Politics

13 essential blogs and websites to help you understand the Middle East

These 13 English-language Middle East blogs and websites are essential reading for anyone interested in Middle East politics and culture.

Middle East Monthly Roundup: October

Here’s your monthly summary of the biggest stories in the Middle East, explaining why they…

Stronger Than Bullets: Music on the Frontlines of Libya’s Revolution

“Music gives me power, it gives me hope. It moves hearts… Strings have more power than bullets, stronger than bullets” – Masoud Buisir, the Troubadour of the Libyan revolution.

Caliphate: The addictive ISIS podcast that’s causing controversy

As avid podcast listeners will know, the New York Times recently wrapped up its binge-worthy…

Socotra: Conflict and climate threaten Yemen’s “alien” island paradise

Famous for its bizarre natural life and dramatic scenery, the Yemeni island of Socotra is…

Essential podcasts to help you understand the Middle East

Trying to understand the Middle East is complicated at best and impossible at worst. News stories give conflicting views of developments on the ground and much of the mainstream media coverage is steeped in stereotypes and lacking in nuance. The following list of podcasts are essential listening if you’re interested in the region – they deconstruct Middle Eastern history, politics, culture and the economy to give you a clearer picture of what’s going on in this fascinating and often misunderstood part of the world.

Reasons to be hopeful in 2018

Happy new year! I hope you had a fantastic Christmas and that 2018 is a…

Islamic State, Libya and the new Cold War

Eyes have been on Libya in the wake of the bombing that killed 22 people…

Yemeni town awaits an offensive that could turn the tide of the war – but at a cost

International eyes have, for once, been on Yemen in recent weeks, as the catastrophic humanitarian…