State Secrets | Peter Berkowitz on How Foreign Policy Is (Un)Made Inside the State Dept

Israel: State of a Nation

Peter Berkowitz, former Director of Policy Planning at the US Department of State, offers a candid, insider’s view of how U.S. foreign policy is shaped and often hindered by entrenched bureaucratic dynamics. In this interview, filmed at the Hudson institute in Washington D.C., Eylon Levy and Berkowitz reflect on the global implications of the October 7th Hamas attack and critiques the failure of Western diplomacy to adequately respond to the Iranian-backed threat. He discusses the ideological divides within the State Department, the persistence of flawed policies like the two-state solution, and the limitations of diplomatic engagement with Iran. Berkowitz also highlights the West’s dangerous complacency regarding Iran’s influence in the Middle East and how U.S. foreign policy could be reoriented to more effectively support Israel and deter regional adversaries. This conversation sheds light on the complexities of decision-making in Washington and the broader challenges facing international relations.
Co-Creator and Host - Eylon Levy
Co-Creator and Creative Director - Guy Ross
Executive Producer - Asher Westropp-Evans
Editor - Benny Goldman

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