Podcasts about Reuel Marc Gerecht

Last week, Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said that talks with the Trump administration appear to be going well.This tells host Cliff May that from an American perspective, the talks are going badly.President Trump has said that America's goal is the “full dismantlement” of the regime's nuclear weapons program, including its capacity to produce missiles that could deliver nuclear warheads to targets anywhere in the world.Mr. Araghchi's goal is to prevent President Trump from achieving his goal. Who are you betting on?Cliff asks Reuel Marc Gerecht and Ray Takeyh, who just wrote a piece together in Politico arguing that sanctions and maximum pressure have never made the clerical regime abandon its nuclear ambitions.Which raises the question: What will?

Last week, Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said that talks with the Trump administration appear to be going well.This tells host Cliff May that from an American perspective, the talks are going badly.President Trump has said that America's goal is the “full dismantlement” of the regime's nuclear weapons program, including its capacity to produce missiles that could deliver nuclear warheads to targets anywhere in the world.Mr. Araghchi's goal is to prevent President Trump from achieving his goal. Who are you betting on?Cliff asks Reuel Marc Gerecht and Ray Takeyh, who just wrote a piece together in Politico arguing that sanctions and maximum pressure have never made the clerical regime abandon its nuclear ambitions.Which raises the question: What will?

What does regime change in Syria change?The overthrow of longtime, mass-murdering dictator Bashar al-Assad is a good thing. But those who did the overthrowing? Not good.The most important rebel group involved in this revolution is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, better known as HTS. It has roots in both al Qaeda and the Islamic State (also known as ISIS). Its leader's nom de guerre is Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. He and HTS have been officially designated as terrorists by the U.S. government.The fall of Assad weakens Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both had backed Assad, and both had derived benefits from Assad in exchange.And the fall of Assad strengthens Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.To discuss all of this and more, host Cliff May is joined by Jonathan Schanzer, Reuel Marc Gerecht, and Michael Doran.NOTE: We hope you enjoy the soothing sounds of Reuel's Ring Doorbell chimes.

What does regime change in Syria change?The overthrow of longtime, mass-murdering dictator Bashar al-Assad is a good thing. But those who did the overthrowing? Not good.The most important rebel group involved in this revolution is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, better known as HTS. It has roots in both al Qaeda and the Islamic State (also known as ISIS). Its leader's nom de guerre is Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. He and HTS have been officially designated as terrorists by the U.S. government.The fall of Assad weakens Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both had backed Assad, and both had derived benefits from Assad in exchange.And the fall of Assad strengthens Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.To discuss all of this and more, host Cliff May is joined by Jonathan Schanzer, Reuel Marc Gerecht, and Michael Doran.NOTE: We hope you enjoy the soothing sounds of Reuel's Ring Doorbell chimes.

01:00 Private info shows Trump ahead 04:00 Harris & Trump & The New York Times Poll Puzzle, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLZScns6pGw 09:00 NYT: The Long, Strange Saga of Kamala Harris and Kimberly Guilfoyle, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/23/us/politics/kamala-harris-kimberly-guilfoyle-san-francisco-da.html 11:00 Harris vs. Trump: Polls, Policy & Perspiration, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmuvHQ7pf-w 14:00 Democrats deeply concerned about Kamala's prospects 18:00 Trump live in Pennsylvania rips Oprah, Kamala. 24:00 We now see Israel's strategy against Hezbollah 48:15 Israel v Hezbollah war is terrible for the Democrats 49:00 Chaos works against the incumbent party - the Democrats 50:30 Israel's Unprecedented Operation Against Hezbollah, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdTZTEQAvUE 53:00 Reuel Marc Gerecht, a former Iranian-targets officer in the Central Intelligence Agency Israel v Hezbollah, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6ONDliWRwU 55:30 Democrat cover-up of Joe Biden's senility 1:00:00 Michael Walzer, philosophy professor, says Israel's pager attack was a violation of human rights 1:04:00 Michael Walzar says the decisive moment in American history was when anglos allowed themselves to become a minority in what they thought was their country 1:08:40 Politico: The secret backstory of how Obama let Hezbollah off the hook, https://www.politico.com/interactives/2017/obama-hezbollah-drug-trafficking-investigation/ 1:11:00 Israel's war on Hezbollah, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6ONDliWRwU 1:15:40 Kip joins to talk about the Middle East 1:21:00 If you are honest with yourself, you'll detect when others are deceiving you 1:40:00 Sometimes you have to cut the trash out of your life Dumb media tropes: https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=157502 New Yorker: Are Your Morals Too Good to Be True?, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=157462 https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/09/16/are-your-morals-too-good-to-be-true

Reuel Marc Gerecht, a former Iranian-targets officer in the Central Intelligence Agency and current fellow at the Foundations for the Defense of Democracy, joins Jamie to discuss Israel's most recent operation against Hezbollah and how Iran might respond. The Agenda: —The effectiveness of Israeli intelligence operations —How did Hezbollah get the pagers? —Is Iran suicidal? —The health of the Ayatollah —Intelligence failure on October 7 —U.S. engagement in the Middle East Show Notes: —TMD's reporting on the attacks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The theocrats in Tehran have surrounded Israel with proxies — a “ring of fire,” as it's being called. The regime's nuclear weapons development program has made progress, too. And so has its development of the missiles that could deliver these nuclear weapons to targets anywhere in the world.Plus: the regime has made common cause with Communist China, neo-imperialist Russia, and the dynastic dictatorship in North Korea: an “axis of aggressors,” as it's being called.For an update on Iran, its rulers, its proxies, its subjects, its victims, host Cliff May is joined by his FDD colleagues Mark Dubowitz and Reuel Marc Gerecht.

The theocrats in Tehran have surrounded Israel with proxies — a “ring of fire,” as it's being called. The regime's nuclear weapons development program has made progress, too. And so has its development of the missiles that could deliver these nuclear weapons to targets anywhere in the world.Plus: the regime has made common cause with Communist China, neo-imperialist Russia, and the dynastic dictatorship in North Korea: an “axis of aggressors,” as it's being called.For an update on Iran, its rulers, its proxies, its subjects, its victims, host Cliff May is joined by his FDD colleagues Mark Dubowitz and Reuel Marc Gerecht.

FDD Senior Vice President Jonathan Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis on headlines of the Middle East, followed by a conversation with Reuel Marc Gerecht, former CIA Iranian-targets officer and current FDD senior fellow.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at CFR, and Ray Takeyh, the Hasib J. Sabbagh senior fellow for Middle East studies at CFR, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel and the prospects for a broader Middle East war.   Mentioned on the Episode    Steven A. Cook, "Iran Attack Means an Even Tougher Balancing Act for the U.S. in the Middle East," CFR.org   Steven A. Cook, The End of Ambition: America's Past, Present, and Future in the Middle East [forthcoming]   Reuel Marc Gerecht and Ray Takeyh, “Keeping U.S. Power Behind Israel Will Keep Iran at Bay,” New York Times   Ray Takeyh, "Iran Attacks on Israel Spur Escalation Concerns," CFR.org   Ray Takeyh, The Last Shah: America, Iran, and the Fall of the Pahlavi Dynasty   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President's Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/irans-attack-israel-steven-cook-and-ray-takeyh 

As the Biden administration and international public opinion up the pressure on Israel to suspend its campaign against an enemy sworn to destroy it, the right of the Jewish state to defend itself seems to be challenged. Can Israel finish the job against Hamas? Will Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remain in office despite fierce domestic criticism? What are the wider geopolitical issues at stake? On this episode of the Potomac Watch podcast, policy analyst Reuel Marc Gerecht tells Gerry Baker why an occupation of Gaza by Israel is likely necessary, how pro-Palestinian voters in the United States have influence over Joe Biden's policy decisions, and why Iran and questions about its nuclear program continue to linger over the entire war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The United States on Wednesday blamed an umbrella group of Iranian-backed proxies for the weekend attack that killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan, further raising Middle East tensions. Vali Nasr Former, a former State Department adviser and professor at Johns Hopkins University, and Reuel Marc Gerecht, a senior fellow at The Foundation for Defense of Democracies, join Nick Schifrin to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The United States on Wednesday blamed an umbrella group of Iranian-backed proxies for the weekend attack that killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan, further raising Middle East tensions. Vali Nasr, a former State Department adviser and professor at Johns Hopkins University, and Reuel Marc Gerecht, a senior fellow at The Foundation for Defense of Democracies, join Nick Schifrin to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

0:00 - Ed Burke, political victim or common criminal in a pinstripe suit  9:55 - Will Ed Burke's trial lead to changes in Chicago's power structure? 26:38 - Pritzker migrant plan 46:38 - Biden-Xi 01:03:41 - Vivek Ramaswamy torches CNN's Abby Philip, DC press corps over obsession with Trump's “vermin” comment 01:22:13 - Christopher Whalen, investment banker and chairman of Whalen Global Advisors LLC, on the World's first robot CEO in Poland and the human CEO's who gave Xi Jinping a standing ovation in California. Chris is also the author of  Ford Men: From Inspiration to Enterprise 01:37:10 - Senior Fellow at the non-partisan Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former Iranian-targets officer in the CIA, Reuel Marc Gerecht:  Prepare for an Iranian Escalation 01:47:31 - OPEN MIC FRIDAY!! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday, listen to some of Gerry Baker's most intriguing interviews from this year, including BlackRock Chairman and CEO Larry Fink, economist and China expert George Magnus, former national security adviser to President Donald Trump John Bolton, Middle East scholar Reuel Marc Gerecht, former Attorney General Bill Barr, and political science professor Patrick Deneen.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Joe Biden prepared to back up his rhetorical support for Israel? On the latest episode of the Free Expression Podcast, Middle East scholar Reuel Marc Gerecht tells Wall Street Journal editor at large Gerry Baker why Israel's promise of the destruction of Hamas may not be possible without the reoccupation of Gaza, why the Biden Administration needs to to draw a red line on Iran's involvement in the conflict, how the escalation of attacks by Hezbollah is inevitable, and why a two-state solution was never viable, and seems even less so now.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the war in Israel continues, Editor-in-Chief Bret Stephens is joined by SAPIR author Reuel Marc Gerecht, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, to discuss and contextualize Hamas' attacks with developments in the broader region, offering a perspective on the consequences of Iran's aggression and sponsorship of terrorism. They discuss what to expect as the conflict unfolds in the coming days and weeks.

“What's past is prologue,” Shakespeare informed us. But what if the past is misunderstood? Or misrepresented? What if policy makers are making policies based on false historical narratives?In 1979, host Cliff May went to Iran to report on the revolution that was then underway. Cliff admits that he didn't know much about the country. But neither did most of his colleagues, reporters from around the world who had parachuted in to cover this big story. He was working on a documentary for PBS which had arranged for him to partner with an Iranian producer.  So, at least the producer was knowledgeable, right? Well, yes and no.He was gung-ho for the revolution and an ardent admirer of its leader: the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. In other words, he was not a truth-seeking journalist but an enthusiastic propagandist. So, this turned out to be a challenging assignment for Cliff.All these many years later, Ray Takeyh – the Hasib J. Sabbagh senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations – is trying to understand and reveal the truth about modern Iranian history.He's well suited to the task: He holds a doctorate in modern history from Oxford University and has served as a senior advisor on Iran at the State Department. He joins Cliff for today's discussion. Also joining: Reuel Marc Gerecht, a former Iranian-targets officer in the Central Intelligence Agency, currently a resident scholar at FDD.

