Shows
Almanac – The Oxford Middle East PodcastDevelopments in JordanAn explanation and discussion of the modern history and recent political developments in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Piotr Schulkes, Guy Fiennes, and Matthew Smith highlight important topics such as Palestinian refugees, the royal family, and the politics of foreign intervention in the Kingdom.2022-04-2045 minAlmanac – The Oxford Middle East Podcast2022 New Year’s EpisodeThe entire Almanac team gets together to discuss what they believe was the most important event in the region over the past year, something they are watching for in the region in 2022, and their favorite book on the Middle East. People featured: Piotr Schulkes, Guy Fiennes, Isabella Cibelli Du Terroil, Oliver Franks, Kalyani Nedungadi, Matthew Smith, Adam Abdalla2022-01-1735 minAlmanac – The Oxford Middle East PodcastGraffiti, music, and football ultras: expressing dissent in MENA (Middle East and North Africa)Piotr Schulkes, Adam Abdallah, and Kalyani Nedungadi discuss non-official ways in expressing dissent, comparing Morocco, Turkey, Egypt, and Palestine. They highlight the role of music and graffiti, and the unique position football ultras have in MENA culture.2021-12-1749 minAlmanac – The Oxford Middle East PodcastIndependence and Colonialism in the Western SaharaPiotr Schulkes, Helna Murphy, Hajar Meddah, and Felix Walker discuss the recent development in the Western Sahara, caused by America’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the territory. They give an overview over the area’s history, the foreign actors involved, and what the future might hold2021-10-0648 minAlmanac – The Oxford Middle East PodcastHistory, politics, and Anecdotes with Eugene RoganPiotr Schulkes and Eugene Rogan discuss the importance of history in contemporary Middle Eastern politics, how the West discusses the region, and a number of stories from Rogan’s time at Oxford.2021-02-2254 minAlmanac – The Oxford Middle East PodcastLebanon’s Economic and political crisisPiotr Schulkes, Felix Walker, and Michael Memari cover the ongoing crises in Lebanon’s political and economic systems. They discuss the importance of the confessionalist system in perpetuating the corruption and dependency structures that have hollowed out the Lebanese state, the role of foreign actors, and what the country might face in the future.2021-02-0944 minAlmanac – The Oxford Middle East PodcastChild abuse and dancing boys in AfghanistanPiotr Schulkes, Rose Johnson, and Max Randall dive into the phenomenon of the Dancing Boys of Afghanistan. They discuss the parallels which can be found in Persian and Sufi poetry, why it has seen a resurgence the last decades, and how it cannot be separated from the socioeconomic conditions of the country today.2020-12-0340 minAlmanac – The Oxford Middle East PodcastAvi Shlaim on Revisionist History and IsraelPiotr Schulkes and Avi Shlaim, Fellow of the British Academy, sit down to discuss Israel’s New Historians; who they are, what they believe, and the popular reception to it. They also cover the role of history in Israeli politics, the significance of the Oslo Accords, and what Prime Minister Netanyahu has meant for historical research in Israel2020-11-2045 minAlmanac – The Oxford Middle East PodcastOrientalism and the Language of the Middle EastLillie Sullivan, Piotr Schulkes, and Hajar Meddah discuss what the Middle East as a region is and how it is portrayed in academia and the media. They compare what they have been taught to what they experienced when they lived there, and how the language used to describe the Middle East can have severe consequences for policy in the region.2020-11-0242 minAlmanac – The Oxford Middle East PodcastThe Kafala SystemHajar Meddah, Felix Walker and Piotr Schulkes discuss the Middle East’s controversial Kafala system, that allows employers to exploit workers and undermine their rights without breaking the law. They cover the history of the practice, the successes and failures of activism against it, and what the Kafala system’s future might look like.2020-09-2846 minAlmanac – The Oxford Middle East PodcastNormalization, annexation, and the PalestiniansPiotr Schulkes, Frederike Brockhoven, and Michael Memari discuss the impact of the normalization of the UAE-Israeli relationship on Netanyahu’s annexation plan, why it's yet more bad news for Palestinians, and American reticence to improve the situation.2020-09-0842 min