Babel: Translating the Middle East
Babel will take you beyond the headlines to discuss what’s really happening in the Middle East and North Africa. It features regional experts who explain what’s going on, provide context on pivotal developments, and highlight trends you may have missed. Jon Alterman, senior vice president, Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy, and director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies hosts the podcast along with his colleagues from the Middle East Program. This podcast is made possible through the generous support of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates. All views, positions, and conclusions expressed here should be understood to be solely of those of the speaker(s).
176
Satire and Comedy in the Arab World
Jon Alterman talks to Karl Sharro about his work as @KarlreMarks and the role of satire in the Arab World.
32 min
177
A Mezze: Delivering the Goods
A short mezze episode from the Middle East Program at CSIS.
2 min
178
Surveying Arab Youth
Jon Alterman talks to Sunil John about the results from the annual Arab Youth Survey.
29 min
179
A Mezze: Dying for Power
A short mezze episode from the Middle East Program at CSIS.
3 min
180
Iran and the New U.S. Administration
Jon Alterman talks to Sanam Vakil about both the U.S. and the Iranian elections.
30 min
181
A Mezze: Reading the Signs in Istanbul
A short mezze episode from the Middle East Program at CSIS.
4 min
182
How the Middle East Views the U.S. Election
Jon Alterman talks to Hassan Barari about how the Middle East views the 2020 U.S. Election.
26 min
183
A Mezze: Seoul Music
A short mezze episode from the Middle East Program at CSIS.
3 min
184
The Rise of Iraq's Shi'ite Militias
Jon Alterman talks to Hassan Hassan about Hisham al-Hashimi’s research on Shi'ite militias in Iraq.
24 min
185
A Mezze: Cyber-Sheikh
A short mezze episode from the Middle East Program at CSIS.
3 min
186
Russia in the Middle East: Part Six
The sixth and final part of a podcast miniseries on Russia's presence in the Middle East, hosted by Jon Alterman.
26 min
187
Russia in the Middle East: Part Five
Part five of a new miniseries on Russia's presence in the Middle East.
25 min
188
Russia in the Middle East: Part Four
Part four of a podcast miniseries on Russia's presence in the Middle East, hosted by Jon Alterman.
22 min
189
Russia in the Middle East: Part Three
Part three of a podcast miniseries on Russia's presence in the Middle East, hosted by Jon Alterman.
24 min
190
Russia in the Middle East: Part Two
Part two of a podcast miniseries on Russia's presence in the Middle East, hosted by Jon Alterman.
21 min
191
Russia in the Middle East: Part One
Part one of a new miniseries on Russia's presence in the Middle East.
23 min
192
Lebanon's Latest Explosion
Nora Boustany talks with Jon about living in Lebanon during and after the Civil War and provides perspective on Lebanon’s current collapse.
27 min
193
Why Women Join the Islamic State
Azadeh Moaveni joins Jon Alterman to discuss her new book, Guest House for Young Widows.
28 min
194
The History of Saudi-Iranian Competition
Kim Ghattas joins Jon to discuss her new book, Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Forty-Year Rivalry That Unraveled Culture, Religion, and Collective Memory in the Middle East.
34 min
195
A Mezze: Blessed Bling
As demand for religious jewelry booms in the Middle East, fake gemstones are flooding the market.
4 min
196
The Changing World of Arab Television
On this week's episode of Babel, Fadi Ismail joins Jon to discuss Arab television and how it's changing.
26 min
197
A Mezze: Bad Love
Egyptian talk shows are increasingly telling women to “love themselves,” but not everyone is on board with this new messaging.
3 min
198
Jordan's Economy During Covid-19
On this week's episode of Babel, Minister Mohamad al-Ississ joins Jon to talk about Jordan's economy before, during, and after Covid-19.
26 min
199
A Mezze: Fodder for Debate
Saudi Arabia’s dairy industry is stirring debate around food security, depleting aquifers, and fodder imports.
4 min
200
The Internationalization of Libya
This week on Babel, Jon is joined by Frederic Wehrey, senior fellow in the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
26 min