“What's past is prologue,” Shakespeare informed us. But what if the past is misunderstood? Or misrepresented? What if policy makers are making policies based on false historical narratives?In 1979, host Cliff May went to Iran to report on the revolution that was then underway. Cliff admits that he didn't know much about the country. But neither did most of his colleagues, reporters from around the world who had parachuted in to cover this big story. He was working on a documentary for PBS which had arranged for him to partner with an Iranian producer.  So, at least the producer was knowledgeable, right? Well, yes and no.He was gung-ho for the revolution and an ardent admirer of its leader: the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. In other words, he was not a truth-seeking journalist but an enthusiastic propagandist. So, this turned out to be a challenging assignment for Cliff.All these many years later, Ray Takeyh – the Hasib J. Sabbagh senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations – is trying to understand and reveal the truth about modern Iranian history.He's well suited to the task: He holds a doctorate in modern history from Oxford University and has served as a senior advisor on Iran at the State Department. He joins Cliff for today's discussion. Also joining: Reuel Marc Gerecht, a former Iranian-targets officer in the Central Intelligence Agency, currently a resident scholar at FDD.

Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine is illegal, immoral, brutal, and barbarian. And if you agree that there is no good alternative to American leadership of the world's free nations and those that aspire to be, then it follows that it would be a terrible mistake — strategically and morally — for Americans to turn their backs on Ukrainians who are fighting for their freedom, independence, homeland, and families.Whatever your think, you should be curious about the perspectives of America's allies — particularly those closest to the conflict.With that in mind, host Cliff May is joined by the Hon. Radosław "Radek" Sikorski, a member of the European Parliament for Poland, who sits on committees for Foreign Affairs, Security and Defense. Also taking part in the conversation is Reuel Marc Gerecht, a resident scholar at FDD. In a former incarnation he was an officer in the CIA's Directorate of Operations.The Hon. Radosław "Radek" SikorskiHe is currently a member of the European Parliament for Poland, where he sits on committees for Foreign Affairs, Security, and Defense. He's also a Senior Fellow at the Center for European Studies at Harvard and a Distinguished Statesman at CSIS in Washington. He was Poland's Minister of Defense from 2005 to 2007, Foreign Minister from 2007 to 2014 and Speaker of the Parliament from 2014 to 2015.Other notable items on his very long resume: He served as a war reporter in Afghanistan and Angola. He was a Resident Scholar at AEI in Washington. Foreign Policy magazine named him one of 100 global policy intellectuals ‘for speaking the truth even when it's not diplomatic.' 

Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine is illegal, immoral, brutal, and barbarian. And if you agree that there is no good alternative to American leadership of the world's free nations and those that aspire to be, then it follows that it would be a terrible mistake — strategically and morally — for Americans to turn their backs on Ukrainians who are fighting for their freedom, independence, homeland, and families.Whatever your think, you should be curious about the perspectives of America's allies — particularly those closest to the conflict.With that in mind, host Cliff May is joined by the Hon. Radosław "Radek" Sikorski, a member of the European Parliament for Poland, who sits on committees for Foreign Affairs, Security and Defense. Also taking part in the conversation is Reuel Marc Gerecht, a resident scholar at FDD. In a former incarnation he was an officer in the CIA's Directorate of Operations.The Hon. Radosław "Radek" SikorskiHe is currently a member of the European Parliament for Poland, where he sits on committees for Foreign Affairs, Security, and Defense. He's also a Senior Fellow at the Center for European Studies at Harvard and a Distinguished Statesman at CSIS in Washington. He was Poland's Minister of Defense from 2005 to 2007, Foreign Minister from 2007 to 2014 and Speaker of the Parliament from 2014 to 2015.Other notable items on his very long resume: He served as a war reporter in Afghanistan and Angola. He was a Resident Scholar at AEI in Washington. Foreign Policy magazine named him one of 100 global policy intellectuals ‘for speaking the truth even when it's not diplomatic.' 

When you hear or read about the American-led rules-based liberal international order do you think: “Yes! That's important to me and my grandchildren and it needs to be sustained at all costs!” Or do you agree with a recent front-page article in the Wall Street Journal that reported, with no hint of disapproval, that “China and its allies are no longer obliged to conform to a U.S.-led global order”? Or do you think: "What global order? I don't see any global order!" These are just a few of the questions that host Cliff May asks our guest for this episode, Ambassador Kurt Volker. He served as the U.S. ambassador to NATO and is a leading expert in foreign and national security policy with over 35 years of experience in a variety of government, academic, and private sector capacities.  Also joining the conversation is Reuel Marc Gerecht, resident scholar at FDD, whose previous career was in the CIA's Directorate of Operations.

When you hear or read about the American-led rules-based liberal international order do you think: “Yes! That's important to me and my grandchildren and it needs to be sustained at all costs!” Or do you agree with a recent front-page article in the Wall Street Journal that reported, with no hint of disapproval, that “China and its allies are no longer obliged to conform to a U.S.-led global order”? Or do you think: "What global order? I don't see any global order!" These are just a few of the questions that host Cliff May asks our guest for this episode, Ambassador Kurt Volker. He served as the U.S. ambassador to NATO and is a leading expert in foreign and national security policy with over 35 years of experience in a variety of government, academic, and private sector capacities.  Also joining the conversation is Reuel Marc Gerecht, resident scholar at FDD, whose previous career was in the CIA's Directorate of Operations.

The Muslim Brotherhood has been around for close to a century but most people – certainly most Americans and Europeans – know very little about it. Is it reformist and non-violent as its spokesmen and defenders claim? Or is it – as Cynthia Farahat argues in a new book – the world's most dangerous terrorist organization? The book is titled: The Secret Apparatus: The Muslim Brotherhood's Industry of Death. Cynthia Farahat is an Egyptian-American writer, counterterrorism expert, and fellow at the Middle East Forum, whose president, Daniel Pipes, a distinguished scholar, wrote the forward to her book. She joins host Cliff May as well as FDD's Reuel Marc Gerecht, formerly a Middle Eastern specialist at the CIA's Directorate of Operations, to discuss.

The Muslim Brotherhood has been around for close to a century but most people – certainly most Americans and Europeans – know very little about it. Is it reformist and non-violent as its spokesmen and defenders claim? Or is it – as Cynthia Farahat argues in a new book – the world's most dangerous terrorist organization? The book is titled: The Secret Apparatus: The Muslim Brotherhood's Industry of Death. Cynthia Farahat is an Egyptian-American writer, counterterrorism expert, and fellow at the Middle East Forum, whose president, Daniel Pipes, a distinguished scholar, wrote the forward to her book. She joins host Cliff May as well as FDD's Reuel Marc Gerecht, formerly a Middle Eastern specialist at the CIA's Directorate of Operations, to discuss.

Eric and Eliot welcome Council on Foreign Relations Fellow Ray Takeyh to discuss the ongoing popular uprising in Iran. They talk about Ray's article on Iran's next revolution in the current issue of Commentary, the state of play in the protests, the weaknesses of the regime, comparisons between the 1979 Revolution, the 2009 election protests, and the current situation. Along with political dissident from Iran and SotR producer Shay Khatiri, they also touch on the prospects for regime change, Iran's role as a weapons supplier to Russia, and what the Biden Administration should do about all this. Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia. Email us with your feedback at shieldoftherepublic@gmail.com. The Last Shah by Ray Takeyh (https://www.amazon.com/Last-Shah-America-Pahlavi-Relations/dp/030021779X) "Iran's Hard-Liners Are Starting to Crack" by Ray and Reuel Marc Gerecht (https://www.wsj.com/articles/iran-hardliners-khomeini-supreme-leader-protests-larijani-rouhani-morality-police-newspaper-chief-justice-criticism-regime-change-1979-11667410559) "A Second Iranian Revolution" by Ray Takeyh (https://www.commentary.org/articles/ray-takeyh/second-iranian-revolution/) Revolution & Aftermath by Ray and Eric (https://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Aftermath-Forging-Strategy-toward/dp/0817921540) The Next Iranian Revolution” by Ray and Eric (https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/middle-east/2020-04-13/next-iranian-revolution) "The Self-Limiting Success of Iran Sanctions” by Ray and Suzanne Maloney (https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-self-limiting-success-of-iran-sanctions/) Shay Khatiri's Substack The Russia-Iran File (https://shaykhatiri.substack.com/) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eric and Eliot welcome Council on Foreign Relations Fellow Ray Takeyh to discuss the ongoing popular uprising in Iran. They talk about Ray's article on Iran's next revolution in the current issue of Commentary, the state of play in the protests, the weaknesses of the regime, comparisons between the 1979 Revolution, the 2009 election protests, and the current situation. Along with political dissident from Iran and SotR producer Shay Khatiri, they also touch on the prospects for regime change, Iran's role as a weapons supplier to Russia, and what the Biden Administration should do about all this. Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia. Email us with your feedback at shieldoftherepublic@gmail.com. The Last Shah by Ray Takeyh (https://www.amazon.com/Last-Shah-America-Pahlavi-Relations/dp/030021779X) "Iran's Hard-Liners Are Starting to Crack" by Ray and Reuel Marc Gerecht (https://www.wsj.com/articles/iran-hardliners-khomeini-supreme-leader-protests-larijani-rouhani-morality-police-newspaper-chief-justice-criticism-regime-change-1979-11667410559) "A Second Iranian Revolution" by Ray Takeyh (https://www.commentary.org/articles/ray-takeyh/second-iranian-revolution/) Revolution & Aftermath by Ray and Eric (https://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Aftermath-Forging-Strategy-toward/dp/0817921540) The Next Iranian Revolution” by Ray and Eric (https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/middle-east/2020-04-13/next-iranian-revolution) "The Self-Limiting Success of Iran Sanctions” by Ray and Suzanne Maloney (https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-self-limiting-success-of-iran-sanctions/) Shay Khatiri's Substack The Russia-Iran File (https://shaykhatiri.substack.com/) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the latest episode of Free Expression, policy analyst Reuel Marc Gerecht tell Wall Street Journal Editor at Large Gerry Baker why Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his regime see the most recent protests in Iran as a dangerous threat to their power, why sanctions won't stop Iran's significant nuclear program, and why Iran is aligning with Russia and China in a new Cold War with the West.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have all seen the images of women in cities across Iran burning their headscarves and cutting their hair in public to chants of "Death to the dictator.". The protests began after the September 13th death of 22-year-old Masha Amini. According to reports, Iranian morality police had accused Amini of violating laws mandating women cover their hair. These events appear to have sparked a major public backlash against the Iranian regime. But how serious is the threat to the Iranian regime? Reuel Marc Gerecht is a senior fellow at the Washington-based think tank, the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. He was previously a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Earlier, he served as a Middle Eastern specialist at the CIA's Directorate of Operations. In that role, he was focused on Iran targets. Among his many books, Reuel is the author of Know Thine Enemy: A Spy's Journey into Revolutionary Iran and The Islamic Paradox: Shiite Clerics, Sunni Fundamentalists, and the Coming of Arab Democracy. He has been a correspondent for The Atlantic Monthly, as well as a frequent contributor to The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Dispatch.

Since 1989, Ali Khamenei has been the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He has outlasted and outplayed everyone else within the first revolutionary generation. His men now control all the critical institutions in the state. He out-negotiated the United States and western Europe in nuclear talks despite severe sanctions. He has pushed Iran's atomic program ever closer to a bomb. He defeated the United States in Iraq. And, as has become even more obvious as the Iranian people repeatedly rise up in nationwide protests against the theocracy, he has also pushed Iranian society to a breaking point. Filling in for host Cliff May is FDD senior fellow Reuel Marc Gerecht, and he's joined by Ray Takeyh of the Council on Foreign Relations to discuss "the most accomplished — and, perhaps, most consequential — dictator in the middle east since World War II, Ali Khamenei."

Since 1989, Ali Khamenei has been the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He has outlasted and outplayed everyone else within the first revolutionary generation. His men now control all the critical institutions in the state. He out-negotiated the United States and western Europe in nuclear talks despite severe sanctions. He has pushed Iran's atomic program ever closer to a bomb. He defeated the United States in Iraq. And, as has become even more obvious as the Iranian people repeatedly rise up in nationwide protests against the theocracy, he has also pushed Iranian society to a breaking point. Filling in for host Cliff May is FDD senior fellow Reuel Marc Gerecht, and he's joined by Ray Takeyh of the Council on Foreign Relations to discuss "the most accomplished — and, perhaps, most consequential — dictator in the middle east since World War II, Ali Khamenei."

George Khalaf, managing partner at the Resolute Group, and President of Data Orbital Consulting, joins Seth to talk about how the abortion issue will affect the midterm races. Reuel Marc Gerecht, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies where he focuses on Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, terrorism, and intelligence, on his piece in the Wall Street Journal, "How the Salman Rushdie Fatwa Changed the World."  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a dangerous — even reckless — new Iran nuclear accord that appears to be nearing the finish line in Vienna. Meanwhile, the Biden White House is struggling to wield the right set of policy tools to bring Vladimir Putin's war of aggression in Ukraine to end. The White House wants to put both of these challenges in the rear view so that it can pivot to, and focus on, a looming great power competition with China. But is America exhibiting the attributes of a great power? Shouldn't a superpower be able to deftly address multiple threats simultaneously? Today, guest host Jonathan Schanzer (FDD's Senior Vice President for Research) is joined by FDD Senior Fellow and former CIA operative, Reuel Marc Gerecht, as well as Ray Takeyh, a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. They'll discuss two recent articles by Reuel and Ray — one in National Review: “Saving the Ayatollahs: Biden's Unwise Iran Policy,” and the other in the Wall Street Journal: “The Folly of the Pivot to Asia.”

There's a dangerous — even reckless — new Iran nuclear accord that appears to be nearing the finish line in Vienna. Meanwhile, the Biden White House is struggling to wield the right set of policy tools to bring Vladimir Putin's war of aggression in Ukraine to end. The White House wants to put both of these challenges in the rear view so that it can pivot to, and focus on, a looming great power competition with China. But is America exhibiting the attributes of a great power? Shouldn't a superpower be able to deftly address multiple threats simultaneously? Today, guest host Jonathan Schanzer (FDD's Senior Vice President for Research) is joined by FDD Senior Fellow and former CIA operative, Reuel Marc Gerecht, as well as Ray Takeyh, a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. They'll discuss two recent articles by Reuel and Ray — one in National Review: “Saving the Ayatollahs: Biden's Unwise Iran Policy,” and the other in the Wall Street Journal: “The Folly of the Pivot to Asia.”

Reuel Marc Gerecht, former CIA operative and Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies discusses the Biden Administration renegotiating and trying to finalize the Iran Nuclear deal after years of stalled and failed negotiations. Gerecht comments that after years of mixed U.S. response towards Iran acquiring nuclear arms, Republicans going into elections in 2025 are now left with two options: accept and have nuclear “containment strategy” similar to the U.S. positions during the USSR or “strike” and prevent Iran from “becoming a nuclear state”.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this especially timely discussion, Reuel Marc Gerecht, a former Iranian-targets officer in the Central Intelligence Agency and a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies discusses his contribution to SAPIR, which examines how Iran's path toward nuclear weapons might ultimately be stopped (and whether Israeli military action may be necessary). Follow SAPIR Conversations so you'll never miss new episodes! You can also visit the "Conversations" page on our website to register for upcoming events and sign up for our email newsletter.

Vladimir Putin is waging a war of aggression, a war of conquest, an imperialist war. This should not come as a surprise. It's long been evident that he views himself as a modern czar, a Caesar (which is where the word “czar” comes from), an emperor whose mission is to restore — and, if he can, enlarge — the ancient Russian empire which for a few decades was rebranded as the Soviet empire. In 2008, he seized two provinces from neighboring Georgia. He began his war against Ukraine in 2014 by annexing Crimea and beginning a low-intensity, long-term conflict in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Western leaders responded with a salad of carrots but not enough sticks to make a campfire. To discuss what has happened, what is happening, and what should happen vis-à-vis Russia and Ukraine, Foreign Podicy host Cliff May is joined by a sailor, a solider, and a spy. (Maybe a tinker and a tailor will be invited next time.) Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of FDD's Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI), served for 32 years as a nuclear-trained surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy. West Point graduate Bradley Bowman, senior director of FDD's Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP), served as an active-duty U.S. Army officer and Black Hawk pilot and staff officer in Afghanistan. Reuel Marc Gerecht, senior fellow at FDD, served as a Middle Eastern specialist at the CIA's Directorate of Operations.

Vladimir Putin is waging a war of aggression, a war of conquest, an imperialist war. This should not come as a surprise. It's long been evident that he views himself as a modern czar, a Caesar (which is where the word “czar” comes from), an emperor whose mission is to restore — and, if he can, enlarge — the ancient Russian empire which for a few decades was rebranded as the Soviet empire. In 2008, he seized two provinces from neighboring Georgia. He began his war against Ukraine in 2014 by annexing Crimea and beginning a low-intensity, long-term conflict in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Western leaders responded with a salad of carrots but not enough sticks to make a campfire. To discuss what has happened, what is happening, and what should happen vis-à-vis Russia and Ukraine, Foreign Podicy host Cliff May is joined by a sailor, a solider, and a spy. (Maybe a tinker and a tailor will be invited next time.) Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of FDD's Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI), served for 32 years as a nuclear-trained surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy. West Point graduate Bradley Bowman, senior director of FDD's Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP), served as an active-duty U.S. Army officer and Black Hawk pilot and staff officer in Afghanistan. Reuel Marc Gerecht, senior fellow at FDD, served as a Middle Eastern specialist at the CIA's Directorate of Operations.

John Bolton has had quite a few challenging jobs. Among them: presidential national security advisor, ambassador to the United Nations, and several senior positions in the State Department. He has an original and provocative new essay in National Review on the so-called “rules-based international order.” He discusses that and other current issues, crises, and conflicts with Reuel Marc Gerecht, a senior fellow at FDD, formerly a case officer at the CIA, and Foreign Podicy host Cliff May.

John Bolton has had quite a few challenging jobs. Among them: presidential national security advisor, ambassador to the United Nations, and several senior positions in the State Department. He has an original and provocative new essay in National Review on the so-called “rules-based international order.” He discusses that and other current issues, crises, and conflicts with Reuel Marc Gerecht, a senior fellow at FDD, formerly a case officer at the CIA, and Foreign Podicy host Cliff May.

On December 9th and 10th, President Biden hosted what he called the Summit for Democracy – a virtual conference to which he invited 110 governments. Three principal items on the agenda: defending against authoritarianism, fighting corruption, and advancing human rights. Did this “summit” make any progress or at least chart a way forward? What's been the reaction from authoritarians, corrupt politicians, and human rights abusers? Based on what criteria were invitations issued – or not issued? What, if anything, comes next? To discuss such riddles, Foreign Podicy host Cliff May is joined by Brian Katulis, Vice President for Policy at the Middle East Institute, non-resident Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, and co-editor of the Liberal Patriot; and Reuel Marc Gerecht, formerly a Middle East specialist in the CIA's Directorate of Operations, now a senior fellow at FDD.

On December 9th and 10th, President Biden hosted what he called the Summit for Democracy – a virtual conference to which he invited 110 governments. Three principal items on the agenda: defending against authoritarianism, fighting corruption, and advancing human rights. Did this “summit” make any progress or at least chart a way forward? What's been the reaction from authoritarians, corrupt politicians, and human rights abusers? Based on what criteria were invitations issued – or not issued? What, if anything, comes next? To discuss such riddles, Foreign Podicy host Cliff May is joined by Brian Katulis, Vice President for Policy at the Middle East Institute, non-resident Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, and co-editor of the Liberal Patriot; and Reuel Marc Gerecht, formerly a Middle East specialist in the CIA's Directorate of Operations, now a senior fellow at FDD.

An election – of sorts – was held in the Islamic Republic of Iran last week. The victor: Ebrahim Raisi, a hardline theocrat who has been sanctioned by the US for his involvement in the mass execution of political prisoners. Voter turnout was reportedly low. To discuss these developments, and how the Biden administration – among others – may respond, host Cliff May is joined by Ray Takeyh, formerly a senior advisor on Iran at the Department of State, currently a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations; Reuel Marc Gerecht, formerly a Middle Eastern specialist at the CIA's Directorate of Operations, currently a senior fellow at FDD; and Benham Ben Taleblu, also a senior fellow at FDD where he focuses on Iranian security and political issues.

An election – of sorts – was held in the Islamic Republic of Iran last week. The victor: Ebrahim Raisi, a hardline theocrat who has been sanctioned by the US for his involvement in the mass execution of political prisoners. Voter turnout was reportedly low. To discuss these developments, and how the Biden administration – among others – may respond, host Cliff May is joined by Ray Takeyh, formerly a senior advisor on Iran at the Department of State, currently a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations; Reuel Marc Gerecht, formerly a Middle Eastern specialist at the CIA's Directorate of Operations, currently a senior fellow at FDD; and Benham Ben Taleblu, also a senior fellow at FDD where he focuses on Iranian security and political issues.

Airdate April 11, 2021: Trump slashed corporate tax rates in his tenure as president. Biden has taken haste to undo that, securing funding for his new American jobs plan. Fareed talks to Wally Adeyemo, U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. And, the Iran deal - can the U.S. and Iran resume talks? Should they? Fareed has a great debate with an all-star panel. Then, at another negotiating table, an awkward game of musical chairs in Turkey left one European leader without a seat. What this scene might say about Turkey's continuing slide away from the West…and away from democracy.  GUESTS: Wally Adeyemo, Kim Ghattas, Reuel Marc Gerecht, Vali Nasr, Diane von Furstenberg To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

February 11, 2021 is the forty-second anniversary of the revolution that transformed Iran from a Western-aligned monarchy to an anti-Western Islamist theocracy. Ray Takeyh is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, one of America’s leading analysts of contemporary Iran, and the author of a new book: “The Last Shah: America, Iran and the Fall of the Pahlavi Dynasty.” Reuel Marc Gerecht is a senior fellow at FDD, a former officer in the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, and also an expert on Iran — both contemporary and ancient. Both join host Cliff May to discuss the Revolution.

February 11, 2021 is the forty-second anniversary of the revolution that transformed Iran from a Western-aligned monarchy to an anti-Western Islamist theocracy. Ray Takeyh is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, one of America's leading analysts of contemporary Iran, and the author of a new book: “The Last Shah: America, Iran and the Fall of the Pahlavi Dynasty.” Reuel Marc Gerecht is a senior fellow at FDD, a former officer in the CIA's Directorate of Operations, and also an expert on Iran — both contemporary and ancient. Both join host Cliff May to discuss the Revolution.

Air date January 12 2020: The reverberations of the killing of a top general continue in Iran and throughout the Middle East. Tehran sees new unrest as protestors decry the republic's strike on an Ukrainian airliner that killed all passengers. Will that anger amount to anything? Fareed is joined by an panel of experts in Iraq, Iran and the UAE. Then, how have the West's interventions in the Middle East affected the region? A great debate with Reuel Marc Gerecht and Trita Parsi.

Harjit Sajjan, Defence Minister; David Frum, The Atlantic; Reuel Marc Gerecht, Foundation for Defence of Democracies; John Grant, Wildlife Information Rescue & Education Service Spokesperson; Brian Brulotte, Conservative Party leadership candidate; John Ivison, National Post; Michele Carbert, The Globe & Mail; Greg Weston, Earnscliffe Strategy Group; Lisa Raitt, CTV News Political Analyst; Retired Major-General David Fraser, Former Afghanistan NATO Commander.

