The Arabist Podcast

The Arabist Podcast #29: Presidency or bust!

Tue, 08 May 2012 20:56:25 +0200

There's 15 days left to the Egyptian presidential elections. We examine the insurgent campaign of Islamist Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, ask whether the Muslim Brothers are dangerously off-balance as they try to catch up, look at Amr Moussa's claim that he's the only candidate ready to be president on day one, and wonder whether the Abbaseya clashes and other factors contributing to Egypt's political instability could derail the elections or might simply continue even if there's a president.

The Arabist Podcast #28: And then there were 13

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:50:38 +0200

ssandr El Amrani, Ashraf Khalil and Ursula Lindsey are back after skipping out on the most confusing month in the history of Egyptian politics. We catch up on the state of whatever is left of a transition, presidential politics and elimination of candidates, and examine the chances of some of the ones that made the cut.

The Arabist Podcast #27: Back in business

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:52:36 +0200

The original team is back together to discuss the aftermath of the US-Egypt NGO crisis, dissent in the UAE, and Egypt's presidential elections.

The Arabist Podcast #26: The Aalam Wassef Episode

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:20:46 +0200

Our special guest in this episode, Aalam Wassef, was an underground guerrilla video artist and activist who went by the pseudonym Ahmed Sherif. He continues to make videos and launch activist projects under his real name, except now the target is SCAF rather than Mubarak. We discuss his work, the call for a general strike to boot SCAF out, Egypt's military-industrial complex and the NGO crisis between Cairo and Washington.

The Arabist Podcast #25: A divisive anniversary

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:16:15 +0200

In this episode, we discuss Mohamed ElBaradei's decision not to run for president Egypt, the preparations for Egypt's new parliament and for the anniversary of the January 25 uprising. All through the lens of Ashraf Khalil's new book, Liberation Square.

The Arabist Podcast #24: It's a new year

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:01:02 +0200

For the first episode of 2012, we reflect of what's to come, discuss the Arab League mission in Syria, Egypt's elections and the rest of the transition timeline, take a first look at the presidential candidates, and wonder about what will take place on January 25, the anniversary of the Egyptian uprising.

The Arabist Podcast #23: The Sandmonkey Episode

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 11:03:56 +0200

In this week's episode, Ursula and I talk to the legendary Egyptian blogger Sandmonkey, a major figure of the online coverage of the uprising. Also known as Mahmoud Salem, Sandmonkey was an unlucky candidate in the first round of Egypt's parliamentary elections, standing in a Cairo district. He tells us about his experience, and how he sees the most recent clashes between protestors and the army in Tahrir.

The Arabist Podcast #21: Electoral Dilemmas

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 22:16:45 +0200

We take a semi-break from the Egyptian elections to look at the bigger picture: the wave of elections bringing Islamists to office parties across the region, what Morocco's pretty tame Islamists might do, the electoral dilemmas of non-Islamists, and more. And we re-examine the issues of Saudi women getting behind the wheels, and the backlash against that from the powerful moron lobby among the Wahhabis.

The Arabist Podcast #20: Islamic Republic of Egypt?

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 16:02:58 +0200

In this edition of the Arabist Podcast, we introduce a brand new segment, Regional Cliffnotes, and then delve into the initial results from the first round of Egypt's parliamentary elections. It's a triumph for the Islamists, with the Muslim Brotherhood getting a comfortable plurality, but the real surprise is that Salafists are the country's second political force. And that's something that worries us. Don't forget to get back to us with comments at podcast@arabist.net!

The Arabist Podcast #19: Elections!

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:35:50 +0200

So the elections in Egypt are upon us, and they didn't turn out to be a catastrophe. In fact, the turnout is looking good. But should we all be celebrating? Ursula Lindsey and I argue that while Egyptians have shown they're ready for democracy, the process still leaves much to be desired. And in any case, what happens next?

The Arabist Podcast #18: Back to Tahrir

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:41:19 +0200

After the last two days' exceptional events in Tahrir Square, Egypt seems to teeter on the brink of another revolution or political chaos. We discuss the recent violence and the scenarios the country faces.

The Arabist Podcast #17: Doom and Gloom

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:25:35 +0200

In this edition of the Arabist Podcast, we look at the Arab League's decision to suspend Syria's membership and the mess of Egypt's elections.

The Arabist Podcast #16: %^&* the French!

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:56:53 +0200

After a two-week hiatus, we return to talk about Tunisia's elections, Nahda's success and the work ahead in that country's transition, why Egypt is not as lucky, and how much we hate the French.

The Arabist Interview: Youssef Sidhoum on Maspero

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:28:35 +0200

An interview with Youssef Sidhoum, a prominent Egyptian intellectual and editor of the Coptic Weekly al-Watani, on the events of October 9, 2011 at Maspero.

The Arabist Podcast #15: After Maspero

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:05:28 +0200

In this week’s podcast, we turn to the tragic events on October 9 in Downtown Cairo, when at least 25 people (mostly Coptic protestors) were killed at the Maspero state TV building. Ashraf, Ursula and I host New York Review of Books contributor Yasmine El Rashidi, an eyewitness to the massacre, and talk about what happened and its consequences.

The Arabist Podcast #14: The Ones That Didn't Make It (Yet)

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 12:40:19 +0200

This week we discuss those Arab revolutions that are still in progress or are being stopped dead in their tracks: Yemen, Bahrain and Syria.

The Arabist Podcast #13: Post-Qadhafi, pre-Tantawi?

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 11:42:40 +0200

This week, Ursula and Ashraf host guests from Libya Ahmed Shukr and Anjali Kamat. They talk de-Qadhafization, the state of the (counter) revolution in Egypt, and of Muhammad Tantawi's suit.

The Arabist #12: We regret to inform you that revolution is cancelled

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 10:37:41 +0200

This week, Ashraf Khalil is back and we talk about the worrying turn Egypt's transition has taken, between the reinstatement of the Emergency Law, restrictions on media, threats against strikers and more. We also discuss Turkish PM Recep Erdogan's visit to Cairo, his reception by the army and Islamists, and which Turkish model is applicable in Egypt — if any.

The Arabist Podcast #11: The embassy and the trial

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 11:30:11 +0200

In this week's podcast, AFP reporter Samer Al Atrush and journalist Steve Negus join Ursula Lindsey. We discuss the clashes of Friday 9 September, in which protester defaced the Ministry of Interior, broke into the Israeli embassy and fought the police, and ask: why did the army and police seem to stand back? And has the protest movement let itself in for a crackdown?

We also discuss Mubarak's trial (for ordering police to shoot at demonstrators, and for corruption) which so far has offered little in the way of a smoking gun and has been marred by chaos. Samer gives eye-witness accounts of the clashes around the Israeli embassy and of courtroom shenanigans.

The Arabist Podcast #10: Libya and its consequences

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:59:15 +0200

We delayed this week's podcast to bring you two guests with expert knowledge of the Libyan war and its regional consequences: Steve Negus, who just returned from Tripoli and Benghazi, and Middle East correspondent for The Economist Max Rodenbeck. (Ashraf Khalil is off this week dealing with a looming book deadline.) We talk about why Tripoli fell so fast and how secure it is now, what might happen in Sirte and Sebha, the last Qadhafi strongholds, and what governance might look like in Libya for the foreseable future. We also discuss whether there is a Libyan model for humanitarian intervention, what it might mean for Syria, Qatar's steroid diplomacy, and still more. Finally, we discuss Libyan novelist Hisham Matar's novels and play a song from Libya's reggae-influenced pop music.

The Arabist Podcast #9: Revolution Jetlag

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 00:06:49 +0200

We're back from our break and talk Tea Party politics, Mubarak trial, what's happening in Sinai, and the beginning of the end for Syria and Libya.

The Arabist Podcast #8: What's up in Sohag

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:47:09 +0200

In this week's podcast, more on the Tahrir Square sit-in, the never-ending cabinet shuffle, politics in Upper Egypt, the movies that defined the late Mubarak era, and new Arabic comics.

The Arabist Podcast #7: No Satisfaction

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 02:35:09 +0200

In this week’s podcast, Ashraf Khalil is given time off and we host the not-street-artist Ganzeer, one of the brains being Rolling Bulb and a series of murals honoring the martyrs of the revolution across Cairo. We discuss the current standoff between protestors camping in Tahrir Square and elsewhere, and review David Wolman’s The Instigators.

Arabist.net Podcast #1: Max Rodenbeck on Iran

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:13:59 +0300

Issandr El Amrani interviews Max Rodenbeck, Middle East correspondent for The Economist and contributor to the New York Review of Books, on Iran's political crisis.

Arabist.net Podcast #2: Joshua Stacher on Gamal Mubarak

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:19:35 +0300

Ursula Lindsey interviews Joshua Stacher, Assistant Professor at Kent State University, on Gamal Mubarak's prospects as the next president of Egypt.

Arabist.net Podcast #3: The Where’s Waldo of Espionage

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:13:59 +0200

This week: ubiquitous Israeli spies, Mohamed ElBaradei and Amr Khaled, Saudi women drivers and “Messages from Tahrir”.

Lunch with the Arabist #1: Helena Cobban and William B. Quandt

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 02:00:00 +0200

Introducing Lunch with Arabist: conversations with Middle East experts and more. This week we talk to Helena Cobban of Just World Books and her husband William B. Quandt, professor of politics at the University of Virginia and one-time negotiator at the Camp David negotiations for US President Jimmy Carter.

Arabist.net Podcast #4: The Manchurian Candidate

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 09:37:43 +0200

In this week's podcast, we discuss the "Constitution First" vs. "Elections First" debate in Egypt and Sheikh al-Azhar's proposal, the silence surrounding Syria and Bahrain, the ADC's attempt to prevent Syrian artist Malek Jandani from playing a pro-uprising song and review the autobiography of Egyptian ex-Muslim Brother and presidential candidate Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, and wonder if he's really been kicked out of the group.

Lunch with the Arabist #2: Ibn Kafka

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:12:53 +0200

We eat sushi with Moroccan blogger Ibn Kafka and ask him his thoughts on the new constitution King Muhammad VI has proposed.

The Arabist Podcast #5: Justice deferred

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 11:19:01 +0200

This week, we look at the role the Khaled Said affair played in mobilizing Egyptians against police abuse, the recent clashes in Tahrir Square and the role of women in politics post-revolution.

The Arabist Podcast #6: It's hot out there

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 11:26:14 +0200

This week: Revolution 2.0 protest in Tahrir Square, the Greeks and the Gaza flotilla, and a new constitution in Morocco + Hoba Hoba Spirit's Bled Schizo.

Lunch with the Arabist #3: Steve Cook and Jonathan Tepperman

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:05:07 +0200

We talk to the Council of Foreign Relations' resident Egypt specialist, Steve Cook, and Foreign Affairs managing editor Jonathan Tepperman over a few Stellas at the Greek Club.