Best The Institute of Middle East Understanding Podcasts (2025)

1
Can we resist the AI empire, Karen Hao? 46:13

Play Pause

5h ago46:13

46:13

There is no shortage of critical commentary on the dizzying pace of developments in artificial intelligence. Yet, few do it as astutely as Karen Hao, whose award-winning book, Empire of AI, unveils the inner workings of OpenAI and the tech sector more broadly, shining a light on an industry marked by both grandiose proclamations and notorious secre…

1
The Future of Money Movement: Crypto Security and Payments with Michael Shaulov 25:24

9h ago25:24

25:24

Money moves digitally across invisible networks every day — but what actually carries it from one place to another? Fireblocks CEO Michael Shaulov joins us to unpack the evolution of digital payment rails; the networks and infrastructure that move money in our digital world. We explore how cybersecurity, blockchain, and new forms of currency are re…

1
Labour has given up on integration 31:57

28m ago31:57

31:57

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood has set out her plans for the biggest shake up of asylum laws in 40 years. It divided the Labour party, impressed some Conservatives and even earned the home sec an invite to join Reform. But what will it mean in the long term for Britain, and for the families affected? Oli Dugmore is joined by Anoosh Chakelian and Ra…

1
Shabana Mahmood's asylum plans split Labour 26:06

1d ago26:06

26:06

Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, has unveiled a series of changes to the migration and asylum system. The plans, which have been trailed over the weekend, have been met with scorn from within the Labour party. “This approach isn’t just morally wrong” the MP Richard Burgeon tweeted earlier today, “it’s politically disastrous.” Oli Dugmore is joi…

1
At Sea Against the Soviet Fleet, A Conversation with the Author 58:06

1d ago58:06

58:06

OverviewBook talk and signing with Capt. Bryan Leese on At Sea Against the Soviet Fleet—the evolution of U.S. naval intelligence in the Cold War.***This lecture is sponsored by the IWP IAFIE Alpha Student Chapter***About the Lecture:At Sea Against the Soviet Fleet examines the critical transformation of naval intelligence during a pivotal era marke…

1
Booker winner: Keir Starmer should read 'Flesh' 21:41

3d ago21:41

21:41

"If he feels talking about his favourite novel is politically disadvantageous, that's a sad state of affairs" - David Szalay on Keir Starmer's reading habits. -- David Szalay is the winner of the 2025 Booker Prize for Fiction. He disputes claims that his novel, Flesh, is a tale of modern masculinity as reviewers have claimed. Though it certainly ex…

1
From Pain to Purpose: Joumana Mansour on Wellness, Coaching, and Her New Book 39:35

4d ago39:35

39:35

In this inspiring episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, we sit down with Joumana Mansour, personal growth expert, wellness specialist, and founder of Journey of You, a bilingual (Arabic/English) platform transforming how individuals, medical students, and physicians understand emotional wellness. Joumana shares the deeply personal story behin…

1
Victor Haghani: From The Missing Billionaires to Smarter Risk and Better Decisions 35:29

4d ago35:29

35:29

Victor Haghani — co-founder of Long-Term Capital Management and founder of Elm Wealth — joins host Mike Wallberg, CFA, to discuss the ideas behind his book The Missing Billionaires: A Guide to Better Financial Decisions. Using the "missing billionaires" puzzle as a starting point, Haghani explores why so many investors struggle with risk sizing, ho…

1
What Wes Streeting should do next 18:46

4d ago18:46

18:46

We share our strategy advice for the Labour rebels allegedly trying to oust Keir Starmer. Ailbhe Rea and Luke O'Reilly join Rachel Cunliffe to answer listener questions. In this episode: What's the best strategy for Labour rebels hoping to dethrone Starmer? How much power does a party chair wield? Can any politicians affect positive change? LISTEN …

