Elliott AbramsEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

Elliott Abrams, senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and chairman of the Vandenberg Coalition and the Tikvah Fund, joins the show to discuss Israel, Iran, and the new power dynamics in the Middle East. What new alliances have emerged since the chaos on October 7, 2023? How has the current war with Iran reshaped the region? With a storm of competing interests, fragile partnerships, and global stakes, can stability emerge, or is the Middle East heading toward an even wider conflict? 02:10 - Israel today 04:02- Israeli airport security 05:58 - Netanyahu’s domestic political situation 09:07 - Bibi’s secret visit to the UAE 10:15 - American military aircrafts in Israel 12:01 - Israel-UAE relationship 15:57- October 7th Middle East aftermath 17:17 - Erosion of Iranian proxies 19:20 - Israeli-Saudi relationship 20:27 - Egypt’s global decline 22:24 - Turkey’s role 29:09 - Israel-Lebanon relationship 28:30 - Hezbollah factor 32:25 - How to handle Hamas 36:31 - Iran and the future of the Strait of Hormuz Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod , and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more at The Free Press . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode unpacks the U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks in Islamabad and the prospect of a U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Host: James M. Lindsay , Mary and David Boies Distinguished Senior Fellow in U.S. Foreign Policy, CFR Guest: Elliott Abrams , Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies, CFR We Discuss: What transpired during the U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad. Whether both sides abandoned their own preconditions before talks began. How unusually senior and small the negotiating delegations were. What the logic and mechanics of the U.S. naval blockade are. Why other countries have not joined the blockade and may resist it. What the Arab Gulf states are privately urging Washington to do. Whether Israel and the U.S. share the same goals regarding the Iranian regime. Mentioned on the Episode: Vice President JD Vance Delivers Remarks in Islamabad, Pakistan , April 11, 2026 Harry Sekulich and Kate Whannel, " Starmer Says UK Will Not Join Trump's Blockade of Iran's Ports ," BBC Defense Technical Information Agency, " Iran: Nuclear Intentions and Capabilities ," October 1, 2007 For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/presidents-inbox/what-comes-next-after-failed-us-iran-talks Opinions expressed on The President’s Inbox are solely those of the host or guests, not of CFR, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

As the war with Iran continues, the conflict is raising fundamental questions about how the United States uses military power and how President Trump’s foreign-policy doctrine may be evolving. For years, Trump was closely associated with an “America First” approach that emphasized avoiding prolonged wars and limiting U.S. military involvement abroad. But the current campaign against Iran suggests a shift. In this episode, Aviva Klompas speaks with Elliott Abrams, a former deputy national security advisor and Special Representative for Iran. They examine how the war is unfolding so far, what might realistically be achieved militarily, and what the strategic endgame could look like. The conversation also explores the domestic political tensions surrounding the conflict, particularly among Americans who supported Trump because of his opposition to “endless wars.” Abrams discusses whether the president is redefining what “America First” means in practice and whether the campaign against Iran signals a broader shift in U.S. foreign policy. Finally, they step back to consider the global implications of the conflict and how Iran fits into the wider landscape of American adversaries alongside China and Russia. Guest Bio: Elliott Abrams is a senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, D.C. He has held senior foreign-policy positions in several U.S. administrations, including serving as deputy assistant to the president and deputy national security advisor in the administration of George W. Bush, where he oversaw U.S. policy in the Middle East. During the administration of Donald Trump, Abrams served as Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela. Earlier in his career, he was an assistant secretary of state in the administration of Ronald Reagan. Abrams was educated at Harvard College, the London School of Economics, and Harvard Law School. He has served on numerous public commissions and advisory boards, including the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, and he is the author of several books on American foreign policy and the Middle East. More From This Guest: Trump’s Rules of War in The Free Press

