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Middle East Focus

Middle East Focus

Written by: Middle East Institute
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 Weekly discussion of Middle East policy, arts, and culture, featuring experts from the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C. Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • How to Wrest Lebanon From Iran's Grip

    How to Wrest Lebanon From Iran's Grip
    May 7 2026
    Despite efforts to extend the cease-fire in Lebanon and disarm Iranian proxy Hizballah, fighting continues between the militant group and Israeli forces. Hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj are joined by MEI Senior Fellow Fadi Nicholas Nassar to examine what the renewed fighting means for attempts to counter Iranian influence in Lebanon and what could lie ahead. They discuss the prospects for a lasting agreement, Iran's broader proxy strategy, and how Washington can help strengthen the sovereignty of the Lebanese state. To read Nassar's latest commentary piece in The National Interest, please click here. Recorded on May 5, 2026.
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    41 mins
  • Violence, Settlements, and Creeping Annexation in the West Bank

    Violence, Settlements, and Creeping Annexation in the West Bank
    Apr 30 2026
    As international attention remains fixed on the fallout from the Iran war, conditions in the West Bank continue to deteriorate. Hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj speak with MEI Senior Fellow Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen about the sharp rise in settler violence, expanding settlement activity, and growing Palestinian displacement across the territory. They examine how recent Israeli legal and administrative measures are reshaping realities on the ground, the implications for Israeli-Palestinian relations, and what the United States should do to play a constructive mediator role. Recorded on April 28, 2026.
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    39 mins
  • A New-Old Regime in Tehran

    A New-Old Regime in Tehran
    Apr 23 2026
    Nearly two months into the Iran war, US President Donald Trump has announced an indefinite extension of the cease-fire between Washington and Tehran, even as control of the Strait of Hormuz remains contested. Hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj are joined by MEI Senior Fellow Alex Vatanka to explore where the conflict may be headed and unpack the factors at play. They discuss how Iran's internal power structures have shifted since February 28, the prospects for a deal between Washington and Tehran, and what form a resumption of hostilities could take. Find Alex's analysis of the war's impact on the Iranian regime here. Recorded on April 22, 2026.
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    31 mins
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