Middle East Focus

President Donald Trump is heading to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE on his first foreign trip of his second term, with major investment deals, defense cooperation, and tech diplomacy on the agenda. What are the Gulf states hoping to gain, and what does the trip signal about US policy in the region? Alistair Taylor speaks with Dr. Ibrahim al-Assil, Senior Fellow at MEI, about the goals of the visit, the geopolitical and economic dynamics at play, and how regional powers are navigating a complex landscape shaped by Iran, China, AI ambitions, and the crisis in Gaza. Recorded May 6, 2025 Further Analysis: Video: "First Stop, Riyadh: Why Trump's Saudi Visit Will Be Nothing Like the Last" with F. Gregory Gause, III Article: "Realigning US-Saudi relations for the AI era" by Mohammed Soliman

The arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has sparked the largest wave of public protests in Turkey in over a decade, signaling a potential turning point in the country’s political trajectory. As the opposition rallies support and President Erdoğan intensifies his crackdown, what lies ahead for Turkish democracy, the Kurdish peace process, and the broader political landscape? MEI Senior Fellow Gonul Tol joins host Alistair Taylor to unpack the growing unrest, the strategic stakes for Erdoğan’s ruling coalition, and the mobilization of a new generation of political activists. Recorded April 29, 2025. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out MEI's podcast series, Rethinking Democracy with Gonul Tol (now available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts), and especially Episode 7, "The Protests and Political Crisis Shaping Turkey's Democratic Future."   Further reading: "Turkey Is Now a Full-Blown Autocracy," by Gonul Tol for Foreign Affairs (March 21, 2025)

Following seven years of diplomatic deadlock, Washington and Tehran have resumed nuclear negotiations — and for the first time in years, there are signs of real momentum. Alex Vatanka, MEI Senior Fellow and author of The Battle of the Ayatollahs in Iran, joins hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj to analyze the current round of talks, the technical issues under discussion, and the political stakes on both sides. He explores Iran’s economic and domestic pressures, US red lines, and the role of key players like Israel, China, and Oman in shaping the negotiations. The conversation also assesses what’s changed since the 2015 nuclear deal, and what it would take for this fragile opening to lead to something more lasting. Recorded on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 For more context, read Alex Vatanka and Ross Harrison’s recent article, "Thinking the unthinkable: Improved US-Iran relations under Trump?" Look out for new episodes of Middle East Focus every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of Taking the Edge off the Middle East, Brian Katulis sits down with Toni Verstandig, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs and current board member at the Middle East Institute. Three months into the second Trump administration, they assess how the White House is reshaping US policy in the Middle East—what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and what risks lie ahead. Verstandig reflects on lessons from her years working on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process during the Clinton era, offering both poignant stories and policy insights from a time when diplomacy looked very different. They also discuss how think tanks like MEI are stepping up at a moment when institutions like USIP and the Wilson Center are under fire.  Don’t forget to look out for new episodes of Taking the Edge off the Middle East on its own independent channel every other Tuesday, wherever you get your podcasts.   

As Sudan’s civil war enters its third year, the humanitarian catastrophe continues to spiral, with more than 12.7 million people displaced and little hope of resolution in sight. Jehanne Henry, MEI Associate Fellow and former Africa Director at Human Rights Watch, joins hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj to assess the latest developments on the ground. She outlines the scale of devastation, the regional spillover effects, and the war economy fueling the fighting. Their conversation explores the fragmentation of civilian political forces, the lack of international coordination, and the role that external powers — including the United States — could play in helping bring the conflict to an end. What will it take to chart a path toward peace? Recorded on Monday, April 15, 2025 Read Jehanne's accompanying article: Two years into Sudan’s war, a resolution seems further than ever — can U.S. involvement help bring peace? Look out for new episodes of Middle East Focus every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts.

(This episode was recorded on Monday, April 7). In this episode of Middle East Focus, hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj are joined by Eran Etzion, former deputy head of the Israeli National Security Council, for a revealing look inside Israel's most pressing challenges. Etzion unpacks Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's tightening grip on power amid legal battles and democratic concerns, while offering insights into Israeli society's deepening divides. Their conversation moves beyond the headlines to explore how renewed fighting in Gaza and military operations in the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria are changing Israel's strategic position in the region. They also explore Israel's evolving relationships with regional countries like Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, and what these changes mean for the future of the Middle East.  Look out for new episodes of Middle East Focus every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of 'Taking the Edge off the Middle East,' Brian Katulis sits down with Frank Lowenstein, a key advisor to Secretary John Kerry during the Obama administration. Lowenstein takes us behind the curtain of the Obama administration's intense peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, from narrowly escaping a snowstorm in Ramallah to advising Secretary Kerry during critical moments. They discuss the Biden and Trump approaches to the region and explore how Middle East policy debates have evolved in American politics over three decades. Don’t forget to look out for new episodes of 'Taking the Edge off the Middle East' every other Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts. 

Stuart Jones, the new president and CEO of MEI, boasts a rich background as a U.S. ambassador with extensive experience in the Middle East. He delves into the geopolitical shifts following the Hamas attack and the evolving U.S.-Middle East dynamics. Jones shares insights from his time in Iraq during a crisis with ISIS, exploring military and humanitarian challenges. He also discusses the region's economic diversification and the importance of U.S.-Iraq partnerships in technology and infrastructure, highlighting the complexities of modern diplomacy.

Dr. Karabekir Akkoyunlu, a research associate at SOAS University of London and author on democratic resistance, and Dr. Senem Aydın Düzgit, a professor at Sabancı University specializing in Turkey-EU relations, delve into Turkey's recent political upheaval. They discuss the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and the surge of protests against Erdoğan's regime. The conversation highlights the erosion of democratic processes, the role of coalition-building among the opposition, and the critical influence of EU relations on Turkey's autocratic shift.

Note: We're excited to announce that 'Taking the Edge Off the Middle East' is moving to its own channel! Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts to continue following the show. --- Middle East Focus Presents: ‘Taking the Edge Off the Middle East’ with Brian Katulis A series of casual conversations with leading policy professionals on the most important happenings in the Middle East today — hosted by MEI’s Senior Fellow Brian Katulis. In this episode, Brian is joined by former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro, who recently served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East. They discuss the Trump administration’s early approach to the region in its second term, including its handling of Iran, Gaza, and regional normalization efforts. Drawing on his decades of experience across the NSC, State Department, and Pentagon, Dan shares his candid assessments of what’s working, what’s not, and what’s still unsettled. He also reflects on his own career path and what young people interested in U.S. foreign policy can learn from decades of peacemaking efforts.