Best The Institute of Middle East Understanding Podcasts (2024)

1
The View on Russia from Estonia 17:53

2h ago17:53

17:53

Kristjan Prikk has served as Estonia´s Ambassador to the United States since May 2021. This is his third diplomatic posting to Washington, D.C. Before assuming his current duties, Prikk served for nearly three years as the Permanent Secretary of the Estonian Ministry of Defense. In this role he was responsible for the management of the Ministry and…

1
Anti-Palestinian legislation in Congress Unpacked 31:45

22m ago31:45

31:45

In this episode of “This Is Palestine,” host Diana Buttu speaks to Josh Ruebner, the director of IMEU’s new 501C-4 organization, the IMEU Policy Project, about recent developments in the US Congress and Palestinian human rights. The episode unpacks the alarming rise in anti-Palestinian legislation and actions in Congress aiming to suppress Palestin…

1
Strategic Responsibility in the EU, United States, and Beyond 29:21

1d ago29:21

29:21

Josep Borrell serves as the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. He previously served as President of the European Parliament from 2004 to 2007 and as Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation in the Government of Spain from 2018 to 2019. He is an alumnus of Stanford University (M.S. '…

1
Testimonies from Palestinian Prisoners & Israeli Torture Camps 21:15

9d ago21:15

21:15

Over the past eight months, Israel has kidnapped or unlawfully “arrested” hundreds of Palestinians. In Gaza, there are disturbing reports of Israeli soldiers kidnapping Palestinians from their homes being shackled, stripped, and forced to endure degrading and inhumane treatment.Currently, there are over 3,000 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel witho…

1
Censoring Palestinian Student Activism 24:27

25d ago24:27

24:27

In this episode of “This is Palestine,” we speak with Palestinian American Columbia student Maryam Alwan about the rise in student-led protests across college campuses speaking out against Israel’s genocide. She talks to us about the unified student demand calling on their universities to divest funds tied with Israel’s genocide and war crimes. We …

1
Global Security Lies in Human Security, Says Oleksandra Matviichuk 28:09

2M ago28:09

28:09

Matviichuk originally delivered this speech at the 2024 S.T. Lee Lecture hosted by the Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law at Stanford University. Oleksandra Matviichuk is a human rights lawyer focused on issues within Ukraine and the OSCE region. She is the head of the Center for Civil Liberties, which was a co-recipient of the 20…

1
Healing Under Genocide: Gaza's Healthcare Crisis 26:42

2M ago26:42

26:42

Over the past six months, Israel has internationally destroyed Gaza’s healthcare system as part of its genocidal campaign. By November 2023, Israel had repeatedly bombed more than 36 hospitals in Gaza. As of publishing, the Israeli military has besieged and attacked Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza for over 11 days. Horrifying reports continue to…

1
The Widening Cracks in Iran's Regime 20:49

3M ago20:49

20:49

Abbas Milani is the Hamid and Christina Moghadam Director of Iranian Studies at Stanford University and a visiting professor in the department of political science. In addition, Dr. Milani is a research fellow and co-director of the Iran Democracy Project at the Hoover Institution. Michael McFaul is the host of World Class and director of the Freem…

1
Confronting Genocide: Insights from the ICJ Ruling on Israel 18:40

3M ago18:40

18:40

In this episode, host Diana Buttu speaks with Palestinian human rights lawyer Ahmed Abofoul about South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), charging Israel with the crime of genocide in Gaza. Mr. Abofoul is a Legal Researcher and Advocacy Officer with Al-Haq, one of the oldest Palestinian human rights organizations. On Januar…

1
The War in Ukraine at Two Years 1:10:05

4M ago1:10:05

1:10:05

Michael McFaul is joined by: Oleksiy Honcharuk, who served as the 17th prime minister of Ukraine from 2019-2020, during which time he introduced important policy initiatives in Ukraine including the institution of business privatization processes, efforts to combat black markets, and the launch of the Anti-Raider Office to respond to cases of illeg…

