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).
26
Neri Zilber: Inside Israeli Politics During War...
Jon Alterman speaks with Neri Zilber about the war in Gaza, how Israelis are thinking about what comes next, and what it means for the region.
39 min
27
Analysis: Developments in the Israel-Hamas War
Leah Hickert speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East Program at CSIS, about the latest developments in the Israel-Hamas war.
10 min
28
Dalal Mawad: The Port of Beirut Explosion Throu...
Jon Alterman speaks with Dalal Mawad about her now book, which uses women's stories to analyze the 2020 Port of Beirut explosion, its aftermath, and Lebanon's ongoing troubles.
33 min
29
A Mezze: Fishing for Food Security
In August 2021, in the desert region of southern Algeria, a group of Sahrawi refugees were bustling inside a building studded with rectangular pools and filled with tons of tilapia—literally.
2 min
30
Khalid Ikram: Egypt's Economic Crisis
Jon Alterman speaks with Khalid Ikram about the military's role in the Egyptian economy and the ways policymakers can alleviate the economic crisis.
39 min
31
Viewpoint: Data Dead Zone
The Middle East is largely a water data dead zone, complicating water management strategies that could lead to development and peace.
5 min
32
Tarek Megerisi: Libya's Crises
Jon Alterman speaks with Tarek Megerisi about Libya’s crises, including its ongoing armed conflict and the recent flooding.
38 min
33
A Mezze: Tunisia's Hunger Games
Amid widespread shortages of basic products in Tunisia, grocery store owners have become like black marketeers.
3 min
34
Ghaith Abdul-Ahad: Iraq Through Iraqis' Eyes
Jon speaks with Ghaith Abdul-Ahad about his career reporting from Iraq and the fallout from the U.S. occupation.
30 min
35
A Mezze: Baaloul Verde
The Lebanese town of Baaloul is unique for two reasons: its inhabitants primarily speak Spanish, and it also has reliable electricity.
2 min
36
Haneen Sayed: Lebanon's Economic Crisis
Jon Alterman speaks with Dr. Haneen Sayed about the roots of Lebanon's economic crisis and how the international donor community can play a more constructive role.
31 min
37
A Mezze: Keeping Iraq's Solar Community on Message
With no government support, Iraq's solar community is collaborating to kickstart the solar market.
2 min
38
Hana Al Omair: The Saudi Film Industry
Jon Alterman speaks with Hana Al Omair about the massive shifts underway in the Saudi film industry and emerging trends in Saudi cinema.
24 min
39
A Mezze: Bride of the Beqqa
The mountain city of Zahle overlooking the Beqaa plateau is famed for its beauty, pleasant climate, and quality arak. But for many years, Zahle was also famous for having 24/7 electricity without relying on neighborhood generators.
3 min
40
Jason Rezaian: The Rise of Hostage Taking
Jon Alterman speaks with Jason Rezaian about the rising phenomenon of hostage taking and what the United States can do both to respond when an American is taken hostage and to deter hostage taking and wrongful detention altogether.
26 min
41
A Mezze: Saudis Take to the Streets
Through new urban planning projects, Saudi Arabia is encouraging its citizens to join a quiet revolution of walking. While many Saudi cities have improved their mobility index, the government still faces many challenges.
2 min
42
Shirin Hakim: Iran’s Environmental Challenges
This week on Babel, Jon speaks with Dr. Shirin Hakim about Iran’s growing environmental problems and how Western sanctions play into the Iranian regime’s mismanagement of its natural resources.
30 min
43
A Mezze: The Kurdistan Region of Iraq
As power outages become more frequent in Iraq, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is turning to renewable energy and working to attract private investors to access the full potential of the sun.
3 min
44
Dalia Hatuqa: Palestinian Politics
This week on Babel, Jon speaks with Dalia Hatuqa about Palestinian politics and Palestinians’ rising frustration with their government, the Israeli government, and the international community.
33 min
45
Analysis: LGBTQ+ Advocacy in the Middle East Ba...
In a new episode of Babel, we talk to Will Todman about how even well-intentioned Western LGBTQ+ advocacy in the Middle East can have negative consequences for local LGBTQ+ communities.
6 min
46
Christoph Reuter: Syria’s War Economy.
This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Christoph Reuter of Der Spiegel magazine. They talk about Captagon, criminal networks, and Syria's war economy.
32 min
47
A Mezze: Iran's "Cloudy" Accusations
Iran's Cover-Up for Environmental Mismanagement
3 min
48
Nicolas Pelham: Morocco's Missing King
This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Nicolas Pelham of The Economist about the Moroccan monarchy and King Mohammed VI’s unusual friendship with a German kickboxer.
33 min
49
A Mezze: From Stable to Table—Egypt's Donkey Me...
As Egypt's economic crisis continues, a new proposition of introducing donkey meat to Egypt's cuisine causes public uproar amidst soaring food prices.
2 min
50
Hafsa Halawa: Egypt's Economic Turmoil
This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Hafsa Halawa of the Middle East Institute and author of a new paper entitled Gulf Investment in Egypt, A balance of mutual need. They talk about the economic crisis that has plagued Egypt, shedding light on the factors that have contributed to its tumultuous state.
40 min