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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
Islamophobia
Antisemitism
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
News CommentaryPoliticsNews

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Artwork for Middle East Focus

Latest Episodes

In this episode of Middle East Focus, hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj sit down with MEI Visiting Scholar F. Gregory Gause, III, to analyze the policy implications of Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud's (MBS) first visit ... more

YouTube

In this episode of Middle East Focus, hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj are joined by MEI Senior Fellow Charles Lister to unpack the historic November 10 meeting between US President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in the Ova... more

YouTube

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

YouTube

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

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Recent Guests

Gregory Gause
A long-time watcher of Saudi Arabia and Professor Emeritus of International Affairs at Texas A&M University
Middle East Institute
Episode: MBS's Visit and the Future of US-Saudi Relations
Intissar Fakir
Senior Fellow at MEI focusing on political, social, and economic trends in North Africa and the Sahel
Middle East Institute
Episode: Can Morocco Placate Its Frustrated Youth?
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

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 158 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 States4 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
#170
Russia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#183
Indonesia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#197
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#221
South Korea/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#242
Argentina/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

From War to Reconstruction: Syria's Next Chapter
Q: What came out of their Oval Office meeting on Monday?
The Syrian delegation aimed for the repeal of the Caesar Act, which remains a significant hurdle for Syria's recovery.
From War to Reconstruction: Syria's Next Chapter
Q: What is the situation like on the ground? What is the mood like among ordinary Syrians?
The mood has become more accepting of the transitional government, but there's still a gap in understanding between government claims of success and citizen experiences.
From War to Reconstruction: Syria's Next Chapter
Q: What were some of your key takeaways from that trip?
I saw how enlightening it was for many who had preconceived notions about Syria; they found the country's rich cultural and religious diversity surprising.
Can Morocco Placate Its Frustrated Youth?
Q: How has the government responded?
The government initially cracked down with arrests but later called for dialogue and promised to spend more on healthcare and education.
Can Morocco Placate Its Frustrated Youth?
Q: What have the protestors been calling for? How have they been organizing themselves?
Protesters are calling for better public services, particularly in healthcare and education, and they are using social media to organize.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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. Foreign Policy Live
2. Hold Your Fire!
3. The Foreign Affairs Interview
4. The President’s Inbox
5. The Rachman Review

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. Gregory Gause
2. Intissar Fakir
3. Brian Katulis
4. Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
5. Jason Campbell
6. Dr. Natan Sachs
7. Alan Eyre
8. Karim Elgendy

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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