The New Arab Voice

Iraq's parliament has been stuck in political deadlock for months following October's general election.Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr - who clinched the largest share of seats in the election - failed to form a government despite joining a triple alliance with Sunni blocs and Kurdish groups.So instead, to the surprise of many hawk-eyed political analysts, the maverick cleric ordered a mass resignation among his supporters - throwing Iraqi politics further into disarray.On this week's episode of The New Arab Voice looks at why the Sadrists resigned and what this means for the fate of Iraq. The episode examines the current players in Iraqi political life as well as the system itself, to try and understand what happened recently in Iraq and the longer structural forces that produced the situation today.We speak to Hamzeh Hadad (@HamzehKarkhi), visiting fellow at the European Council of Foreign Relations (@ecfr), Yesar Al-Maleki (@yesar), non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute (@MiddleEastInst) and also a Gulf analyst with the Middle East Economic Survey (@MeesEnergy), and Zeinab Shuker (@zfshuker),professor at Sam Houston State University who specialises in the sociology and political economy of Iraq.This podcast is written and produced by Rosie McCabe (@RosieMcCabe3) and Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Theme music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The New Arab Voice is back for a new season!On our first episode of season four, we're exploring the recent diplomatic visits of Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), and looking ahead to the upcoming visit by US President Joe Biden to the Gulf nation. Earlier in June, MbS visited Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and Turkey, where a host of new deals were struck and steps were taken to get relations that had previously taken a hit, back on track. Perhaps the most notable visit by the Crown Prince was his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The trip marked an end to the international isolation he had experienced, following the murder of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. Why was it necessary for the Saudi Crown Prince to make the diplomatic regional tour? What does it mean for the kingdom’s regional relations? Has the Arab and Islamic world moved past recent nefarious actions attributed to MbS? And are we going to see a new chapter in Saudi-US relations. We speak with Ömer Özkizilcik (@OmerOzkizilcik), a foreign policy and security analyst based in the Turkish capital, Ankara, and with Gerald M. Feierstein, Senior Vice President of the Middle East Institute (@MiddleEastInst) and the former US Ambassador to Yemen, under President Obama.This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Theme music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Turkey is planning a new military operation in northern Syria. President Erdogan has said the incursion is intended to combat PKK/YPG “terrorists” and will facilitate the “voluntary” transfer of Syrian refugees back to their homeland. At the same time, Ankara has blocked Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership bids on grounds that the Nordic states provide support to the outlawed Kurdish militants. As Russia is distracted by the invasion of Ukraine and America is bogged down by the tranche of sanctions imposed on Moscow, Erdogan, it seems, is seizing a window of opportunity to advance Turkish interests in its war-torn neighbour and across the world. In this week’s episode of The New Arab Voice, we explore Erdogan’s rationale for launching a new military incursion in Syria and examine what impact this operation will have on the Turkish electorate, Syrian refugees and the Kurds. We speak with foreign policy experts Steven Cook (@stevenacook), based in Washington, and Ömer Özkizilcik (@OmerOzkizilcik), based in Ankara, about Turkey’s proposed incursion. We also discuss the fate of the Kurds in Syria and Iraq with freelance reporter Dana Taib Menmy (@danataibmenmy). This podcast is written and produced by Rosie McCabe (@RosieMcCabe3). Theme music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the week that Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating 70 years on the throne, The New Arab Voice is looking at monarchies in the Middle East and North Africa. Of the ten surviving ruling monarchies that exist around the world, eight of them can be found in the Middle East and North Africa. While some have the vestiges of democratic institutions, they all have a monarch at the top who wields immense power and influence. On this week's episode, we examine the characteristics of an Arab monarchy, what strategies do they employ to justify and continue their rule, how have they remained in power for so long, and what does the future hold for them?We speak with Sean Yom (@YomSean), associate professor in political science at Temple University in Philadelphia and a senior fellow at the Project on Middle East Democracy in Washington.And then, we go back to Calais with Lyse Mauvais (@lyse_mauvais) for the second part of her special report from the French coast. This week, Lyse speaks with the people behind the Calais Border Broadcast (CBB).The CBB is a community radio station, run by and for migrants living in northern France. It provides advice and comfort to those who are hoping to secure safety and stability. This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Theme music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode of The New Arab Voice, we're remembering the life of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.The renowned Al Jazeera journalist was shot dead as Israeli forces stormed the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. It quickly became apparent that Shireen had been killed by Israel, and her name was added to the long list of other Palestinian journalists who have been killed by Israel.Her years of diligent work earned the respect of both other journalists and Palestinians.This week, we speak with two of Shireen's close friends and colleagues. Dailia Hatuqa (@DaliaHatuqa) and Nour Odeh (@nour_odeh) worked with Shireen and shared with us their memories of the intrepid journalist, and assess the impact that her work had on Palestine.We also speak with Justin Shilad (@JShilad) from the Committee to Protect Journalists (@pressfreedom) about what the killing of Shireen means for press freedoms in Palestine, and what can be done to protect press freedoms in the face of Israeli occupation. And then, we have the first of a two part report from Lyse Muvais (@lyse_mauvais).Six months ago, 27 migrants drowned in the English Channel, attempting the dangerous crossing. Today, migrants are still trying to make the journey, and some are still dying. Lyse has been on the French border in Calais, speaking with the activists who are working tirelessly to document the details and numbers of migrants who died trying to reach the UK. This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Theme music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lebanon held parliamentary elections on 15 May, and saw a raft of new independent candidates secure seats, in addition to Hezbollah losing its parliamentary majority. On this week's episode of The New Arab Voice, we explore the results of the recent vote, and what it means for Lebanon. Can the new independent members of parliament bring about change in the country? What does the loss for Hezbollah mean for the traditionally strong party? What are the prospects for Lebanon now securing a financing deal with the International Monetary Fund?We speak with Randa Slim (@rmslim), Senior Fellow & Director of Conflict Resolution & Track II Dialogues Program at the Middle East Institute, and Karim Bitar (@karimbitar), Professor of International Relations at University Saint Jospeh and cofounder of Kulluna Irada, an advocacy group for political reform. This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Theme music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Any hopes that the Taliban in Afghanistan had softened in their hardline attitudes were quickly dispelled when, on 23 March, 2022, they announced that girls would not be permitted to attend school. The sudden u-turn by the Islamist group was a devastating blow to the thousands of young girls who had hoped they would be given their fundamental right to attend school and secure a vital education. Today, almost 80 percent of girls in Afghanistan are out of education. Following the ban, the Taliban gave no real justification, only saying that the education of girls must be according to "Islamic principles".On this week's episode of The New Arab Voice, we explore the Taliban's ban on educating girls. Why did the Taliban make a sudden policy u-turn? How has the education ban affected young girls in Afghanistan? What can be done to get girls back in classroom? And how can the international community work with the Taliban, without giving the hardline group financial support?Featuring interviews with Heather Barr (@heatherbarr1), associate director of the Women's Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, and Weeda Mehran (@WeedaMehran), Afghan lecturer at the University of Exeter with expertises in conflict prevention and peace in Afghanistan. This podcast is written and produced by Rosie McCabe (@RosieMcCabe3). The executive producer is Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Theme music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we explore the difficulties of reconstructing in Gaza following Israeli attacks. One year ago, Israel launched a devastating attack on the narrow strip, killing hundreds and injuring hundreds more. Additionally, thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed or badly damaged. When the ceasefire was reached, those who  lost homes or businesses were unable to rebuild, due to the Israeli blockade of Gaza. The blockade was put in place by Israel in 2007, and since then has been described as collective punishment and a breach of international law. How can residents of Gaza rebuild their lives, while living behind the blockade? What can international powers do to help lift the blockade and ensure reconstruction? Where is all the money that has been pledged by donors? Could Fatah in the occupied West Bank help lift the blockade?We speak with Najla Shawa (@WhateverInGaza). A resident of Gaza and a food security and livelihoods manager for the charity Oxfam. And Yara Asi (@Yara_M_Asi). Assistant professor and Global Health Management and Informatics at the University of Central Florida and a visiting scholar at the FSB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University.This podcast is produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we examine the recent developments in the war in Yemen. On 19 April, Yemen's new leaders took a ceremonial oath of office under tight security, completing a major shake-up aimed at ending seven years of war with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.Earlier in the month, a UN-brokered ceasefire gave the embattled citizens of the Gulf state a respite from years of intense and deadly fighting.We explore if these two events could pave the way for peace in Yemen. Can the internationally recognised government form a unified military front? Are the Houthis using the pause to regroup and prepare for another offensive? Why do Saudi Arabia and the UAE want to exit the conflict? And, if a peace settlement can be reached, will the desperate population be provided with much needed aid. Featuring interviews with Abdulghani Al-Iryani (@AbdulGhani1959), a senior researcher at the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies (@SanaaCenter). Previously he worked with the United Nations in the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen; and Baraa Shiban (@BShtwtr), a MENA caseworker with the human rights group Reprieve, a Yemeni researcher and analyst, and former member of the Yemeni National Dialogue Conference.If you enjoyed this episode, please don't forget to rate and review.  This podcast is produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode of The New Arab Voice, we sit down with Anoosheh Ashoori. British-Iranian Anoosheh was arrested in Tehran in 2017. He was accused of espionage and sentenced to 12 years in prison. It was widely agreed that Anoosheh, with other dual nationals, was being held hostage by Iran, who were demanding that the British government return the money that was paid to them for tanks, prior to the 1979 Iranian revolution. During his time in prison he helped to form a poetry society. The inmates would recite poems and would also write their own about their experiences inside the prison, and how they longed for the outside.Other classes soon started up. Anoosheh called it Evin University.We spoke with Anoosheh about Evin University, his experiences inside, and the response of the British government.If you enjoyed this episode, please don't forget to rate and review.  This podcast is produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge) and Rosie McCabe (@RosieMcCabe3). Music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.