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PODCAST

Babel: Translating the Middle East

Center for Strategic and International Studies

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

government news commentary

All Episodes

21:54

Economic Implication of COVID-19 in the Middle East

Babel: Translating the Middle East ·

2020/04/07

This week, Jon talks with Tarik Yousef, a senior fellow in the global economy and development program at Brookings and director of the Brookings Doha Center. They discuss where countries in the region were several months ago, where they are now, and what that means for their futures. Then, Jon, Will, and McKinley talk about how the spread of COVID-19 will affect middle income countries in the Middle East. Jon Alterman, “How Will the Middle East Cope with COVID-19?” Center for Strategic and

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3:43

A Mezze: Iraq’s Explosive Plague

Babel: Translating the Middle East ·

2020/03/31

From dens of snakes attacking Iraqi villagers to a swarm of locusts descending on Baghdad, a changing climate has unleashed plagues of biblical proportions on Iraq in recent years.

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12:58

COVID-19 and Cascading Crises in the Middle East

Babel: Translating the Middle East ·

2020/03/25

In this special episode of Babel, McKinley Knoop interviews Jon Alterman about how COVID-19 is exacerbating a series of existing crises in the Middle East. The episode includes the current status of COVID-19 in the region, how states with various capabilities are reacting, and what could come next. Jon also explores potential areas for U.S. involvement in the region, and why it’s important that we pay attention.

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27:29

Jihadi Poetry in Yemen

Babel: Translating the Middle East ·

2020/03/24

This week, Jon Alterman, Will Todman, and McKinley Knoop talk about who joins militant jihadi groups and why. Then, Jon talks with Elisabeth Kendall, an Oxford University-based scholar of Arabic literature who has focused on poetry among Yemeni jihadis. They discuss poetry in Yemen, what makes “good” jihadi poetry, and differences between al Qaeda and ISIS poetry. Jon B. Alterman, Religious Radicalism After the Arab Uprisings, Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2015. Elisabeth Kendall,

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2:53

A Mezze: Sana's Solar Revolution

Babel: Translating the Middle East ·

2020/03/17

Solar panels are giving Yemenis access to affordable power solutions, even as traditional electric grids are failing.

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29:27

Sectarianism in Lebanon

Babel: Translating the Middle East ·

2020/03/10

We start the second season of Babel: Translating the Middle East with a conversation with Hanin Ghaddar, a visiting fellow at the Washington Institute who focuses on Shia politics throughout the Levant. Jon and Hanin discuss sectarianism in Lebanon, the changing role of Hezbollah, and what’s next for a country mired in economic troubles. Jon Alterman, “Iran is not one crisis, but three, for the US,” The Hill, January 10, 2020. Jon Alterman, “Lebanon’s Government Collapses,” CSIS, October 20,

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21:51

China in the Middle East: Part Six

Babel: Translating the Middle East ·

2020/02/25

In the sixth and final episode of our podcast miniseries, China in the Middle East, Jon Alterman looks at the future of China in the Middle East with Nadège Rolland and Deborah Lehr. They discuss the community of common destiny, political warfare, and opportunities for private company growth in the region. Jon explains why countries roll out the literal red carpet for foreign heads of state, and what that symbolism means for foreign powers acting in the region. China in the Middle East is a six-part

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20:28

China in the Middle East: Part Five

Babel: Translating the Middle East ·

2020/02/18

In the fifth episode of our podcast miniseries, China in the Middle East, Jon Alterman looks at U.S.-Chinese cooperation and competition in the region with Robert Manning and Dawn Murphy. They discuss how the United States is changing its traditional role in the Middle East, and what that means for China’s role in the region. Jon also discusses how Somali pirates have brought China closer to multilateral military cooperation. China in the Middle East is a six-part miniseries that is part of our

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17:20

China in the Middle East: Part Four

Babel: Translating the Middle East ·

2020/02/11

In the fourth episode of our podcast miniseries, China in the Middle East, Jon Alterman explores the Middle East’s perspectives on China with Mohammed Sudairi and Ariane Tabatabai. They talk about how the Middle East holds high hopes for China’s future role in the region and focus on Iran and the Gulf as examples. They also discuss the myth of Chinese workers speaking fluent Arabic and what Iranian storekeepers tell shoppers about bicycles made in China. China in the Middle East is a six-part

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17:38

China in the Middle East: Part Three

Babel: Translating the Middle East ·

2020/02/04

In the third episode of our podcast miniseries, China in the Middle East, Jon Alterman explores China’s security interests in the Middle East. Jon also talks to Dean Cheng, Evan Medeiros, and Andrew Scobell about China’s current security capacity in the region, and how China is using a blend of military, economic, and technological capacities to advance China’s interest in stability and security in the region. China in the Middle East is a six-part miniseries that is part of our regular series

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16:14

China in the Middle East: Part Two

Babel: Translating the Middle East ·

2020/01/28

In the second episode of the podcast miniseries, China in the Middle East, Jon Alterman looks at China’s economic interests in the Middle East. Jon also sits down with Scott Kennedy, Doug Paal and Karen Young for their insights into the Belt and Road Initiative, changing export markets, and how economic interests influence regional security concerns. China in the Middle East is a six-part miniseries that is part of our regular series podcast, Babel: Translating the Middle East. We release new

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21:38

China in the Middle East: Part One

Babel: Translating the Middle East ·

2020/01/21

In the first episode of our new podcast miniseries, China in the Middle East, Jon Alterman gives an overview of Chinese policy in the Middle East and how the Middle East fits into China’s worldview. Jon also sits down with Doug Paal, Dean Cheng, Sulmaan Khan, and Evan Medeiros for their insight into China’s foreign policy decisions. China in the Middle East is a six-part miniseries that is part of our regular series podcast, Babel: Translating the Middle East. We release new episodes every

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3:13

A Mezze: Santa Claus is Coming to Tehran

Babel: Translating the Middle East ·

2019/12/17

This December, Iranians of all faiths gather to admire Christmas trees and Santa figurines, despite governmental restrictions on Christians and other Western holidays.

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3:37

A Mezze: Dodging a Bullet

Babel: Translating the Middle East ·

2019/12/10

Young people across the Arab World are resorting to extreme measures—like cutting off limbs, or faking being kidnapped—to avoid mandatory military service.

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17:40

The Rise of Individualism in the Arab World

Babel: Translating the Middle East ·

2019/12/05

How and why are Arabs shifting their loyalty away from traditional networks? In the latest episode, Vivian Salama, White House correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, interviews Jon Alterman on his new report. He also introduces Babel's new 6-episode miniseries, "China in the Middle East," which will air in 2020. Jon Alterman, Ties that Bind: Family, Tribe, Nation, and the Rise of Arab Individualism, CSIS, December 2, 2019 Sarah Dadouch, “Amid economic despair, young Lebanese see only two

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3:15

A Mezze: Fire Sale

Babel: Translating the Middle East ·

2019/11/26

Soaring fuel prices are leading Yemenis to chop down trees, and this is only adding to the humanitarian crisis.

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23:05

Climate and Conflict in the Middle East

Babel: Translating the Middle East ·

2019/11/19

What is the relationship between the environment and conflict in the Middle East? Peter Schwartzstein, an environmental journalist based in the Middle East, joins host Jon Alterman this week to discuss how climate change concerns exacerbate conflict, and how regional leaders should respond. Then, Jon, Will, and Amber explore how environmental concerns factor into policy discussions on the Middle East. Will Todman, “Iraq’s Explosive Plague,” CSIS, April 15, 2019. Peter Schwartzstein, “Climate

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2:59

A Mezze: Cosmic Intervention

Babel: Translating the Middle East ·

2019/11/14

The Egyptian government seems to be using horoscopes as a new avenue for disseminating pro-regime messages.

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23:32

Russian Disinformation in Syria

Babel: Translating the Middle East ·

2019/11/06

Russia is spreading disinformation in the Middle East, especially in Syria, in order to discredit its critics and advance its interests. This week Jon, Amber, and Will discuss the scope of the issue and its consequences. Then Elliot Higgins, founder of Bellingcat, sits down with Jon to explain how his citizen journalist platform detects and counters disinformation. Elliot Higgins, “Chemical Weapons and Absurdity: The Disinformation Campaign Against the White Helmets,” Bellingcat, December

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4:16

A Mezze: Bringing Back Babel

Babel: Translating the Middle East ·

2019/10/30

This mezze explores the diverse linguistic landscape of Iraqi Kurdistan. Listeners can expect a mezze every other week.

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284 results

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