Richardson Institute: Recent Episodes
Richardson Institute
The Richardson Institute is the oldest Peace Studies centre in the UK and was established in 1959 in the spirit of the Quaker scientist, Lewis Fry Richardson. The Richardson Institute is an interdisciplinary forum for research on peace and conflict based within the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion at Lancaster University.
Run by Dr Simon Mabon, the Institute has a number of podcasts available on this channel. The first is SEPADPod, part of SEPAD, the Sectarianism, Proxies and De-Sectarianisation Project (www.sepad.org.uk), funded by Carnegie Corporation. SEPADPod features conversations with academics working on contemporary issues in Middle East politics. The second is The Impact Narrative, where Simon speaks with Dr Mark Garnett about UK and global politics.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Louise Kettle, Assistant Professor in Politics and International Relations in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Nottingham. Louise is the author of Learning from the History of British Interventions in the Middle East (Edinburgh University Press, 2018) amongst other things. On this episode Simon and Louise talk about history, 9/11, marketing, Soho, learning processes, the Chilcot inquiry, studying with Aziz Alghashian, and much more!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Dr Inna Rudolph, a Research Fellow on the Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) research programme at King's College London. Inna is a world leading expert on the hashd al shabi in Iraq and has done fascinating work on the topic. On this episode Simon and Inna talk about living in Yemen, meeting Ali Abdallah Saleh, working in Palestine, the hashd, tishreen and more. This is not to be missed!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Erwin van Veen, senior research fellow at Clingendael’s Conflict Research Unit (CRU). He is an experienced professional who delivers high quality and insightful strategic advice that helps mitigate violent conflict. His direct area of expertise are the relationships between political order, protest and violence in countries like Iraq, Israel/Palestine, Syria and Turkey. On this episode, Simon and Erwin talk about travelling in the region, balancing policy and academic interests, the interplay of ideational and material factors, violence, Erwin's new book and much more.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Professor Christopher Phillips of Queen Mary University about his fantastic new book Battleground: Ten Conflicts that Explain the New Middle East. The book, out on 27th February 2024 with Yale University Press, builds on Chris' earlier work and applies it to 10 'battlegrounds' across the Middle East and its neighbours in a provocative and timely analysis of conflict in the region. On this episode Simon and Chris speak about the book, its themes, the changing nature of the region and much more.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Shabnam Holliday, Associate Lecturer at the University of Plymouth. Shabnam is the author of a number of books and articles on Iran, global IR and the wider Middle East. On this episode Simon and Shabnam talk about living across the region, working in Gaza, the Islamic Republic, the current situation and much, much more.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Satgin Hamrah, PhD Candidate in History at Tufts University and editor of Contextualizing Sectarianism in the Middle East and South Asia: Identity, Competition and Conflict. On this episode, Simon and Satgin talk about rejecting the lived experiences of the 'ancient hatreds' narrative and the lessons taken from non-MENA cases
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Edward Wastnidge, Deputy Director of SEPAD about 2023 and the various activities, publications, workshops, and more. It's a deep dive into the many things that SEPAD and the wonderful people that are involved in our project have been up to. We're very lucky to have such a great group of people involved with us. Here's an overview of what we've been up to.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Gerasimos Tsourapas, Gerasimos Tsourapas is Professor of International Relations at the University of Glasgow. He is also the Chair of the Ethnicity, Nationalism, & Migration Studies (ENMISA) Section of the International Studies Association. He works on the international relations of the Middle East and the broader Global South, with a particular focus on the politics of migrants, refugees, and diasporas.On this episode, Simon and Gerasimos talk about a movement, scholarship in the US and the UK, Fred Halliday, migration, Egypt, the state and so much more.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Raihan Ismail, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani Professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies at Oxford University. Raihan is the author of two fabulous books published by OUP: 2021's Rethinking Salafism: The Transnational Networks of Salafi ‘Ulama in Egypt, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, and 2016's Saudi Clerics and Shi‘a Islam. On this episode, Simon and Raihan talk about a personal journey from Malaysia to Oxford, the influence of her father, Salafism, Saudi Arabia, ulema, the interplay of intimately tiny and hegemonic dynamics, and much more.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Professor Andrea Teti. Andrea looks at connections between the production of knowledge and relations of power, and second, the use of discourse analysis to examine how political actors conceive of and act in pursuit of key goals such as democracy. He is on twitter (X) at a_teti.On this episode Simon and Andrea speak about his journey into scholarship, studying at St Andrews', Die Hard (you'll have to listen!), discovering continental philosophy, IR-Area studies, and critical scholarship on the Middle East.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Eyad Al Refai, Aziz Alghashian, Guy Burton and Francesco Belcastro about Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom’s growing influence in global football. Eyad, Aziz, Guy and Francesco all work at the interplay of football and politics in the Middle East, while Aziz and Eyad have experience of attending games in Saudi Arabia.
On this episode, Simon and the group discuss the rising prominence of football in Saudi Arabia, reflecting on why the Kingdom has become involved in football, how it is funded, the global economy of football, its role in Vision 2030, the interplay of football and politics, the Kingdom’s oldest football team, sports washing, sectarianism and nationalism.
There’s a lot of coverage of football in the Kingdom, a great deal of which is beset by orientalist, xenophobic and Islamophobic assumptions. This podcast seeks to challenge this, offering a considered discussion of Saudi Arabia’s role in the beautiful game.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Javier Bordon Osorio about his recent report 'Spatialising Securitisation'. Javier is a PhD student at Lancaster University and a PhD Fellow with SEPAD. He is on twitter at @JavierBordonOs.
The report reflects on the following questions: How do processes and dynamics of spatialisation inform security conceptions? Who securitises, and why? What relational and behavioural patterns emerge from security articulations? How do threats develop, travel and crystallise across time and space? Who is included and who is excluded? How is (in-)security experienced and lived in and through space?
The report is available here: https://www.sepad.org.uk/report/spatialising-securitisation-in-the-middle-east
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Jamie Allinson, Senior Lecturer in the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh. Jamie is a scholar of politics and international relations with a particular interest in the contemporary Middle East. I am especially interested in how forms of political power - within, across and beyond borders - interact with people and movements originating in the realms more commonly thought of as 'society' and 'the economy.' He is the author of The Age of Counter-revolution: States and Revolutions in the Middle East and The Struggle for the State in Jordan: The Social Origins of Alliances in the Middle East.On this episode, Simon and Jamie talk about politics, Thatcher, the Beano and the Dandy, Palestine, the transformation of Ramallah, Game Theory and Japan, Jordan, counter-revolutions and the Arab Uprisings, sovereignty and much more.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Abdolrasool Farzam Divsallar and Eyad Al Refai about the Saudi-Iran deal. Eyad is a Fellow with SEPAD and a PhD Student at Lancaster University. He is the author of a number of articles and opinion pieces on regional security in the Middle East including on transforming the Saudi-Iranian rivalry (with Samira Nasirzadeh). He is on twitter at @eyadalrefaei. Abdolrasool Divsallar is a visiting professor at the Universita’ Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, focusing on Iran’s military affairs, Russia-Iran relations, and Persian Gulf security architecture. He is also a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington. Dr. Divsallar co-founded and led the Regional Security Initiative at the European University Institute (EUI) from 2020-22. He is on twitter at @divsallar. On this episode Simon, Farzam and Eyad talk about the deal and its impact on security and defence policies, how to transform relations, the nuclear question, the role of the US and China, Yemen, Syria and much more.
On this episode of SEPADPod - the first (that we are aware of) to bring Saudi and Iranian scholars together - Simon speaks with Banafsheh Keynoush and Aziz Alghashian about recent diplomatic developments between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Banafsheh is a scholar of international affairs who has conducted fieldwork in the Middle East for two decades, including in Saudi Arabia and Iran. She is the author of Saudi Arabia and Iran: Friends or Foes? (Palgrave, 2016) and The World Powers and Iran: Before, During and After the Nuclear Deal (Palgrave, 2022). She is on twitter @banafshehkeynoush. Aziz is a Saudi researcher who is fascinated with the elusively of Saudi foreign policy. He obtained a PhD from the University of Essex in 2019 where he taught International Relations, and Politics and Middle Eastern Studies for several years. He is on twitter @azizalghashian. On this episode, Simon, Banafsheh and Aziz talk offer a critical reflection on the normalisation agreement, the drivers of the agreement, how it was received in both countries, the US role, and the importance of scholars and civil society actors in helping transform perceptions of the other. Truly not to be missed.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Youssef Cherif, Director of CGC Tunis and a political analyst who specializes in Maghreb affairs. A member of Carnegie's Civic Research Network, Youssef contributes to a number of think-tanks on Maghreb affairs. Youssef is a Researcher at Leiden University - Institute of Area Studies. He is on twitter at @Faiyla.On this episode Simon and Youssef talk about Indiana Jones, classics, IR, studying the Maghreb/North Africa and why people don't, the MENA/SWANA/WA debate, recent developments across the Maghreb and much more.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Youssef Cherif, Director of CGC Tunis and a political analyst who specializes in Maghreb affairs. A member of Carnegie's Civic Research Network, Youssef contributes to a number of think-tanks on Maghreb affairs. Youssef is a Researcher at Leiden University - Institute of Area Studies. He is on twitter at @Faiyla.On this episode Simon and Youssef talk about Indiana Jones, classics, IR, studying the Maghreb/North Africa and why people don't, the MENA/SWANA/WA debate, recent developments across the Maghreb and much more.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Maya Mikdashi, an interdisciplinary scholar of the state at Rutgers University. Maya is the author of the wonderful Sectarianism: Sovereignty, Secularism, and the State in Lebanon, published by Stanford University Press. She is the co-founder of Jadaliyya and the director of About Baghdad (2004) and Notes on the War (2006) , a feature length documentary film on the 2006 Israel-Lebanon War, and others. You can find her on twitter @mayamikdashi. On this episode, Simon and Maya talk about becoming interested in the state and the politics of difference, travelling to Baghdad, filming documentaries, the importance of human experience, anthropology and political science, sectarianism and sex, sectarianism and the state, the process of ‘un-seeing’, Jadaliyya, trust, and much more!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Ibrahim Halawi and Ruba Ali Al-Hassani about their recent report Desectarianization and the End of Sectarianism? Funded by The Henry Luce Foundation the report looks at desectarianization in Iraq, Lebanon and Bahrain. In the discussion, Simon, Ibrahim and Ruba reflect on desectarianization as 're-imagining', sectarianism and episteme, bottom up and top down processes, and the role of violence.The full report is available here: https://www.sepad.org.uk/report/desectarianization-and-the-end-of-sectarianism
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Edward Wastnidge, Deputy Director of SEPAD and Senior Lecturer at the Open University about SEPAD's activities across 2022 and into 2023. Picking out some of their memorable moments from the year, Simon and Eddie reflect on the conference, various reports, the successes of our Fellows and some things to look out for in 2023.
n this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Gabriel Garroum, Margarita Salas Postdoctoral Researcher at abriel is an interdisciplinary researcher specialized in International Relations and Middle East Politics. Born into a Syrian-Catalan family, his main research areas include political violence, critical IR theory, contemporary security issues, and critical geopolitics. He is also a member of the Research Centre in International Relations (King's College London) and co-director of "Això era casa meva/This Was My Home "(2019), a documentary on the Syrian civil war premiered at the British Film Institute. You can find him on twitter @gabrielgarroumOn this episode Simon and Gabriel talk about political identities, double minorities, political subjectivities, affect, sovereign power, Aleppo, urban politics, modernity and much, much more.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Maria Kastrinou, Lecturer in (Social) Anthropology at Brunel University. Maria's research focuses on sectarian politics and national belonging, religion, state, conflict and energy in the Middle East and South-Eastern Mediterranean. She is the author of Power, sect and state in Syria: The politics of marriage and identity amongst the Druze (IB Tauris, 2016).On this episode, Simon and Maria talk about activism and politics, the importance of people, Palestinians, Druze, Syria, statelessness and much more.
