Islamic History Podcast

The Byzantine Empire (what's left of it, anyway) has been a thorn in the Ottoman's side for too long. Sultan Mehmed II prepares to conquer Constantinople.

Shocked by the Ottoman victory at Kosovo in 1389, Western and Eastern Europe unite in a Crusade to drive them out of the Balkans for good.

Prince Lazar of Serbia leads a Christian coalition against the Ottomans who are rapidly expanding into the Balkans.

Explore how the Turkish migration from Central Asia shaped the political landscape of Anatolia and the Middle East. Discover the rise of the Osmanlı dynasty and its early conquests, alongside the impactful reign of Pope Innocent III and the chaotic Fourth Crusade. Unravel the challenges faced by Orhan while establishing the Ottoman Empire, and trace the Umayyad Caliphate's historical roots and military expansions. This captivating journey dives deep into the intricate dynamics that led to monumental shifts in power in the region.

Dive into the harrowing narrative of the Bosnian War, exploring its historical roots from the Ottoman conquest to the Yugoslav era. Discover the complex interplay of political forces involving the UN and NATO, alongside the chilling reality of key atrocities, including the Srebrenica massacre. The speaker shares an emotional perspective on the war's impact, especially on vulnerable populations, while revealing the research journey behind this poignant topic. Prepare for an insightful exploration of a tumultuous chapter in history.

Mohammed Artan joins us to talk about the history of Islam in Somalia.  Mohammed Artan was born in Somalia, raised in the Netherlands, and currently lives in England. He is the director and founder of Looh Press, a publishing company specializing in Islamic, African, and Somali studies resources. Click here to get the show notes for this episode. Click here to become a member of Islamic History Exclusive.

Final words and analysis regarding the current situation in the Middle East.

The Arab Spring brings even more turmoil to the Middle East while Hamas and Fatah battle for control of Palestine. And in Iraq, the Insurgency morphs into a new threat called DAESH.

Things get worse in both Iraq and Palestine. The Second Intifada leads to more deaths on both sides. Meanwhile, the insurgency in Iraq is in full force.

The Middle East peace process begins to fracture as Israel adopts a harder stance. Things get worse for the Palestinians after the 9-11 attacks. And then the US launches another war against Iraq.