Middle East Monitor Conversations

From raising a family to a nation, how debates around modernisation, democracy and capitalism gave birth to a new Arab woman. In the 1850s the Arab world underwent a gendered revolution brought about by western missionaries, integration into the global capitalist economy, the print press and reform efforts. Life in the eastern Mediterranean within a few decades after the 1850s was unrecognisable from a few years prior. Women, gender and childrearing were at the centre of tension and changes taking place. Tarbiya, or cultivation, took on a new urgency in Arabic thought, before the 1850s Tarbiya was often used in the context of teachers or sheikh cultivating their students’ intellectual development, but after the 19th century it referred more specifically to women and the raising of children. Raising a child became a political act and the failure to instil ‘good’ ethical and moral norms could bring down nations, it was feared. The notion of women’s work and a good mother being at home became a feature of political debates and tensions. Gendered notions like Tarbiya sit at the cross section of modernisation, democratisation and nation building ideas. Joining us is Susanna Ferguson who is the author of a new book called Labors of Love: Gender, Capitalism, and Democracy in Modern Arab Thought, a review to her book can be found here: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20241023-labors-of-love-gender-capitalism-and-democracy-in-modern-arab-thought/Susanna Ferguson is a historian of women, gender, and intellectual life in the Eastern Mediterranean and Assistant Professor of Middle East Studies at Smith College. Her research focuses on how questions about gender, sex, and science shaped political imaginaries in the 19th- and 20-century Arab world. Her work has appeared in various scholarly journals, including Modern Intellectual History, the Journal of Middle East Women's Studies, Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East and the Arab Studies Journal. She is a longtime host, former editor-in-chief and now associate producer at the Ottoman History Podcast, where she also co-curates the series on “Women, Gender, and Sex in the Ottoman World.” Ferguson's first book, Labors of Love: Gender, Capitalism, and Democracy in Modern Arab Thought, was published by Stanford University Press in September 2024.

The 16 and 17 centuries saw an eruption in espionage, spying and covert operations, with a growing network of Christian clergymen, traders, slaves, travellers, nobles and others who were also intelligence operatives for Istanbul. We speak to the author of the book 'Spies for the Sultan' to find out more.The Bishop of Heraclea, an Orthodox clergyman, approached the Habsburg royal family with a devious plot, the Austro-Spanish dynasty could form a secret alliance with the Persian Shah to take control of the Ottoman Empire. Together they could back the son of Sultan Suleiman I, Prince Selim, to seize power away from his brother Prince Mustafa. Little did the Habsburgs know, the cleric was also an Ottoman spy and part of a growing network of Christian clergymen, traders, slaves, travellers, nobles and others who were also intelligence operatives for Istanbul. The 16 and 17 centuries saw an eruption in espionage, spying and covert operations. A book recently translated from Turkish into English 'Spies for the Sultan' delves into the murky world of surveillance. Joining us for MEMO in Conversation is the book's author Emrah Safa Gurkan. Professor Gurkan teaches at the Istanbul 29 Mayis University’s department of political science and international relations. In 2012, he was awarded a doctorate in history from Georgetown University. He was the recipient of the Promising Scientist of the Year award at the 14th Kadir Has Awards in 2018. He received the the Outstanding Young Scientist Award from the same institution. He has written a number of articles in English, Turkish, Italian, Spanish and German as well as two scientific monographs, the first of which received the Scientific Monograph of the Year Award from the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TUBA).

As an anti-apartheid activist, Stavit Sinai has repeatedly taken action against the occupation state of Israel, but she made headlines when, in 2022, she was one of two Israelis arrested for storming the site of Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems in the UK, she speaks to MEMO about why it's important not to stay silent.Elbit Systems is Israel's premier arms and military technology company, which claims that its drones are the backbone of the Israeli occupation forces. With 18,000 employees and sites across the world, its weaponry boasts being field tested i.e. used on Palestinians in the West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip. Israeli military officials and politicians serve on its board and sell weapons worldwide. On 15 May 2022, a group of activists with Palestine Action UK, stormed the Elbit Systems site in Bristol, aiming to disrupt its operations while highlighting what the company does. The direct action protest led to the seven activists being arrested, charged and convicted in the British court. Two of the seven were Israeli dissidents with a track record of Palestinian rights activism. In this second of a two-part conversation, we are joined by Stavit Sinai, one of the two Israeli activists involved in the protest. Dr. Stavit Sinai is a philosophy lecturer and Israeli anti-apartheid activist based in Berlin. She was formally imprisoned for taking direct action against Elbit Systems in the UK.

CAPTION: On Nakba Day in 2022, 7 activists stormed the site of Israel's largest weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems in an effort to disrupt its operations and highlight the atrocities its 'field tested' weapons have caused against Palestinians. Two of the activists were Israeli and they spoke to MEMO to discuss why they continue to protest. Elbit Systems is Israel's premier arms and military technology company, which claims that its drones are the backbone of the Israeli occupation forces. With 18,000 employees and sites across the world, its weaponry boasts being field tested i.e. used on Palestinians in the West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip. Israeli military officials and politicians serve on its board and sell weapons worldwide. On 15 May 2022, a group of activists with Palestine Action UK, stormed the Elbit Systems site in Bristol, aiming to disrupt its operations while highlighting what the company does. The direct action protest led to the seven activists being arrested, charged and convicted in the British court. Two of the seven were Israeli dissidents with a track record of Palestinian rights activism. In the first of a two-part episode we speak to Ronnie Barkan, one of the two activists. Barkan is co-founder of Boycott from Within and member of Palestine Action. Most recently Barkan was harassed by the German secret police following his Munich talk at Professor-Huber-Platz, where he connected the legacy of the White Rose who opposed Nazism with direct action in opposition to Zionism. He is also considering taking on the UK legal system in international forums for violating his rights by forcing him to pay a fine to an arms company involved with Israel's genocide.

The anti-Zionist Jewish movement has led numerous anti-war protests calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza, but what’s the history of Jewish opposition to Zionism?Israel claims to be working to protect world Jewry, but as it continues its bombing of Gaza and expands its military operation into southern Lebanon, the anti-Zionist Jewish movement continues to declare the state’s actions are ‘not in our name’. But where does Jewish opposition to Zionism stem from? What are its ideological foundations and real life implications of a political ideology that seeks to create a Jewish supremacy in Historic Palestine. Joining us to discuss the root of anti-Zionist Jewish ideology is historian Zachary Foster.Foster, a Princeton University graduate and active social media commentator, brings his wealth of knowledge to challenge common misconceptions about Zionism. Including debunking simplistic definitions such as those which claim Zionism is a national movement for Jewish self-determination and examining the theological opposition from within Jewish communities. Foster also runs a course called ‘Zionism 101’.The discussion also looks into the historical relationship between Christian and Jewish Zionism, the changing attitudes among younger generations of Jews towards Israel, and the ongoing debates surrounding Jewish identity and nationalism. 

Algeria won its War on Independence because it won a media war against the French following help from Yugoslavia. But what did the images coming out of Algiers show and how did they frame its battle for a new beginning?France lost the Algerian War (1954-1962) diplomatically because it lost the media war and this forced it to end its 132-year rule of the North African country. The fight for independence was led by the Algerian National Liberation Front or FLN, who had help from abroad. One country that assisted them was Yugoslavia led by Marshal Josip Tito, who was looking for a way to expand Yugoslavia's reach in the world following its isolation from the Soviet Union. Helping Algeria was part of a new and alternative politics Belgrade was fashioning for countries who did not want to fall into either the American or Soviet orbit, called the non-alignment movement.Based around 'third world' solidarity, decolonisation, development and independence, the movement today has 120 members. Tito aided the FLN by helping them win the information war, he sent his favourite cameraman Stevan Labudovic, who snuck into Algeria and filmed many hours of footage of FLN raids and helped give rise to Algerian media independent of France. His reels are the subject of a new film 'Cine-Guerrillas/Non-Aligned: Scene from the Labudovic Reels', which shows not only Algeria's fight for independence, but the development of an idea, the non-alignment movement. Joining us on MEMO Conversation is filmmaker Mila Turajlic. Born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, Turajlic is an award-winning filmmaker and archive ‘artivist’ whose works include 'Cinema Komunisto' and IDFA-winner 'The Other Side of Everything'. She is the founder of the Non-Aligned Newsreels research project, an artistic exploration of the ‘orphaned’ status of film archives made by Yugoslavia in a gesture of ‘ciné-solidarity’ with the non-aligned world. Performative and video iterations of the project were curated for IDFA on Stage, international exhibitions and biennials (Berlin’22, Belgrade’22, Sharjah’25). In 2020 Mila was invited to join the AMPAS (Oscars) Documentary Branch. She was named Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in 2022.

Looking back at Israel's conduct over the past year, Baroud highlights Tel Aviv's use of African mercenaries in the execution of its onslaught on Gaza and how the West is enabling the continuation of this aggression.In this week’s MEMO in Conversation prominent Palestinian journalist and author Dr Ramzy Baroud shares his unique perspective on the events leading up to 7 October 2023 and the subsequent Israeli military offensive. Baroud, a descendant of Palestinian refugees and son of a freedom fighter, analysis of Israel's objectives in Gaza, the place of his birth, and explores whether Tel Aviv's actions constitute ethnic cleansing, genocide, or a deliberate attempt to render Gaza uninhabitable. Baroud provides his analysis of Israel's conduct over the past year and beyond, touching on lesser-known aspects such as the recruitment of African mercenaries by Israel to carry out its military onslaught. He also examines the crucial role of Western support, particularly from the US, in enabling Israel's aggression.Globally, the events of 7 October have recalibrated the Palestinian cause as a pressing global issue, he explains, providing an assessment of Israel's strategic defeats, despite apparent tactical victories, and examines the material foundations of Zionism and how they have been weakened over the past year. Baroud is the Editor of the Palestine Chronicle and author of five books; his latest is 'Our Vision for Liberation: Engaged Palestinian Leaders and Intellectuals Speak Out'.  Baroud is a non-resident Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Islam and Global Affairs (CIGA) and also at the Afro-Middle East Centre (AMEC).

Craig Mokhiber resigned from the UN over its inaction with regards the 'textbook case of genocide' taking place in Gaza. One year on, little has changed. He joins MEMO in Conversation to discuss the events of the past 12 months.It has been almost a year since Craig Mokhiber resigned from the UN over the world body's inaction with regards the genocide unfolding in Gaza. The former senior UN human rights official joined MEMO in Conversation to address the UN's failure to act decisively in the face of Israel's ongoing assault on Gaza and the occupied West Bank and highlight the systematic atrocities committed against Palestinians. Mokhiber also reflects on the growing legal and civil movements that challenge Israel’s impunity, raising important questions about the future of international accountability and justice for Palestinians.Mokhiber is a seasoned human rights lawyer who served over three decades at the United Nations, where he held senior positions, including Director of the New York Office for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Known for his outspoken advocacy for justice, Mokhiber resigned from his post in 2023, condemning what he called a "textbook case of genocide" in Palestine.

Palestinians aren't suffering post traumatic stress disorder, there's been no 'post' for them as they continue to live under occupation and colonialism. 'Ongoing stress disorder' is what they experience daily, says the executive producer of Where the Olive Trees Weep.In this week's MEMO in Conversation we speak to Ashira Darwish, one of the producers of 'Where the Olive Trees Weep', a powerful documentary offering a searing look into the struggles and resilience of the Palestinian people living under Israeli occupation. The film has captivated audiences worldwide, winning awards at seven film festivals and inspiring viewers to contribute to the planting of 1,000 olive trees in the occupied West Bank, a project headed by Treedom for Palestine.Darwish, a motivational speaker and creator of Active Meditation, brings a unique perspective to the film, having personally experienced and overcome severe trauma, including full-body paralysis from a severed spinal cord in 2012. Our conversation explores the depths of Palestinian trauma and resistance depicted in the documentary, which weaves together the stories of Palestinian activists, journalists and survivors of torture in Israeli prisons.We delved into the concept of 'ongoing stress disorder', a term used in the film to describe the constant state of trauma experienced by Palestinians, and discuss how this continuous stress shapes the collective Palestinian experience. The conversation also touches on the importance of non-violent resistance, the role of journalism in revealing truths about the occupation, and the film's significance in portraying not just individual stories, but the broader narrative of a people striving to maintain their culture and identity in the face of erasure.Darwish worked for 15 years as a TV and radio journalist and researcher in Palestine for the BBC, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW). She is the founder of Catharsis Holistic Healing, a trauma therapy project pioneering a type of Sufi active meditation which draws its roots from ancestral and indigenous knowledge

The occupation's reliance on swift, decisive wars have left it unprepared for the current genocide it is carrying out in Gaza. Military, economic and political spheres are showing signs of decline as a result. Can Israel survive after the war on Gaza?Is Israel in a death spiral? That’s the question we will be discussing with our guest, Sharmine Narwani, a Beirut- and UK-based geopolitical analyst. Narwani recently delivered a presentation at the American University of Beirut (AUB), entitled 'Asymmetrical Warfare: How to boil the Israeli frog', and gives us further insights into talk. Narwani utilises the 'boiling frog' analogy to shed light on Israel's ongoing challenges. She contends that, like the frog in the parable, Israel is gradually being overwhelmed by a range of pressures, edging towards collapse without fully recognising the severity of the situation. Our conversation examines how Israel’s historical reliance on swift, decisive wars has left it unprepared for the drawn-out nature of the current genocidal campaign in Gaza, with signs of decline evident in its military, economic, political and societal spheres.We also discuss the impact of Israel's changing global image, the phenomenon of 'reverse aliyah' - the movement of Jews out of Israel, and the impact of shifting geopolitical dynamics on Israel's strategic options. Narwani's incisive analysis, backed by economic indicators and military data, paints a stark picture of a nation potentially trapped in an irreversible downward trajectory and to its own demise. Narwani is a writer and analyst of West Asian geopolitics and a columnist at the Cradle. Her work has been published in a broad array of media outlets, including the American Conservative, Russia Today, the New York Times, USA Today, the Guardian, Al-Akhbar English, Assafir, Huffington Post, BRICS Post, Salon.com, Al Jazeera and others.