# The making of the modern Middle East

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/historyextra-podcast-746104/the-making-of-the-modern-middle-east
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/historyextra-podcast-746104/the-making-of-the-modern-middle-east.md
Podcast: [HistoryExtra podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/historyextra-podcast-746104)
Published: 2026-09-20T23:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/NSR6945526983.mp3
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/NSR6945526983.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/historyextra-podcast-746104/episodes/the-making-of-the-modern-middle-east
Duration seconds: 2816

## Resource

The Middle East has, for decades, been riven by violent conflict. But what are the roots and ongoing causes of this violence? In this episode, Simon Sebag Montefiore discusses The Cauldron, his new book exploring the forces and figures that forged the region. Speaking to Charlotte Vosper, Simon takes us from the creation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the decline of the imperial powers and the rise of Pan-Arabism, to 9/11 and the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST For more on how the past shapes today’s world, don’t miss our fortnightly podcast series History Behind the Headlines: https://bit.ly/3SSjdbq Go to ⁠https://surfshark.com/historyextra⁠ or use code HISTORYEXTRA at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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## Transcript

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