1
Why is Rachel Reeves U-turning on income tax? 28:01

5d ago28:01

28:01

After weeks of preparing to break their manifesto pledge, Starmer and Reeves have ditched their plans to raise income tax. They’re scared it would have angered their MPs and voters, amid a dire performance in the polls. How will Reeves plug the £30 billion gap in public finances if she doesn’t raise income tax? Oli Dugmore is joined by Ailbhe Rea a…

1
There’s no “fundamental institutional bias” at the BBC | Lewis Goodall interview 34:02

6d ago34:02

34:02

The BBC is still reeling from the dramatic resignation announcement of its director general Tim Davie on Sunday. Rachel Cunliffe gets Lewis Goodall’s insider perspective, drawing on his time working on BBC’s Newsnight programme. Lewis also shares his thoughts on the leadership threats surrounding Keir Starmer. READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/pol…

1
The Demise of Democracy? Lessons from Ancient Athens on the Ideology and Pathology of Democracy 1:02:09

6d ago1:02:09

1:02:09

About the Lecture:"Our democracy is getting self-destroyed, for it abused the rights of freedom and of equality; for it taught the citizens to regard insolence as a right, illegality as freedom, impertinence as equality, and anarchy as happiness." Isocrates, Athenian orator (436-338 BC)Democracy first emerged in ancient Athens in 507 BC following a…

1
Mutiny in the Labour Party 34:44

7d ago34:44

34:44

Labour hit its lowest-ever poll rating last week, coming fourth at just 17 per cent. Westminster is full of chatter about a leadership coup at the hands of Wes Streeting. And Labour MPs and government aides alike are dismayed by Keir Starmer’s leadership and the state of No 10. Has the Prime Minister reached the point of no return? Anoosh Chakelian…

1
Two Years of Genocide: Motherhood Under Fire in Gaza 34:20

7d ago34:20

34:20

Two years into Israel’s relentless bombardment of Gaza, we listen closely to Yaqeen Baker, a mother of two little daughters, Salwa (5) and Nusaiba (2). She shares what it means to be a mother under constant Israeli fire; to love, to fear, and to hope amid the destruction. We also hear the voice of little Salwa, who gives us a glimpse into her small…

1
Will world leaders ever fix climate change? 36:33

8d ago36:33

36:33

It's now "impossible" to limit climate change to 1.5 degrees. Can COP30 achieve anything material at all? -- Keir Starmer has been in Brazil ahead of COP30 - the world’s largest annual climate meeting - where world leaders were told it’s now “virtually impossible” to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. That’s according to the UN’s chief meteorolog…

1
Crisis at the BBC 28:31

9d ago28:31

28:31

Yesterday evening, BBC director general Tim Davie resigned, as first reported in the New Statesman by our new political editor Ailbhe Rea, along with his head of news, Deborah Turness. In the end, it came down to a Panorama documentary accused of featuring a misleadingly edited speech by Donald Trump. But, having weathered years of BBC scandals, co…

1
[Bridging the Gulf Series] Session 19: Strategic UAE - The Engine Behind the UAE's AI Vision 57:32

9d ago57:32

57:32

Launched in 2025 by G42 with partners including OpenAI, Oracle, NVIDIA, Cisco, and SoftBank, Stargate UAE is a landmark AI supercomputing project. As part of a $500 billion global AI infrastructure initiative, it will feature a 1-gigawatt computer cluster, expanding to 5 GW — the largest outside the United States. Aligned with both the UAE’s Vision…

1
East Meets Middle East: Global Healthcare Strategy & Innovation with Dr. Firas Mahdi 34:59

9d ago34:59

34:59

In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Khalil Diab and Dr. Mohammad Ali sit down with Dr. Firas Mahdi, Partner at LEK Consulting in Singapore, to explore the intersection of strategy, technology, and innovation in healthcare across Asia and the Middle East. From his beginnings in clinical medicine at AUBMC to leadership ro…

1
Has Labour let down millennials? 25:30

11d ago25:30

25:30

Has Labour let down Millennials? Are tax hikes on the horizon? And what would happen to the commonwealth if Britain dumped our King? Rachel Cunliffe joins Anoosh Chakelian to answer listener questions. Treat yourself or someone special to big ideas, bold politics and proper journalism from just £2 this Christmas when you subscribe to the New States…

1
Book Lecture: Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) in U.S. Security Cooperation 57:46

11d ago57:46

57:46

OverviewJoin Dr. Susan Yoshihara for a lecture, reception, and signing of "Women, Peace, & Security in U.S. Security Cooperation."About the Lecture:The authors of this groundbreaking book explore the origins, rationale, and evolution of Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) efforts in the context of US security cooperation. Focusing on real-world policy…

1
Steve Reed's £7bn affordable housing fund | Exclusive interview 29:46

12d ago29:46

29:46

“The dream of home ownership is closed off to younger people today” - Steve Reed, Housing Secretary Steve Reed exclusively tells the New Statesman about the seven billion pounds Labour are giving to the six mayoral combined authorities for social and affordable housing. In an interview with Oli Dugmore, Labour’s housing secretary outlines the plan,…

1
What Labour must learn from Zohran Mamdani 25:09

13d ago25:09

25:09

Voters in New York City have elected a socialist, Muslim, 34-year old Mayor. Here's what Labour need to learn from Zohran Mamdani's campaign. -- Zohran Mamdani calls himself "Donald Trump's worst nightmare". In the UK, senior Labour figures including Wes Streeting have praised the young Democrat Mayor-Elect's campaign. But should Labour be celebrat…

1
Britain’s next maternity scandal 34:21

14d ago34:21

34:21

A four-month investigation with Channel 4 News reveals harrowing failings at one of Britain’s most prestigious hospitals. Oli Dugmore speaks to the New Statesman's Investigations Editor, Hannah Barnes. Read: Britain’s next maternity scandal LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer the…

1
What is the meaning of freedom, Timothy Snyder? 56:37

14d ago56:37

56:37

Often considered ‘the value of values,’ freedom is increasingly interpreted in negative terms as the absence of interference, especially by prominent figures on the right. Historian and author Timothy Snyder argues that in order to achieve true freedom, we must ask about the moral and political structures required for human societies to flourish. I…

1
Redefining Wealth Management in Asia-Pacific: How Syfe Is Building Trust and Access with Dhruv Arora 30:11

14d ago30:11

30:11

How can wealth management become more intuitive, transparent, and accessible? Dhruv Arora, Founder & CEO at Syfe, a leading wealth management platform based in Singapore, shares how Syfe is redefining investing for the mass-affluent segment in Asia-Pacific. Drawing on his background in traditional finance, Dhruv reflects on building trust in emergi…

1
Huntingdon train attack: knife crime in suburbia 39:45

15d ago39:45

39:45

Is Britain becoming a country of mass violence? On Saturday evening, a Doncaster to London train was forced to stop in Huntingdon after eleven people were injured in a stabbing spree. Anthony Williams, a 32 year-old British national, was charged on Monday with multiple counts of attempted murder. Oli Dugmore is joined by Anoosh Chakelian and Rachel…

1
What's Farage's plan for the economy? 44:02

16d ago44:02

44:02

Today, Nigel Farage set out his updated vision for the UK economy. At a speech and press conference in London, The Reform UK leader talked tax, immigration, welfare, Brexit and his days working in the City. The New Statesman’s Ethan Croft was at the event. Ethan joins Oli Dugmore to discuss. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM…

1
Food and Water in Lebanon: Can We Still Trust Them?الأكل والمَيّ بلبنان: فينا نوسق فين بعد؟ 38:30

16d ago38:30

38:30

In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, Dr. Khalil Diab speaks with Christelle Bachi, food safety expert and founder of Yes You Can Clinic, about the alarming state of food and water contamination in Lebanon. Where is the pollution coming from — water, storage, farming, or lack of restaurant hygiene? How has the economic crisis affected…

1
Do we have too many leftist parties? 19:39

18d ago19:39

19:39

Is Build Baby Build doomed? Is Katie Lam running for leader? Where is Priti Patel? Can the UK really support 5 large leftist parties? Luke O’Reilly joins Anoosh Chakelian to answer listener questions. Ask us a question LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get o…

1
Richard Bookstaber: Understanding Markets Through Complexity and Human Behavior 36:47

18d ago36:47

36:47

Risk expert and author Richard Bookstaber joins guest host Genevieve Hayman, senior researcher at CFA Institute, to explore why traditional financial models often fail to capture the real dynamics of markets. Drawing from decades of experience — from hedge funds to the US Treasury — Bookstaber unpacks how human behavior, feedback loops, and network…

1
David Lammy's plan to stop Farage | Exclusive interview 22:30

19d ago22:30

22:30

The Deputy PM believes that Labour can beat the threat of the populist right, Nigel Farage and Reform. Lammy says that Labour can achieve this by tackling the cost of living crisis, uniting the centre and left of British politics and putting security first. Oli Dugmore sat down with David Lammy to discuss his plan. Read: Nigel Farage can be stopped…

1
England's most deprived areas revealed 23:53

20d ago23:53

23:53

Which are the most deprived neighbourhoods in England and how might this map onto voter intent? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by senior data journalist Ben Walker, to discuss what we can learn from the English Indices of Deprivation. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Fr…

1
Abolish the rotten monarchy 46:40

21d ago46:40

46:40

Another bad week for Prince Andrew. You could say the man hasn’t had a good week since 2011. Although, actually, he does live in a 30-bedroom mansion in Windsor and enjoyed a million quid a year from his mum. In this week's cover story Will Lloyd makes the case for abolishing the monarchy, and that the Windsors have always been more involved with B…

1
Instead of Replicating the Barbarism of the Enemy, You Chose to Be Exceptional: The Hidden Reality Inside Israel’s Prisons 25:09

21d ago25:09

25:09

While the world witnessed Israel’s genocide in Gaza, another war has been unfolding inside Israeli prisons. Thousands of Palestinian prisoners, including women and hundreds of children, are held under brutal conditions, many without charge or trial. In this episode, we speak with Palestinian lawyer Nadia Daqqa, one of the first attorneys to visit P…

1
Can Labour afford to raise taxes? 24:50

22d ago24:50

24:50

With the Autumn budget looming, the government has some tough decisions to make. Rachel Reeves has to find a predicted £30bn in extra revenue to meet her self-imposed fiscal rules. But as part of its manifesto pledges, Labour promised not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT. And after a crushing defeat in Wales last week, what can the go…

1
[Book Talk] Twilight of the Saints: The History and Politics of Salafism in Contemporary Egypt 59:39

22d ago59:39

59:39

In scarcely a century, Salafism has transformed Sunni Islam. Claiming to be a revival of the purest form of Islam, this movement promotes ultraconservative social and religious norms and rejects all non-Sunni reli gious groups. In Egypt, its influence has grown to the point of reshaping mainstream conceptions of the faith. How did such a deep relig…

1
Should Labour sack Starmer to beat Reform? 25:58

23d ago25:58

25:58

The Caerphilly by-election proves Reform can be beaten. But is Keir Starmer the man to do it? Last week voters in Caerphilly confounded pundits by electing their first Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd (MS). Reform UK had expected to be the party to overturn Labour's 100 year dominance in the Welsh seat - but they were wrong. The loss was a disaster…

1
Unraveling the Causes of Autism: Genetics, Environment, and Beyond with Dr. Rose Mary Boustany 43:20

25d ago43:20

43:20

In this thought-provoking episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Rose Mary Boustany, Professor of Pediatrics and Biochemistry at the American University of Beirut, and a pioneering figure in neurogenetics and autism research. Together, we explore the complex roots of autism from genetic and epigenetic influences to environ…

1
Two decades later, Booker Prize winner Kiran Desai returns 45:45

25d ago45:45

45:45

With only her second novel The Inheritance of Loss, Kiran Desai won the 2006 Booker Prize, the leading literary prize in the global Anglosphere, becoming - at the time - the youngest person ever to do so. She was thirty-five. Then: silence. 19 years of it, before another novel emerged - this year. The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny. It, too, has bee…

1
The death of Welsh Labour 29:15

26d ago29:15

29:15

Is Welsh Labour dead? Plaid Cymru won a historic victory in the by-election, trouncing Labour who had been dominant for over 100 years. The "middle child" as Plaid's new MS describes them, also beat Reform, who pollsters expected to win the seat. In this episode, Harry Clarke-Ezzidio reports from Caerphilly to analyse the results of the election. H…

1
Labour loses Caerphilly for first time in over 100 years 16:37

26d ago16:37

16:37

After 14 attempts, Lindsay Whittle has won the Caerphilly seat in South Wales for Plaid Cymru. Reform came in second with over a third of the vote, and Labour trailed in third with 11%. A devastating loss for the party. Harry Clarke-Ezzidio is joined by Ben Walker in Caerphilly Leisure Centre. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Statesman app MORE FR…

1
Andrew Marr: Keir Starmer is failing Britain 45:34

27d ago45:34

45:34

Andrew Marr says he thought Labour would fix everything, but: "I was wrong". -- Andrew Marr is stepping down as political editor of the New Statesman. In this, his last regular podcast appearance (he'll be back, don't worry!) he reflects on the last three years in politics - and where we're heading next. He admits committing "the journalistic sin" …

1
Why the Trump-Putin summit fell apart 31:58

28d ago31:58

31:58

Donald Trump's planned summit with Vladimir Putin is cancelled. Here's why. -- Less than a week after Donald Trump offered to meet Vladimir Putin in Budapest, the proposed summit has already fallen apart. Officially, "there's no need" for the two presidents to meet, since their respective foreign ministers are conducting conversations. But what's r…

1
Money Made Personal: Adrianna Adams on Financial Planning for Millennials and Gen Z 24:18

28d ago24:18

24:18

How can financial planning evolve from numbers on a spreadsheet to a tool for shaping life goals? Adrianna Adams, Head of Financial Planning at Domain Money, joins Fintech Files to explore how technology and new fee models are transforming the way millennials and Gen Z engage with their financial futures. Drawing on her journey into the field, Adri…

1
Your Party and the UK's left crisis 53:11

29d ago53:11

53:11

James Schneider, the former director of strategic communications for Jeremy Corbyn, was involved in the founding of Your Party earlier this year. He has since stepped back from the project. In this episode he joins Anoosh Chakelian to discuss the growing gap on the left of UK politics and who could fill it. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Statesm…

1
Andrew, duke no more 26:21

30d ago26:21

26:21

Andrew had already stepped down as a working royal, after that disastrous Newsnight interview in 2019, but he’s now gone a step further and agreed to relinquish the “title or the honours which have been conferred upon” him. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Will Lloyd and Rachel Cunliffe to discuss what these latest decisions, announced on the eve of t…

1
Beyond Minoxidil: Exploring Alternative Therapies for Hair Loss with Dr. William Abou Shahla 29:31

1M ago29:31

29:31

In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I speak with Dr. William Abou Shahla, a resident in dermatology, about emerging and alternative therapies for hair loss that go beyond traditional treatments like minoxidil and finasteride. Together, they dive into the evidence behind stem cell–based therapies, low-level laser therapy (LLLT), and …

1
100 years of Thatcher, with Charles Moore 45:15

1M ago45:15

45:15

A century on from the her birth, Tanjil Rashid sits down with the Iron Lady's official biographer, Charles Moore. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday JOIN…

The Institute Of Middle East Understanding Podcasts