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The AL-Monitor Brief

AL-Monitor
Israel
Iran
Syria
Turkey
United States
Hamas
Middle East
Hezbollah
Gaza
Saudi Arabia
Donald Trump
Lebanon
Trump Administration
Iraq
Gaza War
ISIS
Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Qatar
Bashar Al-Assad
Palestinian Authority

AL-Monitor’s twice-weekly podcast on the top stories from the Middle East, featuring our expert correspondents and editors around the region and in Washington.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes214Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsDaily NewsPolitics

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Latest Episodes

Host Adam Lucente speaks to Rosaleen Carroll, co-author of Al-Monitor’s China-Middle East newsletter, to discuss Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to China amid signs of progress in the US-Iran talks. Listen as they cover China’s role i... more

Host Adam Lucente speaks to Al-Monitor contributor Barin Kayaoglu and Royal United Services Institute fellow Tamer Badawi about Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi’s prospects and challenges in forming a government. They discuss why the Trump... more

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Host Adam Lucente speaks to Al-Monitor’s business correspondents, Jack Dutton and Samuel Wendel, about the energy and political disagreements that compelled the United Arab Emirates to leave OPEC, and why the Gulf state's exit is a major blow to the ... more

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Al-Monitor's diplomatic correspondent, Elizabeth Hagedorn, joins host Adam Lucente to discuss the state of diplomacy between Israel and Lebanon as well as Iran and the United States. They discuss why the Trump administration is pushing for an Israel-... more

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Recent Guests

Tamer Badawi
Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute and Iraq expert
Royal United Services Institute
Episode: What to expect from Iraq's new PM nominee, Ali al-Zaidi
Jack Dutton
AL-Monitor's senior business correspondent
AL-Monitor
Episode: What UAE exit from OPEC means for oil cartel’s future
Samuel Wendel
AL-Monitor's senior market research analyst
AL-Monitor
Episode: What UAE exit from OPEC means for oil cartel’s future
Sabena Siddiqui
AL-Monitor contributor
AL-Monitor
Episode: What to make of Pakistan’s increased defense ties with Saudi Arabia
Beatrice Farhat
AL-Monitor correspondent in Beirut
AL-Monitor
Episode: Israel and Lebanon to hold talks after US-Iran ceasefire: What’s next?
Reena Basist
AL-Monitor Israel correspondent
AL-Monitor
Episode: Israel and Lebanon to hold talks after US-Iran ceasefire: What’s next?
Jared Zuba
AL-Monitor Pentagon correspondent
AL-Monitor
Episode: Israel and Lebanon to hold talks after US-Iran ceasefire: What’s next?
Nawaf Salam
Lebanese Prime Minister
Lebanon Government
Episode: Israel and Lebanon to hold talks after US-Iran ceasefire: What’s next?
Jared Szuba
Pentagon correspondent for AL-Monitor
AL-Monitor
Episode: What are Trump’s ground operations options in Iran as warships amass?

Host

Adam Lucente
Host of The AL-Monitor Brief

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#70
Netherlands/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#104
United Arab Emirates/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#147
Switzerland/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#186
Argentina/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#231
Denmark/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#232
Finland/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#238
Israel/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#244
Norway/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Israel-Hezbollah clashes test US-backed Lebanon ceasefire
Q: So jumping into these Israel-Lebanon talks, the latest of which happened on Thursday, what do you think are the possible outcomes there? Is a broader normalization type deal on the table, or is this more a matter of achieving something like a longer ceasefire type agreement?
Elizabeth explains that the current three-week ceasefire extension suggests de-escalation rather than a full peace, with outcomes likely leaning toward steps toward normalization and more formal coordination, but not an immediate permanent settlement. The talks could yield a de-escalated border arrangement, delineation of land borders, resource-sharing agreements, and travel for religious pilgrims, while stopping short of a comprehensive peace deal.
What to expect from Iraq's new PM nominee, Ali al-Zaidi
Q: How does Turkey view the designation of Ali El-Zaidi as the Prime Minister?
Turkey views Zaidi as acceptable because mutual interests with Iraq and pragmatic economic considerations outweigh personal politics; Ankara sees him as a credible facilitator who can advance trade and regional stability, even though he is not a long-standing Iraqi political figure.
What to expect from Iraq's new PM nominee, Ali al-Zaidi
Q: Taking a step back, why was Zaidi chosen in your view?
Zaidi emerged as a compromised candidate because the coordination framework was deeply divided and under pressure from Washington to present someone acceptable, and his business background made him a practical, non-traditional option who could broker between factions.
What to make of Pakistan’s increased defense ties with Saudi Arabia
Q: How do you see the potential for a NATO-style defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, and could that be realistic?
While the host frames the idea as a possible evolution, the guest emphasizes that Saudi Arabia is primarily an economic partner and does not fit a traditional mutual defense model like NATO; the scenario is considered speculative and contingent on multiple regional factors.
Trump seeks deals in Gulf as Gaza, Iran talks persist: view from Saudi Arabia
Q: How might this trip influence the Gaza ceasefire and hostage talks?
Gulf leaders are expected to press Trump to leverage his influence with Israel to push for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of remaining hostages, signaling a potential diplomatic push rather than a purely economic one.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The AL-Monitor Brief

What is The AL-Monitor Brief about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show consistently centers on the politics and security dynamics of the Middle East, with episodes examining regional conflicts, diplomacy, energy markets, and international diplomacy involving major powers. A typical discussion features on-the-ground reporting from correspondents and expert analysis from think-tank researchers and policy specialists, offering layered perspectives on Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, the Gulf states, and U.S. involvement. A standout trait is the blend of frontline reportage with strategic context, enabling listeners to grasp both immediate developments and longer-term geopolitical trajectories. The format often includes host-led conversations with high-profile guests who specialize in regional security, dip... more

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5. The President’s Inbox

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The AL-Monitor Brief launched 2 years ago and published 214 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 The AL-Monitor Brief?

Recent guests on The AL-Monitor Brief include:

1. Tamer Badawi
2. Jack Dutton
3. Samuel Wendel
4. Sabena Siddiqui
5. Beatrice Farhat
6. Reena Basist
7. Jared Zuba
8. Nawaf Salam

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