Best Middle East Monitor Podcasts (2024)

1
The Islamist connection: MEMO in Conversation with Ezgi Basaran 1:06:26

2h ago1:06:26

1:06:26

What do Turkiye's Justice and Development Party (AKP), Tunisia's Ennahda and the Muslim Brotherhood have in common and are their ties shaping policy in the Middle East and Turkiye? Turkiye's youngest editor joins us to discuss what drives their relationship. In 2013, at the height of the Gezi Park protests, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ma…

1
How will Kamala Harris approach the Middle East if elected and what does her top foreign policy adviser Phil Gordon think? 29:52

3d ago29:52

29:52

While little is known about Vice President Kamala Harris' views on the Middle East and on the world in general, there is far more information available about the approach of her top foreign policy adviser, Phil Gordon, who will likely land a prime position in a future Harris administration if she wins in November. Omer Taspinar, a professor of nati…

1
Palestine This Week: Israeli lies to justify genocide 45:59

2h ago45:59

45:59

Israel hit a shelter school and mosque in Gaza City on Saturday and killed more than 100 Palestinians civilians as they were performing morning prayers, it claims to have killed 19 'militants' but this has already been proven to be untrue. Can Israel continue to spread falsehoods to justify its genocide in Gaza? This week's Palestine This Week exam…

1
What are the risks and opportunities for Russia as it grows closer to Iran at Israel's expense? 23:08

12d ago23:08

23:08

Russia's national security chief, Sergei Shoigu, traveled to Tehran this week where he met with Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeskhian. Coming on the heels of the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Iranian soil, Shoigu's visit prompted a flurry of speculation about the Kremlin's intentions. Iran has vowed revenge for the attack which it has…

1
Day break in Gaza: MEMO in Conversation with Matthew Teller & Mahmoud Muna 36:54

6d ago36:54

36:54

We have all watched the genocide unfold in Gaza and seen imges of the victims, but what are their stories, how have they lived their lives and what is the importance of Gaza in the larger struggle or a free Palestine? Join our MEMO in Conversation as we talk to the men behind 'Day break in Gaza' a book which provides insight through the stories of …

1
Palestine This Week: A killing too far? Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah 1:07:53

9d ago1:07:53

1:07:53

As the region teeters on the edge of war, we look at how Israel's actions and targeted assassinations over the past week have pushed an already volitile situation even closer to the edge and discuss what options may be on the cards now. In Palestine This Week, join guest host Usman BUtt and regular guest Mouin Rabbani as we cover Israel's killing s…

1
How will Iran respond to Israel's assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran? 25:36

19d ago25:36

25:36

Hamidreza Azizi is a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. He tells Al-Monitor that Iran's proxies in Yemen, Iraq and Syria will likely carry out a coordinated campaign to avenge Haniyeh's death and that the chances of a ceasefire in Gaza have been dealt a crippling blow. The risk of a full-blown regional c…

1
The student who Zionists fear: MEMO in Conversation with Bryce Greene 19:32

13d ago19:32

19:32

When Greene agreed to be interviewed on Talk TV he was told that conversation would be open and he was welcome to put his points across to viewers and the hosts, however when the show started, presenter James Whale shut him down for wearing a keffiyeh and refused to speak to him. Greene tells MEMO why he continues to remain active in spite of such …

1
Palestine This Week: Israel on the brink of civil war? 57:13

15d ago57:13

57:13

Video footage emerging from Israel shows civilians storming the military base where at least 9 soldiers were being held for questioning over suspected torture of a Palestinian prisoner. The angry mob called authorities 'traitors', while National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir tweeted 'take your hands off our reservists'. Is Israel now so divided…

1
New Islamists value power over ideology and Turkey's Erdogan is their master 17:22

25d ago17:22

17:22

Ezgi Basaran is a Turkish journalist turned academic who has written a new book examining the outsize influence of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party over Tunisia's Islamist Ennahda party and Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood party. While both have suffered huge setbacks, Basaran argues they will re-emerge and that the pursuit of power will tru…

