
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, Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy 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 Special: Jon Alterman's Next Chapter
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Will Todman — May 22, 2025

Mohanad Hage Ali: Hezbollah and the Captagon Trade
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Mona Yacoubian, and Asher Grant-Sasson — May 15, 2025

Analysis: Will Trump’s Houthi Deal Stick?
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — May 8, 2025

Dina Esfandiary: Will Iran Make a Deal with Trump?
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Ninar Fawal, and Will Todman — May 1, 2025

Analysis: Trump’s Novel Middle East Diplomacy
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — April 24, 2025

Craig Larkin: The Politics of Memory, From Mosul to Beirut to Gaza
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Ninar Fawal, Martin Pimentel, and Will Todman — April 17, 2025

Analysis: Iran, Deal or No Deal?
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — April 10, 2025

Dahlia Scheindlin: Israel’s Political Turmoil
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Ninar Fawal, and Will Todman — April 3, 2025

Analysis: Trump Takes on the Houthis
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — March 27, 2025

Nicolas Pelham: Ahmed al-Sharaa and Syria’s Future
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Ninar Fawal, and Natasha Hall — March 20, 2025
