Mezze: Assorted Stories from the Middle East

A taste of the debates shaping the region in 270 words or less.

The monthly Mezze series puts a spotlight on under-discussed trends and debates in the region. It is part of the Middle East Program’s newsletter, Middle East Notes and Comment. To receive Middle East Notes and Comment and Mezze in your mailbox, subscribe to the newsletter below.

Sample past editions of Mezze HERE.

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Chat GPMufti

Newsletter by Martin Pimentel — October 24, 2023

All Mezze: Assorted Stories from the Middle East Content

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Mixed Signals in the Middle East

The sudden flood of Israeli profiles on dating apps in Lebanon and Egypt have prompted rumors and conspiracies. The mishaps point to the growing impact of widespread GPS spoofing on key services in the region.

Blog Post by Lily Flick — August 27, 2024

A Fishy Business in Port Said

As Egypt’s economic crisis continues, price hikes have hit the fish market especially hard. In response, Egyptians in Port Said have turned to a fishy boycott to express displeasure. A new Mezze from the CSIS Middle East Program.

Blog Post by Salmah Elmasry — July 30, 2024

The Voice Inside AI's Head Speaks English

Arab countries are increasing their investments in large language models, but Arabic is already posing a challenge for AI tools. As more Arabic-speakers turn to AI, Arabic risks falling behind in the world of artificial intelligence. 

Blog Post by Josh Phillips — June 18, 2024

The Bonds of Marriage between Syria and Iraq

Josh Phillips discusses the increasing number of Syrian women marrying Iraqi militia fighters leading to exploitation and abuse. Read more about why these marriages take place and the impact of gender-based discrimination and economic insecurity on women's lives.

Blog Post by Josh Phillips — May 1, 2024

Chat GPMufti

AI is playing an increasing role among Muslim institutions in the MENA region. This trend, however, has left many uneasy. In this mezze, Marty Pimentel discusses the future role of AI in religious institutions throughout the region. 

Newsletter by Martin Pimentel — October 24, 2023

Babel: Translating the Middle East

A Mezze: Fishing for Food Security

In August 2021, in the desert region of southern Algeria, a group of Sahrawi refugees were bustling inside a building studded with rectangular pools and filled with tons of tilapia—literally.

Podcast Episode by Leah Hickert and Martin Pimentel — October 10, 2023

CSIS Babel

Fishing for Food Security

In Tindouf, the sun beats down on sandy expanses that are home to little more than a network of refugee camps. But in August 2021, a group of Sahrawi refugees were bustling inside a white-walled building studded with rectangular pools filled with tons of tilapia—literally.

Newsletter by Martin Pimentel — September 19, 2023

Babel: Translating the Middle East

A Mezze: Tunisia's Hunger Games

Amid widespread shortages of basic products in Tunisia, grocery store owners have become like black marketeers.

Podcast Episode by Leah Hickert — September 12, 2023

CSIS Babel

Tunisia’s Hunger Games

In June 2023, a woman waited for the last customer to leave a grocery store in La Marsa, in northeastern Tunisia. She mumbled to the shopkeeper, “Do you have it?” The shopkeeper took her to a back room and handed her a small packet wrapped in a dark bag. Once she got home, she opened the bag and showed it to her husband. She had managed to secure a bag of coffee. Just a month earlier, she had to go through the same process to get butter, and prior to that, to obtain rice.

Blog Post — July 24, 2023

Tunisia’s Hunger Games

In June 2023, a woman waited for the last customer to leave a grocery store in La Marsa, in northeastern Tunisia. She mumbled to the shopkeeper, “Do you have it?” The shopkeeper took her to a back room and handed her a small packet wrapped in a dark bag. Once she got home, she opened the bag and showed it to her husband. She had managed to secure a bag of coffee. Just a month earlier, she had to go through the same process to get butter, and prior to that, to obtain rice

Newsletter — July 24, 2023