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Decision Points

David Makovsky
Iran
Israel
Hamas
Hezbollah
Gaza
Gaza War
United States
U.s.-Israel Relations
Middle East
Syria
Lebanon
U.S. Foreign Policy
Turkey
Palestinian Authority
Israel-Hamas War
Artificial Intelligence
Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty
Middle East Policy
Abraham Accords
Yossi Klein Halevi

Decision Points is the podcast that gets beyond the noise on tough choices in the Middle East. Hosted by David Makovsky of The Washington Institute, the show brings together top policymakers and experts from Washington and the region for candid conversations about the forces and factors driving Middle East policymaking.

Season Six tackles the toughest U.S. foreign-policy debates, from the brink ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes81Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryNewsPolitics

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Artwork for Decision Points

Latest Episodes

In this special episode, recorded live as a Washington Institute Policy Forum, host David Makovsky sits down with leading Israeli experts Tamar Hermann, Yaakov Katz, and Amit Segal to discuss the stakes in Israel's first election since Hamas's Octobe... more

Recent polling shows that U.S. public opinion on Israel has plunged to historic lows after the grueling two-year war in Gaza and amid the unpopular U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Is American public support for Israel undergoing a fundamental shift, or i... more

Almost three years after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, assault on Israel, the Palestinian jihadist group has been battered but not destroyed. Hamas has consolidated its control over the most densely populated portion of Gaza. Meanwhile, President Trump’s ... more

The recent NATO summit in Ankara raised the already high temperatures between Israel and Turkey, two major regional powers. President Trump says he's considering selling U.S. F-35 stealth fighters to Turkey despite the opposition of Israeli Prime Min... more

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Recent Guests

Stanley Greenberg
New York Times bestselling author and veteran US pollster
Independent (polling expert)
Episode: Can Israel Win Back the American People? with Stanley Greenberg and Victoria Coates
Victoria Coates
Former Deputy National Security Advisor; policy expert on the U.S.-Middle East and national security strategy
Heritage Foundation, Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy
Episode: Can Israel Win Back the American People? with Stanley Greenberg and Victoria Coates
Matthew Levitt
Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute, Director of its Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence
Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Episode: What's Next for Hamas, 3 Years After October 7th?
Neomi Neumann
Adjunct Fellow at the Washington Institute, former Head of the Research Unit at Israel's Shin Bet
Washington Institute
Episode: What's Next for Hamas, 3 Years After October 7th?
Tamir Hayman
Major General (Res.) IDF, head of INSS
Institute for National Security Studies
Episode: Are Israel and Turkey on a Collision Course? With Tamir Hayman and James Jeffrey
James Jeffrey
Distinguished Fellow, Washington Institute; former U.S. ambassador to Turkey and Iraq
The Washington Institute
Episode: Are Israel and Turkey on a Collision Course? With Tamir Hayman and James Jeffrey
Raith El Omari
Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute, former adviser to the PA negotiating team
The Washington Institute
Episode: Can Gaza Have a Brighter Future? With Ghaith al-Omari and Shira Efron
Shira Efron
RAND Corporation's distinguished Israel Policy Chair, former researcher at Israel Policy Forum and Center for American Progress
RAND Corporation
Episode: Can Gaza Have a Brighter Future? With Ghaith al-Omari and Shira Efron
Barbara Leaf
Ambassador, former Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs
Arnold & Porter (current)
Episode: The Aftershocks of the Iran War, with Amb. Barbara Leaf and Kirsten Fontenrose

Host

David Makovsky
Host of Decision Points; senior policy expert on Israeli-Palestinian issues and U.S.-Israel relations

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 219 ratings
  • Leftists

    Every so called expert is a leftist and most suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    This Ken
    United States5 months ago
  • Great guests offering fresh perspectives

    The episode about the UAE from Season 6 was a truly interesting and refreshing perspective — and this is coming from a person who listens to half a dozen Middle East podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lucite75
    Israel7 months ago
  • Fantastic episode

    Fascinating insights from guests who know the territory. David Makovsky does a great job getting the most out of these conversations.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sensmcg
    Canada8 months ago
  • Great podcast

    Always thoughtful analysis on the hugely complex issues in the Middle East. Makovsky does a brilliant job hosting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JoseEmergii
    United States2 years ago
  • Most insightful podcast about Middle East

    Great guests and moderator that allows one to understand what is going on in the Middle East, which other news sources don’t help clarify. My go-to for that region.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    birjon82
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Balanced guests and a strong moderator who draws out key points.
Thoughtful, expert-led discussions with high information density.
High-quality, rigorous analysis of Middle East policy with actionable insights.
Excellent synthesis and probing questions that illuminate complex issues.
Consistently informative and engaging for policy professionals.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Can Israel Win Back the American People? with Stanley Greenberg and Victoria Coates
Q: What are potential steps Israel could take to reverse or slow the decline in favorable opinions among Americans?
Possible measures include policy shifts on Gaza and the West Bank, credible security approaches, and messaging that illustrates how Israel addresses violence and civil rights.
Can Israel Win Back the American People? with Stanley Greenberg and Victoria Coates
Q: How much of the change is due to ground realities in Gaza and the West Bank versus broader U.S. political polarization?
Both guests suggest multiple amplifiers—polling trends reinforce the momentum, but the political climate and party coalitions also shape opinions.
Can Israel Win Back the American People? with Stanley Greenberg and Victoria Coates
Q: Is this shift in attitudes towards Israel a temporary fluctuation or a structural change?
They argue it's structural, tied to broader political dynamics, leadership, and ongoing regional crises, and unlikely to revert quickly.
Can Gaza Have a Brighter Future? With Ghaith al-Omari and Shira Efron
Q: Is Plan B (PA-led or NCAC-led governance) a realistic alternative if disarmament stalls or fails?
Plan B is skeptical in practicality due to governance and funding constraints, but there is room for humanitarian-plus work and selective governance steps that could bridge toward Plan A without fully abandoning it.
Can Gaza Have a Brighter Future? With Ghaith al-Omari and Shira Efron
Q: What role do mediators like Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey play, and can they push Hamas toward disarmament or a governance path like NCAC?
Mediators have divergent interests; Egypt is wary of non-state actors with guns, Qatar and Turkey show more flexibility toward Hamas' inclusion, but US involvement and a coherent plan are crucial to prevent the process from stalling further.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Decision Points

What is Decision Points about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A high-signal, policymaker-focused series that threads through the toughest Middle East questions, from Iran's brinkmanship to Gaza's aftermath and Syria's evolving government. Conversations pair senior U.S. and regional policymakers with researchers and former officials to clarify options, assess risks, and explore how external powers shape regional security and diplomacy. The season emphasizes rigorous analysis, historical context, and synthesis at the end of each episode, helping listeners gauge realistic policy pathways and what's at stake for stability and progress.

Noteworthy aspects include a consistent emphasis on US-Israel-Gulf dynamics, data-driven discussions about deterrence and diplomacy, and a track record of bringing diverse... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Decision Points?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Decision Points:

1. A Mandatory Listen
2. The Times of Israel Daily Briefing
3. For Heaven's Sake
4. Ask Haviv Anything
5. Boundless Insights - with Aviva Klompas

How many episodes of Decision Points are there?

Decision Points launched 7 years ago and published 81 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Decision Points?

Recent guests on Decision Points include:

1. Stanley Greenberg
2. Victoria Coates
3. Matthew Levitt
4. Neomi Neumann
5. Tamir Hayman
6. James Jeffrey
7. Raith El Omari
8. Shira Efron

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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