The Andrew Klavan Show

How Eliminating Ayatollah Khameini Will Change The Middle East w/Michael Doran

Feb 28, 2026
Michael Doran, a Middle East security expert and Hudson Institute director, outlines how Iran’s leadership shapes regional dynamics. He discusses the Abraham Accords, Iran’s 2023 messaging, limits of protests, challenges of replacing the shah, and how removing Khamenei could reshape Tehran’s posture. He also covers Israeli capabilities, U.S. intelligence limits, and strategic calculations around escalation.
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ANECDOTE

Why The Center For Peace And Security Got Its Name

  • Michael Doran named his center partly as a jab at the Biden administration's reluctance to use 'Abraham Accords' language.
  • He recounts how the Biden team's discomfort with Trump-era normalization prompted him to brand his center explicitly for peace and security.
INSIGHT

Why Civilian Deaths in Gaza Are Blamed On Hamas

  • Israel fights Hamas as a terrorist army that uses civilians as human shields, shifting moral responsibility.
  • Doran argues civilian deaths in Gaza are the responsibility of Hamas because it embeds forces and tunnels inside civilian infrastructure.
INSIGHT

How Israeli Tech Benefits America

  • Israel is small but a disproportionate cyber and tech power that benefits the U.S. economy.
  • Doran details Israeli cyber talent feeding startups that sell to U.S. firms, creating jobs and strategic tech benefits for America.
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