On this episode, Simon speaks with Javier Guirado, PhD candidate at Georgia State University, a Visiting Doctoral Researcher at the Orient-Institut Beirut, and a SEPAD Fellow. His work explores the historically changing relation between society, urban space, and narratives of modernity in the Gulf. He is writing his dissertation about social movements and urbanization in Qatar during the Long Sixties.Javier is a the editor of a new report on the political economy of infrastructure in the Middle East which can be accessed here: https://www.sepad.org.uk/files/documents/infrastructure_sepad-compressed.pdf On this episode, Simon and Javier discuss the report at length, the importance of infrastructure and the need for an approach that focusses on the social components of infrastructural projects.
On this episode of SEPADDiscusses, Simon speaks with Stacey Philbrick Yadav, Vincent Durac and Azal Alsalafi about Stacey's wonderful new book Yemen in the Shadow of Transition: Pursuing Justice Amid War. Over the course of the discussion, Stacey sets out the main argument of the book while Vincent and Azal reflect on the many strengths of the text. This is not to be missed.
On this episode of SEPADPod, Simon speaks with Mariam Mabrouk, an Egyptian artist and former Lancaster University student, who is acting as our first ‘artist in residence’. Mariam has produced some amazing pieces of art for forthcoming SEPAD publications and you can see her work on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/studiomabrouk/On this episode Simon and Mariam talk about artistic influences, the importance of urban environments, the 2011 uprisings in Egypt, Mariam's work 'hanged' (https://www.instagram.com/p/BtfrCkEg966/) and her new piece 'entangled', which is on the cover of Simon's new book. This is a little bit different, but a fascinating conversation!
On this episode of SEPADPod with Jillian Schwedler, Professor of Political Science at Hunter College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York. Jillian is the author of a huge number of books, articles, opinion pieces and more. She is on twitter @DrJSchwedler.
On this episode Simon and Jillian talk about Broadway, travelling across the Middle East as a student, working with Augustus Richard Norton, civil society, Jordan, Yemen and Jillian's wonderful new book protesting Jordan. During this conversation Simon and Jillian reflect on the importance of space and spatial approaches to the study of the Middle East. This is not to be missed.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Ali Bakir, assistant professor at Qatar University’s Ibn Khaldon Center for Humanities and Social Sciences and nonresident senior fellow with the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council’s Middle East programs. Ali has extensive experience of working within the foreign policy and security realms, consulting with senior officials, decisionmakers, and stakeholders for governmental, nongovernmental, and private-sector institutions. He is on twitter @alibakeer.
On this episode, Simon and Ali talk about Ali’s childhood across the region, fusing the academic and the personal, the evolution of Turkish foreign policy, Turkish-Russian relations, the importance of an Islamic approach to IR theory and much more.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Jannis Grimm, head the Research Group Radical Spaces at the INTERACT Center for Interdisciplinary Peace and Conflict Research at Freie Universität Berlin. Jannis' work centres on political violence and state repression in the Middle East and North Africa as well as on processes of mass mobilization and regime contestation from below. He is the author of Contested Legitimacies: Repression and Revolt in Post-Revolutionary Egypt (University of Amsterdam Press, 2022) which is open access here: https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/52656.
On this episode, Simon and Jannis talk about being in Egypt during the Arab Uprisings, the ensuing coup, studying social movements and authoritarianism, legitimacy, meaning making, interdisciplinary and much more.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Sharri Plonski, Senior Lecturer in International Politics at Queen Mary University of London. Her work, which is anchored in the political terrain of Palestine and the Israeli state, focuses on the materiality (and mobility) of colonial relations and the struggles that reveal and challenge them. She also co-produces the podcast series ‘Surviving Society Presents: Material Crimes’ and she loves to tell stories – the current one she is working on is about a train. She is on twitter @SharriPlonski.
On this episode, Simon and Sharri talk about the lives leading to a PhD, the amazing people Sharri studied with, anti-Zionism, the Palestinian cause, infrastructure, space, Doreen Massey, normalisation, the train to nowhere and so much more!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Diana Galeeva, Non-Resident Fellow with Gulf International Forum. Diana was previously an Academic Visitor to St. Antony’s College, University of Oxford (2019-2022). She is the author of two books “Qatar: The Practice of Rented Power” (Routledge, 2022) and “Russia and the GCC: The Case of Tatarstan’s Paradiplomacy” (I.B. Tauris/ Bloomsbury, 2022). She is also a co-editor of the collection “Post-Brexit Europe and UK: Policy Challenges Towards Iran and the GCC States” (Palgrave Macmillan, 2021). You can find her on twitter at @diana_galeeva.
On this episode, Simon and Diana talk about a desire to study Qatar and the Gulf, hard/soft/smart/subtle power, Rented Power, Tatarstan, the 2022 World Cup, covid19, and Russian links to the Gulf. A wide ranging conversation not to be missed!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon is joined by Edward Wastnidge, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Studies at the Open University where he is also the Director for the International Studies programme. Eddie is the author of a range of publications on Iran and the Middle East and co-director of SEPAD.
On this episode, Simon and Eddie talk about their new edited volume with Manchester University Press titled 'Saudi Arabia and Iran: The Struggle to Shape the Middle East'. In a wide ranging conversation Simon and Eddie talk about relationships and rivalries, sectarianism and Islam, moving beyond proxy wars, the importance of time and space, the complexities and contingencies of political life across the Middle East, approaching the study of Saudi-Iranian relations and much more!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Anoush Ehteshami, Professor of International Relations in the School of Government and International Affairs, Durham University. Anoush is also the Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah Chair in International Relations and Director of the HH Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah Programme in International Relations, Regional Politics and Security. Anoush is the author of myriad books, articles and chapters on Iran, international political economy, the Persian Gulf and more. He is on twitter @AnoushEhteshami.
On this episode Simon and Anoush talk about the evolution of Anoush's engagement with Iran, IPE and the Middle East. They focus on the motivating forces for Anoush's scholarship, his work with Ray Hinnebusch, his broader contribution to the field - and the huge number of successful PhD students he has supervised - and a burgeoning interest in China. This is not to be missed.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Hendrik Kraetzschmar, Associate Professor in the Comparative Politics of the Middle East and North Africa at the University of Leeds. Hendrik holds a PhD from the LSE and works on the comparative politics of the Middle East with a particular interest in Islamism and political parties. He has been working at the Department of Arabic, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at Leeds University since 2007. Prior to that he worked at the American University in Cairo. He tweets at @henky74,
On this episode, Simon and Hendrik talk about the journey to working on the Middle East, learning Arabic in Cairo, political parties, Islamism, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and much more. It’s not to be missed!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Zaid Al Ali, the Senior Adviser in Constitution-Building in the Arab Region for International IDEA. He has law three law degrees from Harvard Law School, the Sorbonne University, and King's College London. He has been practicing international commercial arbitration since 1999 and has been advising on constitutional drafting in Arab countries since 2005. Zaid is the author of Arab Constitutionalism: The Coming Revolution (2021) amongst other pieces. He is on twitter at @zalali.
On this episode, Simon and Zaid talk about studying law from a political family, 9/11, the war on terror, the invasion of Iraq, weapons of mass destruction, the new constitution and its failings, constitutions after the Arab Uprisings, developments in Tunisia and much, much more.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Clemens Chay, a research fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute. Clemens' research focuses on the history and politics of the Gulf states, with a particular emphasis on Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. At MEI he spearheads a public education series entitled “Bridging the Gulf”. He is currently working on a book project related to Kuwait’s diwaniyas (affectionately known as diwawin, and more widely known as majalis outside Kuwait), the reception rooms for informal meetings that have implications for society, politics and diplomacy. He is on twitter at @sinGulfura.
On this episode, Simon and Clemens talk about studying the Middle East in France and the UK, the role of the diwaniya in Kuwait, the spatial and normative aspects of the diwaniya, and recent developments in Kuwait.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with four wonderful scholars about power sharing and protest in Lebanon and Northern Ireland. With Simon are three SEPAD Fellows: Professor John Nagle, Dr Ibrahim Halawi, AK Ronn, and Dr Drew Mikhael, making his SEPAD debut.
John is Professor of Sociology at Queen’s University Belfast, Ibrahim is Teaching Fellow in International Relations at Royal Holloway University, AK is a researcher at Aarhus University, and Drew is a Research Fellow at Queen’s University Belfast.
On this episode, Simon, John, Ibrahim, AK and Drew discuss the recent elections in Lebanon and Northern Ireland, the emergence of non-sectarian blocs and parties, protest movements (or the lack thereof), structure-agency, and so much more.
It’s a long one, but a good one!
On this episode of SEPAD Discusses, Simon speaks with Mariam Salehi, Stacey Philbrick Yadav and Mohammad Dhia Hammami about Mariam's wonderful new book Transitional Justice in Process: Plans and Politics in Tunisia.
Mariam Salehi is Research Group Leader at the INTERACT Centre for Interdisciplinary Peace and Conflict Research at Freire Universitat Berlin. Stacey Philbrick Yadav is Associate Professor of International Relations at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Her latest book Yemen in the Shadow of Transition: Pursuing Justice amid war is due to be published in September. Mohammad Dhia Hammami is a PhD student in Political Science at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and public Affairs at Syracuse University
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Somdeep Sen, Associate Professor of International Development Studies at Roskilde University. Somdeep is the author of the fabulous Decolonizing Palestine (Cornell University Press 2020). He is on twitter @ssen03.
On this episode Simon and Somdeep speak about Som's wonderful new book, the journey from India to Denmark via the US, the process of doing research in Gaza, settler colonialism, the broader intellectual environment and much more.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with two SEPAD Fellows about the recent elections in Lebanon, Dr Ibrahim Halawi and Larissa Abou Harb. Ibrahim is a Teaching Fellow at Royal Holloway University who specialises in counter revolution in the Middle East. Larissa is a PhD student at the University of Exeter working on protest movements in Lebanon and Bosnia. Ibrahim is on twitter @IbrahimHalawi and Larissa is on twitter @Abouharblarissa.
The episode begins by reflecting on the background context affecting the elections before moving into an analysis of the results themselves and ending with a discussion of possible futures. It is not to be missed.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Ajay Gudavarthy, a political theorist, analyst and columnist in India. Ajay is associate professor in political science at Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He is the editor of India after Modi: Populism and the Right (Bloomsbury, Delhi, 2018)and Secular Sectarianism: Limits of Subaltern Politics (Sage, 2019)and author of countless articles and opinion pieces on Indian politics, secularism, populism and sectarianism.
On this special episode, Simon and Ajay talk about sectarianism in India in the form of a 'secular sectarianism'. They do this by reflecting on Ajay's twin roles as a public intellectual and academic, looking at the complex interplay between identity politics, resistance and authoritarianism.
