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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

AL-Monitor
Turkey
United States
Gaza
Iran
Israel
Hamas
Anti-Semitism
Syria
Islamic State
Middle East
Iraq
Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Palestinians
Elizabeth Tsurkov
Kuwait
NATO
Russia
International Rescue Committee
United Nations
U.S. Government

AL-Monitor Senior Correspondent Amberin Zaman interviews newsmakers, journalists, and thought leaders from the US and Middle East about the latest news and trends in the region. Amberin travels the region for AL-Monitor, specializing in news and analysis in Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and the Caucasus and writes the weekly Turkey Briefing newsletter. Prior to AL-Monitor, she covered Turkey, the Kurds, an... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes242Founded6 years ago
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Artwork for On the Middle East

Latest Episodes

Lebanon faces escalating violence and mounting displacement as Israeli airstrikes and Hezbollah rocket attacks intensify ahead of planned US-backed talks in Washington on April 14.

I speak with Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salame, who says Hezb... more

YouTube

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” as the old adage goes — a logic Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, put into practice by offering his military’s expertise in countering Iranian drones to the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United A... more

YouTube

Iranian-American academic Vali Nasr says rising civilian deaths and the destruction of iconic sites such as the Qajar-era Golestan Palace are turning even the most anti-regime Iranians against the US‑Israeli war, which many now see as a threat to the... more

YouTube

On Feb. 28, the first day of the war in Iran, at least 175 people — most of them children — were killed when a U.S. missile struck a girls’ school in Minab. Since then, the civilian death toll has steadily risen, turning even some of the regime’s mos... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Ghassan Salame
Lebanon's Minister of Culture
Lebanese Government
Episode: Lebanon’s Ghassan Salame: Israel talks ‘not negotiations,’ Hezbollah disarmament by force ‘illusion’
Yevgeniya Gaber
Senior fellow at the Atlantic Council specializing in Turkey and Black Sea security
Atlantic Council
Episode: Ukraine is becoming the Gulf's new shield against Iran, says Yevgeniya Gaber
Skylar Thompson
Deputy Director of Human Rights Activists in Iran
Human Rights Activists in Iran
Episode: Iranian children make up 15% of civilians killed since US, Israel launched war, rights monitor says
Nicole Grajewski
Iranian American professor at Sciences Po University, Paris
Sciences Po University
Episode: Friends with some benefits: Why Russia cannot overtly support Iran
Asso Hassan Zadeh
Prominent member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran
Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran
Episode: Partnership between Trump, Iran's Kurds still on agenda, says KDPI's Asso Hassan Zadeh
Christopher de Bellaige
Historian and author of several books on Iran
The Economist
Episode: As violent protests continue to rock Iran, survival of country's long-reigning clerical regime has never looked as vulnerable
Elizabeth Tsurkov
A leading scholar on the Levant, expert in Syrian affairs.
Episode: Why US pressure may finally force Israel into striking Syria security deal
Murad Ismael
Yazidi activist and newly elected member of the Iraqi parliament
Episode: Yazidis shunned Iraq’s corrupt practices and scored a historic win in parliamentary elections
Renad Mansour
Senior Fellow for the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House
Chatham House
Episode: What are the stakes for Iran in Iraq's parliamentary elections

Host

Amberin Zaman
Senior Correspondent at AL-Monitor and journalist specializing in Middle Eastern politics, particularly in Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and the Caucasus. She has previously written for major news organizations including The Washington Post and The Economist, focusing on complex regional dynamics.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 72 ratings
  • Shameful Vali Nasir Iran apologists

    Love the show but getting Vali Nasr’s take on Iran is one step away from the regime. He’s a well know Iranian regime apologist who unwilling to admit Iran is a state sponsor of terror. Refused to finish episode when he grossly distorted the impacts to Israel and Iran. Love the show but couldnt get much worse than Nasr on Iran.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Maddie445
    United States10 months ago
  • Israeli Hammas war

    Excellent episode just showing the depth of feeling and distance between Arab and Israeli views on the crisis.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Crimebrook
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Wonderful and articulate, this podcast brings various characters that provide intellectual insight behind the news. Highly recommend.

    Audible
    5
    Yousef
    United States3 years ago
  • Wonderful and Articulate

    Wonderful and articulate, this podcast brings various characters that provide intellectual insight behind the news. Highly recommend.

    Audible
    5
    Yousef
    United States3 years ago
  • Great coverage of Turkey’s election

    Love the in-depth coverage of Turkey’s general election - it’s important to be able to sort through the noise!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    leylaamur
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audiences value the deep dives into complex political situations, making it a trusted source for understanding regional dynamics.
The podcast is recognized for its high-quality reporting and knowledgeable guests, though some specific episodes have garnered mixed reviews for guest choices.
There is a solid engagement with diverse opinions, fostering critical discussions.
Listeners appreciate the nuanced analysis of current events in the Middle East.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#197
Israel/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#205
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ukraine is becoming the Gulf's new shield against Iran, says Yevgeniya Gaber
Q: Because he was in Qatar, he was in Saudi Arabia, he was in the UAE, but he also traveled to Syria and before that was in Turkey. Was that also about drone technology?
Yes, it was about defense cooperation and long-term strategic partnerships, including drones and broader regional diplomacy.
Ukraine is becoming the Gulf's new shield against Iran, says Yevgeniya Gaber
Q: So President Zelenskyy, of course, was also in Syria. And I assume it was for the same reason. Could you tell us a bit more about his trip to Damascus?
The guest describes the defense cooperation and growing regional security ties, illustrating how Ukraine is leveraging its wartime experience to build influence with Syria, Turkey, and other Gulf states.
Ukraine is becoming the Gulf's new shield against Iran, says Yevgeniya Gaber
Q: Can you tell us a little bit more about all of this?
The guest explains Ukraine's transition from a recipient of support to a security provider, highlighting its combat-tested anti-drone capabilities, diplomatic outreach to Gulf states, and the potential for long-term security arrangements and regional collaboration.
Friends with some benefits: Why Russia cannot overtly support Iran
Q: How does Russia's relationship with Iran compare to its ties with Syria and Turkey?
Russia distinguishes its approach across Iran and Syria, supporting the Assad regime in Syria while cultivating a more complex, sometimes cooperative, but never fully aligned relationship with Iran; Turkey is increasingly influential and may pressure Russia to recalibrate its Middle East strategy.
Friends with some benefits: Why Russia cannot overtly support Iran
Q: Can you summarize Russia's precise role today in the war in Iran?
Russia is restrained and opportunistic, providing limited support and hedging its bets due to its own war in Ukraine, with occasional covert or incremental backing that may include limited technology transfers and intelligence support.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About On the Middle East

What is On the Middle East about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content focuses on intricate geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East, featuring in-depth discussions about current events in key countries such as Iran, Turkey, Iraq, and Syria. It regularly highlights issues surrounding Kurdish rights, regional conflicts, and the interplay of international powers in the area, offering insightful commentary from historians, activists, and experts in the field. Unique to the series is its commitment to integrating nuanced narratives and perspectives from diverse stakeholders, making it a go-to source for listeners interested in a deeper understanding of Middle Eastern affairs.

Potential audiences could include policymakers, scholars, and anyone keen on staying informed about the ongoing transformations ... more

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1. The AL-Monitor Brief
2. Middle East Focus
3. Hold Your Fire!
4. The Foreign Affairs Interview
5. ChinaPower

How many episodes of On the Middle East are there?

On the Middle East launched 6 years ago and published 242 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 On the Middle East?

Recent guests on On the Middle East include:

1. Ghassan Salame
2. Yevgeniya Gaber
3. Skylar Thompson
4. Nicole Grajewski
5. Asso Hassan Zadeh
6. Christopher de Bellaige
7. Elizabeth Tsurkov
8. Murad Ismael

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