The making of the modern Middle East
HistoryExtra podcast
09/20/26
•46m
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The Middle East has, for decades, been riven by violent conflict. But what are the roots and ongoing causes of this violence? In this episode, Simon Sebag Montefiore discusses The Cauldron, his new book exploring the forces and figures that forged the region. Speaking to Charlotte Vosper, Simon takes us from the creation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the decline of the imperial powers and the rise of Pan-Arabism, to 9/11 and the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
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Previous Episode
Joan of Arc: inspirational leader or flawed failure?
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•43m
Joan of Arc's story is one of the most remarkable chapters in medieval history: that of a rebellious teenage peasant girl rising to become a military leader, before suffering an equally precipitous fall from favour.
But what leadership qualities contributed to her success? In today's episode, which originally featured in our History's Greatest Leaders series, entrepreneur and author of Next-Gen CEO Mike Soutar talks to historian Janina Ramirez about Joan's story, and the lessons it could offer for today's leaders.
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Don't miss more of Mike Soutar's conversations about some of the past's most powerful people – just search for History's Greatest Leaders or follow the feed here: https://play.megaphone.fm/xim3wnhes9qxso8n8kjlaa
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Next Episode
Have we overlooked England’s local histories?
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•40m
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If you'd like to hear more from Ian about what ordinary life was like in the past, then check out his HistoryExtra Academy series. Across six videos, Ian guides us through a fascinating A to Z of medieval life. You can find those videos here: https://bit.ly/4x76tMh
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