SOAS in the Media: February 2026

Bangladesh’s elections and infrastructure

• Professor Naomi Hossain was interviewed by BBC Radio Service’s ‘Newshour’ on the result of Bangladesh’s elections, and by Central News Asia on the current standings of the country’s economy.
• Professor Mushtaq Khan shared comment with Daily Star Bangladesh on how corruption has had an effect on the country’s infrastructure projects. 

Current affairs across Africa 

• Dr Folahanmi Aina spoke to Bloomberg on Nigeria’s stability, following recent unrest and attacks in the country’s Northeast region.
• Professor of Practice Dr Nick Westcott was interviewed by LBC News to discuss the first day of the 39th annual meeting of the African Union.

Looking into UK campuses overseas

• SOAS Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Habib was interviewed by Times Higher Education on the complexities of UK universities opening campuses overseas. 

The current state of politics and economics in China 

• Comment from Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang featured in an article from The Sun on political tensions between China and Taiwan.
• Professor Tsang shared further insight on wider relations between China and the US with The Guardian / El Diario.
• Research Associate George Magnus wrote for The Times, looking at the current on the paradox of China’s economy. 

The Kabba’s covering

• Dr Simon O'Meara spoke to BBC News Turkey on the controversy around connections between the fabric from the Kaaba's covering, Islam's holiest shrine – having an alleged connection to Epstein documents.

North Korea’s next successor

• Research Associate Professor Hazel Smith featured on the NewsTalk podcast, discussing the potential around North Korea’s new leadership and successor.

Europe’s economic structure 

• Professor Daniela Gabor’s commentary in regard to EU leaders and economic strategy featured in an article from Italian publication Domani.

Bangladesh’s elections

• Professor Naomi Hossain was interviewed by CNN, DW News and other various outlets on Bangladesh’s forthcoming elections, and the role it will play in shifting political cultures in the country.
• Dr Avinash Paliwal also spoke to BBC News on the youth of Bangladesh’s social outcry with India, in the wake of the upcoming elections.

Revolutionising economics education

• Professor Ha-Joon Chang featured in an article with The Guardian on the creation of the Rethinking Economics movement, and how it has changed the way the subject of economics is taught.

Israel and The West Bank 

• Dr Yair Wallach was interviewed by France24 on the international condemnation of Israel’s increased control of the West Bank.

The Indo-Pacific region and navigating relations with the US

• Professor of Practice Leslie Vinjamuri and Dr Avinash Paliwal featured in the ‘Deep Dish on Global Affairs’ Podcast, discussing the political shift in the world’s Indo-Pacific region and navigating relations with the US.

Politics across Arabic states

• Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam shared commentary with El Mundo on political changes in Iran, following recent protest in the country.
• Emeritus Professor Gilbert Achcar was interviewed by French language publication L’Orient Today on the current political and socio-economic stalemate that occur across Arabic states.

Politics within China, and across the world

• Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang on UK and China relations with the publication UK in a changing Europe.
• Professor Steve Tsang’s commented on the forthcoming sentencing of Hong Kong activist publisher Jimmy Lai, featured in articles from TIME Magazine and  Tirto.id.
• Professor Tsang was also interviewed by Italian outlet, Radio24.

Society and family life in China 

• Professor Jieyu Liu featured in the BBC ‘Made in China’ series, providing a context to family and wider society in China. 

Literary reviews from SOAS experts 

• Distinguished Professor Rebecca Gould wrote for LA Review of Books, reflecting on Edward Said’s contribution to understanding the role of the intellectual.
• Emeritus Professor Colin Shindler reviewed the book ‘World Enemy No. 1’ by author Jochen Hellbeck for The Jerusalem Post.

What the UK’s China diplomacy signals next

• Professor Steve Tsang was interviewed and featured across BBC Radio 5 Live, Al Jazeera, DW China and Channel 4 News on the UK Prime Minister’s recent visit to China, alongside wider coverage including BBC News, Channel News Asia and MSN Philippines. (BBC Radio 5 Live; Al Jazeera; DW China; Channel 4 News)
• Professor Tsang also commented on what the UK-China meeting could mean for UK relations with the US, with iNews and Newsweek. (iNews; Newsweek)
• Professor Tsang was referenced in coverage on shifting global dynamics, including Prachatai, AmarinTV and MSN Taiwan. (How will China's purge of military leaders close to Xi Jinping affect the Taiwan conflict?; AmarinTV; MSN Taiwan)
• Professor Tsang was quoted in a CNN analysis on Europe’s approach to China amid shifting transatlantic relations. (CNN article)

Inside China’s power structures

• Professor Steve Tsang spoke on reports concerning Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, with Caspian Post and Taipei Times. (Caspian Post; Taipei Times)

Washington–Tehran tensions in focus

• Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam shared comment on US–Iran relations and concerns around potential US air strikes, with The Metro. (The Metro)

Bangladesh: reform questions and economic pressures

• Professor Naomi Hossain commented on potential reform and considerations for a referendum in Bangladesh, with Bangladesh Daily Star. (Bangladesh Daily Star)
• Dr Arpita Chatterjee was interviewed on Bangladeshi fishermen detained by the Indian Coast Guard, with Memesita.com. (Memesita.com)
• Professor Mushtaq Hussain Khan was quoted on economic risks facing Bangladesh, including pressures in the banking and power sectors, in Energy & Power. (Energy & Power)

Food assistance and global needs

• Iris Lim featured on The Found Foundation podcast discussing food assistance worldwide. (The Found Foundation podcast)

History, heritage and the digital archive

• Cristina Juan’s 1762 Archive website project was featured in an MSN article: Theft of the cross of the Sto. Niño, 1625. (Theft of the cross of the Sto. Niño, 1625)

Gender, politics and power in the Global South

• Professor Shirin M Rai was interviewed by World Today Journal on feminist political economy and her concept of “depletion”. (World Today Journal Shirin M. Rai Interview: Gender, Politics, and Power in the Global South)

Markets, politics and who holds leverage

• Alex Dryden’s The Conversation article “Who really holds the cards: Trump or the bond market” was published on RTÉ. (RTE)

Iran’s protest movement: where does momentum go?

• Emeritus Professor Hassan Hakimian was quoted in Palatinate on “Iranian protests continue: is momentum being lost?” (Palatinate)

Professor Gilbert Achcar: analysis across global fault lines

• Emeritus Professor Gilbert Achcar wrote for Le Monde on US wariness around long-term occupations. (Le Monde)
• Professor Achcar’s article “Les Kurdes et le régime syrien” was translated into Spanish by Resumen Latinoamericano. (Resumen Latinomericano)
• Professor Achcar also published “The Gaza Genocide in World-Historical Perspective” in New Politics. (New Politics)