Podcasts about middle east program

Donald Trump keeps saying a deal with Iran to end the war is close, but there are no signs of it. Iran and the US have been engaged in retaliatory strikes and Israel is pushing further into Lebanon.  So, can the US President still get out of the war?  And how far is Israel prepared to go in its fight against Hezbollah? Featured:  Randa Slim, director, Middle East Program at the Stimson Centre 

In a Tuesday post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump confirmed Iran shot down a U.S. Apache helicopter patrolling the Strait of Hormuz and vowed that the U.S. "must" respond to the attack. This comes as Trump said earlier in the morning that the United States was in the "final throes" of reaching a peace deal with Iran. Dr. Rosemary Kelanic, the director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities, joins "Forbes Newsroom" to discuss what the U.S. response could look like, and how this could impact negotiations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Rosemary Kelanic, the director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities, joins "Forbes Newsroom" to discuss the current state of negotiations between the United States and Iran, as well as the reportedly explosive phone call between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Rosemary Kelanic, the director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities, joins "Forbes Newsroom" to discuss President Trump's remarks on the state of negotiations with Iran and what we know about what would be included in a peace deal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Mercantilist Restoration - https://anthonyfatseas.substack.com/p/the-mercantilist-restoration-howInterview recorded - 22nd of May, 2026On this episode of the WTFinance podcast I had the pleasure of welcoming back Professor Vali Nasr. Vali Nasr is a Professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and one of the most authoritative voices on Iran, having advised American policymakers and diplomats on the country for decades. He is also the author of Iran's Grand Strategy: A political history.During our conversation we spoke about the current situation in the Middle East, what has led up to this conflict, Iran's surprising resilience, their grand strategy, potential escalation, reshaping the Middle East and more. I hope you enjoy!0:00 - Introduction3:05 - Lead up to war5:48 - Surprised about escalation8:38 - Iran resilience10:48 - Iran's Grand Strategy13:18 - October 6th impact16:23 - Conflict resolution20:09 - Military escalation24:11 - How have views changed?28:17 - Iranian proxies over?29:47 - US withdrawing from Middle East?34:11 - Guerrilla warfare35:25 - One message to takeaway? Vali Nasr is the Majid Khadduri Professor of International Affairs and Middle East Studies at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and Non-Resident Senior Advisor in the Middle East Program at CSIS. He served as the eighth Dean of Johns Hopkins SAIS between 2012 and 2019 and served as Senior Advisor to U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke between 2009 and 2011.Professor Nasr is the author of Iran's Grand Strategy: A Political History, The Dispensable Nation: American Foreign Policy in Retreat; Forces of Fortune: The Rise of a New Middle Class and How it Will Change Our World; The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam will Shape the Future; Democracy in Iran: History and the Quest for Liberty; Islamic Leviathan, Islam and the Making of State Power; Mawdudi and the Making of Islamic Revivalism; Vanguard of Islamic Revolution: Jama'at-i Islami of Pakistan, and co-author of How Sanctions Work: Iran and the Impact of Economic Warfare; as well as numerous articles in scholarly journals and commentary in Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal. He has advised senior American policymakers, world leaders, and businesses, including the President, Secretary of State, senior members of the Congress, and presidential campaigns. He has written for New York Times, Foreign Affairs, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post, among others.Vali Nasr - X - https://x.com/vali_nasrBook - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Irans-Grand-Strategy-Political-History/dp/0691268924/WTFinance -Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/67rpmjG92PNBW0doLyPvfniTunes -https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wtfinance/id1554934665?uo=4LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-fatseas-761066103/Twitter - https://twitter.com/AnthonyFatseas

In this episode of Current Account, Clay is joined by Mona Yacoubian, Director of the Middle East Program at CSIS, to unpack what the current phase of negotiations to deescalate the conflict in Iran is really telling us. They discuss how Iran is viewing its leverage, why energy disruption remains central to Tehran's strategy, and how regional dynamics, particularly involving Lebanon and regional proxy networks, are complicating efforts to contain the conflict. The conversation looks beyond formal negotiations to the roles being played by Hezbollah and other aligned groups, and what their involvement means for escalation risks across the region. Clay and Mona also examine shifting signals from Gulf states, internal debates within Iran's leadership, and how Washington's strategy has evolved from direct military action toward blockades and diplomacy. This IIF Podcast was hosted by Clay Lowery, Executive Vice President, Research and Policy, with production and research contributions from Christian Klein, Digital Graphics and Production Associate and Miranda Silverman, Senior Program Assistant.

