The New Arab Voice

The New Arab Voice is back!This week we look at the recent sectarian violence that engulfed the Syrian coast and targeted the country's Alawite community and the violence that hit in the south, which targeted the country's Druze community. We examine the causes of the violence, the response by the state, where the state's response went wrong, and what it means for the future of this new Syria. Joining us to guide us through the violence on the coast, we speak with Dr. Rahaf Aldoughli (@r_aldoughli), a Lecturer in Middle East and North African studies at Lancaster University (@LancasterUni), and Senior Editor for the Middle East Section at Cogent Social Sciences.And to explain what happened in the south, we speak with Dr. Nanar Hawach (@NanarHawach), Senior Analyst for Syria at International Crisis Groups (@CrisisGroup).All five episodes of our special series Sanaa's Odyssey are out now, you can listen to them via The New Arab, or search for 'Sanaa's Odyssey', wherever you get your podcasts.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.

This is episode five of Sanaa's Odyssey, a special series from The New Arab. For the final episode of Sanaa's Odyssey, we travelled to Cairo, to meet with Sanaa in person. When we spoke, a ceasefire had been agreed between Israel and Hamas, although, there was little hope that it would hold. In her Cairo apartment, we spoke with Sanaa about how she feels about the war now that she has escaped, the tragedies that she has experienced, how she feels about Hamas, prospects for peace, and what she wants from the future. 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 4 of our new podcast, Sanaa's Odyssey.You can subscribe to Sanaa's Odyssey on all podcast platforms.By April 2024, Sanaa and her family decided that it was time to get out of Gaza.They had experienced seven months of the brutal conflict, been forced from their homes, and lost countless friends and family members.At the time, the only way out of Gaza was through the Rafah border crossing. And while deciding to leave was one thing, the actually task of crossing, was a whole different matter.In episode four of Sanaa's Odyssey, we follow Sanaa and her family as they navigate the murky business of migration and difficult decisions they had to make when it came time to cross.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 3 of our new podcast, Sanaa's Odyssey.You can subscribe to Sanaa's Odyssey on all podcast platforms.As the war in Gaza continues to rage, Sanaa has to continue working as a journalist.Sanaa has been working as a journalist for 19 years, and while she has witnessed many wars in Gaza, the current conflict has been the most difficult to report on. Already forced from her home, she had to struggle to continue to produce stories, while also wondering how she was going to be able to charge her phone, or find a signal to send a story. At the same time, she had to protect herself and her family from Israeli airstrikes, as best as she could, which appeared to be targeting journalists.In episode three of Sanaa's Odyssey, we talk to Sanaa about her career as a journalist, what it means to be a journalist in Gaza, and how this war was different from everything that came before.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.

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.

Subscribe now to be notified when new episodes are available.Available on Apple, Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcast.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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 AppleThe New Arab Weekly on SpotifyThe 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 WeekIsrael banned Al Jazeera so it can have free rein in Rafah. The media coverage of the tent massacre proves itHow UN aid in Syria is increasingly going to regime croniesStrict separation is not the answer for Palestine and IsraelIf 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 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 TVThe systematic torture of Gazans in Israel's secret prisonsNetzah Yehuda veteran was among ‘guards' who intimidated Jerusalem Armenians in November 2023If 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 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 behaviourNakba yesterday, Nakba today: The story of my grandmother's two keysHow Israel is defying Biden's 'red line' on RafahIf 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.

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 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.

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.

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). Sign up to our newsletter here.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.

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.

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 WeeklySpotify: 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. 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.Sign up to our newsletter here. 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.

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.

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.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.

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).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.

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.

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.

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. 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 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.

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 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.

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).You can 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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. 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. 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. 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.