Paul Salem

In a gripping discussion, Paul Salem, a seasoned expert on the Middle East and former president of the Middle East Institute, unpacks the fraught dynamics between Israel and Iran. As tensions escalate, they explore the possibility of U.S. military involvement under Trump, and how his supporters are divided over intervention strategies. Salem also sheds light on the challenges facing Iran's regime amidst internal dissent, and the cautious responses from Arab nations. The conversation is a deep dive into the complexities of geopolitics in this volatile region.

Paul Salem, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and founder of the Carnegie Middle East Center, gives on-the-ground geopolitical analysis from Beirut. He unpacks why the US struck Iran now and how Iran’s leadership losses and proxy networks shape the conflict. He maps regional economic and military pressures, risks of prolonged war, and the hard realities of seeking regime change.

Paul Salem, senior fellow and founder of the Carnegie Middle East Center, offers expert analysis on regional security. He explains why the strike came now and weighs US aims of regime change against Israel’s push for destruction. He maps proxy responses across the region and explores Iran’s institutional resilience and the risks of chaos if the country is dismantled.

In this discussion, Paul Salem, a Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute and expert on regional geopolitics, analyzes the recently established Gaza cease-fire and its implications. He highlights how the conflict has altered military dynamics, reduced Iran's deterrence, and reshaped perceptions of Israel. Salem delves into U.S. engagement in the region, the possibility of Palestinian integration without Israeli involvement, and the complexities of Saudi normalization with Israel. He warns about potential radicalization and emphasizes the need for proactive diplomacy.

In this insightful discussion, Mohamed Ali Harisi, a foreign editor who witnessed Lebanon's conflicts firsthand, joins urban studies expert Mona Fawaz, U.S. foreign policy historian Emily Whelan, and Paul Salem from the Middle East Institute. They explore the lasting scars of Lebanon's civil war, dissecting how sectarian strife has seeped into politics and daily life. Corruption and clientelism thrive amid ongoing unrest, sparking a cycle of violence and uprisings. They also reflect on Lebanon's shifting dynamics in the context of regional conflicts and resilience efforts.