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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
NATO
Russia
International Rescue Committee
United Nations
U.S. Government
CHP

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 monthlyEpisodes239Founded6 years ago
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Artwork for On the Middle East

Latest Episodes

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

Russia has close military and diplomatic ties with Iran but it also has cordial relations with Iran's foes, notably Israel. At the same time, it is bogged down by its own war with Ukraine. So how much actual assistance can it provide to Iran as it se... more

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President Donald Trump says he has ruled out plans to ally with armed Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, after previously suggesting he would like them to help overthrow the Iranian regime. However, Asso Hassan Zadeh, a prominent figure in the Kurdis... more

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Iranian political scientist Hamidreza Azizi explains that a nuclear deal with the United States would be widely opposed by Iranians. He says trust in the regime has been irreparably damaged following the mass killings of protesters.

See Privacy Poli... more

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Recent Guests

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
Kholood Khair
Founder of Confluence Advisory, a think tank based in Khartoum
Confluence Advisory
Episode: Thousands slaughtered in el-Fasher as Sudan’s conflict deepens, driven by regional rivalries
Vittorio Maresca di Serracapriola
Lead sanctions analyst at Karam Shaar Advisory
Karam Shaar Advisory
Episode: Why a full repeal of US sanctions is essential for Syria's suffering to end
Weam Fadul
Sudanese feminist researcher
Episode: Rising fears of ethnic cleansing, sexual violence as Sudan's RSF closes in on El Fasher
Eric Hacopian
Independent journalist and commentator on Armenia and Azerbaijan issues
CivilNet
Episode: How Trump saved Armenia from war with Azerbaijan & Russian hegemony

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

4.3 out of 5 stars from 69 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 States9 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
#193
France/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Partnership between Trump, Iran's Kurds still on agenda, says KDPI's Asso Hassan Zadeh
Q: What could be the path forward for a coalition of Iranian Kurdish parties given internal unity and external pressures?
The guest emphasizes unity within the Six-Party Coalition and cautions that any actions must balance political goals with practical limits, including risks from the regime and external actors.
Partnership between Trump, Iran's Kurds still on agenda, says KDPI's Asso Hassan Zadeh
Q: Is there still room for US or other support for the Iranian Kurdish groups?
Yes, the guest suggests there could be continued or reimagined support, but it would require careful consideration of strategic aims, regional stability, and civilian protections.
Most Iranians would reject US deal, fearing it enables regime survival, says Hamidreza Azizi
Q: What internal and external pressures could push Tehran toward or away from making concessions?
Internal pressures include public protests and legitimacy concerns, while external pressures involve U.S. demands, Israeli actions, and the balance of power in the region, all of which can push Iran to seek at least symbolic concessions to avoid a wider war.
Most Iranians would reject US deal, fearing it enables regime survival, says Hamidreza Azizi
Q: Do you think a framework agreement is realistically possible given the current deadlock on points like enrichment and regional activities?
A framework is possible as a first step, but it would be limited with few details, allowing both sides to claim progress while leaving major issues for later negotiation.
As violent protests continue to rock Iran, survival of country's long-reigning clerical regime has never looked as vulnerable
Q: What does this all mean for Turkey going forward?
De Bellaige reframes this question to Zaman, indicating that she has more expertise on this matter.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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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Which podcasts are similar to On the Middle East?

These podcasts share a similar audience with On the Middle East:

1. The AL-Monitor Brief
2. Middle East Focus
3. Hold Your Fire!
4. The Intelligence from The Economist
5. The Rachman Review

How many episodes of On the Middle East are there?

On the Middle East launched 6 years ago and published 239 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. Asso Hassan Zadeh
2. Christopher de Bellaige
3. Elizabeth Tsurkov
4. Murad Ismael
5. Renad Mansour
6. Kholood Khair
7. Vittorio Maresca di Serracapriola
8. Weam Fadul

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