

The Fire These Times
Elia Ayoub
Where doom scrolling meets radical hope.
“The Fire These Times is a place where we tell our hardest truths, and find one another" - Naomi Klein.
Hosted by Elia Ayoub with co-hosts Dana El Kurd, Daniel Voskoboynik, israa' and other members of the From The Periphery Media Collective.
“The Fire These Times is a place where we tell our hardest truths, and find one another" - Naomi Klein.
Hosted by Elia Ayoub with co-hosts Dana El Kurd, Daniel Voskoboynik, israa' and other members of the From The Periphery Media Collective.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 20, 2024 • 1h 27min
172/ The Holocaust, the Nakba and Reparative Memory w/ Daniel Voskoboynik
For episode 172, Elia Ayoub and Daniel Voskoboynik talk about a very difficult topic: the Holocaust and the Nakba. The ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza brings up urgent questions about how memory is weaponized. Elia also talks about Jonathan Glazer,'s The Zone of Interest and the haunting parallels between the everyday life of the Nazi family portrayed in that movie, and the normalization of genocidal rhetoric in Israeli politics today.Support: You can support my work with a one-off or monthly donation on Ko-fiMasterclass on Modern Lebanon: Registration is now openNewsletter: Subscribe to HauntologiesSocial Media: I’m on Bluesky, Instagram and MastodonContact: To collaborate, reach out on ayoub@thefirethesetimes.comThe Fire These TimesSocial Media: TFTT is on Bluesky and Instagram Transcription: You can help Antidote Zine transcribe TFTT episodes hereWebsite: All episodes are archived on the websiteFrom The PeripheryTFTT is a proud member of From The Periphery Media Collective, which you can support on Patreon and follow on Bluesky, YouTube and Instagram.Check out other project wherever you get your podcasts: Politically DepressedSyria: The Inconvenient Revolution From The Periphery Podcast The Mutual Aid PodcastEpisode Links:Elia's piece: The Ghosts of Israel's Future, Part 1Multidirectionary Memory by Michael RothbergRachel Auerbuch, Yad Vashem and Israeli Holocaust MemoryUnzere Kinder, a film (1946, 1948)Ancestral Future, by Ailton KrenakTrailer of The Zone of InterestJonathan Glazer calls out Israel's weaponisation of the holocaustMir Kumen On, a film (1936)The Holocaust and the Nakba: a new Grammar of Trauma and HistoryRaez Zreik: The Palestinian Question as a Jewish QuestionCheck outFirst video essay on YouTube by Ayman Makarem: Zionism from the Standpoint of Its Victims and subscribe to our channelCredits:Host(s): Elia Ayoub and Daniel Voskoboynik | Producers: Aydın Yıldız, Elia Ayoub, israa' abdel fattah, Ayman Makarem and/or Leila Al-Shami | Music: Rap and Revenge | TFTT theme design: Wenyi Geng | FTP theme design: Hisham Rifai | Sound editor: Elliott Miskovicz | Team profile pics: Molly Crabapple | Episode design: Elia AyoubFrom The Periphery is built by Elia Ayoub, Leila Al-Shami, Ayman Makarem, Dana El Kurd, Karena Avedissian, Daniel Voskoboynik, Anna M, Aydın Yıldız, Ed S, Alice Bonfatti, israa' abdel fattah, with more joining soon!The Fire These Times by Elia Ayoub is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Sep 13, 2024 • 1h 25min
171/ What is Happening with Balochistan? w/ Lateef Johar Baloch and Hari Prasad
