Podcasts

As the war in Gaza unfolds, Gulf governments are caught between diplomatic pragmatism and public opposition. While leaders in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain weigh their strategic interests, the streets tell a different story—where anti-Israel sentiment and Palestinian solidarity remain strong. Meanwhile, Qatar continues its dual approach—acting as a mediator in the hostage deal while maintaining ties with Hamas. On this week’s episode of The National Security Podcast, Nicole Zedeck and Ilan Zalayat from the Institute for National Security Studies explore how Gulf states perceive the war, the hostage deal, and Trump’s return to power.

On this week’s episode of the National Security Podcast, Ariel Oseran and Dr. Yoel Guzansky from the Institute for National Security Studies explore what normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia means for both nations, what are the broader regional and global implications of such a historic agreement, and will incoming President Trump succeed where Biden did not.

In this program, we are pleased to inaugurate our strategic partnership with the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC and the Emirates Policy Center in Abu Dhabi. In the spirit of the Abraham Accords, this trilateral strategic partnership will build on the momentum from the normalization process, and serve as a hub for those in the global think tank community who seek to contribute to UAE-Israel relations. The executive director of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), Maj. Gen. (ret.) Amos Yadlin, the president and CEO of the Atlantic Council, Mr. Fred Kempe, and the president of the Emirates Policy Center, Dr. Ebtesam al-Ketbi, examine the regional outcomes of normalizing Israel’s relations with the UAE and Bahrain – and the continuation of this process. What are the responses in the Arab Gulf states and in Iran? How might this momentum of peacemaking affect U.S. policy in the Middle East, after the presidential elections? What regional opportunities for Israel do these agreements create? How could the Abraham Accords contribute to cooperation on common security concerns? Might the current normalization process ultimately lead the return of Israel and the Palestinians to the negotiating table?

Ari Heistein and Dr. Yoel Guzansky sit down to discuss recent developments in the Saudi-led campaign in Yemen and their implications for regional security. What was the impetus behind the intervention? Why was it unable to achieve its goals? And will the Saudi-UAE relationship be damaged by UAE’s withdrawal from Yemen or can the impact of their diverging policies be contained?