Babel: Translating the Middle East

by Center for Strategic and International Studies

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).

Analysis: Iran, Deal or No Deal?
Apr 10, 2025 – 06:10
Dahlia Scheindlin: Israel’s Political Turmoil
Apr 3, 2025 – 33:52
Analysis: Trump Takes on the Houthis
Mar 27, 2025 – 06:26
Nicolas Pelham: Ahmed al-Sharaa and Syria’s Future
Mar 20, 2025 – 46:45
Renad Mansour and Sanam Vakil: Iranian Networks in the Middle East
Mar 13, 2025 – 46:43
Analysis: Trump’s Middle East Strategy
Mar 6, 2025 – 06:31
Max Bergmann: Does Europe Matter in the Middle East?
Feb 27, 2025 – 28:38
Analysis: Are U.S.-Russia Talks a Win for the Saudis?
Feb 20, 2025 – 04:49
Alessandro Accorsi: Disinformation Warfare in the Middle East
Feb 13, 2025 – 43:27
Analysis: Netanyahu Comes to Washington
Feb 4, 2025 – 04:37
Sinem Adar: Turkey's Syria Challenge
Jan 28, 2025 – 37:38
Analysis: Gaza Peace?
Jan 21, 2025 – 07:54
eL Seed: Arabic Calligraffiti
Jan 14, 2025 – 32:43
Analysis: Syria’s Bid for Sanctions Relief
Jan 7, 2025 – 08:14
Special: Syria's Post-Assad Scramble
Dec 17, 2024 – 27:55
Max Gallien: Black Markets of the Maghreb
Dec 10, 2024 – 34:26
Analysis: The Regional Fallout of Syria's Unrest
Dec 3, 2024 – 09:03
Arwa Damon: Gaza's Wounds
Nov 26, 2024 – 38:39
Analysis: Saudi Arabia's Economic Plans Stumble
Nov 19, 2024 – 04:15
Mohammad Ali Shabani: Iran After October 7
Nov 12, 2024 – 44:17
Analysis: Israel Hits Iran
Nov 5, 2024 – 05:12
Amjad Iraqi: The Future of Palestinians in Israel
Oct 29, 2024 – 41:05
Analysis: Israel's Trajectory
Oct 22, 2024 – 05:37
Lina Khatib: War Spreads to Lebanon
Oct 15, 2024 – 34:45
Analysis: Israel's Ground Invasion into Lebanon
Oct 8, 2024 – 06:25
Peter Schwartzstein: Climate Violence in the Middle East
Oct 1, 2024 – 36:08
Analysis: Israel-Hezbollah Escalation
Sep 24, 2024 – 05:37
Hussein Ibish: Popular Mobilization Since October 7
Sep 18, 2024 – 39:38
Analysis: The Hostage Crisis in Gaza
Sep 10, 2024 – 07:44
Isabelle Werenfels: North Africa's Relationship with Europe
Sep 3, 2024 – 37:40
A Mezze: A Fishy Business in Port Said
Aug 27, 2024 – 01:57
Michelle Nunn: The Challenges of Gaza's Humanitarian Crisis
Aug 20, 2024 – 35:37
Analysis: The Aftermath of Haniyeh's Assassination
Aug 13, 2024 – 05:36
Analysis: Netanyahu's U.S. Visit
Jul 30, 2024 – 04:17
Hasan Alhasan: The Strategies of Gulf States
Jul 23, 2024 – 43:02
Analysis: Iran's Presidential Election
Jul 16, 2024 – 05:49
Karim Haggag: Egypt's Balancing Act
Jul 9, 2024 – 41:03
A Mezze: The Voice Inside AI's Head Speaks English
Jul 2, 2024 – 02:18
Karim Elgendy: Climate Diplomacy in the Middle East
Jun 25, 2024 – 31:07
Analysis: Lebanon's Dangerous Campaign against Refugees
Jun 18, 2024 – 06:28
Jonathan Rynhold: Israel's Divided Politics
Jun 11, 2024 – 39:29
Analysis: Environmental Politics in Postrevolutionary Tunisia
Jun 4, 2024 – 03:19
Sanam Vakil: Iran's Trajectory after Raisi
May 29, 2024 – 37:43
Analysis: The Impacts of Raisi's Death
May 21, 2024 – 04:02
Nicholas Blanford: Hezbollah’s Struggle Against Israel
May 14, 2024 – 30:04
A Mezze: The Bonds of Marriage between Syria and Iraq
May 7, 2024 – 02:19
Hans Grundberg: Mediation in Yemen
Apr 30, 2024 – 29:00
Analysis: Iran and Israel's Cycle of Retaliation
Apr 23, 2024 – 06:50
Hiba Husseini: Peacemaking After Oslo
Apr 16, 2024 – 38:49
Analysis: Support for Refugees Erodes in the Middle East
Apr 9, 2024 – 08:09