May 14, 2026
How is competition for
influence in the Horn of Africa among Middle Eastern powers —
especially the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Israel — reshaping
the political landscape? Hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj
are joined by MEI Senior Fellows Mirette Mabrouk and Gönül Tol to
unpack the dynamics driving this...
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...
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...
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...
Apr 17, 2026
This bonus episode of Middle East
Focus features a recent MEI Virtual Briefing. Director of
Communications Zeina Al-Shaib is joined by MEI Distinguished
Diplomatic Fellows Alan Eyre and Daniel Benaim to discuss the
historic talks held in Pakistan last weekend between the United
States and Iran. Tehran insists the US...