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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

This bonus episode of Middle East Focus features a conversation from MEI's Virtual Briefing Series. Director of Communications Zeina Al-Shaib is joined by Distinguished Diplomatic Fellow Alan Eyre and Senior Fellow Alex Vatanka to discuss the ongoing... more

YouTube

In the final episode of 2025, MEI Senior Fellow Paul Salem joins hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj to unpack the major developments that shaped the Middle East over the past year and to look ahead to 2026. Salem reviews the key events that red... more

YouTube

In this episode, MEI Distinguished Diplomatic Fellow Ambassador David Hale joins host Alistair Taylor to unpack the Trump administration's new National Security Strategy (NSS). Released on December 4, the document outlines the administration's foreig... more

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MEI Senior Fellow Fadi Nicholas Nassar joins host Matthew Czekaj to share expert insights and personal reflections on Pope Leo XIV's trip to Lebanon from November 30 to December 2. Nassar unpacks the significance of the visit, part of the pontiff's f... more

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Recent Guests

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
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
Gönül Tol
MEI Senior Fellow focusing on Turkish politics and US-Turkey relations
Middle East Institute
Episode: Erdogan Forever?
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

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 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 States5 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
#239
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#13
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#43
Ukraine/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#46
Saudi Arabia/News
Apple Podcasts
#107
Netherlands/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#131
South Korea/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Bonus Episode: Tehran's Brewing Troubles
Q: What has the regime learned, if anything, from these previous protests?
Alex Vatanka states that while the regime has learned how to crack down on protests, they have not learned to engage with the people's demands meaningfully.
Bonus Episode: Tehran's Brewing Troubles
Q: What are Khamenei's options right now realistically?
Alan Eyre suggests that the regime may opt for suppression using their traditional methods, but there are pressures from both protestors and the external political landscape.
Bonus Episode: Tehran's Brewing Troubles
Q: How important is it that the Bazaaris have joined these protests?
Alex Vatanka mentions that Bazaaris have typically been careful regarding protests but their involvement shows that the discontent is widespread and not limited to just students or activist groups.
Bonus Episode: Tehran's Brewing Troubles
Q: What's your reading of these protests in Iran? Who's participating in them?
Alan Eyre states that the protests began over economic issues but quickly expanded, showing discontent across various social classes. He suggests that while the protests are significant, they are unlikely to lead to regime change.
What 2025 Has Wrought... and What 2026 May Bring
Q: What are the key issues to watch for in 2026?
I will be watching the follow-through on Gaza's situation, U.S-Iranian relations, the fortunes of Israel's government, and developments in Syria and Lebanon.

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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1. The Foreign Affairs Interview
2. Foreign Policy Live
3. The President’s Inbox
4. Pekingology
5. The Inside Story Podcast

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. David Hale
2. Dr. Fadi Nicholas Nassar
3. Gregory Gause
4. Gönül Tol
5. Intissar Fakir
6. Brian Katulis
7. Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
8. Jason Campbell

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