1
The Jewish revolt against Zionism: MEMO in Conversation with the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network 35:49

20d ago35:49

35:49

The founders of IJAN speak to MEMO about attacks on anti-Zionist Jews, the far-right's alliance with the Zionist movement and whether the genocide in Gaza is the beginning of the end of the Zionist movement In this week’s MEMO in Conversation we are discussing opposition to Zionism from the Jewish community. We are pleased to have on the podcast th…

1
Palestine This Week: Israel on trial 59:48

27d ago59:48

59:48

The International Court of Justice ruled that Israel's occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem are illegal and Israel must not only end its apartheid policies but also pay reparations to Palestinians. This isn't the first time the ICJ has ruled against Israel, but 20 years after its ruling on the Separation Wall, the structure remains standi…

1
How rape sold a genocide: MEMO in Conversation with Arun Gupta 1:00:56

30d ago1:00:56

1:00:56

Israel's unsubstantiated rape claims against Palestinian resistance fighters have made headlines across the world, while similar claims by Palestinians against Israeli occupation forces have received minimal attention. This, argues Arun Gupta, is a return to the Jim Crow-era racist tropes that depict brown and black people as inherent threats to wh…

1
Palestine This Week: Deadly words from the US to Palestine 53:23

1M ago53:23

53:23

SUBHEAD: Do words have consequences and can speech pave the way to violence? Join us as we discuss how rhetoric in America is making acts of political violence and genocide more likely. As the world gets to grips with the attempt on US presidential candidate Donald Trump's life, political rhetoric within America deployed by some politicians plays o…

1
How Iran may look under new Reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian 42:08

1M ago42:08

42:08

The election victory of heart surgeon Masoud Pezeshkian has aroused hopes and doubts in Iran and beyond. He is a Reformist who says he will be more lenient towards women and will seek to reduce tensions with the West. Yet, his record is spotty. While defying hawkish clerics on some critical occasions, he has stood up for them on others. As with all…

1
Modi, Islamphobia and building Hindu India: MEMO in Conversation with Dr Jocelyne Cesari 51:37

1M ago51:37

51:37

Though many claim Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rolled back India's liberalism and secularism and turned it towards right-wing popularism, Hindu identity has always been a key aspect of India's governance since its independence and the road to Modi's India has been decades in the making, Dr Cesari tells MEMO. Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a t…

1
Palestine This Week: Is Israel sabotaging ceasefire talks? 47:22

1M ago47:22

47:22

In this episode of Palestine This Week, Nasim Ahmed and guest Mouin Rabbani kick off with a startling report from the Lancet which forecasts that the death toll in Gaza could hit 186,000 - a staggering 7.9% of the population. The pair also look at claims that Israel is trying to derail a US-backed ceasefire plan and discuss the contentious 'Hanniba…

1
Benyamin Poghosyan on why Armenia's peace bid with Azerbaijan, Turkey is proving so hard 26:37

2M ago26:37

26:37

Washington is piling pressure on Azerbaijan to sign a peace agreement with Azerbaijan that would allow Turkey to normalize its relations with Armenia. But Azerbaijan is resisting calls to finalize a draft peace agreement and wants further concessions from Armenia. Benjamin Poghosyan, a senior research fellow at the ARPI think tank in Yerevan, expla…

1
The Nakba Deniers: MEMO in Conversation with Ilan Pappe 57:57

2M ago57:57

57:57

In an effort to absolve Zionist militias of charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes, a number of stories spread within Israeli society, they have been disproven but the denial of the horrors of the Nakba remains. Something Professor Pappe hopes to tackle through his new project the Nakba Memorial Foundation. In 1948, just under one millio…

1
Palestine This Week: The West Bank, the war Israel doesn't want you to see 57:31

2M ago57:31

57:31

Israel approved 5 new settlement outposts last week and voted in favour of restrictions on the Palestinian Authority, with Tel Aviv already in control of the Palestinian banking system and tax revenues, is the occupation state now looking to take over complete control of the occupied Palestinian territories? This week's Palestine This Week with Nas…

