On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman
177 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago -Al-Monitor Senior Correspondent Amberin Zaman interviews newsmakers, journalists, and thought leaders from the US and Middle East about the latest news and trends in the region. Amberin travels the region for Al-Monitor, specializing in news and analysis in Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and the Caucasus and writes the weekly Turkey Briefing newsletter. Prior to Al-Monitor, she covered Turkey, the Kurds, and conflicts in the region for The Washington Post, The Daily Telegraph, The Los Angeles Times and the Voice of America, and was The Economist's Turkey correspondent from 1999 to 2016.
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Episodes
‘Creative diplomacy’ very much an option for US and Iran under Biden Administration
November 17, 2020 15:51 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MBBijan Khajehpour, Managing Partner of Eurasian Nexus Partners and an Al-Monitor columnist, discusses the options for US-Iran diplomacy and the Iran nuclear deal under a Biden Administration; the candidates and issues shaping Iran’s presidential elections next year; the prospects for Iran’s economy; how Iran’s relations with Russia and China are linked to its ties with Europe and the US; Iran’s Middle East policies; why regime change hasn’t worked in Iran; and whether there might be ...
Bahrain committed to both normalization with Israel and two-state solution, says Bahrain Ambassador to US
November 11, 2020 01:29 - 23 minutes - 22 MBHE Sheikh Abdulla bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Ambassador to the United States, discusses the depth and endurance of the US-Bahrain security relationship; how normalization offers hope for both economic prosperity and progress toward a two state solution; the challenge and threat from Iran, and why Bahrain supports ‘all multilateral frameworks’ dealing with nonproliferation; and Bahrain’s long-standing commitment to interfaith dialogue. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/p...
HR McMaster explains why it would be a mistake to return to Iran deal and the perils of disengagement in the Middle East
November 03, 2020 00:24 - 39 minutes - 36.1 MBLt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, former National Security Adviser and the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, discusses his new book, Battlegrounds: Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World; why the US should not return to the Iran deal, a ‘political disaster masquerading as a diplomatic triumph’; how Saudi Arabia can be ‘part of the solution’ in the Middle East; whether the US can mitigate the potential loss of Turkey as an ally; how ...
‘Foregone conclusion’ that Erdogan is rooting for Trump in US presidential election
October 30, 2020 11:39 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MBAl-Monitor Columnist Semih Idiz discusses why Turkish-pro government media has made former Vice President Joe Biden an ‘object of anger’; why Turkey is escalating the diplomatic fight with Europe over offensive cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad; Russia-Turkey relations; and Turkey’s interests and objectives in Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Syria. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
US democracy promotion in the Middle East ‘largely discredited,’ says Steven Cook of Council on Foreign Relations
October 21, 2020 01:41 - 44 minutes - 40.5 MBSteven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa at the Council on Foreign Relations, discusses why the US needs to stay in the Middle East, but with a bit more realism; how to contain Iran; his personal observations and assessment of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan; and why the US needs a new embassy in Iraq. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
How the GCC states balance the US and China, and why the Gulf may prefer Trump over Biden
October 14, 2020 04:52 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBAl-Monitor contributor Sebastian Castelier discusses how the Gulf states balance their ties with both the US and China; why the GCC may prefer a Trump victory in the US presidential election; the impact of the Gulf economic downturn on migrant workers; the potential and limits of Israel’s normalization agreements with the UAE and Bahrain; the ‘lost opportunity’ of the GCC rail project, and how repairing the Gulf rift would benefit the region; the prospects for Saudi Arabia’s Vision ...
Closing US embassy in Baghdad would be ‘incredibly irresponsible,’ says former US Ambassador to Iraq
October 07, 2020 13:45 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBFormer US Ambassador Ryan Crocker says the US should keep its embassy open and stay the course backing Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi; explains why he supports former Vice President Joe Biden for president; assesses the benefits and impact of Israel’s normalization agreements with the UAE and Bahrain; and discusses US policy toward Syria and Iran, as well as how diplomacy has changed over the past 20 years. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pr...
GCC rift ‘pained the late Emir the most,’ says Kuwaiti scholar Alanoud Alsharekh
October 01, 2020 22:14 - 30 minutes - 27.5 MBDr. Alanoud Alsharekh, director of Ibtkar Strategic Consultancy, discusses the impact of the late Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on Kuwait and the region; what we can expect from the new Emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah; trends in Kuwait and the region toward women, youth, and independents becoming more engaged in politics; and the progress of campaigns to combat domestic violence and end honor killings. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privac...
Van Hollen says Iran is metaphor for failed Trump foreign policies
September 23, 2020 00:07 - 36 minutes - 33.4 MBUS Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) makes the case for a Biden foreign policy in the Middle East; discusses the Trump Administration’s policies toward Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, and the Israel normalization deals with Bahrain and the UAE; and explains how, in his view, Russia and China have been gaining at the expense of the US in the region. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
For Israeli Arabs, Peace agreements with UAE and Bahrain bring opportunities and mixed feelings
September 17, 2020 01:10 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBAl-Monitor contributor Afif Abu Much, an Arab citizen of Israel and tech entrepreneur, says that there is optimism that the peace deals could open doors to the Arab world that have until now been closed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Putin’s Syria Strategy and the US presidential election
September 10, 2020 22:09 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBMax Suchkov, Senior Fellow at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, discusses Russia’s Syria strategy, Iran-Russia ties, and why Moscow has low expectations for US-Russia relations after the US presidential election. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Update from Iraq with Al-Monitor’s Ali Mamouri
September 02, 2020 19:54 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MBAl-Monitor Associate Editor Dr. Ali Al-Mamouri discusses the situation in Iraq, Prime Minster Mustafa Al-Kadhimi’s reform agenda, the evolution of the Iraqi protest movement, the US troop presence in Iraq, and Iraq’s regional policies, including Iraq’s relationship with Iran. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
“The sky’s the limit” for Israel-UAE deal, says Israel’s ambassador to the United States
August 26, 2020 01:08 - 55 minutes - 50.4 MBRon Dermer, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, and a close adviser to Prime Minister Netanyahu, talks about the normalization agreement with the UAE and what comes next, the prospects for negotiations with the Palestinians, the US sale of F-35 fighter aircraft to the UAE, the threat from Iran and what would make a successful nuclear agreement, and US-Israel relations and the US presidential election. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Noti...
CNBC’s Hadley Gamble talks about Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and women journalists covering the Middle East
August 12, 2020 13:23 - 38 minutes - 34.9 MBCNBC News Anchor and International Correspondent Hadley Gamble discusses what Lebanon’s creditors may be thinking; the future of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s Vison 2030; her career covering the Middle East; the impact of the #metoo for women journalists, and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mina Al-Oraibi discusses how the UAE got ahead of COVID-19 pandemic and pulled off the Mars Mission, why she has faith in Iraq’s potential, and more
August 05, 2020 12:49 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBMina Al-Oraibi, editor of The National, on her personal and professional observations on Iraq; the UAE’s successes in managing the COVID-19 crisis, as well as the pandemic’s likely long-term impact; the UAE mission to Mars; and the challenges of digital journalism in the Middle East. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sultan Al-Qassemi discusses social, political and cultural trends in modern and contemporary Arab Art
July 29, 2020 14:46 - 36 minutes - 33.7 MBEmirati columnist and researcher Sultan Al-Qassemi, founder of the Barjeel Art Foundation, discusses the impact of political events on contemporary Arab art; the role and recognition of women artists; trends in Iraqi, Palestinian, and Gulf art; the vibrant UAE art scene, and more! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
US Rep. Elissa Slotkin: US should be ‘clear eyed’ about Russian attempts to ‘thwart, target and engage’ US forces
July 22, 2020 14:01 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBElissa Slotkin, US Representative from Michigan and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, discusses the threat from Russia to US interests in the Middle East and worldwide; the US-Israel partnership and differences on annexation; why Congress matters on the use of force in the Middle East; US policy toward Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Turkey; and why you can’t separate national security and domestic policy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privac...
Cengiz Candar discusses his new book, Turkey’s Mission Impossible: War and Peace with the Kurds
July 15, 2020 15:40 - 32 minutes - 29.5 MBAl-Monitor columnist and author Cengiz Candar discusses Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erodgan, the Hagia Sofia, the Kurds, Turkey’s Syria Quagmire, his new book, and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook discusses Trump Administration’s policy toward Iran
July 08, 2020 19:06 - 31 minutes - 28.8 MBHook, the Trump Administration’s top official on Iran, talks about the prospects for further prisoner exchanges and diplomacy with Iran; the threat from Iran’s nuclear programs; whether the US can sustain the UN-imposed arms embargo on Iran; and why iran is again at the top of the State Department’s list of state sponsors of terrorism. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Israeli and Palestinian UN ambassadors discuss annexation, the Trump Peace Plan and the prospects for direct talks
July 01, 2020 02:12 - 38 minutes - 35.1 MBDanny Danon, permanent representative of Israel to the United Nations, and Riyad Mansour, permanent observer of Palestine to the United Nations, talk about the prospects for annexation, the extension of Israeli sovereignty over Jewish settlements in the West Bank, the potential reaction in the region, the Trump Administration’s peace plan, and the prospects for resumed direct Israel-Palestinian talks. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at ...
Qatar Amb. Meshal Al-Thani talks about COVID-19, Iran, plans for the World Cup, divisions within the GCC, and more
June 24, 2020 13:00 - 35 minutes - 32.4 MBHE Meshal Al-Thani, Qatar’s ambassador to the United States, talks about the prospects for reconciliation with Qatar’s neighbors; US-Qatar relations; Israeli-Palestinian issues; Iran, plans for the World Cup, and how his country is managing with COVID-19. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Amberin Zaman breaks down US-Turkey relations and the Kurdish question in Syria
June 17, 2020 14:22 - 45 minutes - 41.4 MBAl-Monitor senior correspondent Amberin Zaman explains the background to the Kurdish question in Syria, US-Turkey relations, and what to expect next in the now nine-year war, as well as observations and advice for young journalists covering conflict and the Middle East. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Gilles Kepel discusses his new book “Away from Chaos: The Middle East and the Challenge to the West”
June 10, 2020 13:00 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBRenowned scholar Gilles Kepel discusses his latest book and the trends and new fault lines that are shaping the region, including the impact of COVID-19, falling oil prices, political Islam, and the fallout of what was called the Arab Spring in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Syria, Saudi Arabia and the region. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
UAE Ambassador Yousef Al-Otaiba talks about COVID-19, the region, and prospects for governance in the post-pandemic future
June 02, 2020 22:55 - 50 minutes - 46 MBHE Yousef Al-Otaiba, the UAE Ambassador to the United States, discusses how the UAE is managing the coronavirus pandemic; lessons being learned for governance in the post-COVID19 Middle East; Iran; Yemen, Syria; Libya; Qatar; Israeli-Palestinian issues; and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Hagel talks about the Middle East, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, and Joe Biden
May 27, 2020 12:52 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBThe former Secretary of Defense explains how his relationship with Sisi helped steady US-Egypt ties after the 2013 coup, why he is backing Joe Biden for president, whether the US should stay in Iraq, and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What will be Netanyahu’s Legacy?
May 20, 2020 18:00 - 35 minutes - 32.8 MBAndrew Parasiliti discusses developments in Israel with Al-Monitor Israel correspondent Ben Caspit, including what to expect from the new emergency government; whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will proceed with annexation of Jewish settlements in the West Bank; Netanyahu’s relationships with US President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden; what to expect from Netanyahu’s upcoming hearing on bribery charges; and the Iran-Israel cyber war. See Privacy P...
Trailer
April 27, 2020 20:58 - 1 minute - 1000 KBAndrew Parasiliti, president of the award-winning news site Al-Monitor, interviews newsmakers each week from the US and Middle East about the latest news and trends in the region, with additional commentary from Al-Monitor’s ‘on-the-ground’ correspondents. Andrew has been writing about, and traveling in, the Middle East for over three decades, meeting and interviewing the region’s top political and civil society leaders. Since obtaining his PH.D from Johns Hopkins University, he has...