The New Arab Voice (The New Arab)

With the start of Spring we also saw the start of new diplomatic relationships being born. 

After years of intense rivalry, and to the surprise of many, Iran and Saudi Arabia announced that they had normalised relations. 

The two countries hadn't been on speaking turns since the Saudis executed a Shia cleric in 2016, and Iranian protesters had responded by burning down the embassy. 

With the restorations of relations, a new future awaits the two countries, which is likely to have a big impact on the region. 

Additionally, the deal was highly notably due to the involvement of China, who brokered the deal, and had the deal signed in their capital. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we ask why have they chosen to normalise now? What is each side getting from the deal? And what’s the significance of China brokering the deal?

Joining us to discuss Iran and Saudi Arabia, is  Vali Nasr, (@vali_nasr) Professor of International Affairs and Middle East Studies at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies; and Dr. Kristian Coates Ulrichsen (@Dr_Ulrichsen), Fellow for the Middle East at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Find our newsletter here.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge.

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During his most recent campaign to become Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu promised that he would overhaul the judiciary. 

When the elections came around, the fourth in five years, his Likud Party, with the help of some far-right allies, were able to command a majority in the Israeli Knesset. 

Netanyahu quickly started his plans to reform the judiciary, and almost as quickly Israelis took to the street to protest against the planned changes. 

Week after week, and month after month, the protests intensified and the pressure grew on Netanyahu and his government. 

Eventually, the pressure became too great, and Netanyahu announced that he would suspend the bill and attempt to seek a consensus. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we examine the protest movement that rocked Israel. What prompted the protests? Who was on the streets protesting? What were the demands of the protesters? Why did Netanyahu change course and suspend the reforms? And what is the state of the bill today?

For this episode, we sat down with Amjad Iraqi (@aj_iraqi). Amjad Iraqi is a senior editor at the Israeli publication +972 Magazine (@972mag); and also serves as a policy analyst at the think tank Al-Shabaka (@AlShabaka), and was previously an advocacy coordinator at the legal center Adalah.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge.

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The past few weeks in Sudan have been exceptionally violent.

Two feuding generals, in charge of the biggest armed groups in the country, have launched their own personal war in Sudan. Nearly 500 people have died, and thousands have been forced to flee.

The culprits are Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan’s armed forces, and Mohamad Hamdan Dagalo - popularly known as Hemedti - who heads the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Both Burhan and Hemedti rose under the rule of autocratic President Omar al-Bashir, when they were commanders during counter insurgency operations in Darfur in the early 2000s - what many now deem a genocide.

Since then, the two leaders worked together, even ruling the country together since 2019.

But theirs has only ever been a marriage of convenience. Internal rivalries and political disagreements eventually exploded earlier this month, and the RSF and the army have unleashed a war on Sudan - catching the country's helpless population in the crossfire.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we examine the generals behind the violence in Sudan. Who are they? Why are they fighting? And will they ever make peace?

For this episode, we sat down with Jihad Mashamoun (@ComradeJihad), an expert and analyst on Sudan; and David Shinn (@AmbShinn), the former US ambassador to Ethiopia and Burkina Faso.

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This podcast is written by Ali Abbas Ahmadi and produced by Hugo Goodridge.

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Turkish citizen will be voting in a highly anticipated and consequential election on 14 May. 

The two frontrunners for the office of president, are incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the main opposition candidate Kemel Kilicdaroglu.

They have both been holding rallies, attempting to reach as many voters as possible. 

Opposition candidate Kemel Kilicdaroglu did cause a stir at a campaign event, when he questioned the private nature of Turkey's drone manufacturers, and asked whether there should be more state control. 

With a backlash brewing, he quickly changed direction, pledging full support to the industry. 

The incident did raise some questions. What's so special about Turkey's drones? How do the private manufacturers and the state work together? How does the state us the drones? And what impact will the upcoming election have on the domestic drone industry?

Joining us to discuss Turkey's drones is Soner Cagaptay (@SonerCagaptay), a senior fellow and the director of the Turkish Research Program at The Washington Institute (@WashInstitute). 

This podcast is written by Ali Abbas Ahmadi and produced by Hugo Goodridge.

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A year and a day have passed since the killing of veteran Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the occupied West Bank. 

Forensic Investigations, as well as investigations from multiple media organisations and the Palestinian Authority, have concluded that the Palestinian-American was shot by an Israeli sniper while covering a raid in Jenin. 

Video evidence, eyewitness testimony, spatial analysis, autopsy reports and other sources, have been used to confirm this conclusion. 

But in spite of the wealth of evidence, no one has been held accountable for her death. 

This week, The New Arab Voice looks at the detailed forensic investigations into Shireen’s death and how they were able to piece together the story of what happened on that tragic day.

The episode also examines responses from the Israeli and American authorities, and explores what efforts have been made to hold the killers - both the individual who pulled the trigger and those up the chain of command - to account. 

We speak with Jumanah Bawazi, a researcher at Forensic Architecture (@ForensicArchi) - a multidisciplinary research group that partnered with Palestinian human rights organisation Al Haq to produce a 3D reconstruction of the crime scene. 

Rodney Dixon KC from Temple Garden Chambers (@TG_Chambers) - Al Jazeera’s legal counsel - discusses the formal request submitted to the International Criminal Court to conduct a thorough and independent investigation. 

UK Labour MP Kim Leadbeater (@kimleadbeater) explains why a thorough and independent investigation into the journalist’s death is “long overdue” and recounts her experience when meeting Shireen’s brother Anton. 

Lastly, Lamis Andoni (@LamisAndo) friend of Shireen and a Palestinian journalist speaks about what the Palestinian-American was like as a person and what motivated her to cover events in the occupied territories, as well as what justice may look like in the long-term. 

This podcast is written and produced by Rosie McCabe with help from Hugo Goodridge. 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@newarab.com 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was returned to the Arab League this month. 

Twelve years after Syria was suspended, in response to their brutal crackdown against civilians protesters, the group of nations, led by Saudi Arabia welcomed back the Assad regime. 

The move signalled a major shift in diplomacy in the region, and simultaneously a continuation of other diplomatic moves in the region, and in particular by Saudi Arabia.

Along with Syria, Saudi Arabia sets to be a big winner from the deal. It will further cement their new relationship with Iran, and Iran's allies, including Russia and China. Furthermore it will help to cover the backs of Saudi Arabia as the US moves back from the region. 

Those set to lose out most from the deal is Syrian refugees in the region. 

Spread out across a number of neighbouring Arab states, these communities now face increased levels of hostilities, and a greater potential for forced deportations back to Syria, where they face terrible conditions.

This week on The New Arab Voice, why has Syria been readmitted to the Arab League? Who stands to gain from the normalisation? And what does this mean for the Syrian people, both inside and outside the country?

Joining us to discuss Syria's return to the Arab League, we speak with Malik al-Abdeh, conflict resolution expert focused on Syria and managing director of Conflict Mediation Solutions. Also Reva Dhingra (@Reva__D), a postdoctoral fellow at the Brookings Institution in the Foreign Policy Division (@BrookingsFP) and works with the Center for Middle East policy, with a particular focus on issues related to Syrian refugees.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@newarab.com 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After two rounds of voting in Turkey, President Erdogan is back as the president. 

Going into the first round of voting there were high hopes that the opposition had a real chance of dislodging the Turkish strongman; however these hopes failed to materialise at the ballot boxes. 

Back in office, Erdogan will have a long list of urgent matters that will need his attention, including a failing economy, foreign policy, growing anger over refugees, and domestic issues.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we examine why they opposition failed to live up to the hopes that were pinned on them, how Erdogan was able to use the state to secure victory, what the main issues of the election were, and what we can expect to see from Erdogan over the next five years. 

Joining us to talk Turkey and elections, we're joined by Howard Eissenstat (@heissenstat). Howard is an associate professor at St. Lawrence University and a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute (@MiddleEastInst). 

Also speaking this week is Soner Cagaptay (@SonerCagaptay), a senior fellow and the director of the Turkish Research Program at The Washington Institute (@WashInstitute), and author of The New Sultan: Erdogan and the Crisis of Modern Turkey.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a report by Amnesty International, titled Apartheid Automated, the human rights group laid out how the Israeli government is using technology as a tool of oppression. 

This technological tyranny is perhaps best seen at the many checkpoints that Palestinians are forced to traverse as part of their daily lives. Cameras and algorithms are permanently watching every Palestinian who passes through; monitoring their movements and activities. 

This constant surveillance creates part of what is know as the 'chilling effect'.

It is also believed to work hand in hand with other technologies used by soldiers on the ground. 

This week on The New Arab Voice we delve into the latest Amnesty report, and examine how technology is being used, what it means for Palestinians, and how it fits into a wider system of apartheid.

Joining us is Dr. Matt Mahmoudi (@DocMattMoudi), a researcher at Amnesty Tech (@AmnestyTech), and the author of Apartheid Automated. Also, Jalal Abukhater (@JalalAK_jojo), a Palestinian writer and activist. And Mona Shtaya (@Monashtayya), who until recently, worked as an advocacy and communication manager for 7amleh (@7amleh), a non-profit organisation aimed at enabling Palestinian and Arab civil society to effectively utilise the tools of digital advocacy through professional capacity building, defending digital rights and building influential digital media campaigns.

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This podcast is written by Nick McAlpin and produced by Hugo Goodridge. 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The golfing world was upturned at the start of June, with the news that a deal had been struck between the PGA and the Saudi-funded LIV Golf. 

After months of warring words and a flurry of lawsuits the two sides agreed to come together and put hostiles aside. 

The deal will see a return of some of the biggest names in golf and also see a huge investment into the game by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

Like the initial creation of LIV Golf, this investment has created controversy and prompted claims of sportswashing. 

The PGA has been accused of ignoring the appalling human rights abuses of the Saudi regime and whitewashing the reputation of the like of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the recent deal between the PGA and LIV Golf, the implications for human rights and sportswashing, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, and what the Gulf nation hopes to achieve with such spending. 

To talk about Saudi Arabia and human rights, we’re joined by Joey Shea (@joey_shea), a Human Rights Watch (@hrw) researcher in the Middle East and North Africa Division investigating human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. 

And to explain all about the Saudi PIF and what they hope to achieve, we speak with Imad K. Harb (@harb3imad), the Director of Research and Analysis at Arab Center Washington DC (@ArabCenterWDC)

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the prison at Guantanamo Bay was opened, it was announced that it would hold terror suspects, picked up by the US in their War on Terror. 

It quickly became a dungeon that tortured its inmates and violated some of the most basic principles of humanity. 

Subsequent presidents, although not all, have said that they will close down the site and release the prisoners. However this task has been fraught with difficulties. 

While the vast majority have been never been found guilty, or even been charged with a crime; those that have been charged, have claimed that the evidence against them was extracted by torture, and was only given to make the abuses stop. 

Such is the case of Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri.

In May, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention condemned his continued detention, and the torture that he suffered in prison, and how he had been denied rights to guarantee and fair trial. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the case of Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, how the torture he endured at the hands of his captors is playing into his trial, how efforts to close the prison have failed, and what needs to happen to ensure that victims of Guantanamo get justice. 

We speak with Katie Carmon, a lawyer for the Military Commissions Defense Organization, and one of the lawyers representing Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri.

Also, Andy Worthington (@GuantanamoAndy), an investigative journalist, activist, and author of The Guantanamo Files.

And Mansoor Adayfi (@MansoorAdayfi), a Yemeni national who was picked up by the US 2002, accused of being a member of a terrorist organisation and sent to Guantanamo, where he would remain until 2016. Adayfi has accused the US of torturing him during his interrogations  

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This podcast is written by Nadine Talaat and produced by Hugo Goodridge. 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The recent violence in the Jenin refugee camp was a shocking and violent development. 

The incursion left 12 dead, over a hundred wounded, and a trail of destruction to infrastructure that will make life in the camp even more difficult. 

As Israeli soldiers made their way through the camp, Palestine activists in London took to the streets to express their anger and opposition to the events in the West Bank, and to the British government's relationship with the government in Israel. 

This week on The New Arab Voice we look at the state of Palestine activism is the UK. What are Palestine activists doing to get their message across? Are they seeing any success? How might legislation like the 'Anti-Boycott Bill' effect the work of Palestine activists? And should the movement seek greater cooperation with the UK government. 

The struggle for Palestine in the UK is ongoing, but there is a precedent in the country for successful campaigns.

The former apartheid regime in South Africa was an appalling crime, and during the life of this regime, campaigns in the UK, through intense efforts, manage to raise awareness and effect real change in South Africa, via the UK. 

This week, we look at how that anti-apartheid campaign managed to achieve its success, and what lessons can be learnt, to help those fighting against Palestinian oppression.

Joining us to talk about the recent events in Jenin, we speak with Qassam Muaddi (@QassaMMuaddi), The New Arab's West Bank correspondent.

To explain the state of Palestine activism in the UK, we're joined by Jeanine Hourani (@jeaninehourani), a Palestinian organiser and a PhD candidate at the University of Exeter looking at women’sresistance and mental health in Palestine.

And to remind us of the struggle face by anti-apartheid campaigners , we speak with famed activist Lord Peter Hain (@PeterHain).

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The people of northern Syria were recently dealt a terrible blow. 

At the UN Security Council, on 11 July, permanent member Russia vetoed the extension of UN deliveries through the Bab al-Hawa crossing. 

It had served as a vital lifeline for the over 4 million people who live in the north west, and are in desperate need of help. 

Following the Russian veto, the Assad regime stepped in and said that they would grant permission to the UN for the delivery of aid. 

This offer was quickly and firmly rejected by opposing members of the Security Council, who are all to aware of the Assad regime's history of weaponising aid. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we examine the humanitarian needs in northern Syria, why the cross border aid is so vital, what alternatives might be available, and the terms of the Assad regime's offer and why it is so unacceptable. 

Also we explore the diplomacy of the United Nations Security Council. Why is the council making decisions about aid? How is Russia using the issue of aid at the UN? How does the veto work, and should it be abandoned? And is it time for reforms at the UN?

To guide us through aid efforts and issues in northern Syria, we're joined by Natasha Hall (@NatashaHallDC), senior fellow with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (@CSISMidEast).

And to untangle UN diplomacy, we speak with Richard Gowan (@RichardGowan1), UN Director for the International Crisis Group (@CrisisGroup).

Find our newsletter here.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The release of Patrick Zaki was some rare good human rights news from Egypt. 

After being sentenced to three years in jail, he was then pardoned the next day by President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi, and was able to return to Italy. 

Patrick had been hanging in legal limbo since 2020, when he was first arrested, and subsequently charged with “disseminating false news” and “inciting to protest”.

His release was warmly welcomed by human rights defenders and lead to questions as to whether we could see more releases and presidential pardons, particularly as the work of the National Dialogue builds up. 

The National Dialogue was first announced by the president last year, but was then delayed, only starting work this year. 

It has been tasked with discussing political, economic, and social issues in Egypt. Some opposition members in Egypt are hoping that it could serve as platform to steer the country back to democracy. Others are more skeptical.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the case of Patrick Zaki and why he was arrested, the state of human rights in Egypt, and the National Dialogue and whether it will be able to make an impact. 

Joining us to discuss human rights in Egypt is Dr. Aida Seif el-Dawla, a retired professor of psychiatry, and one of four founders of the El Nadim Center for the Psychological Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence and Torture, an Egyptian independent NGO, founded in 1993.

And to help us understand the National Dialogue, we speak with Mirette Mabrouk, a senior fellow and the Director of the Egypt and Horn of Africa programme at the Middle East Institute. 

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This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Riad Salameh spent 30 years at the top of Lebanon’s Central Bank. 

Some called him a magician. But in recent years, his tricks have been revealed to devastating effects.

In 2019 the Lebanese economy dramatically collapsed and many inside and outside the country pointed the finger of blame at Riad Salameh. 

Despite the economic problems, he stayed on. 

But on the last day of July, Riad Salameh walked out of Lebanon’s Central Bank for the last time. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we sat down with Karim Bitar (@karimbitar) to discuss the departure of Riad Salameh, his time at the Central Bank, the accusation that have been levelled at him by people in Lebanon, and abroad, and what the future holds for the Lebanese Central Bank. 

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This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iraq is known for its high temperatures. 

But with the impacts of climate change becoming ever more pronounced, the summer heat in Iraq has become unbearable for many, and also threatens to make large areas of the country uninhabitable. 

As Iraq inches towards this unbearably hot future, its ability to adapt is decreasing year after year. The Iraqi population has been growing while the water supply is dwindling and in most cities, public electricity is already too unreliable to guarantee access to air conditioning for all.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we ask how are Iraqi cities being impacted by climate change? Who is most affected by it? What resources do Iraqis have to deal with increasing heat? And beyond climate change, what factors are fuelling climate injustice in the country?

To help us understand these issues, we speak with Dr Biyar Zaza, a resident doctor working the largest public hospitals in Erbil, the Rojhalat hospital. Zeinab Shuker (@zfshuker), a sociologist and visiting climate fellow at Century International (@TCFdotorg). Nabil Musa, the founder of Waterkeepers Iraq (@WaterkeepersIQ) - a global network of activists advocating on behalf of the world’s rivers. And Khaled Suleiman (@ksulaiman), a Kurdish Iraqi environmental journalist.

This podcast is written by Lyse Mauvais (@lyse_mauvais) and produced by Hugo Goodridge. 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've been off for a few week, but now we're back!

While we were on holiday, Jordan took the opportunity to implement a new cybercrime law that has set alarm bells ringing among human rights defenders. 

The cybercrime law contains some incredibly vague language, which critics say will allow the government to target free speech, and effect the basic rights of Jordanians. 

It will also limit the ability of Jordanians to call out corruption or human rights abuses in the country. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, what’s in Jordan’s new cybercrime bill? How will it impact Jordanians? Why are the cracking down in this way and what does King Abdullah have to gain from this? And what does it mean for democratic hopes in the country. 

To help guide us through Jordan's cybercrime bill, we're joined by Marwa Fatafta (@marwasf) a digital rights advocate and works as the MENA policy and advocacy manager at Access Now (@accessnow), a global digital rights organisation.

We also speak with Jamal Al Tahat (@JamalAlTahat1) to guide us through the thinking of the Jordanian state. Jamal is  is a senior consultant at Democracy for the Arab World Now or DAWN (@DAWNmenaorg). He has spent decades advocating for democratisation in Jordan.

And finally, we speak with Issam Ureiqat (@IsamUraiqat). issam is the Director of Al-Hudood (@AlHudoodNet), an online satire publication that was recently blocked in Jordan because of jokes the website made about the royal family.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Protests are back in Syria. 

Twelve years since the start of the uprisings against the Assad regime, Syrians are still protesting. 

In the southern province of Suweida huge protests have erupted, in part, fuelled by the continuing fall in living standards across the country, but also for the same reasons that brought people out to the streets in 2011. 

They have now entered their fourth week, and so far, look set to continue. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the protests in Suweida. What do they want? What are their demands? Who is protesting, and are they the same people from 2011, or new people? And why have the protests seemingly been permitted to continue with their defiance?

Also, we look at the August 10th Movement. 

The August 10th Movement announced their formation just before the protests in Suweida, and declared themselves to be peaceful and non-sectarian. 

We ask, who they are? What do they want? And what prospects do they have to challenge the regime?

Joining us to talk about the protests, we have Jospeh Daher, (@JosephDaher19). Joseph works at the University of Lausanne and is a co-director is the Syrian Trajectory Project.

And, Wafa Ali Mustafa (@WafaMustafa9). Wafa is a Syrian journalist and activist, who now lives in Berlin. For a decade now, Wafa has campaigned tirelessly for Syria’s disappeared.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been a year since Mahsa Amini was killed. 

She was taken from the streets by Iran's morality police in September 2022. They beat her mercilessly, resulting in the young women falling into a coma, and later dying. 

The protests against her killing, the morality police, and Iran's mandatory hijab law were instant and persisted for several months. 

However the violent response by the Iranian state eventually forced people off the streets. They killed over 500 people and arrested tens of thousands in the process. 

In the 12 months that have passed since Mahsa's killing, the state has reasserted itself. The morality police are back. New laws have been established that punish hijab offenders with new lengthy sentences. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we examine how the state has responded over the past 12 months, why they have returned the morality police, why they have upped the sentence and fines. Additionally, we explore the thinking of the state and why they feel it necessary to ignore the protesters. Why they respond with violence, and what the moves to be the successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei mean. 

To help us understand the past 12 months in Iran, we speak with Sussan Tahmasebi (@sussantweets). Sussan is an Iranian feminist, activists, and he director of FEMENA (@FemenaNet), an organisation that supports women human rights defenders their organisations, and feminist movements in the MENA and Asia regions.

Also, we speak with Dr. Sanam Vakil (@SanamVakil). Dr. Vakil is the Director of the Middle East and North Africa programme at Chatham House (@CH_MENAP) and the author of Action and Reaction: Women and Politics in Iran.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Talk of normalisation between Saudi Arabia and Israel is hotting up. 

Israel signed the Abraham Accords with the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco in 2020, and were deemed to be a major development in the region.

Israel is now looking to Saudi Arabia for a normalisation deal, which if achieved would have a major impact on the Middle East. 

But the deal is proving more difficult than the first normalisation deals. There are three main stumbling points. A Saudi security pact. Saudi nuclear ambitions. And the Palestine issue. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we ask why Israel and Saudi Arabia are seeking normalisation? Can the Saudis get the security pact they want? Will the US agree to work with the Saudis on a civilian nuclear programme? Can the Palestinians get concessions from Israel, as part of the deal? And can the government of Benjamin Netanyahu's government survive a deal with Saudi Arabia?

Joining us to talk all things normalisation, we have Gerald Feierstein, a distinguished senior fellow on US diplomacy at the Middle East Institute (@MiddleEastInst), and Director of its Arabian Peninsula Affairs programme.

Also, Joe Macaron (@macaronjoe), a Global Fellow with the Wilson Centre's Middle East Program (@TheWilsonCenter) and research analyst primarily focusing on US strategy, conflict analysis, and international relations in the Middle East.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The residents of the Libyan city of Derna are sadly no strangers to tragedy. They have seen war and violent militant groups ravage their town. But the recent environmental disaster that struck was a new terrifying horror.

In the early hours of 11 September, after hours of torrential rain, the two dams outside Derna broke, sending a torrent of water in the heart of the city. 

Entire buildings were washed away. Thousands were killed, and thousands more simply disappeared.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the flood that destroyed a city, and the moments that were missed, when tragedy could have been avoided. 

Joining us, we speak with Johr Ali (@JOHRALI), a Libyan journalist from the city of Derna who now lives in exile in Istanbul.a Libyan journalist from the city of Derna who now lives in exile in Istanbul.

Also, Emadeddin Badi (@emad_badi), a Libyan researcher and a non-resident senior fellow with the Middle East Programs at the Atlantic Council (@AtlanticCouncil).

And Malak Altaeb (@MalakLibya1), a Libyan environmental researcher and non-resident fellow at the Middle East Institute (@MiddleEastInst) in Washington.

This podcast is written by Nadine Talaat (@nadine_talaat) and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The attack by Hamas on 7 October has changed the region and the world in ways that are still yet to be completely understood. 

In response to the attack, which killed over 1,400 Israelis, and took 200 hostage, Israel has unleashed a brutal and indiscriminate campaign of airstrikes. So far, thousands of Palestinians have been killed. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at Hamas' attack, why they decided to attack, what they hoped to achieve, the Israelis intelligence failings that allowed for the attack, how Israel is responding, the war crimes being committed today, and what war crimes might be committed in the future. 

Joining us to discuss Hamas' attack and what it means for Israel and the Israeli response in Gaza, we speak with Joost Hiltermann (@JoostHiltermann) the program director for the Middle East in North Africa, at the International Crisis Group (@CrisisGroup); and Lara Friedman (@LaraFriedmanDC) the President of the Foundation for Middle East Peace (@FMEP).

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This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

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The Israeli bombardment of the people of Gaza has unleashed horrors. 

Thousands have been killed, including thousands of children. There’s no end in sight, and Israel does not look like it will step away from its path. 

The past 27 days in Gaza have been punctuated by war crimes of almost every nature.

This week on The New Arab Voice we look at the past 27 days, the crimes that have been committed, the tragedies endure by the people, and the lives lost in senseless massacres. 

We examine the intense humanitarian crisis the has gripped the Gaza Strip, in light of the tightened siege, and the failure to get aid to the people. We inspect the ceasefire options that are open to Israel, and the prospect of a ceasefire being implemented. 

Additionally, we look at Hamas, their military strength, the tactics they will use when Israel launched its full ground assault, and the value of their tunnels. 

Joining us, we speak with Kristyan Benedict (@KreaseChan), Amnesty International UK Crisis Response Manager (@AmnestyUK), and Merissa Khurma (@MerissaKhurma), the Program Director of the Middle East program at the Wilson Center (@TheWilsonCenter). Also, we hear directly from The New Arab's Gaza correspondent, Sally Ibrahim. 

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Violence in Gaza has continued to intensify. 

The death toll passed the grim milestone this week, with over 10,000 now killed. 

In addition to the ongoing violence in Gaza, the West Bank is also seeing an increased level of attacks by Israeli settlers and increased oppression by the Israeli occupation forces. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, why is violence rising in the West Bank, how are Palestinians in the West Bank feeling about the conflict in Gaza, and what is the Palestinian authority doing?

Joining us to explain the situation on the ground, we’re joined by The New Arab’s West Bank correspondent, Qassam Muaddi (@QassaMMuaddi). 

Also, we speak with Nur Arafeh, a fellow at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center (@CarnegieMEC).

Sign up to our newsletter here.  

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The death toll from the conflict in Gaza passed 14,000 this week. 

With a ceasefire starting on Friday evening, international diplomacy is happening, but so is the conflict. 

The recent four-day ceasefire and prisoner swap was negotiated by Qatar and Israel’s closest ally, the US. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we look over the recent events in Gaza, including the siege of Al-Shifa Hospital, the humanitarian catastrophe that has a firm grip on the besieged strip, and the recently announced four-day ceasefire and prisoner and hostage swap. 

Also, we examine the US relationship with Israel and the view of the conflict from Washington. Did they US expect such a brutal response by Israel? Can the US hold Israel back, and can it lead the way over the political horizon to a settlement in the future. And what does the conflict mean for the Abraham Accords?

Joining us to talk about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, we speak with Kristyan Benedict (@KreaseChan), Amnesty International UK Crisis Response Manager (@AmnestyUK), and to guide us through US policy surrounding Gaza, we speak with Charles W. Dunne (@CharlesWDunne), adjunct professor at the Elliott School of International Studies (@ElliottSchoolGW) at the George Washington University, and also a non resident scholar at the Arab Center Washington, DC (@ArabCenterWDC).

Find our newsletter here.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ceasefire in Gaza didn’t last, but seven days without experiencing intense Israeli bombardments is certainly welcome. 

During the seven days when the worst of the violence was stopped, aid was able to get to the desperate people of Gaza, but additionally it allowed for the release of hostages, held by Hamas.

In exchange, Palestinians held by Israel would also be released from Israeli prisons. 

During the ceasefire 110 hostages were released by Hamas, and 240 Palestinians have been released. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the details of the deal, those who have been released, how they have been released, and how Israel has controlled the release of the prisoners, and the families and communities welcoming home those released. 

Also we look at how the conditions in Israel’s prisons have deteriorated since the start of the conflict. 

Joining us, we speak with Tala Nasir. Tala is a lawyer for Addameer who has been monitoring the releases carefully. 

Addameer (@Addameer) is an NGO that advocates for prisoners held by Israel, offers free legal aid, works to end torture and other violations of prisoners rights, through monitoring legal procedures and solidarity campaigns. 

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hamas attack of 7 October shook Israel to its core. 

It was a horrifying day that left at least 1,200 people dead, saw hundreds taken hostage, and a country deeply traumatised. 

Israel responded with a deadly barrage of airstrikes and bombardment. This assault continues to this day, and has so far killed over 17,000 people, and turned huge areas of Gaza into desolate wasteland. 

The stated aims of Israel is to destroy Hamas, remove them from power in Gaza, and secure the release of the hostages. 

This week on The New Arab Voice we assess Israel’s invasion of Gaza. How are they progressing? What have been their losses? And is there as risk that Israel will secure a tactical win, but a strategic defeat. 

Also, we explore how the ongoing Israeli assault is being viewed by Israelis, and what this all means for the future of Prime Minister Benjamin and Israeli thinking with regards to Palestinians. 

Do Israelis support the conflict, and do they support the manner in which the assault is being is being conducted? Can Netanyahu survive, and if he’s on the way out, then who will take his place? 

To help us understand the current state of Israel’s assault on Gaza, we speak with Tobias Borck (@tobiasborck), the senior research fellow for Middle East Security Studies at the Royal United Services Institute (@RUSI_org).

Also, we speak with Dr. Nimrod Goren (@GorenNimrod), a senior fellow for Israeli affairs at the Middle East Institute (@MiddleEastInst)

You can sign up for our newsletter here.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

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2023 is drawing to a close and we’re spending our last two episodes of the year to look back over the past twelve months and the stories that have shaped the Middle East. 

For our first episode of our review, we look at the months from January to June, with help from some of The New Arab’s journalists, correspondents, and editors. 

We remember the earthquake in Turkey, the normalisation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the protests in Israel, Erdogan’s victory, and much more. 

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week we looked back at the first six months of 2023, and this week, we're completing the year with refresher on the last six months of the year. 

We remember the arguments at the UN Security Council over Syrian aid delivery, the release of Patrick Zaki, the deadly wedding fire in Iraq, the COP28 in Dubai, and of course, the deadly Hamas attack of 7 October and the following war in Gaza. 

As well as looking back, we look forward to the next 12 months in the Middle East and North Africa, with the help of The New Arab's finest journalists, correspondents, and editors. 

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new year and a new season of The New Arab Voice podcast. 

This week, we continue with the story that has dominated the Middle since October: the war in Gaza. 

While we were away the violence did not cease nor slow down. The death toll has now passed 23,000, the vast majority women and children. Additionally, over 60,000 have been injured. 

There have been developments related to the war in Gaza that have occurred beyond Gaza's borders. The first is the killing of Hamas deputy Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut on 2 January, and the second is South Africa's genocide filing at the International Court of Justice. 

This week we look at the killing of Arouri and examine what it means for the prospect of the war in Gaza escalating into a wider regional conflict. Will Hezbollah join the fight and open a second front in northern Israel? Will Iran launch a direct strike against Israel? And how will Iran use its network of militias in the region?

Secondly, we look at the recent filing by South Africa at the International Court of Justice, where Israel was accused of committing genocide. Will the filing be able to stop the violence in Gaza? Will it create a path for accountability? Will the filing work as a part of a pressure campaign?

To guide us through the prospects of an escalating conflict we're joined by Dr. Hamidreza Azizi (@HamidRezaAz), a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International Security Affairs (@SWPBerlin). 

And to help us understand what has unfolded at the International Court of Justice, we speak with Mai El-Sadany (@maitelsadany), the Executive Director of the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy (@TimepDC).

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This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the start of war in Gaza, the Houthi movement in Yemen decided that it would also do what it can to provide support to the people of Palestine. 

It decided the best thing that it could do was to attack commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea, of the coast of Yemen.

They have fired missiles, launched drone attacks, attacked ships by sea, boarded ships and taken people hostage. 

On 11 January, the UK and US decided that they should do something and launched a flurry of airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. 

This week, we look at the impact and reasoning behind the Houthi attacks on shipping lanes, the retaliatory strikes by the US and UK, and what this means for the ceasefire that only recently halted the war in Yemen. 

To help us understand the Houthi motives in the Red Sea, we're joined by Abdulghani al-Iryani (@AbdulGhani1959), a senior researcher at the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies (@SanaaCenter) where he focuses on the peace process, conflict analysis and transformations of the Yemeni state.

And to help us understand what the US hopes to achieve in Yemen, we speak with Gerald M. Feierstein, Distinguished Senior Fellow on US Diplomacy and Director of Arabian Peninsula Affairs at the Middle East Institute (@MiddleEastInst) and former US Ambassador to Yemen.

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This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the start of the war in Gaza, protests around the world have called on the Israeli government to end their slaughter and protect civilian life. 

Thousands have turned out to protest in London, New York, Paris, Berlin, and Washington DC. 

Also, protests have been seen in Israel, however the civil space in Israel is shrinking.

This week, we look at the shrinking civil space in Israel, and the shrinking rights of Israelis to protest against the government and the war in Gaza. We also examine the role of the Supreme Court in the stripping of Israeli civil rights. 

To help us understand this, we spoke with Eyal Lurie-Pardes (@eyallurie), a Visiting Fellow in the Program on Palestine and Palestinian-Israeli Affairs at the Middle East Institute (@MiddleEastInst). Previously, Eyal worked in legal advocacy and policy research for civil rights in Israel and Palestine. Among other things, Eyal worked with the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, the Zulat Institute for Equality and Human Rights.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The International Court of Justice returned a verdict on 26 January. 

Not a complete verdict on whether genocide is being committed by Israel in Gaza, but the court did agree that there was a case to be heard, and it did recognise that there was a sense of urgency. 

Because of this urgency, they issued a series of provisional measures; these include an order to end the killing of civilians, end the mental and physical harm of civilians, immediately allow the distribution of aid, to name a few. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the provisional measures imposed by the International Court of Justice, what they are ordering of Israel, whether they will be abided to by Israel, what mechanisms exist if the provisional measures are ignored, and also what the case means for Israel's allies, namely the US. 

Joining us to explain the International Court of Justice and it mechanisms is Akila Radhakrishnan (@akila_rad). Akila is the strategic legal advisor for gender justice for the Strategic Litigation Project (@SLPJustice) at the Atlantic Council (@AtlanticCouncil).

To guide us through what the court's decision means for Israel and its Western allies, we speak with Khalil E. Jahshan (@KhalilEJahshan). Khalil is the  Executive Director of Arab Center Washington DC (@ArabCenterWDC) and  a Palestinian American political analyst. 

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The humanitarian crisis is older than the war in Gaza. 

For years, Palestinians inside the besieged enclave have struggled to secure some of the basic needs for life.

The war, which has now entered its four month, has turned crisis into catastrophe. All 2.2 million residents of Gaza are now suffering from acute food insecurity, and Israel are continuing the bombardments, day after day. 

The humanitarian situation in Gaza was recently dealt a deadly blow when major donors of the UN aid and refugee agency, including the US and UK, announced that they would be suspending funding for UNRWA. 

The decision to suspend funding was made following allegations that UNRWA employees had taken part in the horrific attacks of 7 October. 

To date, evidence to prove those allegations has not been provided, and yet the suspension stands. 

This week, we look at the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the details of the famine gripping the population, the spread of infectious diseases, and the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare. Also we look at the decision by Western nations to suspend funding for UNRWA. Why they decided to suspend funding, why they asked for no evidence, why so many pulled out, and why Israel is trying to eliminate UNRWA in its entirety. 

Joining us to help us understand the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, we speak with Dr. Yara Asi (@Yara_M_Asi). Dr. Asi is an Assistant Professor at the University of Central Florida in the School of Global Health Management and Informatics. Her research agenda focuses on global health, human rights, and development in fragile populations. She recently authored the book How War Kills: The Overlooked Threats to Our Health. 

To explain UNRWA and the impacts of the funding suspension, we speak with Chris Doyle (@Doylech). Chris is the Director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding (@Caabu) and its lead spokesperson.

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This week, we’ll be launching The New Arab Weekly, a brand new podcast, that will bring you a collection of biggest stories of the week. 

With help from the editorial and reporting teams at The New Arab in London, we’ll break down the stories for you and answer the questions: what happened and why does it matter?

The first episode will be released on Friday March 15th, and will be finding its way to your feeds every Friday after that. 

Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast, so you can get notified when a new episode drops. 

Apple: The New Arab Weekly

Spotify: The New Arab Weekly

We’d also like to hear from you. If you have any questions that you want the team at The New Arab to answer, you can now email us at podcast@newarab.com. 

Until Friday, stick with The New Arab, for all the latest new analysis and opinion, from the region. 

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Welcome to the first episode of The New Arab Weekly. 

Each week, we take a look at some of the biggest stories of the week and examine what happened and why is it important. 

This week we look at the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the looming prospect for an invasion of Rafah, and the recently announced definition of extremism, as laid out by the UK government. 

We're joined this week by The New Arab's Opinions Editor, Nadine Talaat (@nadine_talaat), and New Arab journalist and reporter Oliver Mizzi (@OllyMizzi99).

If you have any burning questions that you'd like the team at The New Arab to answer, then drop us an email at podcast@newarab.com. 

You can subscribe to the show on Apple, Spotify, Google, and wherever else you get your podcasts. 

This podcast is produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

To get in touch with the producer, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the start of March polling stations for Iran's legislative elections opened, and yet, very few Iranians turned up. 

It was a record low turnout, with just 40.64 percent of eligible voters casting their ballot.

The low turnout reflected the discontent in the country, and the poor quality of candidates on offer. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the Iranian elections. Why was the turnout so low, and what does it mean for the regime’s legitimacy. How did the Iranian regime seek to control the elections, and how do the different branches help to support the control of the deep state. And also, what can the recent election tell us about the plan to choose a successor for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. 

Joining this week, we speak with Alex Vatanka (@AlexVatanka) the founding Director of the Iran Program at the Middle East Institute (@MiddleEastInst), and Ali Vaez (@AliVaez), the Iran Project Director at International Crisis Group (@CrisisGroup). 

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And subscribe to The New Arab Weekly on Apple and Spotify.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) has a new government and a new Prime Minister.

An exciting and yet highly challenging time for them; but for the Palestinian people, optimism for real change is low. 

The Palestinian Authority has been in place since the 1990's, but satisfaction is low. There are systemic governance problems across Palestine, and the PA is no longer seen as the leaders of the liberation movement. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the Palestinian Authority and the problems with governance in the wake of the brutal war on Gaza. What is the Palestinian Authority doing to end the violence and promote Palestinian liberty? How do Palestinians feel about the ruling authority? And is it time for reforms, and for President Abbas to step aside, or for the institution as a whole to be dissolved?

Joining us, we speak with Omar Rahman (@omarrahman),  fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs (@ME_Council), where he focuses on Palestine, Middle East geopolitics, and American foreign policy in the region.

Also, we speak with Obada Shtaya, the co-Founder and CEO of the Institute for Social and Economic Progress. Obada is a pollster and researcher, with interests in social psychology, political economy, and social movement theory.

Subscribe to The New Arab Weekly here.

Sign up to our newsletter here.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The recent local elections in Turkey did not go to plan for President Erdogan. 

The voters sent a clear message to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) party and the strongman president, when they voted in unprecedented numbers for the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). 

The CHP took control of Turkey's biggest cities and also managed to make significant headway into provinces that had been traditional AKP territory. 

Additionally, the AKP also lost out to the New Welfare Party (YRP), and Islamist party, who collected former AKP voters, who were angered by Erdogan's Gaza policy. 

The recent vote raises some big questions about the future of Turkey and Erdogan. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the recent Turkish elections. Why did the AKP and Erdogan do so badly? How big was the CHP victory? Has the path been set for Ekrem İmamoğlu to rise to the presidency? Can and will Erdogan run again? Will Erdogan start another crackdown? And what is the state of Turkish democracy?

Joining us this week, we speak with Gönül Tol (@gonultol), the founding director of the Middle East Institute’s (@MiddleEastInst) Turkey programme and a senior fellow with the Black Sea Program. Gönül's new book, Erdogan's War: A Strongman's Struggle at Home and in Syria, is out now. 

Also, Soner Cagaptay (@SonerCagaptay), the Beyer Family Senior Fellow and director of the Turkish Research Program at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy (@WashInstitute), and the author of A Sultan in Autumn.

his podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tensions across the Middle East, recently rose to worrying highs. 

It started on 1 April, when Israel launched an attack on Iran's consulate building in the Syria capital of Damascus. Iran responded to this by firing hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel. In turn, Israel conducted strikes in Iran. 

Voices from abroad, desperately called for calm, as fears grew that the region was about to be plunged into a regional conflict. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the recent Iranian strike against Israel and Israel's response. 

What did Iran hope to achieve, and were they successful? Why did Arab nations take part in the defence of Iran? What did Israel want to achieve in Iran, and why was their response so muted? How close did the region come to war, and has the threat now passed?

Joining us to discuss this and more, we speak with Merissa Khurma (@MerissaKhurma). Merissa Khurma is the program director of the Middle East Program at the Wilson Center (@WilsonCenterMEP). And, Trita Parsi (@tparsi), the Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute (@QuincyInst), and author of Losing an Enemy: Obama, Iran and the Triumph of Diplomacy. And finally, Hamidreza Aziz (@HamidRezaAz), a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International Security Affairs (@SWPBerlin) in Berlin. 

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The New Arab Voice is on a break at the moment.

While you wait, why not check out the latest episode of The New Arab Weekly. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcasts.

This week on The New Arab Weekly podcast, we look at the fighting between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese government forces in Darfur, a spat between Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the 'day after' plan in Gaza, and the upheaval created in Kuwait with the news that both parliament and the constitution had been suspended.

Joining us, we have The New Arab's journalist and reporter Oliver Mizzi (@OllyMizzi99), and journalist and reporter Assiah Hamed (@AssiahHamed).

Our Picks of the Week:

With €1bn bribe, the EU is rewarding Lebanon's bad behaviour

Nakba yesterday, Nakba today: The story of my grandmother's two keys

How Israel is defying Biden's 'red line' on Rafah

If you have any burning questions that you'd like the team at The New Arab Weekly to answer, then drop us an email at podcast@newarab.com. 

You can subscribe to the show on Apple, Spotify, Google, and wherever else you get your podcasts. 

This podcast is produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

To get in touch with the producer, follow, then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While The New Arab Voice is on holiday, we bring you another episode of The New Arab Weekly podcast.

You can find all the links you'll need to subscribe to The New Arab Weekly here.

This week on The New Arab Weekly podcast, we look at the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and what it means for Iran, the news that the International Criminal Court is seeking arrest warrants for Hamas and Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and finally, the recent deadly Israeli assault on the West Bank town of Jenin and the news that Ireland, Norway, and Spain would recognise Palestinian statehood.

Joining us, we have The New Arab's Opinions Editor Benjamin Ashraf (@ashrafzeneca) and Analysis Editor Charlie Hoyle (@CharlieCHoyle). 

Picks of the Week:

Why I called out Suella Braverman's gaslighting live on TV

The systematic torture of Gazans in Israel's secret prisons

Netzah Yehuda veteran was among ‘guards’ who intimidated Jerusalem Armenians in November 2023

If you have any burning questions that you'd like the team at The New Arab Weekly to answer, then drop us an email at podcast@newarab.com. 

You can subscribe to the show on Apple, Spotify, Google, and wherever else you get your podcasts. 

This podcast is hosted and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

To get in touch with the producer, follow, then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While The New Arab Voice is on a break, we giving you the latest episode of The New Arab Weekly podcast.

Don't forget to subscribe to get notified when a new episode drops.

The New Arab Weekly on Apple

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The New Arab Weekly on Google and everywhere else...

This week on The New Arab Weekly podcast, we discuss the recent massacre in Rafah and Israel's ongoing assault of the south Gaza, the fresh call by the International Court of Justice for a ceasefire, the unclear red lines of the US, and the recent deadly clashes on the Egypt-Gaza border between Israeli and Egyptian forces. 

Joining us, we have The New Arab's Investigations Editor Andrea Glioti (@andreaglioti) and Senior Journalist and Editor Nadda Osman (@naddaxosman).

Picks of the Week

Israel banned Al Jazeera so it can have free rein in Rafah. The media coverage of the tent massacre proves it

How UN aid in Syria is increasingly going to regime cronies

Strict separation is not the answer for Palestine and Israel

If you have any burning questions that you'd like the team at The New Arab Weekly to answer, then drop us an email at podcast@newarab.com. 

You can subscribe to the show on Apple, Spotify, Google, and wherever else you get your podcasts. 

This podcast is hosted and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

To get in touch with the producer, follow, then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The New Arab Voice podcast is back.

This week we're looking at the fallout from the recent killings of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr.

Since the killings, tensions have increased, prompting a number of asking if the war will spread and engulf Lebanon and even Iran. 

Will violence increase and spread across the region? Will Iran and Hezbollah retaliate? Will Israel launch an attack? Who are the people trying to pull the region back from a wider conflict? And can a ceasefire for Gaza be secured, and will it be enough to calm tensions in the region?

Joining us, we have Khalil E. Jahshan (@KhalilEJahshan) is a Palestinian American political analyst and Executive Director of Arab Center Washington DC (@ArabCenterWDC). Also Dr. Nimrod Goren (@GorenNimrod), the Senior Fellow for Israeli Affairs at the Middle East Institute (@MiddleEastInst).

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice podcast we're looking at the recent troubles surrounding the Central Bank of Libya. 

In August, gunman surrounded the Central Bank in Tripoli, forcing the bank's governor, Sadiq al-Kabir, to flee the country, fearing for his safety. Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh was seen as the architect of the efforts to remove the governor.

In response to the events at the Central Bank, eastern forces shut down the country's lucrative oil fields, sending output plummeting and threatening the vital oil revenues. 

Why is Dbeibeh seeking control of the bank? What does it mean for the country's oilfields to be shutdown, and how will it impact the economy? What can the interim Governor of the Central Bank do, and will anyone listen to him? And is there a path to stability?

Joining us to talk Libya, the Central Bank, and oil revenues, we have Jalel Harchaoui (@JMJalel_H),  Associate Fellow with the Royal United Services Institute (@RUSI_org) in London specialising in North Africa, with a specific focus on Libya; and Tarek Megerisi (@Tmegrisi), a senior policy fellow with the Middle East and North Africa programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations (@ecfr).

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice podcast, we look at the potential for a normalisation deal between Syria and Turkey. 

In recent years, Syria has been welcomed back into the regional fold, and yet Damascus has still not normalised with Ankara, and Turkish troops remain on Syrian soil. 

We look at the possibility of Turkish forces leaving Syria, what it means for the Syrian opposition supported by Turkey, what it means for Kurdish areas in Syria's north east, and what a possible deal for the millions of refugees living in Turkey. 

Joining us, we have Joseph Daher (@JosephDaher19), a professor at Lausanne University, Switzerland, and the author of Hezbollah: The Political Economy of the Party of God. Also, Pinar Dost (@pdosting) nonresident fellow and the former deputy director of the Atlantic Council’s Turkey Program, and author of The Good Dictator – The Image of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in France (1919-1938).

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It has been one year since the start of the war in Gaza.

What started with an appalling crime was repaid with further crimes and relentless tragedy.

This week on The New Arab Voice podcast, on the anniversary of the start of the war in Gaza, we look at three aspects: health, justice, and future.

What is state of healthcare in Gaza? How much aid is getting in? What disease are spreading? What toll has 12 months of brutal conflict had on people's mental health?

What is the state of the international criminal case against the leaders of Hamas and Israel? What is the timeline for international litigation? Can Israel be protected by its allies? Is the ICC still a deterrent?

What will the 'day after' in Gaza look like? Who will pay for the reconstruction, and will the situation every be suitable for reconstruction? And who will govern Gaza in the future.

Joining us to look back over the past 12 months and the future ahead, we have three guests.

Dr. Yara Asi (@Yara_M_Asi), Assistant Professor in Global Health Management and Informatics at the University of Central Florida, co-director of the Palestine Program for Health and Human Rights, and author of How War Kills : The Overlooked Threats to Our Health. 

Haydée Dijkstal (@dijkstal), Barrister at 33 Bedford Row Chambers (@33BedfordRow), Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council - Strategic Litigation Project (@AtlanticCouncil), and instructed as counsel for the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) in London (@ICJPalestine).

Nathan Brown, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at George Washington University and non-resident senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (@CarnegieEndow).

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Women in Afghanistan continue to be suppressed and marginalised by the Taliban government, with a steady stream of new laws and edicts, dictating what they can and can't do.

This has alarmed and shocked human rights defenders in Afghanistan, and across the world. Also expressing their outrage are governments around the world.

And yet, many are still trying to find a way through that would allow them to do business with the Taliban, and condemn human rights violations.

This week on The New Arab Voice podcast, we look at how the international community should approach the Taliban. Engage or disengage? How can they be pressured to reverse the draconian measures against women? And how can the Taliban authorities be held accountable for their human rights atrocities without penalising the population?

We're joined by Kate Clark (@KateClark66), co-director of Afghanistan Analysts Network (@AANafgh), Zahra Nader (@ZahraYusufi), Afghan journalist and editor-in-chief of Zan Times (@ZanTimes), based in North America, and Shaharzad Akbar (@ShaharzadAkbar), director of civil society group Rawadari (@rawadari_org), human rights activist and Academy Fellow at Chatham House (@ChathamHouse).

This podcast is written and produced by Rosabel Crean (@CreanRosabel), with additional help from Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice podcast we look at the escalating conflict in Lebanon.

In recent months Israeli airstrikes have ramped up, targeting Hezbollah's military stores, infrastructure, and its leadership. Additionally, Israeli troops have crossed the border and are confronting Hezbollah on the ground. 

Efforts are now ramping up to bring about a ceasefire, but nothing has been agreed yet, and it is still unclear what the terms of the deal would be. Also up for discussion is the state of Hezbollah as an armed group.

How is Lebanon coping with the rising violence and the ever growing risks? Is this the end of Hezbollah? And can a deal be done so that Lebanon avoid the same fate that Israel has imposed on Gaza?

Joining us, we speak with Yazan al-Saadi, The New Arab's International Editor, based in Beirut. Also, David Daoud (@DavidADaoud),  senior fellow at The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (@FDD), focused on Lebanon and Hezbollah. And Charles Dunne (@CharlesWDunne), Adjunct Professor at the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University (@ElliottSchoolGW) and non-resident fellow at the Arab Center Washington D.C. (@ArabCenterWDC). 

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Donald Trump won a resounding mandate at the start of November, and he will return to the White House in January. 

This week on The New Arab Voice podcast we look at how a new Trump administration might approach the Middle East, what will they want to achieve, and how will the region’s governments deal with Trump this time round.

Can Trump end the ongoing war in Gaza? Will the Abraham Accord negotiations be restarted, and will Trump be able to get Saudi Arabia on board? And what will happen with Iran? Can a deal be done, or will it be a return to a campaign of maximum pressure?

We speak with Brian Katulis (@Katulis), a Senior Fellow for US Foreign Policy at the Middle East Institute (@MiddleEastInst), and Imad K. Harb (@Harb3Imad), the Director of Research and Analysis at Arab Center Washington DC (@ArabCenterWDC).

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2024 is coming to an end and The New Arab Voice is bringing you our annual round up of the year's biggest stories from the Middle East and North Africa. 

We gathered a host of journalists and editors to look at the conflict, tragedies, confrontations, elections, and shocks that made the year so memorable. 

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge).

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2024 is coming to an end and The New Arab Voice is bringing you our annual round up of the year's biggest stories from the Middle East and North Africa. 

We gathered a host of journalists and editors to look at the conflict, tragedies, confrontations, elections, and shocks that made the year so memorable. 

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge).

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A ceasefire has finally been agreed between Israel and Hamas. 

The news came as a great relief to the people of Gaza, but many questions regarding the deal still remain.

This week on The New Arab Voice podcast we look at the details of the ceasefire deal. When will Israeli forces leave Gaza, what are the terms of the prisoner swaps, and what does it say about reconstruction. 

Additionally, we explore why the ceasefire deal was agreed now and not six months ago, what does the future hold for Hamas in Gaza, can Netanyahu continue as prime minister now that a deal has been done, who will pay for the reconstruction efforts, and what does the political horizon in Gaza look like.

To discuss the ceasefire deal and what it means for Gaza, we speak with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib (@afalkhatib), a resident senior fellow at the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council (@AtlanticCouncil).

And to lead us through what the deal means for Israel, we speak with Nimrod Goren (@GorenNimrod), President and Founder of The Mitvim Institute (@Mitvim), a foreign policy think tank.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge).

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lebanon finally has a new president. 

After an over two year wait, Joseph Aoun was chosen to be the new President of Lebanon, with a healthy majority of the votes in parliament .

Aoun, who is also the commander-in-chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces comes into office with a bulging in tray of problems to sort out. 

This week on The New Arab Voice podcast, we examine what Aoun's priorities will and what are the challenges that he will have to face? Can Aoun bring stability to the Israel/Lebanon border? And following their war with Israel, where does Hezbollah stand in this new phase of Lebanon’s history. 

Joining us to discuss the new president is Paul Salem (@paul_salem), the Vice President for international Engagement at the Middle East Institute (@MiddleEastInst).

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge).

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Assad regime has gone. 

After 14 years of war, and 54 years of one family's rule, Syria is now stepping into a new period of its history. 

Led by the transitional government of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, Syria will now have to build a new state and hopefully create a path to a new constitution and free and fair elections. 

Joining us to help us explain the problems facing this new Syria, we speak with Joseph Daher (@JosephDaher19),  Syrian academic and expert on the political economy of the Middle East and Syria, and author of the book Syria after the Uprisings:The Political Economy of State Resilience.

Also, Natasha Hall (@NatashaHallDC), a senior fellow with the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic International Studies (@CSISMidEast).

And to help us understand the economic problems in the country, we speak with Jihad Yazigi (@jihadyazigi), economist and editor-in-chief of economics publication The Syria Report (@TheSyriaReport).

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge).

Theme music by Omar al-Fil with additional music from Audio Network.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the return of President Donald Trump, we also saw the return of the 'maximum pressure' campaign. 

The maximum pressure campaign was the hallmark of Trump's Iran foreign policy during his first term, and took the form of a raft of sanctions, which targeted individuals and the country's economy. 

This week on The New Arab Voice podcast, we look at what the return of Trump means for Iran, if the regime can survive four more years of Trump, and what the Iranian regime is doing to mitigate and circumvent the sanctions.

To help us navigate Iran and the maximum pressure sanctions, we speak with Alex Vatanka (@AlexVatanka), a Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute (@MiddleEastInst), specialising in Iran, and the author of The Battle of the Ayatollahs in Iran: The United States, Foreign Policy, and Political Rivalry since 1979. 

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge).

Theme music by Omar al-Fil with additional music from Audio Network.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Sanaa Kamal is a freelance journalist, who was born and raised in Gaza.

She has lived through a series of wars in Gaza, but nothing like the war that followed the Hamas-led attacks of October 7th.

In this five-part podcast from The New Arab in London, Sanaa tells her story. From the first day of the war, escaping her home, and narrowly avoiding attacks, to finding a way for her and her family survive as the bombs continued to rain down and the food began to run out, to trying to continue her work as a journalist, and report on a tragedy that was tearing her life apart.

Producer: Hugo Goodridge.

To get in touch with the producers, follow us on social media at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is episode one of Sanaa's Odyssey; a brand new series from The New Arab.

You can subscribe to Sanaa's Odyssey on Apple, Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcasts.

The war in Gaza began on October 7th 2023.

Sanaa Kamal watched it happen from her balcony as she drank her morning coffee. That day would be the start of a nightmare for her and her family.

On this episode of Sanaa's Odyssey, Palestinian freelance journalist Sanaa Kamal tells us what it was like in Gaza when the war began. The rockets being fired from Gaza, as part of the Hamas-led attack, when the Israeli bombs started falling, the first time she was forcibly displaced from her home, and the memories and belongings that she left behind.

Sanaa's Odyssey is a new five-part series from The New Arab in London, about one women's tale of survival, her work as a journalist in the most dangerous reporting environment in the world, and her desperate attempt to keep her family together, in the face of a brutal Israeli onslaught.

Sanaa's Odyssey is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge.

You can follow The New Arab's podcast on X, and email us podcast@newarab.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is episode 2 of Sanaa's Odyssey, a brand new series from The New Arab.

You can subscribe to Sanaa's Odyssey on all podcast platforms.

On episode two of Sanaa's Odyssey, we follow Palestinian freelance journalist Sanaa Kamal as her and her family try to survive the war in the Gaza.

Sanaa was forced from her home in the early days of the war, but this was just the start of her struggles. She needed a new place for to stay, and avoid the constant Israeli bombardments. It was an almost impossible task.

Every day was a struggle. It was a struggle to find somewhere safe. It was a struggle to find food to eat. It was a struggle to keep moving and holding any sort of hope. And as she struggled to stay alive, thousands of people, including those who she knew and loved, were being killed.

Sanaa's Odyssey is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge.

You can follow The New Arab's podcast on X, and email us podcast@newarab.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode of The New Arab Voice we explore the search for post-conflict justice, and examine what the conviction of Anwar Raslan means for the victims of Syrian war crimes, what mechanisms are currently being used to secure justice, and what could be used in the future.

We speak with international human rights barrister from Guernica37 (@Guernica37Group) Toby Cadman (@tobycadman), Kristyan Benedict (@KreaseChan) from Amnesty International, and Naya Skaf from the podcast Branch 251 (@Branch_251).

And then Rosie McCabe looks at the poetry of Rumi and his rumination on love, with guests Alan Williams and Melody Moezzi.

Alan Williams is a professor of Iranian Studies in the Department of Religions and Theology at the University of Manchester.  He has been translating the Masnavi of Rumi into English for the last umpteen years.

Melody Moezzi is a writer, speaker, activist, attorney and award-winning author. She teaches for the University of Iowa’s esteemed International Writing Program (IWP). Iowa’s IWP program is currently accepting applications from youth in the Middle East and North Africa (ages 15-18) for their “Between the Lines” summer programs. You can learn more and apply to the sessions here. 

This podcast is produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge) and Rosie McCabe (@RosieMcCabe3). Music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). 

Other music by by Blue Dot Sessions

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode of The New Arab Voice, we examine the Algerian Hirak, three years on from the first protests. Where did it succeed? Where did it fail? And what does the future hold for the pro-democracy movement?

Featuring interviews with Andrew Farrand (@AndrewFarrand), author of The Algerian Dream, Zine Ghebouli (@GheZinou) from the University of Glasgow, and Salsabil Chellali (@SaChellali), researcher at Human Rights Watch. 

And then, we're joined by Benjamin Ashraf to discuss the film Bringing Assad to Justice, which recently had its London premier. Also featuring comment from the film's director Ronan Tynan (@RonanLTynan)

This podcast is produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge) and Rosie McCabe (@RosieMcCabe3). Music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). 

Other music by by Blue Dot Sessions

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we explore the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, the impact that it is having in the Middle East. We examine how Middle Eastern countries have responded to the crisis and how relations with the likes of Russia and Ukraine have been shaped by events. 

Featuring interviews with , Inna Melnykovska from the Central European University (@ceu) Gerald M. Feierstein from the Middle East Institute (@MiddleEastInst), Murat Aslan (@dr_murat_aslan), Steven A. Cook (@stevenacook), and Ruslan Trad (@ruslantrad).

And then, we speak with Mona Iskander (@monaisk2010), a founding board member of the Arab and Middle East Journalist Association (@AMEJA), about the Western coverage of the war in Ukraine, and some of the unhelpful comparisons made to conflicts in the Middle East.

This podcast is produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge) and Rosie McCabe (@RosieMcCabe3). Music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). 

Other music by by Blue Dot Sessions

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this weeks episode of The New Arab Voice, we the Israeli response to Amnesty International’s apartheid report, and how they are using the internet to spread accusations and misinformation. And also speak with the pro-Palestine activists threatened by accusations of anti-semitism. Featuring interviews with Kristyan Benedict (@KreaseChan), Marc Owen Jones (@marcowenjones), and Shahd Abusalama (@ShahdAbusalama). 

And then, Lyse Mauvais (@lyse_mauvais) dives into the rock climbing scene in Jordan and the country’s first domestically produced climbing guide.

This podcast is produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we explore the growing trend of cooperation between Arab states and the Chinese government in the persecution of Uyghur Muslims.

Why are Arab states cooperating with the Chinese government in the persecution of Uyghur Muslims? What form does this cooperation take? And what can be done to protect Uyghur Muslims?

Featuring interview with Bradley Jardine (@Jardine_bradley), Research Director at the The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs (@OxusSociety), and Uyghur activists and linguist Abduweli Ayup (@AbduwelA).

And then we speak with Mona Mansour (@MonaMansourNY) about her new play The Vagrant Trilogy, which opens at The Public Theater (@PublicTheaterNY) in New York on April 8th.  Ticket information here. 

This podcast is produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello!

No new episode this week, but we do have some exciting news.

Starting from April 22nd, 2022, The New Arab Voice will be publishing episodes weekly.

Rate and review on Apple podcasts, and don't forget to follow us.

https://twitter.com/TheNewArabVoice
https://www.instagram.com/thenewarabvoice/ 

This podcast is produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode of The New Arab Voice, we sit down with Anoosheh Ashoori.

British-Iranian Anoosheh was arrested in Tehran in 2017. He was accused of espionage and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

It was widely agreed that Anoosheh, with other dual nationals, was being held hostage by Iran, who were demanding that the British government return the money that was paid to them for tanks, prior to the 1979 Iranian revolution.

During his time in prison he helped to form a poetry society. The inmates would recite poems and would also write their own about their experiences inside the prison, and how they longed for the outside.

Other classes soon started up. Anoosheh called it Evin University.

We spoke with Anoosheh about Evin University, his experiences inside, and the response of the British government.

If you enjoyed this episode, please don't forget to rate and review.  

This podcast is produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge) and Rosie McCabe (@RosieMcCabe3). Music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we examine the recent developments in the war in Yemen. 

On 19 April, Yemen's new leaders took a ceremonial oath of office under tight security, completing a major shake-up aimed at ending seven years of war with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Earlier in the month, a UN-brokered ceasefire gave the embattled citizens of the Gulf state a respite from years of intense and deadly fighting.

We explore if these two events could pave the way for peace in Yemen. Can the internationally recognised government form a unified military front? Are the Houthis using the pause to regroup and prepare for another offensive? Why do Saudi Arabia and the UAE want to exit the conflict? And, if a peace settlement can be reached, will the desperate population be provided with much needed aid. 

Featuring interviews with Abdulghani Al-Iryani (@AbdulGhani1959), a senior researcher at the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies (@SanaaCenter). Previously he worked with the United Nations in the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen; and Baraa Shiban (@BShtwtr), a MENA caseworker with the human rights group Reprieve, a Yemeni researcher and analyst, and former member of the Yemeni National Dialogue Conference.

If you enjoyed this episode, please don't forget to rate and review. 

This podcast is produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we explore the difficulties of reconstructing in Gaza following Israeli attacks. 

One year ago, Israel launched a devastating attack on the narrow strip, killing hundreds and injuring hundreds more. Additionally, thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed or badly damaged. 

When the ceasefire was reached, those who  lost homes or businesses were unable to rebuild, due to the Israeli blockade of Gaza. 

The blockade was put in place by Israel in 2007, and since then has been described as collective punishment and a breach of international law. 

How can residents of Gaza rebuild their lives, while living behind the blockade? What can international powers do to help lift the blockade and ensure reconstruction? Where is all the money that has been pledged by donors? Could Fatah in the occupied West Bank help lift the blockade?

We speak with Najla Shawa (@WhateverInGaza). A resident of Gaza and a food security and livelihoods manager for the charity Oxfam. And Yara Asi (@Yara_M_Asi). Assistant professor and Global Health Management and Informatics at the University of Central Florida and a visiting scholar at the FSB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University.

This podcast is produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Any hopes that the Taliban in Afghanistan had softened in their hardline attitudes were quickly dispelled when, on 23 March, 2022, they announced that girls would not be permitted to attend school. 

The sudden u-turn by the Islamist group was a devastating blow to the thousands of young girls who had hoped they would be given their fundamental right to attend school and secure a vital education. 

Today, almost 80 percent of girls in Afghanistan are out of education. 

Following the ban, the Taliban gave no real justification, only saying that the education of girls must be according to "Islamic principles".

On this week's episode of The New Arab Voice, we explore the Taliban's ban on educating girls. 

Why did the Taliban make a sudden policy u-turn? How has the education ban affected young girls in Afghanistan? What can be done to get girls back in classroom? And how can the international community work with the Taliban, without giving the hardline group financial support?

Featuring interviews with Heather Barr (@heatherbarr1), associate director of the Women's Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, and Weeda Mehran (@WeedaMehran), Afghan lecturer at the University of Exeter with expertises in conflict prevention and peace in Afghanistan.

This podcast is written and produced by Rosie McCabe (@RosieMcCabe3). The executive producer is Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Theme music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lebanon held parliamentary elections on 15 May, and saw a raft of new independent candidates secure seats, in addition to Hezbollah losing its parliamentary majority. 

On this week's episode of The New Arab Voice, we explore the results of the recent vote, and what it means for Lebanon. Can the new independent members of parliament bring about change in the country? What does the loss for Hezbollah mean for the traditionally strong party? What are the prospects for Lebanon now securing a financing deal with the International Monetary Fund?

We speak with Randa Slim (@rmslim), Senior Fellow & Director of Conflict Resolution & Track II Dialogues Program at the Middle East Institute, and Karim Bitar (@karimbitar), Professor of International Relations at University Saint Jospeh and cofounder of Kulluna Irada, an advocacy group for political reform. 

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Theme music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode of The New Arab Voice, we're remembering the life of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.

The renowned Al Jazeera journalist was shot dead as Israeli forces stormed the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. It quickly became apparent that Shireen had been killed by Israel, and her name was added to the long list of other Palestinian journalists who have been killed by Israel.

Her years of diligent work earned the respect of both other journalists and Palestinians.

This week, we speak with two of Shireen's close friends and colleagues. Dailia Hatuqa (@DaliaHatuqa) and Nour Odeh (@nour_odeh) worked with Shireen and shared with us their memories of the intrepid journalist, and assess the impact that her work had on Palestine.

We also speak with Justin Shilad (@JShilad) from the Committee to Protect Journalists (@pressfreedom) about what the killing of Shireen means for press freedoms in Palestine, and what can be done to protect press freedoms in the face of Israeli occupation. 

And then, we have the first of a two part report from Lyse Muvais (@lyse_mauvais).

Six months ago, 27 migrants drowned in the English Channel, attempting the dangerous crossing. Today, migrants are still trying to make the journey, and some are still dying. 

Lyse has been on the French border in Calais, speaking with the activists who are working tirelessly to document the details and numbers of migrants who died trying to reach the UK. 

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Theme music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the week that Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating 70 years on the throne, The New Arab Voice is looking at monarchies in the Middle East and North Africa. 

Of the ten surviving ruling monarchies that exist around the world, eight of them can be found in the Middle East and North Africa. While some have the vestiges of democratic institutions, they all have a monarch at the top who wields immense power and influence. 

On this week's episode, we examine the characteristics of an Arab monarchy, what strategies do they employ to justify and continue their rule, how have they remained in power for so long, and what does the future hold for them?

We speak with Sean Yom (@YomSean), associate professor in political science at Temple University in Philadelphia and a senior fellow at the Project on Middle East Democracy in Washington.

And then, we go back to Calais with Lyse Mauvais (@lyse_mauvais) for the second part of her special report from the French coast. 

This week, Lyse speaks with the people behind the Calais Border Broadcast (CBB).

The CBB is a community radio station, run by and for migrants living in northern France. It provides advice and comfort to those who are hoping to secure safety and stability.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Theme music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Turkey is planning a new military operation in northern Syria. 

President Erdogan has said the incursion is intended to combat PKK/YPG “terrorists” and will facilitate the “voluntary” transfer of Syrian refugees back to their homeland. 

At the same time, Ankara has blocked Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership bids on grounds that the Nordic states provide support to the outlawed Kurdish militants. 

As Russia is distracted by the invasion of Ukraine and America is bogged down by the tranche of sanctions imposed on Moscow, Erdogan, it seems, is seizing a window of opportunity to advance Turkish interests in its war-torn neighbour and across the world. 

In this week’s episode of The New Arab Voice, we explore Erdogan’s rationale for launching a new military incursion in Syria and examine what impact this operation will have on the Turkish electorate, Syrian refugees and the Kurds. 

We speak with foreign policy experts Steven Cook (@stevenacook), based in Washington, and Ömer Özkizilcik (@OmerOzkizilcik), based in Ankara, about Turkey’s proposed incursion. We also discuss the fate of the Kurds in Syria and Iraq with freelance reporter Dana Taib Menmy (@danataibmenmy). 

This podcast is written and produced by Rosie McCabe (@RosieMcCabe3). Theme music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The New Arab Voice is back for a new season!

On our first episode of season four, we're exploring the recent diplomatic visits of Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), and looking ahead to the upcoming visit by US President Joe Biden to the Gulf nation. 

Earlier in June, MbS visited Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and Turkey, where a host of new deals were struck and steps were taken to get relations that had previously taken a hit, back on track. 

Perhaps the most notable visit by the Crown Prince was his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The trip marked an end to the international isolation he had experienced, following the murder of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. 

Why was it necessary for the Saudi Crown Prince to make the diplomatic regional tour? What does it mean for the kingdom’s regional relations? Has the Arab and Islamic world moved past recent nefarious actions attributed to MbS? And are we going to see a new chapter in Saudi-US relations. 

We speak with Ömer Özkizilcik (@OmerOzkizilcik), a foreign policy and security analyst based in the Turkish capital, Ankara, and with Gerald M. Feierstein, Senior Vice President of the Middle East Institute (@MiddleEastInst) and the former US Ambassador to Yemen, under President Obama.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Theme music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Motivated by the recent killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in occupied Palestine and what many have described as double standards in international media narratives on Ukraine versus the Middle East, The New Arab's States of Journalism series is a sustained, ongoing exploration of freedom, repression, and accountability in MENA and beyond, in global media landscapes.

On this week's episode of The New Arab Voice, we're examine two stories from the Middle East and the ongoing struggle to secure press freedoms.

First we explore the rise and repression of citizen journalists in Egypt. 

When the uprisings against President Hosni Mubarak began, numerous activists took it upon themselves to document the violations being committed, report on the changing landscape of the country, and the issues that mattered most to Egyptians. 

Since the overthrow of the president, online space and the abilities of citizen journalists have been severely repressed by the government of President Sisi. 

We spoke with Dr. Courtney Radsch (@courtneyr), a journalist and a fellow at the UCLA Institute for Technology Law and Policy. Courtney focuses on the intersection of technology, media, and rights, and is the author of Cyberactivism and Citizen Journalism in Egypt: Digital Dissidence and Political Change.

Secondly, we examined the changes to press freedoms seen in Tunisia. 

The uprisings in Tunisia, and what followed after, were often held up as an example for the rest of the Arab world to follow. But, in the intervening years, the north African country has taken worrying steps back to a one-man rule system. 

Amid the political changes and uncertainty, Fadil Aliriza (@FadilAliriza) founded Meshkal (@meshkaltn), an online independent news outlet.

We spoke with Fadil about Meshkal, the challenges they have faced, the changing media landscape in Tunisia, and what the future may hold for press freedoms in the country. 

You can purchase Dr. Courtney Radsch's book here. 

You can support Meshkal via their Pateron page. 

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Theme music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel).

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin travelled to Tehran for meetings with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we're exploring the relations between Russia and Iran. 

What is the current state of relations between the two countries? How has the Russian invasion of Ukraine affected the relationship? Are Russia and Iran now competitors in the black market for oil? Will Iran provide Russia with its domestically produced military drones. 

This week, we speak with Sanam Vakil (@SanamVakil), Deputy Head & Senior Research Fellow at the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House (@CH_MENAP), and Hamidreza Azizi (@HamidRezaAz), CATS Fellow at the German Institute for International Security Affairs, focusing on Iranian foreign policy. 

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Theme music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel).

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we're kicking off a new three-part special that's diving deep into Lebanon. 

The past few years have been transformational for the small Mediterranean country. The citizens of Lebanon have been pushed to its limits by a series of crises. 

In part one, we look back at the uprisings of October 2019 and the central bank's Ponzi scheme that brought the country's economy to its knees.

Protesters took to the streets in 2019 as Lebanon's economy started to crumble and the government attempted to pass on the financial strain to the people. We explore the attempts by protesters to move away from the traditional political and sectarian structures that had ruled the country, and examine why the movement ultimately failed. 

When the protests ended, the economy went into a complete meltdown, destroying the savings that people had spent their lives working for and slashing the value of the Lebanese lira to the bone. 

We examine the Ponzi scheme that caused so much damage, the people who profited from the corrupt system, and how it affected the lives of everyday citizens. 

In this episode, we speak with Ronnie Chatah, host of the podcast The Beirut Banyan (@thebeirutbanyan), Lebanese journalist Faten Jebai (@faten_jebai), The New Arab's International Editor Yazan al-Saadi, and Dina Abu Zour, a lawyer with the Lebanon's Depositors Union.

This podcast is written by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge) and Will Christou (@will_christou). This episode was produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel).

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lebanon marked the second anniversary of the Beirut port blast on 4 August.

The blast was a devastating tragedy for the city and the country. It left at least 231 people dead, over 7,000 injured, and over 300,000 homeless. The port blast left a permanent scar on the capital city. 

For the latest episode of The New Arab Voice, and part two of our three-part special on Lebanon, we look back at the deadly blast and the investigation that followed.

What happened on that fateful day? How did the authorities respond? How was the city and its people affected? Who is investigating this crime? Are those responsible being held accountable and what does the future hold?

For this episode we speak with Sarah Copland (@sas_yvonne), who was living in Beirut at the time, Aya Majzoub (@Aya_Majzoub), another resident of the city and the Lebanon and Bahrain Researcher at Human Rights Watch (@hrw), and Ghida Frangieh (@Ghidaf), a Lebanese lawyer and researcher, and member of Legal Agenda (@Legal_Agenda).

This podcast is written by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge) and Will Christou (@will_christou). This episode was produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel).

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final part of our three-part special on Lebanon, we're examining the stagnant nature of Lebanon. 

Lebanon's recent history has pushed the country to the limit and left it crippled and uncertain. Today, Lebanese citizens remain unsure about what the future may hold for them. Can the country be rescued from its economic problems? Will a new raft of independent MPs be able to implement political change? Can the judiciary  every be reformed?

On the latest episode of The New Arab Voice, we speak with Yasser Farej, the Programme Manager at the Lebanese NGO Learning Through Action, and also Ali al-Mays, a school teacher who also volunteers for Yasser. We also speak with Najat Aoun Saliba (@najat_saliba), one of the 13 reform MPs who were elected this year, and Samer Makarem (@samermakarem),  a Lebanese political activist with the reformist party Mintishreen.

You can listen to part one and part two of this special series, wherever you get your podcasts.

This podcast is written by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge) and Will Christou (@will_christou). This episode was produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel).

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Six months have passed since Russia invaded Ukraine. 

The war has significantly disrupted global food chains, cutting off vital supplies of wheat, corn and other goods to communities across the Middle East.

Already dealing with currency crises, climate change and Covid-19, MENA communities are now contending with recording breaking price inflation and growing food insecurity. 

In this increasingly tense political and economic environment, what are the solutions to the looming food catastrophe in the Middle East? 

How can governments within the region ensure help reaches those needing it most, and what role must the international community play? 

This week, we speak with Patrick Mardini, CEO of the Lebanese Institute for Market Studies, and Nicole Robinson (@NRobinson1297) from the Heritage Foundation about the Middle East’s dependency on exports from Russia and Ukraine. 

The World Food Programme’s County Director in Egypt, Praveen Agrawal (@Agrawal_P_K), also features in the episode, discussing the recent UN-brokered deal between Russia, Ukraine and Turkey to unlock grain shipments from the Black Sea. 

This podcast is written and produced by Rosie McCabe (@RosieMcCabe3) with help from Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A recent US drone strike, in the heart of the Afghan capital of Kabul, killed the head of Al-Qaeda. 

Ayman al-Zawahiri had led the group since 2011, following the death of Osama bin Laden, and during that time the jihadist terror organisation underwent a number of significant changes. Some changes were by choice, others were forced upon them. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we examine what the killing of Ayman al-Zawahiri means for Al-Qaeda, and how significant is it that he killed in Kabul. We explore the ties between Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, and why they remain connected, and how Western counterterrorism efforts could deal with this relationship. 

We also give you the lowdown on who might step up to the big seat and lead Al-Qaeda into the future. 

On this episode, we speak with Javid Ahmed (@ahmadjavid), senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s (@AtlanticCouncil) South Asia Center, and Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister), senior fellow at the Middle East Institute (@MiddleEastInst) and director of Syria (@MEI_Syria) and Counterterrorism (@MEI_CTE) programmes.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a long selection process, Liz Truss was chosen by members of the UK Conservative Party to replace Boris Johnson as leader of the party and Prime Minister. 

The new Prime Minister will have a heavy workload, and a raft of urgent decision that need to be made.

Truss will also have to decide how her new government approaches and engages with the Middle East and North Africa.

On this week's episode of The New Arab Voice, we explore the UK's relationship and engagement with the Middle East. Has the UK ever had a positive impact in the region? Who are the UK allies? Does the UK need the Middle East to ensure national prosperity? What are the UK's priorities in the region?

To help us, we were joined by Christopher Phillips (@cjophillips), Professor of International Relations at Queen Mary University of London (@QMUL), and one of the editors of What Next for Britain in the Middle East?

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, Google workers took to the streets to protest against their own company. 

In New York City, San Francisco, Durham, and Seattle they protested against Google, the tech giant's collaboration with Israel, and Project Nimbus. 

Project Nimbus is part of $1.2 billion contract between Israel, Amazon, and Google, to provide cloud computing services to the Israeli government, and it's feared that with this technology, Israel's intense surveillance and persecution of the Palestinian people will be rapidly increased and expanded. 

The San Francisco protest last week was led by Ariel Koren. Ariel is a former worker at Google and left the company in August, after publicly speaking out against Project Nimbus. Ariel maintains that she was forced from her job by Google, because of her activism.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we speak with Ariel Koren (@ariel_koko) about her experience at Google and her efforts to raise the alarm about Project Nimbus. We also spoke with  Nadim Nashif (@NadimNashif), the founder and director of Palestinian NGO 7amleh (@7amleh) about the digital weapons being used by Israel against Palestinians. 

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

4Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, the Palestinian group Hamas announced  that they would reconcile with the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad.

The announcement marks a change in the policy of the Palestinian group, who in 2012 offered support to the Syrian rebels that were seeking to throw Assad from office. 

Since then, Assad has re-established, with Russian and Iranian help, some sort of control over Syria, and secured his future. To reach this point, approximately half a million Syrian died, and tens of thousands were thrown in the regime prisons. 

The recent announcement by Hamas, followed similar moves by Turkey. 

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu called on the Syrian opposition to normalise with the Assad regime, sparking anger and consternation among Syrian groups in the north of the country. 

This week on The New Arab Voice we asking why are the likes of Hamas and Turkey moving back to Syria and what does this mean for the revolution and those that continue to struggle for a life free from cruel and barbaric control.

We're also looking at a different form of normalisation: the travel bloggers have secured Syrian regime sponsored  visas, and have produced videos that are normalising the idea of a Syria ruled over by the brutal Assad regime. 

On this episode, we speak with Joseph Daher (@JosephDaher19), academic and researcher at the European University Institute (@EUI_EU) and the author of Syria After the Uprisings: The Political Economy of State Resilience; and with Ayman Abdel Nour (@aabnour) the founder of the Syrian Christians’ Initiative for Rights and Dialogue.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini has sparked mass protests across Iran. 

In at least 86 towns and cities, people - from different classes, backgrounds, and genders - have taken to the streets. 

Demands for accountability after Mahsa’s brutal death, which occurred while she was in the custody of the so-called morality police, have morphed into a wider challenge to the Iranian state. 

Despite the use of disproportionate force and live ammunition by authorities, the protesters are not backing down - risking their lives for the hope of a better future. 

This week on The New Arab Voice looks at Mahsa's brutal killing and why this has struck a chord with thousands of Iranians. Is this Iran’s tipping point? Can the Islamic Republic ever go back to the way it was? 

This episode features Sussan Tahmasebi (@sussantweets), director of FEMENA, an organisation which supports women’s organisations in the MENA region; Sanam Naraghi Anderlini MBE (@sanambna), Founder and CEO of International Civil Action Network ICAN and Hadi Ghaemi (@hadighaemi), executive director of the Centre for Human Rights in Iran. 

This podcast is written and produced by Rosie McCabe with help from  Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The New Arab Voice is back!

For our fifth season, we're starting with a look at the recent upheaval witnessed in US-Saudi relations. 

Saudi Arabia sparked the ire of the US earlier in October, when it was announced that OPEC+ would be cutting oil production by 2 million barrels a day. Such a move is sure to keep prices at the pumps high, and threaten the electoral chances of Democratic candidates at the upcoming midterm elections. 

In Washington there is also concern that the decision signals a Saudi shift towards Russia, and that any increase in the price of oil, could aid the invading nation with their war in Ukraine. 

Why have OPEC+ opted to cut productions? What does Saudi Arabia have to gain? Why is the US so angered by the production cut? Can Saudi Arabia really survive without US support?

On this week's episode, we speak with Imad K. Harb (@harb3imad), the Director of Research and Analysis at Arab Center Washington DC (@ArabCenterWDC), and Joanne Held Cummings (@PoJoCummings), Distinguished Senior Fellow on National Security at the Middle East Institute (@MiddleEastInst) and a retired Foreign Service Officer from the US Department of State.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we examining the fallout from the latest Israeli elections and the settler violence that blighted Palestinian communities in the West Bank over October. 

Israelis went to the polls on Tuesday to elect a new parliament, following the collapse of the Naftali Bennett government. Once the votes had been cast and countered, the country emerged to find that Benjamin Netanyahu had managed to pull himself back from political obscurity and secure another electoral win. 

His next term in office is set to be propped by far-right Israelis from the Religious Zionist Party. 

Netanyahu's choice of coalition partner has prompted fears that political violence and even ethnic cleansing could become genuine realities of his government. 

This political violence has already been witnessed during a particularly bloody month for the West Bank. 

Gang of Israeli settlers have embarked on a campaign of violence and destruction. This destructive wave has occurred under the watchful eye, and in many instances, with the support and help, of the Israeli army.

This week, we examine what the rise of the far-right means for Israel, what illegal settlers are doing in the West Bank, and what Netanyahu's next term in office might hold.

We speak with Issa Amro (@Issaamro), a  Palestinian activist based in Hebron, and the founder of the grassroots  group Youth Against Settlements. Also on this week's episode is Haggai Matar (@Ha_Matar), an Israeli journalist and the executive director of +972 Magazine (@972mag).

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, on The New Arab Voice we’re exploring what’s happening at Egypt’s COP27 and what this means for climate justice in the Middle East and North Africa. 

With the world’s attention on Sharm el-Sheikh, the episode unpicks the main points of discussion among delegates and activists; namely, climate financing and civic participation. 

It looks at the solutions presented to help developing nations tackle climate change and whether these solutions can be effective given systematic restrictions on civic spaces. 

We speak to a whole range of climate campaigners, including Dan Hodd, a violin-playing activist who decided to travel to COP27 without flying (aroundwithoutwings); Zeina Hajj, Head of Global Campaigning at 350.org (@zeinaalhajj), and Ahmed El Droubi, the Regional Campaigns Manager for Greenpeace MENA (@Greenpeace). 

We also reached out to researchers and activists who decided to boycott the conference. Achref Chibani, a non-resident fellow at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy and a regular contributor to the Arab Centre Washington DC (@ChibaniAchref), told us why COP27 can’t be legitimately viewed as an “African COP”. 

Finally, Richard Pearshouse from Human Rights Watch (@RPearshouse) is on the podcast discussing whether this event - given the widespread attention given to Egypt’s poor human rights record - could be a turning point when it comes to understanding the importance of civic society in a just green transition. 

This podcast is written and produced by Rosie McCabe with help from Lyse Mauvais and Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we have a special audio version of an investigation from The New Arab. 

In March 2022, a group of wild Namibian elephants landed in the UAE. The New Arab's investigation reveals that the sale serves only to simulate an African safari experience in Emirati zoos with no benefit for the animals and Namibian locals.

This investigation tracked the elephants, from the initial auction and sale, to their removal, and ultimate transfer to facilitates in the UAE, whose suitability has been questioned.

Along the way, the investigation team looked at the people involved in the transfer, the status of the elephants and the habitats from which they came, and how their removal might threaten the existence  of the species. 

You can read the investigation in full here. 

This podcast is by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we're examining the  takeover of Twitter by tech billionaire Elon Musk, and the implications that it will have on human rights. 

Elon Musk officially took control of Twitter on 27 October, and immediately started implementing changes. The biggest changes were related to staffing, that saw around half the company's employees sacked or resign.

The changes alarmed human rights defenders, who witnessed a spike in hate speech on the platform and raised concerns, that if Musk continued with his stated intentions, then the wildly popular platform might no longer be a safe place for those calling out abuses.

On this episode, we explore what Musk's changes mean for the platform, why human rights defenders are worried by Musk's stance on free speech, what international governments can do to prevent abuses, and what the future of the platform looks like. 

Joining us on this episode, we have Alia Al-Ghussain (@little_a91), a campaigner at Amnesty International (@AmnestyTech) working on big tech and human rights. and Imran Ahmed (@Imi_Ahmed) the founder & CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDHate).

This podcast is by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice were examining the ongoing protests in Iran and how they have developed, 77 days on from when they began. 

Since Iranians took to the streets, following the tragic murder of Mahsa Amini at the hands of Iran's morality police, protesters have demanded change and an end to the Islamic Republic. 

Their peaceful protesters have been met with bloody repression. The Iranian regime's security services have repeatedly beaten and opened fire on unarmed Iranians. Over 400 hundred have been reported as killed, but it believed that the true number is higher. 

During the recent protests, Iran's Kurdish community have borne the worst of the regime's revenge, including a massacre in city of Zahedan, which killed over 90 people.

As Iranian have been killed on the streets, the international community has condemned the violence, but so far has failed to formulate a cohesive and comprehension plan to help Iran secure a fair and representative democracy. 

On this episode of The New Arab Voice, we exploring how the protest movement has changed over the past 77 days, why the country's Kurdish communities are being targeted so heavily, what the international community is doing about the violence, and whether they could be doing more to help. 

Joining us this week is Dr. Allan Hassaniyan (@AllanHassaniyan), a lecturer in Middle East politics at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter (@UniofExeter), and Dokhi Fassihian (@DokhiFassihian) an expert on issues of human rights and democracy and a member of the Middle East Institute’s Iran Program Advisory Council (@MiddleEastInst).

You can sign up to our newsletter here.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice we’re looking at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

Middle Eastern and North African teams have made history during the tournament, causing major sporting upsets like Saudi Arabia’s win over Argentina and Morocco's victory against Belgium. 

While Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia didn’t progress to the knock-out stages, Morocco remains in the running for the coveted trophy - just three games away from footballing glory. 

During the tournament, we’ve witnessed a tidal wave of support from fans across the region, not just for their national teams but for fellow Arab and African nations. 

This pan-Arab solidarity has been expressed through mass celebrations inside and outside the stadiums, as well as the waving of the Palestinian flag. 

On the episode, The New Arab Voice speaks to Moroccan football fans Amine Hafed (@amine.elhafid) and Mehdi Merin (@yomehdi4reel) about their experiences after the Atlas Lions clinched a spot in the final eight. We asked them what lies behind this success and whether having a World Cup in the Middle East has made a difference for Arab teams on the pitch. 

Joining them are Algerian football journalist Maher Mezahi (@mezahimaher) and The New Arab’s Shahla Omar (@shahlasomar), who assess the football we’ve seen so far, displays of pan-Arab solidarity and give their predictions on what we’ll see happen next. 

Finally, we spoke to Emile Badarin, a Palestinian research fellow based at the College of Europe, Natolin Campus in Warsaw about the visibility of the Palestinian cause during the tournament and the football fans who refused to speak to Israeli journalists. 

You can sign up for our newsletter here. 

This podcast is written and produced by Rosie McCabe, with help from Hugo Goodridge and Basma Elatti. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice we're examining MENA representation in TV, film and gaming. 

Communities from the region have historically been demonised on screen, condemned to either silence or sterotypes. However, the past year has brought major release that have diversified who we see on screen and the stories that are shared on global platform. 

We explore a number of these releases include Netflix comedy series Mo and the film Farha about Palestine during the 1948 Nakba. We also delve into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, looking at what they've done well in terms of representation and what they can do better.

Also in this episode, we plug in and have a look at the mistakes that video games have made, when it comes to the representation of Arabs and Muslims, and also the cultural errors that video game publishers have made. 

On this episode, we speak with Saeed Taji Farouky (@saeedtaji), a Palestinian-British filmmaker and film educator, Tariq Raouf (@tariq_raouf), a Palestinian-American freelance writer based in Seattle, Swara Salih (@spiderswarz), a Kurdish-American writer, podcaster, and the co-hosts the Middle Geeks podcast (@TheMiddleGeeks), and finally, Nazih Fares (@nazihfares), the head of communication and localization at Four Winds Entertainment (@The4winds_Ent).

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This podcast is written and produced by Rosie McCabe and Hugo Goodridge. 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're coming to the end of 2022 and so is this season of The New Arab Voice.

On this episode, we're looking back at some of the biggest events that hit the region over the past 12 months.

Do you remember the currency crisis in Turkey? The Taliban's talks in Oslo? The murder of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh? Efforts to revive the JCPOA? Egypt's imprisonment of political activist Alaa Abdel Fatah? The political crisis in Iraq? The war crimes trial of a Syrian colonel in Germany?

If you've forgotten, we'll be reminding you of all the key details this week. 

To look at 2022 in the MENA region, we're joined by a host of journalists, editors, and correspondents from The New Arab.

The New Arab Voice will be back with a brand new season and brand new stories on 13 January 2023.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge, with additional  help from Rosie McCabe.

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The New Arab Voice is back for a brand new season!

For our first episode, we examining the troubling news that unfolded at the start of the new year.

When Israel's new National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, went to the Al-Aqsa compound on 3 January, it was seen as a provocation by a far-right religious nationalist, intended to anger the Palestinians, muslims, and incite resentment and tensions.

The Al-Aqsa compound has a lengthy history, that some believe dates back to the time of the early Old Testament. It has seen wars, conquests and earthquakes. It is a site that holds a significance of the three main Abrahamic faiths.

With his incursion at Al-Aqsa, many accused Ben-Gvir of seeking to disrupt the status quo of the ancient and holy site. But what is the status quo? Why does it exist? When did it come into play? Is it time for a new status quo? What are the risks associated with tampering with the status quo?

Joining us to talk about Al-Aqsa and the politics of the status quo, we have Nur Arafeh, a fellow at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center (@CarnegieMEC), where her work focuses on the political economy of the MENA region, business-state relations, peacebuilding strategies, the development-security nexus and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Also, Dr. Nimrod Goren (@GorenNimrod), the Senior Fellow for Israeli Affairs at the Middle East Institute (@MiddleEastInst) and the founder and head of Mitvim (@Mitvim) - The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies.

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This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge.

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we're looking at the trial of the volunteers who helped migrants on the Greek island of Lesvos.

Last week, a group of volunteers appeared in court, facing numerous charges related to voluntary work they undertook to help migrants that were arriving on the island by boat. 

Despite the long history of cooperation between the organisations and the Greek authorities, they were arrested, charged, and many were detained for long periods of time. 

One of those arrested and charged was Seán Binder (@sean_binder_). 

Seán sat down with The New Arab Voice this week to talk about his work on Lesvos, his arrest and detention, the build-up and his eventual trial, and how the targeting of volunteers, like him, will affect vital search and rescue work at sea. 

Also joining us this week is Serhat Çubukçuoğlu (@suhac), a senior fellow in the Department of Strategic Studies at Trends Research and Advisory. We speak with Serhat about the historical relationship between Greece and Turkey, the points of contention, how migrant issues affect their relationship, and what the future may hold.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge.

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we’re looking at the Afghan economy under the Taliban. 

We examine the economic trade between the hardline group and the Chinese, who this month signed a major oil extraction deal to start tapping into Afghanistan’s vast natural reserves. 

The Taliban have welcomed this foreign investment, claiming new injections of cash will help revitalise the faltering, crisis-riddled economy. 

Beijing, it would seem, is strengthening its control over the regional trade of rare earth minerals and emboldening its leverage over the Taliban, furthering its own security ambitions. 

However, given the history of unsuccessful mining projects, chronic instability and billions in frozen Afghan funds, will the acclaimed rewards of this deal ever be reaped? 

The New Arab Voice sat down with Jeffrey Grieco, president and CEO of the Afghan American Chamber of Commerce (@AAchamberofcomm) to discuss the current state of the Afghan economy and China’s growing role. 

We also speak with researcher Jiayi Zhou (@jzyhou) from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (@SIPRorg) about China’s historic relations with Afghanistan and the rationale behind its continued involvement. 

And Shah Mehrabi, an economics professor (@montgomerycoll) and co-chair of the Afghan Trust Fund about the role of the West in Afghanistan and the critical issue of releasing the country’s frozen foreign reserves. 

This podcast is written and produced by Rosie McCabe. 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we're casting a look over the Egyptian economy and its recent fiscal troubles.

Earlier in January, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) signed off on a $3 billion loan for Egypt; the fourth loan the country had received since 2016. 

The loan was granted following continued anaemic growth and a dramatic fall for the Egyptian pound, which lost over half its value. 

The economic problems have severely impacted the people of Egypt, with a third of the country's population now living in poverty, and another third on the brink of poverty. 

At the heart of the reforms demanded by the IMF, is an end to the control of the Egyptian military over large swathes of the national economy. 

This week, we're asking: Why is the economy in such a bad way? What the terms of the IMF deal? Can Egypt implement the reforms to bring about a stronger growth outlook? How much control does the military have over the economy? And how will they respond to the strict conditions that could undermine its position?

Joining us, we have Umberto Profazio (@profazio), a Maghreb Analyst at the NATO Defence College Foundation (@NATOFoundation), and Associate Fellow for the Conflict, Security and Development Program at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (@IISS_org).

Also joining us, we speak with Marina Ottoway, a Middle East Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center (@WilsonCenterMEP) and a long-time analyst of political transformations in Africa, the Balkans, and the Middle East. Previously, Marina worked at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, during which she played a central role in launching the Middle East Program.

Sign up to our newsletter here.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge.

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we're looking back on a week that has changed Turkey and Syria forever. 

On Monday morning, as people slept in their beds, a massive earthquake erupted in southern Turkey. It was felt as far off as Iraq, but at the epicentre and the surrounding area, the devastation was almost immediate. 

The New Arab's Levant Correspondent Will Christou (@will_christou) rushed to the scene, where he witnessed widespread destruction, brief moments of joy as survivors where pulled from the rubble, and ultimately tragedy and grief. 

On this week's episode, we speak with Will about what he's seen, where he's been, and what his experience  has been.

Also, we speak with Kristyan Benedict (@KreaseChan), Crisis Response Manager for Amnesty International UK, about the unfolding crisis in Syria, and the desperate situation of the people who were already experiencing a humanitarian crisis before the earthquake.

If you want to help relief efforts in Turkey and Syria,  you can find information about donating below.

International Red Cross

Molham Team

UNICEF

You can subscribe to our newsletter here.

This podcast is produced by Hugo Goodridge.

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a short break The New Arab Voice is back and we're picking up where we left off. 

The 6 February earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria remains the most pressing humanitarian issue in the region.

The death toll rises everyday, and simultaneously the need for aid also increases. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we're focusing in on the northwestern region of Syria, which bore the brunt of the damage and deaths in Syria.

Before the earthquake hit the region, a catastrophic humanitarian crisis had a firm grip on the north west. Over a decade of war and displacement, the spread of disease, and an ever worsening economic situation had push the more than 4 million people who live the northwestern Syria to the brink. 

The earthquake pushed them over the edge. 

For this episode, we're examining the response to the earthquake in Syria, and asking whether enough was done to save as many lives as possible. We look at what the Assad regime did to help the region, and ask how they are exploiting the crisis for their own gains. And we take a critical look at the aid delivery mechanism in northwestern Syria and how they might be improved. 

Joining us to discuss the north west is Hazem Rihawi (@HRihawi82), the senior programs manager at the American Relief Coalition for Syria (@ARC4Syria), a secular, non-political coalition of Syrian diaspora led humanitarian organisations that provide multi-sector relief inside of Syria. 

And Natasha Hall (@NatashaHallDC), a senior fellow with the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (@CSISMidEast).

Sign up to our weekly newsletter here. 

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge.

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.