Podcasts about middle eastern

Nothing says Christmas quite like talking about Iranians and drinking. On this Christmas Day edition of Roqe, we revisit one of our most compelling conversations - an exploration of alcohol's long, complicated, and often contradictory place in Iranian and Islamic history. While alcohol is officially forbidden under Islam, it has played a persistent and sometimes conspicuous role across centuries of Persian culture - from ancient wine traditions and mystical poetry, to royal courts, revolutions, and the underground drinking culture of modern Iran. Our guest is Dr. Rudi Matthee, professor of Middle Eastern history at the University of Delaware and a leading authority on early modern Iran. His new book, Angels Tapping at the Wine Shop's Door, examines the hidden, contested, and enduring history of alcohol across the Islamic world. This wide-ranging conversation looks at: The religious prohibition of alcohol and its interpretations Iran's ancient wine culture Alcohol in Persian poetry, art, and mysticism Drinking at royal courts and repeated attempts at prohibition Alcohol before and after the 1979 Revolution Smuggling, homemade wine, and modern contradictions Whether the Islamic world's relationship with alcohol is still evolving A conversation about pleasure and prohibition. Faith and culture. Public rules and private lives. This episode of Roqe is supported by Stellar Law and iWelcome.

Ty Gentile, James Rana, and David Hu share yuletide tales about Christmas carols, Black Santas, and of course, excretory health in our annual winter holidays special for 2025.

Eden Grinshpan is a TV food personality, author of the bestselling cookbook Eating Out Loud, and the creator of the vibrant online platform Eden Eats. Known for her relatability, raw sincerity, playful goofiness, and bold, veg-forward cooking, Eden brings joy and flavor to everything she touches. She earned her culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu in London before eating and adventuring her way across Europe, India, Southeast Asia, and Israel, where she spent summers growing up. Her passion for travel and food led to her breakout Cooking Channel series Eden Eats, which she both produced and hosted. She later went on to host Log On & Eat with Eden Grinshpan and serve as host of Top Chef Canada.Eden currently splits her time between New York and Toronto with her husband, Ido, and their two daughters, Ayv and Romi.Her latest cookbook, TAHINI BABY, is a joyful celebration of Middle Eastern– and Mediterranean-inspired, veg-forward cooking. Bursting with fresh flavors, approachable recipes, and Eden's signature flair, TAHINI BABY makes it easy—and fun—to cook like an It-girl in your own kitchen. From noshes and brunch staples to bold veggie mains and next-level sides, plus vibrant condiments, dips, and pickles, Eden invites everyone to roll up their sleeves, get a little messy, and fall in love with food all over again.We discuss: How Eden sets healthy boundaries with technology and social media to protect her well-being and stay present with her familyThe behind-the-scenes journey of writing her second cookbook, Tahini Baby, and why tahini and sesame seeds are the ultimate flavor enhancersEden's approach to balancing motherhood, marriage, and a thriving culinary career, with grace, humor, and honestyTips for bringing big flavor to every dish using fresh summer produce, pantry staples, and Eden's favorite condimentsReal talk about meal prep, and Eden's favorite ways to keep cooking exciting and stress-freeFollow Eden Grinshpan on Instagram: @edeneatsOrder Tahini Baby: https://www.tahinibabybook.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAae2Q7rqrlp4teTHsLsH0if-JDpr6HReqHWj98QUiOtUsjLDIZE6v5ODkorWUg_aem_o1lGkeiglIKDBU_W6TrpAwLearn more about High Vibration Living with Chef Whitney Aronoff onwww.StarseedKitchen.com Get 10% off your order of Chef Whitney's organic spices with codeSTARSEED on www.starseedkitchen.com Follow Chef Whitney Aronoff on Instagram at @whitneyaronoff and@starseedkitchen

Discover the interconnectedness of peddling and factory work, the surprising origins of the Aloha shirt, and the key role Syrian workers played in major labor actions like the 1912 Bread and Roses strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Associate Professor of History at the University of California and author of "Unmentionables: Textiles, Garment Work, and the Syrian American Working Class" Dr. Stacy D. Fahrenthold discusses her work which offers a class-conscious history of the Syrian-American diaspora, a community of about half a million people in the 1910s, 1920s and 1930s. While the "peddler" is often the central figure and icon of this diaspora's economic history for over a century, Fahrenthold shifts the focus to the new immigrants who came to the U.S. and found work in the textile industries. The conversation explores the hidden role of Syrian-American garment workers, particularly young women, who produced goods like "kimonos", undergarments, stockings, and household textiles. 0:00 Introducing Unmentionables & Shifting the Icon from Peddler to Laborer0:40 Lawrence, Massachusetts: The Second Largest Arab-American Community1:48 Who Was The Syrian American Working Class?2:41 The Gap in Arab-American Diaspora History3:14 Textiles and Garment Work4:50 The Peddler: Icon vs Reality7:12 Labor Experience In The U.S. vs Greater Syria8:50 Skilled Silk Weavers and First-Time Proletarians10:14 Syrian Workers and Global Labor Movements11:27 The Bread and Roses Strike of 191215:09 Dynamite, Arrests and Militarization of the Syrian Neighborhood19:16 Scale of Syrian Immigration Compared to Other Groups22:14 The Majority of Textile Workers Were Women24:43 The Connection to the Silk Industry in Mount Lebanon27:28 A Look Inside a Syrian-American Garment Factory29:04 The Kimono: Branding and Orientalism31:50 The Effacement of Origins in the Marketplace35:36 Economic and Social Mobility For Syrian-American Families39:03 The Legacy of Syrian-American Textile Companies40:01 The Lebanese Origins of The Aloha Shirt43:14 Marghab Linen and Racial Stereotyping44:22 Geographic Dispersion of Syrian Communities47:09 Illicit Activity and Contraband in the Diaspora49:22 Recommended Readings In Arab-American History Stacy Fahrenthold is a historian of the modern Middle East specializing in labor migration; displacement/refugees; border studies; and diasporas within and from the region. Her new book "Unmentionables: Textiles, Garment Work, and the Syrian American Working Class" examines how Syrian, Lebanese, and Palestinian immigrant workers navigated processes of racialization, immigration restriction, and labor contestation in the textile industries of the Atlantic world. It recently received the Middle East Studies Association's 2025 Nikki Keddie Award for "outstanding scholarly work in religion, revolution, and/or society." Her award-winning first book, "Between the Ottomans and the Entente: The First World War in the Syrian and Lebanese Diaspora" examines the politics of Syrian and Lebanese migration to the Americas during the First World War, the fall of the Ottoman Empire, and the rise of European Mandates in the Middle East. Fahrenthold is Associate Editor of Mashriq & Mahjar: Journal of Middle Eastern and North African Migration Studies. Connect with Stacy D. Fahrenthold

On Episode 227, the conversation with New York lyricist Shah Leezy continues as we dig deeper into the mind, philosophy, and creative foundation behind his music. In this second installment, Shah expands on the themes that define his artistry — spirituality, cultural identity, loyalty, discipline, and the philosophy that shapes his worldview and writing.We explore the stories behind projects like Mohammad Speaks!, ALI BABA!, Shiraz, The London Tape, and the creative evolution leading to his latest album LUNACy! with producer Ezekiel Jordan. Shah breaks down how faith, life experiences, and cultural influence shape his voice, visual direction, and the narratives he brings to hip hop.The conversation also dives into his philosophical interests (including the use of Alan Watts samples), the responsibility of being an independent artist, the reality of being a Middle Eastern MC in today's hip hop landscape, and how he balances artistic integrity with ambition.This is Shah Leezy unfiltered — reflective, sharp, grounded, and intentional.

