SOAS in the Media: March 2026

Iran’s heritage, the Strait of Hormuz, and trickle effect on global oil markets 

• Director of the SOAS Middle East Institute Dr Adam Hanieh wrote for The Guardian the effects of the US-Israel airstrikes on Iran on the global energy and oil markets.
• Dr Ali Alavi shared comment in an article from Middle East Eye on how the US-Israel airstrikes on Iran have been reported in western media.
• Dr Katayoun Shahandeh wrote for The Conversation on how Iran’s cultural heritage has been affected in the wake of the US-Israel airstrikes, with further included in another article with The Conversation.
• Professor Stephen Chan OBE spoke to TRT World programme on how the global oil market is being affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
• Narguess Farzad featured in an article from The Times on the history of Iranian communities across the UK.
• Professor of Practice Leslie Vinjamuri wrote for Global Affairs on the US’s involvement in the Middle East.

Migration, Rwanda and the UK

• Professor Phil Clark featured in articles from WSJ Barron's, AFP France, Courier International and other publications on the UK and Rwandan officials meeting in over a longstanding migration deal. 

Looking deeper into China

• Director of the China Institute Professor Steve Tsang spoke on China’s position on international relations in regard to the US-Israel airstrikes on Iran with Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Australian Financial Review, Swedish publication Svenska Dagbladet and the Newt’s World podcast.
• Dr Carwyn Morris featured in an article from China Daily on Chinese table tennis icon Fan Zhendong, who is set for a move to Germany for the upcoming season of the sport.

Politics in Turkey

• Research Associate Karabekir Akkoyunlu spoke to The Economist on the current political opposition facing Turkish President Recep Erdoğan.

Expertise on literature

• Professor Wen-chin Ouyang featured in an article from The Conversation on the worst mothers across literature.
• Emeritus Professor Colin Shindler wrote a review on works by author Ian Buruma.

Further insight on Iran 

• Director of the SOAS Middle East Institute Professor Adam Hanieh spoke to BBC Radio 4 on the impacts of the US-Israel conflict with Iran on the other Gulf states.
• Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam spoke with Daily Mirror on how the US have underestimated Iran’s regime, with an article for La Tercera on the impact of the US-Israel airstrikes on Iran, alongside an interview with Spanish publication La Razon.
• Dr Rowena Abdul Razak on featured on BBC World News, DW and iNews discussing Iran’s next successor, and with BBC World Service on what is happening in Iran, and how having an impact across the Middle East and beyond.
• Professor Adib-Moghaddam also featured in an article from Inside Higher Ed on how the academic world is reacting.
• Dr Katayoun Shahandeh spoke to iNews on the status of Iran’s nuclear sites, following on from the US-Israel airstrikes, alongside responses from The US via Metro.
• Dr Avinash Paliwal wrote for Hindustan Times on the impacts of the conflict on West Asia.
• Professor of Practice Dr Nick Westcott was interviewed on TalkTV on the UK’s position in regard to Iran.
• Emeritus Professor Colin Shindler wrote on Israel’s position on the Israel-US airstrikes on Iran.

Development and agriculture across Africa 

• Dr Elizabeth Hull wrote an article for The Conversation on women’s empowerment of agriculture in South Africa.
• Professor Christopher Cramer featured in an article from The Economist – on greater visions for development across Africa.

Monitoring China’s international relations and covert intelligence 

• Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang featured with BBC News, TIME Magazine, and Wall Street Journal on the potential ripple effect of the attacks on Iran on China’s international relations.
• Professor Tsang spoke to Daily Mirror and other publications on the rise of individuals being recruited into China’s covert intelligence.

The legacy of music in Mali 

• Professor Lucy Durán wrote for The Conversation on the life and legacy of Malian musician, Boncana Maïga.

The US-Israel attacks on Iran, and Iran’s response

• Dr Rowena Abdul Razak spoke to BBC News, BBC Radio 4’s 'Six O’Clock' programme, BBC World Service and TalkTV to provide context on Iran, how it’s shaping relations across the Middle East and the world.
• Dr Abdul Razak also spoke to iNews, providing background on the CIA’s history and involvement in Iran.
• Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam wrote for The Conversation, surrounding the US and Israel’s airstrikes on Iran, and what it means for international relations and diplomacy.
• Professor Adib-Moghaddam also featured in The Metro and Arab News on Iran’s power structure in the wake of the airstrikes and how the academic world is reacting with Times Higher Education.
• Dr Ali Alavi spoke to iNews on how other nations have been involved the airstrikes.
• Dr Katayoun Shahandeh was interviewed by The Metro on influence of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp, alongside responses from The US. Dr Shahandeh also featured with interviews and commentary through iNews, The Metro and Channel 5.
• Narguess Farzad spoke on BBC Radio London to discuss the happenings across Iran, alongside reactions of Iranians based in London.
• Professor of Practice Dr Nick Westcott featured on LBC News, on the UK’s involvement in regard to Iran.

The UK and Refugee law

• Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Knowledge Exchange Professor Laura Hammond was interviewed by Times Radio to discuss the UK government’s publication of asylum figures and international refugee law.

Looking at DR Congo

• Professor Phil Clark was interviewed by TRT World on the conflict within eastern DR Congo, following the death of M23 rebel spokesperson Willy Ngoma.

China’s political conclave and social affairs

• Director of the China Institute Professor Steve Tsang spoke on the gathering of China’s leadership and political structuring with France24, Daily Mail, and President Japan
• Professor Tsang’s commentary on the forthcoming sentencing of Hong Kong activist publisher Jimmy Lai, featured in the print version of TIME Magazine.

Resetting ties between India and Bangladesh

• Dr Avinash Paliwal featured in DW on the resetting movement in relations between India and Bangladesh.

Niger and China

• Dr Folahanmi Aina spoke on recent attacks on Chinese owned oil pipelines in Niger – with South China Morning Post.

Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan

• Dr Avinash Paliwal was interviewed on Pakistan’s position in its conflict with Afghanistan – in an article with Reuters.

World Book Day and perspective-shifting reads 

• In an article with The Conversation in celebration of World Book Day, Dr Paul Giladi shared one of his perspective-shifting reads. 

Sri Lanka’s economy 

Professor Ulrich Volz was interviewed by Sri-Lankan based outlet Ada Derana on the country’s economic recovery.

Yuan dynasty ceramics 

• Professor Shane McCausland spoke to CNN on 14th century Yuan dynasty ceramics, discovered on the shores of Singapore.

AI and education 

• Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam shared comment with University World News on AI and innovation research.

Taiwan studies across Europe

• Professor Dafydd Fell was profiled by Taiwan Research Hub on developing Taiwanese studies in the UK and across Europe.