Dardasha: A Middle East Podcast

In recent months tensions between Israelis and Palestinians surrounding the Temple Mount or Noble Sanctuary have sparked a new wave of violence. This wave of violence has led many to argue that we are witnessing the beginning of a third Intifida. The first (1987-1993) and second (2000-2005) Intifadas were periods of intense violence and clashes between Israelis and Palestinians. In this weeks episode Mike and Danny discuss what is an intifada and if the current violence could be considered one.

Last  week the Russian military began conducting airstrikes in support of Syria's beleaguered president Bashar al-Assad. Syria has long been Russia's most important ally in the Middle East and is home to a Russian naval base in the port city of Latakia. While Russia claims that its airstrikes have targeted Islamic Extremists there is evidence that the regime has carried out strikes against Western backed rebels. In this week's episode, Mike and Danny talk about Russia's intervention in Syria and what it means for the Assad regime.

Earlier this year the US and Iran reached an agreement allowing the international inspectors into Iran to monitor the nation's nuclear program in return for the easing of sanctions against Iran. Critics of the deal describe it as Iran's path to the bomb, while supporters claim that while the deal is not perfect it is better than any other option. In this week's episode Mike and Dan discuss whether or not Americans should support the Iran deal.

During the past century, the Christian population in the Middle East has declined from nearly 25 percent of the Middle East's population today it has declined to roughly 5 percent. Several prominent media outlets have postulated on the coming extinction of the Middle East's Christians. In this week's episode, Mike and Danny discuss the plight of the Middle East's Christians.

In July, the Turkish government agreed to join the international coalition against ISIS. When the Turkish military began conducting bombing raids against ISIS, it simultaneously began conducting airstrikes on Kurdish areas in the Iraq and Syria. The Kurds have been at the fore front of the fight against ISIS and Turkey's actions against Kurdish targets have prompted questions about Turkey's motivations. In this week's episode Mike and Danny discuss the politics and motivations behind Turkey's actions.

For many people around the world the 2011 protests that erupted across the Arab world, were a sign of a changing Middle East. The political and social upheavals can be viewed through many lenses. In this week's episode Mike and Danny discuss whether or not the status of women has improved since the Arab Spring.

In this week's episode Mike and Danny discuss the agreements that dismantled the Ottoman Empire following WWI and and the politics surrounding them.

At the turn of the century, the Ottoman Empire ruled much of the Middle East. By 1920 the Ottoman Empire would cease to exist. European imperialism, internal political turmoil, and the coming World War all undermined an aging empire that was struggling to keep pace politically, militarily, and economically with an insurgent Europe. In today's episode Mike and Danny discuss the internal political turmoil in the Ottoman Empire just before the outbreak of WWI.

For centuries the Ottoman Empire brideged the East and the West occupying territory in Europe and Asia. Slowly the 'Sick Man of Europe' rotted, while the West excelled both economically and militarily. In the 19th Century internal revolt and external pressures continued to weaken the Ottoman Empire, while its Sultans sought to reinvigorate it. In today's episode Danny discusses the trends that contributed to the ailing empire's struggles in the 19th century. 

Roughly six years after Israel's conquest of the Golan Heights, West Bank, Gaza, and the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt and Syria attacked Israel on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Despite several signs indicating coming hostility with its Arab neighbors, Israel was surprised and suffered initial military defeats before rallying with the assistance of a US aid package reassert its supremacy. This week Mike and Danny discuss the events surrounding the 1973 Arab-Israeli war and how it paved the way for diplomacy between Egypt and Israel. 

Caught between Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, Sudan has often defied definitions. While the country is often not considered part of the Middle East, it has long held close ties to the region. Split between Arab-Muslims and African Christians and Animists, it has a long history of unrest and tragedy. In this week’s episode, Mike and Danny debate the events leading to the 1989 coup that brought Omar Bashir to power. They also discuss the role of Hassan al-Turabi and other Islamists in the country’s politics.  

