SOAS in the Media: April 2026

The latest on Iran 

• Dr Avinash Paliwal spoke to The Guardian on the involvement of Pakistan’s military leadership in mediating the conflict in Iran.
• Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam was interviewed by Indian-based publication ETV Bharat, discussing the AI component surrounding the conflict in Iran, and the role of AI technology for the future of warfare.
• Director of the SOAS Middle East Institute Professor Adam Hanieh wrote an article for The Financial Times on the effects of the conflict in Iran currently have on food systems across the world.
• Professor Hanieh featured on the Turbulence Podcast, discussing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and how it has shaped US-Gulf relations.
• Additional commentary from Professor Adib-Moghaddam featured in an article by South China Morning Post on the latest developments around the escalation in the Strait of Hormuz.

International trade relations 

• Professor Ha-Joon Chang interviewed by Argentinian-based publication Perfil on global order and international trade relations across both the US and Europe.

The role of international law

• Professor Phil Clark featured in a documentary series with Al Jazeera, surrounding militarism and the role of international law in stopping mass atrocities.

Diplomacy across the Gulf states

• Dr Gabriele vom Bruck wrote for the Diplomacy Now newsletter on how diplomacy has been affected across the Gulf states.

Celebrating music

• Professor Lucy Durán spoke to BBC Radio 4’s ‘The World Tonight’ programme on the life and work of friend and collaborator, the late DJ Andy Kershaw. 

The latest on and across Iran

• Director of the SOAS Middle East Institute Professor Adam Hanieh was interviewed by Truthout on the conflict’s impact on world economics, and the intentions of the US and Israel.
• Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam was interviewed by Gulan Media to discuss the conflict in Iran, the country’s Iran’s strategic doctrine and approaches to regional escalation.
• Dr Katayoun Shahandeh shared commentary with The Metro on the latest developments and ceasefire, with further comment shared with The Metro on the Strait of Hormuz.
• Dr Folahanmi Aina spoke with CNN on how the conflict has a trickle-down effect on nations across Africa.
• Dr Rowena Abdul Razak was interviewed by South China Moring Post on regions across the Gulf, surrounding US-Iran talks in Islamabad.
• Emeritus Professor Nigel Poole spoke to iNews on the wider effects of the US-Isreal attacks on Iran have on the rest of the world in regard to food shortages.
• Commentary from Professor Adib-Moghaddam featured with the Times of Israel on the Strait of Hormuz, and on how academia has been affected in the conflict with University World News. 

Looking into the International Criminal Court

• In a new podcast with IFIT, Professor Phil Clark joined an expert panel to discuss international justice and the stability of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

North Korea’s architecture in nations of Africa

• Professor Hazel Smith featured with The Times on how North Korea are expanding visibility through architecture in Africa and the memorialisation of leaders on the continent.

Relations between Kazakhstan and Russia

• Commentary from Dr Bhavna Dave featured in Kazakhstan-based publication Vlast Kz on the present and future of relations between Kazakhstan and Russia.

Religion and energy resources in Africa

• Research Fellow Dr Lingfei Weng wrote for Global Times on energy cooperation across China and regions of Africa.
• Emeritus Professor Paul Gifford featured in an article with New York Times, surrounding The Pope’s four-country tour across Africa as an exploration of Catholicism. 

Environmental protection in Indonesia

• Researcher Alex Dryden wrote for The Conversation on climate change and debt-for-nature swaps that protects forests in Indonesia.

Conditioning societies to conflict

• Professor Haim Bresheeth was interviewed by Al Jazeera on if Israeli society being conditioned by its government to permanent war.
• Emeritus Professor Colin Shindler Wrote on how Isreal’s strategy in the conflict with Iran has backfired and on the histories of Jewish communities in the US.

Politics of Taiwan

• Professor Dafydd Fell shared commentary on Cheng Li-wun’s recent visit to China, who leads Taiwan’s largest opposition party.

Northern Nigeria’s film industry

• Dr Carmen McCain shared insight to New York Times on the growth of the film industry in Northen Nigeria, battling against severe censorship.

Persian history through a creative lens 

• Senior Lecturer Narguess Farzad featured on BBC Radio 4’s Through Persian Eyes programme, sharing poetry readings and commentary related to Persian history. 

