LSE Middle East Centre Podcasts

Speaker: Ahron Bregman Chair: Toby Dodge, LSE Middle East Centre In this talk, Bregman argues that ending the Israeli occupation and establishing a Palestinian state could only be achieved if three elements come together: first, the arrival in the occupied territories of the Arab Spring in the shape of a third, non-violent Palestinian intifada against the occupation. Second, massive international pressure particularly on Israel but also on the Palestinians to compromise. Third, the remaining in power of a right wing government in Israel. Recorded on 10 February 2014.

Speaker: Sami Zubaida, SOAS Chair: Toby Dodge, LSE Middle East Centre In this event, Professor Zubaida explores the question of changing identities. What constitutes authenticity in different spheres of culture is contested between political and religious groups and ideologies. Discourses of difference between Muslim/national cultures and ‘the West’, and the resistance to perceived cultural invasion have featured prominently in these contests. These themes are explored in relation to religion, national culture, sexuality, music and food. Recorded on 5 February 2014.

Speaker: Florence Gaub, EUISS Chair: Toby Dodge, LSE Middle East Centre In this talk, Dr Gaub covers post-2011 Libya and asks key questions related to post-conflict reconstruction, security sector reform and transitional justice. What can we learn for future cases of regime change? How can security be built without external security provision? What are the factors that facilitate or impede political transitions? Recorded on 3 February 2014.

Speaker: Gilbert Achcar, SOAS Chair: John Chalcraft, LSE The euphoria that welcomed the Arab uprising in its initial stage tended to turn into gloom in later years. Away from impressionistic reactions, Gilbert Achcar assesses and discusses the latest developments in the Arab-speaking region on the occasion of the publication of his new book, 'The People Want: A Radical Exploration of the Arab Uprising'. Recorded on 27 January 2014.

Speaker: Alice Wilson, University of Cambridge Chair: John King, Society for Algerian Studies The outbreak of the 2011 uprisings marked the 35th year of the conflict over Western Sahara, Africa’s last decolonization case. The international community has so far failed to produce a political climate conducive to the resolution of the conflict. In this talk, Alice Wilson analyses changes that have been recently enacted on the ground by Sahrawis both in Western Sahara and in the refugee camps in Algeria where exiled Sahrawis live. Recorded on 22 January 2014.

Speaker: Aitemad Muhanna-Matar Chair: Sumi Madhok, LSE In this talk, Dr Muhanna-Matar discusses her new book, which explores how gender and gender relations of power in Gaza are renegotiated to develop material mechanisms of coping or resistance. The book provides empirical evidence of Gazan women’s capacity to actively exercise their agency. Recorded on 20 January 2014.

Speaker: Omar Nashabe In this talk, Dr Nashabe discusses the creation of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, and addresses the tribunal's decision to indict five members of Hezbollah and in turn to try them in absentia. Recorded on 16 January 2014.

Speaker: Yezid Sayigh, Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut Chair: Toby Dodge, LSE Middle East Centre Professor Sayigh explores the nature of Syria’s revolution, its armed rebellion, and its opposition. He reflects on the drivers and dynamics of armed struggle and its impacts, placing this in comparative perspective with other historical experiences and anticipating likely trajectories going forward. Recorded on 13 January 2014.

Speaker: Anoush Ehteshami, Durham University Chair: Toby Dodge, LSE Middle East Centre The victory of President Hassan Rouhani represents the defeat of the most peripheral groups in the Iranian political. In this talk, Professor Ehteshami asks what drives President Rouhani’s worldview and what does his election victory tell us about Iran and the where it might be heading? Recorded on 27 November 2013. This is an LSE Kuwait Programme event.

Speaker: Lina Sinjab, BBC Chair: Toby Dodge, LSE In this talk, Lina Sinjab focuses on the realities on the ground in Syria and the resilient civil society that is striving to continue amidst civil war. Recorded on 22 November 2013.