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, Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy 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
In and Out of the Ivory Tower
Jon Alterman speaks with Ghassan Salamé about his decades of experience moving between academia and public service.
42 min
177
A Mezze: A Grave Dilemma
In Damascus, even death is getting more expensive.
2 min
178
A Mezze: Camel Corruption Crackdown
As Saudi officials crackdown on corruption, they are increasingly zeroing in on a new target: suspiciously full camel lips.
4 min
179
Authoritarian Nostalgia in Libya
Jon speaks with Robert Worth about Saif al-Islam Gaddafi's political ambitions and the memory of the Gaddafi regime in Libya.
31 min
180
A Mezze: Killer Congestion
Some in Israel hope electronic "e-bikes" can be a life-saving solution to long ambulance wait times on the country's jam-packed roads.
3 min
181
The Middle East's Political Economies
Jon speaks with Robert Springborg about the political economies of the Middle East.
39 min
182
A Mezze: A Hard Pill to Swallow
Bahrain is introducing cutting edge technology into its healthcare system, sparking privacy concerns.
4 min
183
Levantine Contrasts
Jon Alterman talks to Chloe Cornish about the similarities and differences between sectarian politics and protest movements in Iraq and Lebanon.
36 min
184
A Mezze: Learning Curve
Integrating Young Migrants in Morocco
2 min
185
Competing Views of the United States
Jon speaks with Emile Hokayem about changing Middle Eastern views of the United States.
35 min
186
A Mezze: New Housewives of Egypt
Crowdsourcing of female roles is rising in Egypt driven by the digital revolution.
3 min
187
Tunisia's Popular Authoritarian
Jon Alterman talks with Monica Marks about Tunisian President Kais Saied's move to consolidate power and what it means for Tunisia.
37 min
188
A Mezze: Balancing Priorities
In the struggle for sustainability and labor-rights reform, Qatar's challenge is both establishing its priorities and prioritizing between them.
3 min
189
Iran's Interests in Afghanistan
Jon talks with Colin Clarke about Iran's interests in Afghanistan.
28 min
190
A Mezze: Morocco's Mixed Harvest
For many rural Moroccans, the government's commercial agricultural policies are leading to a mixed harvest
3 min
191
The Global Energy Transition
Jon Alterman talks with Daniel Yergin about the energy transition, U.S. shale oil, and how China thinks about energy security and the Middle East.
34 min
192
A Mezze: Abu Dhabi Goes Green for Greens
If there is one thing Abu Dhabi has in abundance, it’s sunlight, but investors in the UAE are pouring millions of dollars into farming enterprises that don’t use any sunlight at all.
2 min
193
U.S. Restraint in the Middle East
Jon Alterman talks with Senator Chris Murphy about U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
33 min
194
A Mezze: Women's Work
Eight years ago, Syria recorded the lowest rate of female labor participation in the Middle East, but with many Syrian men stuck at home, women are increasingly filling the vacancies they leave.
2 min
195
Yemen's Civil War
Jon talks with Peter Salisbury about who's fighting in Yemen and what's at stake in the battle over Marib.
33 min
196
A Mezze: Spending to Save
Many Lebanese have come to believe that in Lebanon, the easiest way to save money is to spend it.
3 min
197
Iran's Future
Jon Alterman talks with Karim Sadjadpour about tipping points in Iran and the future of the Islamic Republic regime.
38 min
198
A Mezze: Reeding between the Lines
When engineers plant reeds as part of a new project in Azraq, Jordan, they'll be doing more than just revitalizing the environment.
3 min
199
The Politicization of Aid in Syria
Jon Alterman talks with Carsten Wieland about the politicization of humanitarian aid in Syria.
36 min
200
A Mezze: Gold from Garbage
For one municipality in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, not all organic waste has to go to waste.
4 min