Podcasts about Middle East Institute

Somalia is home to Turkey's largest overseas military base. It has signed an oil exploration and production deal with Ankara that has sparked protests from the opposition. The Middle East Institute's Gonul Tol unpacks the drivers of Turkey's Africa policy, noting that Turkish engagement comes at a cost.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Professor Joseph Liow, chairman of the Middle East Institute, joins Lens on Singapore’s Claressa Monteiro to cut through the noise around the Iran conflict and bring it into the Singapore context. Two Singaporeans in conversation about energy exposure, diplomatic tightropes, social cohesion and what it really means to be a small open economy in an increasingly volatile world. This is not a lecture about the Middle East. It is a frank assessment of where Singapore stands and what could come next. Highlights of the conversation: 03:05 Why peace is hard 06:27 How exposed are we 10:15 Will this war end soon 15:39 Social strain and polarisation 17:52 Singapore as ASEAN chair --- Now, we want to hear from you! Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to btpodcasts@sph.com.sg. We’ll look into it for future episodes. --- Written and presented by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg) With Professor Joseph Liow, chairman of the Middle East Institute Executive producer: Claressa Monteiro Coordinating producer: Chai Pei Chieh Video production: Studio +65 A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media --- Follow Lens On and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btlenson Amazon: bt.sg/lensam Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt Website: bt.sg/lenson Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. Discover more BT podcast series: BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks BT Correspondents at: bt.sg/btcobt BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the U.S and Iran considering a potential deal to end the war we turn to two or our experts. Alan Eyre of the Middle East Institute was a senior member of the Obama administration's negotiating team for the previous Iran nuclear deal. Miad Maleki was born in Iran and is a senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. They join Aman Nawaz for additional perspective. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

With the U.S and Iran considering a potential deal to end the war we turn to two or our experts. Alan Eyre of the Middle East Institute was a senior member of the Obama administration's negotiating team for the previous Iran nuclear deal. Miad Maleki was born in Iran and is a senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. They join Aman Nawaz for additional perspective. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Tension escalates rapidly across the Gulf, despite last month's ceasefire. An oil facility hit in the United Arab Emirates, Iranian boats attacked, while the US tries to force open a shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz. So, what does this mean for hopes of an end to the Iran war? In this episode: Negar Mortazavi, Senior Fellow at the Center for International Policy in Washington DC and host of the 'Iran Podcast' Jason Campbell, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute in In Washington DC Jasmine El Gamal, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Averos Strategies, former Pentagon Middle East Adviser between 2008 and 2015 Host: Tom McRae Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

