This episode is brought to you by Pepsi Max. Christmas is great, but there's loads of ways to make it better.

Like sneaking some chili into the gravy for some extra ink, or building a playlist that will even get your

none up on the table or just cracking open an ice cold Pepsi Max.

Christmas better with Pepsi Max.

The new Samsung Galaxy Z-Flip5 and Chromebook are better together.

Take hands-free selfies which automatically sync to your Chromebook,

ready to edit, and access recent Chrome tabs across both devices.

The new Galaxy Z-Flip Flip5 and Chromebook, better together.

Available on Sky Mobile.

Bluetooth and internet connection required.

You must be signed into the same Google account on both your phone and Chromebook.

Welcome to the Dispatch Podcast. I'm Jamie Weinstein.

My guest today is something of a friend.

I certainly see him around town. I've had lunches with him. I wouldn't say we're super close, but someone I've been wanting on the podcast, this one or my previous one for many years, and that is Shoddy Hamid. He is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. He is a writer,

columnist for the Washington Post and author of several books including most recently The Problem of Democracy, America, the Middle East,

and the rise and fall of an idea.

I wanted Shady on specifically or particularly because I think we disagree on a lot of

what's going on in the Middle East. We do agree, I think we disagree on a lot what's going on in the Middle East.

We do agree, I think you'll find on more than maybe some will expect.

But I wanted to bring them on and have a discussion of what's going on in the Middle East

with someone who disagrees with me

on at least a decent amount. And I think you're going to find this conversation useful and

...