1
'Saving Damascus' Christians': MEMO in Conversation with Eugene Rogan 1:00:03

2M ago1:00:03

1:00:03

In 1860, 15% of Damascus' Christian population were wiped out in 8-days of a murderous rampage. Despite widespread anti-Christian violence, roughly 85% of Damascus' Christian population were saved by their Muslim neighbours. In 1860, Syria's ancient and thriving Christian community nearly came to an end. A civil war raged in Mount Lebanon, which sa…

1
Palestine This Week: Israel: "Human Shielding in Action" 47:26

2M ago47:26

47:26

A leaked document shows Israel knew about plans for 7 October attacks in advance, but did not act upon the information, leading to the events on that fateful day. Did the IDF know about Hamas' 7 October attack plans and did nothing to stop it? A document leaked to the Jerusalem Post seems to show the Israeli military had detailed intelligence about…

1
Vali Nasr explains why Iran's presidential elections matter and how a Western-friendly heart surgeon might win 33:51

2M ago33:51

33:51

Iran is due to hold presidential elections on June 28 that were precipitated by the death in May in a helicopter crash of former President Ebrahim Raisi. Although real power is held by the country's supreme leader, presidents can make a difference in the daily lives of Iranians and even in foreign policy should the supreme leader agree. The candida…

1
Tracking Israel's lies: MEMO in Conversation with Jennine Khalik 1:10:43

2M ago1:10:43

1:10:43

Since Israel launched its genocidal bombing campaign in Gaza in October 2023, it has released numerous allegations to justify its actions and the killing of civilians, including that Hamas baked Israeli babies in ovens, or that it is operating from hospitals throughout the Strip. To date, most of its claims have been found to be unfounded, fabricat…

1
Why Iran is stronger, Israel more vulnerable, and the US needs to engage more in the Mideast 37:55

2M ago37:55

37:55

As the Gaza conflict enters its eighth month, Iran stands out as the one country that has succeeded in projecting further as a result. Israel is more vulnerable than it’s ever been and the United States must engage more smartly in the Middle East to protect its interests, argues Steven Cook, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and t…

1
Fuelling Israel's Genocide: MEMO in Conversation with Lydia de Leeuw & Misa Norigami 32:43

2M ago32:43

32:43

Businesses that supply Israel with jet fuel are helping to maintain its bombing campaign in Gaza, but what are the legal implications to such support? In this week's MEMO in Conversation, we speak to the authors of a damning new report by the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO) that uncovers the extensive support provided by Is…

1
Palestine This Week: The Nuseirat camp massacre 47:46

2M ago47:46

47:46

Reports from Gaza appear to show the US's humanitarian pier was used to assist in the massacre of Palestinians Israel carried out on Saturday in order to release hostages held in Nuseirat camp. Is this a victory for Tel Aviv or just further proof that Washington has blood on its hands? Join this week's discussion. Up to 275 Palestinian civilians we…

1
Palestinian women's unique struggle against occupation: MEMO in Conversation with Amani Mustafa 53:55

2M ago53:55

53:55

The prolonged nature of Israel's occupation of Palestinian land has meant women have to make life altering decisions from a very early age, the country director for Women for Women International in Palestine tells MEMO, their struggle is unique but women have been instrumental in rebuilding and healing their communities. A rights organisation that …

1
Syrian-Kurdish leader Saleh Muslim says it's the people, not US or Turkey, who decide local elections in northeast Syria 21:47

3M ago21:47

21:47

The Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria is planning to hold landmark local elections in the majority Kurdish and Arab areas under its control. Syrian-Kurdish leader Saleh Muslim says "radical democracy" will be in play as people elect their leaders at every level of local governance, with a man and a woman selected for each post. Turkey h…

1
Palestine This Week: Hamas, unbeatable? 36:46

3M ago36:46

36:46

Time and again since October 2023, Israel has declared areas of Gaza to have been cleared of Al-Qassam fighters, but the Palestinian resistance has reappeared and struck back. Many in Tel Aviv's military intelligence services have warned that destroying the resistance's capabilities is impossible and Israel cannot continue to seek such an outcome f…

1
Serbia and the Balkans through time: MEMO In Conversation with Dr Marko Attila Hoare 1:04:26

3M ago1:04:26

1:04:26

The history of Serbia remain poorly understood and is not discussed enough, but how did it transition from a narrative of being an oppressed people to perpetrator of a genocide? Join us as we discuss this and more with the author of 'Serbia: A Modern History'. In the 1990s, Yugoslavia broke down and a brutal war unfolded, culminating in a genocide …

1
Palestine This Week: Rafah is burning 55:09

3M ago55:09

55:09

Just days after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to halt its Rafah offensive, occupation forces targeted tents housing displaced Palestinians, killing at least 35, many of whom were trapped and left to burn to death. Scenes from the attack shook the world, with Israel's staunchest ally, Germany, condemning its actions. Following th…

1
2023, the year displaced people broke all records: MEMO in Conversation with Ivana Hajzmanova 30:04

3M ago30:04

30:04

Conflict and violence in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and occupied Palestine drove the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) around the world to 75.9 million at the end of 2023. This is a new record, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC). The body's global monitoring manager explains the driving force…

1
Palestine This Week: Netanyahu, Israel's most wanted man 44:51

3M ago44:51

44:51

Will the International Criminal Court's announcement that it seeks to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials bring an end to Israel's bombing of Gaza? Watch Palestine This Week and join the discussion. In this week’s review, we dive into the death of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helic…

1
Why did Kuwait, one of the most democratic countries in the Mideast, take a sharp autocratic turn & what comes next? 28:31

3M ago28:31

28:31

Kristin Diwan, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, unpacks Kuwait's dramatic turn last week when the country's ruling Emir suspended the parliament and parts of the constitution. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.…

1
Interfaith coexistence in a time of war: MEMO in Conversation with Dr Amineh Hoti 34:17

3M ago34:17

34:17

Peoples, communities and faith groups are being utilised to kill one another, but while different communities can clash this is not the only possibility, we can learn a lot about religious and cultural harmony from the Islamic rule of Spain, the leading conflict mediation expert says. The world is riddled with conflict, warfare and discord between …

1
Palestine This Week: The resurgence of Hamas 39:18

3M ago39:18

39:18

Israel has announced that it has launched a renewed military offensive on the Jabaliya camp in the north of Gaza, an area it had 'cleared' of resistance fighters. Are Hamas fighters gaining strength? Tune in to the latest episode of MEMO’s weekly review show with host Nasim Ahmed and guest Mouin Rabbani. In this edition we delve into CNN's shocking…

1
As Greek PM heads to Ankara to meet Erdogan, is this truly 'a new era' between Turkey & Greece? 34:23

3M ago34:23

34:23

Greek academic Ioannis Grigoriadis believes that no major breakthroughs should be expected during Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' visit. Keeping the channels of communication open and building on the positive agenda promoted by both sides is, however, crucial to averting conflict, notably over Cyprus. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pri…

1
Judaism vs Zionism: MEMO In Conversation with Hadar Cohen 1:04:00

3M ago1:04:00

1:04:00

Though internationally Israel uses the Bible to justify its colonisation of Palestine, for many Jews it is within Jewish ethical traditions that the seeds of anti-Zionism can be found. Israel coats itself in Jewish identity and purports to speak on behalf of all Jewish people, while critics of Israeli policy or its treatment of Palestinians are oft…

1
Palestine This Week: All eyes on Rafah 50:39

3M ago50:39

50:39

As Israel begins its ground invasion of Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah, Palestine This Week looks at the timing of the offensive, which has been launched despite a framework for a ceasefire being on the table. Host Nasim Ahmed and guest Mouin Rabbani discuss the talks to agree a truce and what they mean for Palestinians on the ground and, as Isr…

