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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
PoliticsNews CommentaryNews

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Artwork for Middle East Focus

Latest Episodes

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

Two years after Hamas’ October 7 attack and Israel’s punishing response, both sides say they accept in principle President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to halt the war and chart a path toward enduring peace. MEI Senior Fellow Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen ... more

YouTube

In this episode of Middle East Focus, hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj are joined by MEI Senior Fellow Mirette F. Mabrouk to unpack the growing tensions over the recently inaugurated Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile. With no... more

YouTube

Israel’s September 9 strike on Hamas leaders in Doha rattled Gulf capitals and revived a decades-old debate over whether the region needs a NATO-style defensive alliance. MEI Senior Fellow Jason Campbell joins hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Paul Salem
Senior Fellow at MEI, author of several books on Middle Eastern politics
Middle East Institute
Episode: The Gaza Cease-Fire and a Region Reshaped by War
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
Mirette Mabrouk
Senior fellow focusing on economic development and security in Egypt and the region
Middle East Institute
Episode: Egypt and Gaza: Conflict, Crisis, and the Path to a Ceasefire
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

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 States10 months 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
    10 months 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
#83
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#127
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#59
Argentina/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#72
Russia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#119
Austria/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#136
Argentina/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
After Two Years of War in Gaza, Can Trump’s Plan Deliver Peace?
Q: How has the US plan been received on both sides?
Both the Israeli government and Hamas have given qualified acceptance, leading to ongoing negotiations to clarify specific details.
Water and Power: Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia at Odds Over Africa’s Largest Dam
Q: What might unlock this intractable dispute between Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt?
Creating a compelling incentive for Ethiopia, such as access to a Red Sea port, could encourage them to participate in negotiations and reach a workable agreement on water sharing.

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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These podcasts share a similar audience with Middle East Focus:

1. Foreign Policy Live
2. Global Security Briefing
3. The Foreign Affairs Interview
4. Hold Your Fire!
5. Pekingology

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. Paul Salem
2. Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
3. Jason Campbell
4. Dr. Natan Sachs
5. Alan Eyre
6. Karim Elgendy
7. Fadi Nicolas Nassar
8. Mirette Mabrouk

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