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.