Decision Points

Inside the Middle East: How War, Ceasefires, and Trump’s Arrival Are Reshaping the Middle East


Listen Later

The past few weeks in the region have been some of the most eventful in recent history. Hizbullah, the crown jewel of Iran’s proxy network, has suffered a devastating blow, Iran’s air defense systems have been dismantled, and a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has been established. At the same time, the election of President Trump has introduced an entirely new level of unpredictability, sending shockwaves throughout the region.


How is the war reshaping perceptions within the Middle East, particularly regarding the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire? How does the concept of Iran’s “ring of fire” hold up in this new reality? What does Saudi Arabia’s approach to normalization with Israel mean for its leadership and the future of Gaza? And how are these shifting dynamics influenced by the Trump administration?


On this episode of Decision Points, David Makovsky is joined by Bernard Haykel, a leading authority on Middle Eastern politics, religion, and society, and someone who has spent more time with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman (MBS) than perhaps any American over the last decade. Bernard will soon be releasing his book on MBS, and as a scholar with a personal connection to the region—having grown up during Lebanon’s civil war—he brings a unique insider perspective on the Middle East’s complexities.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Decision PointsBy David Makovsky

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

118 ratings


More shows like Decision Points

View all
The Tikvah Podcast by The Tikvah Fund

The Tikvah Podcast

606 Listeners

Israel Story by Israel Story

Israel Story

1,201 Listeners

What Matters Now by The Times of Israel

What Matters Now

55 Listeners

Israel Policy Pod by Israel Policy Forum

Israel Policy Pod

175 Listeners

The Israel Guys by The Israel Guys

The Israel Guys

249 Listeners

Haaretz Podcast by Haaretz

Haaretz Podcast

276 Listeners

Identity/Crisis by Shalom Hartman Institute

Identity/Crisis

181 Listeners

For Heaven's Sake by Shalom Hartman Institute

For Heaven's Sake

376 Listeners

Unpacking Israeli History by Unpacked

Unpacking Israeli History

1,032 Listeners

Call Me Back - with Dan Senor by Ark Media

Call Me Back - with Dan Senor

2,864 Listeners

The Times of Israel Daily Briefing by The Times of Israel

The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

989 Listeners

Unholy: Two Jews on the News by Unholy Media

Unholy: Two Jews on the News

561 Listeners

We Should All Be Zionists Podcast by Einat Wilf

We Should All Be Zionists Podcast

207 Listeners

Israel: State of a Nation with Eylon Levy by State of a Nation Podcast

Israel: State of a Nation with Eylon Levy

361 Listeners

Here I Am With Shai Davidai by Shai Davidai

Here I Am With Shai Davidai

291 Listeners