SOAS in the Media: July 2026

The global impact of the US-Iran war 

• Adam Hanieh, Director of the SOAS Middle East Institute, appeared on the Financial Times podcast The US-Iran war has not triggered a food crisis - yet to discuss how the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran could affect fertiliser prices and the global food system.
• Carwyn Morris shared commentary with WWD on Louis Vuitton being sold in China, and trademark related cases in the country.
• Dr Rowena Abdul Razak was also interviewed by BBC News and DW News on the latest developments and re-escalation of the conflict between Iran and the US. 

The shortcomings of US foreign policy 

• Professor of Practice Leslie Vinjamuri wrote for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, examining the limitations of transactionalism in US foreign policy. 

Bangladesh’s political future 

• Dr Avinash Paliwal wrote for the Hindustan Times, with the article also reproduced by Khmer Times, arguing that Dhaka must make room for a politics of reconciliation. 

Religion and everyday life in Nigeria 

• Professor Marloes Janson’s article for The Conversation was reproduced by Scroll.in. It explores “Chrislam” in Nigeria and why some Lagosians combine elements of Christianity and Islam as they navigate uncertainty in everyday life. 

Social media, identity and fantasy 

• Professor of Anthropology Sanjay Srivastava was quoted on The Established about the impact of social media when reality stops measuring up, and how digital platforms can become powerful spaces for fantasy and identity formation. 

Student feedback in higher education 

• SOAS Student Experience Officer Emily Chapman co-wrote an article for WonkHE, arguing that survey fatigue is a symptom of a wider student feedback fragmentation problem. 

Challenging structural racism in higher education 

• Our students think critically about the world around them and seek to challenge the status quo. SOAS MSc Politics and International Relations student Shaalinie Sivalingham wrote for WonkHE about structural racism and how everyday practices and the design of systems can, over time, produce inequitable patterns across higher education. 

The history of Manipuri literature 

• Dr Syed Ahmed continued his series for E-PAO with the third part of The Early History of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad. 

Corruption and economic development 

• Research by Professor of Development Economics Antonio Andreoni was referenced by Kompasiana in an article on anti-corruption efforts and the revitalisation of Indonesia’s Asembagus sugar factory. 

Preserving Afghanistan’s textile traditions 

• The SOAS Gallery exhibition on Afghanistan’s disappearing textile traditions was featured by IanVisits, highlighting the colour, craftsmanship and cultural knowledge preserved through Afghan textiles. 

Reassessing the Tower of Babel 

• Emeritus Professor Andrew George spoke to National Geographic about the archaeological site considered one of the strongest candidates for the historical inspiration behind the Tower of Babel. Read the article. 

Great Kingdoms of Africa 

• Senior Lecturer John Parker’s edited volume Great Kingdoms of Africa was featured by Medievalists.net. Parker wrote the introduction and two chapters, while eight other historians contributed to the book’s exploration of major African kingdoms and societies. 

Ancient stories and modern yoga 

• The SOAS Hatha Yoga Project was referenced in an article exploring why ancient stories remain relevant in contemporary yoga practice, particularly in relation to discipline, resilience and self-awareness. 

China’s clamp down on corruption

• Director of the SOAS China Institute Steve Tsang spoke to The New York Times and the BBC World Service Newshour on China’s senior political official Ma Xingrui’s expulsion as part of the Communist Party’s anti-corruption campaign.

The Iran-US conflict 

• Dr Rowena Razak was interviewed on BBC News, BBC Radio 5 Live and DW News, discussing the latest developments and re-escalations of the US-Iran conflict. 

Looking into social and political affairs across Turkey

• Dr Lisel Hintz shared commentary with The Times on Turkey’s president Recep Erdogan’s stance on international relations in the midst of a Nato summit being hosted in the country.
• Dr Hintz was also referenced in another article with The Times and wrote for GIGA on the 10th anniversary of Turkey's failed coup: charting the opposition against Turkey’s leadership.

Climate displacement in Northern Nigeria

• Dr Folahanmi Aina was cited with Daily Trust and other publications on integrated and gender-responsive policies to tackling climate displacement in Northern Nigeria. 

