is emphasized as essential for long-term peace.
- Kushner acknowledges the challenges and tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but remains optimistic about the potential for progress and resolution.
China's Rise and US-China Relations:
- China has been working towards reclaiming its position as the global leader from 1949 to 2049.
- The book "The Hundred Year Marathon" by Michael Pillsbury explores this perspective and highlights China's strategic efforts.
- Trump administration recognized the need for rebalancing global economic parity with China through tariffs and addressing unfair trade practices.
US-Russia Relations:
- Trump administration sought collaboration with Russia on areas of mutual interest while addressing concerns about Ukraine.
- Unpredictability played a role in negotiations, keeping both parties on their toes and preventing provocations.
US-North Korea Relations:
- Trump administration prioritized direct engagement with North Korea to address the issue of denuclearization.
- Unpredictability and willingness to take risks played a role in negotiations with Kim Jong-un.
Middle East Peace Process:
- Jared Kushner focused on finding pragmatic solutions rather than dwelling on historical grievances during peace negotiations.
- Key components included territorial contiguity, security arrangements, and access to religious sites.
- The Abraham Accords highlighted the potential for economic ties and religious respect in the region.
Leadership Styles:
- Trump's unpredictability allowed him to consume information directly, make pragmatic decisions, and deliver results.
- He had a willingness to listen to different perspectives, engage in conversations even with adversaries, and take calculated risks.
China-US Trade Relations:
- Trump administration aimed to address China's unfair trade practices through tariffs and negotiation tactics.
- The objective was to create a more balanced economic relationship that protected American industries and intellectual property rights.
Behind the Scenes Approach:
- Kushner chose a low-key approach and operated behind the scenes during his time in government.
- This approach allowed him to have more maneuverability and build trust with people who shared information with him.
- He believed that being behind the scenes gave him more ability to operate effectively.
Communication Style:
- Kushner acknowledged that communicating is an important skill but felt that there were many better communicators in Washington.
- He focused on getting things done rather than being a public speaker.
- Despite not having much experience or considering himself a good communicator, he appreciated others who were willing to communicate on his behalf.
Advice for Success:
- Work hard at everything you do and never stop learning.
- Say yes more often and go out of your comfort zone.
- Always strive to do your best and work hard at every task you take on.
Learning Process:
- Kushner learned by talking to people who had been involved in different areas and asking them questions about their experiences and insights.
- He also read extensively on various topics, using books as a guide for his learning process.
- Ivanka Trump, Kushner's wife, played a role in providing book recommendations and advice.
Approach to Problem Solving:
- Kushner took a first principles approach when tackling new problems.
- Instead of relying solely on assumptions from prior experts, he asked questions and sought input from various sources.
- He was pragmatic in his perspective and constantly iterated his plans based on new learnings.
Human Connection and Listening:
- Kushner emphasized the importance of listening to people with differing opinions without calling them names or dismissing their views.
- He believed that having conversations with those who disagree can lead to progress and understanding.
Hope for Human Civilization:
- Kushner expressed hope in the potential for significant advancements in human civilization due to factors such as artificial intelligence, cheaper energy, medical breakthroughs, exploration, etc.
- He believed that anything is possible if the right people focus on the right ideas and work towards making a positive impact.
- Based on his own experiences, Kushner believed that people coming together to make a difference can succeed.