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Middle East Focus

Middle East Institute
Iran
United States
Israel
Middle East
Hamas
Middle East Institute
Syria
Turkey
Gaza
Saudi Arabia
Lebanon
Egypt
Trump Administration
Iraq
ISIS
Hezbollah
Democracy
Donald Trump
Gaza War
Qatar

Weekly discussion of Middle East policy, arts, and culture, featuring experts from the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes300Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryPoliticsNews

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Artwork for Middle East Focus

Latest Episodes

Two and a half months into the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, what lessons can markets draw from the resulting global energy shock? Colby Connelly, MEI Senior Fellow, joins hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj to assess the crisis's impact on ... more

How is competition for influence in the Horn of Africa among Middle Eastern powers — especially the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Israel — reshaping the political landscape? Hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj are joined by MEI Senior Fellows M... more

YouTube

Despite efforts to extend the cease-fire in Lebanon and disarm Iranian proxy Hizballah, fighting continues between the militant group and Israeli forces. Hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj are joined by MEI Senior Fellow Fadi Nicholas Nassar to... more

YouTube

As international attention remains fixed on the fallout from the Iran war, conditions in the West Bank continue to deteriorate. Hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj speak with MEI Senior Fellow Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen about the sharp rise in sett... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Fadi Nicholas Nassar
Senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, author and policy analyst
Middle East Institute
Episode: How to Wrest Lebanon From Iran's Grip
Dan Benaim
Distinguished diplomatic fellow at MEI; former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Arabian Peninsula Affairs
Middle East Institute
Episode: Bonus Episode: Stalled Talks and Next Steps for the US and Iran
Arash Azizi
Postdoctoral associate and lecturer at Yale University, The Atlantic contributor
Yale University; The Atlantic
Episode: How the War May Reshape Iran's Political Future
Robert S. Ford
Ambassador, distinguished diplomatic fellow at MEI
Middle East Institute (MEI)
Episode: Iraq in Between Iran and the United States
Stephen Flanagan
Adjunct professor of security studies at Georgetown University; former senior US government official
Georgetown University / US government
Episode: Special Episode: Europe and the Iran War
Iulia Joja
Senior fellow at MEI; teaches European affairs and security
Middle East Institute
Episode: Special Episode: Europe and the Iran War
Jaser AbuMousa
MEI's newest senior fellow; Palestinian program manager and political analyst
Middle East Institute
Episode: As Iran Weakens, Can Hamas Survive?
Natan Sachs
Senior fellow at the Middle East Institute focusing on Israeli foreign policy and domestic politics, US foreign policy and Middle East affairs.
Middle East Institute
Episode: Bibi's Hail Mary on Iran
Mohammed Soliman
A senior fellow with the Middle East Institute, focusing on technology, geopolitics, and business.
Middle East Institute
Episode: From the Middle East to West Asia: Redefining America's Global Strategy

Hosts

Alistair Taylor
Editor-in-chief at Middle East Institute, providing insights on regional political dynamics.
Matthew Czekaj
Managing Editor at Middle East Institute, focusing on political analysis and U.S. foreign policy discussions.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 162 ratings
  • Biased, even to listener critical of Israel

    I’m very critical of Israeli actions in Gaza. Unfortunately, Ms Mabrouk doesn’t contribute to our understanding or help us identify how we get to a Palestinian state. She was extremely biased, and MEI would better contribute to dialog by using a speaker who is able to describe a horrible situation but also suggest, in an unbiased way, pathways to stop Israeli bombing and achieve a Palestinian state. She lost a grand opportunity.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Ginsburl
    United States10 months ago
  • Some excellent, some disappointing...

    This podcast has some very insightful and informative episodes. However, there are way too many episodes that have nothing to do with the Middle East. A recent episode on Democracy and the US elections was highly unbalanced. While I didn't disagree with some of the dangers highlighted by the interviewees, there was no alternative view. Guests' assertions were treated as facts.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    {amir59}
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great pod with some great content but sadly not getting anything more than a 4 because of its tendency to be cluttered with handwringing Lefty idiocy.

    Podcast Addict
    4
    moquetUSA
    a year ago
  • Perfect

    Podcast Addict
    5
    DaniDani
    4 years ago
  • Perfect

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Dani
    4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the informative and high-quality analysis of Middle Eastern affairs, often highlighting the expert insights shared by scholars from the region.
Many note the importance of featuring diverse voices and encourage broader representation in discussions to enhance understanding.
Some critiques point towards perceived biases in certain episodes, indicating a desire for more balanced dialogues.
Overall, the podcast is praised for its contribution to informed discussions on pressing geopolitical issues.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#95
Sweden/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#165
Singapore/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#177
Indonesia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#187
China/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#211
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#212
South Korea/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Middle Eastern Rivalry in the Horn of Africa
Q: What motivates external actors to engage so deeply in the Horn, and what are the risks for local populations?
Actors are drawn by strategic access to trade routes, energy, security interests, and regional influence; however, engagement often reinforces autocratic regimes, narrows democratic space, and risks widening existing conflicts if not managed carefully.
Middle Eastern Rivalry in the Horn of Africa
Q: What is the essence of Turkey's model in Africa, particularly in Somalia, and can it be replicated elsewhere?
Turkey's approach combines humanitarian engagement, institution-building, and close defense cooperation, which has yielded local traction in Somalia but has not uniformly succeeded in all markets like Kenya, where local conditions and civil society strength shape the outcome.
Middle Eastern Rivalry in the Horn of Africa
Q: How did Israel's recognition of Somaliland alter the balance of power in the Horn of Africa?
It created a new layer of regional alignment around Somaliland, prompting concerns from major regional and international bodies and influencing other actors to reassess relations and coalitions in the area.
Violence, Settlements, and Creeping Annexation in the West Bank
Q: How is the US role evolving in relation to the West Bank and broader Israeli-Palestinian dynamics, and can Washington be constructive?
The US has potential to be constructive but is hampered by a shifting focus and a lack of a clear end-state policy, leading to ambiguity. There is debate over whether the US can effectively deter de facto annexation and settlement expansion without a reaffirmed, coherent negotiating framework.
Violence, Settlements, and Creeping Annexation in the West Bank
Q: What is the current trajectory of violence and what does the data tell us about trends in the West Bank?
Violence and terror incidents by settler groups have increased, with more communities facing harassment and damage, and officials acknowledging the scale of the problem. The data also show a growing concern about how this violence is treated within Israeli authorities and how it affects Palestinian daily life.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Middle East Focus

What is Middle East Focus about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Regular discussions provide a nuanced perspective on contemporary Middle Eastern issues encompassing political, cultural, and social dimensions. The conversation frequently highlights U.S. foreign policy decisions and their repercussions in the region, as well as intricate geopolitical relationships involving key players like Iran, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. Notable for its expert insights, the content often features seasoned analysts and scholars, making it a go-to resource for understanding evolving dynamics in the Middle East.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Middle East Focus:

1. The Foreign Affairs Interview
2. Foreign Policy Live
3. Global Security Briefing
4. Russian Roulette
5. The Inside Story Podcast

How many episodes of Middle East Focus are there?

Middle East Focus launched 9 years ago and published 300 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 Middle East Focus?

Recent guests on Middle East Focus include:

1. Fadi Nicholas Nassar
2. Dan Benaim
3. Arash Azizi
4. Robert S. Ford
5. Stephen Flanagan
6. Iulia Joja
7. Jaser AbuMousa
8. Natan Sachs

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