Bangladesh’s political climate 

• Dr Avinash Paliwal wrote for the Hindustan Times on the announcement of return by Bangladesh’s former leader to Dhaka, and what it means for Bangladesh’s political and social climate at large.

Bridging the study of Taiwan

• Research Associate Dr Ming-yeh Rawnsley wrote for Taipei Times, reflecting on bridging the study and research of Taiwan to the world.

The Spanish Civil War

• Emeritus Professor Colin Shindler wrote about the conspiracy theories believed by Francisco Franco, the former leader of Spain during the Spanish Civil War.

Expertise on reparatory justice 

• Distinguished Professor Olivette Otele spoke on reparatory justice and gender-based violence in article with The Guardian. 

Exploring digitalisation and cameras in the courtroom

• Dr Kanika Sharma wrote an article for New Law Journal, delving into her research on cameras in the courtroom and the changing perceptions of public imagery of justice.

Discussing the conflict in Mali

• Dr Folahanmi Aina was interviewed on BBC World Services’ Weekend programme, discussing Mali’s military forces in current conflict with extremist groups.

The effects of river erosion in Bangladesh

• Dr Saad Quasem wrote for the Daily Star Bangladesh, delving into the effects of river erosion in the region of Chilmari.

Navigating the cost of living in China 

• Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang shared commentary with The Times on middle-class professionals in China turning to gig economy, as the country navigates challenges with the cost of living.

Pakistan’s geopolitical ‘sweet spot’

• Dr Avinash Paliwal wrote for Hindustan Times on Pakistan finding their geopolitical sweet spot with international relations with the US.

Iran and the funeral of Ali Hosseini Khamenei

• Dr Rowena Abdul Razak shared commentary with CNN, BBC Radio Wales, and DW News on the funeral of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei.

The UN and the prevention of genocide

• Dr Nimer Sultany’s interview with Al Jazeera was referenced in an article surrounding the UN meeting to discuss the prevention of genocide amidst humanitarian crises.

Energy resource in Cambodia 

• Dr Giuseppina Siciliano shared comment with Dialogue Earth on energy resources in Cambodia solar power. Insights also featured with Eco Business Daily. 

Histories of the Ottoman empire 

• Emeritus Professor Hugh N Kennedy featured on the BBC’s The Documentary, to talk about the history around the Ottoman empire, and the historical identity around Palestine and Israel. 

Understanding identity across Indian migrant communities 

• Professor Sanjay Srivastava spoke to The Week India on migrant Indian communities and understanding identity.

More on Chrislam

• Professor Marloes Janson’s article surrounding religious shopping and Chrislam in Nigeria was published with The Conversation (France edition). 

An expert’s book review 

• Emeritus Professor Colin Shindler reviews author Antonia Senior’s book on the Cambridge Five - “Stalin’s Apostles”.

Discussing DR Congo and the ICJ

• Professor Phil Clark joined a panel on Al Jazeera, discussing DR Congo and the International Court of Justice’s role in end conflict in the country.

The topic of foreign policy

• Dr Nimer Sultany spoke to Al Jazeera on what the changes to leadership in the UK could mean for international policy in regard to Israel.

The internal and external politics around China 

• Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang featured with The Guardian on China and Xi Jinping’s push on international relations. Tsang also interviewed by CAN on the 105th anniversary commemoration for the Communist Part of China. 

Defence negations between Norway and Malaysia

• Dr Rowena Abdul Razak shared commentary with The New Arab on defence procurement dealings between Norway and Malaysia. 

Religion in Nigeria 

• Professor Marloes Janson wrote for The Conversation on the notion of religious shopping and Chrislam in Nigeria.

The US’s approach to diplomacy

• Professor of Practice Nick Westcott’s insight on the US’ approach to diplomacy featured in an article by The Conversation.

Mahmood Mamdani at SOAS 

• Mahmood Mamdani’s talk at SOAS, hosted by Professor Fareda Banda and coordinated by the Centre for African Studies featured with Ugandan based publications – The Observer and Independent.

Oil and capitalism colliding 

• Director of the SOAS Middle East Institute Professor Adam Hanieh was interviewed by The Conversation on his latest book ‘Crude Capitalism’ – a look into international dealings of oil.

Looking at Germany 

• Dr Gunnar Beck writes how Germany is destroying itself and the EU in Brussel Signal.