MEI's Senior Fellow for US Foreign Policy Brian Katulis sits down with a cast of friends, colleagues, and fellow MENA policy professionals for casual conversations on the most important happenings in the Middle East today.

Taking the Edge Off the Middle East
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MEI's Senior Fellow for US Foreign Policy Brian Katulis sits down with a cast of friends, colleagues, and fellow MENA policy professionals for casual conversations on the most important happenings in the Middle East today.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
2/25/2025
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Recent Episodes

March 17, 2026
Surviving October 7th: Amir Tibon on Trauma, War, and Israel's Future
<p>Brian is joined by Amir Tibon, a journalist for Haaretz and the author of The Gates of Gaza: A Story of Betrayal, Survival, and Hope in Israel's Borderlands and The Last Palestinian: The Rise and Reign of Mahmoud Abbas. On October 7, 2023, the Tibon family's lives were changed forever when Hamas militants invaded Nahal Oz kibbutz, destroying their community, brutally killing their neighbors, and taking others hostage. Together, Brian and Amir examine the fallout from the events of October 7th, how public opinion in Israel and the United States has shifted over the past two and a half years, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political strategy, and what this all means for the future of Israel and its relationship with Palestinians and the broader region.</p> <p>Listen to Taking the Edge Off the Middle East on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.</p>

March 3, 2026
After the Iran War: What Is America's Long Game in the Middle East?
<p>Brian is joined by Dana Stroul, Director of Research and Shelly and Michael Kassen Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, to examine US objectives in the Middle East in the midst of the ongoing war between the US, Israel, and Iran. Drawing on her extensive experience in US policymaking, most notably as the Pentagon's top civilian official responsible for the Middle East from 2021 to 2023, Dana offers an insider's perspective on this strategic moment. Together, Dana and Brian unpack the rapidly developing situation in Iran, the fragility of the ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, the shifting landscape in Syria after Assad, and the United States' role in a region that may be on the cusp of transformation.</p> <p>Listen to Taking the Edge Off the Middle East on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.</p> <p> </p>

February 17, 2026
Courage Runs in the Iranian People's DNA
<p>Brian sits down with Holly Dagres, Libitzky Family Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, to discuss Iranian public opinion, protest movements, and Washington's lack of strategic policy planning on the Iran file. Dagres, who was born in Los Angeles and moved to Iran at age thirteen, offers a rare insider perspective on the views and aspirations of the Iranian people. The conversation explores the formative experiences of her teenage years in Iran, the roots of the country's powerful women's movements, the influence of Gen Z voices in driving change, and the need for a creative and cohesive US strategy on Iran to empower the Iranian people. </p>
36 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Taking the Edge Off the Middle East?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
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