Middle East Week

Chris Meserole comes on the show to discuss The French Connection, a piece in Foreign Affairs based on research he’s doing with Will McCants. Some of the topics covered include: Links: The French connection: Explaining Sunni militancy around the world | Brookings InstitutionReligional – religion, conflict & data scienceChris Meserole (@chrismeserole) on TwitterKarl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter

Aaron Stein comes on the show to discuss recent attacks in Turkey by the Islamic State and the PKK. Some of the topics covered include: Links: Turkey’s Presidential Politics: The Far Right’s Collapse and the Kurdish Left’s ProsecutionKurdish Militants and Turkey’s New Urban InsurgencyTurkey Wonk: Nuclear and Political Musings in Turkey and BeyondAaron Stein (@aaronstein1) on TwitterKarl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter

Adam Baron comes back on the show to discuss the conflict in Yemen as it enters its second year. We covered a variety of topics related to the current situation and how things could play out in the near future: Links: Adam Baron | European Council on Foreign RelationsAdam BaronAdam Baron (@adammbaron) on TwitterKarl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter

Nate Rabkin comes back on the show to discuss the Iraqi Security Forces and their ongoing efforts to retake territory that is controlled by the Islamic State. Some of the topics covered include: Links: Inside Iraqi PoliticsNathaniel Rabkin (@NateRabkin) on TwitterKarl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Thanks to Mikhail Yurchak, Ryan Gell, Adam Smith Intl., Wendy Plotkin for supporting the show. If you’d like to help support the podcast please visit the show’s Patreon page!

Charlie Winter comes back on the show to discuss how the Islamic State, and the campaign against them, is being covered. Some of the topics we discussed include: Links Charlie Winter (@charliewinter) on TwitterIsis has a strategy. Let’s not be part of it – The GuardianKarl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Thanks to Mikhail Yurchak, Adam Smith Intl., Andrew, Alex, David de Bruijn, and Ryan Gell for supporting the show. If you’d like to help support the podcast please check out the show’s...

Mary Fitzgerald comes back on the show to discuss the latest attempts to bring an end to the conflict in Libya. Some of the topics we covered include: Links Mary FitzgeraldThe Libyan Revolution and its AftermathMary Fitzgerald (@MaryFitzger) on TwitterKarl Morand (@KarlMorand) on TwitterGDP forecasts | The Economist Thanks to Mikhail Yurchak, Ryan Gell, MJ, and Adam Smith Intl. for supporting the show. If you’d like to support the podcast you can check out the show’s Patreon page.

Phillip Smyth comes on the show to discuss many issues surrounding the current Iran-Saudi Arabia tensions. We covered a variety of topics, particularly on the Iranian and Shia side of the conflict, such as: Links: Hizballah Cavalcade | JIHADOLOGYPhillip Smyth (@PhillipSmyth) on TwitterPhillip Smyth | Foreign PolicyPhillip Smyth - The Washington Institute for Near East PolicyKarl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Thanks to Mikhail Yurchak, Wendy Plotkin, and Adam Smith Intl. for supporting...

Michael Stephens comes back on the show to discuss the United Kingdom’s efforts to fight the Islamic State in Syria, as well as the latest developments in the diplomatic process seeking to bring an end to the conflict. Some of the topics covered include: Links: Michael Stephens (@MStephensGulf) on TwitterStephens | RUSIInto the Valley of Death - Newsweek Middle EastKarl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Sponsor: Winterfest - Great deals on some of the best software for students,...

Bridget Moreng comes on the show to discuss jihadism in Tunisia. Some of the topics covered include: Links: - Tunisian Jihadism after the Sousse Massacre | Combating Terrorism Center at West Point - Valens Global - Bridget Moreng (@BridgetMoreng) on Twitter - Karl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Thanks to Adam Smith International, Wendy Plotkin, David De Bruijn, and Ryan Gell for supporting the podcast! If you’d like to support the show please check out the show’s Patreon page.

Andrew Lebovich comes on the show to discuss the recent attack in Bamako, the groups involved, the security situation in Mali, and much more. Some of the topics we covered include: Links: Analysis: Mali hotel siege was horrifically predictable - Al Jazeera EnglishCan we compare the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and Bamako? - The Washington PostOf Mergers, MUJAO, and Mokhtar Belmokhtar | al-WasatAndrew Lebovich (@tweetsintheME) on TwitterKarl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Thanks to...

Matthew Reed comes back on the show to discuss ISIS oil operations. Some of the topics we covered include: Links: The Fuse | Taking Stock of ISIS Oil: Part 1The Fuse | Taking Stock of ISIS Oil: Part 2Matthew Reed (@matthewmreed) on TwitterForeign Reports | Reporting Service on Middle East AffairsKarl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Thanks to Zane, Andrew, and Alex for supporting the podcast! You can support the podcast by making a small donation on Patreon!

Nicolas Blarel comes on the show to discuss India’s relationship with Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some of the topics covered include: Links: The Evolution of India’s Israel Policy: Continuity, Change, and Compromise since 1922Blarel, Dr. N.R.J.B. - Faculty & Staff - Faculty of Social and Behavioural SciencesNicolas Blarel (@nicoblar) on TwitterKarl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter You can support the podcast by making a small donation on Patreon!

Phillip Smyth comes back on the show to discuss recent news and issues related to Iranian proxy groups fighting in Syria. Some of the topics covered include: Thanks to David, Wendy, and Ryan for supporting the show. If you’d like to help support the podcast, and get some cool rewards, check out the show’s Patreon page! Links: Iran’s Losing Major Operatives in Syria - The Daily BeastHizballah Cavalcade | JIHADOLOGYPhillip Smyth (@PhillipSmyth) on TwitterKarl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter

Elizabeth Dickinson comes back on the show to discuss the Syrian diaspora in the Gulf. We also talked about the current refugee crisis, and accusations that Gulf states aren’t helping as much as they could. Topics covered include: Links: Godfathers and Thieves: How Syria’s Diaspora Crowd-Sourced a Revolution (Kindle Single) by Elizabeth DickinsonElizabeth Dickinson - JournalistDecaElizabeth Dickinson (@dickinsonbeth) on TwitterKarl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Thanks to Melissa, Andrew,...

John Horgan comes back on the show to discuss his work studying the Islamic State’s use of child soldiers. Topics we covered include: Links: John HorganThis Is How the Islamic State Manufactures Child Militants | VICE NewsJohn Horgan (@Drjohnhorgan) on TwitterKarl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Thanks to Andrew and David for their support of the show! You can support the podcast by making a small donation on Patreon!

Mary Fitzgerald comes back on the show to talk about the recent UN talks in Geneva and the ongoing effort to end the civil war in Libya. Topics we covered include: Links: Mary Fitzgerald’sThe Libyan Revolution and its Aftermath: Peter Cole, Brian McQuinnMapping Libya’s factionsMary Fitzgerald (@MaryFitzger) on TwitterKarl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Thanks to Alex & Scott for their continued support of the show. You can support the podcast by making a small donation on Patreon.

Charlie Winter comes on the show to talk about Islamic State propaganda. The basis for our discussion is Charlie’s recent paper “The Virtual Caliphate: Understanding Islamic State’s Propaganda Strategy” (PDF). The topics we covered include: Links: Experts weigh in (part 4): Can the United States counter ISIS propaganda? | Brookings InstitutionCharlie Winter (@charliewinter) on TwitterKarl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitterin iTunesRSS feed

Adam Baron comes back on the show to discuss the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis in Yemen. Topics we covered include: Links: Adam BaronAdam Baron | European Council on Foreign RelationsAdam Baron (@adammbaron) on TwitterKarl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Thanks to patrons of the podcast Andrew, Alex, Scott, David, and Melissa. You can support the podcast by making a small donation on Patreon! Sponsor: Tinderbox - a personal content assistant that helps you visualize, analyze, and...

Aaron Zelin comes back on the show to discuss Tunisian foreign fighters going to Iraq and Syria, and how Tunisia is handling security issues. Topics we covered include: Links: JIHADOLOGYJihadology PodcastAaron Y. Zelin (@azelin) on TwitterKarl Morand (@KarlMorand) on Twitter Sponsor: Tinderbox - a personal content assistant that helps you visualize, analyze, and share your notes. Download and try it today!

Lisa Goldman, contributing editor at +972 Magazine and a fellow at New America, comes on the show to discuss recent events in Israeli politics. Topics covered include: Links: Lisa Goldman (@lisang) | TwitterKarl Morand (@KarlMorand) on TwitterMiddle East Week Facebook pagein iTunes Thanks to patron Sandin Rekic. You can support the podcast by making a small donation on Patreon!