For weeks, the people of Lebanon have been taking to the streets to demonstrate against the political class that rules them – or, rather, misrules them. They’re protesting corruption, economic mismanagement, high unemployment and poor government services. But there’s something else at work, something much of the media are reluctant to report: the extent to which Hezbollah, a proxy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a terrorist organization deeply involved in international organized crime, now calls the shots in Lebanon. FDD research fellow Tony Badran, Lebanon born and bred, and Reuel Marc Gerecht, a former CIA operative, now a senior fellow at FDD, join Foreign Podicy host Cliff May to discuss the turmoil in the Levant and the policy responses of the United States and other countries.

For weeks, the people of Lebanon have been taking to the streets to demonstrate against the political class that rules them – or, rather, misrules them. They're protesting corruption, economic mismanagement, high unemployment and poor government services. But there's something else at work, something much of the media are reluctant to report: the extent to which Hezbollah, a proxy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a terrorist organization deeply involved in international organized crime, now calls the shots in Lebanon. FDD research fellow Tony Badran, Lebanon born and bred, and Reuel Marc Gerecht, a former CIA operative, now a senior fellow at FDD, join Foreign Podicy host Cliff May to discuss the turmoil in the Levant and the policy responses of the United States and other countries.

A war between the U.S. and Iran-what would it look like? Fareed plays out the scenarios with Ilan Goldenberg. Then, Peter Beinart and Reuel Marc Gerecht tell Fareed how these two nations reached their tipping point. Guests: Ilan Goldenberg, Peter Beinart, Reuel Marc Gerecht, Rana Mitter, Rory Stewart

If the attacks of September 11, 2001 were a second Pearl Harbor, where are we in the war that began on that day? Are we winning, losing or stalemated? Last year there were more than 10,000 terrorist attacks worldwide—about five times the number in 2001. So what have we learned—or, more importantly—what do we still need to learn? Are there policies and strategies that ought to be put in place? Today, on the 17th anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack in America's history, U.S. Institute for Peace has released a new report on “protecting America from extremism in fragile states.” To discuss its analysis and recommendations, FDD president and Foreign Podicy host Clifford D. May is joined by Stephen Hadley, former National Security Advisor to President George W. Bush, and now the chair of the U.S. Institute for Peace—a congressionally founded and funded policy institute; Nancy Lindborg, president of the U.S.I.P.; and Reuel Marc Gerecht, a senior fellow at FDD and a former Middle East specialist in the CIA's Directorate of Operations. Clifford D. May is president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), host of FDD's Foreign Podicy, and the foreign desk columnist for the Washington Times. Follow him on twitter @CliffordDMay. FDD is a Washington-based nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy. Follow the Foundation for Defense of Democracies on Twitter @FDD, and follow Foreign Podicy @Foreign_Podicy.

If the attacks of September 11, 2001 were a second Pearl Harbor, where are we in the war that began on that day? Are we winning, losing or stalemated? Last year there were more than 10,000 terrorist attacks worldwide—about five times the number in 2001. So what have we learned—or, more importantly—what do we still need to learn? Are there policies and strategies that ought to be put in place? Today, on the 17th anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack in America's history, U.S. Institute for Peace has released a new report on “protecting America from extremism in fragile states.” To discuss its analysis and recommendations, FDD president and Foreign Podicy host Clifford D. May is joined by Stephen Hadley, former National Security Advisor to President George W. Bush, and now the chair of the U.S. Institute for Peace—a congressionally founded and funded policy institute; Nancy Lindborg, president of the U.S.I.P.; and Reuel Marc Gerecht, a senior fellow at FDD and a former Middle East specialist in the CIA’s Directorate of Operations. Clifford D. May is president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), host of FDD's Foreign Podicy, and the foreign desk columnist for the Washington Times. Follow him on twitter @CliffordDMay. FDD is a Washington-based nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy. Follow the Foundation for Defense of Democracies on Twitter @FDD, and follow Foreign Podicy @Foreign_Podicy.

On Jan 10, Hudson Institute hosted a discussion examining the state of play in Iran and its impact on the conflict in Syria.

On Jan 10, Hudson Institute hosted a discussion examining the state of play in Iran and its impact on the conflict in Syria.

Protests have been shaking the Islamic Republic of Iran. Foreign Podicy host Cliff May is joined by FDD senior fellow, Reuel Marc Gerecht, and FDD senior Iran analyst, Behnam Ben Taleblu, to discuss what this upheaval means, where it could lead, and how the U.S. and its Western counterparts should respond. Listeners can find and subscribe to Foreign Podicy via iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and SoundCloud. To request more information or to provide feedback for the “Foreign Podicy” team, email: foreignpodicy@defenddemocracy.org

Protests have been shaking the Islamic Republic of Iran. Foreign Podicy host Cliff May is joined by FDD senior fellow, Reuel Marc Gerecht, and FDD senior Iran analyst, Behnam Ben Taleblu, to discuss what this upheaval means, where it could lead, and how the U.S. and its Western counterparts should respond. Listeners can find and subscribe to Foreign Podicy via iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and SoundCloud. To request more information or to provide feedback for the “Foreign Podicy” team, email: foreignpodicy@defenddemocracy.org

