Babel: Translating the Middle East

Latest Episodes:

Nicolas Pelham: Morocco's Missing King May 30, 2023

Show notes

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Nicolas Pelham of The Economist and author of a recent article in 1843 magazine entitled "The Mystery of Morocco's Missing King." They talk about the Moroccan monarchy, King Mohammed VI’s unusual friendship with a German kickboxer, and what it means for the future of Morocco. Later, Jon continues the conversation with Natasha Hall and Danny Sharp, as they compare the different ruling strategies of Arab kings.

Nicolas Pelham, "MBS: despot in the desert," 1843 magazine, July 28, 2022.
Transcript, "Nicolas Pelham: Morocco's Missing King," CSIS, May 30, 2023.

A Mezze: From Stable to Table—Egypt's Donkey Meat Controversy May 23, 2023

Show notes

As Egypt's economic crisis continues, a new proposition of introducing donkey meat to Egypt's cuisine causes public uproar amidst soaring food prices. A new Mezze from the CSIS Middle East Program.

Hafsa Halawa: Egypt's Economic Turmoil May 16, 2023

Show notes

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Hafsa Halawa of the Middle East Institute and author of a new paper entitled "Gulf Investment in Egypt, A Balance of Mutual Need." They talk about Egypt’s economic crisis, the recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan, Egypt's military's economic involvement, and the changing face of Gulf financial support. Later, Jon continues the conversation with Will Todman and Lubna Yousef, as they examine United States - Egypt policy and what an Egypt crisis means for the entire region.

Hafsa Halawa, "Gulf Investment in Egypt: A Balance of Mutual Need," Carnegie, May 8, 2023.
Babel, "COP 27 Preview: Electrifying the Middle East with Ali al-Saffar," CSIS, November 1, 2022.
Transcript, "Hafsa Halawa: Egypt's Economic Turmoil," CSIS, May 16, 2023.

A Mezze: Power Plays May 09, 2023

Show notes

Suffering from a debilitating electricity and water shortage crisis, some communities in Libya resort to "power plays" and acts of intimidation to ensure their access to basic services. A New Mezze from the CSIS Middle East Program.

Killian Clarke: Egypt's Counterrevolution and the Return to Tyranny May 02, 2023

Show notes

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Prof. Killian Clarke of Georgetown's Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service about his forthcoming book tentatively entitled The Return of Tyranny: How Counterrevolutions Emerge and Succeed. They talk about the counterrevolution in Egypt, the complex relationship between the military, the Muslim Brotherhood, and the public, and lessons learned from counterrevolutions around the world. Later, Jon continues the conversation with Natasha Hall and Lubna Yousef, debating similarities between Egypt and Tunisia, and how the region views U.S. influence post 2011.

Killian Clarke, “Revolutionary Violence and Counterrevolution,” American Political Science Review, December 19, 2022.
Killian Clarke, "This Is How to Stop the Coup in Sudan," The New York Times. 29 October 2021.
Jon Alterman, "Egypt's Economic Challenge," The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune, April 2023.
Transcript, "Egypt's Counterrevolution and the Return to Tyranny," CSIS, May 2, 2023.

A Mezze: An Uphill Battle Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

GCC countries are beginning to tackle their obesity problem, but structural and cultural challenges to improving fitness abound. A New Mezze from the CSIS Middle East Program.

Ayham Kamel: The Gulf's Regional Diplomacy Apr 18, 2023

Show notes

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Ayham Kamel of the Eurasia Group. They talk about the current diplomatic landscape in the Gulf, how Gulf leaders perceive their security interests, their views on the U.S. staying in power in the region, and how they are responding to the U.S. retrenchment from the Middle East. Then, Jon continues the conversation with Will Todman and Danny Sharp, discussing how Gulf countries are finding opportunities in a reduced U.S. presence and how they are pursuing their own interests.

Transcript, "The Gulf's Regional Diplomacy," CSIS, April 18, 2023.

A Mezze: Help Wanted, But Not Found Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

What started as a job advertisement for a sandwich maker in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) quickly landed one firm in hot water last December. As the UAE pushes for companies in the private sector to hire more Emiratis, they're finding that there are some jobs that Emiratis may not want. A new Mezze from the Middle East Program.

Ali Vaez: Iran's Regional Policy Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group. They talk about the Saudi-Iranian agreement to resume diplomatic ties, how it fits into Iran’s wider foreign policy strategy around the region, and the prospects for a broader détente between Iran and its Arab neighbors in the Gulf. Vaez suggests that a regional nuclear agreement between Iran and Arab states in the Gulf might be a more viable path forward than an agreement between Iran and the West. Then, Jon continues the conversation with Natasha Hall and Caleb Harper, discussing what this all means for U.S. policy toward Iran and in the rest of the region.

Ali Vaez, “The Long Twilight of the Islamic Republic,” Foreign Affairs, February 2, 2023.
Jon Alterman, "Saudi Arabia Steps Out," CSIS, March 23, 2023.
Jon Alterman, "Why Did China Help Saudi Arabia and Iran Resume Diplomatic Ties?" CSIS, March 10, 2023.
Transcript, "Iran's Regional Policy," CSIS, April 4, 2023.

A Mezze: Saudi Arabia's New Anime Journey Mar 28, 2023

Show notes

Imported entertainment options have flourished under MBS, helping erode the Saudi state’s ability to shape public culture. But now, Saudi state-owned firms are using the growing popularity of anime to shape their own narrative, at home and abroad. A new Mezze from the CSIS Middle East Program.

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