1
Turkey’s former PM Davutoglu, who met Hamas leaders this week, outlines their demands for peace 41:33

4M ago41:33

41:33

Former Turkish Prime Minister and leader of the pro-Islamic Future Party Ahmet Davutoglu met with Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Khaled Meshal this week and shared their conditions for peace with Al-Monitor. Davutoglu sharply criticized the governments of Turkey and Arab states, saying they had done close to nothing for Gaza. See Privacy Policy a…

1
Central Asia: the forgotten heart of Islamic civilisation? MEMO in Conversation with Iskandar Ding 1:12:11

4M ago1:12:11

1:12:11

Is Persian the bridge language of ancient Muslim societies? And are Central Asian countries seeing a revival of this ancient heritage? When we think of the great cities of Islamic history, we tend to think of Baghdad, Damascus, Cairo, Isfahan and Istanbul. But for much of history Samarkand, Herat, Kashgar and Bukhara, to name a few, were at the epi…

1
Palestine This Week: Committing national suicide to support a genocide 51:52

4M ago51:52

51:52

The US has pushed to end college protests calling for an end to the war on Gaza, while delaying plans to sanction Israeli soldiers who are accused of human rights violations against Palestinians. Is America undermining its own freedoms to support Israel's genocide? This episode of MEMO's review show dives into the crucial events that have shaped th…

1
Sister of Israeli-Russian scholar Elizabeth Tsurkov, who is being held by Iran-backed Shiite militia, calls for US military sanctions on Iraq 20:21

4M ago20:21

20:21

Emma Tsurkov insists that the best way to get Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to make good on his pledges to secure her sister's freedom is for the United States to wield the threat of military sanctions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.…

1
Iran, Israel and US power: MEMO in Conversation with Trita Parsi 30:26

4M ago30:26

30:26

Has Iran's direct retaliatory strike on Israel been a major blow to Israel's deterrence capacity or a blow to Tehran on a world stage? MEMO speaks to leading experts on US-Iran relations Dr Trita Parsi. In this week’s MEMO in Conversation we speak to award winning author and expert on US-Iran relations, Dr Trita Parsi to discuss the latest escalati…

1
Palestine This Week: The bodies Israel didn't want you to see 1:00:45

4M ago1:00:45

1:00:45

The bodies of more than 280 Palestinians have been found in a mass grave in the grounds of Nasser Hospital in Gaza, most too decomposed to be identified. With proof of Israel's war crimes once again coming to light, will the US use its powers to protect the occupation state at the ICC? Watch this week's episode as host Nasim Ahmed discusses what me…

1
Iran established deterrence against Israel proving through its actions it could do more harm, says academic Hassan Ahmadian 24:44

4M ago24:44

24:44

Iran's weekend attack on Israel in response to an Israeli attack on its diplomatic mission in Syria has put an already explosive region on edge. Israel has vowed to retaliate and Iran says should it do so its own response will be massive. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-n…

1
What happened to the Arab City? MEMO in Conversation with Nasser Rabbat 1:09:41

4M ago1:09:41

1:09:41

The Arab world of yesteryear had cities abuzz with sounds, schools, mosques and places to learn and improve. Now these cities have dropped in importance and become dirty and congested as Western ideas of metropolitan life took over, but is there a revival? Urbanisation is deeply rooted in Arab history. The city has been the epicentre of Arab ideals…

1
Palestine This Week: The Middle East on a precipice 43:15

4M ago43:15

43:15

How has Iran's retaliatory strike on Israel changed dynamics in the Middle East and has it done more to help Tel Aviv's standing on an international stage than show Tehran's military might? This week's episode looks at the implications of the manoeuvre and Jordan's defence of Israel. In this week's MEMO review show Nasim Ahmed and his regular guest…

1
Will the ICJ try Israel on charges of apartheid? MEMO in Conversation with Victor Kattan 31:38

4M ago31:38

31:38

Subhead: Will the UN reactivate the Special Committee Against Apartheid to end Israel's years-long abuse of Palestinians? And will the World Court try the occupation state and bring an end to its abuses? Join us as we discuss what measures are being taken on a world stage to tackle Israel's aggressions. In an unprecedented move, allegations of Isra…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Middle East Monitor Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide