In this bonus episode, Liam and special guest Melani McAlister dive into the complex perceptions Americans have about the Middle East, particularly in light of popular culture and media representation.
They discuss how ignorance about the region persists despite educational efforts, leading to a skewed view of Middle Eastern people as either potential terrorists or helpless victims in need of salvation. And they explore the pervasive narratives in American films and television, which often frame the U.S. as the heroic savior while portraying Muslims in a negative light, the troubling stereotypes that arise from these portrayals, particularly about Muslim women, and how these narratives fail to acknowledge the voices and agency of those within the region.
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Special guest for this episode:
- Melani McAlister, a Professor of American Studies and International Affairs at George Washington University, whose interests include the rhetoric of foreign policy. Her new book Promises, released in 2024, explores the long history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the US role in it.
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Highlights from this episode:
- The American public's perception of the Middle East
- Popular culture's frequent portrayal of Muslims and Arabs as dangerous, reinforcing negative stereotypes.
- The harmful narrative of American exceptionalism
- Media representations of Americans as saviors of oppressed populations.
- The problematic concept of the 'good Muslim' character.
- The portrayal of Muslim women needing saving can diminish their agency and voices in society.
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Additional Resources:
Promises, Then the Storm: Notes on Memory, Protest, and the Israel–Gaza War by Melani McAlister
Melani McAlister – Writing, Teaching, & Other Stuff
U.S. Policy in the Middle East: A Brief History
Our American Israel: The Story of an Entangled Alliance by Amy Kaplan
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And if you like this episode, you might also love:
When Did the 50 States Become the 50 States
Is America an Empire?
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