Babel: Translating the Middle East

Latest Episodes:

Restoring Iraq's Marshes Jan 26, 2021

Show notes

In this week's episode of Babel, Jon Alterman talks with Dr. Azzam Alwash, an engineer working to restore Iraq's wetlands and the founder of Nature Iraq. Dr. Alwash talks about why wetlands are important and how he and others work to convince Iraq's government to take action. Then, Jon, Natasha Hall, and McKinley Knoop discuss the relationship between climate change, governance, and trust.

Azzam Alwash, “Iraq’s Climate Crisis Requires Bold Cooperation,” The Century Foundation, December 14, 2020.
Will Todman, "Iraq's Explosive Plague," CSIS, April 15, 2019.
Azzam Alwash, “The Mosul Dam: Turning a Potential Disaster into a Win-Win Solution,” Viewpoints 68, Wilson Center, 2016.
Peter Schwartzstein, "Iraq's Famed Marshes Are Disappearing - Again," National Geographic, July 9, 2015.
Episode Transcript, "Restoring Iraq's Marshes," CSIS, January 26, 2021.

A Mezze: Ba'athist Blues Jan 19, 2021

Show notes

The disorder of today’s Iraq leads many Iraqis to miss the old Iraq, in which life was predictable and the state provided for its citizens. Over the past several years, Iraqi support for Saddam Hussein has surged.

The Arab Spring Ten Years On Jan 12, 2021

Show notes

In our latest episode of Babel, Jon Alterman was joined by Issandr El Amrani, regional director for the Middle East/North Africa region at the Open Society Foundation. Issandr talked to Jon about how political trends across the Middle East have unfolded in the ten years since the Arab Spring. He also gives his thoughts on what trends people should be watching going forward. Then, Jon, Natasha Hall, and Danny Sharp explore the Arab Spring's legacy ten years on.

Oz Katerji, "Betrayed by Their Leaders, Failed by the West, Arabs Still Want Democracy," Foreign Policy, December 17, 2020.
Issandr El Amrani, "In Translation: Sisi's Road to Presidency for Life," The Arabist, May 17, 2018.
Issandr El Amrani, "Morocco's Second Spring," The Guardian, April 17, 2012.
Episode Transcript, "The Arab Spring Ten Years On," CSIS, January 12, 2021.

A Mezze: Drivers of Change Jan 05, 2021

Show notes

As more and more women across the Middle East enter the auto industry,the fuel for change is being driven in unexpected directions.

Rising Temperatures in the Middle East Dec 29, 2020

Show notes

Jon Alterman talks with Elfatih Eltahir, professor of hydrology and climate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, about climate change and rising temperatures across the Middle East. Professor Eltahir explains what 'wet bulb' temperature means, and why governments should plan future cities away from the coast in order to cope with extreme heat. Then, Jon, Will Todman, and McKinley Knoop discuss climate change mitigation efforts in the Middle East.

Suchul Kang, Jeremy Pal, Elfatih Eltahir, "Future Heat Stress During Muslim Pilgrimage (Hajj) Projected to Exceed 'Extreme Danger' Levels," Geophysical Research Letters, June 25, 2019.
Elfatih Eltahir, short educational videos, Eltahir Research Group.
Jeremy S. Pal and Elfatih Eltahir, “Future temperature in southwest Asia projected to exceed a threshold for human adaptability," Nature Climate Change, October 26, 2015.
Jon Alterman and Michael Dziuban, Clear Gold, CSIS, December 2010.
Episode Transcript, "Rising Temperatures in the Middle East," CSIS, December 29, 2020.

A Mezze: Secondhand in Demand Dec 22, 2020

Show notes

Egyptian vendors are reselling leftover and expired foods to Egypt's poor at heavily discounted prices.

Satire and Comedy in the Arab World Dec 15, 2020

Show notes

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman is joined by Karl Sharro, an architect, satirist, and commentator on the Middle East who blogs and tweets as @KarlreMarks. Karl talks about how he developed his style of comedy and the role satire has played in the Arab World. Then, Natasha, Will, and Jon talk about what satire can tell us about the Middle East.

Karl Sharro, "Explaining Lebanon's Problems in One Minute," Karl Sharro Youtube, October 2, 2020.
Ahmed Albasheer, "Muhasasa," Albasheer Show Youtube, November 20, 2019.
Al-Rahel Al-Kabir, "Madad Baghdadi," Al-Rahel Al-Kabir Youtube, August 20, 2014.
Karl Sharro, "Study confirms Lebanon is indeed the centre of the universe," Karl reMarks, April 5, 2013.
Episode Transcript: "Satire and Comedy in the Arab World," CSIS, December 15, 2020.

A Mezze: Delivering the Goods Dec 08, 2020

Show notes

Across the Middle East, ride sharing apps are helping address the region's addressing problems.

Surveying Arab Youth Dec 01, 2020

Show notes

This week on Babel, Jon is joined by Sunil John, founder of Asda’a BCW and president for the Middle East and North Africa for BCW, where he runs the annual Arab Youth Survey. Sunil and John talk about the results of this year's survey. They also talk about how his team develops the survey and how it has changed over the last decade. Then, Natasha, McKinley, and Jon discuss their own experiences developing trust in research.

Asda'a BCW, "Top 10 Findings of the Arab Youth Survey," Arab Youth Survey, 2020.
Jon Alterman, "Designating the Houthis as Terrorists Would be a Mistake," DefenseOne, November 25, 2020.
Jumana Khamis, "Survey sheds lights on hopes, expectations of Arab region's college students," Arab News, November 24, 2020.
Jon Alterman, "Pivoting to Asia Doesn't Get You Out of the Middle East," CSIS, October 19, 2020.
Transcript, "Surveying Arab Youth," CSIS, December 1, 2020.

A Mezze: Dying for Power Nov 24, 2020

Show notes

Amidst a tangle of political banners, martyrs’ portraits, and crisscrossing power lines in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, the image of a boy gazes down. Sixteen-year-old Muhammad Okasha is celebrated in death, but unlike the fighters whose images otherwise line the streets, he did not die for the Palestinian cause. Hailed as an “electricity martyr,” he died struggling to bring power to his home.

Song Credit: "Uncertain Ground" from Duck Lake.