logo
episode-header-image
Today
38m 34s

After Two Years of War in Gaza, Can Trum...

Middle East Institute
About this episode

Two years after Hamas’ October 7 attack and Israel’s punishing response, both sides say they accept in principle President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to halt the war and chart a path toward enduring peace. MEI Senior Fellow Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen joins hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj to unpack what’s in the plan, how compatible it is with earlier Arab and European proposals, and whether its vague “credible pathway” to Palestinian statehood can withstand politics in Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Washington. They also explore the sticking points—Hamas disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, and Palestinian Authority reform—as well as what success would actually look like on the ground.

This episode was recorded on October 7, 2025.

Up next
Oct 2
Water and Power: Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia at Odds Over Africa’s Largest Dam
In this episode of Middle East Focus, hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj are joined by MEI Senior Fellow Mirette F. Mabrouk to unpack the growing tensions over the recently inaugurated Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile. With no water-sharing agreement with ... Show More
40m 28s
Sep 25
A Middle East NATO? Regional Security Options After Doha
Israel’s September 9 strike on Hamas leaders in Doha rattled Gulf capitals and revived a decades-old debate over whether the region needs a NATO-style defensive alliance. MEI Senior Fellow Jason Campbell joins hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj to unpack why past attempts a ... Show More
43m 3s
Sep 11
Under Pressure: Will Snapback Sanctions Bring Iran Back to the Table?
With Iran’s nuclear program devastated, the reimposition of UN sanctions looming, and Tehran grappling with the fallout of the 12-Day War, is the time ripe for Iran to return to the negotiating table? MEI Distinguished Diplomatic Fellow Alan Eyre — former senior US diplomat and m ... Show More
32m 1s
Recommended Episodes
May 2025
Crisis and collapse: Europe’s intervention in Gaza
This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Julien Barnes-Dacey, ECFR’s Middle East and North Africa programme director, for an emergency room episode diving into the dire situation in Gaza. After the March ceasefire collapsed, Israel’s intensified offensive—where it plans to occupy 75% ... Show More
19 m
Aug 18
Last push to pause Gaza war, and Al Shara meets Syrian Christian leader
Mediators are making one last push to pause the fighting in Gaza. Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara has met one of the country’s senior Christian leaders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to travel to Washington today. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Media ... Show More
5m 39s
Oct 2024
Could the Middle East be heading for a new era?
One year on and the war in Gaza shows no sign of abating. Instead, conflict is spreading across the region and diplomacy has all but failed. So, what's the likely result of the ongoing tension? Could the Middle East be heading for a new era? In this episode: Bassam Haddad, Direct ... Show More
24m 53s
Mar 2025
Israel blocks aid to Gaza as it pushes new ceasefire terms
Israel has stopped humanitarian aid to Gaza as the first phase of the ceasefire deal expired this weekend. The Guardian's Julian Borger talks about why Israel has stopped that aid and ongoing negotiations with Hamas. Then, New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the ... Show More
27m 31s
Oct 2024
Ep71. Nasrallah Killed in Lebanon – What’s Next?
Over the weekend, Israel confirmed that they had killed Hezbollah’s charismatic leader – and terrorist master mind --  Hassan Nasrallah. He was frequently described as the leader of the globe’s most powerful non-state armed group.  So, what does Nasrallah’s exit from the stage an ... Show More
48m 55s
Oct 2024
What is the future of Sudan?
It's been going on for a year and half now and getting worse by the day. The conflict in Sudan has killed thousands of people and led to one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Diplomacy has so far failed. So, what lies ahead for Sudan and its people? In this episode: ... Show More
24m 31s
Aug 2024
Rising tensions in the Middle East
Today on the show, Fareed is joined by the New Yorker’s Robin Wright and Johns Hopkins professor Vali Nasr to break down the latest escalations in the Middle East following the killings of three Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. Will tensions between Israel and Iran lead to a full-sca ... Show More
43m 4s
Mar 2025
Rising tension over Tehran's nuclear programme and Lebanon-Israel border row
Renewed tension over Tehran’s nuclear programme has raised fears that Israel may strike Iranian atomic facilities this year. Israel and Lebanon have agreed to hold negotiations to settle border disputes and release more Lebanese detainees. Hamas has said it is waiting for next st ... Show More
6m 16s
Mar 2024
Starving Gaza
In this episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard is joined by Crisis Group experts Azmi Keshawi, Robert Blecher and Mairav Zonszein to discuss Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, Israeli politics around the war, stalled ceasefire talks and how much Washington’s stance is changing. Richard fir ... Show More
51m 46s