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Iran
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Israel
United States
Hamas
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Russia
Ukraine
Sudan
Venezuela
Hezbollah
International Crisis Group
Middle East
Crisis Group
China
Haiti
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Trump Administration
Turkey
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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Artwork for Hold Your Fire!

Latest Episodes

In this episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard speaks with Crisis Group’s Middle East director Rob Malley about the state of U.S.-Iran negotiations and how the aftermath of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran could change the region. They discuss why talks re... more

In this episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard speaks with Crisis Group experts Renata Segura and Elizabeth Dickinson about Colombia’s presidential election, in which right-wing outsider Abelardo “El Tigre” de la Espriella won by a razor-thin margin. Th... more

In this episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard is joined by Ibraheem Bahiss, Crisis Group’s Afghanistan expert based in Kabul, to assess where the country stands nearly five years after the Taliban’s return to power. They discuss the improved security a... more

In this special episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard is joined by Ali Vaez, Crisis Group’s Iran director, to unpack the memorandum of understanding reached between the U.S. and Iran on Sunday to shore up a fragile ceasefire and open the way for furthe... more

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Recent Guests

Renata Segura
Latin America director for Crisis Group
International Crisis Group
Episode: Will “El Tigre” Colombia’s New President Launch Another War on Drugs?
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?
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?
Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim
Crisis Group's Deputy Sahel Director
International Crisis Group
Episode: Jihadist and Separatist Rebels Gain Ground in Mali
Heiko Wimmen
Lebanon, Syria and Iraq director at Crisis Group
International Crisis Group
Episode: Lebanon’s Uneasy Truce
Yasmine Farouk
Crisis Group's Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Director
Crisis Group
Episode: What Hope for the U.S.-Iran Talks in Islamabad?

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 States4 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
    France6 months ago
  • Great

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cloudbreak2020
    Australia6 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

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

U.S.-Iran Diplomacy and Middle East Politics
Q: What is the status of testing red lines and space for compromise in current talks?
There is some room to shave edges of principles on sovereignty and Hormuz control, but the core issues—nuclear safeguards, enrichment, and sanctions relief—remain hard to resolve; any progress will likely be incremental.
Will “El Tigre” Colombia’s New President Launch Another War on Drugs?
Q: What are the prospects for talks with groups like the ELN and the Gulf Clan under the new administration?
Talks with the ELN have public support for continuing dialogue, but trust is fragile; for the Gulf Clan, progress hinges on legal frameworks for demobilization and credible incentives to end violence, while political will and international pressure will shape momentum.
Will “El Tigre” Colombia’s New President Launch Another War on Drugs?
Q: So Beth, what's the mood in Bogota and what are you hearing from other parts of the country?
The country feels like it is exhaling after a tense campaign, but there is enduring polarization and a sense that the new government must navigate conflicting expectations, especially among communities that suffered during the conflict.
100 Days Later: Can Trump Find an Off Ramp in the Gulf?
Q: What are the main political incentives for Gulf states regarding reopening Hormuz, and how might U.S. involvement shape those incentives?
Gulf states want the Strait reopened with a framework that preserves regional security, often seeking U.S. protection guarantees and using sanctions leverage to press Iran, while also exploring diversified partnerships; U.S. involvement remains seen as essential but is a double-edged sword due to longstanding commitments and strategic pressures.
100 Days Later: Can Trump Find an Off Ramp in the Gulf?
Q: So if there is a deal along the lines described, can Trump sell it in Washington given the domestic political constraints?
There would be relief in some quarters that an off-ramp exists, but hawkish critics and Netanyahu's allies would critique the concessions, suggesting it's a poor bargain; overall, the deal might be sold as avoiding catastrophe, but it would face significant political scrutiny.

Audience Metrics

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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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These podcasts share a similar audience with Hold Your Fire!:

1. The Horn
2. War & Peace
3. Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes
4. Foreign Policy Live
5. The Rachman Review

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Hold Your Fire! launched 6 years ago and published 235 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. Renata Segura
2. Beth Dickinson
3. Ibraheem Bahiss
4. Naysan Rafati
5. William Yang
6. Ali Wyne
7. Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim
8. Heiko Wimmen

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