Iran's recent ballistic missile attack on Israel marks a significant escalation in their long-standing enmity. This attack, one of the largest in history, raises critical questions about the future of the relationship and the region at large. As tensions peak, the strategic, political, and ideological dimensions of this rivalry take on even greater importance, with both Israel’s defensive responses and Iran's aggressive stance setting the stage for potential further clashes.

In this episode of Decision Points, David Makovsky is joined by two leading experts: Ray Takeyh and Meir Litvak. Ray Takeyh is a senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, specializing in Iran, U.S. foreign policy, and the modern Middle East. Meir Litvak, professor at Tel Aviv University and director of the Alliance Center for Iranian Studies, brings decades of expertise in the intersection of religion, society, and politics in Iran, with a focus on Shi’a Islam and Iranian nationalism. Together, they delve into the roots of Iran's ideological hostility towards Israel, the internal dynamics of the Iranian regime, and how the regime’s anti-Zionism has shaped its foreign policy.

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

October marks the 30th anniversary of the Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty, a key moment in Middle East diplomacy. Since October 7th, the relationship between the two countries has been challenged like never before, with cracks appearing in the Israel-Jordan relationship. While Jordan and Israel have collaborated on strategic issues like water, energy, and security, there is a split-screen reality between the Jordanian monarchy’s ongoing cooperation with Israel and the Jordanian public’s growing discontent. Although these challenges have been difficult to bear, they have also brought the resilience of the peace treaty to the fore.

In this episode of Decision Points, David Makovsky is joined by three experts: Merissa Khurma, the head of the Middle East program at the Wilson Center, David Schenker, Taube Senior Fellow and Director of the Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics at The Washington Institute and former Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, and former Mossad director Efraim Halevy, a key figure in forging the peace treaty. They will dive into this complex dynamic, considering whether the relationship can be salvaged under the current Israeli government, and what steps can be taken to rebuild trust between these two neighbors.

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

Since Israel’s founding in 1948, it has never faced a reality quite like this: seven active combat fronts, including Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, the West Bank, Gaza, and Yemen. This multi-front war was once the vision of Qassem Soleimani, the late commander of the Iranian IRGC’s Quds Force, who referred to it as the “ring of fire” — a strategy designed to suffocate Israel through proxy forces on all sides. Today, this vision has become reality, with Iranian-backed militias entrenched across the region, waging a war of attrition and destabilizing local governments. How does Iran view its proxy network as part of its broader regional strategy, and how do the local interests of these proxies align with Tehran’s overarching goals? Why are these proxies so resilient, and, most importantly, what strategies can the U.S. and Israel employ to curb their power?

In this episode of Decision Points, David Makovsky is joined by three experts to unpack Iran’s proxy network and its broader geopolitical implications: Dr. Michael Knights, Zohar Palti, and Dr. Patrick Clawson. Dr. Knights is a senior fellow at The Washington Institute, specializing in the military and security affairs of Iraq, Iran, and the Gulf states. Palti is the former head of the Policy & Political-Military Bureau at Israel's Ministry of Defense and a former leader of the Mossad Intelligence Directorate. Dr. Clawson is a senior fellow at The Washington Institute and a leading expert on Iran and U.S. policy, with extensive experience at the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and National Defense University. Together, they discuss the complexities of Iran’s regional ambitions and the strategies to counter them.

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