Best Middle East Monitor Podcasts (2025)

1
The Occult and Holy Men in A New Age: MEMO in Conversation with Raphael Cormack 1:00:12

5d ago1:00:12

1:00:12

After a new age spirituality movement sprung up in the West in the late 19th century, the wisdom of Egyptian holy men, the healers of Palestine and the fakirs of the Ottomans were highly sought after from clubs in New York to Paris. Joining us to discuss how things changed in the West and the Middle East is the author of a book on the Middle East's…

1
PIF Targets $2.7T; KSA, Qatar to pay Syria's debt; Trump Wants 'Free' Ride in Suez 27:55

6h ago27:55

27:55

HEADLINES : - Saudi Arabia's PIF has raised its target for assets under management by 2030 to $2.67 - trillion - Saudi Arabia and Qatar to pay back Syria's debt to the World Bank - Trump poised to offer Saudi Arabia over $100 billion arms package, reports Reuters - Trump Wants a 'Free' US Ride in the Suez Canal - All-time AED100-million record set …

1
Cafu mulls stake sale; Damac, AI, $54M; Paypal in Dubai; Dubai AI Week 30:34

3d ago30:34

30:34

HEADLINES : - Highlights of Day 4 of Dubai AI Week - Cafu exploring first-ever 'stake sale': Bloomberg - Damac used AI to boost monthly financial collections by a staggering $54.4 million - Paypal chooses Dubai for first-ever regional headquarters for the Middle East and Africa - Dubai-based logistics giant Aramex has announced a leadership change…

1
Dubai AI Week, OSN-WB Deal, Emaar Boost, UAE Hiring Slows 25:17

4d ago25:17

25:17

HEADLINES: - Highlights of Day 3 of Dubai AI Week - Celebration of OSN's $57 Million with Warner Bros Discovery in Dubai - Emaar waives 4-month rent for F&B outlets facing Dubai Fountain - Most UAE firms paused hiring in Q1 2025 as corporate tax and costs add upBy Augustus Media

1
US President Donald Trump's Middle East visit dates confirmed 31:01

5d ago31:01

31:01

HEADLINES: - US President Donald Trump's Middle East visit dates confirmed - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concludes Saudi Arabia visit - Highlights of Day 2 of Dubai AI Week - The UAE bucks the trend in the IMF’s latest growth forecast - Saudi Arabia to appoint acting CEO of NEOM to permanent role…

1
Gaza's children bear brunt of Israeli impunity, says Arwa Damon 22:55

6d ago22:55

22:55

Starvation, disease, mutilation and death have become the norm for children in Gaza, says Arwa Damon, founder of the INARA charity. She warns that aid workers, journalists and medics are also being targeted, making it nearly impossible to deliver relief to children trapped in a cycle of despair. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and C…

1
Dubai AI Week; Aramco x BYD; PepsiCo's Saudi Office; Dubai Chocolate craze 31:09

6d ago31:09

31:09

HEADLINES: - Highlights of Day 1 of the Inaugural Dubai AI Week - Aramco and BYD partner for EV Technology - PepsiCo Opens regional HQ in Riyadh; will invest SAR30 million in R&D center - Saudi Cash Revives Boxing’s Don King Era, Says World Boxing Council Chief - After Pistachio, Cocoa price rise can be concerning for UAE's $736 million chocolate m…

1
UAE uses AI for laws; B'Laban returns; Dubai rolls out self-driving taxis 47:18

7d ago47:18

47:18

HEADLINES: - UAE set to use AI to write laws in world first - Adnoc on shortlist to buy Shell South Africa fuel stations - B'Laban’s Facebook Account Announces the Reopening of Its Branches in Saudi Arabia - Tourism to hit 13% of Abu Dhabi’s GDP in 2025, 13% of Total GDP - Dubai’s RTA inks MoU with China's Baidu to launch trials of self-driving tax…

1
UAE Trade Rises; Abu Dhabi Invests in UK; €2B Russia-Qatar Deal 42:22

10d ago42:22

42:22

HEADLINES: - UAE has become the 11th largest merchandise exporter in the world - Abu Dhabi investors are stepping up their presence in the UK market - Dubai-listed companies outperformed their Gulf peers in Q4 of 2024 - Deel CEO spotted in Dubai as Rippling struggles to serve corporate espionage lawsuit - Russia and Qatar sign 2 billion euro invest…

1
B’laban Closures in Egypt; Chinese Traders on TikTok; New Red Sea Island 37:38

11d ago37:38

37:38

HEADLINES: - UAE Tops Saudi Arabia’s Arab Export Markets in Q4 2024, Trade Surplus Soars 37% - B’laban Denies Poison Rumors as Giza Closes 12 Dessert Shop in Egypt - Red Sea Global Unveils New Island Despite PIF Budget Cuts - Women invest AED118 billion in Dubai real estate sectorBy Augustus Media

1
Unveiling the British betrayal: A Conversation with Blake Alcott 45:25

12d ago45:25

45:25

Join us as we explore why Britain repeatedly deceived the Palestinian leadership and assess Britain’s direct role in displacing Palestinians ahead of the creation of the occupation state of Israel. Was there ever a real chance that London might have abandoned the Balfour Declaration? Or was the Palestinian resistance doomed from the outset? During …

1
MOE Expansion; Dubizzle Buys Property Monitor; Saudi F1 Team? 40:55

12d ago40:55

40:55

HEADLINES: - Majid Al Futtaim has announced a AED5 billion investment to transform Mall of the Emirates- Dubizzle Group buys UAE's Property Monitor portal amidst IPO talks - Team ownership could be next F1 step for Saudi Arabia - Dubai’s Property Market Sees Rising Prices and Investor Demand in Q1 2025 - Saudi-born Barn’s Coffee Eyes IPO On Saudi T…

1
UAE Tax Review; Saudi Covers Syria Debt; Dubai & Trump Tariffs 38:36

13d ago38:36

38:36

HEADLINES: - HH Sheikh Mohammed reviews UAE tax and launches AI efficiency drive at Cabinet meeting - Dubai tops list of world's busiest international airports for 11th year - Saudi Arabia plans to pay off Syria's World Bank debts, Reuters reports - Dubai Property Market and Trump Tariffs - Egypt and Qatar said they agreed to “work toward” a $7.5 b…

1
Dubai Traffic Plan; AED1.4B Drainage Plan for Dubai; More Women in AI in KSA 31:26

14d ago31:26

31:26

HEADLINES: - Dubai's RTA Reveals Roads and Transport Plan 2030 - DP World has officially begun development on Bharat Mart - Dubai Municipality has Awarded AED1.4B Contracts to Expand and Improve Stormwater Drainage - Saudi Arabia Has More women than Men in the AI sector - UAE 9th Globally, First among Emerging Markets on 2025 Foreign Direct Investm…

1
HH Sheikh Hamdan's India Trip; Prada Buys Versace; Tesla's KSA Launch 36:00

17d ago36:00

36:00

HEADLINES : - HH Sheikh Hamdan and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry witness signing of 8 agreements - Prada is buying Versace for $1.38B — its biggest acquisition ever! - Tesla has officially launched operations in Saudi Arabia - Saudi Prince Returns To Football With 1 Billion Riyal Investment Fund…

1
Trump Tariff Pause; Sheikh Hamdan at BSE; Tesla Eyes KSA; UAE Retirement 32:29

18d ago32:29

32:29

HEADLINES: - Trump Pauses Reciprocal Tariffs but 10% Blanket Tariffs Still in Place - Elon Musk's Tesla is Launching Today in Saudi Arabia - HH Sheikh Hamdan Rings Opening Bell in Bombay Stock Exchange - 7 out of 10 UAE Residents Want to Retire in the Country - but Finances?By Augustus Media

1
Iran, the Gulf and the Great Reset: MEMO in Conversation with Mehran Kamrava 44:44

19d ago44:44

44:44

With Donald Trump back in the White House vowing to tighten sanctions against Iran, the Gulf's ties with the Islamic Republic are in new unchartered waters, how will the US president's actions alter relations in the Middle East? Iran and the GCC countries have a long history of suspicion, co-operation, competition, conflict and dialogue. During the…

1
HH Sheikh Hamdan in India; MENA Stocks Rebound; MBC Has New CEO 32:29

19d ago32:29

32:29

HEADLINES: - His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Visits India As UAE-India Trade Booms Under CEPA - Middle Eastern Stock Markets Returned Back to Green on Tuesday - Aquila Group to Open Middle East Office in Abu Dhabi - Saudi MBC Group Has a New CEO - Mike SneesbyBy Augustus Media

1
Gulf Markets Slide, Dubai IPOs Surge, PGA Says No to $15.B from Saudi PIF 21:09

20d ago21:09

21:09

HEADLINES : - Middle Eastern and Global Markets Plunge Further Over Tariffs and Oil Prices - DFM Chief “very optimistic” about continued IPO momentum in 2025 - PGA Tour Rejects Saudi $1.5B Offer To Keep LIV Golf Alive Amid Merger TalksBy Augustus Media

1
Mideast Markets Fall, Jordan Hit by Tariffs, Dubai's Mega Bridge 33:27

21d ago33:27

33:27

HEADLINES: - Aramco loses $90B as Middle Eastern Markets crash, Asian Markets Open Red on Monday - Jordan risks sharp economic hit as the Middle East's most exposed to US tariffs - Dubai to Build Eight-Lane Bridge Over Dubai Creek to Ease Traffic and Support GrowthBy Augustus Media

1
MENA, Global Markets Crash; B Laban, Crisis Management, McLaren 25:16

24d ago25:16

25:16

HEADLINES: - All Red in UAE, Saudi, Egypt, as Markets Come Crashing Down - B Laban's case and the Importance of Crisis Management - Abu Dhabi’s CYVN Holdings Completes Acquisition of McLaren AutomotiveBy Augustus Media

1
Trump hits Middle East with tariffs; Sajwani reaches $10B; Dubai taxis ready 32:03

25d ago32:03

32:03

HEADLINES: - Trump Imposes Reciprocal Tariffs on UAE, Saudi Arabia, the Middle East & World - Founder of Damac Group Hussain Sajwani’s Wealth Doubles to $10.2 Billion - Uber and WeRide Partner with RTA to Bring Self-Driving Taxis to Dubai - Egypt's Richest Man Nassef Sawiris has Officially Moved to Italy from UK…

1
The moral reckoning of Jewish identity: MEMO in Conversation with Peter Beinart 23:51

26d ago23:51

23:51

The genocide in Gaza has raised an important matter, Jews are not facing an existential crisis concerning the state of Israel, but a moral one — one that could reshape Jewish tradition more profoundly than any crisis in centuries, Beinart says. Cast as a Cassandra figure within the Jewish community, Peter Beinart has been both celebrated and excomm…

1
Trump confirms Gulf visit; B Laban closure in Saudi; Flynas IPO approved 41:15

26d ago41:15

41:15

HEADLINES: - Trump confirms Saudi Arabia visit in May, adds UAE and Qatar to itinerary- Saudi Arabia Reportedly Closes Egyptian Dessert Chain ‘B Laban’ Amid Food Poisoning Reports - Saudi Arabia's capital markets regulator approves flynas IPO - Apparel Group founder Sima Ved meets Virgin's Richard Branson…

1
Palestine This Week: No international law here please, we're Israeli! 51:53

27d ago51:53

51:53

The Israeli supreme court has given the government the right to ignore International law and starve Gaza. This week on the MEMO Review, host Nasim Ahmed is joined by Mouin Rabbani to unpack a week of major developments from across the region. At the centre of the discussion is the Israeli Supreme Court’s shocking decision that it has no obligation …

1
UAE Central Bank Unveils New Dirham Symbol 30:42

1M ago30:42

30:42

HEADLINES: - UAE Central Bank Unveils New Dirham Symbol - UAE’s Sukuk Top in the World as Emaar and Aldar Lead Global Rally - e& Sells, MGX and Silver Lake Buy Stake in Khazna Data CentersBy Augustus Media

1
What do the mass protests mean for future of Turkey & Erdogan? 29:23

1M ago29:23

29:23

Since last week, Turkey has been rocked by mass protests over the jailing of Istanbul's opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, on thinly-evidence corruption and terrorism charges. These protests are widely seen as the most significant challenge to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan since he came to power 22 years ago. Turkey experts Gonul Tol and Lisel Hint…

1
Pokemon Go, but PIF-backed Scopely wants more; Tesla in Saudi; Masdar's IPO Talks 21:55

1M ago21:55

21:55

Headlines: - Saudi PIF-backed Scopely is Eyeing Acquisition of More Hit Titles - Tesla to Launch in Saudi Arabia on April 10 - UAE Renewables Giant Masdar’s IPO Speculation - Entrepreneur Challenges ‘Slow Period’ MythBy Augustus Media

1
Decoding Hamas: MEMO in Conversation with Helena Cobban 52:39

1M ago52:39

52:39

Western media has often distorted the image of the Palestinian resistance, shaping narratives in a way that harms the fate of Palestinians, but truly understanding Hamas is the only way to have a meaningful conversation on events in the Middle East, the co-author of a book on the movement says. At a time when Western governments refuse to engage wi…

1
UAE Hawala Crack Down 'Working'; BlackRock x Emirates NBD; Gulf's CEO Retention Policy 28:08

1M ago28:08

28:08

Headlines : - UAE's Crackdown on Illegal Money Transfers, Hawala, is 'working' - UAE and Saudi companies use long-term salary bonuses to attract CEO talent - Dubai’s Emirates NBD and BlackRock to bring private market investments to its wealth management clients - Almarai's Application of Vertical Integration…

1
Palestine This Week: 'Bomb everything in Gaza' 50:35

1M ago50:35

50:35

In the early hours of 18 March, Israel returned to bombing Gaza, killing more than 400 Palestinians - the vast majority women and children - in what has become the deadliest day in its genocide so far. What are its intentions? Who are its targets? And why has the world remained silent? This episode of Palestine This Week opens with a sobering refle…

1
Saudi PIF Cuts 20%; Warner Bros. Invests in OSN; Temasek Expands in Abu Dhabi 22:48

1M ago22:48

22:48

HEADLINES: - Saudi PIF Orders Deep Spending Cuts Across Over 100 Companies: AGBI - Temasek’s $54 Billion Asset Management Unit Opens Abu Dhabi Office - Warner Brothers Discovery buys one-third stake in Dubai's OSN - Aramex's Implementation of Global Strategic AlliancesBy Augustus Media

1
UAE to Invest $1.4T in US; FIX Founder Meets HH Sheikh Mohammed in Dubai 24:51

1M ago24:51

24:51

HEADLINES: - UAE Pledges $1.4 Trillion Investment in U.S. Over 10 Years - Viral Dubai Chocolate FIX Founder Sara Hamouda meets HH Sheikh Mohammed - Dubai’s Luxury Watch Boom: Demand Soars Amid Global Slowdown - Disruptive Innovation and AnghamiBy Augustus Media

1
Mubadala Weighs Du Stake Sale, ADQ’s $25B Deal, Adani Eyes $1.4B Emaar Buyout 26:49

1M ago26:49

26:49

HEADLINES: - Mubadala Weighs Selling Part of $1 Billion Stake in Du - ADQ, Energy Capital Partners Announce $25B+ Data Center Energy Deal - Adani in Advanced Talks to Acquire Emaar India for $1.4 Billion - Keeta using penetration pricing to win in the Saudi market.By Augustus Media

1
Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa will keep Russia in the game 35:20

1M ago35:20

35:20

Russia is seeking to keep its naval bases in Syria, viewing them as a vital strategic asset. Syria's interim president, a hard nosed pragmatist, will likely strike working relations with the Kremlin while trying to defuse tensions with Israel and win over the United States, says the International Crisis Group's Jerome Drevon, who has met Sharaa num…

1
Ben & Jerry’s Sues Unilever; xAI Joins $30B Plan; Sheikh Tahnoon Meets Musk 24:14

1M ago24:14

24:14

HEADLINES: - Ben & Jerry’s Accuses Unilever of Silencing Support for Gaza - Musk's xAI is joining MGX, Microsoft, Blackrock for their $30B AI Plan - HH Sheikh Tahnoon Meets Elon Musk, and Oracle's Larry Ellison - Vertical Integration – Majid Al Futtaim’s Retail EmpireBy Augustus Media

1
A People Without Borders, Iranian Arabs: MEMO In Conversation with Shaherzad Ahmadi 1:11:42

1M ago1:11:42

1:11:42

The Arabs of Khuzestan and the Iranians of Iraq were at the forefront of suspicion, anxiety and whose loyalty was questioned by the national building projects in Iran and Iraq in the 20th century. People who inhabit the border regions of any country often find themselves being treated with a mixture of suspicion and opportunity by the metropoles of…

1
Google to Pay $32B for Wiz; Sheikh Tahnoon Meets Trump; Suez Losses $800M 26:34

1M ago26:34

26:34

HEADLINES: - Google acquires Israeli cybersecurity startup Wiz for record $32 billion - HH Sheikh Tahnoon meets President Donald Trump on US visit - Egypt Suez Canal monthly revenue losses at around $800 million, Egypt President - First Mover Advantage – Noon’s E-commerce PlaybookBy Augustus Media

1
Palestine This Week: Raping Gaza, Israel’s dirty little secret 58:39

1M ago58:39

58:39

Israel has used sexual and reproductive violence in Gaza as a weapon of war in what the UN has declared is a 'genocidal act', how will the international community react to the latest damning reports of Tel Aviv's abuse of Palestinians? Will action finally be taken to hold Israel to account. This episode was recorded before Israel launched its inten…

1
AD Property Prices Rise; Arab GDP Grows; US Interferes in Lebanon 29:05

1M ago29:05

29:05

HEADLINES: - Residential rents grew 20 percent in 2024, while sales prices climbed by 11 percent in Abu Dhabi: report - Arab Region’s GDP Hits $3.6 Trillion in 2024 Amid Growth in Key Economies - US weighing in on Lebanon's next central bank chief, reuters sources say - Customer-Centric Strategy Used to Perfection by Emirates Airlines…

1
Sheikh Tahnoon’s US Visit, Durov Leaves France, Binghatti Wins AED 35M Plate Bid 26:11

1M ago26:11

26:11

HEADLINES: - HH Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed’s Official Visit to the US Starts Today - Telegram Founder Durov Allowed to Temporarily Leave France: AFP Reports - Binghatti wins bidding war for AED35 million car number plateBy Augustus Media

1
Weekend Edition: Qatar’s Gas Deal, DP World’s Growth, Tesla in Israel 3:43

1M ago3:43

3:43

– Qatar supplies gas via Jordan to aid Syria’s electricity crisis, marking a major policy shift. – Record revenue of $20 billion, strategic investments, and sustainability milestones. – Israel invites Tesla to supply EVs for government officials, strengthening ties between Musk and Netanyahu. Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://aug.us/4fZIDus Join…

1
China’s Auto Surge in UAE, More on PwC’s PIF Fallout, and Saudi Football’s Spending Shift 25:25

2M ago25:25

25:25

HEADLINES: - Chinese Automakers Gain Ground in UAE as Ramadan Competition Heats Up - PwC’s Consulting Ban From PIF Has Deloitte, EV and others Hunting for Work: Bloomberg - Saudi Pro League Still Leads in Spending — Despite a 52% Drop! - The Abraaj Group's Collapse and Ethical OversightBy Augustus Media

1
French academic Fabrice Balanche: Syria's Islamist leader wants to make example of Alawites 20:26

2M ago20:26

20:26

The wave of sectarian violence that gripped Syria last week has marred the image of the country's new Islamist president, Ahmad al-Sharaa. Could the government have done more to prevent it? French academic Fabrice Balanche says it absolutely could have. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.c…

1
MGX's $2B in Binance; Pokemon Go's New Home; Leos Founder Interview 46:35

2M ago46:35

46:35

HEADLINES: - Abu Dhabi's MGX Invests $2 Billion in World's Biggest Crypto Exchange Binance - Saudi-Owned Scopely has Acquired Pokémon Go in $3.5 Billion Gaming Deal - "Make Energy Great Again," is what the UAE Minister has told the World at CERAWeek 2025 - How Did They Do It? Sephora, Sephoria, and 'Experience Economy' - Rui Liu: CEO and founder of…

1
Influencing the Middle East the Italian way: MEMO in Conversation with Maria Luisa Fantappie 55:35

2M ago55:35

55:35

Events in the MENA directly impact Italy which is just 35 miles away, but how are the changing political dynamics affecting Rome's Middle East policy? Italy's fate is deeply entangled with the Middle East and North Africa, the Italian island of Pantelleria is just 35 miles off the Tunsian coast. Whenever tensions flare up in the Middle East and Nor…

1
Aramex Surges with ADQ Takeover; UAE Women Entrepreneurs Go Digital 15:30

2M ago15:30

15:30

HEADLINES: - Aramex Shares Climb as ADQ Secures Majority 58% Stake - Egyptians are Leading the Growth Rate of Foreign Buyers in Dubai’s Property Market with a Spike of 150% - UAE Women Entrepreneurs Face Funding Hurdles but Embrace Digital Growth - How did they do it? Alshaya Group and RBV TheoryBy Augustus Media

1
Palestine This Week: In the Middle East, peace has many enemies 1:05:48

2M ago1:05:48

1:05:48

The ceasefire in Gaza is teetering on the brink, as Israel continues to refuse to engage in negotiation on a second phase of the deal, while in Syria unrest has broken out in the between Allawite forces and the government's security personnel leading to fears that some actors are destabalising the region once again. In this week’s episode, we begin…

1
PIF Launches Duty-Free Retail; Sheikh Tahnoon Eyes $1B Cooling Sale 35:23

2M ago35:23

35:23

HEADLINES: - Sheikh Tahnoon’s Multiply Group Targets $1B Cooling Unit Sale - PIF Unveils Saudi Arabia’s First Duty-Free Retail Venture - Adnoc Set to Expand with U.S. Natural Gas Field AcquisitionBy Augustus Media

1
Women’s Tennis Players Eligible for Maternity Leave Funded by Saudi Arabia 30:15

2M ago30:15

30:15

HEADLINES: -WTA Introduces Paid Maternity Leave with Saudi PIF Backing -Trump Plans Saudi Arabia Visit Amid Military Deals and Diplomatic Talks -Europe Backs $53 Billion Gaza Rebuilding Plan: France, Germany, Italy, and UK Show SupportBy Augustus Media

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Middle East Monitor Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen