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, senior vice president, Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy, and director of the Middle East Program 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).
https://www.csis.org/podcasts/babel
Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 3 days 2 hours 20 minutes
episode 3: China in the Middle East: Part Three
In the third episode of our podcast miniseries, China in the Middle East, Jon Alterman explores China’s security interests in the Middle East.
episode 2: China in the Middle East: Part Two
In the second episode of the podcast miniseries, China in the Middle East, Jon Alterman looks at China’s economic interests in the Middle East.
episode 1: China in the Middle East: Part One
In the first episode of our new podcast miniseries, China in the Middle East, Jon Alterman gives an overview of Chinese policy in the Middle East and how the Middle East fits into China’s worldview.
episode 12: A Mezze: Santa Claus is Coming to Tehran
This December, Iranians of all faiths gather to admire Christmas trees and Santa figurines, despite governmental restrictions on Christians and other Western holidays.
episode 11: Dodging a Bullet
Young people across the Arab World are resorting to extreme measures—like cutting off limbs, or faking being kidnapped—to avoid mandatory military service.
episode 10: The Rise of Individualism in the Arab World
In the latest episode, Vivian Salama, White House correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, interviews Jon Alterman on his new report.
episode 9: A Mezze: Fire Sale
Soaring fuel prices are leading Yemenis to chop down trees, and this is only adding to the humanitarian crisis.
episode 8: Climate and Conflict in the Middle East
Peter Schwartzstein, an environmental journalist based in the Middle East, joins host Jon Alterman to discuss how climate change concerns exacerbate conflict, and how regional leaders should respond.
episode 7: Cosmic Intervention
The Egyptian government seems to be using horoscopes as a new avenue for disseminating pro-regime messages.
episode 6: Russian Disinformation in Syria
Russia is spreading disinformation in the Middle East, especially in Syria, in order to discredit its critics and advance its interests.