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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 CommentaryNewsPolitics

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Middle East Focus

Latest Episodes

Against the backdrop of one of the largest US military deployments to the Middle East since 2003, MEI Senior Fellow Alex Vatanka joins hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj to assess the situation inside Iran on the eve of potential war. Weeks aft... more

Hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj are joined by MEI Senior Fellow Natan Sachs to discuss Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's February 11 visit to the White House, Israel's anxieties surrounding the ongoing US-Iran talks, and the domest... more

YouTube

MEI Senior Fellow Mohammed Soliman joins hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj to discuss his new book, West Asia: A New American Grand Strategy in the Middle East. The book argues that it is time for the United States to move decisively away from... more

YouTube

Hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj are joined by MEI Distinguished Military Fellow Mick Mulroy to discuss the Trump administration's new National Defense Strategy (NDS) and its implications for the Middle East. While serving as the Deputy Assis... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Alex Vatanka
Senior fellow at MEI focusing on Iranian and Middle Eastern security affairs.
Middle East Institute
Episode: Is the Regime Doomed? Iran on the Eve of War
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
Mick Mulroy
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East and retired CIA paramilitary operations officer
Lobo Institute
Episode: America's New Defense Strategy — and What It Means for Iran
Fatima Abo Alasrar
Middle East Institute affiliate and Director of Policy and Research at the Washington Center for Yemeni Studies
Washington Center for Yemeni Studies
Episode: Bonus Episode: Can Yemen Hold Together?
Gregory Gause
Associate Fellow at MEI and author focused on the Persian Gulf
Middle East Institute
Episode: Bonus Episode: Can Yemen Hold Together?
Dr. Kenneth Pollack
Vice president for policy at MEI and former CIA analyst
Middle East Institute
Episode: Venezuela's Shadow Over MENA: Perceptions and Precedents
David Hale
Distinguished Diplomatic Fellow at the Middle East Institute and former Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs
Middle East Institute
Episode: What does Trump's new National Security Strategy mean for the Middle East?
Dr. Fadi Nicholas Nassar
Lebanon expert based in Beirut, Senior Fellow at MEI, author of 'UN Mediators in Syria'
Middle East Institute
Episode: Soft Power in Hard Times: Pope Leo XIV's Visit to Lebanon
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?

Hosts

Matthew Czekaj
Managing editor at the Middle East Institute, overseeing content focused on political and humanitarian topics concerning the region.
Alistair Taylor
Editor-in-chief at the Middle East Institute, focusing on analysis and commentary regarding Middle Eastern affairs.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 159 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 States7 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 discussions featuring knowledgeable guests, contributing to a well-rounded view of complex issues.
There's a desire for increased representation of voices from within the Middle East, suggesting room for improvement in guest diversity.
Insighful content that provides a critical understanding of Middle Eastern politics and current events.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#241
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#28
South Korea/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#56
Poland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#61
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#81
Argentina/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#141
Israel/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Bibi's Hail Mary on Iran
Q: How does the Israeli government view the talks with Iran, and how is it responding so far?
The Israeli government views the U.S.-Iran negotiations with concern, believing they could lead to a bad deal, especially since past agreements primarily focused only on the nuclear aspect.
Bibi's Hail Mary on Iran
Q: What did Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hope to achieve in his latest trip to Washington?
Netanyahu's trip primarily focused on Iran, aiming to dissuade Trump from agreeing to a potentially unfavorable deal while seeking input on nuclear issues and regional threats.
Is the Regime Doomed? Iran on the Eve of War
Q: Will an outside attack catalyze opposition groups to unite against the regime?
It's unclear, but opinions indicate that instead of rallying around the regime, people may seek help from outside forces to oppose it.
Is the Regime Doomed? Iran on the Eve of War
Q: Are we seeing any movement on the front of dissent within the regime?
There are anecdotal reports of doubts within security forces about their role in repressing protests, indicating potential for defections.
Is the Regime Doomed? Iran on the Eve of War
Q: What is driving these students to go out into the streets again?
The students are driven by a sense of desperation and the need for fundamental change after decades of a regime that refuses to listen to them.

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?

This engaging series provides insightful discussions centered on Middle East policy, culture, and current events, featuring expert voices from a renowned think tank in Washington, D.C. The episodes typically cover timely topics such as ongoing geopolitical tensions, humanitarian issues, and the intersection of arts and politics in the region, aiming to deliver a comprehensive understanding of the complexities inherent in Middle Eastern affairs. In addition to political analyses, the show often highlights cultural narratives and artistic expressions that shape the region's identity, making it a well-rounded resource for those interested in both the scholarly and cultural perspectives of the Middle East.

Notably, discussions frequently cente... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Middle East Focus:

1. The Foreign Affairs Interview
2. War on the Rocks
3. CONFLICTED
4. School of War
5. Economist Podcasts

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. Alex Vatanka
2. Natan Sachs
3. Mick Mulroy
4. Fatima Abo Alasrar
5. Gregory Gause
6. Dr. Kenneth Pollack
7. David Hale
8. Dr. Fadi Nicholas Nassar

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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