SOAS in the Media: November 2025

Bangladesh’s verdict of Sheikh Hasina

• Dr Avinash Paliwal provided comment to BBC News, following the verdict on the trial of Bangladesh’s ousted former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina.
• Professor Naomi Hossain spoke to BBC Radio 4’s ‘World at One’ programme and provided insight to NPR on the verdict on the trial, and the potential outcomes for Bangladesh as a whole.

Counterterrorism efforts in Nigeria

• Dr Folahanmi Aina wrote for The Conversation on the prominence of JNIM, a terror group with links to Al-Qaida – and Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts. 

China’s relations in the Global South and West

• Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang was interviewed by The Daily Telegraph on London’s financial and economic relations with China.
• Professor Robbie Barnett spoke with The Times to provide insight on the tough security systems between the borders of Tibet and China.
• Professor Tsang spoke to Channel 4 News on Japan’s threat of military intervention toward China, in regard to Taiwan.
• Professor Tsang shared comment with Reuters, The Straits Times, Newsweek Japan and other publications on the Thai king's latest visit to Beijing.
• Professor Tsang was featured in an article discussing the controversial case of the Chinese ‘crypto queen’ with The Guardian and The Observer.
• Professor Tsang also featured in an article with Times Higher Education the responses of scholars to China’s potential research risks.

Global economy, investments and AI

• Dr Harald Heubaum provided comment to Forbes on the necessity of adaptation in global economies.
• Professor of Practice Jakob Thomä wrote for Responsible Investor on what is next for responsible investment across the world.
• Doctoral Research Fellow Alex Dryden wrote for The Conversation on the implications of AI enthusiasm by global investment markets.

The conflict in DRC Congo 

• Professor Phil Clark was interviewed by BBC’s ‘Focus on Africa’ programme, discussing the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Professor Clark also appeared on the Peace Today podcast, surrounding the drivers of conflict in eastern DR Congo and attempts at peace.

Political and societal controversy in Indonesia

• Dr Soe Tjen Marching spoke to BBC Indonesia on former leader Soeharto, being regarded as a national hero in the country. 

Relations between Venezuela, the UK and the US

• Professor Phil Clark featured on Monocle’s ‘The Globalist’ programme on discussing the possibly of a political revolt against the UK and Venezuela's preparations for a possible US ground invasion.

Insight on finance in Sri Lanka

• Research from Dr Ulrich Volz, Dr Pallavi Roy and Professor Mushtaq Khan featured on Sri Lankan publication Daily FT on the country’s deepening debt crisis. 

Understanding of Jewish and Palestinian Equality in Israel

• Professor Phil Clark provided comment to Times of Israel blog on the understanding of Jewish and Palestinian Equality in Israel.

Insight on Ancient Japanese culture 

• Dr Satona Suzuki was interviewed by the BBC Media Centre ahead of a new documentary on ancient Japanese cultures.

India and Pakistan relations

• Director of SOAS South Asia Institute Dr Subir Sinha spoke to Bloomberg and Channel 4 on the India and Pakistan conflict and tensions, following an explosion in New Delhi. 

Looking at Gen-Z in Bangladesh 

• Professor Mushtaq Khan featured in the Financial Times and The Irish Times on the Gen Z revolution in Bangladesh.

The conflict in Sudan

• Dr Folahanmi Aina spoke to BBC Radio World Service on developments on the conflict in Sudan, and potential ceasefire.

China and the UK’s manufacturing relations 

• Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang featured in articles with Daily Mail, This Is Money and Cyber News on a controversial enquiry into electric vehicles in Britain’s remote towns and villages being deactivated by Chinese manufacturers.

The latest on Gaza

• Emeritus Professor Gilbert Achar wrote for Le Monde on US/Israeli relations in the handling of the genocide of Gaza.
• Professor Hagar Kotef wrote for The Conversation on the arrest of Israeli military prosecutor Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi - revealing the extent of mistreatment of Palestinian detainees.
• Professor Rebecca Gould wrote a review of Peter Oborne’s book ‘Complicit’ for The New Arab, uncovering international diplomacy and the genocide in Gaza.
• Dr Nick Westcott spoke to France24 to provide updates on the likelihood of a de facto partition in Gaza.

Political parties in Taiwan

• Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang shared insight with Asia Sentinel on the leadership of political parties of Taiwan. 

The SOAS Gallery

• The SOAS Gallery’s new exhibition with the Shapoorji Pallonji Institute of Zoroastrian Studies and artist Karl Singporewala was covered in a new article by FAD Magazine.

The conflict in Sudan 

• Dr Nada Ali featured on BBC Wales to discuss the current conflict in Sudan.
• Professor Lutz Oette wrote for the publication African Arguments on the prospects and challenges for peace and justice in Sudan
• Dr Nick Westcott spoke to France24 on the warnings around the conflict in Sudan, issued by the International Criminal Court. 

Trade talks between China and the US

• Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang was interviewed by Sky News, France24 on the latest round of negotiations and trade talks between the leadership of China and the US.
• Professor Steve Tsang featured in The Daily Telegraph's podcast series Battle Lines on what the trade talks mean for US’s relations with China.

Mali’s military regime

• Assistant Professor Tessa Devereaux wrote for The Conversation, and featured in a podcast from ABC Australia on the pressures facing Mali’s military regime from JNIM, an armed group linked to al-Qaida.

Global supply chains and economies

• Professor Ha-Joon Chang took part in a roundtable discussion hosted by CNN to share his perspective on global supply chains.
• Professor Daniela Gabor featured on the London Review of Books podcast, discussing the influence of central banks on the UK’s financial policies.
• Professor Ha-Joon Chang featured in an article from Al-Jazeera on the strength of the US dollar, in relation to global economies.

Preventing further genocide in Gaza

• Dr Nimer Sultany featured in an article from Spanish publication El Dario on what needs to be done to prevent further genocide in Gaza.

The Grand Egyptian Museum

• Maria Gloria Polimeno from the SOAS Middle East Institute was interviewed by France24 on the recent inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Addressing the actions of the Israeli government

• Emeritus Professor Colin Shindler wrote for The Jewish Independent on the ramifications of Tommy Robinson being Invited to Israel.

India’s state and global politics

• Director of the SOAS South Asia Institute Dr Subir Sinha, wrote for Indian publication Outlook, on the coinciding of India’s Chhath festival with state elections in the country.
• Dr Avinash Paliwal wrote for the Hindustan Times on the rehaul of relations between India and the UK.

A history on the Oslo Accords

• Emeritus Professor Colin Shindler wrote for EI on a history of the Oslo Accords.

Corruption reform in Bangladesh 

• Professor Mushtaq Khan featured Bangladeshi publication Prothom Alo on anti-corruption and reform in the country.