This is a must listen for anyone looking at sectarianism in a comparative context.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Lea Bou Khater, Lecturer in Development Studies at the American University Beirut. Lea holds a PhD from SOAS and is the author of the wonderful book 'The Labour Movement in Lebanon'. She is on twitter @leaboukhater.
On this episode, Simon and Lea talk about labour movements and the state in Lebanon, tracing the history of labour movements across the civil war, reconstruction and recent periods. Lea and Simon talk about the labour movement's relationship with the state, the troika and sectarian identities. At the heart of the discussion is a reflection on Lea's wonderful new book, published by Manchester University Press.
On this episode Simon speaks with Dr Mohammad Kalantari, Research Fellow in International Relations and Co-Director of Centre for Islamic & West Asian Studies at Department of Politics and International Relations. Mohammad’s research lies in the International Relations of the Middle East with a particular focus on the interaction of regional doctrines, elite ideologies, and political Islam. He is the author of The Clergy and the Modern Middle East: Shi’i Political Activism in Iran, Iraq and Lebanon. You can find him on twitter at: https://twitter.com/mrkalantari
On this episode, Simon and Mohammad talk about The Clergy and the Modern Middle East, positionality and much more. It's not to be missed!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Juan Cole, Richard P. Mitchell Collegiate Professor of History at the University of Michigan. Juan is the author of myriad books, articles and chapters on Islam, the Middle East, and Muslim South Asia, including Muhammad: Prophet of Peace amid the Clash of Empires ( Bold Type Books, 2018) The New Arabs: How the Millennial Generation is Changing the Middle East ( Simon & Schuster, 2014).Sacred Space and Holy War: The Politics, Culture and History of Shiite Islam. (I.B. Tauris, 2002). Shiism and Social Protest. [Edited, with Nikki Keddie]. (Yale University Press, 1986) and more recently Peace Movements in Islam: History, Religion and Politics (Bloomsbury, 2021). He tweets @jricole and can be found at his blog Informed Comment.
On this episode, Simon and Juan talk about studying Islam at the time of The Beatles, developments in the study of Islam, working with Nikki Keddie, peace studies and Islam, and Juan’s wonderful new edited collection.
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On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Anicee Van England, Associate Professor of International Security & Law at the Cranfield Forensic Institute. Anicee holds a PhD in Islamic Studies, Politics and Law from the Institut d'Etudes Politiques in Paris (2006). She graduated in law from Paris II Assas and furthered her studies with three masters: a masters in law from Harvard Law School (2004), a masters in international relations from Paris II Assas (2002) and a masters in Iranian studies from Paris III Sorbonne. She is on twitter @AniceeVE.
On this episode, Simon and Anicee talk about Iran and Belgium, studying with Olivier Roy, Islamic Law and all its nuances, and the nuclear negotiations. Lots to reflect on!
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On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Andrew Delatolla, Lecturer in Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Leeds, a Visiting Research Fellow at the Middle East Centre at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He was the former Chair of the LGBTQA+ Caucus of the International Studies Association 2020/2021. You can find him on twitter @a_delatolla.
Andrew is the author of the wonderful Civilization and the Making of the State in Lebanon and Syria. 1Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan (2021) along with articles in ISQ, TWQ, BJMES and ISR.
On this episode, Simon and Andrew talk about Lebanon, Lebanese culture, the state, the concepts of civilisation and sexuality and much more.
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On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Ruba Ali Al Hassani, post doctoral research fellow at Lancaster University. Ruba is the author of a number of articles, chapters and opinion pieces including the wonderful 'Storytelling: Restorative Approaches to Post-2003 Iraq Peacebuilding' in the Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding. Ruba was also a fellow at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy where she authored a number of pieces including the battle for state sovereignty. timep.org/commentary/analysis/…r-state-sovereignty/. She tweets @RubaAlHassani.
On this episode, Simon and Ruba speak about engaging in political questions from different disciplinary backgrounds, the importance of story telling, protests and much more. Here's a reference to the chapter discussed in the podcast. Ruba Ali Al-Hassani (forthcoming 2021) "Iraq's October Revolution: Between Structures of Patriarchy and Emotion", Palgrave Handbook on Communication and Gender in MENA.
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On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Shamiran Mako, assistant professor of international relations at the Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University. Her research and teaching interests lie at the intersection of international relations and comparative politics of the Middle East with a substantive emphasis on foreign intervention, ethnic conflict, political violence in divided societies, and institutions and statebuilding. Shamiran is on twitter @shamiranmako
She is the author of After the Uprisings: Progress and Stagnation in the Middle East and North Africa, with Valentine Moghadam. Shamiran is the editor of ‘Building Sustainable Peace in Iraq’, a special issue of the Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding available here: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/risb20/15/4
On this episode, Simon and Shamiran talk about Shamiran’s work on Iraq, the special issue and her wonderful new book.
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On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Katherine 'Kitty' Harvey, n Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University. She is also on the Board of Advisors at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and holds a PhD in Middle Eastern Studies from King's College London. Kitty is the author of the wonderful A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: The Saudi Struggle for Iraq. You can find her on twitter at @kittysharvey.
On this episode, Simon and Kitty talk about A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy, reflecting on the complexities of Saudi Arabia's engagement with post 2003 Iraq and the impact of this in regional politics.
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On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Mark Thompson, a Senior Research Fellow at the KFCRIS. He was appointed Head of the Socioeconomics Unit in April 2020. Mark is the author of Being Young Male and Saudi (Cambridge, 2019) along with a range of other articles, reports and books on the Kingdom. He tweets at @ThompsonMarkC
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon and Mark talk about the journey to Saudi Arabia. Life in the Kingdom 20 years ago, the impact of the 2014 oil crisis, Vision2030 and the dramatic changes experienced by the Kingdom in recent years.
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Until next time!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Alexander Arifianto and Saleena Saleem, co-editors of a special issue of Religion, State and Society titled Sectarianization in Southeast Asia and beyond (49:2, 2021). Alexander is a Research Fellow at the RSIS at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and Saleena is a doctoral candidate at the University of Liverpool.
On this episode Simon, Alex and Saleena talk about using Hashemi and Postel’s Sectarianization thesis beyond the Middle East to reflect on the utility of such an approach in understanding the complexity of political dynamics in Southeast Asia.
The special issue is available here: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/crss20/49/2
On this episode of SEPADPod Edward Wastnidge brings together five Iran experts from our wonderful team of SEPAD Fellows to discuss the fallout of the elections and what Ebrahim Raisi can bring to Iran. Joining Eddie are Ali Hashem, Luciano Zaccara, Olivia Glombitza and Mohammad R. Kalantari.
This deep dive into Iranian politics is not to be missed.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Deep Shariff Sharp. Been is an urban geographer whose research focuses on the political economy of urbanization in the “Middle East”. He was previously a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).He is the co-editor of Beyond the Square: Urbanism and the Arab Uprisings (Urban Research: 2016) and Open Gaza (University in Cairo Press: In Print). His most recent journal article “Difference as practice: Diffracting geography and the area studies turn” was published in Progress in Human Geography. You can find him at www.deensharp.com
On this episode, Simon and Deen talk about the importance of geography, space, urban politics, protest Gaza, and so much more.
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On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Yaniv Voller, Senior Lecturer in the Politics of the Middle East at the University of Kent. Prior to that he was a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at the School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh. Yaniv has published widely on the Middle East, focussing on themes as diverse as militias, states, sovereignty, and the Kurds. His first book, The Kurdish Liberation Movement in Iraq: From Insurgency to Statehood was published by Routledge in 2014. You can find Yaniv on twitter at @YanivVoller.
On this wide ranging episode of SEPADPod (recorded before the latest round of violence between Israel and Hamas) Simon and Yaniv cut across such disparate themes as the nature of violence, states and Kurdish politics.
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Until next time!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Christian Henderson, University Lecturer International Relations and Modern Middle East Studies at the University of Leiden. Christian is a scholar of political economy and development in the Middle East and was previously a journalist in Lebanon and for Al Jazeera in Qatar. Christian has published articles in a range of journals including Environment and Planning; Journal of Arabian studies; and Review of African Political Economy. He tweets @CjvHenderson.
On this episode, Simon and Christian talk about political economy, media, covering the Israel-Hizballah 2006 war, development, his new book, and much more.
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Until next time!
On this episode of SEPADPod, Simon speaks with Adel Ruished, PhD student at Lancaster University about recent events in East Jerusalem. Prior to commencing his PhD, Adel lived in East Jerusalem and worked at Al Quds University as the administrative director of the Jerusalem campus. He can be found on twitter @AdelRuished.
On this episode, Simon and Adel talk about recent developments in Sheikh Jarrah and East Jerusalem broadly, placing such developments within the broader context of Israeli policies towards Palestinian East Jerusalemites. Using Giorgio Agamben's ideas of bare life and destituent power, Adel talks about the mechanisms of control imposed on institutions and individuals across East Jerusalem, and the mechanisms of resistance deployed by many, including dancing and giant games of chess.
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Until next time!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Christopher Davidson, a former academic who has taught in both British and Emirati universities and has mostly written on the politics of the Gulf states. Davidson is the author of a number of books including 'After the Sheikhs' and 'From Sheikhs to Sultanism', both published by Hurst. He can be found on twitter @dr_davidson.
On this episode, Simon and Chris talk about After the Sheikhs, From Sheikhs to Sultanism, and the study of Gulf politics.
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Until next time!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Nadwa Al Dawsari, a conflict and policy analyst, and a specialist in Yemeni tribes with over 18 years of field experience in conflict management and civil society development in Yemen. Nadwa has published a huge amount of material on Yemen and her work has been published by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Atlantic Council, Middle East Institute, Oxfam, Lawfare, Project on Middle East Democracy, the Washington Post, and the Center for Civilians in Conflict, among others. She can be found on twitter @NDawsari.
On this episode, Simon and Nadwa speak about Yemeni politics, the fragmentation of the state, the challenges of peace building and much more.
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Until next time!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Mariam Salehi, A.SK postdoctoral fellow in the Global Governance unit at the WZB Berlin Social Science Centre, a research fellow at the Center for Conflict Studies at the University of Marburg, and SEPAD Fellow. Mariam is the author of the forthcoming book Transitional Justice in Tunisia: How Plans Interplay with Politics, to be published by Manchester University Press. Her research is situated at the intersection of International Politics and Peace and Conflict Studies, with a particular focus on internationalised processes of change. Mariam can be found on twitter @MariamSalehi.
On this episode, Simon and Mariam talk about transitional justice in Lebanon and Tunisia, reflecting on ways of engaging with the past to move forwards, and much more.
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Until next time!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Jon Hoffman. Jon is a PhD student at George Mason University and Foreign Policies Media Editor at Jadaliyya. He can be found on twitter @Hoffman8Jon.
