Essential Middle East

Al Jazeera
  • 4.4 (24)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

In the world of news, headlines are essential, but providing in-depth analysis of news and current affairs became rare. We analyze the news and simplify complex geopolitical realities of the Middle East and wider Muslim world.  To help you make sense of it all, join our host Sami Zeidan.

  1. 03/23/2023

    "For now, it's goodbye"

    Essential Middle East

    27 sec
  2. Is there racism in the Middle East?

    03/16/2023

    Is there racism in the Middle East?

    Slavery was prevalent in many parts of the world and it left scars to this very day. The Middle East had its own share of enslavement that was fueled by superiority, greed and power. In this episode:  Eve Trout Powell, Professor of History and Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania Episode credits: This episode was co-produced by Khaled Soltan and Salem Al Yafiei. Sound design was by George Al Wer. Our engagement producer is Aya Elmileik and our assistant engagement producer is Munera AlDosari. Our recording engineer is Hamdi Aoun. Our executive producer is Omar Al Saleh and head of audio is Ney Alvarez. Our host is Sami Zeidan.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

    21 min
  3. How obese is the Middle East?

    03/09/2023

    How obese is the Middle East?

    The World Health Organization is warning that obesity is on the rise, not just in the Middle East but around the world. The WHO says obesity in children and adults is a public health concern in almost all regions of the world. An estimated 38.9 million children under five years old are moderately or severely overweight.  In this episode:  Joyce Moawad, teaching assistant of human nutrition at Qatar University Episode credits: This episode was co-produced by Khaled Soltan and by our interns Nada Shakir and Reyan Al Jaafri. Sound design was by George Al Wer. Our engagement producer is Aya Elmileik and our assistant engagement producer is Munera AlDosari. Our recording engineer is Hamdi Aoun. Our executive producer is Omar Al Saleh and head of audio is Ney Alvarez. Our host is Sami Zeidan.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

    20 min
  4. Is the representation of Arabs in Hollywood changing?

    03/02/2023

    Is the representation of Arabs in Hollywood changing?

    From the earliest days of silent film to today's biggest Hollywood blockbusters, vilifying depictions of Arabs and Muslims have persisted in Western cinema, unchallenged. Yet, with the rise of streaming services, filmmakers of different ethnicities are now being afforded a chance to represent their own stories. In this episode:  Anne Sobel (@slicepassion), screenwriter, writer for Netflix's The Exchange Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan. The sound design was by George Al Wer. Our engagement producer is Aya Elmileik and our assistant engagement producer is Munera Al Dosari. Our Executive producer is Omar Al Saleh and Ney Alvarez is the head of audio. The show is hosted by Sami Zeidan. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

    27 min
  5. Why was international aid slow to reach Syria?

    02/23/2023

    Why was international aid slow to reach Syria?

    As deadly tremors continue to shake Turkey and Syria, international aid has been slow to reach Syria, where decades of civil war have hindered efforts to reach survivors. According to the United Nations, close to nine million people have been affected by the earthquake, and humanitarian needs are at their highest levels. The head of the UN emergency relief operations, Martin Griffiths, said the international community has failed the people of northwest Syria. In this episode:  Dr. Ubeyd Sakin (@ubeydsakin), Country Director of Human Appeal in Turkey Episode credits: This episode was co-produced by Khaled Soltan and our intern Nada Shakir. The sound design was by George Al Wer and our recording engineer is Michel Bou Dagher. Our engagement producer is Aya Elmileik and our assistant engagement producer is Munera Al Dosari. Our Executive producer is Omar Al Saleh and Ney Alvarez is the head of audio. The show is hosted by Sami Zeidan.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

    24 min
  6. Turkey mourns as it grapples to recover

    02/16/2023

    Turkey mourns as it grapples to recover

    A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Turkey nearly two weeks after two deadly earthquakes rocked the country and left a trail of destruction. The death toll is already staggering, while the desperate hunt for more survivors continues in freezing temperatures. Thousands of buildings have collapsed and millions of people have been displaced. Despite receiving humanitarian assistance from countries around the globe, Turkey faces enormous recovery challenges ahead.  In this episode:  Didem Demircan, Deputy Executive Director of Oxfam Turkey Episode credits: This episode was co-produced by Khaled Soltan and our intern Nada Shakir. The sound design was by George Al Wer. Our engagement producer is Aya Elmileik and our assistant engagement producer is Munera Al Dosari. Our Executive producer is Omar Al Saleh and Ney Alvarez is the head of audio. The show is hosted by Sami Zeidan.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

    25 min
  7. New Digital IDs in Kashmir raises surveillance concerns

    02/09/2023

    New Digital IDs in Kashmir raises surveillance concerns

    As India undertakes a vast digitisation push across the country, the government is now planning to roll out new digital IDs in Indian-administered Kashmir. While authorities say the new database would improve access to social welfare benefits, many Muslim Kashmiris see it as an attempt to exert further control over their lives. In this episode:  Farhan Mujahid Chak (@fchak), Chairperson of Kashmir Civitas, a Canadian NGO and associate professor of political science and international relations at Qatar University Episode credits: This episode was co-produced by Salem Alyafei and our intern Nada Shakir. The sound design was by George Al Wer and our recording engineer is Hamdi Aoun. Our engagement producer is Aya Elmileik and the assistant engagement producer is Adam Abou-Gad. Our executive producer is Omar Al Saleh and the head of audio is Ney Alvarez. Our show is hosted by Sami Zeidan. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

    24 min
  8. Is Israel pushing Palestinians to the brink of Intifada?

    02/02/2023

    Is Israel pushing Palestinians to the brink of Intifada?

    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has wrapped up his visit to ease tensions in the Middle East after pledging an “ironclad” US support for Israel. His trip came amid violence between Israelis and Palestinians, with the Israeli military carrying out deadly raids in the occupied West Bank. Israel has also announced punitive measures against Palestinians after a gunman killed seven Israelis in occupied East Jerusalem. The attack came a week after Israel’s deadly military raid in Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank and the killing of 10 Palestinians. In this episode:  Dr. Mustafa Barghouti (@MustafaBarghoti), Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan and our intern Nada Shakir. The sound design was by George Al Wer and our recording engineer is Hamdi Aoun. Our engagement producer is Aya Elmileik, and assistant engagement producer, Munera Al Dosari. Our executive producer is Omar Al Saleh and head of audio is Ney Al Varez. The show is hosted by Sami Zeidan. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

    26 min
See All (48)

4.4
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

In the world of news, headlines are essential, but providing in-depth analysis of news and current affairs became rare. We analyze the news and simplify complex geopolitical realities of the Middle East and wider Muslim world.  To help you make sense of it all, join our host Sami Zeidan.

Information

  • Creator
    Al Jazeera
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2023
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Al Jazeera Media Network. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Essential Middle East

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