Podcast: Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif Resigns, Algerians Protest President Bouteflika Fifth Term
In this week’s podcast, we discuss the attempted resignation of Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and the growing protests in
Read moreIn this week’s podcast, we discuss the attempted resignation of Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and the growing protests in
Read moreThis week, Egypt’s parliament approves a motion to amend the country’s constitution. The proposed amendments would keep the current President,
Read moreThis week, European Union diplomats and Iranian representatives adopt a new mechanism to maintain trade as Iran works to comply with the nuclear deal in the face of US sanctions. Qatar’s Emir travels to Lebanon for a financial conference, pledging funds for the country’s economy and appearing to step into the Lebanese political arena. And in Tunis, Youssef Chahed leads Tahya Tounes, a party breaking from the ruling Nidaa Tounes over economic policy and political infighting.
Read moreIn this episode of the Middle East Weekly podcast, we discuss the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the hands of Saudi agents in Istanbul, the formation of and challenges facing Iraq’s new government, the re-instatement of sanctions on Iran, and an election boycott in Bahrain. Khashoggi was murdered when he visited the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain paperwork for his marriage. After initially denying reports of his killing, Saudi authorities have since acknowledged his death and enacted their own investigation. They have continued to deny charges by Turkish authorities that Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman ordered Khashoggi’s death personally, instead insisting that the killers were acting of their own accord. In Iraq, the new President Barham Salih is working to form his cabinet. He faces domestic pressure to address inefficiencies and shortages of critical government services, especially utilities. Iranian officials have debated legal action to align the country with European policies on terror financing, in an effort to convince European countries to continue doing business with Iran as American sanctions come back into effect. In Bahrain, the opposition party al-Wefaq staged a boycott ahead of elections there, citing discriminatory government policies preventing its members from running for office.
Read moreIn this episode of the Middle East Weekly podcast we discuss the events that occurred in Gaza this past weekend, where the Israeli Defense Forces killed 18 people and injured nearly 1000 in reaction to Palestinian demonstrations near the border fence which separates Gaza from Israel. The Palestinian protests began on the anniversary of Land Day and were to be the beginning of a six-week long campaign called the Great Return March, raising awareness about the Palestinians’ right to return to the homes they were displaced from in 1948. At the end of the podcast, we also provide some updates on the deal that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu made, and then abruptly cancelled, regarding the status of African migrants in Israel.
Read moreTo begin this week’s podcast, Mariam Ghanem updates us on the unsurprising results of the elections in Egypt. Then, Blaire Byg discusses Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s tour of the US, which has included visits with celebrities like Oprah in addition to the more predictable cast of politicians and journalists.
Read moreIn this week’s episode of the Middle East Weekly podcast, we discuss the worsening humanitarian situation in Eastern Ghouta, Syria, where over 1,000 people have been killed in 2 weeks and 400,000 families are living under siege, as Bashar al Assad’s forces attack the rebel-held city.
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