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 importa...
Jul 28, 2025•1 hr 17 min
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 24, 2025•31 min
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 03, 2025•24 min
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 19, 2025•38 min
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 09, 2025•38 min
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 patre...
May 13, 2025•30 min
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 majorit...
May 10, 2025•1 min
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 o...
May 07, 2025•37 min
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/kalampodcas t and sign up for just 3 USD/month. For continuous updates, follow us on Instagram @kalampodcast . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 01, 2025•24 min
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 o...
Apr 29, 2025•39 min
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...
Apr 22, 2025•2 min
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 Kal...
Apr 19, 2025•26 min
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 advoc...
Mar 26, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 97
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 dec...
Mar 20, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 96
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...
Mar 18, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 96
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/kalampo...
Mar 15, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 94
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 ...
Mar 11, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 93
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 Zi...
Mar 07, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 92
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 r...
Mar 06, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 91
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 liter...
Feb 27, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 90
Biking in Palestine is virtually impossible. Not for a lack of interest – but for the hostile Israeli occupation and indiscriminate settler violence. The longest biking route is 20km, before one runs into a military checkpoint or veers too close to an illegal Israeli settlement. Mohammad Zarour was instrumental in launching and running several Palestinian biking initiatives – to support those passionate about biking and promote biking to interested Palestinian youth. Most of these initiatives, h...
Feb 24, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 89
Israel's military operations in the West Bank has lead to 40,000 Palestinians being displaced – the largest number since the 1967 war. In Gaza, Trump's plans on constructing a Middle Eastern "riviera" seems far-fetched, as hundreds of thousands of Gazans return to their destroyed neighbourhoods. Tala Emad Herzallah, 22-year-old student from Gaza, speaks to us directly from Northern Gaza where she has returned. In Syria, there is relative stability with the new HTS-government taking form, while i...
Feb 19, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 88
This podcast episode is in Swedish. Välkommen till Kalam Suedi, Kalam Podcast på svenska! I samarbete med tidningen Flamman. Följ länken för att lyssna på hela avsnittet. Det går att låsa upp avsnittet gratis genom att uppge en mailadress! https://www.flamman.se/podd/kalam-suedi/1-vad-ar-israel-med-goran-rosenberg/ – Israel begår folkmord, säger Kalam Suedis första gäst, Göran Rosenberg. I dagens avsnitt försöker vi svara på VAD staten Israel är för något, och vad det har varit. För att bättre k...
Feb 12, 2025•1 min•Season 1Ep. 87
Hiba Dlewati is a Syrian living in the US, since she was forced to leave her homeland in 2012 due to her political activity. A former medical student and journalist, Dlewati joined the anti-regime student movement and began protesting against the regime. Until she was caught. Listen to Dlewati's harrowing story exclusively on Kalam Podcast. To watch the full interview with her, head to our YouTube page. If you enjoy Kalam Podcast and want to support the show, there is an excellent way to do so -...
Feb 06, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 86
The reactions to Trump's inflammatory statements have the Middle East reeling. Earlier this week, the US president said that Palestinians "have no alternative" but to relocate to Egypt and Jordan. This is a huge taboo and a red line for the Arab states that have peace treaties with Israel. 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 an...
Feb 05, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 85
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians return to a more or less completely destroyed northern Gaza. Meanwhile, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas seems to be holding, with a few exceptions in the form of Israeli violations leading to the deaths of several Palestinian individuals. The hostage-prisoner exchange is proceeding more or less as planned as well. However, the war in the West Bank is ratcheting up, with serious concern for ethnic cleansing. Meanwhile in Syria and Lebanon, the situatio...
Jan 29, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 84
A lot has been made of the terminology applied to Israeli "hostages" or "captives" and Palestinian "prisoners" or "terrorists". While the Israelis certainly are hostages and captives, thousands of Palestinians are languishing in Israeli prisons without a trial or formal charge. Many are tortured and sexually violated, and many are children and minors. Milena Ansari is the Israel-Palestine researcher for Human Rights Watch and specialises in documenting and analysing testimonies from Palestinian ...
Jan 24, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 83
Arab-socialism is deeply intertwined with arab nationalism – to the extent that they are sometimes used interchangeably: Pan-arabism, Arab Nationalism and Arab Socialism, to talk about especially its most well known movements, of the 1950s-1970s. In this series however, we will focus specifically on the rise of a peculiar "arab socialism", as a part of understanding the back story of the regime that so recently fell in Damascus. In this introductory episode, Sam and Edgar explore the origins of ...
Jan 21, 2025•1 min•Season 1Ep. 82
Direkt från Teater Tribunalen pratar Edgar och Sam om det brittiska mandatet i Palestina under mellankrigsåren. Vad var det för system, och hur bidrog det till Israels bildande och Nakba? Samtalet är inspelat inför en uppsättning av pjäsen Mandatet som behandlar samma tidsperiod, som sålt ut Teater Tribunalen i Stockholm i flera veckor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 17, 2025•56 min•Season 1Ep. 83
At long last it seems we have a ceasefire in Gaza, after over a year of war and genocide. But just as we were all breathing a collective sigh of relief, the Netanyahu regime seemed to sabotage the deal in the last minute. What does this mean? In the 20th instalment of Kalam Digest, Edgar, Sam and Nora take us through the implications of the ceasefire agreement and how the f*ck it took this long to bring about. If you enjoy Kalam Podcast and want to support the show, there is an excellent way to ...
Jan 16, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 83
