Azad Essa, an award-winning journalist known for his work on American foreign policy and race, delves into the evolving alliance between India and Israel. He examines how India's trajectory under Modi mirrors Israel's settler-colonial practices, especially in Kashmir. The discussion covers the historical ties and ideological similarities between Hindutva and Zionism, raising concerns about democracy and minority rights. Essa also highlights the significant military cooperation between the two nations and critiques India's shifting stance on Palestine.

In this discussion, Samuel Hodgkin, Assistant Professor at Yale, shares insights on the impact of Persianate poetry in shaping Eastern internationalism during the 20th century. He highlights how writers across Turkey, Iran, and beyond found common ground in the works of Hafiz and Khayyam. The conversation delves into the role of poetry in uniting revolutionary movements and its political implications amidst the rise of literary modernity. Hodgkin also explores the intricate relationship between Persian literature and the Soviet Union, emphasizing cultural decolonization through shared literary heritage.

Wendy Pearlman, a political science professor at Northwestern University, explores the emotional landscapes of Syrian refugees in her new book. She shares gripping stories reflecting on what 'home' means after war and displacement. The discussion reveals how narratives of resilience underscore the importance of belonging amidst chaos. Listeners learn about personal choices surrounding the longing for home and the complex identities formed in new lands. Pearlman’s insights invite us to rethink our own definitions of home in a world marked by conflict.

Joy McCorriston, an archaeologist and professor at Ohio State University, dives into the intriguing world of pastoralists in Dhofar, Oman. She discusses how these communities built monuments over 7,500 years, serving as gathering places and markers of social identity. Joy shares fascinating archaeological insights into burial practices and communal activities that showcase the resilience of pastoralism amidst agricultural advancements. The conversation highlights the significance of these monuments in linking dispersed households and maintaining cultural ties.

Yochai's book, Not in Our Brain: Consciousness, Body, World (Magnes Press, 2019), examines the meaning of psychology and life based on the premise (following Merleau-Ponty's theory) that we are present in the world through our bodies. We are not merely rational beings or machines, but our existence in the world is through the body. While the book examines Merleau-Ponty's theory through stories of prisoners and people dedicated to meditation, our conversation took a different and fascinating direction. We examined the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza through the lens of Merleau-Ponty and the question of trauma.Yochai Ataria is a professor at Tel-Hai College, Israel. He completed his PhD at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and conducted post-doctoral research in the Neurobiology Department at the Weizmann Institute of Science. His notable works include The Structural Trauma of Western Culture (2017), Body Disownership in Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (2018), The Mathematics of Trauma [in Hebrew] (2014), Not in Our Brain [in Hebrew] (2019), Levi versus Ka-Tsetnik (2022), Consciousness in Flesh (2022), and Genes, Technology, and Apocalypse (2024). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/middle-eastern-studies

In this engaging conversation, James E. Montgomery, a prominent Arabic scholar and co-translator of 'Kalīlah and Dimnah,' shares insights into the timeless fables' exploration of virtue and vice. He highlights his journey into Arabic studies and the challenges of translating classic texts for modern readers. The discussion spans Ibn al-Muqaffaʿ's historical significance, the perils of distraction illustrated in the fables, and their relevance in today's political landscape. Montgomery also emphasizes the cultural importance of narratives like falconry in preserving heritage.

Wynne Dayton, a retired senior member of the U.S. Foreign Service and former Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, dives deep into the Middle East's escalating tensions. He sheds light on the complexities of U.S. foreign policy and past intervention challenges. Notably, Dayton discusses Elon Musk's surprising diplomatic engagement with Iran and how it could shape future relations. He also examines Israel's critical role in recent conflicts and the potential consequences for its global standing and U.S. ties, offering a compelling analysis of the region's intricate landscape.

In The Fate of the Jews in the Early Islamic Near East: Tracing the Demographic Shift from East to West (Cambridge UP, 2022), Phillip Lieberman revisits one of the foundational narratives of medieval Jewish history--that the rise of Islam led the Jews of Babylonia, the largest Jewish community prior to the rise of Islam, to abandon a livelihood based on agriculture and move into urban crafts and long-distance trade. Here, he presents an alternative account that reveals the complexity of interfaith relations in early Islam. Using Jewish and Islamic chronicles, legal materials, and the rich documentary evidence of the Cairo Geniza, Lieberman demonstrates that Jews initially remained on the rural periphery after the Islamic conquest of Iraq. Gradually, they assimilated to an emerging Islamicate identity as the new religion took shape, sapping towns and villages of their strength. Simultaneously, a small, elite group of merchants and communal leaders migrated westward. Lieberman here explores their formative influence on the Jewish communities of the southern Mediterranean that flourished under Islamic conquest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/middle-eastern-studies

Allen James Fromherz, a historian and director at Georgia State University, discusses his latest book that redefines the Persian Gulf as a pivotal hub in global history. He explores the Gulf's role as a center for ancient trade and cultural exchange, revealing its historical significance from the Dilmun civilization to modern times. Fromherz examines colonial impacts, local resistance, and the region's contemporary geopolitical importance, especially in light of rising powers like China and India. He also reflects on his previous works and future research plans.

Masha Kirasirova, an Assistant Professor of History at NYU Abu Dhabi, dives into her groundbreaking research on Soviet anticolonial policies, linking Arabs, Central Asians, and Jews. She sheds light on how the Soviet Union shaped these groups' identities and aspirations. Masha discusses her journey from Syrian history to uncovering Soviet archives, revealing complex interwar dynamics. She also explores the contributions of figures like Egyptian student Hamdi Salem and examines the post-WWII influence of the Soviet Union in Arab states. Intrigued? Tune in!