

Elliot Abrams
Senior fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and former U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela and Iran, with a long government career in foreign policy.
Top 5 podcasts with Elliot Abrams
Ranked by the Snipd community

48 snips
Dec 16, 2025 • 39min
Ep 257: Elliott Abrams on the Venezuela Crisis
Elliott Abrams, a seasoned U.S. foreign policy official and authority on Latin America, dives deep into the Venezuela crisis from his perspective as the former U.S. Special Representative. He discusses Maduro's rise and regime corruption, emphasizing drug trafficking's role in sustaining the government. Abrams contrasts Biden's and Trump's approaches to Venezuela, exploring potential military options and the resilience of the opposition, spotlighting the symbolic escape of Maria Corina Machado. He warns about the perils of U.S. retreat from the region.

22 snips
Jan 5, 2026 • 46min
Ep 263: Elliott Abrams on the Venezuela Raid and Risks Ahead
Elliott Abrams, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and former U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela and Iran, shares his expertise on the geopolitical landscape of Venezuela. He discusses the recent successful raid and the evolving role of the CIA, alongside Maduro’s reliance on Cuban bodyguards. Abrams highlights the challenges of oil recovery and the complexities of U.S. policy, cautioning about the risks for Chavista leaders. He also examines the precarious state of Cuba's economy and its implications for regional stability.

6 snips
Jan 5, 2026 • 19min
Trump's Top Venezuela Aide Turns Against Him on Invasion
Elliott Abrams, former U.S. special envoy to Venezuela and a seasoned foreign policy official, joins to critique the Trump administration's approach to Venezuela. He highlights the lack of a democracy plan, calling it an oil-driven strategy rather than one aimed at genuine democratic reform. Abrams advocates for supporting exiled leaders and challenges the U.S. readiness to manage Venezuela's future. The discussion raises important questions about the intertwining of U.S. interests and regional politics, delving into the implications for international law.

5 snips
Dec 5, 2025 • 29min
Walter Russel Mead and Elliott Abrams on Navigating the New Middle East
Walter Russell Mead, a foreign-policy scholar, and Elliott Abrams, a seasoned diplomat, dive into the transformative shifts in the Middle East. They discuss how Israel's military victories have altered regional dynamics yet failed to stabilize relations with Saudi Arabia. Abrams emphasizes the necessity of U.S. power for stability, especially in light of Iran's threats. Mead analyzes the hesitance of Russia and China to engage directly in the conflict. Together, they explore the future of Gaza and the complexity of U.S.–Israel ties shaped by historical and religious narratives.

4 snips
Jan 10, 2026 • 40min
Elliott Abrams makes the case for a democratic Venezuela
Elliott Abrams, a seasoned U.S. diplomat with decades of experience in Latin American policy, discusses the complexities surrounding Venezuela and U.S. foreign policy. He critiques the post-Trump alignment with remnants of Maduro’s regime, emphasizing the moral implications of seizing Venezuelan oil. Abrams highlights the importance of supporting democratic opposition and warns against hasty military actions. He also touches on the potential effects of regime change on Cuba and America's traditional values in the context of the nation's 250th anniversary.


