Babel: Translating the Middle East

by Center for Strategic and International Studies

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).

Analysis: Trump’s Novel Middle East Diplomacy
Apr 24, 2025 – 06:30
Craig Larkin: The Politics of Memory, From Mosul to Beirut to Gaza
Apr 17, 2025 – 40:51
Analysis: Iran, Deal or No Deal?
Apr 10, 2025 – 06:10
Dahlia Scheindlin: Israel’s Political Turmoil
Apr 3, 2025 – 33:52
Analysis: Trump Takes on the Houthis
Mar 27, 2025 – 06:26
Nicolas Pelham: Ahmed al-Sharaa and Syria’s Future
Mar 20, 2025 – 46:45
Renad Mansour and Sanam Vakil: Iranian Networks in the Middle East
Mar 13, 2025 – 46:43
Analysis: Trump’s Middle East Strategy
Mar 6, 2025 – 06:31
Max Bergmann: Does Europe Matter in the Middle East?
Feb 27, 2025 – 28:38
Analysis: Are U.S.-Russia Talks a Win for the Saudis?
Feb 20, 2025 – 04:49
Alessandro Accorsi: Disinformation Warfare in the Middle East
Feb 13, 2025 – 43:27
Analysis: Netanyahu Comes to Washington
Feb 4, 2025 – 04:37
Sinem Adar: Turkey's Syria Challenge
Jan 28, 2025 – 37:38
Analysis: Gaza Peace?
Jan 21, 2025 – 07:54
eL Seed: Arabic Calligraffiti
Jan 14, 2025 – 32:43
Analysis: Syria’s Bid for Sanctions Relief
Jan 7, 2025 – 08:14
Special: Syria's Post-Assad Scramble
Dec 17, 2024 – 27:55
Max Gallien: Black Markets of the Maghreb
Dec 10, 2024 – 34:26
Analysis: The Regional Fallout of Syria's Unrest
Dec 3, 2024 – 09:03
Arwa Damon: Gaza's Wounds
Nov 26, 2024 – 38:39
Analysis: Saudi Arabia's Economic Plans Stumble
Nov 19, 2024 – 04:15
Mohammad Ali Shabani: Iran After October 7
Nov 12, 2024 – 44:17
Analysis: Israel Hits Iran
Nov 5, 2024 – 05:12
Amjad Iraqi: The Future of Palestinians in Israel
Oct 29, 2024 – 41:05
Analysis: Israel's Trajectory
Oct 22, 2024 – 05:37
Lina Khatib: War Spreads to Lebanon
Oct 15, 2024 – 34:45
Analysis: Israel's Ground Invasion into Lebanon
Oct 8, 2024 – 06:25
Peter Schwartzstein: Climate Violence in the Middle East
Oct 1, 2024 – 36:08
Analysis: Israel-Hezbollah Escalation
Sep 24, 2024 – 05:37
Hussein Ibish: Popular Mobilization Since October 7
Sep 18, 2024 – 39:38
Analysis: The Hostage Crisis in Gaza
Sep 10, 2024 – 07:44
Isabelle Werenfels: North Africa's Relationship with Europe
Sep 3, 2024 – 37:40
A Mezze: A Fishy Business in Port Said
Aug 27, 2024 – 01:57
Michelle Nunn: The Challenges of Gaza's Humanitarian Crisis
Aug 20, 2024 – 35:37
Analysis: The Aftermath of Haniyeh's Assassination
Aug 13, 2024 – 05:36
Analysis: Netanyahu's U.S. Visit
Jul 30, 2024 – 04:17
Hasan Alhasan: The Strategies of Gulf States
Jul 23, 2024 – 43:02
Analysis: Iran's Presidential Election
Jul 16, 2024 – 05:49
Karim Haggag: Egypt's Balancing Act
Jul 9, 2024 – 41:03
A Mezze: The Voice Inside AI's Head Speaks English
Jul 2, 2024 – 02:18
Karim Elgendy: Climate Diplomacy in the Middle East
Jun 25, 2024 – 31:07
Analysis: Lebanon's Dangerous Campaign against Refugees
Jun 18, 2024 – 06:28
Jonathan Rynhold: Israel's Divided Politics
Jun 11, 2024 – 39:29
Analysis: Environmental Politics in Postrevolutionary Tunisia
Jun 4, 2024 – 03:19
Sanam Vakil: Iran's Trajectory after Raisi
May 29, 2024 – 37:43
Analysis: The Impacts of Raisi's Death
May 21, 2024 – 04:02
Nicholas Blanford: Hezbollah’s Struggle Against Israel
May 14, 2024 – 30:04
A Mezze: The Bonds of Marriage between Syria and Iraq
May 7, 2024 – 02:19
Hans Grundberg: Mediation in Yemen
Apr 30, 2024 – 29:00
Analysis: Iran and Israel's Cycle of Retaliation
Apr 23, 2024 – 06:50

Recent Reviews

The Dog's Tux

great format, even better content

I've been listening to Babel for a few months and I have so enjoyed each and every episode I've heard so far. The episodes present topics in unique style. The effectiveness lies in the great analysis. The variety of topics and guest speakers have kept me coming back for more each week. I find it way more digestible than long for article or hour event recording. Keep up the great work.
RJG179

Exceptional

I enjoy most CSIS podcasts, and I feel compelled to give Babble high marks across the board. The host is exceptional in both his level of subject matter expertise and his presentation of it. I appreciate having a high quality podcast from CSIS on this important region.
FormerArabist

Highly recommended

As someone who studied the Middle East at university and wanted to keep up with it, I find Babel extremely useful. They cover a wide range of issues and often have guests I’d never heard of. Highly recommended for anyone with a professional, academic, or personal interest in the region.
pink1ove

Excellent

Love this podcast! Great insight, great conversation.
itcouldbewho

Excellent

A++++ show
Sevro60

Rich window into the ME

The highest quality of guests and discussion about a broad range to Middle East topics. I especially enjoy the short "A Mezze" episodes which provide a taste of the region that makes me want to be there (usually).
katandbrandon

Great show ! Give it a listen

Great guests. Well produced. A well rounded show. There are not many shows like this !
Edy Semaan

Fresh perspective on classic matters

This is one of the best podcasts on the Middle East. Whether you're a beginner or an expert in the field, this is both a great introduction and a pleasant and insightful content. It's the perfect go-to podcast for English speakers focusing on the region. Great guests from the region and on-point commentary on recent and emerging topics. One of my personal favorite episodes so far is the one with satirist Karl Sharro, a.k.a. @KarlreMarks, where the ME team explores the state, charactersitics, and history of satire in Arab countries and more. Always interesting and refreshing topics!
1990gary

Great podcast

Great podcast and very informative!
Whitfield2795

Very informative

I always enjoy these topics that are discussed in Babel, and the speakers are very interesting. Please continue to do more!
Popsgfhcluusjddj

Great listen!

Informative and engaging content from sharp individuals. Definitely a high-quality listen for those interested in Middle-Eastern current events.