Middle East Focus

Randa Slim is a leader in conflict resolution, while Charles Lister focuses on Syria and counterterrorism. Fatima Abo Alasrar studies Arabian Peninsula affairs. They discuss the dramatic setbacks faced by the Axis of Resistance, particularly its dynamics with Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. The impact of recent conflicts on regional alliances is examined, along with the growing challenges each group encounters. They also delve into U.S. strategies to counter this Iranian-led network, and the Houthis' alignment with the Palestinian cause highlights evolving geopolitical ambitions.

Gen. Khalil Helou and Dr. Paul Salem speak with MEI's US-Lebanon Fellow Fadi Nicholas Nassar on the unraveling Israel-Hezbollah conflict, the role of the Lebanese Armed Forces during this critical moment, and the prospects of a political solution in Lebanon and the wider region. 

Director of MEI’s Arabian Peninsula Program Gerald Feierstein speaks to scholars Nadwa Al-Dawsari and Fatima Abo Alasrar as they reflect on the tenth anniversary of Yemen’s civil war.  It’s been ten years since the Houthis seized control of the capital of Sanaa, beginning a cycle of fighting that continues on and off to this day. What happened, what is the current state of the conflict, and where might the country be headed?  *Note: this episode was recorded on Sept. 26, 2024.

Dr. F. Gregory Gause, a scholar in Middle Eastern politics, and Dr. Jon Alterman, a U.S. foreign policy expert, delve into China’s rising influence in the Middle East. They discuss how China promotes its authoritarian model as an appealing alternative to Western democracy, reshaping regional governance. The conversation highlights China’s role in mediating conflicts, contrasting its non-interference approach with U.S. strategies, and questions the effectiveness of U.S. foreign aid. They also explore the complexities and realities behind China's strategic agreements in the region.

Shiraz Maher - Co-Director of the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR) - and Charles Lister - Director of MEI's Syria and Countering Terrorism and Extremism Programs - speak to MEI Editor in Chief Alistair Taylor about ISIS and the detainee dilemma. What is the international community to do with the tens of thousands of foreign ISIS detainees and their families, including children, held in makeshift facilities in northeastern Syria under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces? Today’s episode is the second in a several-part series looking at where the group stands today and the challenges associated with it a decade on from the founding of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. 

On this week's episode, Director of MEI's Syria and Countering Terrorism and Extremism Programs Charles Lister speaks with MEI Editor-in-Chief Alistair Taylor on the resurgence of the Islamic State, or ISIS, in Syria and Iraq. This episode is the first in a several-part series looking at where the terrorist group stands today and its international footprint 10 years on from the founding of the 87-country Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. 

This week’s episode looks at the dramatic regional developments of the past 24 hours, including the Israeli strike on a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut and the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. The strikes mark a significant escalation, and are expected to provoke retaliation from Iran and Hezbollah that could potentially ignite a wider regional conflict. This two-part interview features insights from regional experts: Dr. Nimrod Goren, Senior Fellow for Israeli Affairs at the Middle East Institute, and Paul Salem, MEI’s Vice President for International Engagement and former President and CEO of the Institute.

Economist Daron Acemoglu & ME policy expert Tamara Wittes join to discuss if economic conditions or cultural backlash drive support for democracy, exploring challenges from authoritarian politics globally and ways to counter illiberal leaders through inclusive institutions and compelling policies. They also delve into the impact of state influence in Arab economies post-colonialism and the importance of civil society in fostering sustainable US-Middle East relations.

On July 9-11, Washington will host the leaders of NATO’s 32 member states for a special anniversary summit, celebrating 75 years since the Alliance’s founding. But the NATO heads of state and government are unlikely to spend much time reminiscing. Their agenda will be full, spanning from Ukraine, Russia, wars in the Middle East, China, terrorism, cyber threats, NATO enlargement, boosting Allied capabilities, freedom of navigation around the world, nuclear deterrence, and more. On the eve of the Washington Summit, Iulia-Sabina Joja (Director, MEI's Black Sea Program) and Emiliano Alessandri (Non-resident scholar, MEI) join host Matthew Czekaj to discuss security in the wider Black Sea region, and NATO’s policy toward the Middle East and Africa.

Alex Vatanka (Director, MEI's Iran Program) and Ali Afshari (Iranian political analyst and pro-democracy activist) discuss Iran’s snap presidential elections, set to be held on June 28th, following the sudden death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash last month. The 63-year-old regime loyalist was widely viewed as a leading potential successor to the Islamic Republic’s 85-year-old supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The elections come as Iran faces a number of challenges both at home and abroad, ranging from long-running domestic economic troubles and preparations for an eventual leadership transition to the regional reverberations of the ongoing war in Gaza and the tit-for-tat exchange of missile and drone strikes with Israel in April.