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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

AL-Monitor
Iran
Turkey
Syria
Israel
Middle East
United States
Saudi Arabia
Gaza
Hamas
Russia
Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Kurds
PKK
Ahmed Al-Sharah
Hezbollah
Masoud Pezeshkian
Donald Trump
Isis
Kurdish Rights
Abdullah Öcalan

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes251Founded6 years ago
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Daily NewsNewsPolitics

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Artwork for On the Middle East

Latest Episodes

Former Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri says Pakistan welcomes Saudi Arabia's nuclear agreement with the United States and says Pakistan is bound by its treaty obligations to defend the Kingdom should it come under attack.

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Hansen, who spent more than a decade reporting from Turkey for The New York Times Magazine, is the author of a widely acclaimed new book on the country under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. She explains how his core supporters are feeling betrayed by... more

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Selim Koru, founder of the Kulturkampf Substack, argues that Turkey’s World Cup loss is emblematic of the failure of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s civilizational project and may prove to be a milestone in the unraveling of his 24-year reign.

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President Donald Trump sought Kurdish support in efforts to topple Iran’s regime, only to drop them like hot potatoes amid pressure from Turkey, a key NATO ally. Now, after signing a peace deal with Tehran, Trump has left Iran’s Kurds more isolated t... more

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Recent Guests

Khurshid Kasuri
Former Pakistani foreign minister (2002–2007)
Former Pakistani Foreign Ministry
Episode: Pakistan will defend Saudi Arabia against Israel says former Pakistani FM Kasuri
Suzy Hansen
Award-winning journalist and author of Life Itself: Turkey and Istanbul in the Age of Erdogan
Author
Episode: Award-winning author Suzy Hansen says Turkish President Erdogan's grip on power not necessarily assured
Selim Koru
London-based analyst of Turkish affairs and founder of Kulturkampf
Kulturkampf
Episode: Turkey’s World Cup Meltdown is a Milestone in Unraveling of Erdogan’s Reign, Says Selim Koru
Wladimir van Wilgenburg
Erbil-based analyst of Kurdish affairs
Independent analyst, author on Kurdish politics
Episode: US-Iran peace deal a blow to the Kurds but their struggle will continue, says Wladimir van Wilgenburg
Tigran Grigoryan
Analyst, Regional Center for Democracy and Security
Regional Center for Democracy and Security (think tank, Yerevan)
Episode: Armenia's pro-Western prime minister won elections, but peace with Turkey & Azerbaijan remains a challenge
Gonul Tol
Director of the Middle East Institute's Turkey Programme
Middle East Institute
Episode: Turkey's outsize influence in Somalia fuels corruption and autocracy, says MEI's Gonul Tol
Aliza Marcus
Author of Blood and Belief; Kurdish movement expert
Episode: Don’t blame the PKK for all the Kurds’ losses in Syria, says Kurdish expert Aliza Marcus
Michael Ratney
Former United States ambassador to Riyadh; non-resident senior advisor at CSIS
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Episode: Saudi Arabia hates Iran’s regime but did not want war, says former US ambassador to Riyadh Michael Ratney
Ghassan Salame
Lebanon's Minister of Culture
Lebanese Government
Episode: Lebanon’s Ghassan Salame: Israel talks ‘not negotiations,’ Hezbollah disarmament by force ‘illusion’

Host

Amberin Zaman
Host of the show

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 80 ratings
  • Insightful. Informed. Balanced

    As a regular listener I enjoy an insightful perspective on Middle Eastern affairs and Amberin’s unparalleled knowledge of Turkey

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lucideview
    Netherlandsa month ago
  • Always insightful & original

    Much worth listening to podcast with Middle East expert Amberin Zaman. Never fails to be engaging and original. Nothing else like it for understanding especially the Kurdish issue.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kjgdrfcbvj
    United Statesa month ago
  • One of the best journalists covering the Middle East

    Amberin Zaman’s podcasts are always very informative and her interviews insightful with scholars, diplomats, and analysts from the Middle East

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    shahzeeshan
    United Statesa month ago
  • Pathetic Iran Apologists

    What a clown show. Zaman and the moderator are despicable. They whine over 1500 alleged deaths in Iran and are indifferent to 35,000 brutal murders by the Iranian Government . The intellectual dishonesty is beyond sick. They would much prefer the brutality of the IRGC and Mullahs that have an opportunity for freedom. This propaganda podcast was just sick.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Jim from Silicon Valley
    United States4 months ago
  • 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Balanced, nuanced coverage praised by listeners.
Some criticisms focus on perceived bias in Iran-related discussions.
High-quality guests and professional reporting are commonly noted.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#238
Italy/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Award-winning author Suzy Hansen says Turkish President Erdogan's grip on power not necessarily assured
Q: How should journalists cover Turkey today beyond secularism vs Islam?
She advises focusing on the broader social, economic, and urban-rural dynamics, the periphery and center, and the evolving identities within Turkish society to understand current politics.
Award-winning author Suzy Hansen says Turkish President Erdogan's grip on power not necessarily assured
Q: Can you imagine a situation where people actually go into the streets to change power?
Yes, it could happen if an unexpected catalyst emerges, though she emphasizes the unpredictability of such events and cites coups or large-scale protests as potential triggers.
Award-winning author Suzy Hansen says Turkish President Erdogan's grip on power not necessarily assured
Q: Do you think a transition is possible through elections given the last year's developments?
She expresses cautious optimism mingled with concern, noting that some voters still see Erdogan as delivering on certain identities and economic changes, but the long arc suggests the possibility of renewed mobilization or a shift due to economic pressures.
Award-winning author Suzy Hansen says Turkish President Erdogan's grip on power not necessarily assured
Q: What's your assessment?
Hansen suggests that while a democratic transition remained a possibility, the current reality is murkier due to shifting loyalties, economic hardship, and political developments that complicate a ballot-box change.
Pakistan will defend Saudi Arabia against Israel says former Pakistani FM Kasuri
Q: Can you explain the potential and limits of the new regional grouping of Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey for peace and stability in the region?
The guest considers the grouping a coordinating rather than military alliance, focused on Palestine and regional security, while acknowledging that external powers and internal public opinion complicate any clear path to durable peace.

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 show consistently explores Middle East politics, security, and regional power dynamics through in-depth interviews with a mix of policymakers, scholars, journalists, and think-tank analysts. Episodes often dissect regional flashpoints—Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Syria, and Kurdish politics—while tracing wider implications for governance, diplomacy, and civilian impact. A notable strength is the willingness to blend historical context with current events, drawing on guests who offer both on-the-ground reporting and strategic analysis, which yields nuanced, multi-perspective takes for listeners who want a clearer read on complex regional issues. The format appears to favor independent analysis and credible expertise, making it app... more

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1. Middle East Minute by AL-MONITOR
2. Hold Your Fire!
3. Foreign Policy Live
4. The Foreign Affairs Interview
5. Ones and Tooze

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On the Middle East launched 6 years ago and published 251 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. Khurshid Kasuri
2. Suzy Hansen
3. Selim Koru
4. Wladimir van Wilgenburg
5. Tigran Grigoryan
6. Gonul Tol
7. Aliza Marcus
8. Michael Ratney

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