For episode 171, Elia Ayoub and guest host Hari Prasad are joined by Lateef Johar Baloch, a human rights advocate and a member of the Human Rights Council of Balochistan to talk to us about the history of Pakistani oppression and authoritarianism in Balochistan and the ongoing resistance against it. We also talked about broader issues facing Balochistan today including the role of foreign powers such as China and the USA. Note: this was recorded on 24 August 2024, two days before the attack in Musakhel.Support: You can support my work with a one-off or monthly donation on Ko-fiMasterclass on Modern Lebanon: Registration is now openNewsletter: Subscribe to HauntologiesSocial Media: I’m on Bluesky, Instagram and MastodonContact: To collaborate, reach out on ayoub@thefirethesetimes.comThe Fire These TimesSocial Media: TFTT is on Bluesky and Instagram Transcription: You can help Antidote Zine transcribe TFTT episodes hereWebsite: All episodes are archived on the websiteFrom The PeripheryTFTT is a proud member of From The Periphery Media Collective, which you can support on Patreon and follow on Bluesky, YouTube and Instagram.Check out other project wherever you get your podcasts: Politically DepressedSyria: The Inconvenient Revolution From The Periphery Podcast The Mutual Aid PodcastCheck out First video essay on YouTube by Ayman Makarem: Zionism from the Standpoint of Its Victims and subscribe to our channelEpisode Links:Baloch recently co-wrote an article entitled "State-Sponsored Violence & the Violation of Dignity in Balochistan." Profile of Lateef Johar on The Walrus‘She has won our hearts and minds’: can one woman unite the Baloch people in peaceful resistance?BBC article on enforced disappearances in BalochistanInterview with Mahrang Baloch of the Baloch Yakjehti (Solidarity) Committee (BYC)Instagram post by Farhad BalochVideo of BYC representative Dr. Sabiha BalochPluggables:Hari Prasad is on Bluesky, and check out his websiteLateef Johar Baloch is on Twitter Credits:Host(s): Haris Prasad and Elia Ayoub | Guest(s): Lateef Johar Baloch | Producers: Aydın Yıldız, Elia Ayoub, israa abd elfattah, Ayman Makarem and Leila Al-Shami | Music: Rap and Revenge | TFTT theme design: Wenyi Geng | FTP theme design: Hisham Rifai | Sound editor: Elliott Miskovicz | Team profile pics: Molly Crabapple | Episode design: Elia Ayoub

Sep 6, 2024 • 1h 24min
170/ Facing the German Far Right w/ Musa Okwonga
For episode 170, returning guest Musa Okwonga talks to Elia Ayoub about a piece he wrote, "The Hatred Is Accelerating", on racism and the far right in Germany. This was recorded on 31 August 2024, a day before the fascist AfD party won top place in Thuringia and second in Saxony in the state elections.Support: You can support my work with a one-off or monthly donation on Ko-fiMasterclass on Modern Lebanon: Registration is now openNewsletter: Subscribe to HauntologiesSocial Media: I’m on Bluesky, Instagram and MastodonContact: To collaborate, reach out on ayoub@thefirethesetimes.comThe Fire These TimesSocial Media: TFTT is on Bluesky and Instagram Transcription: You can help Antidote Zine transcribe TFTT episodes hereWebsite: All episodes are archived on the websiteFrom The PeripheryTFTT is a proud member of From The Periphery Media Collective, which you can support on Patreon and follow on Bluesky, YouTube and Instagram.Check out other project wherever you get your podcasts: Politically DepressedSyria: The Inconvenient Revolution From The Periphery Podcast The Mutual Aid PodcastPrevious TFTT episodes with Musa OkwongaWe Need to Talk About Twitter w/ Musa Okwonga and Justin SalhaniFootball is Political: #Qatar2022, Russia and What Comes Next w/ Musa Okwonga and Justin SalhaniSpecial 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Retrospective w/ Musa Okwonga, Fabien Goa and Justin SalhaniIn the End, It Was All About Love w/ Musa OkwongaBeing the Good Immigrant in an Ungrateful Country w/ Musa OkwongaCheck out2018 article by Musa: Berliners have shown how to stop the march of the far rightThe Far Right is Not Inevitable with Aurelien MondonThe work of Jakob Springfeld and Philipp Ruch. Also: Polylulx and International