On this episode, Simon and Jon talk about the study of the Middle East, the importance of Islam in Jon's life, and his new article published in Digest of Middle East Studies titled 'Moscow, Beijing and the Crescent: Russian and Chinese religious soft power in the Middle East' found here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dome.12232. An additional piece was also published on the Washington Post's Monkey Cage blog here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/05/04/why-do-some-muslim-majority-countries-support-chinas-crackdown-muslims/
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Until next time!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Christiana Parreira, a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University. Christiana is the author of a number of pieces on governance and not-governing in Lebanon and Iraq. On this episode, Simon and Christiana speak about the ways in which local institutions shape governance, rewarding loyalty and punishing opposition. This is a fascinating discussion and not to be missed.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Sinem Cengiz, journalist, diplomatic correspondent, PhD student, and author of 'Turkish-Saudi Relations: Cooperation and Competition in the Middle East' published by Gerlach Press in 2020. Sinem has published a range of different articles, chapters and news stories on Gulf politics over the past decade. On this episode Simon and Sinem talk about Turkish-Saudi Relations, the impact of journalism, structural factors impacting the rivalry between the two states, the myriad arenas of competition, the Khashoggi incident, and more.
On this special episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Edward Wastnidge, Lawrence Rubin and Banafsheh Keynoush about the new Biden administration’s approach to the Middle East and how key states in the region might respond. With a focus on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (the Iranian nuclear deal), regional security, scope for diplomacy and regional relations.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Jeffrey G. Karam, assistant professor of political science at the Lebanese American University. Jeffrey is also an Associate at the Middle East Initiative at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. Jeffrey is the author of numerous articles on intelligence, 1958 in the Middle East, and pedagogy in times of crisis. He is also the editor of The Middle East in 1958 (IB Tauris/Bloomsbury). On this episode Simon and Jeffrey speak about Jeffrey's wonderful new edited collection 'The Middle East in 1958' along with a discussion about pedagogy at times of crisis, focussing on the Lebanese context. Simon and Jeffrey speak about the 2019 protests, coronavirus, the Beirut blast and teaching Political Science - and grappling with complex and sensitive topics - at an incredibly precarious time.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Mustafa Menshawy, Post Doctoral Fellow at SEPAD and Lancaster University. Mustafa is the newest member of SEPAD and the author of Leaving the Muslim Brotherhood (2020), and State, Memory and Egypt's Victory in the 1973 War (2017). On this episode Simon and Mustafa talk about journalism, covering the Arab Uprisings in Egypt and Libya, the importance of discourse and his recent work Leaving the Muslim Brotherhood.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Abduhladi Alijla, post doctoral fellow at the Orient Institute in Beirut. Abdulhadi is also co-leader of Global Migration and Human Rights at Global Young Academy and co-founder of Palestine Young Academy, amongst other activities, Abdulhadi is the author of a number of articles and the fabulous book Trust in Divided Societies, published by IB Tauris. On this episode Simon and Abdulhadi talk about politics, engineering, trust, power sharing and Abdulhadi's wonderful new book.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon and Eddie talk through SEPAD's 2020. From a wonderful event with POMEPS at Chatham House to moving online, it's been a challenging year but one that has still been rather productive. Here are some of the things mentioned:
Ten Years On conference: https://www.sepad.org.uk/event/10-years-on-sepad-conference
Open University event 'Challenging ‘political legitimacy’ in a transforming international order': https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/challenging-political-legitimacy-in-a-transforming-international-order-tickets-129726540575
Urban spaces report: https://www.sepad.org.uk/files/documents/Urban%20Spaces.pdf
POMEPS-SEPAD report: https://pomeps.org/pomeps-studies-38-sectarianism-and-international-relations
The Death of a General: https://fpc.org.uk/the-death-of-a-general/
Review of Faith and International Affairs special issue on desectarianization: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rfia20/18/1?nav=tocList
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6JUOGg_GHuOmIPwUsFZi0g
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Zeynep Kaya, Senior Teaching Fellow in the Department of Development Studies at SOAS. Zeynep is the author of the wonderful Mapping Kurdistan: Territory, Self-Determination and Nationalism, published by Cambridge University Press in the summer of 2020. On this episode, Simon and Zeynep talk about her new book, exploring the evolution of Kurdish identity, being supervised by Fred Halliday, protest, the Mahabad Republic and much more!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Dylan Baun, Assistant Professor of History at The University of Alabama in Huntsville. Dylan is the author of Winning Lebanon: Youth Politics, Populism, and the Production of Sectarian Violence, 1920-1958 (Cambridge University Press, 2020). On this episode Simon and Dylan speak about Winning Lebanon and the complex understanding of youth politics in Lebanon during this time. In particular, they speak about the rejection of path dependency, a form of anti-sectarianism, tensions between sectarianism and populism and the evolution of youth movements into militias.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Stacey Gutkowski is a Senior Lecturer in Conflict Studies and Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of Divided Societies at King’s College London. Stacey is the author of two research monographs, Religion, War and Israel’s Secular Millennials: Being Reasonable? (Manchester University Press, 2020) and Secular War: Myths of Religion, Politics and Violence (I.B. Tauris, 2013). On this episode, Simon and Stacey talk about the study of Philosophy, Secularism, religion, and Stacey’s wonderful new book about millennials in Israel.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Sana AlSarghali, Assistant Professor Constitutional Law and Director of the Constitutional Studies Centre at An Najah University, Palestine. Sana is the author of a number of articles pertaining to constitutional politics in the Middle East, the Palestinian Basic Law, Emergency Powers, and is currently working on the role of constitutions in desectarianization. On this episode, Simon and Sana talk about the importance of constitutions, the intersection of Politics and Law, engagement activities - including being a TV star - and the ways in which constitutions can help to address sectarian difference.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Joshua Teitelbaum, Professor of Middle East Studies at Bar Ilan University. Joshua is the author of myriad books and articles on Saudi Arabia, the Gulf and broader Middle East, in particular: The Rise and Fall of the Hashemite Kingdom of Arabia (NYU 2001). On this episode Simon and Josh talk about a roundabout way of becoming interested in Saudi Arabia, the hajj, the Hijaz, Saudi-Egyptian tensions, and a new book on the Saudi Arabian National Guard.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Chelsi Mueller, non-resident research fellow in the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies and the Alliance Center for Iranian Studies at Tel Aviv University. Chelsi is the author of the fabulous The Origins of the Arab-Iranian Conflict: Nationalism and Sovereignty in the Gulf between the World Wars (Cambridge University Press, 2020). On this episode, Simon and Chelsi talk about history, long standing Arab-Iranian tensions and this wonderful new book.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Lisel Hintz Assistant Professor of International Relations and European Studies in Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies. Lisel is the author of Identity Politics Inside Out National Identity Contestation and Foreign Policy in Turkey (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2018) a wonderfully titled new book: Fight Scenes (Cambridge University Press, forthcoming) and a range of articles on Turkey. On this episode, Simon and Lisel talk about studying Turkey, pastry chefs, travelling to Istanbul, studying Turkish, and popular culture as a means of interrogating relations between rulers and ruled in contemporary Turkey.
Other texts discussed: Flipping the Scripts: Pop Culture as Alternative Subject and Data Source in MENA Politics,” APSA MENA Politics Newsletter, Vol. 2, No. 1.
On this inaugural episode of SEPADDiscusses, Simon speaks with Fanar Haddad about his new book Understanding 'Sectarianism', published in 2020 by Hurst. Alongside Fanar to discuss the complexities of 'sectarianism', identity politics, Iraq, and the broader Middle East are Morten Valbjørn and Charles Tripp.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Waleed Hazbun, Richard L. Chambers Professor of Middle Eastern Studies in the Department of Political Science at the University of Alabama. Waleed is the author of Beaches, Ruins, Resorts: The Politics of Tourism in the Arab World (2008). On this episode, Simon and Waleed speak about International Relations and Engineering, the complexity of tourism and its political, social, economic and cultural factors, and the Arab Council for the Social Sciences (ACSS)
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Marwa Daoudy, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Arab Studies, Georgetown University. Marwa is the author of The Origins of the Syrian Conflict: Climate Change and Human Security (Cambridge University Press, 2020) and also Le partage des eaux entre la Syrie, l’Irak et la Turquie: Négociation, sécurité et asymétrie des pouvoirs [Moyen-orient] (CNRS-Editions, 2005). On this episode, Simon and Marwa talk about the intersectionality of environmental politics, discourse and power around environmental issues, water in Middle Eastern politics, and the Syrian conflict. Lots to reflect on!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Daniel Neep, ‘American Druze Foundation Research Fellow’ at the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University. Daniel is the author of Occupying Syria under the French Mandate: Insurgency, Space, and State Formation (Cambridge University Press, 2012) and is completing a second book manuscript, The Nation belongs to All: The Making of Modern Syria. On this episode, Simon and Daniel talk about learning Arabic, Syria pre-Bashar, the Iraq war, Social Theory, and a forthcoming 150,000 word book! Not to be missed.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Joey Ayoub, a Lebanese researcher and writer, the former MENA editor at Global Voices and IFEX, and host of The Fire These Times podcast. On this episode Simon and Joey talk about intersectional issues in Lebanon, notably the kafala system, his process of political engagement, intentional amnesia and engaging with 'the other', positionality, and the October Revolutions in Lebanon.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Mohamad Hafeda, Reader at the Leeds School of Architecture (just got promoted last week), Leeds Beckett. I’m an artist and co founder of Febrik, a collaborative for participatory art and design research working on issues of refuge and spatial rights. Mohamad is the author of Negotiating Conflict in Lebanon (IB Tauris, 2019). On this episode, Simon and Mohamad talk about space in Beirut, bordering practices, sound, and the contestation of bordering practices.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Irene Costandini, a Post-Doc Researcher at the University of Naples, l'Orientale. Irene is the author of Statebuilding in the Middle East and North Africa: The Aftermath of Regime Change (Routledge, 2018). On this episode, Simon and Irene talk about processes of state building and regime change in Iraq and Libya, engaging with philosophical and practical issues pertaining to states and international intervention.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Rahaf Al Doughli, Lecturer in Middle East and North African Studies at Lancaster University and SEPAD Fellow. Rahaf is the author of a number of articles and a forthcoming book with Manchester University Press on masculinities in Syria. On this episode, Simon and Rahaf talk about literature, politics, masculinities and the absence of gender in discussions of sectarianism.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Mahjoob Zweiri, Director of Gulf Studies Center. He is an Associate Professor in Contemporary Politics of the Middle East at Qatar University. Mahjoob is the author of a range of articles on Iran, Foreign Policy, the JCPOA, the Gulf Crisis and more. On this episode, Simon and Mahjoob talk about an interest in Iran, doing fieldwork in Iran as an Arab, changing regional dynamics, and the longue duree of Arab-Iranian tensions.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with James Dorsey, author, blogger, and analyst of all things Middle East. James is the creator of The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer and a prolific analyst of events across the region. On this episode Simon and James talk about a vast career working and writing on and in the region, with a focus on how football (soccer) is a lens through which to reflect on political life. So much to reflect on!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Allison McCulloch, Associate Professor of Political Science, Brandon University, editor-in-chief of Nationalism and Ethnic Politics and new SEPAD Fellow! Allison is the author of Power-Sharing and Political Stability in Deeply Divided Societies (Routledge, 2014) and a number of articles published in journals including Democratization, International Political Science Review, Nationalism and Ethnic Politics and others. On this episode, Simon and Allison speak about the various forms of power sharing, pitfalls and possibilities, comparative experiences of power sharing and the role of gender.
