Ep 11. Kim Ghattas

Kim Ghattas is a journalist and author who joins The Daily Show with Trevor Noah for its 11th episode of season 2020. Ghattas is known for her work covering international affairs and has served as a correspondent for BBC, Al Jazeera, and other news outlets. In this episode, she is interviewed by Noah about her most recent book, Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Forty-Year Rivalry That Unraveled Culture, Religion, and Collective Memory in the Middle East.

The episode begins with a monologue by Noah, in which he discusses the global response to the coronavirus outbreak. He also talks about the importance of journalism in times of crisis and how Ghattas' reporting has shed light on the complex relationships between countries in the Middle East.

Noah then introduces Ghattas to the audience and they discuss the main themes of her book. Ghattas explains how she wanted to explore the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which she sees as one of the most important issues in the shaping of the contemporary Middle East. She talks about the different ways in which these two countries have tried to gain regional influence and how their strategies have brought instability to the region.

Throughout the interview, Ghattas draws on stories from her extensive reporting experience to illustrate the points she is making about Saudi Arabia and Iran. She talks about the role of religion in both countries and how it has been used to bolster the legitimacy of the ruling regimes. She also discusses the impact of economic policies, such as the decision to nationalize oil production in Saudi Arabia in the 1970s, on the region's politics and culture.

Noah asks Ghattas about her views on the current state of U.S. involvement in the Middle East and how she sees that changing in the future. Ghattas argues that the U.S. has lost a lot of its influence in the region and that a more nuanced strategy is needed to address the complex issues facing the Middle East.

The interview with Ghattas is interspersed with clips from her book tour, where she talks to audiences about the themes of Black Wave and its relevance to current events. These clips serve to provide a broader context for the conversation between Ghattas and Noah.

Overall, this episode of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah provides an insightful discussion of the history and politics of the Middle East, as well as the role of journalism in illuminating these issues for a wider audience. Ghattas' expertise and experience make her a valuable guest, and her engaging conversation with Noah will leave viewers more informed about this complex and important region of the world.