Episode 167 - The Hostage Negotiator: A Conversation with Daniel Levin

<p><strong>ABOUT THIS EPISODE</strong></p> <p>Daniel Levin has traveled a wide ranging and fascinating path in his lifetime.  Having grown up in several different cultures in the Middle East and Africa, he has devoted his life to working in geopolitical spheres to help governments navigate their way through political reform and economic development.</p> <p>Ari and Daniel discuss modern power dynamics and their use and misapplication by our own government in our efforts at nation building in the Middle East. By drawing on contacts and relationships he’s fostered worldwide, Daniel has used his experience in the realm of hostage negotiation.  He details a gripping series of events in his one man search to find a missing person, lost in the chaos of Syria, in his latest book, “Proof of Life”.  The lessons learned over those twenty tense days resonate in many events in our current times.</p> <p>--------------------</p> <p><strong>EPISODE TIME STAMPS</strong></p> <p>  2:58  Daniel’s background</p> <p>  4:27  Growing up a Jew in Switzerland</p> <p>11:16  Impacts felt by the 1982 war with Lebanon</p> <p>14:31  Daniel’s parents’ influence on his life</p> <p>17:58  Reconciling personal religious beliefs with Israeli politics and society</p> <p>24:49  Working for Barak, and it’s impacts on Daniel’s worldview</p> <p>27:44  Transitioning to working with countries on constitutional and economic reforms</p> <p>32:49  Lessons learned by the U.S. in the Middle East</p> <p>42:17  The evolution to working in hostage negotiation</p> <p>43:40  Describing the events in Syria leading up to the situation written about in “Proof of Life”</p> <p>49:30  The emotional toll of hostage negotiations</p> <p>52:37  Lessons learned, and applying those principles to life in general</p> <p>61:02  Information on how to learn more about Daniel Levin and “Proof of Life”</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>CONNECT WITH Daniel Levin</strong></p> <p>For more information about Daniel Levin and to learn more about “Proof of Life”, as well as Daniel’s other books, visi