CSIS Babel
Podcast

Babel: Translating the Middle East

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). Listen on Apple Podcasts.

Podcast Series by Jon B. Alterman, Will Todman, and Natasha Hall

Subscribe and Listen

All Babel: Translating the Middle East Podcast Episodes

Filter by

1 - 10 of 262 results
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Analysis: The Regional Fallout of Syria's Unrest

Last weekend, Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al Qaeda affiliate with a base in northwest Syria, launched a surprise offensive. The rebels captured Syria’s second-largest city, Aleppo, and headed toward Homs and Hama, two major population centers. The weekend’s battles mark the first significant shift of battle lines in Syria since 2020. With Russian and Syrian airstrikes on rebel strongholds picking up, Asher Grant-Sasson speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about the regional and geostrategic implications of a possibly new phase in Syria’s 13-year civil war.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — December 3, 2024

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Arwa Damon: Gaza's Wounds

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Arwa Damon, a former CNN international correspondent and founder of the International Network for Aid, Relief, and Assistance (INARA). She talks with Jon from Gaza. Together, they discuss her two decades of work in war zones and the effects of war on the young children her charity supports. Then, Jon continues the conversation with Martin Pimentel and Natasha Hall to discuss the challenges of humanitarian work in war zones. 

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Natasha Hall, and Martin Pimentel — November 26, 2024

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Analysis: Saudi Arabia's Economic Plans Stumble

One pillar of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 development plan is NEOM, a land development, tourism, and model city project that is projected to cost at least a half a trillion dollars. Last week, NEOM’s CEO left suddenly. Asher Grant-Sasson speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about NEOM, its challenges, and Saudi Arabia’s economic future. 

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — November 19, 2024

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Mohammad Ali Shabani: Iran After October 7

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Mohammad Ali Shabani, editor of Amwaj.media, a London-based news site focusing on Iran, Iraq, and the Arabian Peninsula countries. Together, they discuss Iran’s regional strategy and the choices Iran has after a year of rising regional tensions. Then, Jon continues the conversation with Martin Pimentel and Will Todman to discuss what the new U.S. administration will mean for Iran, its conflict with Israel, and its relations with the United States. 

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Will Todman, and Martin Pimentel — November 12, 2024

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Analysis: Israel Hits Iran

Just over a week ago, Israel conducted multiple waves of airstrikes against military sites in Iran. These strikes were in response to Iran launching a barrage of ballistic missiles against Israel a few weeks prior, which marked the second direct Iranian missile attack on Israel this year. Asher Grant-Sasson speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about the unprecedented back-and-forth between Israel and Iran, and its implications on regional geopolitics.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — November 5, 2024

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Amjad Iraqi: The Future of Palestinians in Israel

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Amjad Iraqi about how Palestinian citizens of Israel have been experiencing the Gaza war, and the future of Palestinian communities in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Natasha Hall, and Leah Hickert — October 29, 2024

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Analysis: Israel's Trajectory

Last week, Israeli forces killed Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas and one of the main architects of the October 7th attack. Less than a month earlier, Israel assassinated Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah for the last three decades. Leah Hickert speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about how recent events have impacted Israel’s trajectory.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Leah Hickert — October 22, 2024

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Lina Khatib: War Spreads to Lebanon

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Dr. Lina Khatib, an associate fellow in the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House, which she led for seven years and where they first met. Together, they discuss the escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, its regional impacts, and the emerging vacuum in Lebanese politics. Then, Jon continues the conversation with Will Todman and Leah Hickert to discuss the challenges of creating a comprehensive U.S. strategy in the Middle East and the ways Great Power competition affects the region’s conflicts.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Will Todman, and Leah Hickert — October 15, 2024

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Analysis: Israel's Ground Invasion into Lebanon

One year after the tragedy of October 7th, Israel has launched a ground invasion into southern Lebanon to counter Hezbollah. Although it remains unclear how far Israel intends to send troops into Lebanon, Israel has issued a new evacuation order that reaches farther north than previous orders. Leah Hickert speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about the invasion and the likelihood of escalation.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Leah Hickert — October 8, 2024

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Peter Schwartzstein: Climate Violence in the Middle East

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Peter Schwartzstein, an environmental journalist who reports on water, food security, and the conflict-climate nexus in around 30 countries, mainly in the Middle East and Africa. Together, they discuss Mr. Schwartzstein's new book, The Heat and the Fury: On the Frontlines of Climate Violence, as well as the outlook for climate adaptation in the Middle East, and the ways in which environmental initiatives can build peace in the region. 

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Natasha Hall, Will Todman, and Leah Hickert — October 1, 2024

CSIS Babel