Omar El Akkad

It's 2074 and a suicide bomber has killed the President of the United States. Months later Marines open fire on protesters killing dozens. The Second American Civil War has just begun and once again the North and South are pitted against each other. This is all according to the dystopian world chronicled in Omar El Akkad's novel, American War. El Akkad's imagined, yet familiar, world is reflective of today's deep political and societal fissures, but it also pushes us to understand the universal language of war and ruin, to what happens after the violence begins and why it's so hard to end.In this episode of Throughline, we immerse ourselves in El Akkad's 'what could be' to understand larger questions about history, humanity, and American exceptionalism.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Omar El Akkad, a novelist and journalist renowned for his incisive writings on war and displacement, delves into the complexities of Western complicity regarding Gaza. He discusses the dissonance between witnessing atrocities and official narratives, highlighting the moral costs of acknowledging wrongdoing. The conversation tackles euphemistic language that obscures brutality and critiques performative liberalism. El Akkad also emphasizes the role of literature in confronting horrors and expresses hope in the courage of younger generations to demand meaningful change.

Omar El Akkad, writer and former journalist known for sharp novels and nonfiction. He critiques Western hypocrisy over Gaza. He reflects on ceasefire hopes, U.S. positioning as a peace broker, and how liberal moral posturing masks transactions. He examines officials’ reversals, Arab states’ constraints, and the lasting impact of resistance on younger generations.

Omar El Akkad, a talented journalist and author known for his gripping novels and frontline reporting, engages in a thought-provoking discussion about Western hypocrisy regarding the Gaza conflict. He critiques the disparity between liberal ideals and actions, challenging listeners to confront uncomfortable truths. El Akkad highlights the vital role of journalism in shaping narratives and the courage of Palestinian journalists often dismissed as biased. The conversation also navigates themes of hope, grassroots solidarity, and how cultural boycotts can serve as forms of resistance.

Omar El Akkad, a journalist and novelist focused on war and the impact of empire, shares insights about his latest work, "One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This." He discusses the challenge of using language to affirm humanity amidst violence and the complexities of cultural narratives that shape resistance. Omar reflects on his disillusionment with colonial conditioning and the hidden costs of modern convenience. He also emphasizes the need for loud cultural expressions of grief and the psychological challenges of confronting empire.