On today's episode, Lawfare Senior Editor Scott R. Anderson sits down with several leading experts to break down the recent ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel and what it might mean for their ongoing conflict, and the broader conflict with Iran.Joel Braunold is a contributing editor at Lawfare as well as the managing director of the Center Project. Dan Byman is a foreign policy editor at Lawfare as well as the director of the Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Mona Yacoubian is the director of the Middle East Program at CSIS.Together, Scott, Dan, and Mona first discuss the contours of this latest Israel-Lebanon war, the nature of the ceasefire, and what will likely be needed for it to lead to a more enduring and stable resolution of the conflict. Scott and Joel then sit down separately a day later to specifically discuss Israel's view of the conflict and approach to the ceasefire, and what recent events might tell us about, among other things, Israeli-U.S. relations.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.

With just hours left before it was set to expire, President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday an extension to the ceasefire with Iran. This time, there wasn't a specific deadline, but said the pause in fighting would be in effect until Iran's government submits a proposal and talks wrap up “one way or the other.” Trump said the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports is still imposed, which an Iranian spokesperson earlier this week called a war crime. Less than 24 hours after Trump's announcement, Iran attacked three tankers in the Strait and seized two, according to the country's state-affiliated media. Dr. Rosemary Kelanic, the director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities, joined "Forbes Newsroom" to discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Follow Forbes Newsroom  Dr. Rosemary Kelanic, the director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities, joins "Forbes Newsroom" to break down the state of the temporary ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. Stay Connected Forbes Breaking News on X: https://x.com/ForbesTVNews Forbes Breaking News on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@forbestvnews More From Forbes: http://forbes.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Rosemary Kelanic, the director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities, joins "Forbes Newsroom" to break down the state of the temporary ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. Stay Connected Forbes Breaking News on X: https://x.com/ForbesTVNews Forbes Breaking News on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@forbestvnews More From Forbes: http://forbes.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the war in Iran continues into its fifth week, the Pentagon is contemplating sending an additional 10,000 ground troops to the Middle East. This escalation would add to the roughly 5,000 Marines and at least 2,000 paratroopers from the elite 82nd Airborne Division that have already been ordered to the region. Meanwhile, President Trump has pressed pause on his threat to strike Iranian energy infrastructure offering a ten-day reprieve, and on Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that the U.S. could achieve its objectives without using ground troops. We talk about the latest on the Iran War and the fast pivoting American strategy. Guests: Mona Yacoubian, director and senior advisor, Middle East Program, Center for Strategic & International Studies Lt. Col. Jahara Matisek, command pilot and research fellow, U.S. Naval War College Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oil prices have skyrocketed since the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran. Since the war began over two weeks ago, at times the price of oil surpassed $100 a barrel for the first time since 2022. This is in large part due to the major disruptions to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway where around 20% of the world's oil supply travels through. Dr. Rosemary Kelanic, the director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities, joins "Forbes Newsroom" to discuss the current situation regarding the Strait of Hormuz, as well as her op-ed, 'Trump Is Making Jimmy Carter's Mistake on Iran and Oil.' Stay Connected Forbes Breaking News on X: https://x.com/ForbesTVNews Forbes Breaking News on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@forbestvnews More From Forbes: http://forbes.com

Max and Donatienne discuss the internal power struggle between Ursula von der Leyen and EU member states over who should speak for Europe on foreign policy. They then turn to a conversation with Mona Yacoubian, director and senior adviser of the Middle East Program at CSIS, to discuss the Iran war and Europe's role in it. (00:00) Intro (01:05) Von der Leyen's foreign policy power struggle  (19:07) Mona Yacoubian  Learn more: Russian Roulette | CSIS Podcasts  Would Regime Change Solve the Iran Challenge?  The Regional Reverberations of the U.S. and Israeli Strikes on Iran 

It could be that the US-Israel war with Iran ends soon. That was the message from Donald Trump this week. But it may not. The longer the war continues the more collateral damage to the world economy. Mostly because of the impact of energy prices. But why are we all so vulnerable still to events in one small part of the world and one tiny channel, the infamous Strait of Hormuz? David Aaronovitch asks what it tells us about the problems of global energy and oil dependency and what could be done to alleviate them.Guests: Ben Chu, Policy and Analysis Correspondent, BBC Verify Duncan Weldon, Economist and author Bill Farren-Price, Senior Research Fellow and Head of Gas Research at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies Rosemary Kelanic, Director of the Middle East Program at Defense PrioritiesPresenter: David Aaronovitch Producers: Caroline Bayley, Nathan Gower and Kirsteen Knight Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound engineer: Neil Churchill Editor: Richard Vadon

On Monday, President Trump declared the war in Iran “very complete” as missile and drone strikes continue. Trump's comments belie the situation on the ground. In its second week, the war in Iran that began with Israeli and US airstrikes has embroiled the Middle East. Iran has hit targets in Oman, Bahrain, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, among other Middle Eastern states. Oil prices have skyrocketed to over $100 a barrel and Iran has appointed a new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the recently killed supreme leader, who many expect to continue his father's hardline tendencies. We'll talk about the war, its impact on international alliances, and what might come next. Guests: Mona Yacoubian, director and senior advisor, Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) Dalia Dassa Kaye, senior fellow, UCLA Burkle Center for International Relations; author, "Enduring Hostility: The Making of America's Iran Policy" Nabih Bulos, Middle East bureau chief, Los Angeles Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Business and finance news from the Asia-Pacific. Traders remained focused on oil with the commodity extending gains as the US and Israel stepped up their war against Iran, while Tehran threatened a full closure of the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial waterway for the movement of oil. Brent rose toward $79 a barrel after spiking about 7% on Monday. We spoke to Stephen Stapczynski, Bloomberg's Team Leader for Asia Energy. Plus - The US sent conflicting messages about how long a war with Iran might last as Israel launched new airstrikes on Monday, with the widening conflict reverberating across the Middle East and upending energy markets. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday rejected the idea of an "endless" war with Iran. But President Donald Trump later insisted there was no fixed timeline. Both refused to rule out putting American boots on the ground. "Whatever the time is, it's okay — whatever it takes," Trump said. "Right from the beginning, we projected four to five weeks. But we have capability to go far longer than that." We heard from Mona Yacoubian, CSIS Director and Senior Adviser of the Middle East Program. She spoke to Bloomberg's David Ingles and Yvonne Man. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Damascus has rapidly emerged as an internationally recognized actor. By providing internal security and through high-level diplomatic engagements, the Al-Sharaa government has marked Syria's return to the international arena. At the same time, stability at home has remained fragile, with unresolved challenges related to territorial integrity, sovereignty, security, governance, and post-conflict integration. Domestic disturbances were contained and agreements were reached in a relatively short amount of time, strengthening hopes of lasting stability.Most recently, a ceasefire and a comprehensive “Ceasefire and Full Integration Agreement” between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has been reached. The agreement provides a framework for restoring state authority, including the phased transfer of territories under YPG/SDF control to Syrian state institutions, integration of military and administrative structures, dismantling of parallel governance arrangements, and measures addressing civilian rights as well as return of displaced populations. In this timely panel discussion, leading experts examine the implications of this agreement, the prospects for successful integration, and the broader processes of political reconstruction and state consolidation in Syria.Speakers James Jeffrey, Distinguished Fellow, The Washington Institute for Near East PolicyCharles Lister, Senior Fellow and Director of the Syria Initiative, Middle East Institute Mona Yacoubian, Director and Senior Adviser, Middle East Program, Center for Strategic and International StudiesKadir Ustun, Executive Director, The SETA Foundation at Washington DCModeratorKilic Bugra Kanat, Research Director, The SETA Foundation at Washington DC

On this week's episode of Security Dilemma, co-hosts A.J. Manuzzi and John Gay spoke with Dr. Rose Kelanic, Director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities about how the Trump Administration is addressing Iran policy. Dr. Kelanic spent 10 years teaching political science at the University of Notre Dame and Williams College prior to entering the policy world and is the author of Black Gold and Blackmail: Oil and Great Power Politics. Listener Questions: We are opening up Security Dilemma to listener-submitted questions. Submit questions you'd like us to ask future guests ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ouD8WAp0g_HhqLtGm4kOmqTGsJpDbaKT7CSUN3ogFrk/edit⁠⁠⁠. Please specify the episode pertaining to the question in your response. Upcoming recordings include: AMA- John Gay and A.J. ManuzziJQAS Discusses the Marcellus PapersWhat Realism's Critics Get Wrong with Patrick PorterHow to Revitalize Arms Control with Ariel Petrovics

In today's episode, guest host Nermin Allam, director of Women's and Gender Studies and associate professor of political science at Rutgers University – Newark, speaks with Rusha Latif, author of Tahrir's Youth: Leaders of a Leaderless Revolution, to reflect on remembering and commemorating the January 25th uprising.The January 25th uprising, which led to the ousting of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in 2011, remains one of the most consequential moments in Egypt's modern political history. The uprising restructured political imagination, reordered lives, and briefly redefined what felt possible.Every year, January 25th asks something of us. It asks us to remember. It asks us to reckon. And it asks us to return carefully and critically to a moment that continues to unsettle our present. This episode is part of that reckoning. As we mark the anniversary of the uprising, we are joined by Rusha Latif to revisit the experiences of the young people who animated that moment and who carried its weight forward long after the chants faded and the public space closed.The conversation invites us to resist simplification and to honor the complexity of a revolutionary moment whose political afterlives still shape how we understand protest, possibility, and loss. It invites listeners to consider what it means to commemorate a revolution in a time when its promises remain unfinished.BiographyRusha Latif is an Egyptian-American researcher and writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her work focuses on social movements and revolutions in the Middle East, with an emphasis on leadership, organization, and collective action across lines of class, gender, religion, and ideology. Her research has been featured on NPR, Al Jazeera, and Jadaliyya. Her book, Tahrir's Youth: Leaders of a Leaderless Revolution is published by the AUC Press, in 2022).Bio Link: https://rushalatif.com/Publication: https://rushalatif.com/tahrirs-youth/Nermin Allam is the Director of the Women's and Gender Studies Program and an Associate Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University-Newark. She is a nonresident fellow in the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Allam's research focuses on gender politics and social movements in the Middle East and North Africa. Allam's work has appeared in Perspectives on Politics, Mobilization, Politics & Gender, PS: Political Science & Politics, Democratization among other journals.Link: Support the showSupport the Center for Security, Race and Rights by following us and making a donation: Donate: https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/csrr-support/20046.html Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEbUfYcWGZapBNYvCObiCpp3qtxgH_jFy Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rucsrr Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/rutgerscsrr Follow us on Threads: https://threads.com/rutgerscsrr Follow us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/rucsrr Follow us on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/rucsrr Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://csrr.rutgers.edu/newsroom/sign-up-for-newsletter/

How will the Syrian government deal with its growing security challenges? Renewed fighting between the army and Syrian Democratic Forces is highlighting the volatility facing the country. A truce is now in place, but will it lead to an agreement to integrate the SDF militia into the army? In this episode: Haid Haid, Researcher, Chatham House. Steven Heydemann, Professor and Middle East Studies Program Director, Smith College. Omer Ozkizilcik, Nonresident Fellow, Syria Project, Atlantic Council's Middle East Program. Host: Dareen Abughaida Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Interview with Mona Yacoubian on Gaza: 28:20 This week, Kelly and Tristen unpack NATO's defense ministers meeting in Brussels and the Trump–Zelenskyy visit to the White House—what it means for Ukraine aid, European drone-defense plans, and the Tomahawk debate. They then turn to political turbulence in Cameroon and Peru, give a quick update on Madagascar's military-led transition, and close with with CSIS's Mona Yacoubian on the Gaza ceasefire, the Sharm el-Sheikh declaration, and the risks of a post-conflict security vacuum. Mona Yacoubian is director and senior adviser of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She has more than thirty years of experience working on the Middle East and North Africa, with a focus on conflict analysis, governance and stabilization challenges, and conflict prevention. The opinions expressed in this conversation are strictly those of the participants and do not represent the views of Georgetown University or any government entity. Produced by Abdalla Nasef and Freddie Mallinson. Recorded on October 21, 2025. Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision-makers around the world. Funding support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. For more, visit our website, and follow us on Linkedin, Twitter @GUDiplomacy, and Instagram @isd.georgetown

U.S. president Donald Trump announced Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a Gaza peace deal. The details of the full peace agreement are still to be sorted out in the next phases of the deal — but this phase would mean the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, a ceasefire, and aid entry into Gaza. We talk to Gregg Carlstrom, the Middle East correspondent for The Economist, CBC's Adrienne Arsenault who was in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, and Zaha Hassan, a human rights lawyer and senior fellow in the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace about what this ‘“first phase” means — and what will follow.

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Ms. Mona Yacoubian and Mr. Tuvia Gering join us to unpack the latest escalation between Israel and Iran and explore how China is navigating this evolving conflict. They begin by situating the conflict in the aftermath of Hamas's October 7 attack, which triggered a series of strikes by Iranian-backed militias that eventually led to direct Israel-Iran military confrontations. Ms. Yacoubian outlines how Israeli strikes were timed around a perceived window of Iranian vulnerability and rising concerns over Iran's nuclear enrichment levels. Mr. Gering describes a significant paradigm shift in Israeli security doctrine after October 7, and the belief that Iranian threats, both nuclear and conventional, have necessitated preemptive action, especially with the current Trump administration's backing. Ms. Yacoubian highlights the limited material support to Iran from Russia, North Korea, and China, and noted China's preference to prioritize regional economic ties over military entanglement. Mr. Gering delves into the mixed Chinese domestic debates on Iran and explores unconfirmed reports of potential Chinese arms transfers to Iran. Finally, they assess what these developments may mean for China's long-term role in Middle East security, including the possibility of a new security architecture that could include both Israel and Iran, and how Iran's strategic calculations may shift amid growing isolation. Mona Yacoubian is senior adviser and director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She has more than thirty years of experience working on the Middle East and North Africa, with a focus on conflict analysis, governance and stabilization challenges, and conflict prevention. She was previously vice president of the Middle East and North Africa Center at the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), where she managed field programming in Iraq, Libya, and Tunisia as well as Washington, D.C.–based staff. In 2019, she served as executive director of the congressionally appointed Syria Study Group. From 2014 to 2017, Yacoubian served as deputy assistant administrator in the Middle East Bureau at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where she had responsibility for programming across Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq. Captain (Res.) Tuvia Gering is a China analyst at Planet Nine, a Tel-Aviv and East Asia-based tech company, a visiting researcher at the Diane & Guilford Glazer Foundation Israel-China Policy Center at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), and a nonresident fellow in the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub. Previously, he was a research fellow at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS) and the Israeli Chinese Media Center. Gering is the editor and author of Discourse Power on Substack, a newsletter covering leading Chinese perspectives on current affairs, and holds a BA in East Asian studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (summa cum laude) and an MPH in disaster and emergency management from Tel Aviv University (summa cum laude).

The United States' entanglement in Iran and Israel's current conflict has a long, complicated history. Today we're looking back at how it led up to the U.S. strikes on Iran over the weekend. Two major factors: Iran's nuclear capabilities and economic sanctions, which the U.S. used to deter Iran's nuclear program and to incentivize Iran to sign on to the 2015 nuclear deal. Rose Kelanic, director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities, explains some of the history behind tensions between the U.S. and Iran, the role sanctions played in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, and how the deal broke down. Later, one listener's take on the Trump administration's threats to the Pell Grant program. And, a gardening blogger was wrong about DIY plant food hacks.Here's everything we talked about today:"Strike Set Back Iran's Nuclear Program by Only a Few Months, U.S. Report Says" from The New York Times"Trump tries to maintain fragile ceasefire hours after he announced it" from Politico "Iran's Nuclear Dreams May Survive Even a Devastating American Blow" from The New York Times "History of US-Iran relations: From the 1953 regime change to Trump strikes" from Al Jazeera "Why Israel will resist any US-Iran nuclear deal" from Atlantic Council "Satellites show damage to Iran's nuclear program, but experts say it's not destroyed" from NPR  Got a question for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The United States' entanglement in Iran and Israel's current conflict has a long, complicated history. Today we're looking back at how it led up to the U.S. strikes on Iran over the weekend. Two major factors: Iran's nuclear capabilities and economic sanctions, which the U.S. used to deter Iran's nuclear program and to incentivize Iran to sign on to the 2015 nuclear deal. Rose Kelanic, director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities, explains some of the history behind tensions between the U.S. and Iran, the role sanctions played in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, and how the deal broke down. Later, one listener's take on the Trump administration's threats to the Pell Grant program. And, a gardening blogger was wrong about DIY plant food hacks.Here's everything we talked about today:"Strike Set Back Iran's Nuclear Program by Only a Few Months, U.S. Report Says" from The New York Times"Trump tries to maintain fragile ceasefire hours after he announced it" from Politico "Iran's Nuclear Dreams May Survive Even a Devastating American Blow" from The New York Times "History of US-Iran relations: From the 1953 regime change to Trump strikes" from Al Jazeera "Why Israel will resist any US-Iran nuclear deal" from Atlantic Council "Satellites show damage to Iran's nuclear program, but experts say it's not destroyed" from NPR  Got a question for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Rosemary Kelanic, Director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities, discusses the Israel-Iran war, U.S. involvement, whether regime change is the objective, and the risks of escalation. Show NotesRosemary Kelanic, “A U.S. War With Iran Would Be a Catastrophe ,” New York Times, June 14, 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump has announced a ceasefire in the Israel-Iran war, declaring it should be called “The 12 Day War”. But there was confusion over whether Iran and Israel had agreed in the hours following the social media post.It came not long after Iran fired missiles at an American military base in Qatar, retaliating against the US bombing of its key nuclear sites.  Today, Jonathan Panikoff from the Atlantic Council's Middle East program on whether peace will hold.  Featured: Jonathan Panikoff, director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council's Middle East Program

President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Iran had agreed to a tentative ceasefire in their conflict that would begin around midnight Washington time on Monday. Trump, who made the surprise announcement on his Truth Social platform days after ordering airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, said the accord is aimed at a lasting end to the fighting. “On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called “THE 12 DAY WAR.” For instant reaction and analysis, host Doug Krizner spoke with Bloomberg Balance of Power cohost Joe Mathieu, and Jonathan Panikoff, director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council's Middle East Program. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

