Essential 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. 

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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. 

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@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

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.

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@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

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. 

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@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

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. 

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@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

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.

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@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

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.

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@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

Iran has recently executed a British-Iranian national, Alireza Akbari, a former deputy defence minister, on charges of spying for Britain. Akbari’s execution comes as Iranian authorities have crushed anti-government protests and carried out four other executions. Western countries, including the US and the EU, have denounced Iran’s death sentences and trials as flawed. 

Nationwide anti-government demonstrations erupted in Iran in September after the death of Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Amini, who morality police had detained for violating the country’s dress code. 

In this episode: 

• Tara Sepehri Far (@sepehrifar), Iran and Kuwait Senior Researcher, Middle East and North Africa Division at Human Rights Watch

Episode credit:

This episode was produced by 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.

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@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

In recent weeks, the United States Navy intercepted a fishing vessel smuggling more than 2,000 assault rifles in the Gulf of Oman on a maritime route from Iran to Yemen. Reports suggest the weapons were bound for the Houthi rebels who have controlled most of Yemen since 2014. Iran has long supported the Houthis in their conflict in Yemen and abroad but has denied supplying the group with arms. Meanwhile, Oxfam said that United Kingdom and US weapons provided to Saudi Arabia were directly used in attacks on civilians in Yemen.

In this episode: 

• Abubakr Al-Shamahi (@ShamahiAbubakr), Al Jazeera English Digital’s Middle East and North Africa editor

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by our intern Nada Shakir. Our sound designer is George Alwer. The lead engagement producer is Aya Elmileik and the assistant engagement producer is Munera Al Dosari. Our recording engineer is Hamdi Aoun. Our executive producer is Omar Al Saleh. Ney Alvarez is the head of audio. The show is hosted by Sami Zeidan. 

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@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

As Israel's new government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn into office, his cabinet has gathered the most right-wing ministers in Israel's history. With ultranationalists and ultra-orthodox Jewish parties placed in notable positions, the new cabinet has pledged to expand illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right Israeli minister, has even kicked off international condemnation by entering the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, a move many Palestinians described as 'unprecedented provocation.' 

In this episode: 

• Daniel Levy, President of the US Middle East Project

Episode credit:

This episode was produced by our interns Reyam Al Jaafari and Nada Shakir. Our sound designer is George Alwer. The lead engagement producer is Aya Elmileik and the assistant engagement producer is Munera Al Dosari. Our executive producer is Omar Al Saleh. Ney Alvarez is the head of audio. The show is hosted by Sami Zeidan. 

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@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

For many of the authoritarian regimes in the Middle East, technology has long been a tool to enable digital repression. These states are increasingly using information technology to suppress the flow of information, censor content, and even surveil citizens.

In this episode: 

• Marc Owen Jones (@marcowenjones), associate professor of Middle East Studies at Hamad Bin Khalifa University

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan. Research done by our intern Nada Shakir. Our sound designer is George Alwer. The lead engagement producer is Aya Elmileik and the assistant engagement producer is Munera Al Dosari. Our executive producer is Omar Al Saleh. Ney Alvarez is the head of audio. The show is hosted by Sami Zeidan. 

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@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

A recent Arab American Action Network report in Illinois analyzed more than 200 police documents. It found that suspicious activity reports have criminalised Arabs and Muslims under the guise of "public safety". Further investigation by the community group has revealed a crisis in racial profiling and surveillance of Arabs and Muslims in the United States.

In this episode: 

• Muhammad Sankari, lead organiser at the Arab American Action Network (@aaanmarkaz)

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan. Our sound designer is George Alwer. The lead engagement producer is Aya Elmileik and the assistant engagement producer is Munera Al Dosari. Our executive producer is Omar Al Saleh. Ney Alvarez is the head of audio. The show is hosted by Sami Zeidan. 

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@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

The word "halal" in Arabic refers to something that is religiously permissible to consume or do. But today, it has become a huge industry worth hundreds of billions of dollars. The global Islamic economy report projects halal trade to be more than $330bn in 2025. 

In this episode: 

• Jonathan A.J. Wilson (@drjonwilson), halal branding expert

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan. Our sound designer is George Alwer. The lead engagement producer is Aya Elmileik and the assistant engagement producer is Munera Al Dosari. Our executive producer is Omar Al Saleh. Ney Alvarez is the head of audio. The show is hosted by Sami Zeidan. 

