Middle East Analysis

Middle East North Africa: An Analysis
Middle East Analysis

The Middle East North Africa region is complex - hardly breaking news. There are complicated religious, political and socio-economic realities. Our 'Middle East Analysis' podcasts feature the analysis of Dr Harry Hagopian, an international lawyer and commentator on the Middle East North Africa region and the Gulf States.

  1. Assad time no more

    17/12/2024

    Assad time no more

    'Middle East Analysis' started in earnest in 2010-11 when a series of anti-regime uprisings took place across a large swathe of the Middle East North Africa region - what was termed the Arab Spring. Dr Harry Hagopian, an international lawyer, regional analyst - and the voice of these podcasts - helped us to understand the context and long advocated for the voice of the people to be heard rather than supressed. A semi-constant topic in the early 2010s was the turmoil and civil war in Syria and the oppressive, often brutal regime of Bashar al-Assad, himself the successor of his father Hafez al-Assad who ruled with an iron fist from 1971. That dynasty held a stranglehold on the country for over half a century. We spent years discussing government brutality, barrel bombing, international players, the descent into long-term civil war. Then, in 2014, we witnessed the rise of the violent, rampaging terror group IS, or Daesh, under the leadership of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. IS shocked the world by setting up a caliphate across parts of Iraq and Syria. Once again, the Syrian people suffered and, somehow, Bashar al-Assad clung on. Fast forward a decade and on 8 December 2024, the Assad regime collapsed after opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) swept through Syria eventually taking the capital Damascus forcing the Assad family to flee to Moscow. So the main sentiment percolating through this episode is what Harry terms 'pessoptimism' surrounding the seismic shift in Syria. We all know vacuums are dangerous and what fills them can be worse than what went before so caution is necessary. Christmas cheer may be in short supply but we also have a segment on the Christians of the region and whether any peace or consolation can be found in these challenging days.

    39 min
  2. Latin Patriarch | Cardinal Pizzaballa

    03/12/2024

    Latin Patriarch | Cardinal Pizzaballa

    Our studio guest for this special 30-minute Middle East Analysis podcast is the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa. Born in northern Italy, the Patriarch, a Franciscan, has spent 35 years of his ministry in the Holy Land. In this time he has seen many episodes of war and tension. The current cycle of violence is particularly devastating. However, it is the season of Advent and the eyes of the world slowly turn to Bethlehem. Hope prevails in the darkness, and the Patriarch clings to this when discussing the region’s Christians. Cardinal Pizzaballa talks about the intense and challenging situation facing the Catholics of Gaza, the West Bank and Israel. We talk in particular about the small community sheltering at the compound of the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City. Our regular studio guest is the international lawyer, consultant and former Assistant General Secretary for the Middle East Council of Churches, Dr Harry Hagopian. Harry grew up in Jerusalem and his family has traditionally had close ties with the Patriarchate. He fondly reflects on how his father, a doctor, used to treat former Patriarchs at his GP surgery. Cardinal Pizzaballa and Dr Hagopian share thoughts on a number of subjects in the half-hour podcast: Gaza and the Christians sheltering at the Church of the Holy Family Parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli and his joy at being back in Gaza Memories of engagement with the various Churches of the Holy Land Hope and grassroots dialogue in the face of war and violence The Patriarch’s meditation on Advent and faith

    29 min

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About

The Middle East North Africa region is complex - hardly breaking news. There are complicated religious, political and socio-economic realities. Our 'Middle East Analysis' podcasts feature the analysis of Dr Harry Hagopian, an international lawyer and commentator on the Middle East North Africa region and the Gulf States.

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