Best The Institute of Middle East Understanding Podcasts (2025)

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Is Irregular Warfare America’s Blind Spot? 54:56

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22h ago54:56

54:56

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of the GNSI At the Boundary podcast, USF’s Dr. Rob Burrell is joined by Colonel Dave Maxwell (Ret.), of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy and the Global Peace Foundation, and Lieutenant General Charles T. Cleveland (Ret.) to examine the future of the American way of irregular warfare…

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Can External Pressure Bring Peace to the DRC? 45:20

5d ago45:20

45:20

Interview with Liam Karr — 28:50 This week, Kelly and Tristan cover the recent rounds of summit diplomacy between Presidents Trump and Putin and subsequent meetings with European leaders, the recent moves in Somaliland's quest for recognition, and the new settlements in the West Bank approved by Israel's finance minister. Kelly is then joined by Li…

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Inside the Golden Dome: Can the U.S. Stop Missiles in Space? 49:22

8d ago49:22

49:22

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of GNSI’s At the Boundarypodcast, Dr. Tad Schnaufer sits down with Dr. Namrata Goswami, professor of space security at Johns Hopkins University, to unpack one of the most ambitious U.S. defense projects in decades: the Golden Dome missile defense system. Announced by the Trump administr…

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What Went Wrong in Afghanistan? Understanding the Taliban to Shape U.S. Policy 48:51

15d ago48:51

48:51

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of GNSI’s “At the Boundary” podcast, Arman Mahmoudian, PhD, interviews Marvin G. Weinbaum, PhD, who is senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Drawing on his recent article, “Our Knowledge …

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The Middle East's Water and Climate Crisis: Lessons from Iran, Iraq, and the Gulf 32:43

19d ago32:43

32:43

In this episode of Middle East Focus, host Alistair Taylor is joined by climate, energy, and sustainability expert Karim Elgendy to examine the growing water and climate crisis across the Middle East. They explore how climate change, mismanagement, and regional politics are straining already scarce resources — from Iran’s looming water shortages to…

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Dr. Sophal Ear on the Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire 41:13

19d ago41:13

41:13

Interview with Dr. Sophal Ear: 25:30 This week, Kelly and Tristan examine the backsliding of democracy in El Salvador and analyze the regional implications for President Bukele's political crackdown. They then explore Trump's escalating tariff war with India, which threatens to undermine the partnership between the world's two largest democracies. …

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Israeli Settlers Kill Palestinian American in the West Bank: His Father Speaks 24:02

20d ago24:02

24:02

Sayfollah, a 20-year-old Palestinian-American from Florida, came to Palestine to visit his family, not knowing it would be his last trip home. On July 11, 2025, he was brutally beaten to death by Israeli settlers in the town of Sinjil, near Ramallah. This attack came amid a sharp escalation of settler violence across the West Bank. In this episode,…

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Did Syria Prepare Russia for Hybrid Warfare in Ukraine? 48:48

22d ago48:48

48:48

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, Tad Schnaufer, PhD, speaks with John Pennell, PhD, a Senior Diplomacy Fellow with Narrative-Strategies, Senior Strategic Advisor with Pax Strategies LLC, Senior Practitioner with the Irregular Warfare Center, and author of Assessing Russia's Actions in Ukraine and Sy…

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Lebanon and the UNIFIL Mandate: Disarming Hizballah and Reclaiming Sovereignty 31:57

26d ago31:57

31:57

With its new government at the half-year mark and the UNIFIL international peacekeeping force’s mandate due for reauthorization at month’s end, Lebanon stands at a pivotal moment. In this episode of Middle East Focus, hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj are joined by MEI Senior Fellow Fadi Nicolas Nassar to evaluate whether the Lebanese state …

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Syria After Assad: What Led Here and What Lies Ahead 45:30

29d ago45:30

45:30

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Joining us again is Charles Lister, a senior fellow and director of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute (MEI), where his research focuses on Syria, terrorism, and insurgency across the Levant. In this episode of At the Boundary, Lister breaks down both the history and the sequence of even…

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Egypt and Gaza: Conflict, Crisis, and the Path to a Ceasefire 36:46

1M ago36:46

36:46

With the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza in the global spotlight, Egypt faces mounting pressure both at home and abroad. In this episode of Middle East Focus, hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj speak with MEI Senior Fellow Mirette Mabrouk about how Cairo is handling the crisis in the neighboring coastal strip. What are the Egyptian governmen…

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A Conversation with Mahmoud Khalil: Student Activism in the US and the Palestinian Struggle for Freedom 32:04

1M ago32:04

32:04

Following their moral compass, student activists at Columbia demanded an end to the genocide in Gaza and called for a ceasefire. The response? Intimidation, suspensions, wrongful arrests, and, in Mahmoud’s case, being illegally detained by ICE and threats of deportation.How and why did the current student movement begin? What were the consequences …

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Preparing for Tomorrow’s Wars: Resilience, Resistance in the 21st Century 36:37

1M ago36:37

36:37

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of the “At the Boundary” podcast, GNSI’s Jim Cardoso speaks with Dr. Rob Burrell, Senior Research Fellow at the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, about GNSI’s new research initiative on the Future of Warfare. Dr. Burrell also introduces his upcom…

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CFR's Ebenezer Obadare: Nigeria's Turning Point? 34:27

1M ago34:27

34:27

This week, Kelly talks with Council on Foreign Relations Senior Fellow Ebenezer Obadare about Nigeria's growing security and economic challenges under President Bola Tinubu. Ebenezer discusses how the country is facing escalating violence from Boko Haram, growing political instability, and widespread economic hardship. Obadare also highlights Niger…

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The Regional and Domestic Elements of Erdoğan's Grand Strategy 41:18

1M ago41:18

41:18

In this episode of Middle East Focus, hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj are joined by MEI Senior Fellow Gönül Tol to discuss how shifting regional dynamics — from the Israel-Iran war to renewed violence in southern Syria — are reshaping Turkey’s foreign policy and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's domestic agenda. They unpack Ankara’s ties wi…

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Bonus Episode: Understanding the Violence in Southern Syria 1:03:38

1M ago1:03:38

1:03:38

Welcome to a special Bonus Episode of Middle East Focus. We're pleased to bring you access to a recent MEI Virtual Briefing recorded on July 23, 2025, on the recent violence in southern Syria. Sectarian clashes in the province of Sweida left hundreds dead and exposed deep-rooted tensions, governance gaps, and the fragility of Syria’s post-Assad tra…

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Can BRICS Gold Reserves Challenge the US Dollar? 24:54

1M ago24:54

24:54

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, William Parker, a Business Librarian at the University of South Florida (USF) sat down with GNSI’s Strategy and Research Manager Dr. Tad Schnaufer to the newest GNSI Decision Brief, "Assessing BRICS Gold Holdings." They discussed how BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, In…

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The Gulf’s Geo-Economic Balancing Act 49:56

2M ago49:56

49:56

Amid sustained regional conflict and global uncertainty, the Arab Gulf states are navigating a shifting economic and strategic landscape with surprising resilience. MEI Senior Fellow Karen Young joins hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj to break down the latest economic data and geopolitical developments affecting the Gulf economies — from the…

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Israel’s Attack on Iran: How it Impacted Palestinians 24:13

2M ago24:13

24:13

This episode uncovers a harsh and overlooked reality: Israel’s unequal protection and systemic discrimination against Palestinian citizens of Israel, which was particularly evident during Israel and Iran’s 12-day war, provoked by an Israeli attack on Iran. For nearly two weeks, most Israelis benefited from widespread access to shelters and rapid em…

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Colombia's Political Instability with Crisis Group's Elizabeth Dickinson 27:28

2M ago27:28

27:28

This week, Kelly talks with International Crisis Group Analyst Elizabeth Dickinson about the surge in cartel-driven violence in Colombia and how USAID cuts have impacted the country. Elizabeth discusses how criminal groups have filled the vacuum left by FARC's demobilization in 2016, leading to the highest coca cultivation levels in Colombia's hist…

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What's Next for Afghanistan: U.S. Interests or Compromise with the Taliban? 44:38

2M ago44:38

44:38

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! What’s the U.S. endgame in Afghanistan now—and what role does the Taliban really play? In this episode of At the Boundary, host Jim Cardoso speaks with Dr. Jonathan Schroden, a non-resident fellow at the Global and National Security Institute (GNSI), to explore how U.S. foreign policy toward Afghanista…

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Deals, Diplomacy, and Day-After Plans: The Trump Administration's Middle East Strategy 32:52

2M ago32:52

32:52

As the Trump administration marks six months in office, it is pursuing a flurry of diplomatic initiatives across the Middle East — some publicly coordinated, others shaped behind closed doors. MEI Distinguished Diplomatic Fellow Mara Rudman joins hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj to assess the administration’s broader regional strategy and i…

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Political Polarization Feels Unstoppable. Will it Destroy Democracy? 47:19

2M ago47:19

47:19

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Polarization Feels Unstoppable. Will it Destroy Democracy? In this episode of At the Boundary, we explore how America’s deepening divides are shaking the very foundations of democracy. Dr. Josh Scacco—USF’s first-ever Carnegie Fellow and founding director of the Center for Sustainable Democracy—joins u…

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Kelly and Tristen on The UN Turning 80, NATO's Trump Strategy, and US Strikes on Iran 29:30

2M ago29:30

29:30

This week, Kelly and Tristan look back on the United Nations as it marks its 80th anniversary, reflecting on its evolution from the failed League of Nations and assessing its future challenges, including Security Council reform. They also analyze the recent NATO summit, exploring how European allies have managed the alliance's relationship with Pre…

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Israel at War: Regional Reverberations and Political Fallout 32:49

2M ago32:49

32:49

Dr. Yoel Guzansky, associate fellow at MEI and senior research fellow at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, joins hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj to unpack the military and political implications of Israel’s 12-day war with Iran. In the lead-up to next week’s closely watched visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu…

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Voices from Gaza: Journalist Yara Eid on War, Media, and Memory 32:53

