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Middle East Focus

Middle East Institute
Iran
Israel
United States
Middle East
Hamas
Middle East Institute
Syria
Turkey
Gaza
Saudi Arabia
Lebanon
Trump Administration
Egypt
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
NewsNews CommentaryPolitics

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Artwork for Middle East Focus

Latest Episodes

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

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Nearly two months into the Iran war, US President Donald Trump has announced an indefinite extension of the cease-fire between Washington and Tehran, even as control of the Strait of Hormuz remains contested. Hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj ... more

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This bonus episode of Middle East Focus features a recent MEI Virtual Briefing. Director of Communications Zeina Al-Shaib is joined by MEI Distinguished Diplomatic Fellows Alan Eyre and Daniel Benaim to discuss the historic talks held in Pakistan las... more

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As the international community focuses on the regional and economic reverberations of the US-Israel-Iran war, the wartime experiences of ordinary Iranians and their aspirations for the future have received much less attention. Arash Azizi, a postdoct... more

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Recent Guests

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?
Fadi Nicholas Nassar
Senior fellow at MEI focusing on international humanitarian and relief interventions in fragile and conflict sittings, democratization, US foreign policy, and Middle Eastern politics
Middle East Institute
Episode: Lebanon on the Brink: Hizballah, Iran, and the War's Spillover
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

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 161 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 States9 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
#216
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#230
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#69
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#126
India/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#131
Taiwan/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#146
China/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How the War May Reshape Iran's Political Future
Q: What would a broader agreement between Iran and the US mean for Iran's opposition and democratic forces?
The guest suggests that a US-Iran rapprochement could reduce the regime's isolation and create room for civic space and political organizing, but true progress would require a concrete democratic platform and substantive rights protections, not merely economic openness.
Bonus Episode: Stalled Talks and Next Steps for the US and Iran
Q: Could you talk to us about the key elements of Iran's 10-point plan and the points of contention with the US?
Dan explains that Iran seeks security guarantees, restrictions on its nuclear program with some enrichment flexibility, and a revenue path, while the US pushes for a broader settlement on the Strait of Hormuz, missiles, and proxies, but must balance these with political realities and regional concerns.
Bonus Episode: Stalled Talks and Next Steps for the US and Iran
Q: A question for both of you from Laura Rosen before we go into the 10-point plan. Do you see signs in the last Islamabad meeting that the US team brought more experts to the talks, or that more experts are being consulted?
Alan suggests that the Iranian team brought their best people with clear decision-making authority and that the US side may be lacking in depth of expertise at the table; he notes concerns that the US has diminished its policy expertise and could benefit from broader consultation.
Iraq in Between Iran and the United States
Q: What does this mean for forming a new government in Baghdad and Baghdad's political balancing act between Iran, the US, and internal factions?
Ford emphasizes that cabinet formation often drags on, and the militias complicate consensus, as some Iraqi leaders favor balancing Iran with a modest US presence while others push toward greater Iranian influence, making a clear path to a stable government unclear in the near term.
Iraq in Between Iran and the United States
Q: So Robert, first question to you. Rightly or wrongly, Iraq has long had this reputation as a proxy battleground between the US and Iran, but this conflict has brought about a dramatic escalation of that dynamic.
Robert Ford explains that while Iraq has historically been a proxy theater, the current conflict intensifies the direct competition between US and Iran, with Iraqi decisions constrained by the influence of Iranian-backed militias and the need to maintain neutrality to avoid becoming a battlefield in a wider confrontation.

Audience Metrics

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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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Which podcasts are similar to Middle East Focus?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Middle East Focus:

1. Hold Your Fire!
2. Foreign Policy Live
3. The Foreign Affairs Interview
4. Iran: The Latest
5. The President’s Inbox

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

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