Podcast
Rethinking Democracy
Hosted by Middle East Institute · EN
This is a critical time for the future of democracy as citizens in America and across the globe are losing faith in democratic institutions. We often view the rollback of democracy and threats to the liberal international order as separate problems, but in reality they are closely interlinked. In this podcast series, MEI Senior Fellow Gonul Tol examines the interplay between democracy's domestic and international foes as well as how to counter them.
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Will the PKK Really Disarm?
1w ago00:45:37Tap to summarizeIn 2025, jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan made a historic call for the group to disarm and dissolve, raising hopes of ending a 40-year conflict that has shaped Turkey and the wider region. Months later, the PKK symbolically laid down arms in what many viewed as a breakthrough moment for the peace process. But more than a year later, the process appears increasingly fragile. Turkey's pro-Kurdish party accuses the government of failing to build on the momentum created by Öcalan's call, while Ankara, Kurdish political actors, and even Öcalan himself have traded blame over delays and lack of progress. So where does the process go from here? Could violence return? Does Öcalan still command full authority over the PKK? And how are regional developments — from Syria to Iran — reshaping the future of efforts to disarm the PKK? To discuss all this, I'm joined by Kurdish affairs expert Aliza Marcus. Purchase Aliza's new book, Resurgence and Revolution: The PKK and the Kurdish Fight in Turkey and Syria, here.
Transcribe →
Can Syria Hold Together?
3w ago00:35:55Tap to summarizeSyria is in the midst of a fragile transition. Many observers see positive momentum, with new humanitarian initiatives underway and fresh funding beginning to flow. But the risks remain serious: regional spillover, deep humanitarian needs, funding shortfalls, Israeli strikes, sectarian tensions, stalled political tracks, and continued reports of abuses by multiple actors. Where does Syria's transition really stand — and what could the war mean for its future? In this episode, I'm joined by Noah Bonsey, Senior Advisor at the International Crisis Group, to unpack the opportunities, the dangers, and what comes next.
Transcribe →
Nazanin Boniadi: How the World Can Help Iran's Democratic Struggle
Apr 1400:51:22Tap to summarizeJust weeks before President Trump's war began, Iran was in the midst of a powerful wave of anti-regime protests spreading across the country. But once the war started, that momentum largely came to a halt. The conflict shifted the focus from dissent to survival and gave the regime an opening to crack down harder. With tighter controls, heightened fear, and everyday life suddenly more precarious, people pulled back from the streets. The protests may have paused, but the resentments that fueled them haven't gone anywhere. To unpack what this war means for Iran's democracy movement — both inside the country and in the diaspora — I'm joined by an exceptional guest, Nazanin Boniadi. Nazanin is an Iranian-British actress and political activist, born in Iran and raised in London.
Transcribe →
Lebanon at the Brink: War, Hizballah, and the Fate of Democracy
Mar 3100:42:42Tap to summarizeIsrael's escalating campaign against Iran-backed Hizballah is rapidly turning Lebanon into one of the most unstable fronts in the wider US-Israel confrontation with Iran — pushing an already fragile state to the brink. The war is tearing at Lebanon's sectarian and political fabric, displacing Shiite communities and deepening polarization between Hizballah and its rivals. The government that came to power in February 2025 on a wave of optimism now faces a perfect storm. What does this mean for Lebanon — a country long seen as one of the Middle East's rare democracies? Today, we unpack how the Iran war and Israel's campaign are reshaping Lebanon's democratic future.
Transcribe →
The Kurdish Card: Can Iranian Kurds Shape the War's Endgame?
Mar 1700:39:48Tap to summarizeThe war against Iran has entered its third week with no clear endgame—and no clear strategy from Washington. At one point President Trump appeared to encourage Iranian Kurdish groups to rise up against the regime, before quickly walking it back. Meanwhile, some exiled Kurdish opposition figures say they already have an invasion plan and only need U.S. air cover. The Kurdish question is once again at the center of regional politics. In this episode, we examine the role of Iranian Kurds in the opposition—and what this moment could mean for their future.
Transcribe →
Is Turkey the New Iran — Or Is that the Wrong Question?
Mar 300:51:45Tap to summarizeThe balance of power in the Middle East is shifting. Iran is on the defensive — its military capabilities were badly degraded by last year's 12 days of Israeli and US strikes, and growing protests at home have made the regime look more vulnerable than it has in years. As that balance changes, a growing number of commentaries suggest that Turkey may replace Iran as the region's next destabilizing force. Much of that argument rests on the assumption that Turkey under Erdoğan shares the same Islamist agenda as Iran's theocratic regime. Today, we're going to unpack that. What are the real similarities — and the real differences — between these two countries? Not just in their current politics, but in the deeper historical structures, institutions, and ideologies that have shaped — and constrained — democracy in both. This episode was recorded on February 27, 2026, prior to the latest outbreak of war in the Middle East.
Transcribe →
After Rojava: What's Next for the Kurds?
Feb 1700:47:41Tap to summarizeDramatic developments in Syria have delivered a major blow to Kurdish ambitions for self-rule. In a rapid offensive, Damascus moved into northeast Syria, forcing the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) out and effectively dismantling the autonomous region the Kurds had built during the civil war. For the Kurds, this is more than a battlefield setback—it is a historic turning point. The Syrian uprising opened an unprecedented window: a long-repressed minority governed itself, gained international legitimacy through the fight against ISIS, and helped reignite Kurdish nationalism across the region. That experiment is now unraveling. So what does this mean for the future of the Kurds—not only in Syria, but across Turkey, Iraq, and Iran? Does the collapse of Kurdish autonomy weaken Kurdish nationalism, or deepen it? And what comes next for the Kurdish struggle for rights, representation, and democracy?
Transcribe →
Israel-Palestine: Is the Two-State Solution Dead?
Feb 400:51:02Tap to summarizeLong before the Gaza war erupted in 2023, a broad consensus had already taken hold across policymakers, activists, and foreign-policy circles: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was at a political dead end. The Oslo framework—and the promise of a two-state solution—had steadily lost credibility as a realistic path forward. Since Hamas's October 7 attacks, the devastation in Gaza and the accelerating realities on the ground have made a two-state outcome even harder to imagine. And yet, it remains the default language of Middle East diplomacy. Most recently, UN Secretary-General António Guterres reaffirmed his determination to oppose Israeli actions undermining the two-state solution and called for renewed momentum toward Palestinian statehood. So is the two-state solution still viable—or has it become a diplomatic reflex disconnected from reality? And if it's no longer achievable, what alternatives exist? In today's episode, we unpack the debate over what comes next—and what a democratic, rights-based future for Israelis and Palestinians could actually look like.
Transcribe →
Can Iran's Regime Survive This?
Jan 1300:48:37Tap to summarizeIran is once again at a boiling point. For more than a week, nationwide protests have shaken the country, with tens of thousands pouring into the streets of major cities, including Tehran. As calls for the regime's removal spread, authorities responded with internet blackouts and force. Videos show government buildings ablaze across multiple cities, while human rights groups report at least 28 protesters killed since late December. These are the largest demonstrations Iran has seen since 2022, when the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody ignited a nationwide uprising. This time, the unrest comes as the Islamic Republic is unusually exposed—still reeling from a bruising 12-day war with Israel last summer. What does this moment mean for the regime's survival? How is this wave of protests different from those that came before? And is there anything the outside world can do to support Iran's pro-democracy movement without backfiring? On today's episode of Rethinking Democracy, we dig into what may come next—for Iran's rulers and for the millions of Iranians challenging them. Recorded January 9, 2026
Transcribe →
When the World's Oldest Democracy Goes Illiberal
Dec 1600:35:25Tap to summarizeThe Trump administration has released its new National Security Strategy—and analysts say it signals a decisive break from America's role as the leader of the free world. Instead, the document advances an openly illiberal, strongman-centered vision of power. One former U.S. official goes further, arguing the strategy doesn't merely abandon democracy promotion—it puts Washington in the business of promoting autocracy. Democracy and human rights are pushed aside. Allies are treated more harshly than autocrats. The concern is that this shift will accelerate democratic erosion at home while giving authoritarian leaders abroad a freer hand. So how deep is the crisis in American democracy? Is Trump's America now exporting autocracy? And what responsibility do other democracies have to push back—both within their own borders and toward the United States? In this episode of Rethinking Democracy, we unpack America's democratic decline—and what the rest of the democratic world should do about it. Today's guest is Dr. Amanda Sloat, Professor of Practice at IE University in Madrid and a former senior US government official. Recorded December 10, 2025
Transcribe →