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Decision Points

David Makovsky
Iran
Israel
Hezbollah
Gaza War
Gaza
Hamas
Middle East
U.s.-Israel Relations
Lebanon
Syria
United States
U.S. Foreign Policy
Palestinian Authority
Israel-Hamas War
Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty
Middle East Policy
Abraham Accords
Hizbullah
Saudi Arabia
Muhammad Bin Salman

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 monthlyEpisodes73Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryPoliticsNews

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Artwork for Decision Points

Latest Episodes

One of Israel’s most important election cycles is underway. Opposition parties see a rare chance to oust Benjamin Netanyahu, the country’s longest-serving prime minister, who now heads the most right-wing coalition in Israeli history. Amid the echoes... more

Lebanon and Israel held diplomatic talks for the first time in decades after Israel's months-long campaign against Hezbollah. But the ceasefire is shaky: Israel displaced close to a million Lebanese civilians amid fighting with Hezbollah and northern... more

After nearly six weeks of war, the U.S. and Iran agreed on April 8 to a fragile two-week ceasefire. But Vice President JD Vance left Pakistan Sunday after 21 hours of high-level talks with the Iranians without making progress toward a deal to end the... more

As part of Iran’s retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli war, Tehran has targeted the United Arab Emirates with more than 2,000 ballistic missiles and drones. Senior Emirati officials warn that their confrontation with Iran won’t be fleeting and will stren... more

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Recent Guests

Gili Cohen
Covers the Prime Minister for Israel TV and Radio's public channel Khan
Khan (Israel Public Channel)
Episode: Will Israel Vote Out Netanyahu? with Gili Cohen and David Horovitz
David Horovitz
Founding editor-in-chief
The Times of Israel
Episode: Will Israel Vote Out Netanyahu? with Gili Cohen and David Horovitz
Fouad Makhzoumi
Leading Lebanese member of parliament representing Sunnis in Beirut
Lebanese Parliament
Episode: Can Israel and Lebanon Move from War to Diplomacy? with Fouad Makhzoumi, Robert Satloff and Sarit Zehavi
Robert Satloff
Executive Director
The Washington Institute
Episode: Can Israel and Lebanon Move from War to Diplomacy? with Fouad Makhzoumi, Robert Satloff and Sarit Zehavi
Sarit Zehavi
Founder and President
ALMA (Israeli Institute)
Episode: Can Israel and Lebanon Move from War to Diplomacy? with Fouad Makhzoumi, Robert Satloff and Sarit Zehavi
Suzanne Maloney
Vice President and Director of the Foreign Policy Program at the Brookings Institution
Brookings Institution
Episode: Who’s Calling the Shots in Iran? With Suzanne Maloney and Raz Zimmt
Raz Zimmt
Director of the Iran and the Shiite Access Research Program at INSS
Institute for National Security Studies (INSS)
Episode: Who’s Calling the Shots in Iran? With Suzanne Maloney and Raz Zimmt
Amir Hayek
Former Israeli ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (2021-2024)
Former Israeli ambassador to UAE
Episode: Is the Iran War Bringing Israel and the UAE Closer Together? With Amir Hayek and Nadim Koteich
Nadim Koteich
Lebanese Emirati columnist for Asharq Al-Awsat; former general manager of Sky News Arabia
Asharq Al-Awsat; Sky News Arabia
Episode: Is the Iran War Bringing Israel and the UAE Closer Together? With Amir Hayek and Nadim Koteich

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 200 ratings
  • 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
    Israela month 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
    Canada3 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 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

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.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Will Israel Vote Out Netanyahu? with Gili Cohen and David Horovitz
Q: David, could you explain a little bit about the core Netanyahu supporters?
Horovitz describes Netanyahu's base as a mix of long-time loyalists and seekers of resilience, with strong media control and a perception that he can push back against international opponents, contributing to his staying power.
Will Israel Vote Out Netanyahu? with Gili Cohen and David Horovitz
Q: David, over to you. How do you see it?
David Horovitz emphasizes Netanyahu's maintained position due to a disunited opposition and the perception that he is the most capable leader on security, while noting domestic fault lines like the Ultra-Orthodox issue and coalition dynamics.
Will Israel Vote Out Netanyahu? with Gili Cohen and David Horovitz
Q: Gili, why don't we start with you?
Gili Cohen explains that polls show Iran-related wars did not translate into electoral support or penalties for Netanyahu, arguing the main driver is public perception of security and the October 7th trauma, which lingers in voters' minds.
Can Israel and Lebanon Move from War to Diplomacy? with Fouad Makhzoumi, Robert Satloff and Sarit Zehavi
Q: Rob, can you talk to us about how to decouple those two things—ceasefire/peace talks and Iran?
Satloff argues that Tehran does not control diplomacy under U.S. auspices and that Lebanon can pursue sovereignty by standing down Hezbollah's influence. He suggests that decoupling is possible when Lebanon demonstrates independent governance and security progress, supported by the United States and international partners, to create room for negotiations without Iranian dominance over the process.
Can Israel and Lebanon Move from War to Diplomacy? with Fouad Makhzoumi, Robert Satloff and Sarit Zehavi
Q: Rob, how encouraged are you by the fact that talks have begun? And what's realistic in terms of progress for these talks?
Robert Satloff suggests cautious optimism, acknowledging that while the ceasefire has held, true progress requires addressing the broader regional dynamics, including Iran's influence and Hezbollah's power. He emphasizes the need for consistent U.S. engagement and credible incentives for Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah and reform its security institutions as part of a longer-term strategy toward a sustainable peace.

Audience Metrics

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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. What Matters Now
2. The Times of Israel Daily Briefing
3. Israel Policy Pod
4. For Heaven's Sake
5. Ask Haviv Anything

How many episodes of Decision Points are there?

Decision Points launched 7 years ago and published 73 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. Gili Cohen
2. David Horovitz
3. Fouad Makhzoumi
4. Robert Satloff
5. Sarit Zehavi
6. Suzanne Maloney
7. Raz Zimmt
8. Amir Hayek

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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