Who Really Rules Iran Today? The Hidden Power Structure Behind the Regime

Who Really Rules Iran Today? The Hidden Power Structure Behind the Regime

For decades, understanding Iran was relatively straightforward. Ultimate authority rested with one man: the Supreme Leader. Today, that picture is far more complicated. In this episode of the Middle East Brief with Avi Kaner, Avi explores how Iran's leadership structure has evolved during the current war and why negotiations with Tehran have become increasingly difficult. Using a compelling analogy, he explains how power is now spread across military commanders, political institutions, security organizations, state-controlled economic empires, and influential business networks. Whether you follow Middle East politics, global security, or international diplomacy, this episode provides a framework for understanding one of the world's most complex political systems.

Dialogue Between Jerusalem and Mecca

A Saudi-owned broadcaster. An Israeli president. A wide-ranging interview conducted in Jerusalem. Not long ago, this would have been unimaginable. In this episode of Middle East Brief with Avi Kaner, I examine why President Isaac Herzog's interview with Melinda Nucifora of Al Arabiya may prove to be one of the most significant media moments in the evolving relationship between Israel and the Arab world. Topics include: * Why a Saudi-owned broadcaster interviewing Israel's president in Jerusalem is historically significant * Herzog's assessment of Iran's behavior following renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz * His support for continued U.S. leadership in confronting Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional aggression * His vision of "a dialogue between Jerusalem and Mecca" and what normalization with Saudi Arabia could mean for the Middle East * His dream of one day driving from Jerusalem to Beirut and Damascus in a peaceful region * His response to difficult questions about Gaza, civilian casualties, and Israel's international standing * Why he believes the battle over public opinion has become as important as the military battlefield This wasn't just another diplomatic interview. It was a conversation broadcast to hundreds of millions of Arabic speakers across the Middle East and beyond - one that reflects a region gradually moving from isolation toward dialogue. Sometimes history isn't made at a peace conference. Sometimes it begins with a conversation. Middle East Brief with Avi Kaner delivers historical context, geopolitical analysis, and thoughtful conversations on the events shaping Israel, the Middle East, and the world.

314–104: The House Vote That Changed the Conversation

The amendment to eliminate U.S. security assistance to Israel failed decisively in the House of Representatives, 314–104. But the real story isn't that it failed. It's who voted for it. For decades, support for Israel was one of the few truly bipartisan issues in Washington. Yesterday's vote suggests that consensus may be changing. In this episode of Middle East Brief with Avi Kaner, I examine: * Why this House vote could become a turning point in the U.S.-Israel relationship * How bipartisan support for Israel evolved over the past 75 years * Why 103 Democrats and one Republican voted to eliminate U.S. aid to Israel * The impact of generational change, social media, and shifting political coalitions * Qatar's investment in American universities and the global influence of Al Jazeera as part of the broader information battle * Why Israel is now fighting not only on the battlefield, but also in the arena of public opinion * What this vote could mean for the future of American foreign policy The amendment failed by a wide margin. But history may remember this vote not because of the outcome... ...but because of what it revealed about where American politics may be heading. Middle East Brief with Avi Kaner delivers historical context, geopolitical analysis, and thoughtful conversations on the issues shaping Israel, the Middle East, and the world.

Israel, America, and the Ahmadinejad Option

What if one of Israel's greatest enemies suddenly became part of a plan to reshape Iran? A remarkable report from The New York Times claims that Israel and the United States explored the possibility of former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad playing a role in a post-Islamic Republic transition. In this episode of Middle East Brief with Avi Kaner, I examine: * Why Ahmadinejad, a Holocaust denier and longtime adversary of Israel, was considered as a possible transitional figure. * The strategic challenge of removing a regime without creating chaos. * Lessons from Iraq and other attempts at regime change. * Whether intelligence agencies sometimes have to work with deeply flawed individuals to achieve a larger objective. * The difference between military victory and political transition. * Why legitimacy, not military power alone, ultimately determines whether a new government can survive. This episode isn't about defending or condemning the reported plan. It's about exploring one of the oldest dilemmas in statecraft: When confronting a dangerous regime, how far should democracies go - and who, if anyone, should help build what comes next? Middle East Brief with Avi Kaner delivers historical context, geopolitical analysis, and thoughtful conversations on the events shaping Israel, the Middle East, and the world.

The Bazaar Is Closed: Trump's Message to Iran

A few weeks ago, I introduced what I called "The Bazaar Strategy" - the idea that President Donald Trump's negotiating style mirrors the bargaining culture of a Middle Eastern marketplace: maximum pressure, strategic unpredictability, and always leaving room for a deal. Has that strategy now reached its limit? In this episode of Middle East Brief with Avi Kaner, I examine President Trump's latest remarks from Türkiye, where he declared, "I think it's over," describing the Iranian regime as "liars," "cheats," and "sick people," while questioning whether any future agreement is possible. Has the negotiation truly ended, or is this simply another chapter in a high-stakes strategy? Join me as we examine one of the most consequential shifts in U.S.-Iran relations - and what it could mean for Israel, the Middle East, and the wider world. Middle East Brief with Avi Kaner delivers concise historical context and geopolitical analysis on the events shaping Israel, the Middle East, and global affairs.