“Trump has no strategy and no endgame. No amount of success in tactics will win. No military campaign has ever been won solely from the air.” — Jason Pack Happy May Day! Today's papers are leading with stories about Obamacare, a Gaza flotilla, and the price of oil. Everything but the story at both the front and back of our minds. Only the Wall Street Journal leads with Iran. Which is more than a bit odd, given that America is supposed to be at war there. Or is it? Jason Pack — Middle East analyst, host of the Disorder podcast, and our man in London — joins for a special May Day show on the most surreal conflict in recent memory. Both sides, Pack argues, care more about the narrative war than about actual military strategy. The official word out of DC and Tehran is the same: we're winning. But no military campaign in history has been won solely on the airwaves. Pack sees two sides that are doing their surreal best to ignore a war that they are both fighting. If you pretend it's not happening, then maybe it isn't. Don't mention the war. On this May Day, everyone is Basil Fawlty. Five Takeaways •       Two Sides with No Strategy: Both Trump and the Iranian regime are more invested in the narrative war — the story of who is winning — than in having an actual endgame. Trump says the blockade will make the Iranians cry uncle. The Iranians say they are surviving and therefore winning. Neither has clearly stated what they want from this conflict: not on the nuclear file, not on territory, not on regime change. Pack's verdict: he sees two sides that don't even know what they want to get out of a war they're both pretending is going well. •       No Campaign Has Ever Been Won Solely from the Air: The American military has showcased extraordinary AI-enabled tactical capability in the Iran conflict. But war is about outcomes and strategy. Territory must be controlled. New leaders must be installed. These things cannot be done from altitude. The Israeli Twelve-Day War hit the head of the snake — the Iranian regime — but may have overplayed its hand. A Shia axis that was being systematically degraded could come back like a phoenix if the narrative of martyrdom and resistance is allowed to reconsolidate around shared injury. •       Trump Does Projection: Pack's most pointed observation: track what Trump accuses his adversaries of, and you learn what he is about to do. He says the blockade will make the Iranians cry uncle. Which means he is on the verge of backing down. The absolute worst outcome, Pack argues, would be Trump as the one who folds — not because America loses a war, but because it loses the credibility that underwrites the entire international order. His fear: that is exactly what is about to happen. •       Pakistan: The Sleeping Giant: The story the world's media has mostly not told: Pakistan's role. Pakistan has nuclear weapons. Pakistan has a large Shia minority and a complex relationship with Iran. It also has a complex relationship with China, with the Gulf states, and with the United States. Any escalation that involves Iran necessarily involves the question of what Pakistan does. Pack considers this one of the most under-covered dimensions of the conflict and one of the most consequential. The sleeping giant has not yet been asked to choose sides. That moment may be coming. •       The First AI War: London Antisemitism and Russian Disinformation: Six antisemitic attacks in London in six weeks since the Iran war began. Pack's argument: the disinformation driving radicalisation on social media is not purely Iranian. Russia and North Korea are seeding the most outlandish conspiracy theories about Jewish people — great replacement, Epstein, the rest — and someone with mental health problems eventually acts. This, combined with AI-enabled targeteering and logistics in the actual conflict, makes this the first AI war. Future historians will untangle what that means. For now, it means the world is more disordered than it looks from any single headline. About the Guest Jason Pack is a Middle East analyst, host of the Disorder podcast, and a Fellow at the Middle East Institute. He is the author of Libya and the Global Enduring Disorder and a regular contributor to international media on North Africa, the Middle East, and great power competition. References: •       Disorder podcast by Jason Pack — disorder.fm. •       Episode 2877: Keith Teare — Let's Just Say It Out Loud: AI Is Not Dangerous — the Silicon Valley seminary argument, now tested in the first AI war. About Keen On America Nobody asks more awkward questions than the Anglo-American writer and filmmaker Andrew Keen. In Keen On America, Andrew brings his pointed Transatlantic wit to making sense of the United States — hosting daily interviews about the history and future of this now venerable Republic. With nearly 2,900 episodes since the show launched on TechCrunch in 2010, Keen On America is the most prolific intellectual interview show in the history of podcasting. WebsiteSubstackYouTubeApple PodcastsSpotify Chapters: (00:00) - Chapter 1 (00:31) - May Day check-in: is there even a war happening? (02:09) - Both sides care more about the narrative than strategy (02:37) - Trump's lack of endgame: no military campaign is won from the air (04:18) - How is the war covered in the Middle East? (06:09) - Shia vs Sunni: does it still matter? (07:54) - Hussein, martyrology, and the Shia willingness to fight the losing battle (09:21) - Syria and the Alawis: off the map? (11:00) - Pakistan: the sleeping giant (14:00) - Is this the equivalent of Suez? (18:00) - A new world order: does America want to lead it? (22:00) - The Gulf states and the new regional order (26:00) - Trump does projection: crying uncle (30:00) - China, Russia, and who benefits (34:22) - The first AI war: what will historians say? (37:25) - AI company stocks keep going up (38:02) - London antisemitism: six attacks in six weeks (40:12) - Russian and North Korean disinformation driving radicalization (42:13) - Disorder podcast: subscribe. The world needs it.  

Pakistan opens land trade routes to Iran, allowing the transit of goods. It's a much-needed reprieve for both economies. But does it undercut Washington's pressure campaign on Tehran? And how will it impact the Islamabad-mediated talks to end the war? In this episode: Mushahid Hussain Syed, Pakistani defence and foreign policy specialist Setareh Sadeqi, Assistant Professor at the University of Tehran, specialising in U.S.-Iran relations Ross Harrison, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington DC Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

On the eve of talks in Washington between leaders in Lebanon and Israel, Beirut has signaled a push to extend the 10-day, U.S.-mediated ceasefire set to expire this Sunday. The ongoing conflict with Iran has put its proxies' regional struggles into the limelight, as flashpoints continue to emerge, Lebanon chief among them. As a platform for Hezbollah, Lebanon is in a unique political position, balancing an adversary at home while aligning itself more closely with the West amid regional confrontation. Donald Trump has a historic opportunity to rid the Middle East of the Iranian regime if he is willing to commit to the persistence and patience needed to see this operation through. For Israel and Lebanon, is now the time?Ambassador David Hale is a Career Ambassador and Distinguished Diplomatic Fellow at the Middle East Institute. He also currently serves as a Distinguished Fellow with the Wilson Center. Ambassador Hale previously served as US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs; US Ambassador to Pakistan, Lebanon, and Jordan; and Special Envoy for Middle East Peace. He is the author of American Diplomacy Toward Lebanon: Lessons in Foreign Policy and the Middle East, published by Bloomsbury/I.B. Tauris in February 2024.Read the transcript here.Subscribe to our Substack here.

For additional perspective on the state of diplomacy with Iran, Amna Nawaz spoke with Alan Eyre and Miad Maleki. Eyre was part of the Obama administration's negotiating team for the Iran nuclear deal and is now at the Middle East Institute. Maleki was born and raised in Iran and is now at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

US-brokered negotiations between Lebanon and Israel began this week in Washington. This comes after at least 1,500 Lebanese have been killed in Israeli strikes since March and more than one million remain displaced. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has continued to launch attacks towards Israel since it entered the Iran war weeks ago. The meeting is the first time the two governments have engaged in high-level talks since 1993 and is expected to set the agenda for future discussions. Lebanese officials want an end to the Israeli strikes and financial support for reconstruction. Israel wants Hezbollah disarmed but this has already proven a near-impossible task for Lebanon's government. The question is, what leverage does the country have in the face of constant Israeli bombardment, crushing humanitarian and economic burdens, and a Hezbollah that still clings on to power? In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, Mohamad Ali Harisi, foreign editor of The National, hosts a live discussion on the truce talks and the human toll. He is joined by Lebanon correspondents Nada Maucourant Atallah and Nada Homsi, and Europe correspondent Sunniva Rose. He also speaks to Paul Salem, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute.

April 13, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on new fractures in President Trump's MAGA base as he feuds with the Pope. Semafor's Margaret Carlson joins. Plus, MS NOW's Jason Johnson and Middle East Institute senior fellow Brian Katulis break down the latest developments in the Iran war. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For perspective on the situation with Iran, Amna Nawaz spoke with Alan Eyre and Miad Maleki. Eyre was part of the Obama administration's negotiating team for the Iran nuclear deal and is now at the Middle East Institute. Maleki was born and raised in Iran and is now at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

For perspective on the situation with Iran, Amna Nawaz spoke with Alan Eyre and Miad Maleki. Eyre was part of the Obama administration's negotiating team for the Iran nuclear deal and is now at the Middle East Institute. Maleki was born and raised in Iran and is now at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Partiamo dal Libano dove la capitale è stata travolta dai raid israeliani che hanno provocato centinaia di morti, con Jacopo Mocchi, giornalista freelance in collegamento da Beirut. Facciamo poi il punto sulla fragile tregua di due settimane proclamata nella notte dal presidente Trump con Paola Rivetti, professoressa di politica e relazioni internazionali presso la School of Law and Government della Dublin City University, Brian Katulis, senior Fellow al Middle East Institute di Washington ed ex funzionario del Dipartimento di Stato Usa e con Mario Del Pero, che insegna Storia Internazionale e Storia degli Stati Uniti a Sciences Po, Parigi.Infine, un focus sulla Cina con Lorenzo Lamperti, giornalista da Taipei.

As President Trump backs down from his threats against Iran's infrastructure and agrees to a two-week ceasefire, Geoff Bennett speaks with Alan Eyre and Miad Maleki. Eyre was part of the Obama administration's negotiating team for the Iran nuclear deal and is now at the Middle East Institute. Maleki was born and raised in Iran and is now at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracy. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

0:30 - Cook County officials speak out on claims of ICE agent activity at courthouses 16:34 - Trump fires Pam Bondi as US attorney general 37:32 - Hospice where staggering 97% of terminal patients survive is accused of defrauding Medicare for $7.45 million 01:01:06 - Geoffrey J.D. Hewings is emeritus professor of geography, regional science, economics and urban and regional planning at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He joined Dan Proft to talk about the stadium options for the Bears 01:16:24 - Joseph Moreno is a former federal prosecutor with the Department of Justice in the National Security Division, a former staff member with the FBI’s 9/11 Review Commission and a US Army combat veteran. He joined Dan Proft with reaction to the Supreme Court hearing on birthright citizenship and the firing of Pam Bondi 01:35:10 - Brenda Shaffer is faculty member at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School’s Energy Academic Group and a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center. She joined Dan Proft to talk about the impact the war in Iran is having on energy prices 01:53:31 - Jason Brodsky is policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) and is a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute’s Iran Program. He joined Dan Proft with analysis of the war in Iran 02:10:15 - Open Mic Friday!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In his address to the nation on Wednesday, President Donald Trump said the war with Iran was nearing its end and the US had decimated the country's military capabilities. But parts of his speech contradicted some of his earlier statements regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and America's interest in seizing Iranian oil. His words also stood in contrast to recent reports suggesting that the Pentagon was preparing for weeks of ground operations. At the same time, US officials are saying talks with Tehran are going well, which Iran denies. Meanwhile, mediators including Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey are pushing for a return to negotiations. The question is whether the warring parties would be willing to make concessions at this stage of the conflict. In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher looks at the different scenarios the US could consider next and whether a diplomatic solution is still within reach. We hear from James Jeffrey, distinguished fellow at the Washington Institute and a former US deputy national security adviser, and Alex Vatanka, director of the Iran programme at the Middle East Institute.

To discuss the state of the war with Iran and the diplomatic efforts to end it, John Yang spoke with Ray Takeyh and Alan Eyre. Takeyh was a senior State Department adviser on Iran during the Obama administration and is now at the Council on Foreign Relations. Eyre was part of the Obama administration's negotiating team for the Iran nuclear deal and is now at the Middle East Institute. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Negar Mortazavi on Aljazeera in Doha, Qatar with Professor Ross Harrison of Middle East Institute

To discuss the state of the war with Iran and the diplomatic efforts to end it, John Yang spoke with Ray Takeyh and Alan Eyre. Takeyh was a senior State Department adviser on Iran during the Obama administration and is now at the Council on Foreign Relations. Eyre was part of the Obama administration's negotiating team for the Iran nuclear deal and is now at the Middle East Institute. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

"Apra Hormuz in 48 ore o colpiremo le centrali nucleari". Dopo aver lanciato quest'ultimatum all'Iran, Donald Trump, nella giornata di ieri, è tornato sui suoi passi rinviando gli attacchi per via di "colloqui buoni e produttivi" in corso. L'Iran però avrebbe smentito qualsiasi tipo di contatto con l'amministrazione americana. Ne parliamo con Minoo Mirshavalad, ricercatrice in Sociologia all'Università di Copenhagen, Lazar Berman, giornalista di The Times of Israel, Michael Milshtein, responsabile del Centro per gli studi palestinesi del Dayan Center dell'Università di Tel Aviv, Brian Katulis, Senior Fellow del Middle East Institute di Washington.

The Trump Administration's war against Iran has highlighted one of the stranger paradoxes of America's longstanding relationship with Israel—at a time when Israel's image in the United States is at low point, cooperation and coordination with Washington has reached an all-time high. One would be hard pressed to identify any large-scale U.S. miliary campaign in decades in which there has been greater partnership between allies.  Is the foundation of this alliance —common and shared values; a high coincidence of interests; and strong base of domestic support — under stress? What of the relationship between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump? And what does the future of the relationship hold for US and Israeli interests in a complex and volatile region?  Join Aaron David Miller as he engages the Middle East Institute's Yael Lempert, Princeton's Daniel Kurtzer, and the Atlantic Council's Daniel Shapiro, three former U.S. ambassadors to the region with deep experience on the U.S.-Israeli relationship, on the next Carnegie Connects.  

For perspective on Israel's killing of one of Iran's most senior leaders, Ali Larijani, and the head of Iran's Basij internal security force, Amna Nawaz spoke with Alan Eyre and Joel Rayburn. Eyre was part of the Obama administration's negotiating team for the nuclear deal with Iran and is now at the Middle East Institute. Rayburn is a retired Army colonel and is now at the Hudson Institute. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

For perspective on Israel's killing of one of Iran's most senior leaders, Ali Larijani, and the head of Iran's Basij internal security force, Amna Nawaz spoke with Alan Eyre and Joel Rayburn. Eyre was part of the Obama administration's negotiating team for the nuclear deal with Iran and is now at the Middle East Institute. Rayburn is a retired Army colonel and is now at the Hudson Institute. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Iran is still blocking the Strait of Hormuz and President Trump is now demanding that NATO allies act to help reopen it. For two views on this and the war, Amna Nawaz spoke with retired Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan and Nathalie Tocci. Donegan is the former commander of the U.S. 5th Fleet and is now at the Middle East Institute. Tocci is Professor of Practice at Johns Hopkins SAIS Europe. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Iran is still blocking the Strait of Hormuz and President Trump is now demanding that NATO allies act to help reopen it. For two views on this and the war, Amna Nawaz spoke with retired Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan and Nathalie Tocci. Donegan is the former commander of the U.S. 5th Fleet and is now at the Middle East Institute. Tocci is Professor of Practice at Johns Hopkins SAIS Europe. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

March 16, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick, Lloyd Jackson, and Jamie Edmonds speak with Brian Katulis, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute. They discuss confusing messages on the US position on Iran and strategy shifts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For today's episode, Lawfare Senior Editor Scott R. Anderson sits down with Charles Lister, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and head of its Syria Initiative, to talk about the dramatic developments that have taken place in Syria the past few weeks, which have ultimately led to the impending withdrawal of U.S. troops after more than a decade in country.Together, they discuss the challenges Syria has faced since the fall of the Assad regime, how the new transitional government in Damascus has managed its relationship with the Syrian Democratic Forces, what the exit of U.S. troops means for efforts to combat the Islamic State terrorist group, and the role the United States has played in it all—and is likely to play moving forward.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not a soul on this planet knows what comes next in the war theater. Because that’s war. But we can anticipate what comes next for the U.S. and global economy, or at least game out certain scenarios. This isn’t just another discretionary “police action” on the other side of the world or a simple regime change. This war is wired directly into the global energy, food, and financial systems. But a proper analysis must acknowledge how the circumstances of the U.S. economy and our monetary and fiscal policies have changed. There is no direct antecedent to the situation in which we find ourselves, which makes the folly of this war all the more absurd. We didn’t just launch a war. We may have just pulled the fire alarm on the entire world economy. Resources John J. Mearsheimer: Big Trouble Ahead in Iran U.S. Energy Information Administration: Amid regional conflict, the Strait of Hormuz remains critical oil chokepoint EnergyNow: CHARTED: Oil Trade Through the Strait of Hormuz by Country Reuters: Asia’s oil and LNG dependence on the Middle East Institute for Economics & Peace: Economic Consequences of War on the U.S. Economy Global Institute for Sustainable Prosperity: Modern Money and the War Treasury Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland: Fiscal Dominance and US Monetary: 1940–1975 UNFTR Resources Video: Iran War Could Wreck the Entire World Economy Essay: The Iran War Could Wreck the Global Economy. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For an assessment of where things stand with the war in Iran, Geoff Bennett sat down with Alan Eyre and Behnam Ben Taleblu. Eyre was part of the Obama administration's negotiating team for the nuclear deal with Iran and is now at the Middle East Institute. Taleblu is at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, where he is the senior director of their Iran Program. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

For an assessment of where things stand with the war in Iran, Geoff Bennett sat down with Alan Eyre and Behnam Ben Taleblu. Eyre was part of the Obama administration's negotiating team for the nuclear deal with Iran and is now at the Middle East Institute. Taleblu is at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, where he is the senior director of their Iran Program. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

On this week's episode of the podcast, Mohammed Soliman of the Middle East Institute joins Marc Lynch to discuss his new book, West Asia: A New American Grand Strategy in the Middle East. In the book, Soliman argues that it is time for the United States to move decisively away from nation-building and get back to the business of order-building. To do so will require zooming out, in both geographical and historical terms, to build a new regional order across 'West Asia' – from the Middle East to South Asia, connecting Europe to the Indo-Pacific via the Mediterranean and Red Seas.  Music for this season's podcast was created by Feras Arrabi. You can find more of his work on his website Music and Sound at www.ferasarrabi.com. POMEPS, directed by Marc Lynch, is based at the Institute for Middle East Studies at the George Washington University and is supported by Carnegie Corporation of New York.

From October 2, 2024: Israel has hit Hezbollah very hard over the past few days, killing much of its senior leadership and eroding its capabilities. It has also displaced hundreds of thousands of Lebanese and now has ground forces in Lebanon. Iran has responded with a missile barrage against Israel, to which an Israeli response is widely expected. To discuss the latest events in the expanding war, Lawfare's Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Wittes sat down with Firas Maksad of the Middle East Institute, Natan Sachs of the Brookings Institution, and Lawfare Senior Editor Scott R. Anderson.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iranians across their own country, in the United States and across the world have been celebrating the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes continue. Iranians were first in disbelief but now they dare to dream their country will be free from the brutal Muslim regime of the Ayatollah. Many Iranians who's families fled in the 1970's remember an Iran, in the heart of the Middle East but with Western ideas of promoting individual liberty, democratic governance, and self-rule. FOX's Tonya J. Powers speaks with Nazee Moinian, associate fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C. and author of the book, "Narratives of Grievance in Iran's Foreign Policy," who shares her family's story and explains why Iranians are so grateful to the United States and Israel for this military action against tyranny. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C., and holding a PhD in Iranian Studies from the University of St. Andrews, Nazee Moinian is a powerful voice for her homeland. Though she fled Iran as a young girl during the onset of the 1979 revolution, she has remained deeply connected to her roots as an advocate for the Iranian people. Nazee shares the story of escaping the regime and assimilating into American culture while carrying her heritage alongside her. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this Newsbuzz edition of River to River, a conversation with Brian Katulis of the Middle East Institute about this week's developments on the United States and Israel's war with Iran which has included the deaths of six U.S. service members, including two Iowans. Also, IPR reporter James Kelley discusses Google's change of plans for a proposed data center in Linn County, Robin Opsahl of Iowa Capital Dispatch gives an update on this week's activity at the statehouse and Studio One's Nick Brunner shares this week's new music picks.

Iranians across their own country, in the United States and across the world have been celebrating the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes continue. Iranians were first in disbelief but now they dare to dream their country will be free from the brutal Muslim regime of the Ayatollah. Many Iranians who's families fled in the 1970's remember an Iran, in the heart of the Middle East but with Western ideas of promoting individual liberty, democratic governance, and self-rule. FOX's Tonya J. Powers speaks with Nazee Moinian, associate fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C. and author of the book, "Narratives of Grievance in Iran's Foreign Policy," who shares her family's story and explains why Iranians are so grateful to the United States and Israel for this military action against tyranny. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

0:30 - John Anthony fills in for Dan Proft 11:50 - Mark Wayne Mullen to replace Noem 34:21 - Republican messaging problems 51:23 - Senior Pastor at 180 Church in Detroit, Lorenzo Sewell: This isn’t about donkeys vs elephants, it’s about good vs evil. For more on Pastor Sewell and 180 Church - 180church.cc 01:11:44 - California licensed social worker Pamela Garfield-Jaeger, known as “The Truthful Therapist,” argues that “gender distress” is often a symptom of deeper issues and a way some people avoid the fear of growing up. Pamela is also the author of A Practical Response to Gender Distress: Tips and Tools for Families and the children’s book Froggy Girl 01:30:34 - RNC Co-Chair KC Crosbie says the midterms will shape policy for years to come — reminding voters that elections have consequences. Follow KC on X @kc4gop 01:49:25 - Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran and non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute, says the Trump administration didn’t start a war with Iran — it’s ending one Iran began in 1979. Follow Jason on X @JasonMBrodsky 02:05:20 - Open Mic Friday!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