On this episode Simon speaks with Daniel Rad, founder of the website Living in Tehran and energy analyst for BNE Intelligence, working on energy in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and the Middle East. On this episode, Simon and Daniel speak about the impact of the coronavirus on Iran and on-going tensions with the US. A timely and important listen.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Role El Husseini, associate professor with the Centre for Middle Eastern Studies at Lund University. Rola is the author of Pax Syriana: Elite Politics in Postwar Lebanon along with articles looking at protest, resistance, gender and more. On this episode Simon and Role talk about Political Sociology, elite change, the importance of money, the axis of refusal and more.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Mona Fawaz, Professor of Urban Studies & Planning at the American University of Beirut. Mona is the author of a range of publications on urban politics in Beirut. On this episode, Simon and Mona speak about the importance of urban politics, the right to the city, Beirut, sectarianism, secularism, civil society, and much more.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Michael Stephens, Research Fellow at RUSI. Mike is the author of a range of pieces on the contemporary Middle East, with a focus on Da'ish, the Gulf, Kurdish politics and British foreign policy in the Middle East after Brexit. On this episode, Simon and Mike talk about Mike's life in the region, from Doha to Jerusalem and everything in-between. Mike's story is fascinating and not to be missed.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Andrew March, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts
Andrew is the author of a range of books and articles on Islam including Islam and Liberal Citizenship (2009) and The Caliphate of Man: The Invention of Popular Sovereignty in Modern Islamic Thought (2019). On this episode Andrew and Simon talk about studying Islam, political dimensions, the theological and political aspects at play in contemporary Islam and much more!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Ibrahim Fraihat, Associate Professor of International Conflict Resolution at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. Ibrahim is the author of Unfinished Revolutions (2016) and Iran and Saudi Arabia: Taming a Chaotic Conflict (2020). On this episode, Simon and Ibrahim talk in detail about the Arab Uprisings and the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Quentin De Pimodan, author of The Khaleeji Voice and keen GCC observer. On this episode, Simon and Quentin talk about living in Kuwait, studying Arabic in Yemen and The Khaleeji Voice project. In particular, they reflect on the role of art in political life, the limits to expression, the renaissance of Arab identity and types of expression. The Khaleeji Voice is available here: https://www.thelacmastore.org/products/the-khaleeji-voice-artisans-of-the-arabian-street
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Joanne Randa Nucho, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Pomona College. Joanne is the author of Everyday Sectarianism in Urban Lebanon: Infrastructures, Public Services and Power (Princeton, 2016). On this episode Simon and Joanne talk about film making, home, Bourj Hammoud, belonging, infrastructure, the Armenian community, and understanding sectarianism in different ways.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with with Nathan Brown, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at GW University. Nathan is the author of a great number of books, articles, chapters and Op Eds, including The Rule of Law in the Arab World (Cambridge University Press) and When Victory is not an Option: Islamist Movements in Arab Politics (Cornell University Press). On this episode, Simon and Nathan talk about 'peasant politics', the benefits of researching constitutions as a Political Scientist, constitutional processes, the role of religion in constitutions, and reflecting on the capacity of constitutions to bring about peace in divided societies.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Oliver Schlumberger, Professor of Comparative Politics and Middle East Studies at the University of Tubingen. Oliver is the author of a range of articles around themes of democratisation and authoritarianism. On this episode, Simon and Oliver talk about a burgeoning interest in authoritarianism and power, applying democratisation debates to the Middle East, and future trajectories in the study of authoritarian rule.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Salma Mousa, PhD Candidate at Stanford University. Salma is the author of a number of articles looking at improving inter-group cohesion and work looking at improving relations between Muslims and Christians in Iraq post Da'ish has featured on PBS. On this episode Simon and Salwa talk about working on inter-communal tensions, the importance of football in improving social cohesion, Mohammed Salah, and lessons for future reconciliation efforts.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Janine Clark, Professor of Political Science at the University of Guelph. Janine is the author of Local Politics in Jordan and Morocco: Strategies of Centralization and Decentralization (Columbia University Press), and Islam, Social Welfare, and the Middle Class: Networks, Activism, and Charity in Egypt, Yemen and Jordan (Indiana University Press). She is also editor in chief of Middle East Law and Governance. On this episode, Simon and Janine talk moving from Geography to Political Science, healthcare in Egypt, welfare structures, local politics, municipal elections and her wonderful edited collection on research methods.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Carmen Geha, Assistant Professor in Public Administration at the American University Beirut. Carmen is the author of a number of articles around civil society, power sharing and resistance, and the 2016 book Civil Society and Political Reform in Lebanon and Libya: Transition and Constriant. On this episode Simon and Carmen talk about the influence of activism on scholarship, civil society, facilitating change from within or revolutionary change, the YOUSTINK protests, gender, and the importance of agency.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Salwa Ismail, Professor of Politics at SOAS. Salwa is the author of The Rule of Violence (2018) along with a number of books and articles on Egypt and Syria. On this episode Simon and Salwa talk about the relationship between discourse and practice, the importance of space, time and power, and her important book The Rule of Violence. Not to be missed!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Yoav Alon, Professor of History at Tel Aviv University. Yoav is the author of is the author of The Making of Jordan: Tribes, Colonialism, and the Modern States (2009) and The Shaykh of Shaykhs (2016). On this episode, Simon and Yoav talk about the importance of tribes, the legacy of Joseph Kostiner, state formation in Jordan and the role of tribal groups in these processes, the experience of an Israeli studying in Jordan, and the life of Mithqal al-Fayiz. Not to be missed.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Edith Szanto, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Alabama. Edith is the author of a number of articles on Shi'a rituals and practices across the Middle East, in journals including the International Journal of Middle East Studies. On this episode, Simon and Edith talk about an early ethnographic experience, Shi'a rituals, Sayyida Zaynab, and the work of Giorgio Agamben.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Cinzia Bianco, visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Cinzia works on the Gulf and is the co-author of an important piece on Gulf Crises in International Affairs. On this episode Simon and Cinzia speak about differences in GCC states, the challenges of deploying academic research in a policy world and how to understand intermestic challenges across the Gulf post 2011.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Taif Alkhudary, researcher at the LSE Middle East Centre. Taif is the author of a fascinating and timely piece on the Iraq protests after the assassination of Qassim Soleimani. On this episode Simon and Taif talk about her piece, misunderstanding the protests, time spent in Baghdad in early 2020, the spatial aspects of protest, the role of art, and possible futures of the protests.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Ewan Stein, Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Edinburgh. Ewan is the author of a number of books and articles including the forthcoming International Relations of the Middle East. On this episode Simon and Ewan talk about the importance of ideas, Historical Sociology, the influence of Fred Halliday and more.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with May Darwich, Lecturer in the International Relations of the Middle East at the University of Birmingham. May is the author of Threats and Alliances in the Middle East: Saudi and Syrian Policies in a Turbulent Region, published by Cambridge University Press in 2019, along with a range of articles on contemporary regional politics. On this episode, Simon and May talk about studying IR in Cairo, the French influence, a move to Edinburgh and an extensive discussion about her book, focussing on ideas of 'ontological security'.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Martin Beck, Professor of the Modern Middle East at the University of Southern Denmark. Martin is the author of myriad articles on OPEC, Rentierism, Israel-Palestine, IR theory in the Middle East and much more! On this episode Simon and Martin talk about OPEC and rentierism, moving from Turbingen to Palestine, the importance of agency, the non-exceptionalism of the Middle East (where Martin gives an excellent retort to the exceptionalism argument) and protest across the past decade.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Sara Salem, Assistant Professor in Sociology at the LSE. Sara is the author of a number of articles looking at connections between postcolonial theory and Marxism, with special attention to the context of Egypt and the period of decolonisation in the mid-twentieth century. She is the author of the forthcoming book Anticolonial Afterlives in Egypt: The Politics of Hegemony, which will be published by Cambridge University Press in 2020. On this episode, Simon and Sara talk about the role of theory, decolonialism, anti colonialism and post colonialism, her new book, Nasser, and the role of agency.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Francesco Cavatorta, Professor of Politics at the University of Laval, Quebec City, Canada. Francesco is the author and editor of a large number of books, articles and collections, including Salafism After the Arab Awakening (2016), Political Parties in the Arab World (2018) and much more. On this episode, Simon and Francesco talk about studying the Middle East as a comparative approach, (non)exceptionalism, political parties, civil society and democracy, Salafism, positionality and the challenges of researching on the Middle East.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Mona Harb, Professor of Urban Studies and Politics at the American University of Beirut. Mona is the author of a number of books and articles relating to Hizballah, space, urban studies, and much more. On this episode, Simon and Mona talk about Urban Studies, understanding Hizballah, acting as a tour guide, spatial approaches, sectarianism and the Lebanese Protests. Not one to be missed!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Thomas Fibiger, Associate Professor of Arab and Islamic Studies at Aarhus University. Thomas is the author of a range of articles on sectarianism and heritage in the Gulf and is a member of the erstwhile SWAR project. On this episode, Simon and Thomas talk about the importance of anthropology, the Pearl Monument, sectarianism and de-sectarianization.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Asher Orkaby, Associate Research Scholar at Princeton University. Asher is the author of Beyond the Arab Cold War (2017) and a range of other articles about Yemen. On this episode, Simon and Asher talk about the Yemen civil war, the domestic, regional and international factors, the 'Arab Cold War', the strange alliances formed in the conflict, and the importance of focussing on people.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Elizabeth Tsurkov, Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, Research Fellow at the Forum for Regional Thinking and PhD student at Princeton. Elizabeth is the author of a number of pieces on Syria, including for Carnegie and the New York Review of Books. On this episode Simon and Elizabeth speak about a burgeoning interest in Syria, the Uprisings, processes of sectarianization and the impact on the Alawi community, Turkey and complex processes of sectarianization.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Sanam Vakil, Deputy Head and Senior Research Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House. Sanam is the author of Action and Reaction: Women and Politics in Iran (Bloomsbury 2013) along with a number of reports and Op Eds, including Getting a New Iran Deal (2019) and Iran and the GCC (2018) On this episode, Simon and Sanam talk about visiting the Islamic Republic and an enduring fear of airports, women and activism in the Islamic Republic, structural factors preventing a thawing of relations across the Gulf, and ways towards a new (form of) JCPOA.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Dara Conduit, Associate Research Fellow at Deakin University. Dara is the author of The Muslim Brotherhood in Syria (Cambridge University Press) and a number of articles looking at the Muslim Brotherhood, Islamists and Iran. On this episode, Simon and Dara talk about studying Syria, the evolution of the Muslim Brotherhood, the spectre of Hama, the Arab Uprisings and the the cold of St Andrews!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Charles Tripp, Professor Emeritus of Politics with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa. Charles is the author of a range of books and articles on the Middle East including A History of Iraq (2000) and The Power and the People (2013). On this episode, Simon and Charles talk about growing up in the Middle East, protest in Bahrain, the incongruence of studying politics, working on Egypt, an unpublished PhD thesis, working on Iraq, the importance of agency and much, much more. One not to be missed!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Anne Kirstine Ronn, PhD student at Aarhus University and SEPAD PhD Fellow. Anne Kirstine works on the role of civil society and de-sectarianization. On this episode, Simon and Anne Kirstine talk about the 2019 protests in Lebanon and her recent fieldwork with protesters across Beirut.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Stacey Philbrick Yadav, assistant professor of political science at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and chair of the department. Stacey is the author of Islamists and the State: Legitimacy and Institutions in Yemen and Lebanon (2013) along with a great number of articles on Yemen. On this episode, Simon and Stacey talk about Yemen, issues in the literature and overcoming them, the importance of community, disciplinary borderlands, fieldwork, and an exciting new project!
On this special episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Bassel Salloukh, Associate Professor of Political Science at the Lebanese American University and a SEPAD Fellow. Bassel is the author of myriad books, articles and Op Eds on Lebanese politics. On this episode, Simon and Bassel talk about recent events in Lebanon, reflecting on the political, economic and social reasons for people taking to the streets, the legacy of Ta'if, competing visions of order across the state and the future of Lebanon. Not to be missed!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Luciano Zaccari, Research Assistant Professor in Gulf Politics at the Gulf Studies Centre, Qatar University, and also the Director of the Observatory of Political Elections in the Muslim and Arab World. Luciano is the author of a number of articles and op eds about Iran and elections across the Gulf. On this episode, Simon and Luciano speak about Iranian politics, political structures in Iran, the influence of domestic politics on foreign policy, the nuclear deal, elections, and perceptions of Iran on the Arab side of the Gulf.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Amanda Rizkallah, Assistant Professor of International Studies in Seaver College at Pepperdine University. Amanda is the author of a number of pieces looking at Beirut Medinati and power sharing in Lebanon. On this episode, Simon and Amanda talk about studying Lebanon, the legacy of the civil war, the nuances of local agency, power sharing as a possible success, and the contestation of sectarian identities in political life.
LebanonMiddle EastSEPADSEPADPodSectarianism
On this special episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Christopher Phillips, Reader in International Relations at Queen Mary University, London. Chris is the author of a range of books and articles, most notably The Battle For Syria, published by Yale University Press. On this episode, Simon and Chris talk about recent events in Syria, the Turkish military engagement, repercussions and possible consequences.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Guy Burton, Adjunct Professor at Vesalius College Brussels and Visiting Fellow at the LSE Middle East Centre. Guy is the author of Rising Powers and the Arab-Israeli Conflict Since 1947 (Lexington) along with a number of articles pertaining to the BRICs involvement in the Middle East. On this episode, Simon and Guy talk about the BRICs in the Middle East, focusing on FDI in Palestine, the Chinese belt and road initiative, Indian involvement in the region and public opinion amongst local populations.
On this special episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Fanar Haddad, Senior Research Fellow at the Middle East Institute, National University of Singapore. Fanar is the author of Sectarianism in Iraq: Antagonistic Visions of Unity (London/New York: Hurst & Co./Columbia University Press, 2011) and Understanding 'Sectarianism': Sunni-Shi'a Relations in the Modern Arab World (London/New York: Hurst & Co./Oxford University Press, 2020). On this special episode, Simon and Fanar talk about recent events in iraq, namely the emergence of protest movements, government responses, endemic corruption, fear, the role of Sistani and the future.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Reinoud Leenders, Reader in International Relations with a focus on the Middle East at King's College London. Reinoud is the author of Spoils of Truce: Corruption and State Building in Post-War Lebanon (Cornell University Press 2012) and a number of other articles relating to corruption, political economy and authoritarianism. On this episode, Simon and Reinoud talk about corruption, links with sectarianism, Syria, and authoritarianism across the Middle East. Lots to reflect!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Dana El Kurd, Assistant Professor at the Doha Institute and Researcher at the Arab Centre for Research and Policy Studies. Dana is the author of a forthcoming book Polarized and Demobilized: Legacies of Authoritarianism in Palestine to be published by Hurst and Oxford in 2019. On this episode, Simon and Dana talk about the book and scope for agency within domestic, regional and international structures of oppression, along with drawing comparisons with Kurdistan.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Jess Watkins, Research Officer at the LSE's Middle East Centre. Jess is the author of a number of articles and reports pertaining to security in the contemporary Middle East. On this episode, Simon and Jess talk about her work on media in the Arab world, in particular a report for the LSE on the ways in which media outlets shape conflict in Iraq and Syria, along with reflections on the interaction of geopolitics with local contexts.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Claire Beaugrand, Lecturer in Sociology of the Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula at Exeter University. Claire is the author of Stateless in the Gulf: Migration, Nationality and Society in Kuwait (2017) and a number of articles looking at the bidun, statelessness, and Gulf politics. On this episode Simon and Claire talk about Kuwaiti politics, particularly the case of the bidun, reflecting on their role within - and beyond - state structures, methodological approaches to exploring the issue, spatial aspects of Gulf politics, the politics of the margins and rising sectarianism in viewing the bidun.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Abdullah Baabood, Visiting Professor, Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore. Abdullah has written a great deal on relations between the EU and GCC, along with reflections on Oman's role in the Gulf. On this episode Simon and Abdullah talk about moving from business into academia, relations between the Gulf states and the European Union, the impact of Brexit, and why Oman seeks to provide an alternative vision of regional order. A really interesting and thought provoking listen!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with HA Hellyer, Senior Associate Fellow & Visiting Professor at The Royal United Services Institute and at The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Hisham is the author of A Revolution Undone: Egypt's Road Beyond Revolt (2017) and Muslims of Europe: The 'other' Europeans, along with a number of academic articles, Op Eds and policy briefings. On this episode, Simon and Hisham talk about his intellectual journey, time spent in Egypt, reflect on revolutionary activity, and the importance of framing and placing agency in the centre. Lots to reflect on!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Sean Yom, Associate Professor of Political Science at Temple University, and Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, both in Philadelphia, USA. Sean is the author of a range of books and articles on authoritarian politics, Jordan and more. On this episode, Simon and Sean talk about Jordan, authoritarianism, comparative politics, methodologies and positionally.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Paola Rivetti, Assistant Professor in Politics of the Middle East and International Relations at Dublin City University. Paola has published articles in key journals including International Journal of Middle East Studies, Democratization, ‘British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Mediterranean Politics and others. On this episode, Simon and Paola talk about political change, agency, positionality, the challenges of fieldwork and much more.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Ahmet T. Kuru, professor of political science and the former director of the Center for Islamic and Arabic Studies at San Diego State University. Ahmet is the author of Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment: A Global and Historical Comparison (Cambridge University Press, 2019) and Secularism and State Policies toward Religion: The United States, France, and Turkey (Cambridge University Press). On this episode of SEPADPod Simon and Ahmet talk about secularism, authoritarianism, state-society relations, the history of Islam and politics and much more while reflecting on Ahmet's latest book.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Joseph Daher, who teaches at Lausanne University and is a part time affiliate professor at the European University Institute, Florence (Italy). He is the author of Syria after the Uprisings (Pluto, 2019) and Hezbollah: The Political Economy of the Party of God (Pluto, 2016. On this episode, Simon and Joseph talk about Political Economy, Hizballah, Syria, patrimonalism, regimes and the future of Syria. A rich discussion with a great deal to reflect on.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Francesco Belcastro, Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Derby and Fellow of the Centre for Syrian Studies at St Andrews. Francesco is the author of Syrian Foreign Policy. The Alliances of a Regional Power (Routledge, 2019). On this episode, Simon and Francesco talk about the evolution of Syria's foreign policy and relations with Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia, along with reflecting on the future of Syria's foreign policy as the conflict draws to a close. Thought provoking and important for anyone interested in the International Relations of the Middle East.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Ibrahim Halawi, teaching fellow at Royal Holloway University London. Ibrahim is a SEPAD fellow and the creator of Hadra. On this episode Simon and Ibrahim talk about Hadra and its creation as a space for people from the region to share lived experiences of sectarianism, identities and much more.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Rami Khouri,Journalist-in-Residence and adjunct professor of journalism at the American University Beirut where he is also Coordinator, AUB in NYC Briefings Initiative. Rami is also Senior Public Policy Fellow, American University of Beirut, Syndicated columnist, Agence Global Syndicate, USA and Nonresident Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School. Rami is the author of myriad books, articles, opinion pieces and news stories covering all aspects of life across the Middle East. On this episode, Simon and Rami talk about reporting on the region, from a story about cockroaches to the Arab Uprisings via tourism in Jordan and the importance of people. Amidst all of the turmoil, this episode of SEPADPod ends on a slightly positive note!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Melani Cammett, Clarence Dillon Professor of International Affairs in the Department of Government and Chair of the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies at Harvard University along with a secondary appointment in the Department of Global Health and Population at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health. Melani is the author of a range of books and articles on governance in the Middle East including the fantastic Compassionate Communalism: Welfare and Sectarianism in Lebanon, published by Cornell University Press in 2014. On this episode Simon and Melani talk about the politics of welfare distribution, what this means for community politics and identities, along with possible ways out of - or beyond - sectarianism in Lebanon.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Hiba Bou Akar, Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at Columbia University. Hiba is the author of For the War Yet to Come: Planning Beirut's Frontiers (2018) and has also worked as an architect and urban planner in Beirut. On this episode, Simon and Hiba speak about space, urban planning, sectarian geographies, and the possibility of circumventing sectarian identities. A thought provoking and fascinating listen and one that has a degree of optimism towards the end!
On this special episode of SEPADPod, Simon speaks with Edward Wastnidge about SEPAD's first year. Beginning with the launch event in London, Simon and Eddie talk through a range of events, activities, intellectual developments and some of the more exciting parts of the year. It was a lot of fun to do this and it was a good chance to say thanks to a lot of the people who've played a big role in SEPAD this past year.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Haian Dukhan, Teaching Fellow in International Relations at the University of Leicester. Haian is the author of State and Tribes in Syria: Informal Alliances and Conflict Patterns (Routeledge, 2019). On this episode, Simon and Haian talk about the role of tribes in Syria, reflecting on their position in the state prior to the Arab Uprisings, looking at their role in the ensuing conflict, exploring links with regional powers and reflecting on the role of religion. A detailed discussion into this issue!
On this episode Simon speaks with John Nagle, Reader in Sociology at Aberdeen University and soon to be Chair in Sociology at Queen's University, Belfast. John is the author of a number of articles relating to divided societies, power sharing, and the contestation of sectarian identities, focussing on Beirut and Belfast. On this episode, Simon and John talk about using Anthropology to study divided societies, divisions in Belfast, divisions in Beirut, and the way in which sectarian identities are contested in both contexts. With a detailed discussion of the importance of agency and de-sectarianization, this is an important listen!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Clive Jones, Professor of Regional Security at Durham University. Clive is the author of a range of books and articles relating to Israel, Gulf politics, and intelligence in the Middle East. During his time at the University of Leeds, Clive supervised Simon's PhD. On this episode Simon and Clive talk about studying Israel and the evolution of Israeli society, burgeoning relations between Israel and the Gulf states and Clive's new book: The Clandestine Lives of Colonel David Smiley. A fascinating and wide ranging discussion!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Omar H Shehabi, Director of the Gulf Centre for Development Policies and Associate Professor in Political Economy at the Gulf University for Science and Technology in Kuwait. Omar is the author of Contested Modernity: Sectarianism, Nationalism, and Colonialism in Bahrain (Oneworld, 2019). On this episode, Simon and Omar have a detailed discussion about the book, focussing on ideas of the "ethno-sectarian gaze", the role of colonialism in sectarian politics, socio-economic issues, identity politics and the contestation of sectarian identities in a form of de-sectarianization.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Maria Louise Clausen, post doctoral fellow at the Danish Institute for International Studies. Maria Louise has published a number of articles on Yemen and state building/fragmentation in Third World Quarterly, POMEPS and elsewhere. On this episode, Simon and Maria Louise talk about Yemen, Iraq, the role of anthropology, Indiana Jones, fieldwork in 'dangerous places', military intervention and much more.
On this episode of SEPADPod, Simon speaks with Jacob Eriksson, Al Tajjir Lecturer in Post War Reconstruction at the University of York. Jacob is the author of Small State Mediation in International Conflicts: Diplomacy and Negotiation in Israel-Palestine (I.B. Tauris) and co-editor of Iraq After ISIS (Palgrave). On this episode, Simon and Jacob talk about mediation in the Israel-Palestine conflict, the impact of Donald Trump, Iraq, the conflict trap and the importance of listening.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Adham Saouli, Senior Lecturer in International Relations and Middle East Politics and the University of St Andrews, and Visiting Associate Professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. Adham is the author of a range of books and articles including The Arab State: Dilemmas of Late Formation (Routledge) and Hezbollah: Socialization and its Tragic Ironies (Edinburgh University Press). On this episode, Simon and Adham talk about a range of themes including states and state formation, Historical Sociology, Comparative Politics, Hezbollah, socialisation, and tragic ironies. It features an in depth discussion about Adham's latest book and is not to be missed.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Shahram Akbarzadeh, Research Professor in Middle East and Central Asian Politics and Deputy Director (International) at Deakin University. Shahram is the author of a range of books and articles looking at the Middle East and Central Asia and is also the editor of two flagship Routledge collections on Political Islam, and the International Relations of the Middle East. On this episode Simon and Shahram talk about the Iranian revolution, studying the Middle East and Central Asia, Islam and claims to legitimacy, Political Islam, the OIC, sectarianism and much more. Wide ranging, thought provoking and not to be missed!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Norma Moruzzi, Associate Professor Gender and Women's Studies; International Studies; and Political Science at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Norma is the author of Speaking through the Mask: Hannah Arendt and the Politics of Social Identity (Cornell University Press, 2000)and a range of articles looking at Iran through the philosophy of Hannah Arendt. On this episode, Simon and Norma talk about the philosophy of Hannah Arendt, reflect on Norma's first trip to Iran, and discuss the importance of Political Theory in helping to understand political life in Iran. One not to be missed!
On this episode of SEPADPod, Simon speaks with Jonathan Fulton, Assistant Professor of Political Science in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Zayed University, in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Jonathan is the author of the China’s Relations with the Gulf Monarchies and co-editor of External Power and the Gulf Monarchies. On this episode, Simon and Jonathan talk about the complex and multifaceted relationship between China and the Gulf Monarchies, the 'One Belt One Road Initiative', and Gulf perceptions of China. Insightful and thought provoking. Don't miss it!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Raffaele Mauriello Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Persian Literature and Foreign Languages, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran. Raffaele is the author of Descendants of the Family of the Prophet in Contemporary History: A Case Study, the Šī'ī Religious Establishment of al-Nağaf (Iraq), co-author of Islam and International Relations: Contributions to Theory and Praxis and other articles on Shi'ism and Iran. He is also the co-convenor of the International Relations and Islamic Studies Research Cohort (Co-IRIS). On this episode, Simon and Raffaele speak about the benefits of studying politics from different disciplinary backgrounds, the relationship between nationalism and religion, different Shi'a identities and the importance of more nuanced approaches to International Relations.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with SEPAD Fellow Hannes Baumann, Lecturer in Politics in the Department of Politics at Liverpool University. Hannes is the author of Citizen Hariri: Lebanon's Neoliberal Reconstruction, along with a number of articles relating to the political economy of Lebanon and beyond. On this episode, Simon and Hannes talk about the process of researching and writing Citizen Hariri, the March 14 protests, and the ways in which political economy sheds light on sectarian politics.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Morten Valbjørn, Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Aarhus University. Morten is the author of myriad articles on all aspects of Middle Eastern politics and is also the director of SEPAD's sister project SWAR (https://ps.au.dk/forskning/forskningsprojekter/swar/) On this episode Simon and Morten talk about the challenges of crossing disciplines in the study of IR and the Middle East, the benefits of working in the borderlands, the importance of agency, and review SWAR. One of the longest yet, but a must listen!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Kaveh Ehsani, Assistant Professor of International Studies at DePaul University. Kaveh is the author of a huge number of pieces on Iran, from consideration of the impact of the Iran-Iraq war through environmental challenges and the politics of oil in the Islamic Republic. On this episode, Simon and Kaveh speak about remembering the revolutionary period, the legacy of the Iran-Iraq war on contemporary Iran, and the current crisis in the Gulf. A fascinating insight into one of the best minds working on Iran today. Not to be missed!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Shibley Telhami, Anwar Sadat Professor for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland and a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institute. He is the author of myriad books and articles about the Middle East, perhaps most notably The World Through Arab Eyes: Arab Public Opinion and the Reshaping of the Middle East (Basic Books, 2013). On this episode Simon and Shibley speak about studying the Middle East, the significance of Kenneth Waltz on Shibley's career, the role of identity politics, Arab public opinion, and escalating tensions across the Gulf.
On this special episode of SEPADPod we look at recent events in the Persian Gulf amidst escalating tensions with Iran. Simon is joined by Banafsheh Keynoush, author of Saudi Arabia: Friends or Foes, and Lawrence Rubin, Associate Professor at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs (Georgia Tech) and author of Islam in the Balance: Ideational Threats in Arab Politics. Simon, Banafsheh and Lawrence talk through the roots of the crisis, considering the structural factors at play in the recent escalation, before offering a few strategies aimed at de-escalating tensions. An important and timely listen. Please share!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Ian Black, Visiting Senior Fellow at the LSE's Middle East Centre. Black is a former Middle East editor, diplomatic editor and European editor for the Guardian newspaper. In recent years he has reported and commented extensively on the Arab uprisings and their aftermath in Syria, Libya and Egypt, along with frequent visits to Iran, the Gulf and across the MENA region. His latest book, a new history of the Palestine–Israel conflict, was published in 2017 to mark the centenary of the Balfour Declaration and the 50th anniversary of the 1967 war. On this episode, Simon and Ian talk about Ian's career reporting on the Middle East, reporting on Palestine, Anwar Sadat's visit to Israel, the Iranian revolution and Israeli-GCC relations. A must listen!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Simon Wolfgang Fuchs, Lecturer in Islamic and Middle East Studies at the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Germany. Simon considers how the Islamic scholarly tradition is debated and negotiated in modern and contemporary Muslim societies, revolving around the travel of ideas between West, Central, and South Asia. He is the author of In a Pure Muslim Land (University of North Carolina Press, 2019) and is also working on a book looking at the impact of the Iranian revolution, to be published by Princeton. On this episode, Simon and Simon talk about the role of Shi'ism in India and Pakistan, links between the Middle East and Asia, and consider sectarian politics in a different context.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Eskandar Sadeghi-Boroujerdi, lecturer in Comparative Political Theory at Goldsmiths. Sadeghi-Boroujerdi is the author of Revolution and its Discontents Political Thought and Reform in Iran (Cambridge University Press, 2019) and a number of articles that deal with political theory and theology in Iran. On this episode, Simon and Eskandar talk about the role of political theory in aiding our understanding of Iran and the broader Middle East, discuss the emergence and evolution of Islamic intellectuals in Iran's post-revolutionary reform movement, and consider the interaction of global forces with local politics in Iran. A fascinating and thought provoking episode.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Marc Owen Jones, Assistant Professor in Middle East Studies and Digital Humanities at Hamad bin Khalifa University, Doha. Marc has done a great deal of fascinating work looking at Bahrain, sectarianism and the emergence of twitter bots. He is the author of Political Repression in Bahrain, forthcoming with Cambridge University Press and co-editor of Bahrain's Uprising: Resistance and Repression in the Gulf, published by Zed Books in 2015. On this episode, Simon and Marc talk about growing up in Bahrain, gangs and Ice Cube, colonialism and imperialism, 'good' names and 'bad' names, and the emergence of twitter bots. Wide ranging and thoroughly engaging, do take the time to listen to Marc's story.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Amal Saad, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the Lebanese University. Saad is the author of a range of books and articles on Hizballah and the Party of God's engagement in regional politics for both academic and policy audiences. On this episode, Simon and Amal speak about studying Hizballah, ideas of resistance and the importance of positionally in engaging in Middle Eastern politics. An incredibly important listen.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Robert Mason, Associate Professor and Director of the Middle East Studies Center at The American University in Cairo. His research focus is on the international relations of the Middle East, with an emphasis on the Gulf states – particularly Saudi Arabia and Iran – as well as U.S., Russian, U.K. and European Union foreign policy, Islam and the state, security and development studies. Mason is the author of myriad books and articles pertaining to Middle Eastern IR including Reassessing Order and Disorder in the Middle East: Regional Imbalance or Disintegration? (Rowman & Littlefield, 2017) and Foreign Policy in Iran and Saudi Arabia: Economics and Diplomacy in the Middle East,(I. B. Tauris, 2014). On this episode Simon and Robert talk about Saudi-Iranian relations, Israel-Palestine, the Horn of Africa and structural factors that shape relations across the region.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Steven Heydeman, Janet Wright Ketcham 1953 Professor in Middle East Studies and Director of Program in Middle East Studies at Smith College. Steven is the author of myriad books, articles and Op Eds relating to the Middle East, Syria and authoritarian politics broadly. On this episode, Simon and Steven talk through intellectual engagement with the Middle East, the role of Syria, states, sectarianism and the prevailing nature of authoritarian politics.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Harith Hasan, nonresident senior fellow at the Carnegie Middle East Centre and the Central European University. Harith works on Iraq, sectarianism, identity politics, religious actors, and state-society relations and has published a range of articles and reports on these issues. On this episode Simon and Harith talk through different ways of studying Iraq, the importance of a comprehensive exploration of sect based tensions and possibility of de-sectarianisation or post-sectarianism. Incredibly detailed, this is one not to be missed.
On this special episode of #SEPADPod we are releasing the keynote from Nader Hashemi (University of Denver)at the inaugural SEPAD conference, held in Lancaster on 28th March. In a fascinating and insightful talk, Nader set out the sectarianization thesis, contextualised it within broader thinking on sectarian politics, outlined the importance of authoritarian politics within the thesis, and explored the role of Western states and media outlet in propagating Orientalist tropes that facilitate the sectarianization of politics in the region. A fascinating talk that is well worth your time.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Thomas Pierret, Senior Researcher at CNRS-IREMAM, Aix-en-Provence. Thomas is the author of a number of important works on Syria, focussing on the relationship between religion and state, most notably Religion and State in Syria: The Sunni Ulama from Coup to Revolution, published by Cambridge University Press. On this episode, Simon and Thomas talk through the role of Islam within the Syrian state, exploring how the regime has cultivated a nuanced set of relationships which occur within broader socio-economic contexts. A fascinating and important listen!
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Wendy Perlman, Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at NorthWestern University. Pearlman is the author of a great number of books and articles on the contemporary Middle East, focussing predominantly on Palestine, Syria and popular protest, most notably, We Crossed a Bridge and it Trembled: Voices from Syria (2017). On this episode Simon and Wendy talk about the role of agency in authoritarian structures, exploring Morocco, Palestine and Syria. Wendy's work is fantastic and over the course of the podcast she offers a fascinating insight into the issues that have driven her intellectual curiosity. Truly a must listen.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Research Fellow for the Middle East at Rice University's Baker Institute. Ulrichsen is the author of a range of books, articles and OpEds on the Middle East, including Insecure Gulf, The First World War in the Middle East, Qatar and the Arab Spring and many others. Over the course of the podcast, Simon and Kristian talk through the impact of the First World War on the Middle East, the legacy of British involvement in the Gulf, the role of History in studying Gulf politics, and the challenge of studying the Gulf today.
On this episode Simon speaks with Peter Salisbury, Consulting Senior Analyst with International Crisis Group and Senior Consulting Fellow at Chatham House. Peter is the author of a great number of reports and articles on Yemen for a range of outlets. Over the course of 25 minutes, Simon and Peter explore Yemeni politics, unpacking the root causes of conflict, the driving forces and the challenges for building a lasting peace.
On this episode of SEPADPod, Simon speaks with Toby Matthiesen, Senior Research Fellow in the International Relations of the Middle East at St Anthony's College, University of Oxford. He is the author of Sectarian Gulf: Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the Arab Spring That Wasn’t (Stanford University Press, 2013), and The Other Saudis: Shiism, Dissent and Sectarianism (Cambridge University Press, 2015). On this episode, Simon and Toby talk about the Gulf, identity politics, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Cold War and Toby gives us a teaser of his new book.
On this episode of SEPADPod, Simon chats with Edward Wastnidge, Lecturer in Politics and International Studies at the Open University. Edward is the author of a number of books and articles looking at Iran's role in the Middle East, including Diplomacy and Reform in Iran: Foreign Policy under Khatami (I.B Tauris, London, 2016). He is also deputy director of SEPAD. On this episode, Simon and Edward talk about a range of issues related to Iran, including soft power, cultural influence, learning Persian and playing a gig in Tehran. One of the more optimistic episodes of the show, it is one not to be missed.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Sari Hanafi, professor of sociology, Department of Sociology, Anthropology & Media Studies, American University of Beirut. Sari is the author of myriad books and articles on the contemporary Middle East, using an array of Sociological, Political and Philosophical tools to interrogate political life and sovereign power. On the episode Simon and Sari talk through the benefits of these approaches, reflecting on how Critical Theory can help us better interrogate political life in the Middle East.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Thomas Juneau, is an assistant professor at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa. Juneau's research focuses mostly on the Middle East, in particular on Iran and Yemen. He is the author of Squandered Opportunity: Neoclassical realism and Iranian foreign policy (Stanford University Press, 2015), He has also published many articles and book chapters on the Middle East, international relations theories and pedagogical methods, notably in International Affairs, International Studies Perspectives, Middle East Policy, Orbis, and International Journal. On this episode, Simon and Thomas speak about Iran, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, IR theory and much more!
On this first episode back after a short hiatus, Simon speaks with Justin Gengler, Research Assistant Professor at the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI) at Qatar University, where he heads the SESRI Policy Unit. Gengler's research focuses on mass attitudes, political behavior, and group conflict in the Arab Gulf states. Justin is the author of a number of books and articles on politics, sectarianism and Rentierism across the Arab Gulf. On this episode, we discuss the value of public opinion data, different ways of viewing sectarian politics, ways of understanding desectarianisation and future areas of exploration. A must listen.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon chats with Courtney Freer, a research fellow at the LSE's Middle East Centre. Courtney is the author of Rentier Islamism: The Influence of the Muslim Brotherhood in Gulf Monarchies, based on her DPhil thesis at the University of Oxford and published by Oxford University Press in 2018, examines the socio-political role played by Muslim Brotherhood groups in Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. On this episode we explore Islamism in the Gulf, consider how regional politics shapes local Islamism, and reflect on the relationship between Islamists and regimes.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Shadi Hamid, a senior fellow in the Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World in the Center for Middle East Policy and the author of "Islamic Exceptionalism: How the Struggle Over Islam is Reshaping the World" (St. Martin's Press. He is also co-editor with Will McCants of “Rethinking Political Islam” (Oxford University Press) and co-author of “Militants, Criminals, and Warlords: The Challenge of Local Governance in an Age of Disorder” (Brookings Institution Press). In a fascinating conversation Simon and Shadi talks about the impact of 9/11 on his identity, the study of Islamist movements, the role of religion in political life, sectarian schisms and intra-Sunni differences. One really not to be missed.
On this episode of SEPADPod, Simon speaks with Staci Strobl, Associate Professor in Criminal Justice at University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Strobl is the author of peer-review journal articles on policing, gender, and sect identity in the Arabian/Persian Gulf including the fantastic Sectarian Order in Bahrain: The Social and Colonial Origins of Criminal Justice. Over the course of the podcast, Staci talks us through her book and the approach behind it, in the process revealing the way in which (Critical) Criminology can help us better understand sectarianism in Bahrain.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Joost Hiltermann, Programme Director, Middle East and North Africa at the International Crisis Group. Hiltermann is the author of two books and myriad articles and reports on contemporary issues facing the Middle East. With an incredibly rich professional background with ICG, Human Rights Watch and Al-Haq in Palestine, Joost shares his experience of working in the Middle East and offers advice on mental wellbeing.
On this episode of #SEPADPod, Simon Mabon speaks with Madawi Al Rasheed, Visiting Professor at the LSE's Middle East Centre. Al Rasheed is the author of a number of books and articles looking at Saudi Arabia, including Salman's Legacy, Muted Modernists, A Most Masculine State, Contesting the Saudi State, and A History of Saudi Arabia, amongst others. Over the course of the podcast, Simon and Madawi speak about her methodological approach, key challenges and the intellectual questions that underpin her research.
On this episode of #SEPADPod, Simon Mabon talks with Professor Toby Dodge, author of myriad books and articles about the Middle East about his career, his focus on Iraq and his interest in social theory.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Kristin Smith Diwan,senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. She works in both comparative politics and international relations and specializes in Arab and Islamist politics. Her current projects concern Gulf political economy, the politics of sectarianism, generational change, and the evolution of Islamism in the GCC. Her analyses of Gulf affairs have appeared in many publications, among them Geopolitics, Middle East Report, Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, and Foreign Policy. Simon and Kristin speak about her move from Biology to Middle Eastern Politics, the evolution of the Gulf and the Arab Uprisings.
On this episode of SEPADPod, Simon talks with Lawrence Rubin, associate professor in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The author of the wonderful 'Islam in the Balance', Rubin's research interests include Middle East politics and international security with a specific focus on Islam and politics, Arab foreign policies, and nuclear proliferation. He has conducted research in Morocco, Egypt, Israel, the UAE, and Yemen. On this episode, Simon and Larry talk through Islam in the Balance, key influences, the interaction of ideology with politics, and working in government.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon chats with Helle Malmvig, Senior Researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies. Helle is the author of a large number of books and articles relating to sovereignty, identity and sectarianism in the contemporary Middle East. In a wide ranging conversation, Simon and Helle discuss what provoked Helle's interest in the Middle East, her exploration of identities, and the way in which sectarian language is (not) used in Syria and Lebanon, particularly in music videos. This really is a fascinating discussion and adds a different perspective to discussions of sectarianism.
On this episode of The Impact Narrative, Dr Simon Mabon and Dr Mark Garnett, Senior Lecturers in the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion discuss the latest happenings in contemporary political life. This week's episode contains discussion of the G20, events in Paris, the latest Brexit events and news about our first ever live show.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Ariel Ahram, associate professor in Virginia Tech's School of Public and International Affairs in Alexandria, Va. and a non-resident fellow at the Rice University Baker Institute for Public Policy. His first book, Proxy Warriors: The Rise and Fall of State Sponsored Militias was published by Stanford in 2011 and his next, Break all the Borders: Separatism and the Remaking of the Middle East, is due to be published by Oxford University Press in 2019. Simon and Ariel discuss this along with the nature of states, sovereignty and Iraq.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with F. Gregory Gause, III is the John H. Lindsey ’44 Chair, professor of international affairs and head of the International Affairs Department at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University. Greg is the author of myriad books, articles and chapters pertaining to Middle Eastern politics, the role of oil, and the influence of the US. On the podcast Greg and Simon talk about the role of the state, sovereignty and the changing nature of regional politics.
On this episode of #SEPADPod Simon talks with Dr Chris Phillips, Reader in International Relations at Queen Mary University, London. Chris is the author of a range of books and articles, most notably The Battle For Syria, published by Yale University Press. On the podcast Chris and Simon talk about living in Syria, supporting Aston Villa, the importance of Fred Halliday, the relationship between proxies and sponsors and Chris shares an anecdote about a traffic jam.
On this week's episode of The Impact Narrative Mark Garnett and Simon Mabon reflect on the release of Matthew Hedges and take stock of all things Brexit, before considering which of the two main parties has managed the process worst.
On this episode of SEPADPod Simon talks with Danny Postel about his work on Sectarianization along with a discussion of how his history of activism shapes his world view. We close the pod by talking about ideas of de-sectarianisation. This is well worth a listen.
On this episode of The Impact Narrative, Mark Garnett and Simon Mabon discuss the latest Brexit events and where British politics goes from here. They also discuss the case of Matthew Hedges, the British PhD student imprisoned for spying in the UAE.
On this SEPADPod Simon speaks with Fanar Haddad,Senior Research Fellow, Middle East Institute, National University of Singapore about his work on 'sectarianism', Iraq and his new book. Haddad is the author of a range of books, articles, chapters and Op Eds about 'sectarianism', state building, Iraq and Middle Eastern politics. It's a good one.
On 13th November in the Palace of Westminster, SEPAD launched its first report entitled 'Saudi Arabia and Iran: The Struggle to Shape the Middle East'. This special episode of SEPADPod features contributions from SEPAD Fellows Dr May Darwich, Dr Edward Wastnidge, Fabian Hamilton (MP for Leeds North East and Shadow Minister for Disarmament and Peace), SEPAD Director Dr Simon Mabon and a lively Q&A discussion.
On this edition of SEPADPod Simon talks with Fred Wehrey, Senior Fellow in the Middle East Programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Wherey is the author of a number of fascinating books including: The Burning Shores: Inside the Battle for the New Libya (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2018), Beyond Sunni and Shia: The Roots of Sectarianism in a Changing Middle East (Oxford University Press, 2017) and Sectarian Politics in the Gulf: From the Iraq War to the Arab Uprisings (Columbia University Press, 2013) along with myriad articles and op eds.
On this episode, Simon chats to Professor Nader Hashemi, Director of the Centre for Middle East Studies at the University of Denver about his intellectual journey and how personal experience has cultivated an interest in secularism, democracy and sectarianism.
On this week's show Mark and Simon discuss the recent Brazilian election, talk about environmental challenges facing the world and get the latest on Brexit. T
A SEPADPod discussion with Banafsheh Keynoush, author of Saudi Arabia and Iran: Friends or Foes?
On today's episode Mark and Simon discuss the ongoing fallout from the Jamal Khashoggi affair and the latest Brexit news. Mark listens to Taylor Swift for the first time and reveals a surprising book of the week.
On this week's show, Mark and Simon discuss a number of particularly depressing topics whilst also revealing Mark's awareness of Taylor Swift and a love of ABBA.