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 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).
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 17, 2023 • 33min
Dalal Mawad: The Port of Beirut Explosion Through Women's Eyes
Lebanese journalist Dalal Mawad discusses her book, All She Lost, which tells the stories of women affected by the Beirut Port explosion. Topics include the emotional complexities of attachment and detachment towards Lebanon, disparities in women's freedoms and rights in Iran and Lebanon, and the role of women in social movements in the Middle East.
Oct 10, 2023 • 2min
A Mezze: Fishing for Food Security
Sahrawi refugees in southern Algeria combat food insecurity by engaging in fish farming, successfully harvesting tons of tilapia from a desert fish farm
Oct 3, 2023 • 40min
Khalid Ikram: Egypt's Economic Crisis
Economist Khalid Ikram discusses Egypt's economic crisis, including the military's role in the economy and potential solutions. They compare Egypt's situation to other governments in the region and explore the impact of the crisis on the country's relationships with Western states and China.
Sep 26, 2023 • 6min
Viewpoint: Data Dead Zone
Exploring the absence of water data in the Middle East and North Africa region and its consequences on water management. The politicization of water and challenges in data collection, including the suppression of water data by governments and violent actors, hindering effective water management. The use of satellite imagery and local-level assessments to understand water resources and the necessity of comprehensive data for political settlements and sustainable strategies.
Sep 20, 2023 • 39min
Tarek Megerisi: Libya's Crises
Tarek Megerisi, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, discusses the ongoing conflict in Libya, the interests of international actors in the country, the recent flooding in Darna, and the challenges faced by governments in the Middle East during natural disasters.
Sep 12, 2023 • 4min
A Mezze: Tunisia's Hunger Games
Exploring Tunisia's severe food insecurity and scarcity of basic products amid the country's growing food crisis.
Sep 5, 2023 • 30min
Ghaith Abdul-Ahad: Iraq Through Iraqis' Eyes
Ghaith Abdul-Ahad, an award-winning Iraqi journalist, discusses the repercussions of the war and U.S. occupation in Iraq, his experiences as a journalist there, and the influence of working with other journalists. The podcast also delves into the legacies of sectarianism in Iraq and Lebanon.
Aug 29, 2023 • 3min
A Mezze: Baaloul Verde
Discover Baaloul, a unique town in Lebanon where the residents speak Spanish and have found an innovative solution to frequent power cuts through a community-based mini-grid powered by solar panels.
Aug 22, 2023 • 32min
Haneen Sayed: Lebanon's Economic Crisis
Dr. Haneen Sayed discusses the roots of Lebanon's economic crisis and how the international donor community can help. The conversation explores the effects of sectarianism on Lebanon's political economy and the legacy of protest and civil war.
Aug 15, 2023 • 3min
A Mezze: Keeping Iraq's Solar Community on Message
Amir Alassawi created a WhatsApp group to build a virtual solar community in Iraq and promote collaboration in renewable energy, protecting it from politicization.