In the West, most people see the Middle East as a somewhat homogenous region with small areas of contestation between two competing sects of Islam, however much of the region is inhabited by lesser known religious sects that rarely make the headlines but contribute politically, economically, and culturally to the region. The Druze or Muwahhidun are one of these sects. In this week's episode, Mike and Danny discuss the origins of the sect, their history, and the issues confronting them in today's Middle East.

Late last month Saudi Arabia headed a campaign of airstrikes to roll back the gains of Shi’a militants in Yemen known as the Houthis. The controversial campaign is backed by a number of Arab states including Egypt and Qatar to name a few with the U.S. providing logistical support. In this week’s episode, Mike and Danny discuss the Saudi fronted coalition, the conflict in Yemen, and what impact it will have on the struggling Arab nation.

News of an agreement on a framework for a nuclear agreement between the United States and Iran made headlines late last week. While the two states have been at odds since demonstrations and protests forced the US backed Shah from power, the animosity between nations stems even further back in history. In this week's episode Mike and Danny discussed the history behind the CIA backed coup that ousted the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh and installed the Shah as a dictotorial leader.

The Muslim Brotherhood is considered by many to be the most successful Islamist movement in the modern era. Founded in Egypt by Hassan al-Banna in 1928, the group has survived revolution, oppression, and war. In many ways, modern Islamist thought owes much to the Brotherhood. In this week's episode Mike and Danny discuss the origins of the Muslim Brotherhood, its ideological background, and the evolution of its political thought.

Following its war for independence in 1948 and the 1956 Suez Crisis, Israel had to yet reach a peace agreement with any of its Arab neighbors. As 1967, the neighboring Arab states vied for the Arab nationalist mantle vowing to destroy Israel and liberate their Palestinian bretheren. It is commonly believed that facing annihilation, Israel attacked Egypt, Syria and Jordan decimating their armies and gaining control of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai, and Golan Heights. In this episode Mike and Danny discuss the the myths and facts surrounding the causes of the 1967 War (commonly called the Six-Day War) while attempting to break down the narratives of the conflict. 

Libyans and the international community greeted the defeat of Libya's long-time dictator Muammar Qaddafi and his forces with optimism. Libya's religiously homogenous population, large oil reserves, and economic potential led many analysts to predict that the Mediterranean nation would be the success of the Arab Spring. However political fragmentation, a multiplicity of armed militias, and regional disputes have plunged the state into chaos. In this week's episode Mike and Danny discuss the predicament in Libya and its impact on the Middle East.  

Since its inception Israel has had large Arab minority. Today 1.65 million Arab-Israelis live, work, and vote in Israel comprising roughly 20 percent of the population. Most Arab-Israelis consider themselves Palestinian and sympathize with those living under occupation in the West Bank and Gaza. They also often feel marginalized in a state that tries to balance democracy and its Jewish nature. In this weeks episode, Mike and Danny discuss Arab-Israeli prospects in the upcoming elections and the often antagonistic politics of Arab-Israeli politicians. Given the current trajectory of Israeli politics, Mike and Danny debate whether or not there is a future for Arab-Israelis in the Jewish State. 

Last year Houthi rebels from Yemen's Saada province took control of the capital Sanaa as they easily dispatched government forces in the process. Late last month these same rebels forced the Western backed president, Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, to resign his post. Since the 2011 demonstrations that pushed long-time autocrat Ali Abdullah Saleh from power; Yemen has been troubled by terrorism, economic turbulence, and regional disputes that have pushed the country to the edge. As Yemen teeters on the edge of economic collapse and civil war, Mike and Danny discuss Yemen's troubles, hopes for its future, and why people in the West should care about what happens in this often forgotten corner of the Arabian Peninsula. They also debate Iran and Saudi Arabia's influence within the country and how the Houthi insurgency could benefit al-Qaeda.