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Decision Points

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

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 monthlyEpisodes76Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsNews Commentary

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Latest Episodes

The conflict may be over, but the shockwaves of the Iran war are still spreading. The United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states endured Iranian drone and missile strikes; Iran withstood weeks of bombardment from the U.S. and Israel, which have perha... more

Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly central to U.S. strategy in the Middle East. AI has played a pivotal role in the current Iran war, even as the U.S. is deepening its AI investments in the region. Israel and the Gulf are also jockeying... more

Conflicting statements from President Trump leave open the question about whether the Iran war is any closer to being over or whether the significant impasse over the nuclear program remains an impediment.

Regardless of the outcome of the conflict, ... more

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

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Recent Guests

Grant Rumley
Director of the Great Power Competition Program, Washington Institute
Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Episode: The AI Race in the Middle East, with Avner Golov and Grant Rumley
Avner Golov
Vice President, MIND Israel; former Senior Director at Israel's National Security Council
MIND Israel
Episode: The AI Race in the Middle East, with Avner Golov and Grant Rumley
Amir Eshel
Former commander-in-chief of the Israeli Air Force; former head of IDF Planning; director general of the Israeli Ministry of Defense
Israeli Air Force / Israeli Defense Establishment
Episode: What the U.S. and Israeli Militaries Have Learned So Far From the Iran War with Eliot Cohen and Amir Eshel
Eliot Cohen
Leading military historian and columnist on military affairs
Atlantic Magazine
Episode: What the U.S. and Israeli Militaries Have Learned So Far From the Iran War with Eliot Cohen and Amir Eshel
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

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 203 ratings
  • Leftists

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

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    This Ken
    United Statesa month 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
    Israel3 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
    Canada4 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 States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Host facilitates thoughtful, rigorous dialogue with complex topics.
The show provides deep historical and strategic context for Middle East issues.
Guests are consistently high-caliber policymakers and researchers.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The AI Race in the Middle East, with Avner Golov and Grant Rumley
Q: I want to get into the whole topic of AI in the Middle East and start with something simple, which is, how did AI impact the Iran War?
Grant explains that AI is accelerating intelligence processing and target planning, allowing analysts to synthesize vast sources quickly, guide operations, and reduce manpower, though this also compresses decision timelines and increases risk if not properly aligned with legal and strategic checks.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Decision Points

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

Decision Points features candid conversations with top policymakers and regional experts to dissect Middle East policy choices. Episodes typically explore security, diplomacy, and strategic tradeoffs among the U.S., Israel, and Arab states, with a focus on realistic options and their human costs. The show is known for deep historical context, data-driven analysis, and a knack for translating complex geopolitics into actionable insights for policymakers and communicators. Noteworthy elements include a strong host who guides high-caliber guests through nuanced discussions, a bias toward practical diplomacy and hard questions about war, peace, and stability in the region, and regular cross-pollination between Washington and regional voices tha... 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. For Heaven's Sake
4. Ask Haviv Anything
5. Ark News Daily

How many episodes of Decision Points are there?

Decision Points launched 7 years ago and published 76 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. Grant Rumley
2. Avner Golov
3. Amir Eshel
4. Eliot Cohen
5. Gili Cohen
6. David Horovitz
7. Fouad Makhzoumi
8. Robert Satloff

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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