0:00 - John Anthony and Michael Koolidge are filling in for Dan and Amy this morning 13:46 - Jasmine Crockett: MAGA Followers ‘Sick,’ Military Being Exploited 31:18 - Michael Letts is the founder of InVest USA. He joined John Anthony and Michael Koolidge to talk about the Trump administration investigations. 49:17 - Priscilla Rahn is the former Vice Chairman of the Colorado Republican Committee, a master educator and licensed principal, a small business entrepreneur, Douglas County Planning Commissioner and a member of the Denver Police Chief’s Community Advisory Board. She joined John Anthony and Michael Koolidge to talk about Juneteenth Day. 01:09:12 - Adam Weinstein, U.S. Marine who served in Afghanistan and currently Deputy Director of the Middle East Program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, says, "The Wall Street Journal report this morning that Tehran is looking for de-escalation is good — we should be rooting for diplomacy. But that’s not going to happen until Israel stops actively striking Iranian targets — and it seems like that will only come about if Trump puts pressure on Netanyahu." 01:26:54 - Michigan State Rep Joe Aragona shared his experience visiting the White House on Tuesday with other House Republicans 01:46:12 - Thomas Weitzel is the retired Chief of Police of Riverside. He joined John and Mike to talk about the curfew debate in the city of Chicago. 02:00:49 - Open Mic FridaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel's strikes against Iran early Friday morning killed Iran's most senior military official and the commander-in-chief of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as well as two nuclear scientists. Karim Sadjadpour, Carnegie Endowment senior fellow of the Middle East Program, discusses Iran's military strategy and the future of its nuclear program. From Brookings, director of foreign policy research Michael O'Hanlon unpacks Israel's capabilities, Iran's appetite for retaliation, and whether the United States should be prepared for an attack on American assets. Plus, NBC's Matt Bradley reports on the ground in Tel Aviv, and RBC's Helima Croft discusses the impact regional conflict has on global energy markets.  Karim Sadjadpour - 22:35Matt Bradley - 35:54Michael O'Hanlon - 38:28 In this episode: Karim Sadjadpour, @ksadjadpourMatt Bradley, @MattMcBradleyBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Interview with Mona Yacoubian on Trump's Middle East Visit: 25:55 This week, Kelly and Tristen discuss President Trump's meeting with the President of South Africa, give an update on the war in Ukraine, and unpack the UK's new trade agreement with the European Union. Kelly then talks with Mona Yacoubian for a breakdown on Trump's recent trip to the Middle East, and what the visit means for American foreign policy in the region. Mona Yacoubian is the Senior Adviser and Director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. She was previously the Vice President of the Middle East and North Africa center at the United States Institute of Peace. Prior to joining USIP, Mona was Deputy Assistant Administrator in the Middle East Bureau at the United States Agency for International Development from 2014 to 2017, where she had responsibility for Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. Mona also previously served as the North Africa analyst in the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research. The opinions expressed in this conversation are strictly those of the participants and do not represent the views of Georgetown University or any government entity. Produced by Theo Malhotra and Freddie Mallinson.  Recorded on May 22, 2025. Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision-makers around the world. Funding support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. For more, visit our website, and follow us on Linkedin, Twitter @GUDiplomacy, and Instagram @isd.georgetown

What does the future of the Middle East look like? Zachary and Emma speak with Dr. Jon Alterman, senior vice president and director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where he holds the Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy. They discuss the complexities of achieving peace between Israel and Palestine, the evolution of a new Syria, and the socioeconomic growth of many Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia. Dr. Alterman also touches on the resilience of the Iranian regime and other regimes fueled by oil. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate. For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit: theprogressnetwork.org Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/theprogressnetwork And follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For today's episode, Lawfare Foreign Policy Editor Daniel Byman interviewed Natan Sachs, the Director of the Middle East Program of the Brookings Institution, to discuss Israel's turbulent domestic situation and the renewal of the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. Sachs explains Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political tactics, the controversies over the budget, judicial reform and the resulting protests, and the sacking of figures like Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar. Sachs also discusses why Israel has decided to renew operations in Gaza and Lebanon and why strikes on Iran are more likely than in the past. 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.

After over a year of devastating conflict, Israel and Hamas reached a three-phase ceasefire agreement in January 2025, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. The deal allowed for significant increases in humanitarian aid deliveries, prisoner and hostage exchanges, and discussions for a potential permanent ceasefire.This episode was recorded on March 11, ten days after the scheduled completion of Phase 1. Since then, the ceasefire has remained in limbo—Israel is pushing to extend Phase 1, while Hamas wants to advance to Phase 2 negotiations, under which a permanent ceasefire would be established. With talks stalled and a spike in resumed violence on March 18, the road ahead remains uncertain, especially as U.S. policy under President Trump continues to shift.In this episode, Sophia Besch sits down with Zaha Hassan, a Fellow in Carnegie's Middle East Program and a human rights lawyer. She previously served as the senior legal advisor to the Palestinian negotiating team during Palestine's bid for UN membership and is a regular participant in track II peace efforts. Together, they explore the fragile ceasefire in Gaza—its implications, challenges and delays with implementation, and the evolving role of the United States in the region under President Donald Trump's administration.Notes:Zaha Hassan and H. A. Hellyer, Suppressing Dissent: Shrinking Civic Space, Transnational Repression and Palestine-Israel, (Oneworld, 2024).

In this episode of Need to Know, host John Milewski speaks with Merissa Khurma, Director of the Wilson Center's Middle East Program, to explore the evolving geopolitical landscape of the region and what it means for the new administration. From shifting alliances to economic opportunities and humanitarian challenges, this conversation provides key insights for policymakers navigating the Middle East.

Newt talks with Adam Weinstein, Deputy Director of the Middle East Program at the Quincy Institute, about the tragic event on New Year’s Day when a speeding pickup truck, driven by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, plowed into a crowd on Bourbon Street, New Orleans, killing 14 and injuring 30. The incident, now considered a terrorist attack inspired by ISIS, raises concerns about the threat of lone wolf actors in the U.S. Weinstein provides insights into ISIS's tactics, recruitment strategies, and the broader implications of such attacks. Their conversation also focuses on the challenges of combating radical Islamist groups, the mental health crisis among veterans, and the need for a more diplomacy-focused U.S. foreign policy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Syrians continue to celebrate the fall of Bashar al-Assad, the dictator whose decades-long rule was marked by terror and violence against his own people. But the situation on the ground is fluid and complex. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, one of the key rebel groups controlling Damascus, has former ties to Al-Qaeda and is currently labeled a terrorist group by the United States government. Its leader, Mohammed al-Bashir, was appointed Syria's caretaker prime minister and said Tuesday he'll run a transitional government until March. Meanwhile, Israel launched dozens of airstrikes Tuesday targeting Syrian military installations and weapons stockpiled by the Assad regime. We'll talk about what's next for Syria and the alliances that kept Assad in power and get reactions from Syrians in California. Guests: Ruth Michaelson , journalist based in Istanbul, The Guardian Natasha Hall, senior fellow with the Middle East Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies Sammy Hajomar, Los Angeles resident of Syrian descent Marwan Chehadeh, San Diego resident of Syrian descent

Tommy and Ben discuss President Yoon Suk Yeol's sudden declaration of martial law in South Korea, how Trump and his team will approach the Syrian civil war, and why Kash Patel, Trump's pick to lead the FBI, is so dangerous. They also talk about Trump's nepotism hires, more troubling news reports about Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth, Trump's threats to levy tariffs on BRICS countries, UNRWA closing a crucial aid route into Gaza due to looting, a former Israeli defense minister's declaration that Israeli is engaging in ethnic cleansing, protests in Georgia, and elections in Romania and Ireland. Finally, Tommy speaks with Natasha Hall, Senior Fellow in the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, to unpack what's happening in Syria, who all the players are, and how we got here. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. 

Jim Jeffrey, the director of the Middle East Program at the Wilson Center and former Syria Envoy under the first Trump administration, says in his new term Trump could pull US forces out of Syria.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

During the past two weeks, the possibility of a major Middle East multi-front war has increased significantly. Israel's campaign against Hezbollah and Iran's launching of ballistic missiles against Israel has created the potential of an escalatory ladder that both Iran and Israel might climb with dangerous consequences. Iran's role and what they do next will be decisive.  Join Aaron David Miller as he sits down with Karim Sadjadpour, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace's Middle East Program, and Suzanne Maloney, vice president and director of the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution, to discuss how Iran perceives the current landscape and may act as the crisis unfolds. 

Earlier this week marked one year since Hamas attacked Israel. Hamas militants invaded Israel, killed about 1,200 people and kidnapped another 250 people, making it the deadliest attack in Israel's history. About 100 hostages have not been returned. Israel's retaliation in Gaza has killed more than 41,000 people and wounded more than 96,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and resulted in mass displacement and a humanitarian crisis.As the war in the Middle East continues with no immediate cease-fire deal in sight, the situation will pose difficulties for the next U.S. president. Jon Alterman, author of the piece “Middle East Challenges Will Vex Not Only the First 100 Days but the First 1,000,” sums up the complex challenges that await. It's part of a new report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies on the global impact of the 2024 election, where Alterman serves as the senior vice president. He also directs the Middle East Program.  MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with Alterman about the dynamics in the Middle East and where the leading presidential candidates line up. Later, a peer-led, follow-up conversation with two Generation Z voters about their feelings toward the election after a summer of unprecedented political events.

Following Sunday's controversial presidential election, Kais Saied has secured his second term in office. While this result was widely anticipated, it raises deeper questions about the trajectory of Tunisia's democracy. Tunisia was once seen as the shining success of the Arab Spring – a beacon of democratic hope. But now, like several of its neighbors, it finds itself grappling with rising authoritarianism, weakened institutions, and disillusioned voters.Today, we're not just looking at Tunisia's election results, but also exploring what these trends tell us about the state of democracy in the wider region. How did Tunisia arrive at this point in its democratic trajectory? What does this mean for the future of political reform, governance, and stability in North Africa and beyond? In this episode, Sophia Besch discusses these questions and more with Sarah Yerkes, a senior fellow in Carnegie's Middle East Program and expert on Tunisia's political and economic reforms.Notes: Sarah Yerkes, "How Tunisia's President Has Used the Law to Secure His Election Victory," Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, September 24, 2024.

Masoud Pezeshkian recently won the runoff election to replace Iran's late president, Ebrahim Raisi. This week, Leah Hickert speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East Program at CSIS, about Pezeshkian and the election's impact on regional politics. A new Analysis from the CSIS Middle East Program. Jon Alterman, "The Impacts of Raisi's Death," CSIS, May 20, 2024.

This week, Leah Hickert speaks with Jon Alterman, director Middle East Program at CSIS, about the impacts of Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi's death in a helicopter crash, and how it will affect Iran's foreign and domestic policy. A new Analysis from the CSIS Middle East Program. Jon Alterman, "The Impacts of Raisi's Death," CSIS, May 20, 2024.

Leah Hickert speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East Program at CSIS, about the tensions rising between Iran and Israel, as well as the potential for regional escalation. A new Analysis from the CSIS Middle East Program.

Newt discusses the escalating tensions in the Middle East with Adam Weinstein, Deputy Director of the Middle East Program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. They discuss the recent Iranian attack on Israeli soil, the assassination of a top Iranian General by Israel, and the ongoing hostility between the two nations. Weinstein suggests that the Iranian regime's hostility towards Israel is rooted its desire to assert itself as a regional power. He also discusses the role of the United States in the region and the challenges of achieving peace and stability, particularly in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jon Alterman, senior vice president, Zbigniew Brzezinski chair in Global Security and Geostrategy and director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and Khaled Elgindy, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and director of MEI's Program on Palestine and Israeli-Palestinian Affairs, talk about the calls for cease-fire in Gaza, why it means different things to different groups, and how it could work.  

Calls for a 'ceasefire' in Gaza mean different things to different stakeholders. On Today's Show:Jon Alterman, senior vice president and director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Khaled Elgindy, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and director of its Program on Palestine and Israeli-Palestinian Affairs, discuss what a ceasefire could look like, and why it's not just a simple question of making peace.

Calls for a 'ceasefire' in Gaza mean different things to different stakeholders. On Today's Show:Jon Alterman, senior vice president and director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Khaled Elgindy, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and director of its Program on Palestine and Israeli-Palestinian Affairs, discuss what a ceasefire could look like, and why it's not just a simple question of making peace.

1. Julia Rock [@jul1arock], reporter at the The Lever, and Allison Fisher [@citizenfisher], director of the Climate and Energy Program for Media Matters for America, on why the Ohio derailment was a foreseeable disaster and how dearth of early media coverage, which failed to hold parties accountable, left space for distrust. Listen. 2. Gönül Tol [@gonultol], the founding director of the Middle East Institute's Turkey program and author of "Erdoğan's War: A Strongman's Struggle at Home and in Syria," on the impact of government corruption on Turkey's death toll after this month's earthquake. Listen. 3. Natasha Hall [@NatashaHallDC], a senior fellow at the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, on the ways politics have played into a delay in aid in Syria. Listen. 4. Keren Landman [@landmanspeaking], senior reporter covering public health and emerging infectious diseases at Vox, on the risks of bird flu and if we should be worried about another pandemic. Listen. Music:Fallen Leaves - Marcos CiscarInvitation to a Suicide - John ZornBerceuse In D Flat Major, Op. 57 - Ivan MoravecTime Is Late - Marcos CiscarWhen Doves Cry Airborne Toxic EventLachrymae Antiquae - Kronos QuartetWhite Man Sleeps - Kronos QuartetThe Old House - Marcos Ciscar On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm). Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org.