Ever wondered how long modern humans have traipsed the earth? Hint: it’s been at least 100,000 years. In this video we talk to Professor Nick Conard about his research on that question, and the origins of human culture. He shares experiences in archeological fieldwork, especially in Syria and Iran. Conard’s main areas of research include: Paleolithic archaeology; lithic, taphonomic, faunal and spatial analysis of archaeological sites; Pleistocene chronostratigraphy; evolution and dispersal of modern humans; environmental reconstruction and settlement history of western Eurasia and Africa, as well as the origins of agriculture and sedentism. The picture is from his work in #Iran The tell is Chogah Golan. Copyrights: University of Tübingen.

On Thursday, June 16th John Quigley, Professor, Ohio State’s Moritz College of Law spoke about international law and how it has played a role in Jerusalem since the formation of the state of Israel. He discussed the status of Jerusalem, especially how it has evolved since 1947. In addition to this topic, Professor Quigley’s research interests include East European Law, International Law, and Human Rights. His books include, Consular Law and Practice (co-authored with Luke T. Lee), Oxford University Press 2008, Soviet Legal Innovation and the Law of the Western World, Cambridge U Press 2007, The Case for Palestine: An International Law Perspective (Duke U Press, 2005), and most recently, Britain and Its Mandate over Palestine, and the Legality of a Jewish State.

“The Regime Change Consensus” by Ohio State University Mershon Fellow, Joseph Stieb, explains how the post-Cold War U.S. ideas and narratives about containment led to its invasion of #Iraq “a decision that ended in disaster both for Americans and Iraqis.” We discussed this topic, along with other projects he is working on.

In the 1990's, after the first Gulf War, the concern was about nuclear weapons, not terrorism. Over the course of that decade, however, and up to the bombings on September 11th 2001, the consensus changed to interpret the Iraqi president, Saddam Hussein, as not only a nuclear threat but also someone who might arm terrorists.  This turning point coincides with a book by Laurie Mylroie, Study of Revenge: Saddam Hussein's Unfinished War Against America (2000), which was lauded by Paul Wolfowitz, one of the primary architects of the 2001 invasion of Iraq by the U.S. Dr. Stieb elucidated this evolution of Washington ideology on September 15, 2021 during our latest live stream. The ways in which these political discourses correspond with stereotypes in Hollywood, and the similarities and differences between liberal and conservative discourses were also topics we delved into, and in addition to how related Cold War history, containment, and other factors and ideological underpinnings the led to the second Iraq war. The academics who spoke out against the second invasion were sidelined and marginalized while figures like Mylroie and prominent anti-government Iraqi exiles were given the spotlight. The episode helped explain the the strange phenomenon of Saddam Hussein being linked causally with September 11th and alQaida, one that formed the diabolical rationale for the war and occupation of Iraq. 

You can check out the recording on Facebook.com/mesc.osu, or on our Youtube Channel, or our Podcast, Keys to Understanding the Middle East.

Dr. Alam Payind discusses the current troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, Wednesday, July 21 at 10:00am Eastern Daylight Time. Unfortunately, Taliban rule is taking hold and women's rights, minority rights are already under threat. Thousands are fleeing the country due to Taliban brutality. The Taliban promises to bring shar'ia law, to stop drugs, and their propagandistic claims of being the "winner" in the fight against foreign occupation are effective in many areas who are accepting their leadership. Dr. Payind explained this as a case of "the drowning person grasping at foam," a Persian saying. In Afghanistan, the past appears only to repeat itself. So many invaders have come "failing to leave a workable central government," in Dr. Payind's words. The closest Afghanistan came to doing this was the era of Zahir Shah, who was the king of Afghanistan from 1933 to 1973. Dr. Payind referred to this time as a "Golden Age." We went into the history of the current situation going back to the Cold War era and the perennial issue of foreign invaders empower certain groups over others, whether in Afghanistan or other parts of the Middle East and the world.

Professor Lesley Ferris joined us on July 7th. Distinguished Arts and Humanities Professor of Theatre Emerita, Department of Theatre, Film and Media Arts, director of the On the Front Lines project, Dr. Ferris discussed her international theatre work and highlighted her research on women in theatre. Lesley Ferris co-founded Palindrome Productions, a London based theatre company that simultaneously stages her work in Britain. A truly international scholar, she has brought the voices and creative works of authors from the Middle East to Ohio State University.

What can film teach us about Israeli society and its diversity? How does it position different cultural communities within Israel and the global context? We delve into these questions with Professor Naomi Brenner for a fascinating discussion.

Dr. Alam Payind, Director of the Middle East Studies Center, discusses the implications of the Biden administration's intention to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. The consequences of U.S. troops withdrawing from Afghanistan could be serious, especially with regard to women and minorities. Comparisons between Afghanistan today, and the situation after the Soviet troop withdrawal in 1989 put the country's status as a state (or failed state) into historical perspective.

Professor John Casterline talks about how the Middle East stands out, from a global perspective, in terms of demographic dynamics and various family outcomes (marriage, childbearing). In recent decades the Middle East has followed different demographic paths than other regions, and Professor Casterline has conducted research on this phenomenon. He is Director of OSU’s Institute for Population Research.

On Wednesday, May 12th we spoke with Professor Jane Hathaway about the Ottoman origins of the modern Middle East. We explored the social, cultural, and economic processes that helped form what is now known as the Middle East in all its richness and diversity. Dr. Hathaway addressed some of the prominent historical narratives, such as the idea of steady decline. Such narratives aren't helpful in explaining historical challenges faced by the Ottoman empire. Dr. Hathaway discussed these challenges in terms of crises and adaptations that occurred.

Water and soil are critical components of food security. But their importance to human life is not only enshrined in science, they have also been revered in religion for thousands of years. Both of these elements can be found in religious scriptures as sacred and highly protected. Mediterranean and Asian religious traditions, such as the ancient Greek pantheon, Buddhism, Hinduism, and the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, emphasize our responsibility to take care of life-sustaining elements of the earth. In "Soil and Sanskriti” (2013) Dr. Lal's explain how the traditions of nature conservation in India and around the world teach us that civilization can only be ensured through sustainable agriculture. Sanskriti can be translated as civilization. Dr. Lal and I discussed what the aforementioned religions teach us about soil and water in practice.