Why the West Misses Jihadism

Jihadism is not a local problem, and this conversation makes that impossible to ignore. Dr. Walid Phares and Dr. Charles Jacobs join Hayvi Bouzo and Dan Feferman to explain why they launched the International Freedom Coalition, a global alliance built around the people, communities, and countries actually living under threat.What starts as a discussion about a new organization quickly becomes a sweeping map of the fight against global jihadism - from Sudan and Darfur to Nigeria, Biafra, Somaliland, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Israel, Europe, and the United States. The guests trace how decades of work against slavery, persecution, and extremist ideology led them to build an umbrella coalition that unites persecuted groups instead of keeping them isolated.You’ll hear how the coalition plans to work in Congress, with parliaments, and across the policy world - and why both guests believe the real battle is not just military or diplomatic, but a war of ideas. They break down why human rights institutions often fail the very people they claim to protect, why the West keeps misreading the threat, and why the most effective resistance is coming from those who have already paid the highest price.We break down:- Why Charles Jacobs sees the same jihadist pattern in Sudan and in the October 7 attacks- How Walid Phares frames global jihadism as two linked “dragons” - Salafi and Khomeinist- Why Israel is viewed by many of these communities as the model for survival, resistance, and self-defense- How the International Freedom Coalition plans to unify African, Middle Eastern, Jewish, Christian, Druze, Kurdish, Persian, and Arab moderate voices-Why both guests say the West is still dangerously behind the curve on Iran, the Muslim Brotherhood, and extremist infiltrationThis episode is essential listening if you want to understand how anti-jihad coalitions are being built across continents, why so many conflicts are connected, and what it actually takes to turn scattered resistance into a movement with real political weight.Dr. Walid Phares is a longtime Middle East analyst and terrorism expert, known for his work on jihadist ideology, regional strategy, and U.S policy.Dr. Charles Jacobs is a human rights activist and anti-slavery campaigner, known for exposing atrocities in Sudan and fighting persecution through grassroots organizing.If you care about the future of the Middle East, the West, and the global fight against extremism, do not miss this one.For of these content you can follow us on IG -  @MiddleEast_24  If you like to dive more deep you can read at our magazine https://www.mideastjournal.org/