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Middle East Focus

Middle East Institute
Iran
United States
Israel
Turkey
Middle East
Iranian Revolution
Hezbollah
Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Egypt
Democracy
Gaza
Syria
Ayatollah Khomeini
Pakistan
Lebanon
Sudan Civil War
Hamas
Antisemitism
Islamophobia
Israel-Hamas War

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes300Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for Middle East Focus

Latest Episodes

In this episode of Middle East Focus, hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj are joined by MEI Senior Fellow Gönül Tol to discuss democratic backsliding in Turkey under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The conversation explores how Erdoğan's crackdo... more

In this episode of Middle East Focus, hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj are joined by MEI Senior Fellow Intissar Fakir to discuss Morocco's recent "GenZ 212" protest movement, which gripped multiple cities around the country for weeks. What pr... more

YouTube

In this episode of Middle East Focus, hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj speak with MEI Senior Fellow Brian Katulis about US policy in the Middle East under Donald Trump's second administration. Nine months into Trump 2.0, how much has really c... more

YouTube

Two years after Hamas' October 7, 2023, attacks and Israel's devastating war in Gaza, the two sides have agreed to a new cease-fire. But can it last, and what kind of Middle East has emerged from the turmoil in the interim? In this episode of Middle ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Brian Katulis
Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute
Middle East Institute
Episode: Trump 2.0 and the Middle East: Taking Stock of the First Nine Months
Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
Senior fellow with the Middle East Institute, expert in Middle East policy
Middle East Institute
Episode: After Two Years of War in Gaza, Can Trump's Plan Deliver Peace?
Jason Campbell
MEI Senior Fellow focusing on international security, geopolitics and regional foreign policy.
Middle East Institute
Episode: A Middle East NATO? Regional Security Options After Doha
Dr. Natan Sachs
Senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, previously director of the Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings
Middle East Institute
Episode: Crossing Red Lines: Israel's Doha Strike and What Comes Next
Alan Eyre
Distinguished diplomatic fellow at the Middle East Institute and former senior U.S. diplomat specializing in Iran
Middle East Institute
Episode: Under Pressure: Will Snapback Sanctions Bring Iran Back to the Table?
Karim Elgendy
Climate, energy, and sustainability expert with over two decades of international experience
Carbon Institute
Episode: The Middle East's Water and Climate Crisis: Lessons from Iran, Iraq, and the Gulf
Fadi Nicolas Nassar
Senior Fellow and Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Affairs
Lebanese American University
Episode: Lebanon and the UNIFIL Mandate: Disarming Hizballah and Reclaiming Sovereignty
Gönül Tol
Senior fellow at MEI focusing on Turkish politics, US-Turkey relations, and political Islam.
Middle East Institute
Episode: The Regional and Domestic Elements of Erdoğan's Grand Strategy
Karen Young
Senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and leads the Economics and Energy Initiative.
Middle East Institute
Episode: The Gulf's Geo-Economic Balancing Act

Hosts

Alistair Taylor
Editor-in-chief at the Middle East Institute, providing keen insights into Middle Eastern policy and affairs.
Matthew Czekaj
Managing Editor at the Middle East Institute, focusing on regional analysis and policy discussions.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 157 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 States3 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
    3 years ago
  • Perfect

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Dani
    3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

High-quality reporting and expert analysis that contribute to a better understanding of complex geopolitical dynamics.
Engaging discussions featuring experts, providing informative insights on pressing Middle Eastern issues.
Some critiques on the perceived bias of certain episodes, calling for more balanced perspectives in discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#178
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#201
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#19
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#89
Austria/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#101
Saudi Arabia/News
Apple Podcasts
#170
Finland/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Trump 2.0 and the Middle East: Taking Stock of the First Nine Months
Q: What is your assessment of the ceasefire now and even more importantly, the prospects of it moving forward beyond the first phase?
The ceasefire is a huge accomplishment, but its future depends on the willingness of both Israel and Hamas to cooperate moving forward amid their internal divisions.
Trump 2.0 and the Middle East: Taking Stock of the First Nine Months
Q: What are your big picture takeaways on the Trump administration's foreign policy nine months in?
Trump's second term differs significantly from his first, exhibiting a focus on domestic issues but also aggressive foreign policies, especially relating to the Middle East.
The Gaza Cease-Fire and a Region Reshaped by War
Q: Is Israel's national security theory preventing strong states from arising on its borders?
Yes, Israel prefers strong but stable states like Egypt and Jordan rather than any state that poses a threat, as seen in Lebanon and Syria.
The Gaza Cease-Fire and a Region Reshaped by War
Q: What are the next steps in the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan?
There are key tasks such as the disarmament of Hamas, the selection of a Palestinian technocratic team for governance, and the organization of an international stabilization force.
After Two Years of War in Gaza, Can Trump's Plan Deliver Peace?
Q: What are the main sticking points in the indirect talks in Egypt?
Key sticking points include the disarmament of Hamas and the logistical complexities surrounding hostage releases and Israel's withdrawal.

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?

Regularly featuring discussions on critical issues related to Middle East politics, policy, and culture, this podcast provides insights from experts associated with a prominent Middle East think tank. Episodes cover a wide range of relevant topics, including conflicts, regional geopolitics, economic policies, and humanitarian challenges, often drawing from the latest developments in the region. Noteworthy is the focus on contemporary events and implications for both local and international audiences, creating an informative space for understanding ongoing phenomena in the Middle East.

The unique element of this podcast is its integration of expert opinions and analyses, which adds depth to discussions around politically charged and cultura... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Middle East Focus?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Middle East Focus:

1. The Foreign Affairs Interview
2. Foreign Policy Live
3. Hold Your Fire!
4. Global Security Briefing
5. The President’s Inbox

How many episodes of Middle East Focus are there?

Middle East Focus launched 8 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. Brian Katulis
2. Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
3. Jason Campbell
4. Dr. Natan Sachs
5. Alan Eyre
6. Karim Elgendy
7. Fadi Nicolas Nassar
8. Gönül Tol

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