On the 26th of July, 2025 the great Ziad Rahbani left us. Survived by his mother, the Lebanese icon Fairuz, Ziad Rahbani was an icon in his own right. A legendary figure of the modern Arabic music as well as cynical, satirical leftist thought. Kalam Podcast dissects his music and politics and pays tribute to his unmatched legacy. Rest in peace and power Ziad! We love you.

A special thank you to Mariam Kirollos for her beautiful words and to Sune Haugbolle for his great research on Ziad's importance.

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Sam and Edgar give you the latest, horrific news on Israels genocidal war on Gaza now in it's 94th week. Also: last week's sectarian fighting in southern Syria and the US seemingly throwing the Kurds under the bus.

To support Kalam Podcast, head to patreon.com/kalampodcast and subscribe for all episodes ad-free and loads of bonus materials.

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In the aftermath of the war between Iran and Israel/USA the fight continues over what actually took place. As the actions of the IDF in Gaza grows more horrific by the day, Western media are outraged by the statements of a punk band a music festival. In today's episode Sam and Edgar discuss the irreality of the Middle East, and what might come next.

To support Kalam Podcast, head to patreon.com/kalampodcast

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Israel has hit several targets in Iran and Iran has retaliated with waves of ballistic missile barrages on Israeli targets. Hundreds of civilians have been killed, the overwhelming majority of them Iranian. In today's episode Sam and Edgar discuss the consequences of this dangerous escalation.

To support Kalam Podcast, head to patreon.com/kalampodcast

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Global public opinion has shifted dramatically in favour of the Palestinian cause in the last few weeks. The likes of Piers Morgan and Ehud Olmert would have called themselves anti-Semites just a few weeks ago. Edgar and Sam discuss these developments as well as the political ongoings in Syria.

To support the show, go to patreon/kalampodcast.com

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On this week's news summary, Samuel and Edgar discuss the world historic decision made at last weeks PKK congress, and what it will mean for the Middle East. Also: The relentless killing and starving of Gaza shows no sign of letting up, but the souring relationship between Netanyahu and Trump does not bode well for Israels hopes for regional domination. How will Israel survive a multi-polar world order?

Kalam Podcast depends on your support. If you like what were doing, please head over to patreon.com/kalampodcast and sign up to Klub Kalam for just 3 US$/month – for all episodes ad-free as well as lots of excellent bonus material. For continuous updates, follow us on Instagram @kalampodcast.

Image: PKK fighters playing volleyball in the Zagros Mountains.

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This episode is in Swedish, apologies to all our non-Swedish speakers.

Det här är avsnitt två i serien Kalam Suedi, Kalam Podcast på svenska, i samarbete med tidningen Flamman.

Hela avsnittet går att höra på https://www.flamman.se/podd/kalam-suedi/

Det här avsnittet handlar om Syrien – där en diktatur på över 50 år har fallit. Efter att den islamistiska milisen HTS störtat diktatorn Bashar al-Assad har religiösa och etniska minoriteter varit rädda för repressalier från den sunnimuslimska majoriteten.

I början på mars månad blev deras värsta farhågor sanning, när extremistiska milismän utförde en pogrom mot syriska alawiter, den etnisk-religiösa minoritet som Assadfamiljen tillhörde. Uppemot tusen civil massakrerades på bara några dagar. Lama Alshehaby, född och uppvuxen i Damaskus, berättar om den etnisk och religiösa mångfalden i Syrien – och de motsättningar som giriga och hänsynslösa politiker länge utnyttjat. Avsnittet spelades in den 11 mars i år.

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The human rights veteran Issa Amro recently featured in Louis Theroux's documentary "The Settlers", where he showed the absurdity of Israeli apartheid in his hometown of Hebron, Khalil in Arabic. Palestinians are forbidden to walk down high street in the old city of Hebron to provide security for Israeli settlers who are living in the city illegally.

This episode was recorded in December 2024, when Issa Amro was visiting Sweden to receive the prestigious Right Livelihood Award, but his telling of the story of Hebron and how apartheid ruined it is as relevant as ever.

If you'd like to support Kalam, listen to the podcast without ads and gain access to lots of great bonus content, sign up to Klub Kalam on Patreon! And follow us on Instagram for continuous updates.

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On this week's news summary, Sam and Edgar discuss the unrest in both Syria and Lebanon, caused by Israeli interference as well as sectarian tensions.

If you enjoy Kalam Podcast and would like to make a donation, you can do so. Head to patreon.com/kalampodcast and sign up for just 3 USD/month.

For continuous updates, follow us on Instagram @kalampodcast.

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This episode is in Swedish, apologies to our international listeners and features the Swedish journalist and pro Palestine activist Shora Esmailian

Shora Esmailian har bevakat och varit involverad i Palestinarörelsen i 20 år. Förra året skrev hon boken Gaza: Att spränga ett getto, om den palestinska historian och Israels ockupation. Sedan den 7 oktober har delar av kultursverige tolkat Shoras uttalanden som antisemitiska och anklagat henne för att stödja terrorism. I dagens avsnitt talar Edgar och Shora om allt detta och mycket mer.

Vill du stödja Kalam Podcast? Gå med i våran Patreon för bara 3 dollar i månaden.

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Arab Socialism is deeply intertwined with Arab Nationalism, to the extent that they are sometimes used interchangeably. 

On this second episode in our series on Arab Socialism Samuel and Edgar discuss the man who more than any other has come to define the term Arab Socialism, as well as this particular combination of social revolution and national liberation: Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser.

How did he rise to power, what did his ideas mean to ordinary Arabs, and how did his politics relate to Socialism?

To listen to the full episode, sign up to our Kalam Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kalampodcast

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The genocide in Gaza is still ongoing, but there are slivers of hope – the US and Israel could become increasingly isolated as European powers move to recognise the Palestinian state. In other news the crackdown on dissent in Turkey leaves critics of Erdogan disillusioned, while our colleague Joakim Medin languishes in a Turkish jail cell – Free Joakim now! Journalism is not a crime.

Also on the show – Syria's government has taken form, with one (1!) single woman in the cabinet.

If you enjoy Kalam Podcast and want to support the show, there is an excellent way to do so - by signing up to our Patreon. For just $3/month you'll gain access to full length interviews with all our guests and lots of bonus material - including our series Kalam Shorts: 10-15 explainers of concepts like Zionism and Orientalism. Join at patreon.com/kalampodcast

For continuous updates on the podcast and content about Palestine and the Middle East, follow us on Instagram @kalampodcast

Please subscribe to Kalam Podcast in whatever podcast application you're listening to right now - and give us a rating. It helps other people find out about us.

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This episode is in Arabic. Head over to the Kalam Podcast YouTube page to watch the full conversation with English subtitles.

In the wake of the killing of 23-year-old Gazan journalist Hossam Shabat in an Israeli airstrike, we want to publish our conversation with the Palestinian journalist Lama Ghosheh.

Lama Ghosheh has been in and out of the Israeli prison and correctional system after Israeli authorities accused her of inciting violence and supporting terrorism. She, and many journalism advocates, say that Israel is trying to make an example out of her in order to scare her Palestinian colleagues into obedience.

If you enjoy Kalam Podcast and want to support the show, there is an excellent way to do so - by signing up to our Patreon. For just $3/month you'll gain access to full length interviews with all our guests and lots of bonus material - including our series Kalam Shorts: 10-15 explainers of concepts like Zionism and Orientalism. Join at patreon.com/kalampodcast

For continuous updates on the podcast and content about Palestine and the Middle East, follow us on Instagram @kalampodcast

Please subscribe to Kalam Podcast in whatever podcast application you're listening to right now - and give us a rating. It helps other people find out about us.

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In the early hours of March 18 Isreal broke the ceasefire that had held between them and Hamas since January. Although, Israel killed over 150 Palestinians during the ceasefire itself, in various attacks – nothing the Western media felt compelled to report.

At the moment of writing, nearly 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes – many of them women and children.

Muhammad Shehada is a Palestinian analyst originally from Gaza. He joins Kalam Podcast for a discussion about why Israel decided to unilaterally break the ceasefire right now.

If you enjoy Kalam Podcast and want to support the show, there is an excellent way to do so - by signing up to our Patreon. For just $3/month you'll gain access to full length interviews with all our guests and lots of bonus material - including our series Kalam Shorts: 10-15 explainers of concepts like Zionism and Orientalism. Join at patreon.com/kalampodcast

For continuous updates on the podcast and content about Palestine and the Middle East, follow us on Instagram @kalampodcast

Please subscribe to Kalam Podcast in whatever podcast application you're listening to right now - and give us a rating. It helps other people find out about us.

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In a shocking surprise attack Israel breaks the ceasefire and resumes its genocidal war on Gaza, killing at least 320 people overnight. This comes as Gazans celebrate the holy month of Ramadan.

We're joined by 22-year-old student Tala Herzallah who expresses her shock to us as the sound of drones sound above. What does this mean for Israel, Palestine and the region? Listen to our analysis.

If you enjoy Kalam Podcast and want to support the show, there is an excellent way to do so - by signing up to our Patreon. For just $3/month you'll gain access to full length interviews with all our guests and lots of bonus material - including our series Kalam Shorts: 10-15 explainers of concepts like Zionism and Orientalism. Join at patreon.com/kalampodcast

For continuous updates on the podcast and content about Palestine and the Middle East, follow us on Instagram @kalampodcast

Please subscribe to Kalam Podcast in whatever podcast application you're listening to right now - and give us a rating. It helps other people find out about us.

