The Taliban and MENA
Summary: Arab Digest talks to Sami Hamdi, editor in chief of The National Interest about the Taliban victory and its impact on the Middle East.
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Afghanistan
The Middle East weighs up the Taliban triumph
Arab Digest editor William Law launches the third season of the podcast with Sami Hamdi, editor in chief of The International Interest. In the wake of the Taliban rout of the US and its coalition allies we consider gains and losses, whether or not the Taliban victory will spark intensified jihadist insurgencies and who will ultimately determine the timing of when MENA states recognise the new regime in Kabul.
Bridges to the Taliban
Summary: as the seismic shock of the Taliban victory continues to reverberate in Western capitals, Doha and Ankara are well positioned to seek to influence the new regime and ameliorate the stark and threatening reality now facing the West.
Arab States and Afghanistan under the Taliban
Summary: As the world adjusts to the Taliban victory, and the US and UK scramble to make the last evacuations before the looming 31 August deadline, Arab regimes face a disconcerting moment.
The Gulf and the Taliban
Summary: comings and goings as a deposed president flees Afghanistan and arrives in the UAE and a victorious Taliban leadership exits Doha for Kabul.
Putin powers ahead in the Middle East
Arab Digest editor William Law in conversation with Samuel Ramani, a geopolitical analyst and non-resident fellow at Gulf International Forum. Their conversation explores the extraordinary gains Russia has made in positioning itself as a player of consequence in the Middle East. Showing a deft hand and adroit manouevring Vladimir Putin, in a few short years, has realised the dream of Catherine the Great to establish Russia in the Middle East and North Africa as a Mediterranean power to be reckoned with.
The Middle East’s Heroin Tracks
Summary: heroin mostly enters the Arab world from Afghanistan via Iran enroute to markets in Europe. Arab countries close to the main smuggling routes are the most impacted by the trade. The Syrian war has led traffickers to re-route heroin shipments via the Black Sea and Africa.
Pivoting Away
Summary: with the US pivoting to Asia, the actions of regional players may be the key to helping to stabilise the Middle East.
Et tu, Bahrain?
Summary: Bahrain’s decision to follow the UAE in normalising relations with Israel may be another “stab in the back” for the Palestinians; but it is also a timely reelection boost for Donald Trump.
Qatar banks on soft diplomacy
Summary: In hosting Afghan peace talks and supporting Gaza in its battle with Covid-19, Qatar is scoring points with the US and Israel.