Babel: Translating the Middle East

CSIS
  • 4.7 (84)
  • GOVERNMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Babel will take you beyond the headlines to discuss what’s really happening in the Middle East and North Africa. It features regional experts who explain what’s going on, provide context on pivotal developments, and highlight trends you may have missed. Jon Alterman, senior vice president, Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy, and director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies hosts the podcast along with his colleagues from the Middle East Program. This podcast is made possible through the generous support of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates. All views, positions, and conclusions expressed here should be understood to be solely of those of the speaker(s).

  1. 5D AGO

    Craig Larkin: The Politics of Memory, From Mosul to Beirut to Gaza

    This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Dr. Craig Larkin, director of the Center for the Study of Divided Societies at King’s College London. Dr. Larkin is also a research lead on Memory and Conflict for XCEPT, a research consortium studying cross-border conflict. There, he focuses on the relationship between communal memory and violence. Together, Jon and Dr. Larkin unpack different approaches taken to reconstruction and reconciliation after violence in the Middle East. Then, in his farewell Babel appearance, Martin Pimentel takes Jon's spot by continuing the conversation with Ninar Fawal and Will Todman to discuss pitfalls the international community should avoid when supporting post-conflict recovery. Transcript: "Craig Larkin: The Politics of Memory, From Mosul to Beirut to Gaza," CSIS, April 17, 2025. Dr. Larkin's latest work: "Lebanon’s October Revolution (al-thawra 17 tishrīn) and the Civil War: Memory, Protests and Mobilisation," Brill, December 3, 2024.

    41 min

  2. APR 10

    Analysis: Iran, Deal or No Deal?

    While seated beside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on April 7, President Trump announced that the United States will imminently initiate talks with Iran over its nuclear program. The announcement comes amid a rise in U.S. military activity in the Persian Gulf and a string of threats directed at Iran by President Trump, citing Tehran's nuclear program and support for regional armed groups. Asher Grant-Sasson speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about why these talks are happening now—and what the Trump administration must do to ensure their success.

    6 min
  3. Dahlia Scheindlin: Israel’s Political Turmoil

    APR 3

    Dahlia Scheindlin: Israel’s Political Turmoil

    This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Dr. Dahlia Scheindlin, a Tel Aviv-based political analyst and Haaretz columnist. Scheindlin also serves as a fellow at Century International and has advised on eight national Israeli election campaigns over a twenty-year period. Together, they discuss the sources of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s staying power, as well as his ongoing efforts to remodel key state institutions. Then, Jon continues the conversation with Ninar Fawal and Will Todman to evaluate how the changes underway in Israel might affect bilateral relations with the United States. Transcript: "Dahlia Scheindlin: Israel’s Political Turmoil," CSIS, April 3, 2025. Scheindlin's latest article: "The Escape Artist: How Netanyahu Lies and Why People Still Believe Him," Haaretz, April 1, 2025.

    34 min
  4. Analysis: Trump Takes on the Houthis

    MAR 27

    Analysis: Trump Takes on the Houthis

    On March 15, the United States launched a wave of attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen. The Trump administration had pledged to step up efforts initiated by President Biden to combat Houthi assaults on commercial shipping and U.S. regional assets. As reports swirl of new U.S. strikes, the U.S. government has also been clearer in blaming Iran for Houthi actions, and it has promised to hold Tehran accountable. Asher Grant-Sasson speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about the current state of play and the dilemmas confronting U.S. policymakers in dealing with the Houthis.

    6 min
  5. Nicolas Pelham: Ahmed al-Sharaa and Syria’s Future

    MAR 20

    Nicolas Pelham: Ahmed al-Sharaa and Syria’s Future

    This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Nicolas Pelham, the Middle East correspondent for The Economist. Nicolas has worked in the Middle East and North Africa for more than 30 years and has reported from every state in the region. Together, they discuss his latest article, “The Great Pretender: How Ahmed al-Sharaa Won Syria,” an in-depth profile of the Syrian leader based in part on a mid-February interview. Then, Jon continues the conversation with Ninar Fawal and Natasha Hall to discuss al-Sharaa's opportunities and challenges, and what they mean for Syria’s future. Transcript: "Nicolas Pelham: Ahmed al-Sharaa and Syria’s Future," CSIS, March 20, 2025. Nicolas' article: "The Great Pretender: How Ahmed al-Sharaa Won Syria," The Economist, March 5, 2025.

