An introduction to the conversation with Bassem Youssef and the context of the discussion.

Introduction - An introduction to the conversation with Bassem Youssef and the context of the discussion.

Bassem Youssef's approach to fear and humor, including advice from Jon Stewart.

Facing Fear with Humor - Bassem Youssef's approach to fear and humor, including advice from Jon Stewart.

An overview of the conversation with Bassem Youssef on The Lex Friedman Podcast.

The Lex Friedman Podcast - An overview of the conversation with Bassem Youssef on The Lex Friedman Podcast.

Insights into negotiating in married life and the challenges it presents.

Married Life Negotiations - Insights into negotiating in married life and the challenges it presents.

Bassem Youssef's reactions to tragic events and the different perspectives on them.

Reacting to Tragedy - Bassem Youssef's reactions to tragic events and the different perspectives on them.

The challenges and risks of speaking out against injustice and misinformation.

Speaking Out Against Injustice - The challenges and risks of speaking out against injustice and misinformation.

Bassem Youssef's motivation and drive to overcome fear and speak out.

Overcoming Fear - Bassem Youssef's motivation and drive to overcome fear and speak out.

Insights and perspectives on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the impact of power dynamics.

The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict - Insights and perspectives on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the impact of power dynamics.

Discussions on the unequal valuation of human life and its impact on conflicts and military actions.

Valuation of Human Life - Discussions on the unequal valuation of human life and its impact on conflicts and military actions.

Exploration of dehumanization, extremism, and the impact on societal perspectives.

Dehumanization and Extremism - Exploration of dehumanization, extremism, and the impact on societal perspectives.

The challenges of finding hope and compromise in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hopelessness and Compromise - The challenges of finding hope and compromise in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Discusses the Oslo Accord, Palestinian unfairness, and the shift in power from Hew Barak to Eryel Sharon.

The Oslo Accord and Palestinian Unfairness - Discusses the Oslo Accord, Palestinian unfairness, and the shift in power from Hew Barak to Eryel Sharon.

Explores the barriers to peace, power dynamics, and the reluctance to give up land willingly.

Barriers to Peace and Power Dynamics - Explores the barriers to peace, power dynamics, and the reluctance to give up land willingly.

Examines the rhetoric surrounding the two-state solution and the Israeli government's stance on state solutions.

Two-State Solution and Rhetoric - Examines the rhetoric surrounding the two-state solution and the Israeli government's stance on state solutions.

Discusses the equalization of Palestinians and the Israeli state, and the search for hope in the conflict.

Palestinian Equalization and Source of Hope - Discusses the equalization of Palestinians and the Israeli state, and the search for hope in the conflict.

Highlights Israeli actions in the West Bank and the impact on the Palestinian population.

Israeli Actions in the West Bank - Highlights Israeli actions in the West Bank and the impact on the Palestinian population.

Explores the desensitization to oppression and the impact of large numbers on public perception.

Desensitization to Oppression - Explores the desensitization to oppression and the impact of large numbers on public perception.

Discusses the need for context and depth in reporting, particularly in relation to the Palestinian children killed.

Context and Depth in Reporting - Discusses the need for context and depth in reporting, particularly in relation to the Palestinian children killed.

Explores the motivations of leadership and the asymmetry of power in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Leadership Motivations and Asymmetry of Power - Explores the motivations of leadership and the asymmetry of power in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Discusses the role of Arab regimes and the asymmetry of international support in the conflict.

Arab Regimes and International Support - Discusses the role of Arab regimes and the asymmetry of international support in the conflict.

Examines the literal power dynamics and the role of the Palestinian Authority in the conflict.

Literal Power and Palestinian Authority - Examines the literal power dynamics and the role of the Palestinian Authority in the conflict.

Explores the support of Arab states and the global perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Arab States and Global Support - Explores the support of Arab states and the global perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Discusses the influence of Arab states and the asymmetry of literal power in the conflict.

Arab States' Influence and Literal Power - Discusses the influence of Arab states and the asymmetry of literal power in the conflict.

Examines Netanyahu's influence and the role of Hamas in the conflict.

Netanyahu's Influence and Hamas's Role - Examines Netanyahu's influence and the role of Hamas in the conflict.

Explores the representation and decision-making power of key players in the conflict.

Representation and Decision-Making Power - Explores the representation and decision-making power of key players in the conflict.

Discusses the role of Hamas and the need for moderate leadership in both Palestine and Israel.

Role of Hamas and Israeli Leadership - Discusses the role of Hamas and the need for moderate leadership in both Palestine and Israel.

Examines the impact of historical events and the emergence of Hamas in the context of apartheid and resistance.

Impact of Historical Events - Examines the impact of historical events and the emergence of Hamas in the context of apartheid and resistance.

Discusses the possibility of a ceasefire and longer-term diplomatic solutions involving Arab states and the United States.

Ceasefire and Diplomatic Solutions - Discusses the possibility of a ceasefire and longer-term diplomatic solutions involving Arab states and the United States.

Explores the beneficiaries of Palestinian suffering and the potential benefits to certain entities from the ongoing conflict.

Beneficiaries of Palestinian Suffering - Explores the beneficiaries of Palestinian suffering and the potential benefits to certain entities from the ongoing conflict.

Examines the core problem of the conflict and the suffering experienced by the Palestinian people.

Core Problem and Suffering - Examines the core problem of the conflict and the suffering experienced by the Palestinian people.

Discusses the Palestinian diaspora and the displacement of Palestinians from their homes.

Palestinian Diaspora and Displacement - Discusses the Palestinian diaspora and the displacement of Palestinians from their homes.

Highlights the acquisition of rights to a historical book and the personal connection to its content.

Historical Book and Personal Connection - Highlights the acquisition of rights to a historical book and the personal connection to its content.

Tells the story of The Muslim and the Jew, a nonfiction account of Arabs in Nazi Germany.

The Muslim and the Jew Story - Tells the story of The Muslim and the Jew, a nonfiction account of Arabs in Nazi Germany.

Discusses the relationship between Arabs and Jews in Nazi Germany and the treatment of Jews by the Nazis.

Arab-Native Relationship and Nazi Treatment - Discusses the relationship between Arabs and Jews in Nazi Germany and the treatment of Jews by the Nazis.

Highlights the heroism of Dr. Helmi and the persecution of Jewish people throughout history.

Dr. Helmi's Heroism and Jewish Persecution - Highlights the heroism of Dr. Helmi and the persecution of Jewish people throughout history.

Explores the historical persecution of Jewish people and the origins of anti-Semitism.

Jewish Persecution and Anti-Semitism - Explores the historical persecution of Jewish people and the origins of anti-Semitism.

Discusses the historical origins of the hatred of Jews, including the narrative of Christ's death and economic envy.

Hatred of Jews and Historical Origins - Discusses the historical origins of the hatred of Jews, including the narrative of Christ's death and economic envy.

Examines the small population of Jews and the existential dread they may feel in the face of historical persecution.

Jewish Population and Existential Dread - Examines the small population of Jews and the existential dread they may feel in the face of historical persecution.

Discusses the 1948 war, the conquest of land, and the asymmetry in military power.

1948 War and Land Conquest - Discusses the 1948 war, the conquest of land, and the asymmetry in military power.

Explores the realities of war and conquest, particularly in the context of global witnessing and social media.

War Realities and Global Witnessing - Explores the realities of war and conquest, particularly in the context of global witnessing and social media.

Exploring the controversy surrounding Stefan Hessel, a co-author of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and his association with the BDS movement and Palestine. The chapter delves into the disillusionment with human rights ideals.

Stefan Hessel and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Exploring the controversy surrounding Stefan Hessel, a co-author of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and his association with the BDS movement and Palestine. The chapter delves into the disillusionment with human rights ideals.

Discusses the various labels and accusations directed at the speaker, including being called anti-Semitic, a Nazi, and other derogatory terms. The chapter explores the impact of these accusations and the speaker's response.

The Labeling and Accusations - Discusses the various labels and accusations directed at the speaker, including being called anti-Semitic, a Nazi, and other derogatory terms. The chapter explores the impact of these accusations and the speaker's response.

Explores the psychological impact of attacks and accusations, and the speaker's initial reaction versus the evolving perspective. It also touches on the decision to do an interview with Piers Morgan.

Dealing with Attacks and Shift in Perspective - Explores the psychological impact of attacks and accusations, and the speaker's initial reaction versus the evolving perspective. It also touches on the decision to do an interview with Piers Morgan.

Reflects on the speaker's childhood experiences, feeling like an outsider, and the impact of social and economic disparities on personal identity and relationships.

Childhood and Outsider Experience - Reflects on the speaker's childhood experiences, feeling like an outsider, and the impact of social and economic disparities on personal identity and relationships.

Discusses the speaker's motivation for pursuing a career in medicine, the challenges faced, and the unexpected success as a salsa teacher. It also explores the speaker's feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.

Journey to Becoming a Doctor and Salsa Teacher - Discusses the speaker's motivation for pursuing a career in medicine, the challenges faced, and the unexpected success as a salsa teacher. It also explores the speaker's feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.

Details the speaker's encounter with Jon Stewart's show, the influence it had, and the speaker's perspective on the Arab Spring and its aftermath, including personal experiences during the revolution.

Impact of Jon Stewart and the Arab Spring - Details the speaker's encounter with Jon Stewart's show, the influence it had, and the speaker's perspective on the Arab Spring and its aftermath, including personal experiences during the revolution.

Discusses the aftermath of being canceled from a show, facing legal threats, and leaving the country.

The Aftermath of Cancellation - Discusses the aftermath of being canceled from a show, facing legal threats, and leaving the country.

Describes the stress and pressure experienced, including thoughts of self-harm and the impact of show cancellation.

Pressure and Stress - Describes the stress and pressure experienced, including thoughts of self-harm and the impact of show cancellation.

Explores the weight of responsibility, criticism, and insecurities related to comedy and societal issues.

Challenges and Insecurities - Explores the weight of responsibility, criticism, and insecurities related to comedy and societal issues.

Highlights the challenges of creating comedy under political pressure and censorship, and the impact of societal shifts.

Comedy Under Political Pressure - Highlights the challenges of creating comedy under political pressure and censorship, and the impact of societal shifts.

Recounts the struggles of pursuing comedy in a new country, facing failure, and dealing with external pressures.

Struggles in Pursuing Comedy - Recounts the struggles of pursuing comedy in a new country, facing failure, and dealing with external pressures.

Addresses societal issues, language differences, and the complexities of identity and belonging.

Reflections and Societal Issues - Addresses societal issues, language differences, and the complexities of identity and belonging.

Discussion on the nitpicking of religious narratives and the distraction it creates.

Religious Narratives and Distractions - Discussion on the nitpicking of religious narratives and the distraction it creates.

Exploration of religious texts, loopholes, and the concept of soaking in Mormonism.

Religious Texts and Loopholes - Exploration of religious texts, loopholes, and the concept of soaking in Mormonism.

Reflection on the purpose of religion and the positive effect of humility.

Purpose of Religion and Humility - Reflection on the purpose of religion and the positive effect of humility.

Discussion on the paradox of humility and entitlement in religion.

Religion and Ego - Discussion on the paradox of humility and entitlement in religion.

Bassem's experience with auditioning for Superman and the controversy surrounding it.

Superman Audition and Controversy - Bassem's experience with auditioning for Superman and the controversy surrounding it.

Insights on religion, power, democracy, and the diminishing power of the individual.

Religion, Power, and Democracy - Insights on religion, power, democracy, and the diminishing power of the individual.

Discussion on the role of media, propaganda, and the search for truth in the age of social media.

Media, Propaganda, and Truth - Discussion on the role of media, propaganda, and the search for truth in the age of social media.

Reflection on the state of politics in the United States and the choice between Trump and Biden.

Comedy and Politics - Reflection on the state of politics in the United States and the choice between Trump and Biden.

Discussion on political influence, financial backing, and ageism in politics.

Political Influence and Corruption - Discussion on political influence, financial backing, and ageism in politics.

Debate on the need for limits on political terms and concerns about corruption.

Limits on Political Terms - Debate on the need for limits on political terms and concerns about corruption.

Analysis of political power and corruption in Russia, with a comparison to Game of Thrones.

Russian Politics and Power - Analysis of political power and corruption in Russia, with a comparison to Game of Thrones.

Discussion on the escalation of global conflicts and the potential for nuclear destruction.

Global Geopolitics and Nuclear Weapons - Discussion on the escalation of global conflicts and the potential for nuclear destruction.

Examination of religious influence on geopolitics and the potential for conflict escalation.

Religious Influence on Conflict - Examination of religious influence on geopolitics and the potential for conflict escalation.

Discussion on the potential for change, the power of information, and the ongoing revolution.

Hope for Change and Revolution - Discussion on the potential for change, the power of information, and the ongoing revolution.

# The Lex Friedman Podcast Newsletter

## A Conversation with Bassem Youssef

In this edition of The Lex Friedman Podcast, we delve into a fascinating and challenging conversation with Bassem Youssef, a legendary Egyptian American comedian known as the "John Stewart of the Middle East." Bassem fearlessly satirized those in power, even when his job and life were on the line. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, from personal anecdotes to the complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

### Negotiating Ceasefires and Overcoming Fear

- Bassem humorously shares his experiences negotiating with his wife, who he jokingly refers to as a "terrorist."
- He discusses his initial fear and uncertainty when faced with the attacks of October 7th, and the drive that ultimately pushed him to speak out.

### The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Propaganda and Hate

- Bassem sheds light on the use of propaganda in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the manipulation of words and images to evoke extreme emotions.
- He discusses the dehumanization of Palestinians by those in power in Israel, and the unequal valuation of human life that exists in every culture.

### The Hopelessness of the Conflict and the Need for Compromise

- Bassem echoes Obama's perspective on the chronic nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing the imbalance of power and the lack of genuine compromise.
- He challenges the narrative of Palestinians rejecting opportunities for peace, pointing out the complexities and biases in historical accounts.

### The Dark Reality and the Search for Hope

- Bassem shares the deep pain and hatred he witnessed in the eyes of a Palestinian refugee camp leader who was shot by an IDF soldier, highlighting the profound impact of the conflict on individuals.
- Despite the seemingly hopeless nature of the conflict, Bassem emphasizes the need for genuine compromise and the importance of challenging biased narratives.

### The Historical Context and the Search for Identity

- Bassem delves into the historical roots of anti-Semitism, tracing it back to the crucifixion of Christ and the subsequent demonization of Jews throughout history.
- He addresses the asymmetry of power and the impact of the Holocaust on the displacement of Palestinians, urging a deeper examination of historical events.

### The Psychological Impact of Attacks and the Need for Self-Acceptance

- Bassem candidly shares his experience of being labeled a Nazi and facing multiple false accusations throughout his life, highlighting the psychological toll of constant attacks and the search for self-acceptance.
- He reflects on his childhood experiences of feeling like an outsider and the impact it had on his sense of identity and self-worth.

### Overcoming Trauma and Finding Strength

- Bassem reveals the intense pressure and trauma he experienced during his career in Egypt, including death threats and legal battles that forced him to leave the country.
- He shares the challenges of starting over in the United States, facing rejection and self-doubt as he pursued stand-up comedy in a new language and culture.

### Political Commentary and the State of Politics in the United States

- Bassem expresses his disappointment with the choice of Trump versus Biden, highlighting the age and mental state of the candidates as a significant concern.
- He emphasizes the need for genuine leadership and the dangers of diminishing the power of the little man in American politics.

### The Threat of Nuclear War and the Search for Hope

- Bassem discusses the increasing threat of nuclear war and the ease with which humanity can now destroy itself using lethal weapons.
- He shares his concern about the potential for a nuclear holocaust and the role of religion and politics in escalating global conflicts.

The conversation with Bassem Youssef offers a thought-provoking and nuanced perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, shedding light on the complexities and challenges inherent in the ongoing struggle for peace in the region. Stay tuned for more engaging and insightful discussions on The Lex Friedman Podcast.

To support the podcast, please check out our sponsors in the description.

And now, dear friends, here's Bassem Youssef.

Unveiling the Truth: A Compelling Conversation with Bassem Youssef

Make fun of the fact that he's afraid of it

He is worried about opening the floodgates and prefers to suppress the traumatic memories.

He is open to therapy and has been considering it for a while.

He has already been to therapy and found it helpful in dealing with his trauma.

He believes therapy is unnecessary and prefers to cope on his own.

His personal story as an immigrant in the United States, including experiences with Trump, gun rallies, and obtaining citizenship.

Political events such as the October 7th incident and its impact on his life.

His experiences as a surgeon and a superstar before transitioning to comedy.

His journey through therapy and self-discovery after facing traumatic events.

The delivery of jokes is different in English and Arabic due to language differences.

The content of the jokes remains the same, but the language makes a difference in the audience's reception.

The comedian struggled with finding good jokes in English but excelled in the Arabic show.

The comedian had to change the entire content of the show when switching from English to Arabic.

Arabic stand-up comedy, especially in Egypt, is very conservative and lacks profanity.

Arabic stand-up comedy is rich in profanity and allows for more freedom of expression.

Arabic stand-up comedy is still in its early stages and lacks a legacy compared to English comedy.

Arabic stand-up comedy is heavily influenced by American comedy styles and delivery.

They are not interested in the speaker's message.

It has limited the availability of information.

People will become less interested in the internet.

People will collectively take action to empower the small man.

People will become more interested in legacy media.

People will stop using social media platforms.

- Bassem Youssef, a comedian known as the "John Stewart of the Middle East," discusses his experiences satirizing those in power, even when his life was at risk
- He talks about the fear and pressure he faced when speaking out about sensitive political issues, particularly the Israel-Palestine conflict
- Bassem describes his decision to speak out against one-sided reporting and the disregard for human suffering in the media
- He also mentions the personal impact of the conflict on his wife's family and the emotional toll it took on him
- Despite the risks, he ultimately decided to speak out and challenge the lies and misinformation he saw in the media

The speaker discusses the dehumanization of Palestinians by Israel and the violence they face. They argue that the Israeli government and military view Palestinians as less than human, leading to oppressive actions. They also highlight the advanced military industry in Israel and its testing on Palestinians. The speaker emphasizes the devaluation of human life and the remote nature of modern warfare.

- The speaker discusses the impact of military actions and the devaluation of human life in different cultures
- They talk about the use of technology and propaganda in the Israel-Palestine conflict
- The conversation ends with a discussion about the lack of hope and solutions in the conflict, highlighting the power imbalance between Israel and Palestine.

- The Oslo Accord was unfair to Palestinians and led to ongoing conflict
- Israeli leaders have been reluctant to give up land for peace
- The power imbalance between Israel and Palestine makes peace negotiations difficult
- The Palestinian Authority and Hamas are not equal in power or influence
- The international community has a role in enforcing a solution, but the US holds the most power

- The speaker discusses the power dynamics and potential benefits for certain groups from the suffering of Palestinians
- They talk about a book they bought the rights to and the story of an Egyptian doctor in Nazi Germany who saved Jewish people
- The speaker questions the role of the Arab states in the suffering of Palestinians and the historical persecution of Jewish people
- They criticize Biden's statement about Jews not feeling safe without Israel and discuss the systemic annihilation of Jewish people during the Holocaust
- The speaker raises questions about the origins of anti-Semitism and the responsibility of Arabs for the suffering of Jewish people.

- The history of hatred towards Jews can be traced back to the belief that they were responsible for killing Christ.
- The envy of their wealth and the perpetuation of the idea that they are the "killer of Christ" has fueled this hatred throughout history.
- The speaker discusses the asymmetry in military power during the 1948 war and the impact of social media on the world's perception of ongoing conflicts.

- The speaker discusses the hypocrisy and discrimination faced by Arabs and Jews in the West
- They talk about being labeled as anti-Semitic and a Nazi, despite being a survivor of the Holocaust
- The speaker shares their experience of feeling like an outsider throughout their life, from childhood to medical school and residency
- They also mention their passion for salsa dancing and a near miss with the 9/11 attacks

- Bassem Youssef, a comedian known as the "John Stewart of the Middle East," discusses his experiences satirizing those in power, even when his life was at risk
- He talks about the fear and pressure he faced when speaking out about sensitive political issues, particularly the Israel-Palestine conflict
- Bassem describes his decision to speak out against one-sided reporting and the disregard for human suffering in the media
- The conversation covers the impact of military actions and the devaluation of human life in different cultures
- The power imbalance between Israel and Palestine makes peace negotiations difficult
- The speaker raises questions about the origins of anti-Semitism and the responsibility of Arabs for the suffering of Jewish people
- They also discuss the hypocrisy and discrimination faced by Arabs and Jews in the West, as well as their personal experiences and interests, such as salsa dancing and a near miss with the 9/11 attacks.

- The speaker recalls the events of 9/11 and how he could have been mistaken for a terrorist due to his involvement in Latin dance
- He became a salsa teacher and earned more money than as a doctor
- He reflects on his choice to become a doctor and how it may have been influenced by his social standing and lack of confidence
- He discusses his self-criticism and feeling of inadequacy, as well as his admiration for Jon Stewart's humor and criticism of power

- The speaker discusses his admiration for Jon Stewart and how it inspired him to start his own political satire show
- He talks about the Arab Spring and the impact it had on Egypt, including his own experiences during the revolution
- The speaker reflects on the challenges and pressures of sudden fame and the dangers of criticizing those in power
- He shares a humorous anecdote about being interrogated by the Muslim Brotherhood for his jokes, highlighting the absurdity of the situation

- The speaker faced backlash and threats in Egypt for criticizing the Muslim Brotherhood and the army
- He was forced to leave the country due to legal and safety concerns
- In the US, he struggled with insecurity and started doing stand-up comedy to make a living
- He faced challenges and criticism in the comedy industry but persevered through it

- Bassem Yusuf discusses the pressure and disappointment he faced from fans in Egypt
- He talks about the trauma he experienced and his struggle with his comedy career
- Yusuf explains the differences between his English and Arabic comedy shows
- He reflects on the challenges of performing in different Arabic dialects and the limits of language allowed in his shows
- He mentions his plans for future comedy tours in the Middle East

- The speaker discusses his complicated relationship with Egypt, expressing love and hate for his country
- He talks about the disappointment and resentment felt by immigrants towards their home countries
- He shares a story about the intimidation and harassment faced by Palestinians in the West Bank
- He criticizes the actions of the Israeli government and urges Jewish people to separate themselves from it
- The speaker discusses the negative connotations of jihad and the idea of sacrificing one's life for a better place

- The speaker discusses the negative aspects of religion and its impact on the world
- They also talk about losing a role in a Superman movie and their initial bitterness but later acceptance of the situation.

- Bassem Yusuf reflects on his experiences as a salsa teacher and doctor, and his admiration for Jon Stewart
- He discusses his struggles with fame, criticism, and threats in Egypt, leading to his move to the US
- Yusuf faced challenges in the comedy industry but persevered, and discusses the pressure and disappointment from fans in Egypt
- He explains the differences between his English and Arabic comedy shows, and his plans for future comedy tours in the Middle East
- Yusuf discusses his complicated relationship with Egypt, resentment towards his home country, and the harassment faced by Palestinians
- He criticizes the Israeli government and discusses the negative aspects of religion, as well as losing a role in a Superman movie.

- The speaker was interviewed by the BBC and Salon and discussed his changing perspective on a controversial issue.
- He expressed concern for the treatment of filmmaker James Gunn and his own role in the situation.
- He discussed his experiences with persecution and the dangers of victimizing oneself.
- The speaker also expressed criticism of Israel's actions and the impact on the Jewish community.
- He voiced concerns about the diminishing power of the individual in American politics and the influence of powerful interest groups.
- The speaker also discussed the excessive defense budget and the control of weapon prices by a few companies.

- The American army's Apache fleet was grounded in 2006 due to price gouging for a valve.
- The Stinger missile used to be sold for $25,000, now sold for $400,000.
- The Department of Defense fired 130,000 people, causing increased expenses.
- Concerns about how tax money is being spent, particularly in relation to Israel and Muslim countries.
- Criticisms of Western media and the rise of social media as a source of news.
- Discussion about the dangers and benefits of social media platforms like TikTok.
- Comedian's admiration for Joe Rogan and the comedy mothership.
- Criticism of the choice of Trump versus Biden in American politics.

- The speaker supports Bernie Sanders and is critical of Joe Biden's ties to pro-Israeli groups
- They discuss the potential for corruption in long-serving politicians and the need for term limits
- The conversation shifts to global politics, including Putin's history of poisoning and the potential for nuclear war
- The speaker expresses concern about the influence of religious beliefs on global conflict and the potential for a nuclear holocaust
- The conversation ends with a lighthearted mention of the "lizard people" conspiracy theory

- Bassem Youssef discusses his hope for the future of humanity, citing younger people on platforms like TikTok as a source of potential change.
- He acknowledges the negative aspects of social media but believes there is a tipping point where enough people will be aware and take action for positive change.
- Youssef emphasizes that revolutions are a long process and points to the Arab world as an example of ongoing discussions and awareness leading to potential change.
- The conversation ends with a quote from Jon Stewart about the role of the press in bringing attention to important issues.

