The MENA Mix: Regional Recap is a monthly video podcast, produced by the Institute for Middle East Options (IMEO). Each episode features rotating experts who unpack and analyze key news stories shaping the Middle East and North Africa. Our March episode brought together Hayder Al Shakeri (Chatham House Research Fellow) and Younes Zangiabadi (Institute for Peace and Diplomacy Executive Director). They explored the Islamic Republic of Iran's strategy in the war, regional dynamics in Iraq and Lebanon, Gulf developments including the Houthis, the role of global powers, and the implications of the Strait of Hormuz for the war’s global impact.
The MENA Mix: Regional Recap is a monthly video podcast, produced by the Institute for Middle East Options (IMEO). Each episode features rotating experts who unpack and analyze key news stories shaping the Middle East and North Africa. Our February episode brought together Hana Elshehaby (Middle East Council on Global Affairs Research Assistant) and Dr. Farzan Sabet (The Geneva Graduate Institute Managing Researcher). They unpack mounting unrest in Iran and its international repercussions, energy market reactions and Red Sea security concerns, renewed debates over Gaza’s post-ceasefire governance, and Saudi–UAE competition in the Horn of Africa.
The MENA Mix: Regional Recap is a monthly video podcast, produced by the Institute for Middle East Options (IMEO). Each episode features rotating experts who unpack and analyze key news stories shaping the Middle East and North Africa. In this special Year-In-Review episode, Mani A. Jad (IMEO Executive Director) is joined by His Excellency Bisher Al Khasawneh (Jordanian Senator & Former Prime Minister), Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst (EU Ambassador to Egypt & the Arab League), and Ambassdador Dennis Ross (The Washinton Institute Counselor & Distinguished Fellow) to unpack 2025’s most defining regional moments—from the fragile Gaza ceasefire and Lebanon–Israel brinkmanship to Red Sea conflicts, Israel–Iran volatile tensions, and Sudan’s deepening crisis—and explore what’s ahead in 2026.
The MENA Mix: Regional Recap is a monthly video podcast, produced by the Institute for Middle East Options (IMEO). Each episode features rotating experts who unpack and analyze key news stories shaping the Middle East and North Africa. Our November episode brought together Roberta Maggi (CARPO Associate Fellow) and Dr. Alia Brahimi (Atlantic Council Middle East Program Non-Resident Senior Fellow). They covered Israel’s resumed Gaza airstrikes, escalating Israel-Lebanon clashes after strikes on Sidon and Beirut, Sudan’s deepening crisis after El-Fasher’s fall, Syria’s move to join the US-led anti-ISIL coalition, and the emergence of Iraqi mercenaries on Ukraine’s frontlines.
The MENA Mix: Regional Recap is a monthly video podcast, produced by the Institute for Middle East Options (IMEO). Each episode features rotating experts who unpack and analyze key news stories shaping the Middle East and North Africa. Our October episode brought together Hala Bugaighis (Co-Founder & Director, Jusoor Center for Studies and Development) and David Wood (Senior Researcher, Center on Conflict, Development, and Peacebuilding). They discussed key MENA conflicts through mediation and commemoration frameworks, the fragility of the Israel Gaza Ceasefire, the need to amplify the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, tensions in Syria despite initial optimism around new leadership, and the emerging landscape of the Red Sea.
The MENA Mix: Regional Recap is a monthly video podcast, produced by the Institute for Middle East Options (IMEO). Each episode features rotating experts who unpack and analyze key news stories shaping the Middle East and North Africa. Our September episode brought together Mani A. Jad (Executive Director, IMEO) and Leon Shahabian (Founder & Principal, Global Insights Group, LLC). Amongst other topics, they discussed the Syrian president’s future in light of his participation at the United Nations General Assembly, the three year anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death and the state of Iranian human rights, and the significance of Britian, Canada, and France recognizing the Palestinian state.
The MENA Mix: Regional Recap is a monthly video podcast, produced by the Institute for Middle East Options (IMEO). Each episode features rotating experts who unpack and analyze key news stories shaping the Middle East and North Africa. Our August episode brought together Farah Bdour (Political Analyst and former Senior Advisor, IPEL program, USIP) and Firas Maksad (Managing Director, MENA Practice, Eurasia Group). Amongst other topics, they discussed the mood in Beirut after a recent visit, the Lebanese government’s decision to disarm Hezbollah, lifting sanctions on Syria, and the latest Israel-Gaza headlines.
The MENA Mix: Regional Recap is a monthly video podcast, produced by the Institute for Middle East Options (IMEO). Each episode features rotating experts who unpack and analyze key news stories shaping the Middle East and North Africa. Our July episode brought together Ambassador Hesham Youssef (Senior Advisor, European Institute of Peace) and Nimrod Novik (EXCOM Member, Commanders for Israel's Security). Amongst other topics, they discussed the prospects of a ceasefire in Gaza, the humanitarian situation in Gaza, developments in the West Bank, and internal developments in Israel.
The MENA Mix: Regional Recap is a monthly video podcast, produced by the Institute for Middle East Options (IMEO). Each episode features rotating experts who unpack and analyze key news stories shaping the Middle East and North Africa. Our June episode brought together Anna Borshchevskaya (Senior Fellow, The Washington Institute) and Sara Bazoobandi (Research Associate, Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University). Amongst other topics, they discussed the Iran and Israel conflict, Russia's regional position, and how Ukraine impacted Russia's failure to aid Iran.
The MENA Mix: Regional Recap is a monthly video podcast, produced by the Institute for Middle East Options (IMEO). Each episode features rotating experts who unpack and analyze key news stories shaping the Middle East and North Africa. Our May episode brought together H.A. Hellyer (Senior Fellow, Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies) and Noha Alkamcha (Middle East Advocacy Consultant, Women For Women International). Amongst other topics, they discussed Western pressure on Israel, Syria’s recovery following Trump’s sanctions, and implications of the US-Iran Deal and what this says about US diplomacy in MENA.
The MENA Mix: Regional Recap is a monthly video podcast, produced by the Institute for Middle East Options (IMEO). Each episode features rotating experts who unpack and analyze key news stories shaping the Middle East and North Africa. Our April episode brought together Charlotta Sparre (Deputy Director, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) and Zine Labidine Ghebouli (Fellow, MENA Program, European Council on Foreign Relations). Amongst other topics, they discussed the recent US-Iran nuclear negotiations, the Gaza conflict and it’s regional repercussions, and European-Middle East relations.
