Best Middle East Podcast Forum Podcasts (2024)

1
Israel's Multi-Theater War 56:43

5h ago56:43

56:43

On this week’s episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber and IPF Atid Director Shanie Reichman discuss Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel over the weekend, the Israeli mood before and after, the timing and scope of the impending Israeli retaliation, the state of play in the Gaza war, the fate of a ceas…

1
Inside Narendra Modi’s India 42:43

1d ago42:43

42:43

Why is Narendra Modi so popular? As India begins voting this week, FP Live host Ravi Agrawal discusses his essay “The New Idea of India” with executive editor Amelia Lester. The two take subscriber questions on how India is changing under Modi and what New Delhi’s foreign policy will look like in the future. Suggested reading: Ravi Agrawal: The New…

1
The Crisis in Haiti 47:31

6d ago47:31

47:31

The largest security crisis in the Western Hemisphere—the ongoing violence in Haiti—is severely underreported. Tens of thousands of people are fleeing the capital. Aid organizations are warning of an impending famine. What should be done? FP Live host Ravi Agrawal is joined by Miami-based journalist Jacqueline Charles and Jake Johnson, the author o…

1
The Return of Great Powers 44:48

14d ago44:48

44:48

CNN’s chief national security correspondent Jim Sciutto sits down with FP Live to share insights from his new book, The Return of Great Powers. What does a growing alliance between Russia and China mean for U.S. influence abroad? How does this moment differ from past historical instances of great-power competition? And how could this all shift with…

1
Is the World Prepared for More Terrorism? 40:10

23d ago40:10

40:10

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the recent attack in Moscow that killed at least 139 people. It was the country’s deadliest terrorist attack in more than a decade. Why did the Islamic State choose Russia as a target? And what does this mean for terrorism globally? Counterterrorism analyst and regular FP contributor Colin P. Clarke shar…

1
The Brusque Breakdown of the Bibi-Biden Bromance 1:02:52

23d ago1:02:52

1:02:52

On this week’s episode, Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor Neri Zilber hosts Israel Policy Forum’s Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow and Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Senior Director of Policy Research Shira Efron. Together they unpack Israel’s anger at the U.S. abstention at the U.N. Security Council, why Net…

1
Coffee with the Council Podcast: A Reflection on 40 Years in the Payments Industry 25:49

24d ago25:49

25:49

Today, I am joined by Lance Johnson, who has been the Executive Director of The Council for more than six years and a member of the payments industry for more than 40 years. In light of your recent retirement announcement, we're here to reflect on all the moments that have defined your distinguished career, Lance, and to of course, thank you for al…

1
How the Campaign Trail Impacts Foreign Policy 43:11

1M ago43:11

43:11

Foreign policy is not typically a priority for the American voter. And yet, the outcome of the upcoming U.S. election will have an outsized impact on world affairs. How are allies and adversaries alike weighing the 2024 election? Former diplomat Richard Haass joins Ravi Agrawal to discuss. Richard Haass is president emeritus at the Council on Forei…

1
The View From the Middle East 43:56

1M ago43:56

43:56

Negotiators failed to reach a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war that would have paused hostilities before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. How does the rest of the Middle East view this breakdown in negotiations? For the United States in particular, how will this shape its standing in the region, and what does it mean for the conflict moving forw…

1
Susan Glasser on Biden’s State of the Union 41:42

1M ago41:42

41:42

President Biden’s tenure has been marked by numerous foreign-policy flash points: the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the war in Ukraine, and the conflict in the Middle East. Public perception of how he has handled these challenges could have a direct effect on his chances for reelection—a factor he tried to influence in his annual State of the U…

1
Gaza: Today and Tomorrow 55:21

1M ago55:21

55:21

On this week’s episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Col. (res.) Dr. Michael Milshtein, former head of the Palestinian arena in Israeli Military Intelligence to assess the current moment in the Israel-Hamas war. They cover Israel’s misconception before October 7, the third phase of Israel’s war …

1
Is America Becoming Isolationist? 46:48

2M ago46:48

46:48

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ annual survey of American voters shows that for the first time in nearly 50 years, a majority of Republicans prefer an isolationist approach to foreign policy. Before the Trump presidency, the Republican Party was more likely to support an active U.S. presence in the world. Former U.S. ambassador to NATO and t…

1
The Northern Front 56:00

2M ago56:00

56:00

On this week’s episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts military and strategic affairs analyst Yaakov Lappin to discuss the current state of play between Israel and Hizballah. They cover what Hizballah is actually thinking, the connection to the Gaza war, the merits of diplomacy versus a military o…

1
Coffee with the Council Podcast: Meet the Council’s New Executive Director Gina Gobeyn 14:50

2M ago14:50

14:50

Today I am thrilled to introduce the Council's new Executive Director, Gina Gobeyn. Gina joins PCI SSC following the announcement of Lance Johnson's retirement this year. As Executive Director, Gina will drive the organization's strategic direction, its operations, and oversee the PCI SSC senior leadership team and staff. I'm delighted to have you …

1
Anders Fogh Rasmussen on a Grim Anniversary for Ukraine 41:24

2M ago41:24

41:24

Feb. 24 marks two years since Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine. The conflict has changed the face of Europe and set off a protracted war that has had ramifications reaching far beyond its borders. Could Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategy of waiting out the West prove successful, or can Western leaders rally to continue supporting a drawn…

1
Wartime Upheaval and Day-After Diplomacy 51:49

2M ago51:49

51:49

On this week’s episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Israel Policy Forum’s Israel Fellow Nimrod Novik and Director of the Horizon Center for Political Studies and Media Outreach Ibrahim Eid Dalalsha. They discuss the current mood in the West Bank amidst the Gaza war, growing concerns ahead of Ra…

1
Negotiations, Escalation, and a Pending Operation 48:56

2M ago48:56

48:56

On this week’s episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber and IPF Atid Director Shanie Reichman discuss a potential impending Rafah operation, the state of play of the hostage negotiations, strains in the Israel-U.S. relationship over the Gaza war, tensions growing on the northern border with Lebanon, and …

1
Gita Gopinath on the Global Economy 42:52

2M ago42:52

42:52

Economics is sometimes called the “dismal science.” But the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has a surprisingly positive outlook for the U.S. economy—even if public sentiment hasn’t yet caught up. Host Ravi Agrawal discusses the state of the global economy with Gita Gopinath, the IMF’s first deputy managing director. The two begin with Gopinath’s …

1
‘We Do Not Have an Iran Plan’ 48:46

2M ago48:46

48:46

James Stavridis, a former NATO supreme allied commander and retired four-star admiral, sits down with Ravi Agrawal to share his insight on how Washington is navigating conflicts across two continents. Suggested reading: Thomas L. Friedman: A Biden Doctrine for the Middle East Is Forming. And It’s Big. Keith Johnson: The Houthis’ Next Target May Be …

1
Alvaro de Soto on opportunities seized in El Salvador and missed in the Middle East 43:22

2M ago43:22

43:22

As a Peruvian diplomat with a 25-year career at the United Nations, Alvaro de Soto has dedicated fifty years of his life to diplomacy and conflict resolution across the globe. From negotiations with Hamas and the Quartet on the Middle East to shuttling between the FMLN and the El Salvador government, Alvaro de Soto shares a tour de force account th…

1
Coffee with the Council Podcast: A Panel Discussion from Asia-Pacific Hosted by Yew Kuann Cheng 28:55

3M ago28:55

28:55

Today I'm joined by three very amazing guests, and we will share a brief update of Asia-Pacific. First, we have Aileen Liu, who is the director of PAX Technology’s Payment Technology Department. Now, PAX Technology is one of the largest POS solution providers in the world, and PAX is also a PCI Principal Participating Organization. They are a PCI B…

1
What Is Tehran Thinking? 47:57

3M ago47:57

47:57

A drone strike by an Iran-backed militant group, which resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members, threatens to push the Middle East into a wider regional conflict. Iran has distanced itself from the attack, while President Biden has said that the U.S. will respond. Middle East experts Vali Nasr and Sanam Vakil join Ravi Agrawal to discus…

1
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on women fighting for peace 33:28

3M ago33:28

33:28

South Africa’s first female deputy president, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, reflects on her journey as a member of the high-level African Union panel that facilitated the Pretoria agreement between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front. Beyond this process, she shares her experiences as the executive director of UN Women from …

1
Negotiations, Tensions, and Politics 56:34

3M ago56:34

56:34

On this week’s episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber and IPF Atid Director Shanie Reichman unpack the latest updates from Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, possibilities for an upcoming hostage-release deal, tensions on the northern border with Hizballah, debates in the government about resettling G…

1
A ‘Red Line’ for Biden? 47:56

3M ago47:56

47:56

Geopolitical analyst Ian Bremmer joins Ravi Agrawal to forecast the world ahead in 2024. From expanding conflict in the Middle East and a potentially partitioned Ukraine to a more optimistic take on the rise of artificial intelligence, listen in to hear his predictions. Suggested reading: Jack Detsch: 3 Options for How Biden Could Respond to Iran J…

1
How America is Viewing Taiwan’s Election 37:52

3M ago37:52

37:52

Taiwan’s recent election resulted in the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party retaining power, prompting China-watchers to wonder how Beijing might respond. Raja Krishnamoorthi, the ranking Democrat on the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, shares his insights with host Ravi Agrawal. Suggested reading: Hal Brands a…

1
Untangling the War's Objectives 1:06:46

3M ago1:06:46

1:06:46

In this episode of Israel Policy Pod, Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor Neri Zilber hosts Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow and Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Senior Director of Policy Research Shira Efron. They discuss the state of play in the Gaza war, whether Israel's twin war aims of destroying Hamas and r…

1
Abbas Ibrahim on secrecy and sincerity 35:27

3M ago35:27

35:27

Veteran Lebanese intelligence chief Abbas Ibrahim takes us behind the scenes of some of his most sensitive negotiations. He recalls a secret mission to a Palestinian refugee camp in the hope of diffusing tensions, and the painstaking shuttle diplomacy that eventually led to a border agreement between Lebanon and Israel. He also reveals his politica…

1
FP at Davos: Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis 37:17

3M ago37:17

37:17

Host Ravi Agrawal sits down with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for a special one-on-one conversation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Suggested reading: The Economist’s Country of the Year for 2023 Elisabeth Braw: In the Red Sea, the Royal Navy Is BackBy Foreign Policy

1
FP at Davos: The Year the World Votes 48:37

3M ago48:37

48:37

The rise of artificial intelligence, and its potential risk to the democratic process, is top of mind in a year of record elections. From mis- and disinformation to deepfake videos, this emerging technology could dramatically shape election outcomes. How should policymakers and tech companies work together to combat this threat? Host Ravi Agrawal m…

1
Nisreen Elsaim on not waiting for the world to burn 34:55

3M ago34:55

34:55

Climate mediator Nisreen Elsaim joins Adam Cooper to explore the intersection of activism and peacemaking. She recounts her role in the student uprisings that preceded the 2019 revolution in Sudan and reflects on how a shooting on campus changed her life. Now a self-confessed “climatolic,” she argues that climate mediation is crucial for conflict p…

1
Israel-Hamas War: 100 Days Later 1:06:02

3M ago1:06:02

1:06:02

Jan. 15 marks 100 days since the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel, killing some 1,200 people. Israel then retaliated by launching a ground invasion of Gaza. More than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed, and numerous others face a dire humanitarian crisis. After months of conflict and mounting international pressure, Israel announc…

1
10 Conflicts to Watch in 2024 46:52

3M ago46:52

46:52

With wars in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, the world begins the new year on high alert. Comfort Ero, the president of the International Crisis Group, joins Ravi Agrawal to share her analysis of the state of the world, building on her annual essay in Foreign Policy. Suggested reading: Comfort Ero and Richard Atwood: 10 Conflicts to Watch in 2…

1
Israeli Politics Amid the War 1:06:18

3M ago1:06:18

1:06:18

Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Forum Advisor Neri Zilber hosts Walla News Chief Political Correspondent Tal Shalev to discuss the state of play in Israeli politics amid the ongoing war in Gaza. Support the show

1
Karim A. A. Khan KC on the slender sapling of international justice 29:35

3M ago29:35

29:35

Karim A. A. Khan KC, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), reflects on his path leading to joining the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in 1997 and, more recently the ICC. He shares the intricacies and dilemmas faced by the ICC in grappling with the scope of international law. He articulates his visio…

1
The World in 2024 39:32

4M ago39:32

39:32

We already know that 2024 will be the year that more people vote than in any other time in history. That’s an easy prediction to make. But what other global trends will impact the world this year? FP columnist and Harvard University professor Stephen M. Walt sits down with Ravi Agrawal to look ahead at the next 12 months. Suggested reading: Allison…

1
New Year, New Phase 1:00:12

4M ago1:00:12

1:00:12

With the war in Gaza apparently entering its third phase, IPF Atid Director Shanie Reichman hosts Tel Aviv-based journalist and Policy Advisor Neri Zilber to discuss the current state of play in the Israel-Hamas war, Israeli politics, and the region. They discuss the reported assassination of senior Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut, the soc…

1
Monica Juma on values in diplomacy 22:28

4M ago22:28

22:28

Monica Juma, National Security Advisor to the President of Kenya, reflects on her extensive career in government and shares the lessons she has learned about peacemaking. She explains the challenges that the conflict in Sudan presents to mediators. She also discusses Kenya’s role in ending the Tigray crisis in Ethiopia. Additionally, she reflects o…

1
Looking Back at 2023 39:32

4M ago39:32

39:32

From wars on two continents to U.S. competition with China and the rise of artificial intelligence, 2023 has been yet another impactful year. FP Live looks back on the year with columnist and political scientist Stephen M. Walt. Suggested reading: Stephen M. Walt: 5 Things in the World to Be Thankful for in 2023 Stephen M. Walt: Universities Should…

1
Mutlaq Al-Qahtani on Qatar’s approach to mediation 24:56

4M ago24:56

24:56

Senior Qatari diplomat Mutlaq Al-Qahtani recalls his role in the 2020 Doha Agreement between the US and the Taliban, leading to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. He reflects on his visit to Kabul in 2021 as the Taliban closed in on the city, sharing insights into his involvement in evacuating people and narrowly avoiding a bomb blast at the Kabul…

1
The Ask-Me-Anything Episode 37:52

4M ago37:52

37:52

FP Live host Ravi Agrawal is joined by Foreign Policy’s executive editor, Amelia Lestor, for another ask-me-anything episode. The two discuss the Biden administration’s foreign policy strategy, the wars in Europe and the Middle East, how FP covers these conflicts, and much more. Suggested reading: FP Contributors: How Will This War End? How Can the…

1
The Mediator’s Studio – Episode 0, Season 5 1:49

4M ago1:49

1:49

Welcome to Season 5 of The Mediator's Studio podcast. This special season marks the 20th anniversary of the Oslo Forum in 2023 – and its importance as the place where peacemakers meet. Over seven episodes – most of them recorded at this year’s Oslo Forum retreat – we delve into deep conversations with prominent mediators on what it takes to make pe…

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