History of the Middle East

The Ottoman Empire began as a small frontier principality in northwestern Anatolia - one of many Turkish beyliks born from the collapse of the Seljuks and the Mongol invasions. Within centuries, it transformed into a vast empire spanning three continents, uniting diverse peoples under one of history’s longest-lasting dynasties. How did it rise, expand, and sustain its rule for over 600 years? In t...

The Sasanian Empire was the last great pre-Islamic power of Iran - a rival to Rome and Byzantium that shaped politics, trade, and religion across West and Central Asia. How did it rise from the ashes of the Parthians, rule for four centuries, and ultimately fall to the early Islamic conquests? In this episode, Professor Khodadad Rezakhani joins us to discuss:  🔹 The Near East on the eve of Sasani...

The Mongol invasion of the Middle East was one of the most cataclysmic events in the region’s history, leading to the destruction of cities, the fall of the Abbasid Caliphate, and a transformation of the Islamic world. But how did a nomadic empire from the Eurasian steppes rise to power and bring down the greatest centers of Islamic civilization? In this episode, Professor Mehmet Ozalp joins us to...

World War I wasn’t just a European conflict—it was a turning point that completely reshaped the Middle East , leading to the collapse of the Ottoman Empire , the rise of new Arab nationalisms , and the imposition of European colonial rule. In this episode we sit down with Professor James Gelvin , a leading historian of the modern Middle East, to explore the war’s impact on the region. Together, we...

In this episode of we dive into the final years of Ottoman rule in the Arab provinces and the complex road to independence. The Ottoman Empire once controlled large territories across the Middle East, but by the late 19th and early 20th centuries, internal struggles, European intervention, and rising Arab nationalism began to unravel its hold. Joining me is Professor Eugene Rogan, Director of the...

We explore the history of the Fatimid Caliphate with Dr. Shainool Jiwa, a historian and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Ismaili Studies. The Fatimid Caliphate, a North African empire that thrived from the 10th to the 12th centuries, is known for its remarkable approach to governance, cultural inclusivity, and intellectual achievements. Dr. Jiwa takes us on a journey through the origins...

We explore one of the most significant yet often overlooked uprisings in Middle Eastern history—the Syrian Revolt of 1925-1927 - with Professor Michael Provence, a Professor on modern Middle Eastern history from the University of California, San Diego, and author of The Great Syrian Revolt and the Rise of Arab Nationalism . We discuss the causes and consequences of the Syrian Revolt, examining how...

We explore the Umayyad Caliphate, an empire that stretched from the Iberian Peninsula to the borders of India. Professor Khalid Blankinship, a renowned historian specializing in Islamic history, joins us to discuss the origins of the Umayyads, their military conquests, administrative innovations, and the enduring legacy they left behind. Tune in to uncover the complexities and achievements of the...