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Artwork for Makdisi Street

Makdisi Street

Makdisi Bros.
Gaza
Israel
Palestine
Zionism
United States
Iran
Lebanon
Hezbollah
Hamas
U.S. Foreign Policy
International Law
Human Rights
Trump Administration
Middle East
Nakba
Palestinian Rights
Genocide
Biden Administration
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Donald Trump

A podcast co-hosted by Saree Makdisi, Ussama Makdisi, and Karim Makdisi. Follow us on X: @MakdisiStreet Follow us on YouTube: @MakdisiStreet

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes117Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews

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Artwork for Makdisi Street

Latest Episodes

The brothers gather to discuss the third anniversary of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the dissonance arising from witnessing genocide on the one hand and seeing stubborn denial by committed Zionists on the other hand, as well as the internal contradi... more

The brothers host a livestream discussion with Akbar Shahid Ahmed on his new book Crossing the Red Line: Biden, his Advisors, and Israel's War in Gaza (2026), published by WW Norton

Watch the video edition on our YouTube channel www.youtub... more

The brothers welcome Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) of Drop Site News to the show to discuss shifts in the American political landscape, the growing disillusionment with Israel and how AIPAC has become an index of political corruption, the contradiction betwe... more

The brothers host the award-winning Palestinian-American poet Fady Joudah to discuss his newest work, Exhibit G: Poems, Essays, and Photographs of Gaza (2026).

Watch the livestream on our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnUPf7gMDSs more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Akbar Shahid Ahmed
Diplomatic correspondent at the Washington Sun and author of Crossing the Red Line
Washington Sun
Episode: Makdisi Street Reviews w/ Akbar Shahid Ahmed
Ryan Grim
American journalist and author; co-founder of Drop Site News; former HuffPost/DC Bureau Chief; co-host of Breaking Points
Drop Site News; Breaking Points
Episode: "The bottom is falling out in the US" w/ Ryan Grim
Fady Joudah
Palestinian-American poet, translator of Mahmoud Darwish's poetry, author of Exhibit G
Poet/Translator
Episode: Makdisi Street Reviews w/ Fady Joudah
Chris Doyle
Director of Caabu (Center for Arab-British Understanding)
Caabu
Episode: "The UK government was definitely complicit" w/ Chris Doyle
Ta-Nehisi Coates
Author and commentator
Contributor to Vanity Fair; author of Between the World and Me and The Case for Reparations
Episode: "Palestinians are wholly excluded from the room" w/ Ta-Nehisi Coates
Aslı Ü. Bâli
Howard Holtzman Professor of Law, Yale Law School
Yale Law School
Episode: "Their appetite grows with every war" w/ Aslı Ü. Bâli
Abdullah Al-Arian
Associate professor of history and chair of International History at Georgetown University in Qatar
Georgetown University in Qatar
Episode: "FIFA is a racket" w/ Abdullah Al-Arian
Eyal Weizman
Founder and director of Forensic Architecture; professor
Forensic Architecture / Goldsmiths, University of London
Episode: Makdisi Street Reviews w/ Eyal Weizman
Trita Parsi
Co-founder and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft; expert on US-Iranian relations
Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
Episode: "Every war ends at the negotiating table" w/ Trita Parsi

Hosts

Saree Makdisi
Host of Makdisi Street; academic and commentator on Middle East politics.
Ussama Makdisi
Co-host of Makdisi Street; discusses Lebanon and regional politics.
Karim Makdisi
Co-host of Makdisi Street; regional politics with emphasis on Lebanon and Levant dynamics.

Reviews

3.4 out of 5 stars from 2.7k ratings
  • Informative, knowledgeable, interesting & revealing focus on Middle East, Lebanon, Palestine & the broader world. The three brothers offer different perspectives & interrogate a broad range of interviewees from Arabic & Western perspectives.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Dr Dave
    a month ago
  • Insightful

    I will be honest and say I listen to pods while doing chores around the house, so, I go in and out of full attention, but I am so thankful for a podcast with diverse perspectives that need to be heard. The only criticism I have is that the volume on this podcast is very low compared to most pods I listen to, which makes it even harder to pay attention. Friends, please turn yourselves up, we need to hear your voices!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    StardustBabe
    United States2 months ago
  • Thoughtful and intelligent analysis