    47 min
  6. Renad Mansour and Sanam Vakil: Iranian Networks in the Middle East

    MAR 13

    Renad Mansour and Sanam Vakil: Iranian Networks in the Middle East

    On March 4, Jon Alterman spoke with Renad Mansour, senior research fellow and director of the Iraq Initiative at Chatham House, and Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, about the resilience of Iranian networks in the Middle East. Their discussion builds upon a recent Chatham House report Renad co-wrote on the topic. The following episode is a slightly condensed version of their conversation. You can find a link to the video of the complete discussion below. Transcript: "Renad Mansour and Sanam Vakil: Iranian Networks in the Middle East," CSIS, March 13, 2025. Video of the discussion: "Iranian Networks in the Middle East," CSIS, March 6, 2025. Renad's report: "The Shape-Shifting ‘Axis of Resistance’," Chatham House, March 6, 2025. Sanam and Jon's article: "The Indomitable IRGC," Foreign Affairs, August 15, 2024.

    47 min
  7. Analysis: Trump’s Middle East Strategy

    MAR 6

    Analysis: Trump’s Middle East Strategy

    On Tuesday night, President Trump delivered the first broadcast address of his second term to Congress. Though his remarks on the Middle East were sparing and largely expected, U.S. policy in the region has largely been the opposite. Trump’s pronouncements on Gaza have sent especially powerful shockwaves throughout the Middle East, and hints of a new approach to Iran have also elicited attention. Asher Grant-Sasson speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about the state of U.S. Middle East policy and its possible future trajectories.

    7 min
  8. Max Bergmann: Does Europe Matter in the Middle East?

    FEB 27

    Max Bergmann: Does Europe Matter in the Middle East?

    This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Max Bergmann, head of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at CSIS. Previously, Max held a variety of positions at the State Department, including senior adviser to the assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs. He later went on to serve as a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, where he researched security cooperation between Europe, Russia, and the United States. Together, Jon and Max discuss the Middle East issues that unite and divide European countries and how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may be reshaping European perspectives on the region. Then, Jon continues the conversation with Martin Pimentel and Will Todman to evaluate the benefits, and costs, of U.S. unilateralism in the Middle East.  Transcript: "Max Bergmann: Does Europe Matter in the Middle East?," CSIS, February 27, 2025. Max Bergmann's recent report: "The Transatlantic Alliance in the Age of Trump: The Coming Collisions," CSIS, February 14, 2025.

    29 min
See All (279)

    4.7
    out of 5
    84 Ratings

    About

    Babel will take you beyond the headlines to discuss what’s really happening in the Middle East and North Africa. It features regional experts who explain what’s going on, provide context on pivotal developments, and highlight trends you may have missed. Jon Alterman, senior vice president, Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy, and director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies hosts the podcast along with his colleagues from the Middle East Program. This podcast is made possible through the generous support of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates. All views, positions, and conclusions expressed here should be understood to be solely of those of the speaker(s).

    Information

    • Channel
      CSIS
    • Creator
      Center for Strategic and International Studies
    • Years Active
      2019 - 2025
    • Episodes
      279
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      All content © 2019 Center for Strategic and International Studies
    • Show Website
      Babel: Translating the Middle East

    More From CSIS

    You Might Also Like

    Content Restricted

    This episode can’t be played on the web in your country or region.

    To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

    Stay up to date with this show

    Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
    Select a country or region

    Africa, Middle East, and India

    Asia Pacific

    Europe

    Latin America and the Caribbean

    The United States and Canada