Introducing Architects of Peace: The Abraham Accords Story
Release Date: 08/21/2025
From the White House Lawn
Architects of Peace
On September 15, 2020, the Abraham Accords were signed at the White House by President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the foreign ministers of the UAE and Bahrain. In this third installment of AJC’s limited series, AJC CEO Ted Deutch and Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer Jason Isaacson—who stood on the South Lawn that day—share their memories and insights five years later. Together, they reflect on how the Accords proved that peace is achievable when nations share strategic interests, build genuine relationships, and pursue the greater good. :...
info_outline
Behind the Breakthrough
Architects of Peace
In episode two of AJC’s new limited series, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, U.S. Army General Miguel Correa, and AJC Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer Jason Isaacson unpack the first Trump administration’s Middle East strategy, share behind-the-scenes efforts to engage key regional players, and reveal what unfolded inside the White House in the crucial weeks before the Abraham Accords signing. Full transcript: https://www.ajc.org/news/podcast/behind-the-breakthrough-architects-of-peace-episode-2 Resources: - Tune in weekly for new episodes. - The Abraham...
info_outline
The Road to the Deal
Architects of Peace
In the first episode of AJC’s new limited podcast series, go behind the scenes of the decades-long diplomacy and quiet negotiations that made the Abraham Accords possible, bringing Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and later Morocco, together in historic peace agreements. Jason Isaacson, AJC Chief of Policy and Political Affairs, explains the complex Middle East landscape before the Accords and how behind-the-scenes efforts helped foster the dialogue that continues to shape the region today. Resources: - Tune in weekly for new episodes. - Find more on AJC’s Center for a...
info_outline
Introducing Architects of Peace: The Abraham Accords Story
Architects of Peace
Architects of Peace, a limited podcast series by the award-winning team behind American Jewish Committee’s and podcasts, unpacks the high-stakes diplomacy and behind-the-scenes negotiations that led to the creation of the five years ago. As the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, AJC began laying the foundation for the possibility of the Accords — which normalized relations between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco — more than 70 years ago. AJC’s efforts in the region continue to this day through , which builds support for expanding the circle of...
info_outlineArchitects of Peace, a limited podcast series by the award-winning team behind American Jewish Committee’s People of the Pod and The Forgotten Exodus podcasts, unpacks the high-stakes diplomacy and behind-the-scenes negotiations that led to the creation of the Abraham Accords five years ago.
As the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, AJC began laying the foundation for the possibility of the Accords — which normalized relations between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco — more than 70 years ago. AJC’s efforts in the region continue to this day through AJC’s Center for a New Middle East, which builds support for expanding the circle of peace.
The series premieres August 28, 2025.
New episodes will be released weekly. Subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Show Notes:
Theme song credit: Pond5; Eric Sutherland, ID#279780040
Transcript:
Manya Brachear Pashman:
It seemed to come out of nowhere.
But to a select few, including American Jewish Committee, it was of no surprise.
In September 2020, the world saw what had been years in the making:
The Abraham Accords — landmark peace agreements normalizing relations between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and later Morocco — brokered with quiet urgency by a small team of dealmakers.
David Friedman:
“The secrecy here was very, very important. To be honest with you, I think anything bigger than that group of six or seven would have put it in jeopardy.”
Manya Brachear Pashman:
Who built the trust behind the scenes?
What risks did they take to get it done?
Can the agreements weather today’s challenges — and expand the circle of peace in the region? And how did they come up with that name?
Ted Deutch:
“I hope that we're able to just spend a moment thinking about what's been achieved… Not just for Israel, but for the region, in the best interest of the United States and, in so doing, ultimately, for the world.”
Manya Brachear Pashman:
Architects of Peace — a limited podcast series from American Jewish Committee — pulls back the curtain on the diplomacy, ambition, and inspiring stories behind the Abraham Accords. Starting August 28: Listen wherever you get your podcasts.