Middle East Forum Podcast

Épisodes

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  August 19, 2026 | Israel Insider with Ashley Perry 19.08.2026 31min

  Israel’s latest strike in Syria highlights its growing concern over Turkey’s expanding military influence there. Ashley Perry examines the risk of a deeper Israel-Turkey confrontation, Washington’s response, and the security calculations driving Israel’s actions. He also breaks down Israel’s increasingly fragmented election landscape, the emergence of a potential third bloc, and Netanyahu’s continued control of Likud.Subscribe to the Middle East Forum for new episodes and expert analysis every week.
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  August 17, 2026 | The Mecca Agreement and the Middle East’s New Alliance Map with David Wurmser 17.08.2026 33min

  David Wurmser joins the Middle East Forum Podcast to examine the new Mecca Agreement among Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan and the broader strategic realignment it reflects. He discusses Turkey’s ambitions, China’s growing influence, Saudi Arabia’s shifting calculations, and the implications for India, the UAE, Israel, and the Abraham Accords. Wurmser also considers how Israel and the United States could respond as competing regional blocs take shape.Subscribe to the Middle East Forum for new episodes and expert analysis every week.
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  August 12, 2026 | Israel Insider with Alex Selsky 12.08.2026 30min

  With Israel’s October 27 election approaching, guest host Alex Selsky examines the deadlocked polls and the coalition math that could determine the next government. He looks at Netanyahu’s reshaping of Likud, the potential role of Ra’am and a new “third bloc,” and divisions across Israel’s political camps. Selsky also discusses foreign interference, Gaza, and the political maneuvering likely to intensify before Election Day. Subscribe to the Middle East Forum for new episodes and expert analysis every week.
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  August 10, 2026 | The Information War on U.S.-Israel Intelligence with Alex Goldenberg 10.08.2026 34min

  Russia, Iran, China, and Qatar are using different tools to weaken the political consensus behind the U.S.-Israel partnership. Alex Goldenberg joins Middle East Forum Podcast host Lauri Regan to examine how antisemitism, anti-Israel narratives, foreign funding, and social media influence campaigns are used to shape American public opinion and raise the political cost of cooperation with Israel. They also discuss how these efforts can converge without direct coordination, the role of prominent domestic voices in amplifying foreign narratives, and the growing influence of AI-enabled information operations. Goldenberg concludes by outlining how government, technology companies, analysts, and civil society can work together to identify, attribute, and counter hostile influence campaigns. Subscribe to the Middle East Forum for new episodes and expert analysis from across the region.
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  August 5, 2026 | Israel Insider with Ashley Perry 05.08.2026 31min

  Ashley Perry examines the tentative Strait of Hormuz agreement and whether Iran’s leadership will uphold it. He also assesses renewed tensions with Hezbollah, the dispute over Hamas disarmament, and Israel’s response options. Finally, he explains how new center-right parties and the ultra-Orthodox enlistment debate could reshape Israel’s election.
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  August 3, 2026 | Beyond Hormuz: The Future of Middle East Trade Corridors with Amit Mor 05.08.2026 31min

  Recent wars and maritime disruptions have exposed the vulnerability of the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Suez Canal—critical chokepoints for global trade and energy. Amit Mor joins Middle East Forum Podcast host Lauri Regan to examine emerging alternatives, including new oil pipelines, expanded overland trucking routes, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, and proposed rail links through Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. They also discuss Iran’s leverage over the Strait of Hormuz, Houthi threats to Bab el-Mandeb, and whether new regional trade routes can reduce dependence on vulnerable waterways. Subscribe to the Middle East Forum for new episodes and expert analysis from across the region.
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  July 29, 2026 | Israel Insider with Ashley Perry 29.07.2026 27min

  Benjamin Netanyahu presented Donald Trump with three possible paths on Iran: diplomacy, intensified economic pressure, or renewed military operations. Ashley Perry examines what emerged from their meeting, Iran’s latest attack on a U.S. base, and the renewed activity of Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iraqi militias. He also assesses Netanyahu’s political position as Israel’s election campaign begins to take shape.
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  July 27, 2026 | Hezbollah Makes Peace between Lebanon and Israel Impossible with Ibtissam Klait 28.07.2026 32min

  Despite renewed diplomacy between Lebanon and Israel, Hezbollah retains an independent military and political structure that prevents Beirut from controlling decisions of war and peace. Scholar and educator Ibtisam Klait traces Hezbollah’s ideological origins, its allegiance to Iran’s doctrine of Wilayat al-Faqih, and its evolution from a “state within a state” into a “state against the state.” She explains why restoring Lebanese sovereignty is essential to any lasting peace or regional normalization.
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  July 20, 2026 | How Hezbollah Is Rebuilding with Sarit Zehavi 27.07.2026 33min

  Hezbollah has been pushed back from Israel’s northern border, but its tunnels, rockets, drones, and efforts to rearm remain a serious threat.Sarit Zehavi of the Alma Research and Education Center joins MEF Podcast host Lauri Regan to explain what Israel has uncovered in southern Lebanon, how Hezbollah is rebuilding with Iranian support, and why the ceasefire may not hold.They also discuss Lebanon’s ability to disarm Hezbollah, the risks of an Israeli withdrawal, and what northern Israel needs to recover.
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  July 15, 2026 | Israel Insider with Ashley Perry 20.07.2026 32min

  Iran and the United States have returned to military confrontation around the Strait of Hormuz, while both sides appear—for now—to be limiting the conflict. Israel Insider host Ashley Perry examines what could turn this “controlled escalation” into a wider war and bring Israel back into the fighting.Perry also analyzes Israel-Lebanon negotiations, pressure on Israel to reposition in Lebanon and Syria, Israel’s newly announced October 27 election, the ultra-Orthodox enlistment debate, Gadi Eisenkot’s challenge to Benjamin Netanyahu, Turkey’s shifting rhetoric, and Rep. Ro Khanna’s West Bank visit.Subscribe to the Middle East Forum for new episodes of Israel Insider and expert analysis from across the region.
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  July 13, 2026 | Situational Assessment of the Iran War with Lisa Daftari 13.07.2026 34min

  Award-winning investigative journalist Lisa Daftari joins Lauri Regan to assess Iran’s leadership, the expanding role of the IRGC, and the regime’s strategy toward the United States and Israel. They discuss Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, its use of negotiations and narrative warfare, and the risks of allowing the regime to remain in power. The episode also examines the Iranian protest movement, the possibility of security-force defections, and what may come next in the war.
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  July 8, 2026 | Israel Insider with Ashley Perry 09.07.2026 27min

  In this episode of Israel Insider, Ashley Perry examines the collapse of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, and what President Trump's shifting approach to Tehran means for Israel.He also analyzes Washington's warming ties with Turkey, the debate over F-35 sales to Ankara, developments on Israel's northern border, and the latest political battles shaping Israel ahead of expected elections.
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  July 1, 2026 | Israel Insider with Ashley Perry 01.07.2026 30min

  In this episode of Israel Insider, host Ashley Perry examines the new Israel-Lebanon-U.S. trilateral framework and its implications for Hezbollah and Iranian influence.Perry explains why the agreement gives Israel control over the pace of withdrawal and could create a path toward normalization with Lebanon.The episode also covers UNRWA’s possible exclusion from Gaza and the political battles preceding Israel’s expected October election.
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  June 29, 2026 | Why You should Stop Fighting Antisemitism with Joel Finkelstein 29.06.2026 27min

  In this episode of the Middle East Forum Podcast, host Michael Rubin speaks with Joel Finkelstein about how hostile foreign networks exploit antisemitism, social media, and political unrest.Finkelstein explains how funding networks, coordinated protests, and manipulated algorithms spread anti-American narratives while disguising their origins.The discussion also examines TikTok, foreign influence investigations, government failures, and why exposing the truth may work better than conventional campaigns against hate.
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  June 24, 2026 | Israel Insider with Alex Selsky 24.06.2026 31min

  In this episode of Israel Insider, host Alex Selsky examines Israel’s reaction to the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, its failure to address ballistic missiles and proxies, and whether President Trump may be pursuing a broader strategy involving China, Russia, energy routes, and the Strait of Hormuz.Selsky examines Israel’s determination to preserve its freedom of action in Lebanon, the possibility of Syrian involvement against Hezbollah, and why remaining outside the agreement may provide Israel greater room to defend its interests.The episode also covers Netanyahu’s negotiations with the ultra-Orthodox parties, Gadi Eisenkot’s rise in the polls, Naftali Bennett’s decline, concerns about Turkey, and prospects for regime change in Tehran.
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  June 22, 2026 | The Limits of the Red-Green Alliance with Asra Nomani 22.06.2026 35min

  In this episode of the Middle East Forum Podcast, Dexter Van Zile speaks with Asra Nomani about the limits of the alliance between Islamists and the political left.Nomani explains how small, organized networks create a “myth of the marching millions” through coordinated protests, media imagery, and political alliances.The discussion also covers foreign funding, Islamist institutions, political candidates, and the need for transparency, law enforcement, and assimilation.
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  June 19, 2026 | The Forum Roundtable: From Revolution to Iran War—The Islamic Republic’s Regional Impact 19.06.2026 59min

  Recorded days after Washington and Tehran announced a new agreement, host Lauri Regan joins Middle East Forum experts Gregg Roman, Michael Rubin, and Jonathan Spyer to assess whether the deal secures victory—or gives Iran time to recover.The panel examines the immediate consequences for Israel, Hezbollah, Lebanon, Iran’s proxy network, the Kurds, Turkey, and the Abraham Accords.The discussion asks whether Israel can still achieve a strategic victory, whether Tehran will rebuild its regional forces, and whether this ceasefire is ending the war—or merely setting the stage for the next one.
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  June 17, 2026 | Israel Insider with Ashley Perry 17.06.2026 29min

  In this episode of Israel Insider, host Ashley Perry examines the newly released U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding and why Israel views its sanctions relief, oil provisions, Strait of Hormuz framework, and lack of restrictions on missiles and proxies as deeply troubling.Perry examines the risks to Israel’s position in Lebanon, including possible pressure to reduce operations against Hezbollah, withdraw from territory, and accept a prolonged negotiation period while Iran rebuilds its nuclear and economic strength.The episode also covers Netanyahu’s political vulnerability, Trump’s comments on Syria and Hezbollah, Israel’s ties with Gulf states, prospects for covert action against Iran, and whether Netanyahu can resist U.S. pressure ahead of the elections.
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  June 15, 2026 | Is Middle East Peace Possible? With Aryeh Green 15.06.2026 30min

  In this episode of the Middle East Forum Podcast, host Lauri Regan speaks with Aryeh Green about his new book, Finding Peace in the Promised Land.Green outlines five principles he believes can move the Arab-Israeli conflict from hatred toward coexistence.The discussion also examines October 7, the Abraham Accords, Palestinian rejectionism, and the need to support moderate Arab and Muslim voices.
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  June 10, 2026 | Israel Insider with Ashley Perry 10.06.2026 29min

  In this episode of Israel Insider, host Ashley Perry examines the latest round of controlled escalation between Israel, Hezbollah, Iran, and the United States, including Israel’s strike on Dahiya, Iran’s attempt to set new deterrence rules, and President Trump’s push to halt the fighting before it widened further.Perry examines how the confrontation moved from Lebanon to Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, including Iran’s attack on a U.S. Apache helicopter, the American response against Iranian infrastructure, and whether Israel may still seek another opportunity to resume broader operations against Iran.The episode also covers Netanyahu’s political bind as elections approach, the ultra-Orthodox draft exemption fight, the growing drone threat, Hezbollah’s ability to rearm, tensions with Turkey, and whether Israel can act against Iran without full U.S. backing.