July 29, 2025
The Democratic Party Has a Middle East Problem
Daniel Silverberg, adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, joins Brian for a candid conversation about the shifting politics of U.S. Middle East policy inside the Democratic Party. Drawing on decades of experience shaping national security strategy, they unpack why so many debates remain trapped in a post-Iraq War mindset, how October 7th transformed bipartisan dynamics, and what’s at stake when values, strategy, and political reality collide. From Iran and Gaza to the role of Arab partners and the rise of populism, the trio explores how America’s approach to the region must evolve—and how the next generation can lead that charge with clarity, humility, and purpose.
Listen to the full interview at the Middle East Institute.
More from CNAS
-
Israel’s Strike in Qatar: A “Big Red Line Has Been Crossed”
Video
Donald Trump says he's "not thrilled" by Israel's unprecedented strike against Hamas in the Gulf state of Qatar – a key American ally. He adds it was the lone decision of Isra...
By Adham Sahloul
-
The Main Points in the Leaked Plan for Gaza
Video
The Washington Post has published a document outlining a post-war plan for Gaza that is reportedly circulating in the White House. It's not clear if the plan reflects Trump’s ...
By Adham Sahloul
-
Qué Sharaa, Sharaa
Commentary
The success of any political process in Syria hinges on Sharaa’s ability to resolve a host of interlocking institutional and economic problems....
By Eitan Danon & Daniel Schneiderman
-
Commentary
Indo-Pacific Security / Transatlantic Security / Middle East Security
A Project for a New World OrderIndeed, the gathering in Beijing suggests that the axis, rather than withering following the war in Iran in June, has momentum....
By Richard Fontaine & Andrea Kendall-Taylor