Show Notes: Noah Feldman,  Harvard Law professor, author, and ethical advisor talks about his career in constitutional law and his experiences in Iraq and Tunisia, sharing stories from his time guiding, and in some cases, establishing, the law of countries in turmoil or collapse. He also talks about the themes explored in his books  and current pursuits. Real World Projects in Constitutional Law Noah describes his academic journey, starting from his early love for school and his decision to pursue academia full-time, with brief interruptions for real-world projects. He shares his experiences as a law clerk for the late Justice David Souter and his role as the senior constitutional advisor to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. Noah discusses his involvement in drafting the Iraqi constitution, starting from scratch, and the unique opportunity it provided to apply his academic knowledge in a real-world scenario. He recounts his work in Tunisia after the Arab Spring, advising the Constituent Assembly on constitutional design.  Oversight on Facebook After writing his book about James Madison, Noah's next step was unexpected involvement with Facebook's Oversight Board, which was inspired by a conversation with Sheryl Sandberg and Mark Zuckerberg. He was in California giving a talk at Stanford. He was thinking about writing a book on free speech in the era of social media. He explained to Sheryl how he had the idea that Facebook would benefit from having a kind of private Supreme Court. And the idea was that all of the companies privately made content moderation decisions could actually be made in a more public and transparent way, according to principles and the doing so would add to the legitimacy of their decision-making process. She loved the idea and introduced him to Mark Zuckerberg, and the outcome was the Oversight Board. Noah explains his ongoing work advising tech companies on governance issues and the complexities of balancing free expression and ethics in the tech industry. A Sideline in Journalism and a Focus on Writing Noah mentions his sideline in journalism, starting with a recommendation from Michael Ignatieff to write for the New York Times. He shares his experience of writing for Bloomberg's opinion section for over a decade. Noah talks about his podcast, Deep Background, which he hosted for three years, and his plans to relaunch it in a slightly different format. He discusses his current book project, The Importance of Being Human, which explores the value of human relationships in the age of AI and technology. Noah elaborates on his book project, focusing on the importance of human relationships in various aspects of life, including work, family, and politics. He expresses his open-mindedness about the potential value of romantic relationships with AI, despite initially holding a different view. Following a Theme of Constitutions When asked about his book choices, Noah explains his organizing theme of constitutions, focusing on Middle Eastern and US constitutional history. Noah outlines his planned book series on the history of the US Constitution, emphasizing the narrative throughline of the people who shaped it. He shares his experiences in Iraq, describing the chaotic and disorganized environment he encountered and the challenges of creating a functioning legal system in the midst of civil disorder. He shares the biggest lesson learned, the importance of order and law, arguing that without de facto control on the ground, it is difficult to establish a functioning legal or constitutional system. He also talks about how militias were formed. Noah discusses his work in Tunisia, highlighting the successful transition to democracy and the role of Islamist political parties in the democratic process. He reflects on the importance of norms and conventions in maintaining a functional constitutional system, using the example of Tunisia's failed Constitutional Court. Norms and Conventions in Maintaining a Constitutional System Noah emphasizes the significance of norms and conventions in the functioning of institutions, including legal systems and constitutional orders. He discusses the role of norms in the US constitutional system, using the example of the impeachment of Donald Trump to illustrate how norms can be changed by actions that challenge them. Noah reflects on the importance of understanding and respecting norms and conventions in maintaining the integrity of legal and constitutional systems. He highlights the need for clear and effective checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power and ensure the rule of law. The Importance of Family Noah shares details about his personal life, including his recent marriage to Julia Allison and his two children, Jamin and Mina, who are pursuing careers in the arts. He describes his relationship with his ex-wife, Jeannie Suk Gerson, and her husband, Jake Gerson, and how they maintain a good working relationship despite being colleagues.Noah reflects on the importance of family and personal relationships in his life, noting the support and encouragement he receives from his family.  Harvard Reflections Noah reminisces about his time at Harvard, highlighting the impact of his mentors and the courses he took. He talks about his mentorship with Robert Nozick and the influence of his work on his current thinking, medieval Islamic and Jewish Studies and his professors there Isadore Turski, Bernard Septimus, and Mohsen Madi. he also mentions Richard Primus, Constitutional Law with H.W. Perry. Noah discusses his involvement with the Program on Jewish and Israeli Law at Harvard Law School and the importance of medieval Jewish and Islamic Studies in his work. He reflects on the value of response papers in developing his skills as a journalist and opinion writer. Timestamps: 03:58: Involvement in Real-World Projects 07:52 Journalism and Media Engagement  13:07: Research and Personal Insights  23:51: Lessons from Iraq and Tunisia  37:46: Impact of Norms and Conventions  42:04: Personal Life and Family  45:08: Influences and Mentorship  Links: Website: https://www.noahfeldman.com/ Email: noah_feldman@harvard.edu @professornoahfeldman Linktree Featured Non-profit The featured non-profit of this week's episode  is brought to you by Anastasia Fernand who reports: "Hi. I'm Anastasia Fernand, class of 1992. The featured non-profit of this episode of the 1992 report is the Rebecca H. Rhodes African Inclusive Literacy Research prize. The African inclusive literacy Research Fund supports African scholars and practitioners undertaking research to identify the best ways of helping children with disabilities become literate as a critical step in reaching their full potential. Rebecca was my roommate throughout college and a member of our class of 1992 Rebecca spent her career proving that every child can learn. Let's make sure her prize keeps proving it for generations to come. And now here is Will Bachman with this week's episode." To learn more about their work, visit: https://www.adeanet.org

As 2025 draws to a close, the fate of the Trump administration's twenty point plan to end the war in Gaza, disarming Hamas and withdrawing Israeli forces, and facilitate good governance, security and reconstruction, has run headlong into harsh Middle Eastern realities. The administration is promising a transition to phase two by the end of the year, but the status of the International Stabilization Force and an on the ground Palestinian governing structure seem more theoretical than real. What are the chances of implementation of the Trump plan, particularly on security? What, or who, will actually govern Gaza? And what of the other U.S. efforts in Lebanon, Syria, and Iran? Join Aaron David Miller as he addresses these issues and others with Carnegie's Marwan Muasher, Israel Policy Forum's Nimrod Novik, and former Palestinian Authority adviser Manal Zeidan, on the next Carnegie Connects. 

This week, we begin looking back on some of the most moving moments shared on The Voice of the Martyrs Radio in 2025:          Hope & Nagy have been called by God to live in some very difficult places. They were serving Him in Libya when civil war broke out; they stayed and thrived under the Lord's protection. Then they heard the Lord call them to a new and equally-challenging land.          Jerry Mattix has been banned twice from entering Türkiye, once in 2013 and again earlier this year. Jerry knows God is able to do His work among Turkish people without him in the country.          Nathan and Kari were raised differently, yet the Lord called them to Himself, and to missions, together. In South Asia, they are seeing the gospel on fire, not waiting for foreign missionaries but moving forward through the gospel fervor of national Christians.          John Samara knows the high cost of serving Christ in a place like Syria. He grew up there and continues to serve persecuted Christians in the Middle East and North Africa through Ananias House.          Eric Mock, from Slavic Gospel Association, shares how war between Russia and Ukraine has actually accelerated SGA's ministry as they provide aid and share the gospel with hundreds of thousands of people.          Teaching students in the UK and around the world, Dr. Michael Reeves has a passion for strengthening the faith of persecuted Christians in hostile and restricted nations. He served as a missionary on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan.          Ty Scott, leader of VOM's work in east and southern Africa, shares about Christians living in a country that has never been discussed on VOM Radio until this year — Comoros. He also shared how VOM handles Bible distribution in Africa.          Author of the book, Inside Afghanistan, John Weaver, shares what it looks like to be a Christian in Afghanistan today. Believers must carefully plant gospel seeds and seek out people of peace.          Abraham & Sara minister to Muslim refugees in the Middle East who are open to the gospel. They see the hunger to know Jesus, and the Lord is revealing Himself to these refugees through dreams, visions, and the love of Christ, as seen in the example of Abraham, Sara, and their team. After hearing these brief excerpts, you'll want to listen to the entire conversations with these guests from 2025. Click on the links below to listen at VOMRADIO.net or listen in the VOM APP.          Hope & Nagy, gospel workers to Libya and the Middle East          Jerry Mattix, long-time aid ministry worker and pastor in Türkiye          Nathan & Kari, gospel workers in South Asia with the International Mission Board (IMB)          John Samara, Founder and Executive Director of Ananias House          Eric Mock, the Senior Vice President of the Slavic Gospel Association          Dr. Michael Reeves, President of Union School of Theology in the United Kingdom          Ty Scott, VOM's Regional Leader for East and Southern Africa          John Weaver, long-time gospel worker in Afghanistan          Abraham & Sara serve refugees at a church in a Middle Eastern country We thank the Lord for allowing VOM Radio to encourage and challenge listeners all over the world this year. Thank you for faithfully listening and praying for our persecuted family in restricted nations and hostile areas around the world! We'd love to hear from you! Let us know what conversation in 2025 most inspired your faith or equipped you to pray. You can also give online to support persecuted Christians through the work of The Voice of the Martyrs. Next week, we'll have Part II of our look back to the most moving moments of 2025 on VOM Radio.

It's Thursday, December 18th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Syrian Christians are suffering Christians in Syria are facing new challenges and growth. The Middle Eastern country is now ruled by a transitional government after the autocratic rule of Bashar al-Assad ended a year ago. Freedom of expression seems to be increasing; however, Christians still suffer persecution. Christian students, women, clergy, and business owners face insults and threats in public. Despite this, one pastor told Open Doors, “After all the violence in the country, some non-Christians are now more open to hear about Christianity, because they see that Christianity brings peace, and we hope that God will touch their hearts.” In John 14:27, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Two U.S. soldiers and U.S. civilian interpreter killed in Syria Two U.S. soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter were killed in an attack in Syria over the weekend. The U.S. military blamed the attack on the Islamic State group.  Hundreds of American troops are in eastern Syria as part of a coalition to fight the Islamic State. U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on X, “This was an ISIS attack against the U.S. and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by them. … There will be very serious retaliation.” Citizens in 39 countries are prohibited from traveling to U.S. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation further restricting the entry of foreign nationals to the U.S.  Thirty-nine countries are now affected by U.S. travel restrictions. The proclamation added full restrictions and entry limitations on Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria. Individuals holding Palestinian-Authority-issued travel documents also face full restrictions.  Defense bill gives 4% raise to soldiers The U.S. Senate passed the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act yesterday. The $901 billion military spending bill provides support for Europe, Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.  The bill also gives service members a 4% raise and addresses social issues for troops. For example, the bill prohibits men, pretending to be women, from participating in women's sports programs at military academies. And the bill does not expand coverage for in vitro fertilization for military families.  The U.S. House of Representatives approved the bill last week, and President Donald Trump is expected to sign it.  Hegseth restores miliary chaplains as moral anchors U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced plans on Tuesday to restore the military chaplaincy to its full strength. Hegseth said chaplains have been minimized by secular humanism to being viewed as therapists instead of ministers. He said, “I have a directive right here that I will sign today to eliminate the use of the Army Spiritual Fitness Guide effective immediately. These types of training materials have no place in the War Department.” Hegseth added, “In well over 100 pages, it mentions God one time. “That's it. It mentions feelings 11 times. It even mentions playfulness—whatever that is—nine times. There's zero mention of virtue.” Listen to other comments from Hegseth. HEGSETH: “There will be a top down-cultural shift, putting spiritual wellbeing on the same footing as mental and physical health. As a first step toward creating a supportive environment for our warriors and their souls, we're going to restore the esteemed position of chaplains as moral anchors for our fighting force.” Will Supreme Court block church's million dollar COVID fine? A church in California is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court in a case involving government overreach during the COVID-19 pandemic. California officials previously fined Calvary Chapel in San Jose over one million dollars. The church simply did not require members to wear masks at services during the pandemic.  Advocates for Faith & Freedom is representing the church. Erin Mersino, vice president of the group, said, “Government officials may not weaponize emergencies to suspend the First Amendment. California imposed some of the most aggressive restrictions on churches in the country, and this case is about ensuring the government never does this again.” When commanded not to preach, Peter and the apostles said in Acts 5:29, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” 234th anniversary of Bill of Rights And finally, this week is the anniversary of the U.S. Bill of Rights which comprise the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.  The United States of America ratified the Bill of Rights on December 15, 1791, two hundred thirty-four years ago. The First Amendment famously protects freedom of religion and freedom of speech. The Second Amendment protects the individual right to keep and bear arms.  The amendments drew from English law to protect the rights of citizens and limit the power of government. Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, December 18th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Episode 222: Tunisian Peinture Sous Verre – A History in Reverse This lecture provides an introduction to reverse glass painting in Tunisia, a predominantly figurative form of Islamic art that is often referred to as a “popular” tradition. As very little archival material and original documentation exists, most of what we know about this painting practice comes from collections, scholarship, and stories told about it from the 1960s and on, over one hundred years after it had already been well established in Tunisia. To highlight this belated epistemology, the presentation follows a reverse chronology of the medium. After briefly introducing the technique and artistic process, it starts from the contemporary moment and moves backwards in time to the post-independence era, the Protectorate period, and earlier. It ends with some speculations about the connections between Tunisian under-glass painting and other historical or regional visual-material practices. Ava Katarina Tabatabai Hess is a PhD candidate in Art History at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). Her dissertation focuses on vernacular Islamic art from Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, examining the proliferation of reverse glass painting and chromolithography in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as well as their post-independence recuperations. She conducted fieldwork in Tunisia in 2022 with support from an AIMS grant, and from October 2023 to April 2025 as a FLAS research fellow and a Fulbright-Hays fellow, with additional research undertaken in Algeria, Morocco, and France. She earned her BA from Columbia University in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies, and a master's in Visual, Material, and Museum Anthropology from the University of Oxford. Ava is also a curator, a contributing researcher with the Arabic Design Archive, and currently serves as Arts Editor of Ufahamu: A Journal of African Studies. This podcast was recorded at the Centre d'Études Maghrébines à Tunis (CEMA) on the 4th of November, 2025. We thank Mohammed Boukhoudmi for his interpretation of “Elli Mektoub Mektoub” for the introduction and conclusion of this podcast. Production and editing: Lena Krause, AIMS Development and Digital Resources Liaison.

A high-level meeting just took place that could change Israel's future overnight. Under President Donald Trump, the United States convened a conference inviting 70 nations to discuss sending foreign troops into Gaza—supposedly to police Hamas. But leaked details reveal something far more alarming: many of these countries may only deploy troops to Israeli-controlled areas, effectively monitoring the IDF instead of stopping terror. At the same time, the U.S. is reportedly in talks to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other Middle Eastern nations—moves that could seriously erode Israel's military edge. Israel is furious. Iran is issuing open threats. And foreign forces may soon be operating directly on Israel's borders.

On the 14th of December, as an antisemitic mass shooting targeted a Hanukkah festival at Bondi Beach, several heroes emerged, most notably Ahmed al-Ahmed, a Muslim man of Syrian origin who courageously disarmed one of the attackers. But he was not the only Middle-Eastern Muslim to risk his life to put a stop to the attack. There was another Middle-Eastern Muslim man who risked his life to disarm the other shooter. However, his lawyer says due to his Middle-Eastern appearance and all-black attire, he was thought to be one of the shooters. As a result, he was shot at by police, then set upon by a small crowd of people.

Telco's Sophistication Paradox: Why They Can't Explain Their Own Genius The Telco Century Club (100+ years of telco experience between us) is back with a brutal reality check on an industry that's mastered building brilliant technology but completely botched explaining why anyone should care. Charles teams up with telecoms veterans Rob Jones (Sylva Growth Partners) and Chris Lewis (Lewis Insights, The Great Telco Debate) for an unfiltered dissection of why 25 years of "transformation talk" has changed absolutely nothing. From Telstra's genius digital twin platform that died because no one could pitch it internally, to network APIs that sound impressive but solve problems nobody asked for - this episode exposes the sophistication paradox that's killing telco innovation. Key Battlegrounds: Why telco layoffs are a perpetual pattern, not strategic responses The "build it and they will come" mentality that's still sabotaging 5G monetisation How MVNOs are eating traditional operators' lunch through superior segmentation AI-native platforms making MVNO entry cheaper and easier than ever Middle Eastern operators like e& and STC outplaying Western telcos with actual execution The coming satellite reality check (spoiler: it won't replace mobile networks) Network APIs heading to the technology graveyard alongside network slicing Reputation-Staking Predictions for 2026: Chris bets on AI chatbots finally becoming genuinely useful. Rob sees Google dominating user experience through AI integration. Charles predicts internal AI efficiency gains - if telcos can resist their urge to overcomplicate everything. Plus: Will the US take a stake in Nokia or Ericsson? And our final verdict on whether telcos will transform, disappoint as usual, or somehow make things worse.   Timestamps: 00:00 The Telco Century Club Returns 00:53 18 Months Later: Still Building Tech Nobody Understands 03:13 The Layoff Epidemic: Why It Never Actually Ends 08:04 Telco to TechCo Dreams Meet Harsh Reality 10:02 Network APIs: The Communication Disaster Continues 20:26 AI Reality Check: Separating Hype from Hope 28:20 Why OpenAI Might Go Broke (And Apple's Playing It Smart) 29:15 MVNOs Quietly Stealing Market Share 33:14 AI-Native Platforms: The MVNO Revolution Nobody Saw Coming 36:41 Satellite Hype Crashes Into Indoor Coverage Reality 41:15 2026 Predictions: Putting Reputations on the Line 49:35 Final Verdict: Will Telcos Finally Transform or Keep Disappointing?

What does the future hold for the Middle East — and the world — in 2026? In this special episode of Conflicted, Thomas instructs Aimen to peer into his crystal ball and offer his forecasts for the year to come. In this episode, Aimen and Thomas discuss: How professional geopolitical analysts make forecasts The impossibility of foreseeing Black Swan events Why an end to the war in Ukraine could reshape Middle Eastern geopolitics The likelihood of a U.S. war against the Houthis in Yemen Renewed hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon The strategic importance of the Gulf states Iran's nuclear programme, proxy network, and the risk of renewed confrontation Add your predictions to your 2026 Forecast Card here: https://forms.gle/sMCbRFmFTBdcfEDd8  Join the Conflicted Community here: https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm/  Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHconflicted And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conflictedpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Conflicted is a Message Heard production. Executive Producers: Jake Warren & Max Warren. Produced by Thomas Small and edited by Lizzy Andrews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Roxxanne Shelaby is a Southern California–based performer, teacher, and producer whose work is rooted in her Lebanese/Brazilian heritage and a lifelong immersion in Egyptian Style Oriental Dance. Raised in her family's legendary nightclubs, Fez and Cascades, she grew up surrounded by live Middle Eastern music and dance, learning directly from iconic artists such as Feiruz Aram, Marie Silva, Sahra C. Kent, and members of Egypt's Komeya Troupe. Roxxanne began performing at age five and professionally at sixteen at the request of Farida Fahmy, later studying with masters including Mahmoud Reda, Fifi Abdo, Aida Nour, and Ahmed Hussein. She spent 11 years performing with and serving as Assistant Director of Sahra C. Kent's Ya Amar! Middle Eastern Dance Company, appearing in major U.S. festivals and international performances. Beyond performing, Roxxanne produces the showcases with live Arabic music, teaches internationally, and is the producer/director of the acclaimed Fez Documentary, preserving the history of belly dance on the U.S. West Coast while honoring its pioneering artists.In this episode you will learn about:- The story of The Fez club in Hollywood and why it changed belly dance history forever- The surprising origin story of the Maya movement term and the dancer it was named after- The journey from “this should be a book” to creating a 90-minute documentary against all odds- The loss of long-form performance and what modern dancers are missing because of it- Why watching other dancers perform is as important as performing yourselfShow Notes to this episode:Find Roxxanne Shelaby on Instagram, Youtube and website. For more information and purchase options, please visit The Fez Documentary website: www.TheFezDoc.comDetails and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

President Donald Trump has expanded the U.S. travel ban to include several African and Middle Eastern countries, tightening visa rules and imposing new restrictions. The White House says the move is about national security, but critics argue the policy disproportionately affects Black and brown travelers.Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elliott Abrams, senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela and Iran from 2019 to 2021, joins the show to discuss events in the Caribbean. ▪️ Times 01:56 Venezuela Through Multiple Administrations  06:05 Maduro 11:53 Trump to Biden 17:56 U.S. Military Capabilities  24:05 Political Justifications  30:11 The Venezuelan Opposition 35:56 Machado in Hiding 41:27 Worst Case Scenarios Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack

Hanukkah massacre in Australia. Analysis: Rabbi Abraham Cooper. Israeli responses to Hollywood film Nuremburg. Composer Yaron Cherniak's Middle-Eastern score for Kevin Costner's The First Christmas. Beloved Advent hymn played in St. Anne's Church.

Hanukkah massacre in Australia. Analysis: Rabbi Abraham Cooper. Israeli responses to Hollywood film Nuremburg. Composer Yaron Cherniak's Middle-Eastern score for Kevin Costner's The First Christmas. Beloved Advent hymn played in St. Anne's Church.

Hanukkah massacre in Australia. Analysis: Rabbi Abraham Cooper. Israeli responses to Hollywood film Nuremburg. Composer Yaron Cherniak's Middle-Eastern score for Kevin Costner's The First Christmas. Beloved Advent hymn played in St. Anne's Church.

Hanukkah massacre in Australia. Analysis: Rabbi Abraham Cooper. Israeli responses to Hollywood film Nuremburg. Composer Yaron Cherniak's Middle-Eastern score for Kevin Costner's The First Christmas. Beloved Advent hymn played in St. Anne's Church.

So-called activist Jake Lang marched into Dearborn, Michigan, in November waving bacon at Qurans, lighting the same on fire, and trying to provoke Muslim residents with chants of “Christ is King” and calls on City Hall to remove all Muslims from the community, and in fact the country. But Muslims have been present in Dearborn for decades - with increasing numbers in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, largely because of Middle Eastern wars. Yet, locals of all backgrounds have lived in relative peace, with many going online to express their confusion. Now, Jake Lang is back with the same tactics in Plano, Texas. Two major problems exist here: one, if this treatment of Islam were to override the First Amendment, how long do you think it will be before the same war comes for Christianity - has it not already? Two, are you so sure that the rhetoric of Lang even makes sense? A glance at the Quran will demonstrate that it actually teaches peace, not to commit suicide, forbids usury strongly, and the additional sayings of Muhammed call for followers to never kill women or children. We are not making a case for Islam beyond religious freedom, but instead wondering how Jake Lang, born to a Jewish mother, and who performed various rituals in Israel, can project rabbinical law onto Islam, i.e., it is actually the rabbis who believe it acceptable to steal and murder gentiles, and it is the rabbis who condone sex with children less than 3 years old. Words like “intifada,” “infidel,” and “jihad” scare people, but in Arabic they respectively mean “uprising,” “not faithful,” and “effort.” Shariah is not a law, the word means “law,” and it is, according to the Encyclopedia: Ritual practices—such as the daily prayers (ṣalāt), almsgiving (zakāt), fasting (ṣawm), and pilgrimage (hajj). Most of the accusations Lang makes against Islam are actually projections of accusations made against Jews. As the propaganda has failed to secure ongoing American support for Israel from all parties, it has turned to a Christian base that is willing to sell its birthright for a couple Bible verses. Hence, Jesus is the reason for the treason. *The is the FREE archive, which includes advertisements. If you want an ad-free experience, you can subscribe below underneath the show description.WEBSITEFREE ARCHIVE (w. ads)SUBSCRIPTION ARCHIVE-X / TWITTERFACEBOOKINSTAGRAMYOUTUBERUMBLE-BUY ME A COFFEECashApp: $rdgable PAYPAL: rdgable1991@gmail.comRyan's Books: https://thesecretteachings.info - EMAIL: rdgable@yahoo.com / rdgable1991@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-secret-teachings--5328407/support.

In this episode, Dominic Bowen and Hesham Youssef discuss the growing tensions between Egypt and Israel, the fragile state of regional diplomacy, and the pressures placed on long-standing agreements such as the Camp David Accords. Find out more about why Egypt views forced displacement from Gaza as an existential red line, how humanitarian access has become a major point of contention, and the shifting political dynamics inside Israel that are influencing regional instability. The conversation also addresses the role of the United States and Europe in shaping (or failing to shape) constructive pathways toward peace, as well as Egypt's mediation efforts across repeated Gaza conflicts. Finally, they explore the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the future of Palestinian governance, and the personal diplomatic experiences that have shaped Ambassador Youssef's understanding of what is still possible in the Middle East.Hesham Youssef is an Egyptian career diplomat and conflict-resolution expert with over three decades of experience in Middle Eastern diplomacy. He has served in senior roles at the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and as a Senior Fellow at the United States Institute of Peace. Currently a Senior Advisor at the European Institute of Peace, Youssef specializes in humanitarian affairs, Arab-Israeli relations, and institutional reform in the Arab world. His career reflects a lifelong commitment to dialogue, peacebuilding, and multilateral diplomacy across the Islamic world.The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you're a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter.Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe's leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe's business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today's business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge. Follow us on LinkedIn and Subscribe for all our updates!Tell us what you liked!Tell us what you liked!

The idea of “gay celibacy” on its face sounds like a reasonable idea our guest exposed the deception of it. On In The Market with Janet Parshall this week we spoke to a former gay man who is now on the front lines of this issue who explained the confusion that this idea is creating in the lives of people and why some Christian leaders are buying into this false narrative that discounts God’s clear guidance for feel good teaching that dismiss the truth. The transformation of lives in Iran is still going on and we shared more stories of God at work in that Middle Eastern nation. But these are still dangerous times in that part of the world and we spoke to a man who has served over there for many years as he shared stories of the persecution those who choose Jesus face and despite their persecution, there unwillingness to deny their faith. For many people Hanukkah is considered a “Jewish version of Christmas” because they don’t really understand the significance of the celebration. But just as Christmas focuses on the birth of Jesus, our guest a respected leader in Jews for Jesus, shared the true story of this celebration and how Jesus fits into it. Just as Jesus came once as a babe, He will return to earth but in a much different form with a much different purpose. We spoke to a highly respected pastor who says that believers should not fear His return but use its inevitability as motivation and drive to live out their faith with courage and boldness. From the challenges of A.I. to the dangers of social media, parents have to be vigilant watchmen on the wall for their families. And that requires a clear understanding of God’s guidance through His word. We invite you once again to join us for another examination of the news through the unchanging lens of scripture.Become a Parshall Partner: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/inthemarket/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gary & Shannon dive into a wild Weekend Fix that starts with one innocent act of holiday giving… and ends with Shannon getting in hot water for buying a sheep for an Afghani family through a Giving Machine. She explains how a charity founded by Mormon donors, a livestock donation, and a Middle Eastern destination all collided into the most chaotic good deed imaginable.From there, the conversation opens up: PastaThon officially kicked off the season of generosity, the “women’s Viagra” article somehow landed in the show ideas pile, and Shannon shares the story of meeting her biological sister at 39 (perhaps more to come on this story). Then the duo breaks down why December triggers big emotions, the rise of “money dysmorphia,” and how you can always tell when someone grew up poor… because no matter how much they earn now, they never stop saving.A chaotic, heartfelt, deeply human Weekend Fix.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dive into a serene exploration with "Find Your Daily Calm," as Sel guides you on a global journey of tranquility. From the moonlit lotus ponds of Japan to the whispering pines of Scandinavia, discover how calm weaves through the tapestry of cultures worldwide. Embrace the quiet wisdom of a Cherokee stream, find shade and stories under a West African Baobab, and lose yourself in the vast peace of the Middle Eastern desert. This episode is an invitation to find calm within, across continents and cultures, proving that tranquility is a universal language spoken by all who seek it. Join Sel and unearth the serene secrets embedded in the heart of diverse traditions, and may you carry a piece of this calm into your daily life.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/find-your-daily-calm/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This transmission unfolds as a ceremonial journey through sound, frequency, and ancestral memory, opening with heart-activating tones that clear the channel and invite presence. Known for her unique approach of slowing tempos to a near-suspended state, Mona stretches rhythm into something hypnotic and ambient, allowing each track to breathe and dissolve into the next. Organic percussion, devotional vocals, and ancestral echoes weave Afro-indigenous and Middle Eastern textures into a deep, meditative flow where dance becomes ritual and listening becomes remembrance. ⚡️Like the Show? Click the [Repost] ↻ button so more people can hear it!

Claude Sonnet 4.5 says: “LISTEN UP, MAGGOTS! Episode 176 of the Unrelenting podcast is dropping knowledge bombs you CANNOT afford to miss! Hosts Darren and Gene are serving up TWO HOURS of unfiltered truth about first class air travel, luxury international airlines, 9/11 aviation security changes, and why Middle Eastern airlines have SHOWERS in their planes while you’re stuck eating garbage in coach! You want airline travel tips? You want to know about business class hacks and frequent flyer mile runs? THIS IS YOUR INTEL! But that’s NOT ALL, recruit! We’re diving DEEP into Taylor Sheridan’s Landman review, Billy Bob Thornton acting, and whether that show jumped the shark harder than your commitment to fitness! You’ll get the REAL TALK on wokeness in 2025, UK free speech laws, political revolution philosophy, and why property taxes mean you’re just RENTING from the government! Plus: Glenn Beck food recommendations, rice pudding from New York, vodka filtering tips, swing dancing secrets, and Spartacus TV series that’ll make your eyeballs sweat! Gene reveals his 25-year distilled water habit, we discuss Saudi Arabia’s failed megacity projects, and debate whether Zoomers are doomed! This episode covers travel hacks, streaming TV recommendations, political commentary, food reviews, and libertarian philosophy that’ll reprogram your brain! DOWNLOAD IT NOW OR REGRET IT FOREVER, SOLDIER! MOVE MOVE MOVE!” Unrelenting: where discipline means no mercy, no bullshit, and no excuses. Thanks for listening. Please support the show! –>> DONATE NOW

This episode is brought to you by The Honduran Coffee Alliance - connecting Honduran coffee producers with global buyers in a fair, sustainable, commercially viable wayConnect with Sean Warner from the Honduran Coffee Alliance on WhatsApp here: https://wa.me/50487350786 or email sean@hondurancoffeealliance.com••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••This is the 4th of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast.In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.The 5 episodes in this series are:1. A Coffee Entrepreneur in Saudi Arabia - https://youtu.be/G79Fxr6_e_Y2. Building The Roasting House - https://youtu.be/hguVnGWvqqs3. The Role Of Specialty Coffee In Brazil - https://youtu.be/YvOu0uolUq04. Converting Brazilians to Specialty Coffee Drinkers - https://youtu.be/aEH2HGWlx-c5. The Sins of the Past for Brazilian Coffee - https://youtu.be/iqIUZjNWv98In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Osamah discuss the cultural barriers and challenges faced by business owners in the Middle Eastern specialty coffee industry.They cover difficulties such as initiating customer interactions across genders, the impact of cultural awareness, and the importance of owner involvement in the success of businesses. The episode also touches upon the role of social media in the coffee industry and delves into generational business dynamics and the complexities of entrepreneurship.Connect with Osamah Alawwam and The Roasting House here:https://www.instagram.com/roastinghousesa/https://www.instagram.com/oalawwam/https://www.linkedin.com/in/oalawwam/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Connect with Map It Forward here: Website | Instagram | Mailing list

This episode is brought to you by The Honduran Coffee Alliance - connecting Honduran coffee producers with global buyers in a fair, sustainable, commercially viable wayConnect with Sean Warner from the Honduran Coffee Alliance on WhatsApp here: https://wa.me/50487350786 or email sean@hondurancoffeealliance.com••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••This is the 4th of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast.In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.The 5 episodes in this series are:1. A Coffee Entrepreneur in Saudi Arabia - https://youtu.be/G79Fxr6_e_Y2. Building The Roasting House - https://youtu.be/hguVnGWvqqs3. The Role Of Specialty Coffee In Brazil - https://youtu.be/YvOu0uolUq04. Converting Brazilians to Specialty Coffee Drinkers - https://youtu.be/aEH2HGWlx-c5. The Sins of the Past for Brazilian Coffee - https://youtu.be/iqIUZjNWv98In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Osamah discuss the cultural barriers and challenges faced by business owners in the Middle Eastern specialty coffee industry.They cover difficulties such as initiating customer interactions across genders, the impact of cultural awareness, and the importance of owner involvement in the success of businesses. The episode also touches upon the role of social media in the coffee industry and delves into generational business dynamics and the complexities of entrepreneurship.Connect with Osamah Alawwam and The Roasting House here:https://www.instagram.com/roastinghousesa/https://www.instagram.com/oalawwam/https://www.linkedin.com/in/oalawwam/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Connect with Map It Forward here: Website | Instagram | Mailing list

Twenty years ago, thousands descended on the Sydney beachside suburb of Cronulla for what became a violent rally against Middle Eastern immigration. Today, Cronulla locals and some Australians of Middle Eastern descent say attitudes are changing. But others are concerned about new, more organised anti-immigration movements. - दुई दशक अगि हजारौँ मानिसहरू सिड्नीको समुन्द्री तटीय सबर्ब क्रनलामा मध्य पूर्वी पृष्ठभूमिका मानिसहरूको विरुद्धमा भन्दै हिंसात्मक प्रदर्शनमा उत्रिएका थिए। एक अर्का प्रतिको बदलाको भावनाले प्रेरित घटनाका कारण करिब २६ जना घाइते भएको र एक सय भन्दा बढी मानिसहरू पक्राउ परेको बताइएको थियो। एक रिपोर्ट।

This week marks 20 years since the Cronulla Riots, when hundreds of angry young white Australian men descended on Cronulla train station and beach in Sydney’s south, attacking anyone of Middle Eastern appearance. In today’s episode, we explain the context surrounding the riots, including the role of broadcaster Alan Jones, the day itself, and explore how Australia has changed since then. Hosts: Lucy Tassell and Sam KoslowskiProducer: Orla Maher Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful. The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent. Want more from TDA?Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletterSubscribe to The Daily Aus’ YouTube Channel Have feedback for us?We’re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you’ve got feedback, we’re all ears. Tell us here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is brought to you by Belco's upcoming 2-day Roaster's Camp in Ethiopia and Colombia in 2026. Don't miss this great opportunity to go to origin.Connect with Alex Fremond from Belco on WhatsApp here: https://wa.me/33645956797 or email a.fremond@belco.fr••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••This is the 3rd of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast.In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.The 5 episodes in this series are:1. A Coffee Entrepreneur in Saudi Arabia - https://youtu.be/G79Fxr6_e_Y2. Building The Roasting House - https://youtu.be/hguVnGWvqqs3. The Role Of Specialty Coffee In Brazil - https://youtu.be/YvOu0uolUq04. Converting Brazilians to Specialty Coffee Drinkers - https://youtu.be/aEH2HGWlx-c5. The Sins of the Past for Brazilian Coffee - https://youtu.be/iqIUZjNWv98In this episode of the podcast series, Lee Safar and Osamah discuss the multifaceted challenges and opportunities within the Middle Eastern business ecosystems. They explore issues like saudiization, the global financial crisis, and the impact of COVID-19 on the coffee industry. Osamah shares insights on how the coffee business can navigate difficulties, adapt to logistical issues, and embrace local talent. Additionally, they highlight the cultural challenges of employing locals in roles such as baristas and the immense professional growth available within the coffee industry. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics shaping the Middle Eastern coffee scene and valuable lessons on resilience and innovation.Connect with Osamah Alawwam and The Roasting House here:https://www.instagram.com/roastinghousesa/https://www.instagram.com/oalawwam/https://www.linkedin.com/in/oalawwam/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Connect with Map It Forward here: Website | Instagram | Mailing list

This episode is brought to you by Belco's upcoming 2-day Roaster's Camp in Ethiopia and Colombia in 2026. Don't miss this great opportunity to go to origin.Connect with Alex Fremond from Belco on WhatsApp here: https://wa.me/33645956797 or email a.fremond@belco.fr••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••This is the 3rd of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast.In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.The 5 episodes in this series are:1. A Coffee Entrepreneur in Saudi Arabia - https://youtu.be/G79Fxr6_e_Y2. Building The Roasting House - https://youtu.be/hguVnGWvqqs3. The Role Of Specialty Coffee In Brazil - https://youtu.be/YvOu0uolUq04. Converting Brazilians to Specialty Coffee Drinkers - https://youtu.be/aEH2HGWlx-c5. The Sins of the Past for Brazilian Coffee - https://youtu.be/iqIUZjNWv98In this episode of the podcast series, Lee Safar and Osamah discuss the multifaceted challenges and opportunities within the Middle Eastern business ecosystems. They explore issues like saudiization, the global financial crisis, and the impact of COVID-19 on the coffee industry. Osamah shares insights on how the coffee business can navigate difficulties, adapt to logistical issues, and embrace local talent. Additionally, they highlight the cultural challenges of employing locals in roles such as baristas and the immense professional growth available within the coffee industry. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics shaping the Middle Eastern coffee scene and valuable lessons on resilience and innovation.Connect with Osamah Alawwam and The Roasting House here:https://www.instagram.com/roastinghousesa/https://www.instagram.com/oalawwam/https://www.linkedin.com/in/oalawwam/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Connect with Map It Forward here: Website | Instagram | Mailing list

Twenty years ago, thousands descended on the Sydney beachside suburb of Cronulla for what became a violent rally against Middle Eastern immigration. Today, Cronulla locals and some Australians of Middle Eastern descent say attitudes are changing. But others are concerned about new, more organised anti-immigration movements.

The NBA Emirates Cup concludes this week...with the semifinals and finals taking place in Las Vegas. Unfortunately for the NBA...the league is being called out by Refugees International for partnering with the UAE. According to Refugees International...the UAE is allegedly responsible for funding a war in Sudan. We discuss the NBA partnering with the UAE...and the subsequent backlash the NBA is receiving. We explain why Middle Eastern countries are using sportswashing...to buy influence with American culture. We discuss Middle Eastern countries using corporate greed against leagues like the NBA...to cover their atrocities and spread Islam throughout America. USE PROMO CODE BTL20 TO SAVE 20% WITH DROP-IT WINE: https://dropitwine.com

In part one of Red Eye Radio with Gary McNamara and Eric Harley, democratic congresswoman Jasmine Crockett announces her bid for senate by her plan to 'turn Texas blue'. Gary is grateful that he will no longer live in her district. Also President Trump unleashes $12B farm rescue as China trade reset hits US growers, SCOTUS to rule on Trump's ability to impose tariffs, Bill Maher and outspoken liberal Ana Kasparian went head-to-head in a fiery clash after he asked her a which Middle Eastern city would tolerate her wearing western clothes and actress Kristen Stewart has claimed that acting is “unmasculine” and “inherently submissive”, and that male actors developed “the method” to compensate. For more talk on the issues that matter to you, listen on radio stations across America Monday-Friday 12am-5am CT (1am-6am ET and 10pm-3am PT), download the RED EYE RADIO SHOW app, asking your smart speaker, or listening at RedEyeRadioShow.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SEC Announces It Will Not Respond to Most No-Action Requests for Rule 14a-8 Shareholder Proposals.Government shutdown - the staff claimed they COULDN'T respond because after the shutdown, they had too much other work to do: “current resource and timing considerations following the lengthy government shutdown and the large volume of registration statements and other filings requiring prompt staff attention.” It just happens to coincide with Atkins saying there shouldn't be shareholder proposals, that's just a coincidence.John Cheveddan and Jim McRitchie - let's be honest, if it weren't for Cheveddan and McRitchie over 3 decades, we'd have less shareholder rights, and companies would not be such big whiners about “woke” shareholder proposals. Guys, you ruined it for all of us with your attention to democracy.Woke ESG shareholders like As You Sow, Arjuna, Trillium, and nuns - if we're honest, the nuns and SRI crowd might have been the straw, right? I mean they're putting in proposals that MAKE Exxon sue them! How dare they ask for carbon scope 3 emissions data!Antiwoke shareholders like NCPPR and Jesus - excluding Cheveddan/McRitchie, the highest volume of shareholder proposals have actually been the ANTI-woke filers, asking for things like a report on how companies will stop funding trans conversions (or one actual one where they asked about the reputational risk of NOT supporting un-trans-ing). Some of the proposals are so comically stupid, but the companies have to respond using third party lawyers and do the whole thing - maybe National Legal whatever center for whatever is the REAL straw?ISS and Glass Lewis - this was like 90% of what they did, since they certainly didn't suggest voting against any directors unless an activist was involved. So when Ramaswamy and Musk and DeSantis and Texas declared proxy advisors woke activists, it was hard to deny since they didn't do any work to vote out directors - just offer customers whatever voting pablum they wantedBlackRock and investors who never voted anywayOther - Atkins and Manhattan institute - lobbyists, administrationPepsi to cut product offering nearly 20% in deal with $4 billion activist ElliottPepsiCo said it also plans to accelerate the introduction of new offerings with simpler and more functional ingredients, including Doritos Protein and Simply NKD Cheetos and Doritos, which contain no artificial flavors or colors. The company also recently introduced a prebiotic version of its signature cola..WHO DO YOU BLAME?Pepsi CEO Ramon Laguarta - CEO since 2018, 21% influence, 43% connected to the board (so they're basically all known entities), has overseen basically zero shareholder value increase in the last 5 years, overall .513 TSR batting average - what has he been doing? Did he put a sign on the door begging an activist to come hang?Activist Elliott Management - Paul Singer is notorious as a real foodie… wait, no, sorry, he's known as a “vulture capitalist” who helped oust Jack Dorsey from Twitter because he didn't want him to hang in Africa, but was happy to have Elon Musk (who has five jobs) take it over. In 2021, he did take a 3% stake in Ahold Delhaize, a grocery store owner, so he's probably had a protein shake sprinkled on Doritos before?Pepsi's board - first of all, it's 14 people, which is like 7 people too many. Second - 4 finance types? Two pharma/med types? There are more people who know medicine than food - only ONE agribusiness repped on the board (Bunge) with the only other food production from Pepsi or ex-Pepsi execs? There are three directors on the nom committee with 10+ years on the board, and the other two have.. 9 years. Vasella has been there 23 years - time for some turnover.Roberto P. Martínez (International Chief Commercial Officer and CEO of New Revenue Streams) and Tara Glasgow (Executive Vice President and Chief Science Officer) - someone needs to be held responsible for Doritos Protein and Simply NKD CheetosJimmy Kimmel signs ABC extension through 2027Most of Kimmel's recent renewals have been multiyear extensions. There was no immediate word on whose choice it was to extend his current contract by one year.WHO DO YOU BLAME?Bob Iger - he yanked Kimmel to kiss Brendan Carr's ass and the affiliates, then put him back on when subscribers cancelled, then convinced affiliates to re-air, all because Kimmel said conservatives really didn't want Kirk's killer to be conservative? Now Kimmel is EXTENDED? It has to be the dumbest series of events since “Don't Say Gay” bill in Chapek's era, right?Disney's board - these are well known directors in the bag for Iger, and Iger would not even be CEO again if not for them. Susan Arnold, who at the time had more influence on the board than Iger, was chair of the nominating committee, had Mel Lagomasino and Derica Rice on with her, all went with Iger's hand picked choice of Bob Chapek. Arnold left the board, but both Rice and Lagomasino stayed behind to help choose… Bob Iger to return? Then brought on James Gorman, who hand picked HIS successor, to lead succession with Bob Iger again? Is anyone doing a job on this board? ISS - when Nelson Peltz took his Ike Perlmutter borrowed stake in Disney in 2024, ISS sided with Peltz and suggested voting out Mel Lagamasino because she was the longest tenured director and “responsible” for Disney's failed succession. In 2025, after Peltz lost and no one cared, ISS backed Lagamasino. With analysis like that, it's no wonder Disney can bow to the Trump Administration since there's no way ISS will actually suggest changing the board unless an old racist takes a stake.Brendan Carr - is this just a finger in the eye of Carr, the FCC, and the angry conservative affiliates by Iger? Is this Disney's way of being woke now?Other - Baby Doll Dixon, Jimmy Kimmel's agent - should have gotten him a 10 year deal with a player option out. Optically way better, gets bought out if they fire him.Trump says Netflix, WBD deal could be 'problem' as son-in-law Kushner backs Paramount bid“I'll be involved in that decision too,” Trump said days after Netflix agreed to buy WBD's film studiosParamount revealed in a regulatory filing that its hostile bid for WBD bid is being backed by Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who is a former White House advisor - and every Middle Eastern sovereign fund, as well as over $40bn by Larry Ellison (and David Ellison committed to spend more in a text to co-CEO Ted SarandosWHO DO YOU BLAME?Larry Ellison - without daddy's $40bn (and more - what's $40bn when you have $269bn in net worth and own an island in Hawaii), there is no deal - literally no deal, this is pure nepo - THE OLIGARCHYMiddle Eastern sovereign funds - I mean, they're involved in EVERY major deal of a conservative figure (Musk/Twitter, Musk/Grok, Ellison/Paramount, Ellison/TikTok, Trump/Air Force One) and are backing another consolidation. Is this the greatest capitalist manipulation ever? Dictator capitalism?Robby Starbuck - he claimed “victory” in the Skydance acquisition terms for killing DEI at Paramount, used the opportunity to lick the boot of Brendan Carr, who is almost guaranteed to investigate Netflix given their wokeness. Somehow it's all Robby Starbuck's fault, right?WBD chair Sam Di Piazza - a near lifer at PwC as an accountant until he want to Citi as an i-banker for a stint, served on AT&T's board… an ACCOUNTANT is running the show! No one has heard of him, he's not in any of the news, but ostensibly he (and the board) approved the Netflix deal after dealing with Baby Ellison. The board is the only group that gets all the bids, compares them, and ultimately decides what to agree on and send to shareholders. If they chose Baby Ellison to avoid him throwing a temper tantrum to daddy, there's no hostile takeover and conservatives can rejoice in owning all of media, right? Snap appoints Arlo CEO Matthew McRae to board of directorsPrior to his current role as CEO of Arlo Technologies, which he has held since August 2018, McRae served as Senior Vice President of Strategy at NETGEAR and as Chief Technology Officer at VIZIO for over seven yearsWHO DO YOU BLAME?Evan Spiegel - he owns 53.1% of voting power - there is no one else to blameRobert Murphy - he owns 46.4% of voting power - what if he doesn't like Matt McRae? Do they resort to a thumb war? Who are we kidding, it's still Evan Spiegel's faultInvestors, who, for whatever reason, have OK'ed the idea of dual class shares such that Spiegel and Murphy own 99.5% of the voting power and less than 8% of the economic interest - while Fidelity owns 14.6% of the shares that control 0% of the overall vote. It was banned from index inclusion because the shares had NO voting rights - but somehow Meta is ALLOWED on every index because you have voting rights even if you can NEVER EVER WIN as Zuck owns control. What's the fucking difference??Worst CEOs of the Year Evan Spiegel of Snap

In this special Christmas episode of Hidden Wisdom, Meghan is joined by scholar and author Donna Nielsen for a breathtaking exploration of Mother Mary's true identity, her lineage, her temple upbringing, and the ancient traditions that honor her far beyond the biblical text.Drawing from Christian apocrypha, Islamic scripture, German folktales, early temple traditions, Renaissance iconography, and Middle Eastern lineage records, Donna reveals a side of Mary rarely talked about. This is a beautiful, expansive, and deeply reverent journey into Mary's life and mission—the perfect Christmas episode for anyone wanting deeper spiritual understanding.Timestamps 00:00–04:00 | Introduction 04:00–06:00 | Protestant vs. Catholic Mary 06:00–13:00 | How stories honor real people without always being factual 13:00–16:00 | Maternal lineage 16:00–27:00 | Prophecy of the tree, branch, flower, and fruit of light 27:00–29:00 | Story of Anna and Joachim  29:00–32:00 | Early childhood portrayals of Mary 32:00–35:00 | Temple customs, Mary's purity traditions, and symbolic upbringing 35:00–38:00 | Presentation of Mary at the temple: Christian and Muslim narratives 38:00–40:00 | Mary's weaving 40:00–43:00 | Annunciation symbolism 43:00–46:00 | Women at wells 46:00–48:00 | Mary entering the Holy of Holies 48:00–50:00 | Oldest image of Mary 50:00–53:00 | Mary in Islam 53:00–56:00 | Islamic art and symbolism 56:00–59:00 | Mary the New Eve  59:00–01:03:00 | Nativity traditions 01:03:00–01:06:00 | The three Marys 01:06:00–01:10:00 | Dormition, Assumption, and ancient beliefs about Mary's death 01:10:00–01:12:00 | Mary in Latter-day Saint tradition and limited portrayal 01:12:00–01:16:00 | Mary as the Virgin in the Book of Mormon 01:16:00–01:19:00 | Virgin: meanings beyond sexuality  01:19:00–01:23:00 | Colors, flowers, fruits, and symbolic art of Mary 01:23:00–01:28:00 | Shell and pearl symbolism 01:28:00–01:32:00 | Medieval chants and Mary's collaborative role with Christ 01:32:00–End | Closing symbolism: milk, blood, tears, and divine compassionAdditional Resources: The Protoevangelium of James - Reading by Meghan FarnerHoly Child Jesus by Donna NielsenLearn more at donna-connections.blogspot.com Thank you for listening to Hidden Wisdom! For more classes, writings, and upcoming events, visit meghanfarner.com. ✨ New Class Now Open: The Language of Heaven: Basic Symbols Discover the foundational symbols of divine communication and deepen your spiritual understanding for FREE! Register here! If this episode brought value to your life, please consider: Donating through Venmo: @Meghan-Farner Subscribing to stay updated Sharing it with someone who would love it Leaving a comment or review to help others find the show Connecting and exploring more resources at meghanfarner.com Thank you for being a part of the Hidden Wisdom community!

The discussion delves into the complex historical eras of Iraq, challenging binary understandings of its past and present. A professor at Haverford College and author of "Political Undesirables: Citizen Denaturalization and Reclamation in Iraq and Return to Ruin: Iraqi Narratives of Exile and Nostalgia", Zainab Saleh discusses how the Iraq she grew up in—during the Ba'ath Party reign and under Saddam Hussein—was a time of fear and repression, despite the earlier period of high hopes and political aspirations in the 1940s and 1950s. She explores the concept of nostalgia for the Saddam era, which exists even among those who suffered under the regime, because of the basic services that were provided. The conversation offers a nuanced timeline of modern Iraqi history, from World War I's role in creating Middle Eastern nation-states through the Ottoman and British rules, the monarchy, and the Ba'ath Party. A key focus is placed on the 1990s as a major turning point, with the 1991 bombardment and subsequent sanctions leading to the rapid deterioration of infrastructure, increased social problems like begging and corruption, and environmental collapse. We consider the argument that the Iran-Iraq War, the Gulf War, and the US invasion should be viewed as one long, continuous war. Saleh critiques the simplistic narrative that Americans brought to Iraq after 2003, arguing that it institutionalized a sectarian political system. She emphasizes that the American discourse—classifying Sunnis as loyalists and Shia or Kurds as oppressed—ignored the reality of mixed communities and complex political loyalties. Saleh explores the historical use of denaturalization in Iraq, a topic central to her latest book. She details how the British and subsequent Iraqi regimes used the pretext of "political undesirables" to strip citizens of their rights, citing examples such as Iraqi Jews in the 1950s and Iraqis of Iranian origin in the 1980s. 0:00 Introduction 1:50 When Did The Iraq You Grew Up In Start?2:54 The High Hopes of the 1940s and 1950s3:33 Nostalgia, Time, and Loss7:09 The Broad Phases of Iraqi History9:33 Cultural Renaissance Under the Monarchy10:00 Vibrant Leftist Politics in the Monarchy Era11:39 Nostalgia for the Monarchy13:00 The Largest Effect on Daily Life: 1991 Bombardment and Sanctions16:29 Connecting the Wars: One Long War17:59 The Lead-up to Saddam's Invasion of Kuwait19:33 The Vision of the Neoconservatives20:40 Misunderstandings about US Imperialism22:11 The Myth of Iraqi Sectarianism23:24 The Institutionalization of a Sectarian System25:27 The Role of the Iraqi Opposition Abroad28:29 Phases of Post-2003 Iraq29:12 The Civil War and Proxy War (2006-2008)30:20 Displacement and the Reorganization of Iraqi Society30:52 Social Mobilization: 2011 and the Tishreen Uprising (2019)31:24 The Catastrophe of ISIS34:29 The Problem with Nostalgic Photos40:14 When One Dictator Becomes a Source of Nostalgia41:16 The Book: Political Undesirables and Denaturalization41:59 The Deportation of Iraqis of Iranian Origin (1980)44:48 Denaturalization as a Systemic Pattern48:19 Issuing Passports After World War I51:00 The Expulsion of Iraqi Jews (1950)51:25 Iraqi Jews as an Integral Part of Society52:44 The Ancient History of Babylonian Jews55:20 The Basis for Expulsion58:19 Recommended Readings on Iraqi History Zainab Saleh is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Haverford College and the author of books "Return to Ruin: Iraqi Narratives of Exile and Nostalgia" (2020) and "Political Undesirables: Citizenship, Denaturalization, and Reclamation in Iraq" (2025).Connect with Zainab Saleh

Maged Harby, General Partner at VMS, joins Jeremy Au to share his journey from publishing to building one of the Middle East's earliest EdTech venture programs, explain how Egypt and Saudi Arabia differ as innovation ecosystems, and guide founders on how to enter the region with cultural fit and strong partnerships. They discuss how EdTech adoption accelerated during COVID, why parents still steer children toward traditional fields, and how Gen Z is shifting toward entrepreneurship. Their conversation explores the contrast between Egypt's talent depth and Saudi Arabia's purchasing power, the need for localization in pricing and UX, and why Middle Eastern markets must be treated as distinct rather than homogeneous. Maged also outlines what he hopes to see next in personalized learning and why teacher training remains the region's biggest unlock. 00:25 VMS: Corporate Venture studio based in Saudi Arabia and provide several program to help and support startup to grow such as Bridge program that support startups that need to expand their business to Saudi Arabia and other programs 03:00 Parents push traditional paths: Egypt's university admissions are rigid and most families still guide children toward engineering or medicine. 07:00 EdVentures built from zero: Maged grew EdVentures into a major EdTech incubator and accelerator with more than 90 graduated startups and 23 investments. 14:00 Gen Z shifts to entrepreneurship: Young people are increasingly drawn to building startups and solving real problems instead of following traditional job tracks. 16:00 Localization defines success: Middle Eastern markets differ in pricing, UX, language and regulation which makes adaptation essential for expansion. 19:00 Competition varies by country: FinTech is saturated in Saudi Arabia while EdTech and health tech remain more open in Egypt and the UAE. 27:00 Teacher quality is the bottleneck: Universities must modernize teacher training so classrooms can match Gen Z and Gen Alpha digital habits. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/maged-harby-middle-east-playbook Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts #MiddleEastTech #EdTechInnovation #SaudiArabiaStartups #EgyptEcosystem #GenZEntrepreneurs #LocalizationStrategy #VentureStudios #GCCExpansion #PersonalizedLearning #BRAVEpodcast

The White House has released a controversial new National Security Strategy (NSS) that marks a major realignment of U.S. foreign policy under the "America First" banner. The document lays out Trump's vision for ensuring America's "dominance" in the Western Hemisphere, cultivating "resistance" within Europe, reestablishing "strategic stability" with Russia, and accepting Middle Eastern leaders "as they are." Current and former European officials are already pushing back against the strategy's assertions regarding European alliances and demographics. SPONSOR: AURA Frames: Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/FIVEMIN. Promo Code FIVEMIN Independent media has never been more important. Please support this channel by subscribing here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkbwLFZhawBqK2b9gW08z3g?sub_confirmation=1 Join this channel with a membership for exclusive early access and bonus content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkbwLFZhawBqK2b9gW08z3g/join Five Minute News is an Evergreen Podcast, covering politics, inequality, health and climate - delivering independent, unbiased and essential news for the US and across the world. Visit us online at http://www.fiveminute.news Follow us on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/fiveminutenews.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram http://instagram.com/fiveminnews Support us on Patreon http://www.patreon.com/fiveminutenews You can subscribe to Five Minute News with your preferred podcast app, ask your smart speaker, or enable Five Minute News as your Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing skill. CONTENT DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed on this channel are those of the guests and authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Anthony Davis or Five Minute News LLC. Any content provided by our hosts, guests or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything, in line with the First Amendment right to free and protected speech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Making lemonade from the lemons of life is the theme to this week's Loose Ends. The comedian Omid Djalili was so incensed by having his shows cancelled after 9/11 due to his Middle Eastern heritage that he devised a stand-up tour called Namaste so he could let off steam as well as make us laugh. Elizabeth Day's How to Fail podcast is, ironically, a massive success, but she says her latest novel - a darkly humorous political satire - draws on her own feelings of being an outsider. Neil Morrissey had an ill-starred childhood but managed to head straight for the limelight in Men Behaving Badly, Line of Duty and is now playing Jacob Marley who brings redemption to Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. And Taskmaster contestant and comedian Ania Magliano attributes her personality to growing up playing with Sylvanian family toys rather than Barbies - find out how that inspired her new stand up show, Peach Fuzz. And a performance from Dracapella, a comedy retelling of the Dracula story, introduced by its writer Dan Patterson, the creator of Whose Line Is It Anyway?Producer: Olive Clancy Assistant producer: Samuel Nixon Technical Production: Giles Aspen and Gayl Gordon

In a world where Israel is headline news every day, most people are trying to interpret events through a fog of bias, misinformation, and instant reaction culture.  We sat down with longtime Jerusalem-based journalist Nicole Jansezian to ask a simple question that's not simple at all:  How do we know what's actually true?  What unfolded was an inside look at the fractured media landscape inside Israel and the ideological forces shaping the region. Nicole helps us slow down and understand why the Middle East defies the easy categories most Westerners reach for.  Israel's political divisions don't map onto America's left-right spectrum. Palestinian society is not monolithic. And both sides live with historic, cultural, and religious dynamics that rarely show up in the headlines.  When we oversimplify, we miss the deeper story - and the deeper human reality. This conversation is for anyone who wants discernment in an age of propaganda. We explore why speed has replaced accuracy, why influencers often outrun truth, and why we need a long view shaped by Scripture, not by algorithms.  For Christians seeking to understand Israel, this isn't just geopolitics - it's about returning to the story God has been telling since Genesis and learning to see the world the way He sees it. Key Takeaways Israel's internal political spectrum is far more complex than the American left–right divide. Headlines often frame events without context, leading to widespread misunderstanding. Influencer-driven “news” prioritizes speed and virality over verification. Propaganda is not always overt; sometimes it's subtle, soft influence that shapes perception. Ideology - religious, historic, territorial - drives Middle Eastern decisions more than economics. The media environment inside Israel is deeply divided, with competing narratives shaping public opinion. Christians must pursue discernment by slowing down, asking better questions, and grounding their understanding in Scripture. Chapter Markers  00:00 – Welcome and introduction from Jerusalem 01:20 – Nicole's story: from Queens to the Middle East 04:00 – Why Israeli politics don't mirror America 08:30 – Divisions inside Israel after October 7 13:45 – How to read news with discernment 16:45 – The rise of influencers and the loss of verification 21:00 – Why analysis is disappearing from modern news 23:00 – Ideological drivers of the Middle East 30:20 – Propaganda and soft influence 37:00 – Where to follow Nicole's reporting To go deeper into conversations that reconnect the whole Bible and illuminate God's ongoing story with Israel and the nations, explore more resources at thejewishroad.com, join us on an upcoming trip to Israel, consider becoming one of The Few who support this work regularly, and follow today's guest at nicjan.com and on her YouTube channel for on-the-ground reporting from Jerusalem.

Shortly after the shooting of two national guard troops in Washington, D.C., the Trump Administration said it was pausing asylum decisions and halting visas for Afghan immigrants. The alleged shooter is Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a Bellingham resident who came to the U.S. from Afghanistan in 2021. The motive for the attack is unknown. One victim – 20 year old Sarah Beckstrom – was killed in Wednesday’s shooting. The attack has prompted the Trump administration to supercharge restrictions on migrants from 19 countries, primarily ones in Africa and the Middle East. And it has left many others in this country fearful about their future as the federal government turns new scrutiny on green cards and asylee statuses that have already been granted. We’re trying to get a sense of how policy actions may impact immigrant communities, so we’re speaking with Luis Cortes Romero. He is an immigration lawyer and managing partner at Novo Legal Group. A note: After our taping, on Tuesday evening, the Department of Homeland Security announced a pause for all immigration applications for people from 19 countries deemed "high risk." Those are the same 19 countries Luis and I discussed that were under some previous restrictions: mainly African and Middle Eastern nations, including Sudan, Somalia and Iran -- also Venezuela, Haiti, and more. DHS says this requires "all aliens meeting the criteria undergo a thorough re-review process." GUESTS: Luis Cortes Romero is an immigration lawyer and managing partner at Novo Legal Group. RELATED LINKS: Shooting of National Guard members prompts flurry of U.S. immigration restrictions - PBS Trump pauses immigration applications for 19 nations on travel ban list - Washington Post Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New York Public Library exhibition "Niyū Yūrk: Middle Eastern and North African Lives in the City," spotlights the history of MENA residents of NYC throughout the centuries. Hiba Abid, curator for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the NYPL, discusses the exhibition, and listeners share their own family history.

Today, I'm joined by my guest Kristi McLelland to talk about Hanukkah and its significance in Christianity. Have you ever read the Bible through a Middle Eastern lens? Let's talk about the meaning of Hanukkah and the birth of Jesus in this episode. Connect with us! Website: ⁠https://www.pzazzonline.com/⁠ Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/pzazzartstudio⁠ Instagram- ⁠www.instagram.com/pzazzartstudio⁠  Text us: 1-334-249-1818

In this episode, Jason Ingber sits down with comedian Menachem Kashanian, an Iranian-Jewish storyteller with one of the most shocking true experiences you'll ever hear. Menachem reveals how a supposed Netflix casting call for the show Tehran led him into a covert Israeli operation designed to rescue 500 Jewish refugees trapped in Syria. What began as a mysterious Facebook message turned into a month of tactical training, a new identity, and a mission known internally as "Free the Flute." He explains how he was trained to pose as an introverted Armenian musician, learned to play the nay (Middle Eastern flute), infiltrated a Syrian orchestra, and used music to gather intelligence inside refugee camps, ultimately helping save hundreds of lives. Menachem also shares hilarious and unbelievable stories from his personal life, including: • His eccentric billionaire uncle Darush, a dominant figure in Beverly Hills real estate • Wild encounters with Kris Jenner, the Kardashians, and Erewhon staff • The creation of his prank series Old Blood (Hun Parol) • His docuseries Know Before Who You Stand • His friendship with Floyd Mayweather, who quietly supports Jewish communities • A chilling conversation with Mika Kubi, the woman who interrogated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar for 180+ hours This episode blends comedy, Middle Eastern culture, real-life spy operations, and powerful Jewish storytelling, all through Menachem's unique, unfiltered voice.

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this episode of The Wright Report, Bryan breaks down the fierce political battles inside Washington over healthcare, immigration, and the courts. He then turns to global flashpoints involving the Muslim Brotherhood, Ukraine, foreign propaganda campaigns, and a surprising development involving Italian pasta. Healthcare Fight Intensifies: President Trump is preparing to release his updated plan for America's health insurance marketplace. Early details include extending Obamacare subsidies for two more years, with tighter income eligibility rules and minimum premium requirements. The White House will also expand Health Savings Accounts and allow federal assistance to be used for faith-based HealthShare programs. Republicans fear voter backlash if a fix is not delivered before the midterms. At the same time, critics warn that the extension will add around fifty billion dollars per year to the national debt. Bryan notes the frustration felt by many listeners facing soaring premiums, including his own fifty-four percent increase. Immigration Battle Escalates: DHS is recruiting "deportation judges" with salaries up to $200,000 and significant bonuses. The administration hopes to replace immigration judges with high asylum approval rates, particularly in cities like San Francisco, where twelve Democrat appointed judges have already been removed. Trump is prioritizing faster removals for millions of pending asylum cases. Meanwhile, the fight over Somali welfare fraud has led the White House to rescind long-standing protections for Somali migrants, prompting criticism from Democrats and activist groups. Representative Ilhan Omar mocked the policy shift and insisted, "We are here to stay." Courts Block Key Enforcement Tools: A Clinton-appointed judge ruled that the IRS cannot share data with DHS to identify illegal aliens, blocking access to more than one million records. Other Democrat appointed judges halted Trump's attempt to expand rapid deportations inside the United States for migrants who have been here for fewer than two years. Bryan explains why these rulings highlight a deeper partisan divide inside the judiciary and why Supreme Court control has become a central battleground for both parties. Sedition Charges and Military Discipline: Senator Mark Kelly and other members of the "Seditious Six" face investigations after urging military personnel to resist hypothetical unlawful orders from President Trump. Kelly insists he is exercising free speech, but Pentagon officials say retired officers remain bound by military law. Bryan argues that these calls to resist the President are politically motivated and undermine public trust in the armed forces. Representative Eugene Vindman is also under investigation for unapproved foreign consulting work in Ukraine after leaving military service. Comey and Letitia James Win a Round in Court: Charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James were dismissed after a judge ruled that the Trump appointed prosecutor had been improperly selected. The Department of Justice says it will refile the charges and insists the statute of limitations has not expired. Bryan describes the moment as a tactical win for the defendants but not the end of the fight. Trump Targets the Muslim Brotherhood: The President ordered the State Department to determine which branches of the Muslim Brotherhood should be labeled as terrorist organizations. The group's history stretches back to its founding in Egypt in the 1920s, inspiring violent movements including Hamas and al Qaeda. Bryan notes that some Middle Eastern governments, particularly Turkey and Qatar, still support parts of the organization, and that groups like CAIR in the United States have roots in Brotherhood networks. Foreign Troll Farms Exposed on X: A new platform update revealed that many accounts posing as American conservatives or pro-Palestine activists are actually operated from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. These users post inflammatory political content to generate clicks and payouts under Elon Musk's monetization system. Bryan urges listeners to be skeptical of viral accounts and to scrutinize sources. Ukraine Peace Plan Revised: Trump's proposed peace plan has been reduced from 28 points to 19 and now leans more toward Ukraine's favor. European leaders insist Ukraine must maintain a one-million-strong force, even as countries like Germany admit it will take a decade to reach 260,000 troops. Bryan argues that Europe's rhetoric far exceeds its ability to act and that Trump is correct to dismiss their objections. Italian Pasta Tariff Coming: The White House is preparing a tariff on imported Italian pasta to protect U.S. producers. Bryan jokes that listeners may want to stock up now.   "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32   Put a smile on your face and give joy to your taste buds… Give Masa and Vandy beef tallow chips a try today! Use code WRIGHT for 25% off your first order… at MASAchips.com or VandyCrisps.com. So incredibly delicious! I promise, you won't be disappointed.     Keywords: Trump healthcare plan Obamacare subsidies, DHS deportation judges hiring, Somali welfare fraud Minnesota Omar quote, IRS DHS data sharing blocked, rapid deportation two year rule, Mark Kelly sedition investigation, Eugene Vindman ethics probe, James Comey Letitia James charges dismissed, Muslim Brotherhood terror designation review, foreign troll accounts X social media, Ukraine peace plan nineteen points, Italian pasta tariff

This week, Ron Steslow and Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) break down the newly released Epstein emails, what they show, what they don't and why the national security implications are far bigger than the headlines. They dig into Epstein's attempts to insert himself into global politics including offering Russia “insight” on Donald Trump and the strange connection between Larry Summers and China's Belt and Road Initiative  Then, they walk through why Congress forced the DOJ's hand, why Pam Bondi now controls what gets redacted, and why the lack of institutional trust means any carve-outs will only fuel more conspiracy and chaos. After that, they turn to Poland, where a Russian-backed sabotage attack on a key supply line to Ukraine has triggered a crisis inside NATO.     In Politicology+ they dive into back-to-back Oval Office visits from two Middle Eastern leaders, and what Trump's defense of the Saudi Crown Prince reveals about America's shifting posture in the region.  Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate Find our sponsor links and promo codes here: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RON at  https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Listen to The Last Invention: https://bit.ly/4pob891 Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https:/x.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/HagarChemali Related Reading:  Politico - Jeffrey Epstein claimed he gave Russians insight into Trump Newsweek - Donald Trump ‘blowing Bubba' message in Epstein emails under scrutiny - Newsweek ABC News - Epstein offered reporter photos of 'donald and girls in bikinis in my kitchen': Email - ABC News NY Post - Meet economist Keyu Jin, who Larry Summers asked Jeffrey Epstein advice on how to get 'horizontal' with | New York Post NYT - Poland Blames Russian-Backed Ukrainians for Railway Sabotage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices