Best The Institute For Middle East Understanding Podcasts (2025)

1
Countering the Swarm: America’s Drone Deterrence Strategy 46:22

7h ago46:22

46:22

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! 🎙️ At the Boundary reaches its 100th episode with a critical conversation on one of the fastest-growing threats in modern warfare: drones. Host Jim Cardoso is joined by Dr. Stacie Pettyjohn and Molly Campbell to explore why the U.S. must urgently rethink its counter-drone strategies—before it’s too lat…

1
Charlie Kirk's Death: America's Slide into the Abyss 41:33

7h ago41:33

41:33

On this episode of Reaganism, host Roger Zakheim sits down with Matt Continetti, an acclaimed historian of the right, to discuss his latest piece in the Free Press, on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the decline of America's civic character. Roger and Matt discuss the deepening political and cultural divide in America, highlighted by the assa…

1
How is Fintech reshaping the future of money? 1:52

9h ago1:52

1:52

In Season 5 of Fintech Files, our three hosts are traveling across the global fintech landscape, uncovering the most exciting stories from the world’s leading innovation hubs. From embedded payments to crypto, from financial inclusion to the future of millennial finance, they’re diving into the breakthroughs, bold ideas, and unexpected questions de…

1
The Halabja Massacre: Remembering, Reflecting and Rebuilding 55:30

24h ago55:30

55:30

About the Lecture:Dr. Saeed speaks about the Halabja Massacre that occurred on March 16, 1988—a chemical weapons attack under the direction of Ali Hassan al-Majid (“Chemical Ali”), a cousin of Saddam Hussein. The attack claimed between 7,000 and 10,000 civilian lives. Dr. Saeed will discuss the lasting impact on Kurdish and Iraqi history, its role …

1
The Future of U.S. Involvement in the Middle East 1:07:48

1d ago1:07:48

1:07:48

About this Event:Join us for a fireside chat, “The Future of U.S. Involvement in the Middle East,” featuring House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Emeritus Michael McCaul (R-Tex.), in conversation with journalist Dr. James Robbins. The discussion will be moderated by Haley Byrd Witt, Senior Reporter at NOTUS.This event will examine the evolving …

1
Old Transformers, New Threats: Is America’s Power Grid at Risk 25:14

7d ago25:14

25:14

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Are America's Transformers the Weak Link in National Security? In this episode of the At the Boundary podcast, GNSI’s Lt Col John "JAY" Patrich, an MQ-9 pilot and National Security Research Fellow at the GNSI, sits down with Jesse Humpal, Ph.D., an Air Force officer currently serving in the Chief of St…

1
The Legal Perspective: Strikes Against Tren de Aragua and Hamas 43:55

7d ago43:55

43:55

On this episode of Reaganism, host Roger Zakheim sits down with Matt Waxman, a professor at Columbia University Law School. Roger and Matt discuss the Trump administration's recent strike against the Tren de Aragua gang in the Caribbean. Matt outlines the constitutional and international legal hurdles the president faces authorizing the strike. Mat…

1
Russian Information and Cyber Warfare Threats: What We Know from the Russian Attack on Ukraine 59:42

3d ago59:42

59:42

About the LectureThis presentation will explore the scope and evolution of Russian information and cyber warfare, drawing key lessons from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Ambassador Smith will begin with an overview of Russia’s cyber capabilities and principal actors, then examine how Russian cyber attacks on Ukraine have developed over time and t…

1
U.S. Naval Power at Risk? Inside America’s Shipbuilding Crisis 50:16

9d ago50:16

50:16

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! The U.S. once built 90% of the world’s ships—today, it produces less than 1%. What went wrong, and can America reclaim maritime dominance? In this episode of the “At the Boundary” podcast, GNSI’s Dr. Guido Rossi sits down with maritime expert Dr. Randall Gentry, the principal research scientist at CNA …