    Insightful and knowledgeable guests giving perspectives and expertise helping to combat the imperial talking points of the ubiquitous euro / western media. Always with excellent questions and analysis by the three Makdisi brothers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EsirecTree
    France4 months ago
  • Indispensable podcast

    The brothers are incredibly precise, pedagogical & serves sharp analysis of all things politics in the Middle East/Levant area. A truly powerful voice and critique that offers context, clarity and radical thought in an ever increasingly dire moment. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Johanna Malm
    Sweden4 months ago
  • A great podcast

    Consistently thoughtful, covers complex issues with depth and insight. Great guests but the brothers alone in conversation is worthwhile too. A must listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Raccoon unicorn clownfish
    Australia4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

High-caliber guests and rigorous, nuanced political analysis.
Conversations are deeply informed with top guests and strong host dynamics.
Essential, thoughtful analysis of Middle East politics with accessible dialogue.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#44
Argentina/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#108
Chile/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#116
United Arab Emirates/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#161
Argentina/News
Apple Podcasts
#164
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#195
Israel/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Makdisi Street Reviews w/ Akbar Shahid Ahmed
Q: Was there real dissent inside the administration, and to what extent was Biden aware of it?
Ahmed says dissent continued through resignations, internal reports, and recommendations based on evidence, but senior officials often did not act on it. He describes dissent as difficult to pursue and says officials' concerns about legal violations and weapons transfers were repeatedly sidelined.
Makdisi Street Reviews w/ Akbar Shahid Ahmed
Q: What is the argument of the book in a nutshell, and what is distinctly Biden's foreign policy that allowed a genocide to unfold?
Ahmed says the administration failed to follow the letter and spirit of international and American law, driven by hubris, dehumanization of Palestinian and Lebanese life, and a dysfunctional policy process. He argues officials had choices and leverage over Israel but repeatedly failed to use them.
"The bottom is falling out in the US" w/ Ryan Grim
Q: How do Gaza and Israel feature in the domestic political landscape ahead of the midterms?
Gaza and Israel are used as a moral litmus test that can influence perceptions of a candidate's willingness to stand up to donors and pro-Israel interests; strong, clear positions on Gaza tend to correlate with broader support on other issues like cost of living and healthcare.
"The bottom is falling out in the US" w/ Ryan Grim
Q: What is your basic take on Trump's speech at the UN and its implications for the midterms?
Trump's belligerent and out of control rhetoric at the UN is fueling a backlash that could influence voters; the speech, including threats of nuclear action, frames the midterms as a referendum on his approach to foreign policy.
"The UK government was definitely complicit" w/ Chris Doyle
Q: How did Ed Miliband differentiate his approach from Keir Starmer's?
Miliband was portrayed as more forthright and willing to articulate principled positions toward Israel and Palestine, willing to publicly challenge Israeli actions and push for stronger measures in contrast to Starmer's more cautious stance.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Makdisi Street

What is Makdisi Street about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on deep-dive analysis of Middle East politics, regional power dynamics, and international policy, often through scholarly, historical, and legal lenses. It features candid discussions with academics, policymakers, and rights advocates, exploring how domestic politics interplays with U.S. and regional actions around Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and broader geopolitics. Episodes frequently scrutinize imperial narratives, energy strategy, and governance, with a focus on nuance, context, and regional voices often underrepresented in mainstream discourse. A notable strength is the trio of hosts who bring multidisciplinary perspectives, balanced by thought-provoking guests who challenge conventional wisdom. This mix makes it valua... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Makdisi Street?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Makdisi Street:

1. Drop Site Livestream
2. The Dig
3. Turbulence
4. On the Nose
5. The Chris Hedges Report

How many episodes of Makdisi Street are there?

Makdisi Street launched 3 years ago and published 117 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 Makdisi Street?

Recent guests on Makdisi Street include:

1. Akbar Shahid Ahmed
2. Ryan Grim
3. Fady Joudah
4. Chris Doyle
5. Ta-Nehisi Coates
6. Aslı Ü. Bâli
7. Abdullah Al-Arian
8. Eyal Weizman

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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