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The Kalam team speak about the massacres against the Alawite minority in Syria and discuss the historic treaty between the Kurds and Damascus.

If you enjoy Kalam Podcast and want to support the show, there is an excellent way to do so - by signing up to our Patreon. For just $3/month you'll gain access to full length interviews with all our guests and lots of bonus material - including our series Kalam Shorts: 10-15 explainers of concepts like Zionism and Orientalism. Join at patreon.com/kalampodcast

For continuous updates on the podcast and content about Palestine and the Middle East, follow us on Instagram @kalampodcast

Please subscribe to Kalam Podcast in whatever podcast application you're listening to right now - and give us a rating. It helps other people find out about us.

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Over the past few days close to 1,000 civilians, overwhelmingly from the Awalite minority, have been killed in Syria.

Beginning when clashes erupted between remnants of Assad loyalists and the new HTS-led government, mainly Sunni Muslim militias and civilians descended on Northwestern Syria and committed unspeakable crimes against their Alawite neighbours.

Orwa Ajjoub is a Syrian analyst and friend of the show. He is born and raised in Damascus but currently lives in Malmö, Sweden.

If you enjoy Kalam Podcast and want to support the show, there is an excellent way to do so - by signing up to our Patreon. For just $3/month you'll gain access to full length interviews with all our guests and lots of bonus material - including our series Kalam Shorts: 10-15 explainers of concepts like Zionism and Orientalism. Join at patreon.com/kalampodcast

For continuous updates on the podcast and content about Palestine and the Middle East, follow us on Instagram @kalampodcast

Please subscribe to Kalam Podcast in whatever podcast application you're listening to right now - and give us a rating. It helps other people find out about us.

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In this week's Kalam Digest, Edgar, Sam and Nora discuss the Israeli-Palestinian documentary "No Other Land" winning an Oscar, the violent clashes in Syria as well as Ramadan in war-torn Gaza.

If you enjoy Kalam Podcast and want to support the show, there is an excellent way to do so - by signing up to our Patreon. For just $3/month you'll gain access to full length interviews with all our guests and lots of bonus material - including our series Kalam Shorts: 10-15 explainers of concepts like Zionism and Orientalism. Join at patreon.com/kalampodcast

For continuous updates on the podcast and content about Palestine and the Middle East, follow us on Instagram @kalampodcast

Please subscribe to Kalam Podcast in whatever podcast application you're listening to right now - and give us a rating. It helps other people find out about us.

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This is a live show where I speak to the Syrian author Khaled Elesmael about queer rights in Syria, gay desire in Arab literature some exciting news at the end of the episode. 

Khaled Elesmael’s books Salemlike and Gateway to the Sea are seminal works of literature and are a must-read if you want to understand modern-day Syria as well as the refugee tragedy following the war. 

Today, Assad has fallen and Khaled and millions of Syrians are considering returning to their homeland. This episode was recorded at Medelhavsmuseet, The Meditarranean Museum in Stockholm. 

If you enjoy Kalam Podcast and want to support the show, there is an excellent way to do so - by signing up to our Patreon. For just $3/month you'll gain access to full length interviews with all our guests and lots of bonus material - including our series Kalam Shorts: 10-15 explainers of concepts like Zionism and Orientalism. Join at patreon.com/kalampodcast

For continuous updates on the podcast and content about Palestine and the Middle East, follow us on Instagram @kalampodcast

Please subscribe to Kalam Podcast in whatever podcast application you're listening to right now - and give us a rating. It helps other people find out about us.

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In February 2025 Israeli forces raided the Educational Bookshop in East Jerusalem. The bookstore is one of the oldest in the city and is frequented by Palestinians, Israelis and international patrons.

It is a staple in Jerusalem, and the Israeli raid prompted international outcry. The Israelis claimed that the bookstore was promoting violence – something which is abjectly false. The Educational Bookshop sells books on a wide range of topics from Palestinian liberation to Zionism to English literature. It features authors from Palestine and Israel and beyond.

If you enjoy Kalam Podcast and want to support the show, there is an excellent way to do so - by signing up to our Patreon. For just $3/month you'll gain access to full length interviews with all our guests and lots of bonus material - including our series Kalam Shorts: 10-15 explainers of concepts like Zionism and Orientalism. Join at patreon.com/kalampodcast

For continuous updates on the podcast and content about Palestine and the Middle East, follow us on Instagram @kalampodcast

Please subscribe to Kalam Podcast in whatever podcast application you're listening to right now - and give us a rating. It helps other people find out about us.

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