Middle East Research and Information Project

Critical Coverage of the Middle East Since 1971

The MERIP Podcast

The MERIP Podcast features interviews and roundtables with MERIP authors and editors, and recordings from events. You can listen to all episodes here, or on your preferred podcast service.

The MERIP Podcast

The MERIP Podcast Episode 13: Ned Leadbeater

Today on the podcast we have an interview with Ned Leadbeater, a researcher and analyst based in Britain who recently wrote an article for our Summer/Fall double issue on the material politics of normalization titled, “Fiber Optics and the Hidden Politics of Connectivity.” His article explores the politics surrounding

James Ryan, Ned Leadbeater • 1 min read

The MERIP Podcast

The MERIP Podcast Episode 12: Honoring Joe Stork, Live in DC

Featuring Sarah Leah Whitson, Lisa Hajjar, Mouin Rabbani, Joel Beinin, Zachary Lockman, Rick Reinhard, Joan Mandell and Joost Hiltermann

James Ryan, Lisa Hajjar, Mouin Rabbani, Joel Beinin, Zachary Lockman, Joan Mandell, Joost Hiltermann • 1 min read

MERIP updates

The MERIP Podcast Episode 11: In the Archive with Beshara Doumani

Today we have a very special episode, part of a new occasional series that will highlight some of the truly great work MERIP has done over the last 50-plus years, all of which is free to read in our archive. In the first of this series, we’re featuring the

James Ryan • 1 min read

The MERIP Podcast

The MERIP Podcast Episode Ten: Raouf Farrah

On the Sumud Convoy, the Gaza Flotilla, and North African Solidarity

James Ryan, Raouf Farrah • 1 min read

The MERIP Podcast

The MERIP Podcast Episode Nine: The MERIP Roundtable, "On The Regional War"

Featuring Maziyar Ghiabi, Shana Marshall and Kevin Schwartz

James Ryan • 1 min read

The MERIP Podcast

The MERIP Podcast Episode Eight: Helen Lackner

This episode of the MERIP podcast features an interview with longtime MERIP contributor and noted journalist Helen Lackner on the state of Yemen's Houthi movement. The conversation with MERIP Executive Director James Ryan follows up on her essay, "Yemen's Ansar Allah" that was published

James Ryan • 1 min read

Syria

The MERIP Podcast Episode Seven: Syria at the Crossroads III

This week in the feed we have the audio from our August 14th, 2025 event "Syria at the Crossroads: Unpacking Sectarianism and the Crisis in Suweida." The conversation features perspectives from Syrian journalists, scholars, and activists Sara Ajlyakin, Sana Mustafa, and Yasser Munif, and was co-moderated by James

James Ryan • 1 min read

The MERIP Podcast

The MERIP Podcast Episode 6: The MERIP Roundtable, "On Recognition"

The MERIP Roundtable is a new format for the MERIP podcast featuring conversation on urgent issues in the Middle East with members of MERIP's Editorial Committee. The theme of this episode's conversation is "Recognition" -- both the widening circle of Israeli, diaspora, and Jewish

James Ryan • 1 min read

The MERIP Podcast

The MERIP Podcast Episode Five: Syria at the Crossroads II

This week on the MERIP Podcast Feed we have the audio recording of our June 23rd event "Syria at the Crossroads: Regional Politics and the Movement for Palestine." This conversation was the second in our series jointly produced with SPECTRE: A Marxist Journal. It featured a discussion of

James Ryan • 1 min read

The MERIP Podcast

The MERIP Podcast Episode Four: Syria at the Crossroads I

This week on the feed is the audio recording of our zoom event "Syria at the Crossroads: Popular Revolt, Counterrevolution, and Regional Transformation" featuring Leila Al-Shami, Wafa Mustafa, and Djene Bajalan. Syria at the Crossroads is a special event series co-produced by MERIP and SPECTRE: A Marxist Journal.

James Ryan • 1 min read

The MERIP Podcast

The MERIP Podcast Episode Three: Habib Battah

This week on the MERIP Podcast we're featuring an interview with the Lebanese journalist Habib Battah, author of "Beirut and the Birth of the Fortress Embassy" which was published in Middle East Report Online in April 2024. Battah has recently returned to Lebanon for the first

James Ryan • 1 min read

The MERIP Podcast

The MERIP Podcast Episode Two: New Gender Frontlines Launch

This week in the MERIP Podcast feed we have the audio recording of our launch event for the latest issue of Middle East Report, New Gender Frontlines. Hosted by MERIP Executive Director, James Ryan, and featuring a panel with MERIP Editorial Committee member and issue editor Sabiha Allouche (University of

James Ryan • 1 min read