The Suez Canal: Kalam Shorts

From the abortive attempt Damascus Spring to the deadliest civil war the Middle East has seen it was plagued by rampant corruption, a weakening of the party state and and the disintegration of the social contract underlying its rule. Could the regimes collapse have been avoided, ...  Show more

This episode was recorded at the 2026 Göteborg Book Fair. Edgar speaks to authors Ece Temelkuran and Aris Fioretos about finding a home in estrangement. To listen to the episode ad-free subscribe to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/kalampodcastFollow us on Instagram at http ...  Show more

The Suez Canal is one of the world’s most famous waterways - connecting the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, and opening up trade between the East and the West. But ever since its legendary construction in 1869, the Suez Canal has been at the centre of conflict and controversy. Why ...  Show more

April 25, 1859. About 150 people have gathered on the shores of Lake Manzala in Egypt. And one of them, a mustachioed, retired French diplomat, steps forward. He raises his pickaxe and strikes a ceremonial blow. The audacious goal is to cut through the desert to connect the Medit ...  Show more

How did Britain and France almost start World War 3 in 1956? Who was Anthony Eden and why did he hate Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser? Why was the Suez Canal so vital to European oil supplies in the 1950s? Anita and William are joined by the brilliant Alex Von Tunzelmann, auth ...  Show more