

Ken Pollack
Vice president for policy at the Middle East Institute and former CIA analyst; Middle East expert known for work on Iran, regional security, and U.S. policy toward the region.
Top 5 podcasts with Ken Pollack
Ranked by the Snipd community

53 snips
Jun 18, 2025 • 1h 15min
Locating the Centrifuge
Ken Pollack, vice president of the Middle East Institute and a former CIA analyst, dives into the intricate web of Israel-Iran relations and the implications of Iran’s nuclear program. He discusses Mossad’s operational success and the delicate balance of U.S. foreign policy. With a focus on Israel's military strategies, the conversation touches on the ramifications of potential military actions and the dynamic of regional power. The topic of Saudi Arabia's interests in regime change adds another layer to the geopolitical landscape.

37 snips
Jan 19, 2026 • 1h 37min
Rogue America | Interview: Ken Pollack
Ken Pollack, a former CIA analyst and Middle East expert, joins to navigate the complexities of regime change in Iran. He discusses historical uprisings, the economic factors fueling unrest, and the implications of the Iranian nuclear program. Pollack explains potential U.S. military strategies and the risks of Iranian retaliation. He also critiques Trump’s remarks on Greenland, highlighting the broader consequences of American foreign policy. Expect insights into the fragile dynamics of Iranian society and the role of political symbols in protests.

5 snips
May 23, 2024 • 1h 42min
Theological Jurisprudence
Ken Pollack, a senior fellow at AEI, discusses Iran's political landscape, succession plans, and challenges faced by the regime. Topics also include covert actions in Iran, conspiracy theories, Biden's foreign policy, and global governance issues.

Aug 17, 2023 • 1h 8min
The Trouble with Tehran
Jonah Goldberg is joined by Ken Pollack, AEI senior fellow and expert on the Middle East, to discuss Iran's shift in foreign policy towards diplomacy and its implications for the United States and other nations. They also explore the issue of hostages in Iran, Turkey's shifting stance in the Middle East, different perspectives on idealism, and military capabilities and strategies in the region.

Jan 15, 2026 • 1h 9min
Venezuela's Shadow Over MENA: Perceptions and Precedents
Ken Pollack, Vice President for Policy at the Middle East Institute and former U.S. analyst, dives into how the Trump administration’s handling of Nicolás Maduro might reshape U.S. policy in the Middle East. He discusses the impact of U.S. military options against Iran’s regime during ongoing protests and evaluates the risks of economic coercion. Pollack contrasts the quick Venezuelan operation with the complexities in Iran, highlighting how such precedents could shift perceptions of U.S. resolve and influence regional stability.