47 years. That is how long the U.S. and Iran have been circling each other, probing for weaknesses, and demonizing the other (in many cases for good reason). Tensions reached a tipping point on February 28, 2026 and the United States, along with Israel, initiated a new wave of strikes which has lead to chaos across the Middle East. 11 countries have been targeted by retaliatory strikes from Iran and the death toll on all sides continues to rise. How did we get here? Why was now the time to act? Where does it all end and what decisions will shape the final outcome of this latest use of military force? In this month's episode, we speak with Alex Vatanka, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute, where he focuses on Iran. We review the terse relationship between these two countries since the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and outline the litany of moments that have shaped the course of history. In addition, the conversation outlines how this war got started and what shape it has taken in the early days, providing key insights into possible outcomes. While much is left to be written in this story, the key moments have been set in motion. Listen to gain critical insights into this fast moving and ever changing conflict that will reverberate across the world for years to come.(Please note: This episode was recorded on February 27, one day before U.S. and Israeli airstrikes started. We have tried to capture the latest updates to the fighting, but understand this conflict has shifted rapidly in the first few days).Alex Vatanka is a Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute. He specializes in Middle Eastern regional security affairs with a particular focus on Iran. He was formerly a Senior Analyst at Jane's Information Group in London. Alex is also a Senior Fellow in Middle East Studies at the US Air Force Special Operations School (USAFSOS) at Hurlburt Field and teaches as an Adjunct Professor at DISAS at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He has testified before the US Congress and lectured widely for both governmental and commercial audiences, including the US Departments of State and Defense, US intelligence agencies, and a list of international corporations.Born in Tehran, he holds a BA in Political Science (Sheffield University, UK), and an MA in International Relations (Essex University, UK), and is fluent in Farsi and Danish. He is the author of two books: The Battle of the Ayatollahs in Iran: The United States, Foreign Policy and Political Rivalry Since 1979 (2021) and Iran and Pakistan: Security, Diplomacy, and American Influence (2015).He has also written chapters for a number of books, including Authoritarianism Goes Global (2016); Handbook on Contemporary Pakistan (2017); Russia in the Middle East (2018), Winning the Battle, Losing the War: Addressing the Drivers Fueling Armed Non-state Actors and Extremist Groups (2020); Global, Regional and Local Dynamics in the Yemen Crisis (2020); Routledge Handbook of Counterterrorism and Irregular Warfare Operations (2021); and Understanding New Proxy Wars (2022). He is presently working on his third book, Iran's Arab Strategy: Defending the Homeland or Exporting Khomeinism?

For more perspective on war in Iran, Amna Nawaz spoke with Alan Eyre, Joel Rayburn and Holly Dagres. Eyre was part of the Obama administration's negotiating team for the Iran nuclear deal and is now at the Middle East Institute. Rayburn is a retired Army colonel and is now at the Hudson Institute. Dagres spent her teenage years in Tehran and is now at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Trump's stunning surprise attack on Iran could be the most consequential world event since 9/11. Will the President's goal of smooth regime change work when it failed every other time, or trigger a regional conflagration? Iran's hated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is dead but the Islamic Republic is showing no sign of collapsing. And now Hezbollah has attacked other Arab states as well as British and US military targets. How will the war play out? How resilient is the Islamic Republic? Does Israel want regime change or regime destruction? Does Iran have any potential leaders that the US could tolerate? And has anyone planned for running a country of 90 million people which is now in chaos? Live from Beirut our guest Paul Salem, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, speaks to Gavin Esler.  • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people? Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more. • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not A Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this. Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A special crossover edition from our geopolitics podcast This Is Not A Drill – Trump's stunning surprise attack on Iran could be the most consequential world event since 9/11. Will the President's goal of smooth regime change work when it failed every other time, or trigger a regional conflagration? Iran's hated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is dead but the Islamic Republic is showing no sign of collapsing. And now Hezbollah has attacked other Arab states as well as British and US military targets. How will the war play out? How resilient is the Islamic Republic? Does Israel want regime change or regime destruction? Does Iran have any potential leaders that the US could tolerate? And has anyone planned for running a country of 90 million people which is now in chaos? Live from Beirut our guest Paul Salem, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, speaks to Gavin Esler.  • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people? Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more. Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For more perspective on war in Iran, Amna Nawaz spoke with Alan Eyre, Joel Rayburn and Holly Dagres. Eyre was part of the Obama administration's negotiating team for the Iran nuclear deal and is now at the Middle East Institute. Rayburn is a retired Army colonel and is now at the Hudson Institute. Dagres spent her teenage years in Tehran and is now at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

This week US and Iranian delegations failed to make a breakthrough that could avert potential US strikes amid a massive military build-up. The threat of those strikes saw New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peter's reiterate official advice for New Zealanders to leave Iran. Pressure is mounting on Iran externally and internally. This week anti-government protests spread to at least 13 universities. Susie speaks to Ross Harrison, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington DC and author of "Decoding Iran's Foreign Policy" on whether we are edging closer to a peaceful outcome through diplomacy or to a US attack on Iran.

For perspective on the nuclear negotiations and President Trump's handling of Iran, Amna Nawaz has two views from Alan Eyre and retired Col. Joel Rayburn. Eyre had a four-decade career in the U.S. government and is now at the Middle East Institute. Rayburn had a 26-year career in the Army and is now a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

For perspective on the nuclear negotiations and President Trump's handling of Iran, Amna Nawaz has two views from Alan Eyre and retired Col. Joel Rayburn. Eyre had a four-decade career in the U.S. government and is now at the Middle East Institute. Rayburn had a 26-year career in the Army and is now a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Iran is at a critical juncture as it faces a wave of nationwide protests driven by economic strain, political frustration, and societal exhaustion. In this episode of The Burn Bag, A'ndre Gonawela is joined by Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, to explore the internal fractures within Iran's regime and the potential for change.As tensions between Washington and Tehran escalate, the risk of military confrontation looms large. Alex Vatanka provides an in-depth analysis of the regime's response to the protests, including internet shutdowns, mass arrests, and the use of force. He discusses the implications of these actions on regime stability and the risks of further escalation both within Iran and across the region. The conversation delves into the generational divide, the regime's ideological rigidity, and the potential for military defections.Listeners will gain insights into the complex dynamics at play, including the role of the Iranian military, the influence of foreign powers, and the potential for regime change. This episode is essential for anyone interested in understanding the current crisis in Iran and its implications for the Middle East.Follow Alex Vatanka on X @AlexVatanka and explore more of his insightful analysis on his MEI page.

Syria is at a pivotal moment. After the fall of Bashar al-Assad, the country's new leadership under President Ahmed al-Sharaa is working to reunify a fractured state — and the biggest test is unfolding in the northeast, where the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have operated autonomously for nearly a decade.In recent weeks, a fragile ceasefire and phased integration agreement has put Syrian Interior Ministry forces back into major cities like Hasakeh and Qamishli. On paper, the deal could mark the beginning of Syria's re-centralization. However, that fragility was exposed in early 2026, when fighting broke out between the SDF and Syrian government forces, raising fresh doubts about whether integration can hold.In this episode of The Burn Bag, A'ndre Gonawela sits down with Charles Lister, Senior Fellow and Director of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute, to provide a clear, ground-level primer on what's actually happening — and what could come next.Together, they unpack how Syria's political map shifted after Assad's fall and why the Syrian Democratic Forces remain central to the country's trajectory. The discussion breaks down what the March 2025 integration framework actually required, why talks stalled ahead of the January escalation, and what Interior Ministry deployments into Hasakeh and Qamishli signal about Damascus' return to the northeast. They also examine how Arab tribal defections reshaped eastern Syria, whether ISIS is quietly adapting, how the U.S. posture may evolve, and the most likely paths ahead — consolidation, hybrid control, or renewed conflict.Follow Charles on X @Charles_Lister and check out his other work here.

F. Gregory Gause III, a leading scholar on Saudi Arabia and an associate fellow at the Middle East Institute, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the evolution of U.S.-Saudi relations as Saudi Arabia navigates its role in a Middle East with a more assertive Israel, a weaker Iran, and a less predictable United States.   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President's Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/presidents-inbox/the-new-saudi-strategy Opinions expressed on The President's Inbox are solely those of the host or our guests, not of CFR, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

Ken Pollack, vice president for policy at the Middle East Institute, joins Jonah Goldberg to discuss the reality of regime change in Iran, what's next for the Iranian nuclear program, and the politics around taking Greenland.The Agenda:–Historical patterns of uprisings in Iran–Is this different?–It's the economy, stupid!–Potential military strategies–Understanding the Iranian threat–Iran's nuclear program–The shah's complex legacy–Greenland, now what?Show Notes:–Monday's TMD on Iran–The political theory that explains Trump's global power playsThe Remnant is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of Jonah's G-File newsletters—⁠click here⁠. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices