6 Top Podcasts to Listen To In the Middle East

The Middle East is known for many things, from height-defying architectural marvels like the Burj Khalifa to enchanted beaches and delectable cuisines.  

Many people also consider the Middle East a multicultural utopia where folk from all walks of life live harmoniously side by side. No wonder some 90 million international tourists troop to this region annually.  

But despite its many allurements, the Middle East is notorious for its high prevalence of fundamentalist groups. Most of these groups thrive due to extreme religious teachings, while some are enabled by authoritarian regimes that are the hallmark of numerous Middle East nations.  

Fortunately, there are multiple ways to discover the Middle East before moving there as a tourist or expatriate. Common ones include reading books about the Middle East, watching Middle East-themed movies or documentaries, and keeping abreast of all news emanating from the region through podcasts.  

In this article, we look at the top 6 podcasts that will teach you more about the Middle East. 

Why Discover The Middle East Through Podcasts?  

Podcasts are an excellent way to get a sneak preview into a region's cultural, political, and economic dynamics. That's because, unlike radio shows, these audio recordings typically focus more on the topic. There are no commercial breaks and no unnecessary digressions.  

Podcasts also tend to be episodic, which means that a single program can focus entirely on a specific aspect of a subject. This can give listeners a deeper insight into the topical issue.  

The good news is that the Middle East teems with podcaast studios. Whether you're a budding or seasoned podcaster, you can easily find a professional Dubai podcast studio that guarantees high-quality recordings at reasonably affordable rates.  

It's even more exciting to know that such studios have an online presence. So, you only need to enter a relevant search term like "Dubai podcast studios near me" and then sample from the options that pop up higher on your search engine result pages (SERPs). 

6 Best Podcasts About the Middle East 

1. Middle East Focus 

Middle East Focus is a weekly podcast that attempts to analyze the United States foreign policy on various Middle East nations. The podcast also focuses on contemporary social and political issues affecting the region.  

Despite the title, Middle East Focus doesn't dwell solely on events unfolding within the Middle East borders. Rather, it gives each event a wider geographical perspective, which can be key in providing international tourists with a better perspective of the region. 

2. Middle East Matters 

Middle East Matters shares one fundamental similarity with Middle East Focus – both podcasts bring into focus a wide spectrum of issues affecting the Middle East within the global space. But what makes this podcast special is that most episodes feature exclusive interviews with newsmakers, activists, and scholars from the region.  

The podcast also takes a challenge-solution approach to analyzing the Middle East. This can be especially helpful for entrepreneurs considering investing in the region. 

3. Trending Middle East 

Most Middle East nations have earned a notorious reputation for their repressive policies against the mainstream media. Such policies have translated into a significant increase in social media adoption.  

Trending Middle East brings you all the latest trends on the Middle East social media and how they're impacting the region's sociocultural dynamics. From political insurrections to stalled diplomatic talks and unfolding elections, this podcast covers it all. You'll also get perspectives from various global newsmakers about the Middle East. 

4. Conflicted 

The Middle East is undeniably the most war-torn region in the world. A classic case is Afghanistan which has been the stage of violent civil confrontations and international wars since 1978. In fact, most novels, films, and documentaries about the Middle East thrive on the theme of war.  

This podcast highlights the realities of war in the Middle East and how incessant conflicts have affected the fortunes of one of the world's most naturally-endowed regions. These events are presented by the combination of a former Al Qaeda jihadi turned MI6 secret agent and a former monk turned filmmaker. 

5. Good News from the Middle East 

At first glance, the title of this podcast sounds rather click-bait. However, you only need to listen to the audio for a few minutes to rule out the profit motive on the part of its presenters.  

Good News from the Middle East is a podcast for people who're tired of the bad news coming out of the Middle East. The podcast is nearly 100% religious-themed. It focuses more on the Christian side of the Middle East and how a faith that was once forbidden in many Middle East countries now pervades the region. 

6. Rethinking Palestine 

Palestine is one of the most misunderstood Middle East nations. The state's protracted war with Israel hasn't helped its international reputation either. However, the international media rarely covers a lot about the state of Palestine.  

This podcast brings you 30–40 minute episodes that analyze various issues affecting the tiny nation, from religious extremism to military aid and amazing investment opportunities. The podcast also looks at the self-determination among Palestinians to transform their country into a progressive society.  

Summary 

The Middle East can be difficult to figure out due to the ever-conflicting information coming from the region.  

Fortunately, you can rely on the above-listed podcasts for an in-depth analysis of a region loved and loathed in equal measure.