Whats the name of the song in the beginning?

Ever clicked a link and hit a 404 "not found" error page? Happens a lot. It's also very frustrating. You think you've finally found that elusive content but it's a false dawn and you'll have to go back and search again. The image for this 'Middle East Analysis' podcast was taken on the West Bank side of the Separation Wall earlier this year. It seems rather appropriate for today's episode. 

Dr Harry Hagopian, our resident international lawyer and regional analyst, takes on a quick-fire five to being our podcast looking at a variety of regional elections, off-shore gas deals and - stand by your bunks - sportswashing in the context of the Qatar-hosted football World Cup.

The meat in the sandwich is the ongoing turmoil and violence in northern Palestine. Harry gives his take on the situation in Jenin and Nablus. The prevailing writing on the wall? It's a 404 - Solution Not Found.

All this and a few off-the-cuff afterthoughts from the good doctor.

404 Solution Not Found

The football World Cup, hurtling through the group stages in Qatar after a fair helping of pre-tournament controversy, takes centre stage for our November Middle East Analysis podcast. Surely even the most optimistic Saudi looked at the Argentina fixture and prayed KSA would just keep the score down? Well, would you believe it? Lionel Messi and co found themselves chastened after an extraordinary 2-1 win for Saudi Arabia. And, as far as the Arab States are concerned, that result wasn't the only surprise. Morocco held Croatia, Iran bested Wales, Tunisia drew with Denmark and even the hosts put a goal past Senegal. The MENA countries are not just making up the numbers. 

Not known as a football aficionado, our regular studio guest, Dr Harry Hagopian still has plenty to say on the subject before sinking his teeth into the violent crackdown on the protests in Iran before passing comment on the political survivor par excellence Bibi Netanyahu - cutting deals and grabbing power. 

If that wasn't enough, we conclude with three of Harry's unique afterthoughts.

It's all on November's Middle East Analysis.

Arab states not just making up the numbers

In this episode, Ezra speaks with Jillian Schwedler about her new book, "Protesting Jordan: Geographies of Power and Dissent". She discusses the relationship between space and protest – and the long history of protest in the Kingdom.

Episode 19 - Geographies of Protest in Jordan with Dr Jillian Schwedler

Ending a long-running podcast is painful. It's also hard to let go - especially when the expert sitting opposite you has been a friend for 15 years.

This is the last ever Middle East Analysis and, as such, is something of a fond farewell - on this channel at least - to Dr Harry Hagopian. The man's a colossus with a brain to match and a bucket-load of integrity. He also delivers his views and analysis with a fair dollop of wit and panache.

So it's with a heavy heart we say goodbye, but not without saying a huge thank-you to all our listeners. Whether you've tuned in regularly, been listening for years, or are comparatively new to the podcast, we salute you.

The last word is for Dr Hagopian... You may not be a prophet, Harry, but you're a mighty fine fellow!

Walls are meant for climbing

In this episode, we speak with Dana and Diana about the recent special issue in MELG focusing on recentering society in the study of Palestinian politics. We discuss what the post-Oslo period looks like, how resistance is changing, and where research on Palestine could develop. 

You can check out the special issue we are discussing on the Brill website: https://brill.com/view/journals/melg/14/3/melg.14.issue-3.xml

Episode 20 - The Palestine Blindspot in Political Science with Dr Dana El Kurd & Dr Diana Greenwald

In this episode, Ezra Karmel speaks with Francesco Cavatorta and Hendrik Kraetzschmar about their recent special issue in MELG examining multiparty coalition government in the Arab MENA. 

We discuss key features of coalition formation, composition, and duration/durability, why they have grown in prevalence, what they can teach us about coalitions in other contexts (including Israel).

Episode 21 - Coalition Governments in the MENA with Dr Francesco Cavatorta & Dr Hendrik Kraetzschmar

Five long, painful months after the Hamas terror attack of 7 October and the subsequent bombing and ground offensive that has reduced Gaza to rubble and led to several thousand deaths and a humanitarian disaster of the most tragic proportions, this 'Middle East Analysis' special asks the question: Is there a road map to peace in the Holy Land or are we eternally to walk the path of violence, revenge and hatred?

International lawyer and MENA region analyst Dr Harry Hagopian joins us in the studio for the first time in almost two years for this special podcast that features the Catholic Bishop of Clifton, Bishop Declan Lang.

The two old friends look for any sign of light in the darkness, and mourn decades of failure when it comes to securing a lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians.

Holy Land

Any hope left in the Holy Land?

We keep our firm focus on the Holy Land and whilst we continue to weep as we look on at the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and the suffering of all civilians caught up in this conflict, we're joined by Fr Fadi Diab to discuss the lived realities of the Palestinian people in the West Bank as well as in the decimated strip.

Fr Diab is from Ramallah and is the rector of St Andrew's Episcopal Church and also minister at St Peter's Church in Bir Zeit.

He is also Chair of the Holy Land Committee of Friends of the Holy Land, an ecumenical, non-political charity with a mission, together with other Christian charities is to secure a resilient and enduring Christian community in the West Bank, Gaza, Israel and Jordan.

Fr Fadi Diab | The Church's Prophetic Voice in the Holy Land

When Father Gabriel Romanelli travelled to the West Bank to get some urgently-needed medicine for a nun living with his community in Gaza, it never crossed his mind he'd be separated from his flock for over six months.
 
Father Romanelli, parish priest of the Holy Family Church in the north of the strip, had to watch from a distance as the horrors of the 7 October Hamas attack unfolded, before Israel's bombardment of Gaza led to the humanitarian crisis and suffering we now see in this torn land.

On this special episode of 'Middle East Analysis', we welcome to our podcast the shepherd of Gaza's tiny Catholic community - one that numbered only 135 people before the war.

Father Romanelli spent a week in the UK, in London and Glasgow, meeting with Christian leaders and politicians to highlight the plight of the near 500 people still sheltering in the compound of the Holy Family Church.

Regular studio guest Dr Harry Hagopian, an International lawyer and analyst who has long worked for peace between Israel and Palestine joins Fr Romanelli in conversation for this special podcast.

Harry was a Track II negotiator during the time of the Oslo Accords in the 1990s and a former Assistant General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches.

Middle East Analysis

Separated from Gaza's Catholic community

In collaboration with the Governance Uncovered podcast of the Governance and Local Development Institute (GLD), Ellen Lust moderates a discussion on decentralisation and local governance in the Middle East and North Africa, focusing in particular on Tunisia, Lebanon, and Jordan. She is joined by Intissar Kherigi, Christiana Parreira, and Ezra Karmel.

Episode 22 – MENA Local Governance with Dr Ellen Lust, Dr Intissar Kherigi, & Dr Christiana Parreira

The Middle East North Africa region is complex - hardly breaking news. There are complex religious, political and socio-economic realities with global players pushing into the ring from every corner - intervening and retreating like a boxer stalking the target of his vested interest. Our 'Middle East Analysis' podcasts feature the analysis of Dr Harry Hagopian, an international lawyer and commentator on the Middle East North Africa region and the Gulf States.

Arab states not just making up the numbers

Middle East North Africa: An Analysis

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