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Decision Points

David Makovsky
Gaza War
Israel
U.s.-Israel Relations
Hamas
Iran
Hezbollah
Gaza
Israel-Hamas War
Leadership Dynamics
Bipartisanship
Lebanon
Hostage Crisis
Israeli Society
Prime Minister Netanyahu
Yossi Klein Halevi
U.s.-Israel Security Relationship
Middle East
Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty
Abraham Accords
Israel Defense Forces

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 weeklyEpisodes68Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryGovernment

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Artwork for Decision Points

Latest Episodes

In this special episode of Decision Points, Washington Institute experts Dennis Ross, Dana Stroul, Robert Satloff, and Holly Dagres sit down with the Institute's managing director, Michael Singh, to assess the joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign against ... more

The United States and Iran stand on the brink of war. The Pentagon has deployed a huge amount of air power in the Middle East, and President Trump has set a 10-15 day deadline to decide whether to strike.

In the first episode of Season Six, Decision... more

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 conve... more

Israeli society has been through the gambit of emotions in 2024: from the national trauma of the aftermath of October 7th and repeated failed hostage negotiations, to major military achievements that have shifted the regional security landscape. As t... more

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Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Bernard Haykel
Professor of Middle Eastern Studies, expert on Middle Eastern politics, religion, and society
Princeton University
Episode: Inside the Middle East: How War, Ceasefires, and Trump’s Arrival Are Reshaping the Middle East
Amos Harel
Leading and senior military analyst for Haaretz, focusing on Israel's northern front.
Haaretz
Episode: Will the Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Hold?
Tom Nides
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel
U.S. government
Episode: Trump & Harris Senior Advisors Contrast Visions for US Middle East Policy
Victoria Coates
Former Deputy National Security Advisor for the Middle East
U.S. government
Episode: Trump & Harris Senior Advisors Contrast Visions for US Middle East Policy
Matt Levitt
Director of the Counterterrorism and Intelligence Program at the Washington Institute, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis at the US Department of the Treasury
Washington Institute
Episode: Hezbollah Decapitated?: The War with Israel and Lebanon's Future
Ray Takeyh
Senior Fellow of Middle East Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations; specializes in Iran, US foreign policy, and the modern Middle East
Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: Iran, Israel & Missiles: Roots of Iran's Enmity & Military Escalation
Meir Litvak
Professor at the Department of Middle Eastern and African History, Director of the Alliance Center for Iranian Studies at Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University
Episode: Iran, Israel & Missiles: Roots of Iran's Enmity & Military Escalation
efraim Halevy
Israeli Intelligence Expert and Diplomat, former Director of the Mossad
Episode: 30 Years of Peace Under Pressure: Israel and Jordan in Regional Turmoil
David Schenker
Director of the Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics at the Washington Institute
The Washington Institute
Episode: 30 Years of Peace Under Pressure: Israel and Jordan in Regional Turmoil

Host

David Makovsky
Host and Ziegler Distinguished Fellow focused on U.S.-Israel relations and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Former senior advisor to the U.S. Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations and director of the Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 195 ratings
  • 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
    Canada12 days 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year ago
  • Great guests, always straight to the point

    Highly recommend the podcast. Wonderful insights and thoughtful guests. No chaff, always straight to the point and informationally dense.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    InGeoffsEars
    Canadaa year ago
  • Always insightful

    Great guests . Host is a strong facilitator providing a platform for humans expert guests!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Djz193
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

Many reviews highlight the podcast's ability to connect historical context with current events, making it essential for understanding the dynamics of the region.
Listeners praise the informative and insightful discussions that help clarify complex issues in the Middle East.
There is high appreciation for the expertise of the guests and the quality of the questions posed by the host, which encourages deep analysis.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#82
Israel/History
Apple Podcasts
#106
Switzerland/History
Apple Podcasts
#142
Sweden/History
Apple Podcasts
#235
Singapore/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Israel into 2025: Building on Regional Successes, Avoiding Domestic Fractures
Q: What does Netanyahu's ongoing trial play at this critical moment?
It is perceived as a non-issue politically at this time, as many are fatigued by the continual focus on it amidst the broader national crisis.
Israel into 2025: Building on Regional Successes, Avoiding Domestic Fractures
Q: How is Israeli society processing the growing possibility of a partial hostage deal after over a year of failed starts?
The public is grappling with a partial deal not being enough, with intense feelings of both anger and hope arising from the potential for a deal that does not release all hostages.
After Assad: Navigating Syria's Power Vacuum and Regional Fallout
Q: Is there a need for outreach to HTS to see if they have moderated?
Yes, outreach is critical to understand HTS's intentions and whether they can include more moderate elements in their governance.
After Assad: Navigating Syria's Power Vacuum and Regional Fallout
Q: Why did Russia and Iran seemingly give up on Assad?
They were caught off guard by the rapid collapse of the Syrian army and realized there was no reliable support to intervene effectively.
After Assad: Navigating Syria's Power Vacuum and Regional Fallout
Q: What does it mean for Syria and the Middle East that the Assad regime has fallen?
It signifies a major geopolitical shift, potentially altering the dynamics of power in the region as new groups vie for influence.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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?

Episodes feature in-depth discussions regarding key events in Israel's history, particularly in relation to its security and diplomatic relations with the U.S. A significant focus is placed on the evolving political landscape, including the impacts of the Gaza conflict, the dynamics within the Israeli government, and the regional implications of Iranian influence. Distinguished experts from various fields, including military, academia, and foreign policy, engage in insightful conversations exploring the historical context and future trajectory of Israeli and Middle Eastern affairs. This approach ensures that listeners gain a nuanced understanding of both historical events and contemporary challenges, making it particularly appealing to thos... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Decision Points?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Decision Points:

1. The Times of Israel Daily Briefing
2. Ask Haviv Anything
3. Call Me Back - with Dan Senor
4. Breaking History
5. The Commentary Magazine Podcast

How many episodes of Decision Points are there?

Decision Points launched 6 years ago and published 68 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Decision Points?

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What guests have appeared on Decision Points?

Recent guests on Decision Points include:

1. Bernard Haykel
2. Amos Harel
3. Tom Nides
4. Victoria Coates
5. Matt Levitt
6. Ray Takeyh
7. Meir Litvak
8. efraim Halevy

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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