Urdu poetry and historic figures in India 

• Professor Sanjay Srivastava wrote about the life and works of Asha Bhosle for The Indian Express.
• Emeritus Professor Rachel Dwyer was interviewed on BBC Radio 6 Music, discussing Urdu poetry, lyricism and storytelling across Indian cinema.

The latest on Iran and the Middle East

• Director of the SOAS Middle East Institute Dr Adam Hanieh shared comment with iNews on the latest developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
• Dr Hanieh was also interviewed by Democracy Now on the conflict affecting global systems from agriculture to oil, and featured on US based radio station WCPT AM 820, discussing the Iran conflict, alongside South African based publication SABC News.
• Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam shared commentary with The Telegraph on Israel’s attacks on Iran’s uranium processing facility and how it is connected with the Strait of Hormuz.
• Professor Adib-Moghaddam also wrote an article with The Conversation on the history around the Strait of Hormuz, with a wider article published with RTE.
• Dr Rowena Razak was interviewed on DW News discussing calls and plans from the US in regard to the conflict, and an interview on the latest developments with BBC Radio Three Counties, and BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester.
• Dr Katayoun Shahandeh featured with The Metro on the US commentary in regards to Iran.
• Professor Dan Plesch spoke to Times Radio on the Strait of Hormuz and US’s strategy in negotiations with Iran, and more in interviews with Sky News on the rescued US pilot, alongside Times Radio on the ‘incompetence’ of the US government in the negotiations.
• Dr Avinash Paliwal shared commentary with BBC News on Pakistan and India’s position as intermediaries in the conflict, while also writing for the Hindustan Times on the US’s current attachment to NATO.
• Dr Paliwal also wrote for the Hindustan Times on the political shifts and how the conflict affects regions of Western Asia.
• Professor of Practice Dr Nick Westcott was interviewed on LBC News on how negations from the US have played out in recent times – and on LBC, discussing the future of relations between the UK and US.
• Dr Jack Clayton spoke to iNews on the US escalation in its conflict with Iran.
• Researcher Alex Dryden featured in an article from France24 on the financial pressures and instability caused by the US’ policy changes in regard to the Middle East.
• Researcher Naser Alsayed spoke to The Telegraph on how Iran’s water infrastructure has been affected by the conflict.
• Professor of Practice Leslie Vinjamuri wrote an article with Global Affairs and Times of India on the shortfalls of the US strategy in regard to Iran.

Histories of slavery and the UN

• Professor Olivette Otele spoke on the varying hierarchies of suffering in regard to the history of slavery, following the UN’s recognition of the transatlantic African slave trade as “the gravest crime against humanity” – in articles from The Times, an interview with DW News, The Independent, Daily Mail, LA Times and more.

The rights of rivers and nature 

• Professor Philippe Cullet was interviewed on BBC Radio 5 live, delving into river rights and the Rights of Nature movement as a whole.

Delving into Africa’s own manosphere

• Professor Awino Okech spoke to The Guardian on the manosphere in Africa and how it presents harmful and misogynistic attitudes.

Development studies expertise

• Insights from experts Dr Adam Hanieh, Professor Naomi Hossain, and Dr Folahanmi Aina featured with Development Studies Association.

Nigeria’s medicine economy

• Researcher Efefiom Kofon wrote for The Conversation on Nigeria’s medicine economy, and what may be needed for policy change.

The right to protest in the UK and across the world 

• Research Associate Feyzi Ismail wrote for Al Jazeera on UK legislation on protests and activism across the country, and shared insight on Gen-Z protests in regions across the world with France24.

Social media in China 

• Research Fellow Carwyn Morris shared commentary with The Telegraph on propaganda taking shape across China’s social media platforms and influencers. 

The history behind Arabic poetry

• Dr Marlé Hammond and Dr Nada Elzeer wrote for The Conversation on the history of Zajal, Arabic poetry that is rising to social media popularity.

Exploring Persian History

• Honorary Senior Fellow Dr Sarah Stewart featured on a replay episode of BBC Radio 4’s Through Persian Eyes, discussing Zoroastrian history.