SOAS in the Media: May 2026

More on China’s relations with the US and Russia

• Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang spoke on with BBC Radio 5 Live and featured with CNN, discussing China-US relations in the wake of Donald Trump meeting with Xi Jinping.
  • Other outlets that featured Professor Tsang’s insights included France Info, Newsweek / Central News Asia (CAN), Danish publication Politiken, LIGA.net, a published article with Project Syndicate, and Newsweek.
• Professor Tsang also spoke to iNews and NPR on Russian Leader Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to China, meeting with Xi Jinping.
  • Other outlets included Associated Press, The Daily Mail, Taipei Times, ABC News, DW News and other publications.
• Professor Dan Plesch wrote for Asia Times on how the meetings between China and the US can change arms control architecture on a global scale.

Iran – the global impacts of the conflict and energy sources

• Director of the SOAS Middle East Institute Professor Adam Hanieh’s visit to Hong Kong, discussing the global impacts of the conflict in Iran - was covered by Financial Times - China edition and Hong Kong Economic Times.
• Professor Irini Papanicolopulu shared commentary to CNN on Iran seeking new energy sources of power, located beneath the Strait of Hormuz.

The current state of education in Bangladesh

• Professor Naomi Hossain wrote for Bangladesh-based publication The Daily Star, covering the country’s political elite and how it effects the current state of education in Bangladesh.

The history on Palestinian Prisoners Day

• Dr Nimer Sultany spoke on the Palestine Deep Dive Podcast, to discuss Palestinian Prisoners Day, its history and Israel’s execution bill.

Joint military operations between Nigeria and the US

• Dr Folahanmi Aina spoke to BBC Radio World Service on the partnership of military operations between Nigeria and the US – in the death of West African Islamic State figure, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.

EU sanctions on Israeli settlers

• Dr Nimer Sultany featured on a panel with TRT, to debate the effectiveness of sanctions raised by the EU against Israeli settlers and settler organisations for violence towards Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Looking at Anti-Muslim Discrimination

• Professor Rebecca Gould was interviewed by Voice of Islam Radio, on rethinking how to describe Anti-Muslim Discrimination. 

The conflict in Sudan

• In an article with The Guardian, Professor Lutz Oette responded to reports surrounding the UAE’s responsibility in the conflict across Sudan.

Economic change and opening the lens on the UK’s local elections

• Professor Daneila Gabor spoke with The Guardian on how the bond market works, and cases for radical reform.
• Professor Gabor also shared insight with The New Statesman on how the UK government should navigate economic changes, in the wake of the country’s recent local elections.
• Research Fellow Amir Massoumian shared commentary with ShoutOut on the changing political tides in the UK, following the local elections.

Exploring the American Revolution

• Professor Olivette Otele featured on the BBC’s Lucy Worsley Investigates series, charting the history of the American Revolution. 

A Book review

• Emeritus Professor Colin Shindler wrote for the Jerusalem Post, reviewing author James Macintyre’s biography of former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

China’s relations with the US

• Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang provided insight to TIME, LBC Radio, BBC Radio World Service, Al Jazeera, iNews, BBC Radio Scotland, discussing relations between China and the US ahead of Donald Trump’s visit to the country.
  • Other outlets with Professor Tsang’s commentary included CNN, The Independent, DW News, Central News Asia, Sydney Morning Herald, and Chilean-based publication El Mercurio.

Green manufacturing in India

• Professor Pallavi Roy shared commentary in an article from Nature, on the effects of corruption on green manufacturing in India.

Analysing the Africa Forward summit 

• Professor Phil Clark spoke on RFI’s Spotlight on Africa podcast, to discuss the Africa forward summit and what it means for relations between France and countries across the continent.

China’s intelligence agencies

• Professor Tsang shared commentary with Chinese-based publication Ming Pao on the verdict and controversial case of two individuals found to be spying for Chinese Intelligence in the UK.
• Wider commentary from Professor Tsang surrounding Chinese Intelligence agencies, and the country’s youth featured with German publication Blick.

Delving into politics across Africa

• Professor Phil Clark featured on Monocle Radio 24, looking at the case of corruption facing South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and the reopening of the French genocide case against Agatha Habyarimana, former First Lady of Rwanda.

The latest on Iran

• Director of the SOAS Middle East Institute Professor Adam Hanieh gave an interview and featured with Chinese-based publication Ming Pao during a visit to Hong Kong, discussing the global impacts of the conflict in Iran.
• Dr Katayoun Shahandeh wrote for The Conversation on the absence of Iranian artists from this year’s Venice Biennale, and what it means for the world of art and politics.
• Professor Dan Plesch was interviewed on LBC News, discussing the ceasefire negotiations between the US and Iran, and featured on Sunrise TV Australia on the latest developments.

War reportage in the era of social media

• Professor Dina Matar featured in a Response Source article on war reporting in the modern era of social media. 

Japanese film 

• Dr Alan Cummings wrote for The Conversation to review Kokuho, Japan’s highest ever grossing live-action that explores kabuki – the country’s most popular traditional performing art. The article also featured in Asia Times.

The 2026 International Booker Prize

• Senior Lecturer Narguess Farzad featured on an article with The Conversation – providing expertise on the nominations for the 2026 International Booker Prize. 

The legacy of a historic Bengali polymath

• Dr Sahana Bajpaie wrote for Scroll.in on the life and legacy of Bengali polymath, Rabindranath Tagore.

Taiwan’s sugar Railways

• Professor Dafydd Fell appeared on the podcast The Interlocutor podcast to discuss his research and book ‘The Twilight Years of Taiwan's Sugar Railways’.

The conflict in Mali

• Dr Folahanmi Aina spoke on BBC Radio 4' The World Tonight programme on the growing concerns around security in Mali, and the latest on the conflict in the country.
• Professor of Practice Dr Nick Westcott was interviewed on France24, discussing the current happenings that surround the conflict in Mali.

The Latest on Iran 

• Director of the SOAS Middle East Institute Professor Adam Hanieh was interviewed by the publication Equals, discussing global inequality and the ripple effects from the conflict in Iran. Commentary from Professor Hanieh also featured in Türkiye Today on energy reserves.
• Dr Rowena Abdul Razak spoke to DW News and BBC News on the long term US and Iran strategy in the conflict and the proposed plan for peace in relations.
• Dr Katayoun Shahandeh wrote for Museum Journal on protecting Iran’s cultural heritage.

China’s Intelligence agencies and wider relations with the US

• Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang shared commentary with the Financial Times on Chinese Intelligence agencies advising the country’s young people to stay in education, following concerns of exploitation. Tsang’s insights also featured with Business Insider Poland and other publications.

Exploring disarmament on the global stage

• Professor Dan Plesch was interviewed on Voice of Islam Radio, discussing Nuclear Proliferation and work around his scrapweapons.com disarmament project.