Women* SpaceFirst video essay on YouTube by Ayman Makarem: Zionism from the Standpoint of Its Victims and subscribe to our channelRecommended reads and listens:Critical Muslim: German Redemption Theology by Adnan DelalicLondon Review of Books: Memory Failure by Pankaj Mishra972Mag: Germany’s anti-Palestinian censorship turns on Jews by Hebh JamalJewish Currents' "On The Nose Podcast" The Trouble with Germany, part IJewish Currents' "On The Nose Podcast" The Trouble with Germany, part IIGranta: Once Again, Germany defines who is a Jew, part I by George Prochnik, Eyal Weizman & Emily Dische-BeckerGranta: Once Again, Germany defines who is a Jew, part II by George Prochnik, Eyal Weizman & Emily Dische-BeckerIWriteStuff.Blog: The Jewish and Arab Questions, and European Fascism by Elia AyoubThe Palestinian Question as a Jewish Question by Raef ZreikBooks by Musa Okwonga (website):Please support your local bookshops and public libraries by ordering them there whenever possible.In The End, It Was All About LoveOne of Them: An Eton College MemoirStriking Out: The Debut Novel from Superstar Striker Ian WrightRaheem Sterling (Football Legends #1) with Stanley ChowEating Roses for DinnerA Cultured Left Foot: The Eleven Elements of Footballing GreatnessCredits:Host(s): Elia Ayoub | Guest(s): Musa Okwonga | Producers: Aydın Yıldız, Elia Ayoub, Israa Abdel Fattah, Ayman Makarem and Leila Al-Shami | Music: Rap and Revenge | TFTT theme design: Wenyi Geng | FTP theme design: Hisham Rifai | Sound editor: Elliott Miskovicz | Team profile pics: Molly Crabapple | Episode design: Elia Ayoub

Aug 30, 2024 • 1h 34min
169/Macronisme and the Far Right w/ Sahar Amarir & Rim-Sarah Alouane
For episode 169, Elia Ayoub is joined by returning guests Sahar Amarir and Rim-Sarah Alouane to talk about the situation in France, from the recent elections that saw a surprising victory for a Left-Green alliance to how Macronism has been actively normalizing the far right. They described the situation as grim, with far right ideology on questions of race and freedom of worship (especially Islam) the norm in France, with grave implications for the country, the EU and the world. We also talked about Alouane's recent piece on France banning veiled Muslim athletes despite making an inclusivity pledge.Support: You can support my work with a one-off or monthly donation on Ko-fiMasterclass on Modern Lebanon: Registration is now openNewsletter: Subscribe to HauntologiesSocial Media: I’m on Bluesky, Instagram and MastodonContact: To collaborate, reach out on ayoub@thefirethesetimes.comThe Fire These TimesSocial Media: TFTT is on Bluesky and Instagram Transcription: You can help Antidote Zine transcribe TFTT episodes hereWebsite: All episodes are archived on the websiteFrom The PeripheryTFTT is a proud member of From The Periphery Media Collective, which you can support on Patreon and follow on Bluesky, YouTube and Instagram.Check out other project wherever you get your podcasts: Politically DepressedSyria: The Inconvenient Revolution From The Periphery Podcast The Mutual Aid PodcastPrevious episodes with the guests:Sahar: Anti-Imperialism after the Syrian Revolution (Episode 154) Rim-Sarah: The Inherent Toxicity of France’s ‘Islamo-Leftism’ Obsession (Episode 72)Other links:That One Time the Olympics Were Cool w/ James Stout (Episode 165)The Far Right is Not Inevitable w/ Aurelien Mondon (Episode 163)Follow:Follow Rim-Sarah Alouane on LinkedIn and Bluesky, and check out her websiteCredits:Hosts: Elia Ayoub | Guests: Rim-Sarah Alouane & Sahar Amarir | Producer: Elia Ayoub | Music: Rap and Revenge | Main theme design: Wenyi Geng | Sound editor: Elliott Miskovicz | Team profile pics: Molly Crabapple | Episode design: Elia Ayoub.

Aug 23, 2024 • 1h 40min
Against Multipolar Imperialism w/ Kavita Krishnan, Promise Li and Romeo Kokriatski (Rerun)
For this rerun episode, Elia Ayoub is joined by Kavita Krishnan, an Indian Marxist and Feminist who used to be a politburo member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation who resigned over Ukraine. He is also joined by Promise Li, a US-based Hong Konger organizer and part of the Left diaspora collective Lausan. Co-hosting this episode is Romeo Kokriatski, a Ukrainian-American journalist, managing editor of the New Voice of Ukraine and co-host of the Ukraine Without Hype podcast.The topic: why the idea of multipolarity needs to be understood & critiqued, and why the left cannot abandon anti-authoritarianism and internationalism.Note: Due to Russia's ongoing bombardments of Ukraine, Romeo's power went out towards the end of the episode so we had to continue without him. Support: You can support my work with a one-off or monthly donation on Ko-fiMasterclass on Modern Lebanon: Registration is now openNewsletter: Subscribe to HauntologiesSocial Media: I’m on Bluesky, Instagram and MastodonContact: To collaborate, reach out on ayoub@thefirethesetimes.comThe Fire These TimesSocial Media: TFTT is on Bluesky and Instagram Transcription: You can help Antidote Zine transcribe TFTT episodes hereWebsite: All episodes are archived on the websiteFrom The PeripheryTFTT is a proud member of From The Periphery Media Collective, which you can support on Patreon and follow on Bluesky, YouTube and Instagram.Check out other project wherever you get your podcasts: Politically DepressedSyria: The Inconvenient Revolution From The Periphery Podcast The Mutual Aid PodcastLinks:- My piece for Lausan Collective: The periphery has no time for binaries- Majoritarian State: How Hindu Nationalism is Changing India by Angana P. Chatterji, Thomas Blom Hansen and Christophe Jaffrelot (recommended by Kavita Krishnan)- Money Power and Financial Capital in Emerging Markets: Facing the Liquidity Tsunami by Ilias Alami (recommended by Promise Li)- Regular updates on India can be found on The India CablePrevious episodes with Romeo Kokriatski:Anti-Imperialism From the Periphery w/ Leila Al Shami & Dana El KurdWhen War Gets Normalized, Or What’s At Stake in Ukraine w/ Mariam Naiem Ukraine Series: 2. From Ukraine, with Love (and Anger)Russian Imperialism, Cynical Discourse and Life Amidst War w/ Mariam NaiemA View on Ukraine, Hong Kong & Tiananmen, from Taiwan w/ Wen Liu & Brian HioePrevious episodes with Promise Li:From Hong Kong to Lebanon, Basebuilding Against AuthoritarianismFollow:Follow Romeo Kokriatski on Bluesky, Twitter and New Voice of Ukraine. Check out Ukraine Without HypeFollow Promise Li on Twitter and BlueskyFollow Kavita Krishnan on Twitter Credits:Hosts: Elia Ayoub and Romeo Kokriatski | Guests: Kavita Krishnan and Promise Li | Producer: Elia Ayoub | Music: Rap and Revenge | Main theme design: Wenyi Geng | Sound editor: Elliott Miskovicz | Team profile pics: Molly Crabapple | Episode design: Elia Ayoub.

Aug 16, 2024 • 50min
168/ Building Transnational Solidarity w/ Chkoun? Collective and Leila Al Shami
For episode 168, Elia and Leila are joined by the Chkoun? Collective, a collective of people from "North Africa" resisting anti-Black racism and its intersections with migration and the fight for freedom of movement in the region. We discussed their statement "Solidarities are not a given, they need to be built" and how it relates to our experiences covering Syria, Israel-Palestine, and Lebanon.Support: You can support my work with a one-off or monthly donation on Ko-fiMasterclass on Modern Lebanon: Registration is now openNewsletter: Subscribe to HauntologiesSocial Media: I’m on Bluesky, Instagram and MastodonContact: To collaborate, reach out on ayoub@thefirethesetimes.comThe Fire These TimesSocial Media: TFTT is on Bluesky and Instagram Transcription: You can help Antidote Zine transcribe TFTT episodes hereWebsite: All episodes are archived on the websiteFrom The PeripheryTFTT is a proud member of From The Periphery Media Collective, which you can support on Patreon and follow on Bluesky, YouTube and Instagram.Check out other project wherever you get your podcasts: Politically DepressedSyria: The Inconvenient Revolution From The Periphery Podcast The Mutual Aid PodcastEpisode links: Latest statement about current eventsThere will soon be a library with resources hereThe petition about Saadia's caseThe mentioned campaign in MoroccoFollow Chkoun? on Instagram @ chkoon

Aug 9, 2024 • 53min
167/ Netanyahu's Dubaization Plan for Gaza After the Genocide w/ Yasser Elsheshtawy
For episode 167, guest host Justin Salhani is joined by Yasser Elsheshtawy to talk about the Dubaization plan that Netanyahu's team put forward for Gaza after their genocide. You won't be surprised to know that we think it's a terrible plan, but what is dubaization? du·bai·za·tion /dōō’bīzāSHən/ adjective: 1. the act of building a city which relies on spectacular, non-contextual architecture (“The dubaization of Cairo’s skyline”). Synonyms: gulfication; spectacular urbanism. Antonyms: context-oriented urban development; integrated urban fabric; informality.Bio: Yasser Elsheshtawy is a Non-Resident Scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, DC, and an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University (GSAPP). His scholarship focuses on informal urbanism and environment-behavior studies, with a particular focus on Middle Eastern cities. Moreover, he is an Independent Consultant and has worked on numerous projects in Saudi Arabia, collaborating with renowned architectural and planning practices. He taught at United Arab Emirates University from 1997 till 2017 and was appointed as Curator for the UAE Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2016. He was a Visiting Professor at Université Paris Sorbonne during the Fall semester of 2017. He has authored over 70 publications including Riyadh: Transforming a Desert City, Temporary Cities, and Dubai: Behind an Urban Spectacle. He also edited The Evolving Arab City which received the 2010 International Planning History Society Best Book Award, and Planning Middle Eastern Cities. Two chapters on urban development in the Arab world were published in the widely-known City Planning and Urban Design Readers. Elsheshtawy has a PhD in Architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a Master in Architecture from Pennsylvania State University, and a Bachelor of Architecture from Cairo University.Support: You can support my work with a one-off or monthly donation on Ko-fiMasterclass on Modern Lebanon: Registration is now openNewsletter: Subscribe to HauntologiesSocial Media: I’m on Bluesky, Instagram and MastodonContact: To collaborate, reach out on ayoub@thefirethesetimes.comThe Fire These TimesSocial Media: TFTT is on Bluesky and Instagram Transcription: You can help Antidote Zine transcribe TFTT episodes hereWebsite: All episodes are archived on the websiteFrom The PeripheryTFTT is a proud member of From The Periphery Media Collective, which you can support on Patreon and follow on Bluesky, YouTube and Instagram.Check out other project wherever you get your podcasts: Politically DepressedSyria: The Inconvenient Revolution From The Periphery Podcast The Mutual Aid PodcastLinks:Salhani's profile at Al JazeeraJerusalem Post's article on Netanyahu's plan: From crisis to prosperity: Netanyahu's vision for Gaza 2035 revealed online by Yuval BarneaYasser's piece for DAWN MENA: Selling Egypt by the Pound: 'Gulfication' and the Ras al-Hekma Land Deal Yasser's blog Dubaization.comRecommended Book:Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih (موسم الهجرة إلى الشمال)TFTT Transcripts: Antidotezine

Aug 2, 2024 • 42min
166/ Israel-Palestine After Zionism w/ Ahmed Moor, Antony Loewenstein and Dana El Kurd
For episode 166, Dana & Elia are joined by Ahmed Moor & Antony Loewenstein, co-editors of the book "After Zionism: One State for Israel and Palestine" to talk about the ongoing genocide in Gaza and whether there is any hope for the One State Solution.Support: You can support my work with a one-off or monthly donation on Ko-fiMasterclass on Modern Lebanon: Registration is now openNewsletter: Subscribe to HauntologiesSocial Media: I’m on Bluesky, Instagram and MastodonContact: To collaborate, reach out on ayoub@thefirethesetimes.comThe Fire These TimesSocial Media: TFTT is on Bluesky and Instagram Transcription: You can help Antidote Zine transcribe TFTT episodes hereWebsite: All episodes are archived on the websiteFrom The PeripheryTFTT is a proud member of From The Periphery Media Collective, which you can support on Patreon and follow on Bluesky, YouTube and Instagram.Check out other project wherever you get your podcasts: Politically DepressedSyria: The Inconvenient Revolution From The Periphery Podcast The Mutual Aid Podcast

Jul 26, 2024 • 1h 9min
165/ That One Time the Olympics Were Cool w/ James Stout
For episode 165, Elia and Aydın are joined by investigative journalist and anarchist James Stout of the It Could Happen Here podcast to talk about the 1936 anti-fascist Olympics in Barcelona and the fascists who destroyed it. There's a reason you've only heard of the more notorious Berlin one, and we're gonna get into it here. You can buy James' book: The Popular Front and the Barcelona 1936 Popular Olympics His NatGeo piece: The brutal story of the 1936 Popular Olympics: a boycott of fascism and HitlerThe 'Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff' Episode on the Spanish Civil War: The Popular Olympics Antifascist Athletes Help Stop a CoupSupport: You can support my work with a one-off or monthly donation on Ko-fiMasterclass on Modern Lebanon: Registration is now openNewsletter: Subscribe to HauntologiesSocial Media: I’m on Bluesky, Instagram and MastodonContact: To collaborate, reach out on ayoub@thefirethesetimes.comThe Fire These TimesSocial Media: TFTT is on Bluesky and Instagram Transcription: You can help Antidote Zine transcribe TFTT episodes hereWebsite: All episodes are archived on the websiteFrom The PeripheryTFTT is a proud member of From The Periphery Media Collective, which you can support on Patreon and follow on Bluesky, YouTube and Instagram.Check out other project wherever you get your podcasts: Politically DepressedSyria: The Inconvenient Revolution From The Periphery Podcast The Mutual Aid Podcast

Jul 12, 2024 • 49min
164/ El Salvador's Gang State w/ Michael Paarlberg
For episode 164, Dana El-Kurd is joined by Michael Paarlbeg, associate professor of political science at Virginia Commonwealth University, to discuss the intersection between crime and authoritarian politics in Latin America. They particularly focus on the the state of emergency happening today in El Salvador, covering the rise of Nayib Bukele and the political implications of the “gang state” emerging in the country.Support: You can support my work with a one-off or monthly donation on Ko-fiMasterclass on Modern Lebanon: Registration is now openNewsletter: Subscribe to HauntologiesSocial Media: I’m on Bluesky, Instagram and MastodonContact: To collaborate, reach out on ayoub@thefirethesetimes.comThe Fire These TimesSocial Media: TFTT is on Bluesky and Instagram Transcription: You can help Antidote Zine transcribe TFTT episodes hereWebsite: All episodes are archived on the websiteFrom The PeripheryTFTT is a proud member of From The Periphery Media Collective, which you can support on Patreon and follow on Bluesky, YouTube and Instagram.Check out other project wherever you get your podcasts: Politically DepressedSyria: The Inconvenient Revolution From The Periphery Podcast The Mutual Aid PodcastShow notes:Transnational Gangs and Criminal Remittances (academic article, Comparative Migration Studies)The Emerging Gang State in El Salvador (Global Americans)Gang Membership in Central America: More Complex Than Meets the Eye (Migration Policy Institute)How a Fake Gang Crisis in the US Fueled a Real One in Central America (Duke conference)Gangs, Guns and Judas Priest (The Guardian)