1
Gaza: World's Deadliest Place for Journalists 25:18

4M ago25:18

25:18

In this episode, we take a deeper look into Israel’s deliberate targeting and killing of Palestinian journalists in Gaza. Killing journalists is a war crime. According to the UN, Gaza is the deadliest place in the world for journalists right now. Additionally, the International Journalist Federation has issued a statement describing Israel’s killin…

1
Sean Penn on Ukraine's "Superpower" 45:22

4M ago45:22

45:22

When Academy Award-winning actor Sean Penn set off to make a documentary about Ukraine, he thought he would be telling the story of a comedic showman-turned president named Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the young democracy that had elected him. Instead, Penn found himself witnessing the start of a horrific war of aggression.Sean Penn joined Michael McFau…

1
The Silencing of Palestinian Students in Israeli Universities 22:30

4M ago22:30

22:30

In the aftermath of October 7, Palestinian students at Israeli higher education institutions quickly faced attacks for their social media posts. These attacks, coordinated between Israeli government officials, Israeli institutions, and far-right groups, targeted students who expressed dissent against Israel's attacks on Gaza. This led to the expuls…

1
Connecting Gaza To The World 15:59

5M ago15:59

15:59

On October the 27th, Israel cut off all phone and internet communications to the Gaza Strip, further plunging the area into darkness. The cutting of internet and phone communications meant that vital life-saving systems such as ambulances, rescuers, and hospitals could not be reached to treat the injured or to rescue those trapped under the rubble.…

1
Recap: South Africa & Israel’s Week 1 at the ICJ 25:15

5M ago25:15

25:15

The case in which South Africa accuses Israel of violating the genocide convention at the International Court of Justice began this week with oral arguments presented by South Africa and Israel.The court will base its decisions on whether to order several provisional measures, including instructing Israel to suspend all military operations in Gaza,…

1
South Africa Charges Israel with Genocide: What You Need to Know 33:29

5M ago33:29

33:29

This week, South Africa is accusing Israel of committing genocide in front of the International Court of Justice or the ICJ. Hearings are set to begin on January 11 and 12, when South Africa and Israel respectively will give their first oral arguments. To help us understand what this means and what we can expect as the case unfolds, we’re joined by…

1
How the Bicycle Mayor of Toronto is Making Toronto's Streets Safer for All | Lanrick Bennett Jr., Joycelyn Guan & Erin 1:09:56

6M ago1:09:56

1:09:56

Join me, along with my co-hosts Joycelyn and Erin, as we dive into an insightful conversation with Lanrick Bennett Jr., Toronto's Bicycle Mayor, and the Executive Director of Charlie's FreeWheels. We explore his tenure as a bike mayor and the expansive network of BYCS-appointed mayors, stretching from India to Uganda and beyond. In this episode, we…

1
Reverend Mitri Raheb: Why Christmas in Palestine is Canceled This Year 18:05

6M ago18:05

18:05

Last month, the Bethlehem municipality announced the cancellation of Christmas celebrations in the city of Christ’s birth, as a gesture of mourning and in honor of the tens of thousands of Palestinians killed in Gaza by Israel. Palestinian churches and local leaders emphasize that canceling Christmas in Palestine aims to send a message to the world…

1
How Did We Get Here? A Conversation on the Crisis in the Middle East 1:20:40

6M ago1:20:40

1:20:40

To understand why the conflict in Gaza is so complex, you have to understand the history of Israel's relationship with Palestine and Hamas well before October 7, 2023. In this episode of World Class, we bring you a conversation with Ambassador Dennis Ross and Ghaith al-Omari, two experts on the Middle East, who help contextualize the current situat…

1
Artistry Beyond Borders: Exploring the Power of Public Art in Toronto with Destinie Adélakun 12:21

6M ago12:21

12:21

This episode marks the first video episode of the podcast! Here's a sneak peek of my conversation with Destinie Adélakun, an emerging multi-disciplinary artist, who masterfully weaves her Nigerian-Indian heritage into her breathtaking solo exhibition, "Journey of Adé." Destinie also shares the excitement of exhibiting at Toronto's renowned Nuit Bla…

1
Hope Amidst Ruins: Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sitta’s Frontline Testimony in Gaza 30:58

6M ago30:58

30:58

For our 100th episode, Diana Buttu speaks with Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sitta, a renowned British-Palestinian doctor. Just two days into Israel's brutal bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip, he decided to head to Gaza to provide life-saving medical treatment to Palestinians. He remained in Gaza for 43 days, giving the world a glimpse into the impact on Palest…

1
A Palestinian Teenager’s Experience in an Israeli Prison 13:56

6M ago13:56

13:56

As of the time of this recording, Israel has temporarily halted its brutal bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip. As part of the agreement to “pause” the bombing, Israel is releasing Palestinian kids and women held in Israeli prisons in exchange for the release of Israelis held in Gaza. The vast majority of those released have never been convicted. In…

1
Former Top UN Official Craig Mokhiber on Israel’s Genocide 35:10

7M ago35:10

35:10

It has been more than 46 days since Israel began its brutal bombing campaign against Palestinians in Gaza. During this period, Israel has killed more than 14,000 Palestinians, including more than 5,500 children in Gaza alone. Thousands of Palestinians remain trapped under the rubble. The Israeli military has deliberately bombed hospitals, mosques, …

1
Palestine and Social Media 22:50

7M ago22:50

22:50

Time and time again, we've witnessed the familiar cycle: Israel launches a brutal bombing campaign on Gaza, putting Palestine into the global spotlight. Palestinian voices are often sidelined in mainstream discourse. So, Palestinians turn to the only available tool they have: social media. It becomes their primary means to share their stories and a…

1
Global Threats: What's at Stake and What We Can Do About It 30:11

7M ago30:11

30:11

Conflict between Hamas and Israel; the ongoing war in Ukraine; rising tensions between China and Taiwan; climate change; dissatisfaction with national politics. These are some of the most pressing challenges facing the world today. What do we need to understand better about these issues, and what can be done to address them?On this episode of World…

1
Gaza's Catastrophic Medical Crisis 32:03

7M ago32:03

32:03

Israel has been bombing the besieged Gaza Strip nonstop. Israel has cut off water supplies, fuel supplies, electricity supplies and even food and has prevented virtually all supplies from countries around the world from reaching the besieged Gaza Strip.Israel has killed over 10,000 Palestinians, including more than 4,100 children. Additionally, tho…

1
Israel Imprisoned and Tortured Thousands of Palestinian Workers from Gaza 22:57

7M ago22:57

22:57

Note the conversation of this podcast was recorded before the developments of November 3rd. The term '48' refers to the Palestinian territories before the creation of Israel, specifically the areas that became part of Israel following the Nakba in 1948. Thank you for listening to 'This is Palestine'! Follow our host Diana Buttu on Twitter https://t…

1
Nakba 2.0: Israel’s War on Palestinians 28:56

7M ago28:56

28:56

Today marks the 25th day of Israel's ongoing bombing campaign in Gaza. The death toll has tragically risen to over 8,525 Palestinians, including more than 3,542 children at the time of this recording. These numbers, however, don't capture the full extent of the human tragedy, such as the people killed today by Israel's bombing in the Jabilya refuge…

1
Voices From Gaza Part 2 13:54

8M ago13:54

13:54

This podcast was recorded on October 22nd. Since then, the number of Palestinians killed has increased, with Israel now having killed over 6,547 Palestinians, including at least 2,704 children. We hear from several Palestinians in Gaza and the horrific experience they are enduring.Thank you for listening to 'This is Palestine'! Follow our host Dian…

1
On the Ground in Ukraine 21:47

8M ago21:47

21:47

In September 2023, Michael McFaul and political philosopher Francis Fukuyama traveled to Kyiv to participate in the Yalta European Strategy conference. They met with policymakers from Ukraine, Europe, and beyond; military experts; Ukrainian alumni of fellowship and development programs from the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies; an…

1
Voices From Gaza 9:28

8M ago9:28

9:28

Israel gave the UN 24 hours to evacuate 1.1 million Palestinians from northern Gaza. That is impossible. Roads have been completely destroyed. Experts have warned that an Israeli ground invasion expected to follow would result in horrific mass violence against Palestinian civilians, including mass displacement. Palestinians are being told to leave,…

1
The Gaza Crisis: Whats Unfolding 29:28

8M ago29:28

29:28

Israel continues to rain bombs on Gaza, home to more than 2 million Palestinians—half of them children—who have been trapped there under a suffocating Israeli siege for over 16 years. With no route to safety, Palestinians in Gaza face each day with the dread of a potential airstrike on their community, unsure if their homes will remain standing by …

1
The Oslo Accords Part 2 15:00

9M ago15:00

15:00

It's been 30 years since the #OsloAccords, and Palestinians have received nothing but fewer rights, increased settler land theft, and more Israeli violence. The "peace process" was a sham. Host Diana Buttu breaks down the Oslo Accords and the legacy they left behind. Listen to part 2 of our Oslo Accords episode. Thank you for listening to 'This is …

1
The Oslo Accords Part 1 22:03

9M ago22:03

22:03

It's been 30 years since the Oslo Accords, and Palestinians have received nothing but fewer rights, increased settler land theft, and more Israeli violence. The "peace process" was a sham. Host Diana Buttu breaks down the Oslo Accords and the legacy they left behind.Thank you for listening to 'This is Palestine'! Follow our host Diana Buttu on Twit…

1
What happened in Burqa, Nablus - Part 2 12:10

9M ago12:10

12:10

Listen to host Diana Buttu as she delves deep into a chapter of Palestinian history. Journey back to 1973, when under the cloak of night, Israeli soldiers seized a scenic hilltop near the town of Burqa, Nablus. Once a serene haven of apple orchards and mesmerizing terraces, this 173 dunam (approximately 43 acres) land, owned by Palestinians, was tr…

1
What happened in Burqa, Ramallah - Part 1 12:01

9M ago12:01

12:01

In part one of this two-part special, host Diana Buttu dives deep into the stories of two West Bank towns with identical names: Burqa. Beyond their names, these towns are united by an overwhelming challenge — the presence of Israeli settlers, soldiers, and a legal system that often appears to favor land acquisition. Our journey begins in Burqa near…

1
Israel's Judicial Overhaul Explained 16:05

10M ago16:05

16:05

In this episode, host @dianabuttu speaks with Hassan Jabareen, the founder and General Director of Adalah, a human rights organization based in Haifa that focuses on the rights of Palestinians. For more than 25 years, Hassan has litigated scores of landmark cases regarding Palestinians before the Israeli Supreme Court. Hassan explains to us how Isr…

1
Understanding Israel's Democracy 29:24

11M ago29:24

29:24

Changes to the legal code. Massive protests from the public. Walk-outs by members of the legislature. What exactly is going on in Israel? Law and governance expert Amichai Magen joins World Class host Michael McFaul to discuss the growing crisis Israeli democracy faces. Magen gives context on the crisis, explains some of the cultural and institutio…

1
Israel's Invasion of Jenin 14:30

11M ago14:30

14:30

Last week, the Israeli military began a two-day invasion in the Palestinian city of Jenin. Israeli soldiers killed 12 Palestinians—including at least 4 children—left over 100 Palestinians injured, and destroyed dozens of homes.Most Palestinian families living in Jenin’s refugee camp were forced out of their homes by violent militias in 1948 in orde…

1
The Occupied West Bank On Fire: Israeli Settler Violence and Annexation 24:56

12M ago24:56

24:56

Diana Buttu breaks down the escalating Israeli violence in Palestine. We've seen hundreds of Israeli settlers attacking Palestinian towns, setting homes and cars on fire. This comes on the heels of a violent invasion by the Israeli military into the Palestinian city of Jenin, which resulted in the loss of six Palestinian lives, including two childr…

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