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

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All Babel: Translating the Middle East Podcast Episodes

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Babel: Translating the Middle East

Analysis: Trump’s Middle East Strategy

Asher Grant-Sasson speaks with Jon Alterman about the state of U.S. Middle East policy and its possible future trajectories.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — March 6, 2025

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Max Bergmann: Does Europe Matter in the Middle East?

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Max Bergmann, head of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at CSIS to discuss the Middle East issues that unite and divide European countries, and how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may be reshaping European perspectives on the region.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Max Bergmann, Martin Pimentel, and Will Todman — February 27, 2025

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Analysis: Are U.S.-Russia Talks a Win for the Saudis?

Asher Grant-Sasson speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about what Saudi Arabia gains by hosting the U.S.-Russia talks.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — February 20, 2025

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Alessandro Accorsi: Disinformation Warfare in the Middle East

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Alessandro Accorsi, a senior analyst for social media and conflict at the International Crisis Group. Prior to joining ICG, he worked for five years at the European External Action Service, where he led a taskforce countering foreign interference and information manipulation in the Middle East. He also worked for five years as a freelance journalist in Cairo.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Natasha Hall, and Martin Pimentel — February 13, 2025

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Analysis: Netanyahu Comes to Washington

Asher Grant-Sasson speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about the current state of U.S.-Israel relations.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — February 4, 2025

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Sinem Adar: Turkey's Syria Challenge

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Sinem Adar, a researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP). Together, they discuss Turkey's evolving interests in Syria and their connection to Turkey’s wider foreign policy agenda. 

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Martin Pimentel, and Will Todman — January 28, 2025

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Analysis: Gaza Peace?

Asher Grant-Sasson speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about where the Gaza conflict stands after 15 months of warfare.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — January 21, 2025

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

eL Seed: Arabic Calligraffiti

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with eL Seed about the cultural and political forces that shaped his artistic evolution and art’s role in spurring social change.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Natasha Hall, and Martin Pimentel — January 14, 2025

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Analysis: Syria’s Bid for Sanctions Relief

Asher Grant-Sasson speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about the prospects for the diplomatic efforts of Syria's new government.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — January 7, 2025

CSIS Babel