You know what’s wild?

How even some of the smartest Western historians — people who can recite the rise and fall of every empire — still don’t understand the Middle East.

Shalom, I’m Igal, your host — and welcome back to Middle East In Less Than Five Minutes.

Today, I want to talk about something that’s been bothering me ever since I listened to historian Thomas Small on the Triggernometry podcast.

The man knows history — but he doesn’t understand the region.

If you haven’t heard the first part of this story, check out the previous episode.

Now let’s pick up where we left off.