Hyped up on cold medicine and battling delirium, Jonah Goldberg sets off with Elliott Abrams on a globe-trotting adventure in foreign policy covering Venezuela, Cuba, Iran, India, and more. Along the way they discuss the nature of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy, the consequences of American unpredictability, Americans' conceptions of human rights abroad, the utility of the term “neoconservative,” and the lies the U.N. was founded on. Show Notes: — Elliott Abrams profile — "Further Back to the Future: Neo-Royalism, the Trump Administration, and the Emerging International System” — Eli Lake on The Remnant — Honor Among Nations: Intangible Interests and Foreign Policy The Remnant is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠ , a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of Jonah’s G-File newsletters— ⁠click here⁠ . If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠ . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HEADLINE 1: A delegation of Hamas officials arrived on Monday in…wait for it…Turkey. HEADLINE 2: This is not a parody: Hamas wants to be part of Gaza’s new government. HEADLINE 3: The USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in Middle Eastern waters yesterday. AND BONUS HEADLINE 4: The IDF is still hammering Hezbollah in Lebanon. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Council on Foreign Relations Senior Fellow Elliott Abrams, who formerly served as U.S. Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela. For all past episodes: https://bit.ly/3LENwPr -- Featured FDD Pieces: " Israel’s hostage agony finally ends — but its Gaza mission is far from over " - Mark Dubowitz, New York Post " Iranian Influence Operation Floods X With Anti-Protest Messaging " - Max Lesser and Maria Riofrio, FDD Policy Brief " Why Is Saudi Arabia Abandoning Peace? " - Hussain Abdul-Hussain, The National Interest

Elliott Abrams, senior fellow for Middle East studies and the Council, and Ed Husain, senior fellow at the Council, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the state of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks and whether President Donald Trump's twenty-point peace plan will produce a lasting ceasefire. Mentioned on the Episode: Elliott Abrams, " The Teaching of Hate in Jordan, " CFR.org Naftali Bendavid, Scott Clement, and Emily Guskin, " Many American Jews Sharply Critical of Israel on Gaza, Post Poll Finds ," Washington Post For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/two-years-since-october-7-elliott-abrams-ed-husain

He served under three U.S. presidents, shaped policy on the Middle East and Latin America, and was America’s special envoy for both Iran and Venezuela. In this episode of The Diplomat, Elliott Abrams joins Joe Kawly to assess whether Iran’s influence across the region is truly weakening or if that is just an illusion. From Hezbollah’s arsenal in Lebanon to Gaza’s uncertain future and the so-called Iran Russia China axis, Abrams explains where U.S. strategy meets Middle East reality. A must-listen for anyone interested in U.S. foreign policy, Iran’s regional network, and the future of diplomacy in a fractured Middle East. Elliott Abrams has spent decades inside the highest levels of U.S. foreign policy. In this conversation, he delivers an unfiltered take on Iran’s vulnerabilities, Hezbollah’s weapons, and the political choices facing Washington in Gaza and beyond. In this episode, Abrams and host Joe Kawly explore: • Whether Hezbollah is truly weakening under pressure • Why the Iran Russia China axis is more illusion than alliance • The political future of Gaza and the risks of displacement • Why U.S. credibility still hinges on human rights This episode reveals the opportunities and dangers that could define America’s role in the Middle East for years to come. Joe Kawly brings extensive experience from conflict zones in the Middle East to the power corridors of Washington. As a journalist, he’s seen how words can escalate a crisis or open the door to peace. A Georgetown graduate and former CNN Journalism Fellow, he’s known for connecting the dots others miss, so people don’t just hear what happened, they understand why it matters. As producer and host of The Diplomat , Joe brings clarity to diplomacy and politics, one conversation at a time.

Elliott Abrams, senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss ongoing efforts to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza and the war’s ripple effects across the Middle East. Mentioned on the Episode: Elliott Abrams, If You Will It: Rebuilding Jewish Peoplehood for the Twenty-First Century Elliott Abrams, " Meanwhile, Hamas Is Killing Civilians Who Seek Food ," CFR.org For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/elusive-ceasefire-gaza-elliott-abrams

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim is joined by Elliott Abrams who served as the 24th U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor. In this conversation, Elliott Abrams discusses his book ‘If You Will It’ and the current state of American Jewry, particularly in light of the events of October 7th. They discuss themes of Jewish identity, the impact of anti-Semitism, the importance of Jewish education, and the role of Israel in shaping the future of American Jews. They also discuss the evolving political landscape in the U.S. and the Middle East, particularly in light of President Trump’s anticipated return to office. They explore the implications for U.S.-Israel relations, the shifting dynamics in Syria and Iran, and the potential for military action against Iran’s nuclear program.

On this episode of Domino Theory, co-hosts Christian Whiton and Mark Simon speak with Elliott Abrams about human rights in a notional Trump II administration. Abrams was as senior official in the Trump, Bush, and Reagan administrations. How did human rights become a woke progressive crusade, including against our allies, and how can a potentially reelected Trump and his top people bring it back to being a tool of unapologetic national power? We also throw around ideas for negotiating with governments like those of China and Russia, which is necessary, while still pressing human rights. BONUS: How the KGB got the attention of Tehran and its hostage-taking puppets in Lebanon. 00:00 How human rights went woke 04:00 Where to start de-Carterizing 07:45 Failure of Arab Spring 09:42 Egypt and Saudi governments are legitimate 15:30 High-information electorate’s impact 19:45 Talk to dictators, but raise human rights 23:55 Americans have gotten wise to Chicoms 29:00 Do democracy orgs still work? 35:50 Why do we allow Iran to threaten assassination? 40:10 Kicking kids of Chinese and Iranian elite out of US schools 44:20 How the KGB dealt with Iranian hostage-takers

Elliott Abrams is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. He previously served as deputy assistant to the president and deputy national security advisor under President George W. Bush, and as Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela under President Donald Trump. Abrams joins Preet to discuss the recent presidential election in Venezuela, the outlook for its authoritarian leader, Nicolas Maduro, and how the U.S. can help salvage a country in crisis. Stay Tuned in Brief is presented by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Please write to us with your thoughts and questions at letters@cafe.com, or leave a voicemail at 669-247-7338. For analysis of recent legal news, join the CAFE Insider community. Head to cafe.com/insider to join for just $1 for the first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis on headlines of the Middle East, followed by a conversation with The Honorable Elliott Abrams, Former U.S. Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela and Former Deputy National Security Advisor. Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

Bill welcomed Elliott Abrams to the show to discuss the Israel/Hamas war, it's domestic fallout and the political implications. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Send us Fan Mail Someone who helped write America's playbook on the Middle East, Latin America, and global leadership. Elliott Abrams joins Adam Goodman on this episode of 13th & Park! Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/13thandPark Follow BP on TWitter: https://twitter.com/BallardFirm

In this episode with Elliott Abrams, we provide additional detail on the history of Israel-Gaza/Hamas — this time from a White House insider on U.S.-Middle East policy during a critical period in Hamas’s takeover of Gaza — what were leaders in Washington and Jerusalem thinking at the time? Elliott takes us into the Situation Room: What did they get right and what did they get wrong? This part of the discussion is a good complement to our conversation last week with Jonathan Schanzer on this history of Hamas. Elliott also considers all that has changed for Israel, the region (especially the Sunni Gulf and Iran), and the Diaspora-Israel relationship as a result of this war. Elliott is senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. He served as deputy national security advisor in the administration of President George W. Bush, where he supervised U.S. policy in the Middle East for the White House, and as Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela in the administration of Donald Trump. Elliott was educated at Harvard College, the London School of Economics, and Harvard Law School. After serving on the staffs of Senators Henry M. Jackson and Daniel P. Moynihan, he was an assistant secretary of state in the Reagan administration and received the secretary of state's Distinguished Service Award from Secretary George Shultz. Elliott is the author of five books, including “Tested by Zion: The Bush Administration and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict”, which is most relevant to today’s discussion.

On October 7th, Israel suffered the worst attack it has experienced in its history at the hands of the terrorist group Hamas. 900 casualties in Israel, including at least 11 American citizens – not to mention around 150 hostages taken by Hamas, most back to the Gaza Strip where they will be held as bargaining chips. The shocking adjectives being used are spot on: heinous, evil, unconscionable. And one lesson has emerged crystal-clear: weakness on Iran does not lead to moderation and bonhomie, it leads to bloodshed and paves the path for terror. Obama’s nuclear deals; Trump’s tougher but ultimately unsustainable approach; Biden’s inattention and subsequent $6 billion bribe to Iran – and people wonder why the Iranian regime thought that now might be a good time to push the envelope even further. What happens next will be decisive. We have watched Biden slow roll aid to Ukraine while Congress tears itself apart. We have watched successive administrations hope that pivoting to Asia will put the Middle East in the rear-view mirror. It won’t. When tyrants and terrorists are persuaded the US is weak, they act. The time has come to change their minds. Elliott Abrams is a senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in Washington, DC. He served as deputy assistant to the president and deputy national security advisor in the administration of President George W. Bush, where he supervised U.S. policy in the Middle East for the White House, and as Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela in the administration of Donald Trump. Download the transcript here .

Elliott Abrams, Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela at the U.S. Department of State, former Deputy National Security Advisor, joined NSI's NatSec Nightcap series for a discussion about foreign policy, diplomacy, and the growing relationship between Tehran and Caracas among a variety of other topics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.