2M ago32:53

32:53

In today’s episode, we speak with Yara Eid, a young Palestinian journalist and human rights advocate from Gaza, currently based in London. Yara has worked with international organizations, including Amnesty International, and uses her platform to shed light on life under Israeli occupation and apartheid in Gaza. Yara is known for her viral intervie…

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The History of American Intelligence — Jeff Rogg on The Spy and the State 41:16

2M ago41:16

41:16

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, GNSI Senior Director Jim Cardoso speaks with Dr. Jeff Rogg, Senior Research Fellow at the Global and National Security Institute, about his new book The Spy in the State: The History of American Intelligence. Drawing on both history and current events, they explore t…

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After the 12-Day War: Iran, Israel, and the Future Regional Order 37:05

2M ago37:05

37:05

The dust has barely settled following the dramatic 12-day war between Israel and Iran, but its political and strategic reverberations are already shaping the future of the Middle East. In this episode of Middle East Focus, Ross Harrison, senior fellow and book series editor at the Middle East Institute, joins hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czeka…

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FDR and the Invention of National Security with Andrew Preston 33:54

2M ago33:54

33:54

Kelly talks with Andrew Preston about his new book, Total Defense: The New Deal and the Invention of National Security. Preston explores how FDR revolutionized national security policy by connecting domestic New Deal programs to global defense strategies. Andrew Preston is a Professor of American History based at Clare College, Cambridge, where he …

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SPECIAL EPISODE Iran's Breaking Point: Missiles, Miscalculation and Reckoning 28:17

2M ago28:17

28:17

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this urgent special episode of At the Boundary, GNSI Research Fellow Dr. Arman Mahmoudian offers in-depth, real-time analysis of the rapidly escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, which has now drawn in the United States. Following a U.S. and Israeli joint strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, …

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Bonus Episode: A Fragile Ceasefire Between Israel and Iran 1:01:50

2M ago1:01:50

1:01:50

Welcome to a special Bonus Episode of Middle East Focus. We're pleased to bring you access to a recent MEI press briefing on the evolving Israel-Iran conflict, recorded on Wednesday, June 25. You'll hear from MEI's Distinguished Military Fellow Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan, Distinguished Diplomatic Fellow Alan Eyre, and Senior Fellow Paul Salem who j…

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Could the U.S. Bring Back the Draft? 42:44

2M ago42:44

42:44

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! It’s been over 50 years since the U.S. transitioned to an all-volunteer military force. But with rising threats from China, the demands of modern warfare, and persistent recruiting shortfalls, is it time to ask the unthinkable: Could the draft return? In this episode of At the Boundary, GNSI’s Dr. Guid…

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The Pope's Spies: Yvonnick Denoël on the Vatican's Clandestine Operations 37:33

3M ago37:33

37:33

Kelly talks with Yvonnick Denoël about his new book, Vatican Spies: From the Second World War to Pope Francis, exploring the Vatican's little-known intelligence operations. Yvonnick is a French historian, publisher and intelligence specialist who has written on the CIA, Mossad, and espionage in the twentieth century. His new book uncovers a little-…

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Bonus Episode: Updates on the Israel-Iran Conflict 1:01:49

3M ago1:01:49

1:01:49

Welcome to a special Bonus Episode of Middle East Focus. We're pleased to bring you access to a recent MEI press briefing on the evolving Israel-Iran conflict, recorded on June 16, 2025. You'll hear from MEI’s Distinguished Diplomatic Fellows Barbara A. Leaf and Alan Eyre, as well as our Distinguished Military Fellow Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., …

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The Iran-Israel Conflict and the Future of the Iranian Regime 27:18

3M ago27:18

27:18

Senior Fellow Alex Vatanka joins hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj to examine the dramatic escalation between Israel and Iran following Israel’s targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, infrastructure, and senior IRGC officials. Vatanka discusses how the Iranian regime is responding, the risk of wider regional conflict, and whether the cur…

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How Israel Uses Starvation as a Weapon in Gaza 28:54

3M ago28:54

28:54

In this episode, we investigate Israel’s deliberate use of starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza. Through firsthand testimonies and expert insight, we trace how food became tools of siege—cut off from over two million Palestinians. As hunger spreads and desperation grows, we examine how this crisis is manufactured, and who bears responsibility. Tha…

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Can Deep Sea Mining Meet the World’s Critical Mineral Demand? 32:54

3M ago32:54

32:54

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Found over 4,000 meters below the ocean’s surface, polymetallic nodules may hold the key to powering the future. In this episode, Dr. Mark Luther, Director of the Ocean Monitoring and Prediction Lab at USF and President Elect of the International Marine Mineral Society, joins us to explore how deep sea…

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Lebanon at a Crossroads: Sovereignty, Hizballah's Disarmament, and the Road to Reform 37:00

3M ago37:00

37:00

MEI Senior Fellow Paul Salem joins the program to assess Lebanon’s rapidly shifting political landscape. With a new president and government promising to enact reforms and reassert sovereignty, Lebanon faces a daunting agenda: disarming Hizballah, rebuilding institutions, navigating regional diplomacy, and restoring the economy. Salem offers on-the…

The Institute Of Middle East Understanding Podcasts