1
Is Irregular Warfare America’s Blind Spot? 54:56

16d ago54:56

54:56

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of the GNSI At the Boundary podcast, USF’s Dr. Rob Burrell is joined by Colonel Dave Maxwell (Ret.), of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy and the Global Peace Foundation, and Lieutenant General Charles T. Cleveland (Ret.) to examine the future of the American way of irregular warfare…

1
Protectionism vs. Prosperity: Senator Phil Gramm Defends Free Markets 49:57

22d ago49:57

49:57

In this episode of Reaganism, host Roger Zakheim sits down with former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm who served the State of Texas in the United States Senate and is the author of the newly released book, “The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism.” They discuss Sen. Gramm’s new book arguing that many policy …

1
America's Strategic Imperative: Deterring China 41:21

28d ago41:21

41:21

In this episode of Reaganism, host Roger Zakheim sits down with Dmitri Alperovitch who is the Co-Founder and Chairman of Silverado Policy Accelerator, national bestselling author of “World on the Brink: How America Can Beat China in the Race for the 21st Century,” founder of the Alperovitch Institute for Cybersecurity Studies at Johns Hopkins Unive…

1
Inside the Golden Dome: Can the U.S. Stop Missiles in Space? 49:22

23d ago49:22

49:22

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of GNSI’s At the Boundarypodcast, Dr. Tad Schnaufer sits down with Dr. Namrata Goswami, professor of space security at Johns Hopkins University, to unpack one of the most ambitious U.S. defense projects in decades: the Golden Dome missile defense system. Announced by the Trump administr…

1
What Went Wrong in Afghanistan? Understanding the Taliban to Shape U.S. Policy 48:51

1M ago48:51

48:51

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of GNSI’s “At the Boundary” podcast, Arman Mahmoudian, PhD, interviews Marvin G. Weinbaum, PhD, who is senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Drawing on his recent article, “Our Knowledge …

1
Israeli Settlers Kill Palestinian American in the West Bank: His Father Speaks 24:02

1M ago24:02

24:02

Sayfollah, a 20-year-old Palestinian-American from Florida, came to Palestine to visit his family, not knowing it would be his last trip home. On July 11, 2025, he was brutally beaten to death by Israeli settlers in the town of Sinjil, near Ramallah. This attack came amid a sharp escalation of settler violence across the West Bank. In this episode,…

1
Did Syria Prepare Russia for Hybrid Warfare in Ukraine? 48:48

1M ago48:48

48:48

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, Tad Schnaufer, PhD, speaks with John Pennell, PhD, a Senior Diplomacy Fellow with Narrative-Strategies, Senior Strategic Advisor with Pax Strategies LLC, Senior Practitioner with the Irregular Warfare Center, and author of Assessing Russia's Actions in Ukraine and Sy…

1
Syria After Assad: What Led Here and What Lies Ahead 45:30

1M ago45:30

45:30

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Joining us again is Charles Lister, a senior fellow and director of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute (MEI), where his research focuses on Syria, terrorism, and insurgency across the Levant. In this episode of At the Boundary, Lister breaks down both the history and the sequence of even…

1
Chinese Espionage Operations and Tactics 58:46

2M ago58:46

58:46

About the Lecture:China’s espionage activities are changing the global balance of power, impacting the U.S. and foreign economies, and providing challenges to domestic, national security, and foreign policy formulation. China's "whole of society" intelligence approach provides a sophisticated and expanding global reach to target individuals for rec…

1
A Conversation with Mahmoud Khalil: Student Activism in the US and the Palestinian Struggle for Freedom 32:04

2M ago32:04

32:04

Following their moral compass, student activists at Columbia demanded an end to the genocide in Gaza and called for a ceasefire. The response? Intimidation, suspensions, wrongful arrests, and, in Mahmoud’s case, being illegally detained by ICE and threats of deportation.How and why did the current student movement begin? What were the consequences …