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@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

Tunisia’s parliamentary elections are to take place on Saturday as the country is in the middle of its worst economic crisis. President Kais Saied has been accused of staging a coup in 2021 when he suspended parliament and sacked the prime minister. The main opposition parties are boycotting the vote. So where is Tunisia headed now?

In this episode: 

• Elizia Volkmann (@EliziaVolkmann), freelance journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Salem Alyafie and Khaled Soltan. Research was done by our intern Reyam Al Jaafari. Our sound designer is George Alwer. The recording engineer is Hamdi Aoun. The lead engagement producer is Aya Elmileik and the assistant engagement producer is Munera Al Dosari. Our executive producer is Omar Al Saleh. Ney Alvarez is the head of audio. The show is hosted by Sami Zeidan. 

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@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

Over the past few years, China has been cementing ties with Gulf states and investing heavily in their infrastructure deals. Now, Beijing is expanding its footprint in the region as Saudi Arabia hosts Chinese President Xi Jinping for a Saudi-Chinese summit. Xi’s long-awaited visit comes against the backdrop of strained United States-Saudi relations over energy supplies and concerns over growing Chinese influence in the Middle East.

In this episode: 

• James M Dorsey (@mideastsoccer), senior fellow at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Salem Alyafei, Khaled Soltan and our intern Nada Shakir.  Our sound designer is George Alwer. The lead engagement producer is Aya Elmileik and the assistant engagement producer is Munera Al Dosari. Our executive producer is Omar Al Saleh. Ney Alvarez is the head of audio. The show is hosted by Sami Zeidan. 

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@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

Turkey has launched a wave of air raids in northern Syria and Iraq, after a deadly bombing on Istanbul’s Istiklal Avenue. The country blames the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and groups it claims are PKK-affiliates in Syria and Iraq, for the bombing. The US and Russia have warned against a ground operation.

In this episode:

• Taha Ozhan (@TahaOzhan), Research director at Ankara Institute

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan, Salem Alyafei and our intern Nada Shakir.  Our sound designer is George Alwer. The lead engagement producer is Aya Elmileik and the assistant engagement producer is Munera Al Dosari. Our executive producer is Omar Al Saleh. Ney Alvarez is the head of audio. The show is hosted by Sami Zeidan. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

For the first time World Cup history, the tournament is hosted in the Middle East. Football has always been more than just a game in the Middle East.  Seen sometimes as a symbol of decolonisation and regime legitimisation, it also plays a role in fostering national identities. In the region, the beautiful game is intertwined with culture, politics and history. As the World Cup in Qatar is now underway, we explore the culture in history of football in the region.

In this episode: 

• Abdullah Al-Arian (@anhistorian), author and associate professor at Georgetown University in Qatar.

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan and our intern Nada Shakir.  Our sound designer is George Alwer. The lead engagement producer is Aya Elmileik and the assistant engagement producer is Munera Al Dosari. Our executive producer is Omar Al Saleh. Ney Alvarez is the head of audio. The show is hosted by Sami Zeidan. 

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@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

The clock is ticking for the world’s biggest football tournament all set to begin in Qatar this week. One of the smallest countries to host a World Cup, Qatar is expected to welcome approximately 1.2 million fans for one of the world's most-watched sporting events. From security threats to cyberattacks, to crowd management and potential hooliganism - the challenges are enormous for the host nation.

So how is Qatar planning to ensure the security of millions of fans expected to attend the World Cup?

In this episode: 

• Osama Bin Javaid (@osamabinjavaid), Al Jazeera English Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was co-produced by Salem Alyafei and our intern Nada Shakir. Our sound designer is George Alwer. Our lead engagement producer is Aya Elmileik and our assistant engagement producer is Adam Abou-Gad. The executive producer is Omar Al Saleh and the head of audio is Ney Alvarez. Our host is Sami Zeidan.

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@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

We know water as a source of life. But dwindling resources could also be the reason for future wars in the Middle East. This precious commodity is slowly becoming scarce for several reasons. And there are worrying signs that our freshwater supplies in the region are running out fast.

In this episode: 

• Duried Mahasneh, a specialist in hydrology and marine sciences

Episode Credits:

This episode was produced by Hayat Mongolian and Khaled Soltan. Our host is Sami Zeidan. George Alwer is the sound designer. Aya Elmileik is the lead engagement producer and Munera AlDosari is the assistant engagement producer. Omar al-Saleh is the executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera English’s head of audio.

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@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook