War, Democracy, and the Middle East: Alon Ben-Meir in Conversation with Dimitris Eleas

Professor Alon Ben-Meir is one of the most respected voices in contemporary discussions on Middle Eastern affairs, international negotiations, and conflict resolution.

Political scientist, writer, and independent researcher Dimitris Eleas recently appeared as a guest on Episode 150 of “On the Issues,” the podcast hosted by Professor Alon Ben-Meir. The episode originally aired on June 2, 2026.

Ben-Meir, Senior Fellow at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs, has spent decades engaged in the study of Middle East politics and peace negotiations. Widely known in Israel, the United States, and throughout the Jewish Diaspora, he has consistently advocated dialogue, human rights, regional cooperation, and a negotiated two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians. In addition to his academic work, he has participated in numerous unofficial diplomatic initiatives and has written extensively on issues of peace, security, and international relations.

In Episode 150 of “On the Issues,” Ben-Meir and Eleas discussed some of the most pressing challenges facing the contemporary world, including the consequences of the October 7 attack on Israel, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the rise of antisemitism internationally, developments involving Israel and Iran, and the broader political and historical forces shaping current events. They mentioned Iran’s strategic use of “mosaic warfare” and economic warfare. The conversation also provided a blunt psychological assessment of modern political leadership, characterizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “dangerously obsessed” with power (in the context of the discussion).

The conversation also examined the importance of historical memory, democratic values, civil liberties, and the role of political leadership during periods of crisis and uncertainty. They engaged in a highly civil discussion without adopting a polarizing tone.

Eleas, an independent researcher, focuses on the role of personality in history and politics, modern history, antisemitism, and the legacy of the Holocaust. His contributions have been featured in newspapers and online media, and his letters in particular have appeared in major international outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. He is also the author of several books published in Greece and of the novel-essay “When Shakespeare Was Lost, 1585–1592,” published in 2025.

Introducing his guest, Professor Ben-Meir described Dimitris Eleas as “a political scientist, writer, and independent researcher” whose work explores “the role of personality in the social-historical, philosophy, global politics, antisemitism, and modern history, with a particular focus on the Holocaust.” He emphasized that Eleas's research into the role of personality allows him to spot dangerous patterns of authoritarianism before they fully take root.

Reflecting on the invitation, Eleas stated that it was a great honor to participate in a substantive and wide-ranging discussion with a scholar whose longstanding commitment to peace, human rights, and constructive dialogue has earned international respect across academic, diplomatic, and public spheres. At the end, Eleas warned of the dangers of “galloping authoritarianism,” noting that the vulnerable, the workers, and the children always pay the highest price for the decisions of elites.

The full episode and guest biography are available on Alon Ben-Meir’s official website.

Source: This news article was first published by SLpress, a respected Greek news and political analysis outlet. Original headline: “Dimitris Eleas Featured on Alon Ben-Meir’s ‘On the Issues’ Podcast.” Republished here with permission.