- Bassem Youssef discusses changing perspectives on controversial issues in interviews with BBC and Salon
- Expresses concern for treatment of filmmaker James Gunn and his own role in the situation
- Discusses persecution, victimizing oneself, criticism of Israel's actions, and the diminishing power of the individual in American politics
- Criticizes excessive defense budget and control of weapon prices by a few companies
- Raises concerns about tax money spending, Western media, and the rise of social media
- Supports Bernie Sanders, criticizes Joe Biden's ties to pro-Israeli groups, and discusses global politics and potential for nuclear war
- Ends with a lighthearted mention of the "lizard people" conspiracy theory
- Discusses hope for the future of humanity, citing younger people on platforms like TikTok as a source of potential change
- Emphasizes that revolutions are a long process and points to ongoing discussions and awareness in the Arab world as an example

Bassem Youssef is an Egyptian-American comedian & satirist, referred to as the Jon Stewart of the Arab World. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
- AG1: https://drinkag1.com/lex to get 1 month supply of fish oil
- Shopify: https://shopify.com/lex to get $1 per month trial
- Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/lex to get special savings
- LMNT: https://drinkLMNT.com/lex to get free sample pack

EPISODE LINKS:
Bassem's X: https://x.com/Byoussef
Bassem's Instagram: https://instagram.com/bassem
Bassem's Facebook: https://facebook.com/bassemyousseftv
Bassem's Website: https://bassemyoussef.xyz

PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8
RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/
Full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4
Clips playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOeciFP3CBCIEElOJeitOr41

OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
1:21 - Oct 7
31:49 - Two-state solution
47:28 - Holocaust
55:15 - 1948
1:04:07 - Egypt
1:18:29 - Jon Stewart
1:20:42 - Going viral during the Arab Spring
1:44:45 - Arabic vs English
1:57:08 - Sam Harris and Jihad
2:02:16 - Religion
2:21:28 - TikTok
2:26:00 - Joe Rogan
2:27:58 - Joe Biden
2:32:23 - Putin
2:34:11 - War
2:39:07 - Hope

SOCIAL:
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- Reddit: https://reddit.com/r/lexfridman
- Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman

If I hate you, that's great, but if I have a story to support that hate, that's even better.

It doesn't matter now who do you vote into power, they will not listen to you, they would listen to the people who paid them to be there.

When the military came in, people were walking to me like pointing their fingers like, don't speak about the army, we love you now, but don't you, they were like that.

So I called John Stewart, I was like, I don't know what to do.

And he said the most interesting thing ever.

And say, if you're afraid of something, make fun about the fact that you're afraid of it.

The following is a conversation with Bassem Youssef, a legendary Egyptian American comedian, the so-called John Stewart of the Middle East, who fearlessly satirized those in power, even when his job and life were on the line.

It was truly a pleasure for me to get to know him and to have this fun, fascinating, and challenging conversation.

To support it, please check out our sponsors in the description.

And now, dear friends, here's Bassem Youssef.

Your wife is half Palestinian, and I've heard you say that you've been trying to kill her, but she keeps using the kids as human shields.

So have you considered negotiating a ceasefire?

Well, the thing is, every day, every minute of the day in a married life is a negotiation.

Everything can blow up into a full-scale war, starting from a simple sentence like, good morning, what should we do with the kids today?

What should we do with that piece of furniture?

Any sentence can lead you to heaven or to hell in the same time.

Yeah, and for her, I am her terrorist too, so

On a more serious note, when you found out about the attacks of October 7th, what went through your mind?

If I'm allowed to use a curse word, I was like, As many as possible.

Part of my standup comedy is I describe a situation where I was in a restaurant with producers and there was a bombing 2 blocks away in Chelsea, New York in 2016.

And of course, this is the like, damn, what's gonna happen to us now?

There's the white reaction, which is like, oh my God, I hope nobody is hurt, this is terrible, I hope everybody's okay.

And there's the Arab reaction, what's his name?

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Bassem Youssef: Israel-Palestine, Gaza, Hamas, Middle East, Satire & Fame | Lex Fridman Podcast #424