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).
201
Rituals of Protest
Jon talks with Jillian Schwedler about the long history of Jordanian protests.
33 min
202
A Mezze: Chopped Liver
In Egypt, hot sauce might not be all that comes with your liver sandwich.
3 min
203
Building Sustainable States
McKinley Knoop interviews Jon, Natasha, and Will about their new report, Sustainable States.
25 min
204
A Mezze: Set in Stone
In the struggle for Tunisia's post-revolution future, the past has been getting a controversial new lease on life. Statues commemorating Tunisia's past leaders have not been left unscathed.
4 min
205
Journalism and Politics in Egypt
Jon Alterman talks with Khaled Dawoud about his recent release from prison and his experiences as a journalist and politician in Egypt.
52 min
206
A Mezze: Moonstruck
Calculating the beginning and the end of Ramadan is an annual debate in the Middle East, and politics, sectarianism, and ethnicity are never far from the equation.
3 min
207
Jordan's Royal Intrigue
Jon Alterman talks with Bessma Momani about recent developments within Jordan’s monarchy.
31 min
208
A Mezze: Baby Boom or Bust
Being single in Iran could become very expensive if a conservative cleric gets his way.
4 min
209
Lebanon's Energy Sector
Jon Alterman talks to Jessica Obeid about Lebanon's energy sector.
34 min
210
A Mezze: Borders Without Doctors
The Egyptian government is trying to block doctors from leaving the country, but they aren't incentivizing doctors to stay, either.
3 min
211
Syria's Decade of Tragedy
To mark ten years since the start of the uprising in Syria, five Syrians tell their stories of a decade of tragedy.
44 min
212
A Mezze: Perils of the Sea
Yemen’s once flourishing fishing industry is now on the rocks as the country’s conflict has turned previously tranquil shores into a warzone.
4 min
213
UN Mediation in Libya
Jon Alterman talks with Stephanie Williams about her work as the acting special representative of the UN Secretary-General and the head of the UN Support Mission in Libya.
33 min
214
A Mezze: Influence Peddlers
If social media influencers in the UAE want to capitalize on their fame, they have to acquire a license from the UAE government.
4 min
215
Erdogan's Middle East Policy
Jon Alterman talks with Ambassador James Jeffrey about how Turkey views the Middle East.
32 min
216
A Mezze: Home Grown
A short mezze episode from the Middle East Program at CSIS.
3 min
217
Saudi Arabia and the Labor Market
Jon Alterman talks to Dr. Hanaa Almoaibed about how Saudi Arabia’s youth view their job opportunities.
28 min
218
A Mezze: Pipe Dream
A short mezze episode from the Middle East Program at CSIS.
3 min
219
Restoring Iraq's Marshes
Jon Alterman talks to Azzam Alwash about his life’s work restoring Iraq’s wetlands
28 min
220
A Mezze: Ba'athist Blues
A short mezze episode from the Middle East Program at CSIS.
2 min
221
The Arab Spring Ten Years On
Jon Alterman talks to Issandr El Amrani about how political trends have unfolded in the ten years since the Arab Spring.
35 min
222
A Mezze: Drivers of Change
A short mezze episode from the Middle East Program at CSIS.
2 min
223
Rising Temperatures in the Middle East
Jon Alterman talks to Elfatih Eltahir about climate change and rising temperatures across the Middle East.
27 min
224
A Mezze: Secondhand in Demand
A short mezze episode from the Middle East Program at CSIS.
2 min
225
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