1
Inside the Business Roundtable: Where Business Meets Policy 48:41

2M ago48:41

48:41

In this episode of Reaganism, host Roger Zakheim sits down with former Ambassador of the United States to the European Union, and now President & COO at Business Roundtable, Kristen Silverberg. They discuss the intersection of business and government. The conversation delves into the role of the Business Roundtable, the impact of executive orders, …

1
Preparing for Tomorrow’s Wars: Resilience, Resistance in the 21st Century 36:37

2M ago36:37

36:37

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of the “At the Boundary” podcast, GNSI’s Jim Cardoso speaks with Dr. Rob Burrell, Senior Research Fellow at the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, about GNSI’s new research initiative on the Future of Warfare. Dr. Burrell also introduces his upcom…

1
A Solution for the Kurdish Conflict in Iran: Federalism or Secession? 48:16

2M ago48:16

48:16

About the Lecture:This discussion is based on a case study that examines two policy proposals, federalism or secession, as possible solutions for the Kurdish conflict in Iran. It is a study that meticulously analyzes the historical background of the Kurdish question, identifying the critical factors for the emergence of Kurdish nationalism in Iran …

1
Can BRICS Gold Reserves Challenge the US Dollar? 24:54

2M ago24:54

24:54

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, William Parker, a Business Librarian at the University of South Florida (USF) sat down with GNSI’s Strategy and Research Manager Dr. Tad Schnaufer to the newest GNSI Decision Brief, "Assessing BRICS Gold Holdings." They discussed how BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, In…

1
Insights from Google: AI's Role in Shaping Tomorrow's Global Economy 33:11

2M ago33:11

33:11

In this episode of Reaganism, host Roger Zakheim sits down with Karan Bhatia, who previously served as Deputy U.S. Trade Representative in the Bush Administration, and now serves as the Global Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Google. They discuss the current landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology, focusing on the U…

1
The Electoral College and How Other Republics Elect Heads of Government 58:01

2M ago58:01

58:01

About the Lecture:The American Constitution is the world’s oldest. It was designed by our Founders to withstand the storms of faction, geographic expansion, war – and even Civil War. The Founders studied history. They knew that democracies always fail. Plato writes in The Republic that “democracies always become tyrannies.” How is it that our 235-y…

1
Israel’s Attack on Iran: How it Impacted Palestinians 24:13

2M ago24:13

24:13

This episode uncovers a harsh and overlooked reality: Israel’s unequal protection and systemic discrimination against Palestinian citizens of Israel, which was particularly evident during Israel and Iran’s 12-day war, provoked by an Israeli attack on Iran. For nearly two weeks, most Israelis benefited from widespread access to shelters and rapid em…

1
What's Next for Afghanistan: U.S. Interests or Compromise with the Taliban? 44:38

2M ago44:38

44:38

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! What’s the U.S. endgame in Afghanistan now—and what role does the Taliban really play? In this episode of At the Boundary, host Jim Cardoso speaks with Dr. Jonathan Schroden, a non-resident fellow at the Global and National Security Institute (GNSI), to explore how U.S. foreign policy toward Afghanista…

1
Don't Write Off Europe: Freedom, Security, and Geopolitics 34:43

2M ago34:43

34:43

In this episode of Reaganism, host Roger Zakheim sits down with Professor Brendan Simms, a Professor of the History of International Relations at the University of Cambridge. They discuss Professor Simm's essay in the Wall Street Journal titled "Don't Write Off Europe Just Yet," which addresses skepticism in the U.S., particularly within the Trump …

1
Political Polarization Feels Unstoppable. Will it Destroy Democracy? 47:19

3M ago47:19

47:19

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Polarization Feels Unstoppable. Will it Destroy Democracy? In this episode of At the Boundary, we explore how America’s deepening divides are shaking the very foundations of democracy. Dr. Josh Scacco—USF’s first-ever Carnegie Fellow and founding director of the Center for Sustainable Democracy—joins u…

1
Reagan, Realism, and the Roots of Strategic Cooperation with Israel 46:34

3M ago46:34

46:34

In this episode of Reaganism, host Roger Zakheim sits down with Dr. Daniel Samet who is the George P. Shultz Fellow at the Ronald Reagan Institute, and the author of the new book, U.S. Defense Policy toward Israel: A Cold War History. The conversation explores the core thesis of Dr. Samet’s book, which directly challenges the claims made in John Me…

1
Information as a Domain of War with Professor Larry Dietz 1:00:02

3M ago1:00:02

1:00:02

About the Lecture:Conflict is no longer restricted to the domains of land, sea, and air. The Information Domain has emerged as a more than an equal warfighting domain for conflict from tension through armed conflict. The presentation will look at the information domain in military context in the Ukraine, Gaza, Bosnia, and Iraq. Attendees will get a…

1
The World on Fire with Col. John Mills 59:10

3M ago59:10

59:10

About the Speaker:COL (Ret) Mills has made immense contributions to America’s national security since the later stages of the Cold War. This service has been both in uniform and as a senior civilian for the Department of Defense. Colonel Mills has multiple combat tours, has helped train and equip six foreign partner military/security forces and has…

1
Voices from Gaza: Journalist Yara Eid on War, Media, and Memory 32:53

3M ago32:53

32:53

In today’s episode, we speak with Yara Eid, a young Palestinian journalist and human rights advocate from Gaza, currently based in London. Yara has worked with international organizations, including Amnesty International, and uses her platform to shed light on life under Israeli occupation and apartheid in Gaza. Yara is known for her viral intervie…

1
The History of American Intelligence — Jeff Rogg on The Spy and the State 41:16

3M ago41:16

41:16

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, GNSI Senior Director Jim Cardoso speaks with Dr. Jeff Rogg, Senior Research Fellow at the Global and National Security Institute, about his new book The Spy in the State: The History of American Intelligence. Drawing on both history and current events, they explore t…

1
The Innovation Deficit: Why Great Ideas Get Stuck 41:33

3M ago41:33

41:33

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute’s Director of the Center for Civics, Education, and Opportunity Dan Rothschild sits down with Dr. Ben Reinhardt who is the CEO of Speculative Technologies. They discuss discuss the mission and vision behind Speculative Technologies, emphasizing the importance of physical technologies and the need for i…

1
SPECIAL EPISODE Iran's Breaking Point: Missiles, Miscalculation and Reckoning 28:17

3M ago28:17

28:17

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this urgent special episode of At the Boundary, GNSI Research Fellow Dr. Arman Mahmoudian offers in-depth, real-time analysis of the rapidly escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, which has now drawn in the United States. Following a U.S. and Israeli joint strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, …

1
Could the U.S. Bring Back the Draft? 42:44

3M ago42:44

42:44

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! It’s been over 50 years since the U.S. transitioned to an all-volunteer military force. But with rising threats from China, the demands of modern warfare, and persistent recruiting shortfalls, is it time to ask the unthinkable: Could the draft return? In this episode of At the Boundary, GNSI’s Dr. Guid…

1
General Jack Keane on Iran's Nuclear Threat 36:39

3M ago36:39

36:39

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim sits down with retired General Jack Keane, who serves as the Chairman of the Institute for the Study of War. They discuss the ongoing military actions by Israel against Iran's nuclear weapons program, the implications for U.S. involvement, and the strategic landscape in the Middl…

1
Government's Role in Pharmaceutical Innovation 39:21

3M ago39:21

39:21

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim sits down with Dr. Tevi Troy, a senior fellow at the Reagan Institute and former deputy secretary of Health and Human Services. They discuss Dr. Troy's article 'In Praise of Big Pharma,' exploring the critical role of the pharmaceutical industry in healthcare innovation and the c…

1
How Israel Uses Starvation as a Weapon in Gaza 28:54

3M ago28:54

28:54

In this episode, we investigate Israel’s deliberate use of starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza. Through firsthand testimonies and expert insight, we trace how food became tools of siege—cut off from over two million Palestinians. As hunger spreads and desperation grows, we examine how this crisis is manufactured, and who bears responsibility. Tha…

1
Can Deep Sea Mining Meet the World’s Critical Mineral Demand? 32:54

3M ago32:54

32:54

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Found over 4,000 meters below the ocean’s surface, polymetallic nodules may hold the key to powering the future. In this episode, Dr. Mark Luther, Director of the Ocean Monitoring and Prediction Lab at USF and President Elect of the International Marine Mineral Society, joins us to explore how deep sea…

1
Book Lecture: A Rage to Conquer 47:29

3M ago47:29

47:29

About the Lecture:A sequel to Michael Walsh’s Last Stands, his new book A Rage to Conquer is a journey through the twelve of the most important battles in Western history. As Walsh sees it, war is an important facet of every culture – and, for better or worse, our world is unthinkable without it. War has been an essential part of the human conditio…

1
Trump, Trade, and China with Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick 52:34

4M ago52:34

52:34

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim sits down with Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick. They discuss the pivotal role of Pennsylvania in national politics, particularly in relation to tariffs and trade policies. He emphasizes the need for fairness in trade relationships, the importance of industrial policy for nati…

1
Cybersecurity Without Borders: USA and France 25:36

3M ago25:36

25:36

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, Dr. Nicolas Sabouret of the University of Paris-Saclay joins GNSI’s Dr. Tad Schnaufer to preview the upcoming Transatlantic Forum on Cybersecurity. Together, they explore how France and the U.S. approach cybersecurity—from technical expertise in cryptography and netw…

1
China's Military Rise: A New Era 2:01:18

4M ago2:01:18

2:01:18

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim is joined by Dr. Zack Cooper, who is a Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. They discuss Dr. Cooper’s book, Tides of Fortune, which explores the rise and decline of great militaries, focusing on China's military buildup and its implications for U.S. defense strateg…

1
From Deep Sea to Deep Policy: What's Fueling the Modern Energy Race? 37:18

4M ago37:18

37:18

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, Dr. Andrew Whiskeyman sits down with Milo McBride of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace to explore one of the most consequential issues in global security today: the race for critical minerals and the future of energy transition. From solar and battery in…

1
The Intersection of Military and Business Strategy with The Honorable Dr. John Hillen 2:01:18

4M ago2:01:18

2:01:18

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim is joined by the Honorable Dr. John Hillen who serves as the James C. Wheat Jr. Professor in Leadership at the Wilson Center and is also a professor in the government and foreign affairs department at Hampden-Sydney College. They discuss the importance of strategic thinking in bo…

1
The Coalition You’ve Never Heard Of—But Can’t Afford to Ignore 36:50

4M ago36:50

36:50

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this Memorial Day edition of At the Boundary, host Jim Cardoso sits down with Colonel Allan Peterson, the Danish senior national representative to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the new chairman of its 35-nation military coalition. Based in Tampa, Florida, this enduring coalition was born out of…

1
Defending Freedom: Estonia's Stance Against Russian Aggression 2:01:18

4M ago2:01:18

2:01:18

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim is joined by Hon. Hanno Pevkur who serves as the Minister of Defence for the Republic of Estonia. They discuss the current geopolitical landscape, Russia's aggressive actions in Eastern Europe, and the importance of NATO and collective defense. Minister Pevkur emphasizes Estonia'…

1
Battlefield Medical Lessons from Ukraine: Adapting to Future Conflict 39:44

4M ago39:44

39:44

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Description: In this episode of At the Boundary, GNSI’s Jim Cardoso sits down with Dr. Tracey Pérez Koehlmoos—Director of the Center for Health Services Research and Doctoral Programs in Preventive Medicine & Biostatistics at the Uniformed Services University—to explore how lessons from the Ukraine war…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

The Institute For Middle East Understanding Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide