You all loved our last roundup of our favourite podcasts about the Middle East and North Africa, so we’re updating it for 2022! One of the silver linings of the pandemic is that millions of us became addicted to listening to podcasts to keep us going while working from home, so the podcast space has absolutely boomed and there are a ton of new ones you may not have heard of.
Podcasts were the perfect way to get a dose of escapism and a glimpse into other societies and cultures while the world was on hold, so if you’ve emerged from lockdown a podcast addict too, we’ve got you covered! Throughout 2022, we’ll be sharing our top picks of Middle East podcasts.
This week we’ve rounded up some of the best Middle East politics and history podcasts!
The Fire These Times | Joey Ayoub
First up, The Fire These Times, which is always a fascinating listen. Lebanese writer and PhD candidate Joey Ayoub covers a broad array of subjects through conversations with scholars, authors and journalists, including the poetics of human rights, reactions to the Arab Spring in diaspora communities and even retro-futurism and space travel. Each episode listing also gives a collection of books and other resources to explore the featured topics even further.
15 Minute History | The University of Texas at Austin
If you need your podcasts short and sweet, 15 Minute History is the one for you! These bite-sized doses of history are the perfect companion to your coffee break. Learn about the history of written script in pre-Islamic times and the development of Arabic as we know it today, the abolition of slavery in Iran, or the impact of the climate changes of the ‘Little Ice Age’ on politics in the Middle East. Click on ‘Middle East and North Africa’ under Categories for all their MENA focused episodes!
The Gateway – A Podcast from the Middle East | Al Bawaba
This podcast by Amman-based news outlet Al Bawaba focuses on in-depth discussion of current news stories as well as issues like the colonial gaze, re-greening and political nostalgia. With a new guest expert each week, you’ll never be short of an interesting listen.
Rethinking Palestine | Al-Shabaka: The Palestinian Policy Network
Rethinking Palestine is produced by Al-Shabaka, an independent Palestinian think-tank. The podcast focuses specifically on Palestinian issues, and their 30-40 minute episodes give the perfect level of insight into everything from surveillance and military aid to the political use of religious tourism.
Status | Arab Studies Institute
Status is an audio magazine with a selection of podcasts under its umbrella, including Security in Context, Connections and Islam on the Edges. Key focuses include peace and conflict, geopolitics and current affairs across the Middle East and beyond. Get your headphones on and learn about the disproportionate impact of climate change in the global South, gender activism and the impact of Covid-19 on women in the Arab world, or the Tishreen Uprising in Iraq. Some Status episodes are in Arabic if you’re a learner looking for audio resources!
Ottoman History Podcast
The best way to understand the present is to have a solid knowledge of the past, and what better way to learn than through a fascinating podcast! The Ottoman History Podcast does cover plenty of Ottoman History just as it promises, but also has episodes like an exploration of the cultural history of the Maghreb through gramophone records. We especially loved this episode, which explores the layered history of Beirut through a walking tour, immersing you in the history of the city. Paired with the images on the website, this is the next best thing to being there in person!
On the Middle East | Al-Monitor
Next up, a news podcast by Al-Monitor. Each episode offers a focused discussion of one current affairs issue in the Middle East, with regional analysts and experts offering their insights. Recent episodes include a look at an underreported crisis at the Syrian border of Iraqi Kurdistan and the impact of the cancelled Libyan general election in December.
The New Arab Voice | The New Arab
This podcast series by news site The New Arab has episodes covering everything from hostage diplomacy and the coup in Sudan, to climate change in the Middle East, all with an impressive range of guest experts from the worlds of journalism, academia and activism.
For even more brilliant listening all about the Middle East and North Africa, make sure to check out this list of essential podcasts too!
Did we miss anything?! Share your favourite Middle East / North Africa history and politics podcasts in the comments below.