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Rethinking Democracy

Middle East Institute
Democracy
Syria
Turkey
Iran
Donald Trump
Russia
Ekrem İmamoğlu
Israel
Middle East
Islamic Republic
Foreign Policy
Ukraine
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
U.S. Foreign Policy
Democratization
Arab World
Pro-Democracy Movement
Nuclear Program
Protests
Transitional Justice

This is a critical time for the future of democracy as citizens in America and across the globe are losing faith in democratic institutions. We often view the rollback of democracy and threats to the liberal international order as separate problems, but in reality they are closely interlinked. In this podcast series, MEI Senior Fellow Gonul Tol examines the interplay between democracy’s domestic a... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes11Founded5 months ago
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Government

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Artwork for Rethinking Democracy

Latest Episodes

Once hailed as a rare democracy in the Middle East, Lebanon has now slipped into the ranks of closed autocracies. Decades of corruption, sectarian rule, and foreign meddling have left the country reeling — and the past year brought assassinations, ma... more

Turkey’s main opposition, the CHP, is facing its toughest test yet: mass arrests, sham court rulings, and the ouster of key leaders—including Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Erdoğan’s chief rival. With trials looming that could replace CHP leadershi... more

Could this be the beginning of a new chapter for Iran’s foreign policy—and for its pro-democracy movement?

Gönül Tol speaks with Dr. Vali Nasr, one of the world's leading experts on the Middle East, to unpack the aftermath of the 12-Day War. Toget... more

With Bashar al-Assad ousted and Syria entering a new political chapter, what comes next for a country ravaged by war, repression, and sectarian divisions? Gonul Tol speaks with Steven Heydemann (Smith College) and Radwan Ziadeh (Arab Center Washingto... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Vali Nasr
Professor of International Affairs and Middle East Studies at Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
Episode: Iran at a Crossroads: War, Survival, and the Future of the Islamic Republic
Radwan Ziadeh
Senior Fellow at the Arab Center, Washington DC, specializing in Syrian Affairs
Arab Center, Washington DC
Episode: Syria After Assad: Transitional Justice, Governance, and the Road Ahead
Steven Heydemann
Janet Wright Ketchum Chair in Middle East Studies at Smith College
Smith College
Episode: Syria After Assad: Transitional Justice, Governance, and the Road Ahead
Ceylan Akca Kupolo
Member of parliament for the Pro-Kurdish Den Party in Turkey
Pro-Kurdish Den Party
Episode: Deal or Deception: The Kurdish Card in Erdogan’s New Game
Murat Somer
Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Özden University in Istanbul
Özden University
Episode: Deal or Deception: The Kurdish Card in Erdogan’s New Game
Dr. Fawaz Gerges
Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics, author of many books including a new book, The Great Betrayal.
London School of Economics
Episode: Why has democratization bypassed the Arab world?
William Kristol
Founding Director of Defending Democracy Together and Editor-at-Large at The Bulwark.
Defending Democracy Together
Episode: Illiberal Hegemony? Trump’s Foreign Policy and the GOP’s Identity Crisis - with Bill Kristol
Ivan Krastev
Permanent Fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna and chairman of the Center for Liberal Strategies in Sofia.
Institute for Human Sciences, Vienna
Episode: Can Ukraine’s Fight for Democracy Survive Without US Support?
Yaroslav Trofimov
Chief foreign affairs correspondent of The Wall Street Journal and author of several books including No Country for Love.
The Wall Street Journal
Episode: Can Ukraine’s Fight for Democracy Survive Without US Support?

Host

Gönül Tol
Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute focusing on international relations, democracy, and governance.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#66
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#220
Germany/Government
Apple Podcasts
#43
United Arab Emirates/Government
Apple Podcasts
#47
Poland/Government
Apple Podcasts
#66
Brazil/Government
Apple Podcasts
#79
Israel/Government
Apple Podcasts
#80
Ireland/Government
Apple Podcasts
#95
Switzerland/Government
Apple Podcasts
#122
New Zealand/Government
Apple Podcasts
#154
Sweden/Government
Apple Podcasts
#176
Norway/Government
Apple Podcasts
#197
Netherlands/Government
Apple Podcasts
#225
Belgium/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Markets, Mayors, and Crackdowns: Erdoğan’s High-Stakes Gamble
Q: Do you expect Turkey to be deeper into authoritarian stability under Erdoğan, or could pro-democracy forces gain more ground by then?
It's a 50-50 chance regarding Turkey's ability to re-democratize, as the opposition shows signs of resilience against government repression.
Markets, Mayors, and Crackdowns: Erdoğan’s High-Stakes Gamble
Q: What does all this mean for the future of Turkish democracy?
It raises concerns about a potential democratic backslide and whether the opposition can effectively fight back against governmental pressures.
Can Ukraine’s Fight for Democracy Survive Without US Support?
Q: Do you think Biden missed an opportunity with the way this conflict had been framed?
Some argue that Biden could have built broader global support for Ukraine by framing the conflict instead as a defense of territorial sovereignty, akin to George HW. Bush's coalition against Iraq.
Can Ukraine’s Fight for Democracy Survive Without US Support?
Q: How do you assess former President Biden's Ukraine policy?
Biden's rallying of the West was mixed, as his narrative primarily framed the conflict as a global battle between democracy and autocracy, which did not resonate effectively in many parts of the world.
The Protests and Political Crisis Shaping Turkey's Democratic Future
Q: How hopeful are you about Turkey's democratic future?
While it's difficult to be optimistic given global challenges, the resistance to autocratization remains vibrant.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Rethinking Democracy

What is Rethinking Democracy about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on contemporary challenges to democracy, the content critically examines the erosion of democratic institutions both within the United States and globally. Discussions encompass a range of topics including foreign policy, the condition of civil societies, authoritarianism, and the role of international actors in shaping democratic outcomes. Featuring prominent guests who are experts in international affairs, political science, and governance, the episodes explore how domestic and international threats are intertwined and propose solutions to foster a resilient democratic environment. Unique insights and critical analyses make it a particularly relevant listening experience for those engaged in politics, social activism, or democrac... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Rethinking Democracy?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Rethinking Democracy:

1. Taking the Edge Off the Middle East
2. Middle East Focus
3. On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman
4. The AI Policy Podcast
5. The Foreign Affairs Interview

How many episodes of Rethinking Democracy are there?

Rethinking Democracy launched 5 months ago and published 11 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 Rethinking Democracy?

Recent guests on Rethinking Democracy include:

1. Dr. Vali Nasr
2. Radwan Ziadeh
3. Steven Heydemann
4. Ceylan Akca Kupolo
5. Murat Somer
6. Dr. Fawaz Gerges
7. William Kristol
8. Ivan Krastev

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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