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Iran
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Israel
United States
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Russia
Ukraine
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International Crisis Group
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Democratic Republic Of Congo

Join Crisis Group's Executive Vice President Richard Atwood as he dives deep into the conflicts that rage around the globe with Crisis Group analysts and special guests. These experts bring a unique, on-the-ground perspective to understanding both why those conflicts persist — and what could bring them to an end.

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Latest Episodes

In this episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard is joined by Crisis Group’s Arabian Peninsula director Yasmine Farouk and senior Iran analyst Hamidreza Azizi to discuss the Houthis’ renewed offensive in Yemen and escalating attacks on Saudi Arabia. They ... more

This week on Hold Your Fire!, Richard is joined by Alan Boswell, Crisis Group’s Horn of Africa director, to discuss the fighting in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region and the risk of an all-out war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. They examine federal fo... more

This week on Hold Your Fire!, Richard speaks with Crisis Group’s Africa director Murithi Mutiga about renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia. They examine why the Pretoria agreement, which ended the devastating 2020–2022 war between Tigrayan rebels an... more

In this episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard Atwood speaks with Richard Gowan, Crisis Group’s Director for Global Issues and Institutions, and Daniel Forti, Head of UN affairs, ahead of next week’s UN General Assembly high-level week. They explore the... more

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Recent Guests

Richard Gowan
Crisis Group's Director of Global Issues and Institutions
International Crisis Group
Episode: The UN’s High Level Week, Secretary-General Selection and “Middle Power” Problem
Daniel Forti
Head of UN Affairs
International Crisis Group
Episode: The UN’s High Level Week, Secretary-General Selection and “Middle Power” Problem
Rob Malley
Senior Crisis Group analyst, former US government official, involved in JCPOA negotiations
International Crisis Group
Episode: U.S.-Iran Diplomacy and Middle East Politics
Beth Dickinson
Deputy director for Crisis Group's Latin America program
International Crisis Group
Episode: Will “El Tigre” Colombia’s New President Launch Another War on Drugs?
Ibraheem Bahiss
Crisis Group expert based in Afghanistan
Crisis Group
Episode: What’s Happening in Afghanistan
Naysan Rafati
Crisis Group Iran team member
International Crisis Group
Episode: 100 Days Later: Can Trump Find an Off Ramp in the Gulf?
Praveen Donthi
Crisis Group's India expert
International Crisis Group
Episode: India’s Kashmir and Manipur Conflicts and their Consequences
William Yang
Crisis Group's Northeast Asia Senior Analyst
International Crisis Group
Episode: The Trump-Xi Summit: What Happened in Beijing?
Ali Wyne
Senior Advisor on U.S.-China relations
International Crisis Group
Episode: The Trump-Xi Summit: What Happened in Beijing?

Host

Richard Atwood
Host of the show and Crisis Group Executive Vice President

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 367 ratings
  • Must listen analysis

    Thought provoking, avoids caricatures, combines strategic view with on the ground view.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FOIAd1966
    United States5 months ago
  • Stay informed

    Always informative and easy to listen to. Gives different perspectives on what is happening on the ground.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FrenchHeather
    France7 months ago
  • Great

    I find the ICG podcasts incredibly interesting, informative and insightful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cloudbreak2020
    Australia8 months ago
  • Telling it straight

    Thank you for your sincerity and deep knowledge of complex situations worldwide

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    stilllearningtoo
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Excellent and quite balanced analysis of some of the worlds most pressing conflicts.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Heinz
    a year ago

Listeners Say

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

The show is a go-to for understanding complex conflicts and credible policy options.
These episodes are consistently insightful and well-reasoned, with on-the-ground context.
Listeners appreciate balanced, non-sensational analysis from Crisis Group experts.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Back to War in Ethiopia?
Q: And what might the trajectory be for this conflict?
The guest outlines three plausible paths: a federal overrun of Tigrayan defenses leading to guerrilla resistance, a broader alliance pushing back the government resulting in greater political pressure on Abiy, or a long, grinding insurgency that drains Ethiopia's economy and resilience.
Special Episode: Will the Houthis Shut Down the Bab al-Mandab Strait?
Q: What are potential future scenarios if external powers escalate or intervene?
The Houthis could expand attacks to wider maritime targets including allied ships, potentially prompting broader regional escalation or prompting mediation and containment efforts rather than outright war.
Special Episode: Will the Houthis Shut Down the Bab al-Mandab Strait?
Q: How have Houthi demands evolved with territorial gains?
They've shifted from basic issues to demanding recognition as the sole Yemen authority, threats to remove Saudi influence, and broader concessions tied to the newer territorial control.
Special Episode: Will the Houthis Shut Down the Bab al-Mandab Strait?
Q: What are the main reasons for the rapid collapse of government ground defense?
Fragmented leadership, multiple competing factions, and lack of unified command reduced the government's ability to mount a cohesive defense against the Houthis' advance.
Special Episode: Will the Houthis Shut Down the Bab al-Mandab Strait?
Q: What sparked the escalation in July that broke the truce?
Iranian flights bringing Houthi delegations to Sana'a challenged the status quo and triggered Saudi warnings and airstrikes, undermining the truce and accelerating conflict.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Hold Your Fire!

What is Hold Your Fire! about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Tuned to high-stakes geopolitics and conflict analysis, this program features long-form conversations with Crisis Group analysts and regional experts who break down complex security crises, from U.S.–Iran diplomacy to Colombia's security dynamics, Afghanistan, Sudan, Mali, and Lebanon. Episodes blend on-the-ground reporting with strategic analysis, aiming to connect local developments to broader regional and international implications. Notable strengths include deep subject-matter expertise, transparent negotiation framing, and a consistent focus on plausible off-ramps and peace processes, making it helpful for policymakers, corporate strategists, and professionals tracking global risk. A distinctive trait is the recurring emphasis on pract... more

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1. The Horn
2. War & Peace
3. Independent Thinking
4. Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes
5. Middle East Focus

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Hold Your Fire! launched 6 years ago and published 240 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 Hold Your Fire!?

Recent guests on Hold Your Fire! include:

1. Richard Gowan
2. Daniel Forti
3. Rob Malley
4. Beth Dickinson
5. Ibraheem Bahiss
6. Naysan Rafati
7. Praveen Donthi
8. William Yang

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