Iran har öppnat sig mot Väst med kärnteknikavtalet. Men Iran är också i krig i Syrien och Irak. Hör röster från Washington, Teheran och Stockholm om Irans presidentval och vägen mellan krig och fred. Dagens Konflikt handlar om konsekvenserna av det iranska presidentvalet där rösterna under sändningens gång är på väg att räknas. Allt tyder på en storseger för den sittande presidenten Rouhani. Men för att förstå vad det är som stått på spel i det här valet börjar vi med att backa bandet några dagar och närma oss den iranska politiken lite utifrån. Över hela världen finns nämligen en gigantisk iransk diaspora, som en följd de dramatiska förändringar som landet genomgått under de senaste årtiondena - framför allt i samband med den iranska revolutionen 1979 och den förföljelse av oliktänkande som varit en stor del av inrikespolitiken sedan dess. Så det är inte så konstigt som det låter att söka svar om iransk inrikespolitik på ett kafé vid Sergels torg - och det var också just vad vår reporter Kajsa Olsson gjorde, där träffade hon Sara som berättar hur livet förändrats till det bättre för hennes mamma de senaste åren, sedan Rouhani tillträdde. I reportaget får vi också höra Ammar Maleki, professor på Tilburg University i Nederländerna och människorättsadvokaten Shadi Sadr som också lever i exil,  tala om om hur lite som hänt när det gäller frihet och mänskliga rättigheter under Rouhanis första mandatperiod. Det område där det hänt mest är i stället relationen till omvärlden och det historiska närmandet mellan Iran och väst som kom till stånd genom kärnenergiavtalet. Detta avtal går ut på att Iran tillåter internationella inspektioner av sin kärnenergiframställning för att säkerställa att det är just energi och inte kärnvapen man framställer. Och i utbyte har landet fått stora lättnader av de sanktioner som tidigare drabbat ekonomin väldigt hårt. Fler länder står bakom avtalet men mest fokus har hamnat på närmandet mellan Iran och USA ,och många menar att det var just förre presidenten Obama som tillsammans med Rouhani gjorde det hela möjligt. Men, nu har vi ju en ny amerikansk president i Vita huset. Under valrörelsen gick Donald Trump hårt åt kärneknikavtalet som han kallade världens sämsta uppgörelse någonsin. Men vad hans egen Iranpolitik egentligen består av är fortfarande oklart. Det tycker två Iranbevakare i USA som SR:s korrespondent i Washington Inger Arenander talade med i veckan: Susanne Maloney på tankesmedjan Brookings och Reuel Marc Gerecht från neokonservativa Foundation for Defence of Democracy i Washington. Samtidigt som rösträkningen pågår i Iran landade Donald Trump på sin första utrikesresa som president. Dom där första resorna brukar vara symboliska, Obama åkte till grannen Kanada, Stefans Löfvéns första officiella besök var hos grannen Finland. Trump har valt Saudi-Arabien. Det är det land som, vid sidan av Israel är USAs klassiska allierade i mellanöstern, ett land som under Obamas tid fick en smärre chock när USA med kärnteknikavtalet närmade sig den tidigare gemensamma fienden Iran. För att förstå den här chocken bättre så ringde Konflikts Jesper Lindau upp den Madawi al-Rasheed saudisk professor vid London School of Economics och känd kritiker av den saudiska ledningen. Hon tecknar en mörk bild av ökade spänningar mellan Iran och Saudiarabien. Sanam Vakil från tankesmedjan Chatham House i London ger sin bild av varför Iran är så öppet expansivt just nu i närområdet genom sitt militära engagemang i Syrien, Irak och Jemen. Gäster: Agneta Ramberg, Sveriges Radios utrikeskommentator på plats i Teheran och Rouzbeh Parsi, universitetslektor vid Historiska institutionen vid Lunds universitet. Producent: Jesper Lindau Programledare: Kajsa Boglind

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The popular uprisings of the Arab Spring have left a leadership void that Islamist parties have been quick to fill. A longtime supporter of former strongmen like Egypt's Mubarak and Tunisia's Ben Ali, the U.S. now faces the uncomfortable result of Arab democracy - the rise of Islamist parties that are less amenable to the West than their autocratic predecessors. Will the Islamists, who once embraced violence, slowly liberalize as they face the difficulties of state leadership? Or will it mean the growth of anti-Americanism and radicalization in the region? Reuel Marc Gerecht, Brian Katulis, Daniel Pipes and Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser debate the motion: "Better elected Islamists than dictators." Debate moderated by author and ABC News correspondent John Donvan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his new book The Wave: Man, God, and the Ballot Box in the Middle East (Hoover Institution Press, 2011), Reuel Marc Gerecht, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, looks at the push for democracy in the Middle East and suggests that Americans need to back the democratic impulse, even if it is messy. Gerecht, who is also a former Middle East specialist in the Clandestine Service at the Central Intelligence Agency, recognizes that Americans may not like what Middle Eastern democracy looks like, certainly at first, but – echoing Churchill –he says that it is much better that the alternatives. In our interview, we talked about Iran, the Arabs, Turkey, and how America should deal with it all. Read all about it, and more, in Gerecht’s timely new book. Please become a fan of “New Books in Public Policy” on Facebook if you haven’t already. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his new book The Wave: Man, God, and the Ballot Box in the Middle East (Hoover Institution Press, 2011), Reuel Marc Gerecht, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, looks at the push for democracy in the Middle East and suggests that Americans need to back the democratic impulse, even if it is messy. Gerecht, who is also a former Middle East specialist in the Clandestine Service at the Central Intelligence Agency, recognizes that Americans may not like what Middle Eastern democracy looks like, certainly at first, but – echoing Churchill –he says that it is much better that the alternatives. In our interview, we talked about Iran, the Arabs, Turkey, and how America should deal with it all. Read all about it, and more, in Gerecht’s timely new book. Please become a fan of “New Books in Public Policy” on Facebook if you haven’t already. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his new book The Wave: Man, God, and the Ballot Box in the Middle East (Hoover Institution Press, 2011), Reuel Marc Gerecht, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, looks at the push for democracy in the Middle East and suggests that Americans need to back the democratic impulse, even if it is messy. Gerecht, who is also a former Middle East specialist in the Clandestine Service at the Central Intelligence Agency, recognizes that Americans may not like what Middle Eastern democracy looks like, certainly at first, but – echoing Churchill –he says that it is much better that the alternatives. In our interview, we talked about Iran, the Arabs, Turkey, and how America should deal with it all. Read all about it, and more, in Gerecht’s timely new book. Please become a fan of “New Books in Public Policy” on Facebook if you haven’t already. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices