Tickets Now Live: Bari Weiss and Simon Sebag Montefiore in NYC

September 18, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The Middle East Through a Historian’s Lens

“I’ve really missed saying those words,” Bari Weiss begins, returning to the microphone after nearly a year away from hosting. She’s back to announce a live event in New York City on October 1st, featuring historian Simon Sebag Montefiore, whose forthcoming book The Cauldron: The Making of the Modern Middle East provides the spine for their conversation. For two decades, Weiss notes, that region has shaped U.S. foreign policy and dominated American politics—from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to the ongoing conflict with Iran that shows no sign of resolution. Through it all, Montefiore argues, one truth endures: the Middle East cannot be understood without its history.

The Central Argument: History as the Only Map

Continue reading the full summary in the app — free to try.

Read Full Summary →

Free • No credit card required

Listen to Audio Summary Open in App

Never miss an episode of Honestly with Bari Weiss

Get every new episode summarized in your inbox — free, ~5 minutes to read.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

What you'll learn

1 (00:00) **Host Introduction and Return** - Bari Weiss announces her return to hosting after nearly a year, highlighting the Free Press's growth and talent.
2 (00:56) **Live Event Announcement: Simon Sebag Montefiore in NYC** - Weiss invites listeners to a live Free Press event on October 1st in New York City featuring historian Simon Sebag Montefiore.
3 (01:21) **Why This Conversation Matters** - Weiss explains that the Middle East has shaped U.S. foreign policy and dominated American politics for two decades.
4 (01:59) **What to Expect from the Event** - Weiss promises a provocative, unpredictable, funny, and brilliant discussion with Montefiore.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Bari Weiss Simon Sebag Montefiore

Show Notes

For the first time in almost a year, Bari is thrilled to host a live Free Press event, on October 1 in New York City. We’d love for you to join us.

Many of you will know the name Dr. Simon Sebag Montefiore. He’s a close friend of The Free Press, a renowned historian, and the author of multiple worldwide bestsellers, including Jerusalem: The Biography, The Romanovs, Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar, and, to be published this month, The Cauldron: The Making of the Modern Middle East.

That last book will be the subject of our urgent conversation. For two decades, the region it covers has shaped U.S. foreign policy and dominated American politics. If we listed all the conflicts, we’d be here all day. Of course, right now we have the ongoing war in Iran, with no end in sight.

Through it all, Simon argues, one truth endures: America’s quagmires in the Middle East stem from a deep misunderstanding of the region—on both the left and the right.

This is the subject of his brilliant new book, and you won’t want to miss us discussing it live. I hope you’ll join us. Tickets are available at TheFP.com/Events. Get them today before they sell out.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices