Middle East Forum Podcast

Angela Merkel once pledged to stand by Israel’s side against, stating that “for me, as German chancellor, Israel’s security is non-negotiable.” What did that pledge mean since being uttered in 2008? Has it any meaning under her successor, Olaf Scholz, especially when German governments seek strong relations with Tehran?

Israelis overwhelmingly sympathize with Ukraine but must keep good relations with Putin. How does Jerusalem balance its sympathies and its interests?

Recent actions by the United Nations and prominent NGOs have heightened the long-standing delegitimization campaign against Israel. How effective are these efforts and the responses to them?

Talks in Vienna appear to be nearing agreement on a new JCPOA nuclear deal with Iran. Three falsehoods drive this staggeringly ill-conceived negotiation: that the JCPOA was working, that “maximum pressure” failed, and that this is just a return to the old deal, not a new one. What dangers do these falsehoods pose, what flaws does the expected deal include, and what is the better course of action?

From Iran to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict to Saudi Arabia to Islamist movements, Republicans and Democrats differ predictably over policy. But whence come these alignments and how deeply are they based in philosophical outlook? How consequential are they and how long will they likely remain in place?

How are Israelis reacting to two possible crises: a return to the JCPOA and a Russian invasion of Ukraine?

The southern border has long been a weak point of the United States and now migrants are crossing en masse. Some seek not the American Dream, but its destruction. Some are even on the FBI terrorism watch list and have ties to al-Qaeda, ISIS, etc. Who are these migrants, how did they get to the Rio Grande, and why is the current situation more worrisome than prior ones?

Western academics routinely present Islam as an enlightened force for progress unfortunately stymied by Western bigotry and aggression. Where did this image come from and how did it become ensconced in universities? What truths and falsehoods does it contain? What implications does it have?

As the Citizenship Law is re-introduced, it exposes sharp divisions in the government coalition, leading some to wonder if its delicate balance can survive.

The recent attacks on the UAE’s capital by the Houthis on behalf of Iran, has deep implications. Tehran believes that, backed by China and Russia, it can escalate hostilities against the allies of a U.S. administration focused on negotiating a new nuclear deal. Are the mullahs right that Joe Biden will give priority to diplomacy with Iran over the interests of American allies?

PM Bennett speaks of forming a second ‘National Camp’ to compete with Likud. How likely is that to succeed and what might it signify?

Last year’s conflict between Israel and Hamas prompted Arab riots against Jews. While private organizations mobilized to protect the innocent, the police generally kept clear, signaling that they did not want to get involved or punish the attackers. What lessons can be learned from these riots? How can the police – and Israel’s government more broadly – be convinced to change tactics vis-à-vis Isr...

Two decades after 9/11, newly-elected Mayor Eric Adams’ transition team includes terrorist sympathizers and outspoken antisemites. Adams himself has cultivated close relations with Turkey’s Islamist government and suspected Turkish proxies funded his mayoral campaign. What explains the rise of Islamist political influence in New York City politics? Why has Adams’ Islamist-friendly administration f...

Netanyahu's acknowledged interest in a plea bargain deal to end his legal problems may not end in an agreement. But it has meant that Government and Opposition both act as though the post-Bibi era has begun.

A forthcoming visit to Iran by Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro brings a critical partnership into the spotlight. Tehran’s support for the Venezuelan regime has not only helped Maduro remain in power but also affected much of Latin America. The recent visit by Iran's Vice President for Economic Affairs Mohsen Rezae to Nicaragua, despite having an international arrest warrant for his role in the...

Recently, the Middle East Forum came into possession of tens of thousands of leaked documents from a self-admitted “semi-government” charity in Qatar founded by a U.S.-designated terrorist. The documents reveals that Eid Charity has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to Islamists and jihadis around the world. With other organizations, MEF has researched the use of these funds. What has been f...

Israel is abuzz with reports about Netanyahu seeking a plea deal to end his legal problems. Why now? What does this mean for him? For the government coalition?

Members of the Middle East Studies Association will soon have an opportunity to vote whether to make boycott, divestment, and sanction (BDS) of Israel MESA’s official policy. If MESA or its institutional and individual members carry out the boycott on campuses, they may run afoul of anti-discrimination and academic freedom protections. What are the implications of this step? How can students and f...

Could the Citizenship Law (concerning Palestinians) provoke the first major fissure in the government? Might it also, for the first time, prompt elements of the Coalition and Opposition to cooperate?

What can be done to reverse the trend of Muslims accepting radical ideologies? By recognizing that while the Koran’s text is eternal, its interpretation has constantly changes, and this has direct implications for the Sharia (Islamic law). The reigning theology contradicts modern pluralism and so needs to be adjusted. What efforts toward such an adjustment are Muslims taking? What has been accompl...

“We are in a struggle between modernity and backwardness, between people who treat women as animals and those who treat them as human beings”; so speaks Wafa Sultan and many other ex-Muslims agree. Indeed, Muslims increasingly are leaving their religion. What causes this exodus? Is it larger than in the past? Can Muslims reform the tenets of Islam?

New year but old quarrels between the Coalition and Opposition. How is this affecting the challenges of Covid-19, Gaza, and Iran?

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict includes a perpetual contest over rights to land. Regavim leads the Zionist fight in several ways: control of land, influence over policy, and court battles. Which are the main Palestinian organizations engaged in this battle? What are current trends?

2021 finally saw the end of Israel's political deadlock, but for how long? What can we expect in 2022? Will Bennett last? Will Netanyahu leave the scene? How will the Iran threat play out?

What have the Middle East Forum's projects accomplished in 2021? Nave Dromi will discuss how the Israel Victory project has gained traction in the political and military spheres through building connections with influential figures and institutions. IVP has also had success through campaigns to spread information through the use of billboards, media appearances, and interviews.