Erik Skare is a historian at the University of Oslo and the author of the award-winning "⁠A History of Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Faith, Awareness, and Revolution in the Middle East⁠" (Cambridge University Press, 2021). He specializes in Palestinian history with a particular focus on religion and secular politics.

In episode 48 of Tahrir Podcast, we discussed his most recent book, “⁠Road to October 7: A Brief History of Palestinian Islamism,⁠” (Verso Books, 2025). The book looks at Palestinian Islamist groups, their history, progressions, triumphs, and defeats from their inception up to this day, covering the Muslim Brotherhood, Hizb u-Tahrir, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Hamas, and more. Eric argues that Palestinian Islamism is far more complex and dynamic than generally assumed. The phenomenon has continuously developed through disputes between moderates and hardliners.

Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qXzbzbf4QuQ

Eric's book: ⁠⁠https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/3304-road-to-october-7?srsltid=AfmBOorRGHQVNGHb265e9R7yRnPqHR7nma4zdZ4DVbxwNNbWEf4P4rm-⁠

Eric's website: ⁠https://erikskare.no/⁠

Streaming everywhere! ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/TahrirPodcast⁠⁠

Reach out! TahrirPodcast@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon for as low as $2 per month ($20 per year)! ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/TahrirPodcast

Ömer Taşpınar is a Professor at the National Defense University and Johns Hopkins SAIS in Washington, D.C. He is a scholar, author, and policy expert specializing in Middle East politics, U.S. foreign policy, and Turkish affairs. His research focuses on the intersection of political economy, nationalism, and security in the Middle East, with a particular emphasis on Turkey.

In episode 47 of Tahrir Podcast, we discuss his book "What the West is Getting Wrong about the Middle East: Why Islam is Not the Problem" (I.B. Tauris, 2020), where he challenges prevailing Western narratives about the region by highlighting weak states, economic underdevelopment, and authoritarianism—rather than religion—as the primary drivers of instability and extremism. The book delves into the historical and structural factors that have shaped the modern Middle East, arguing that Western policies often misdiagnose the region’s problems by overemphasizing Islam’s role. Taşpınar explores how economic stagnation, political repression, and weak governance fuel radicalization, while also critiquing Western interventions that have exacerbated these issues. Through a comparative analysis, he provides a nuanced perspective on why sustainable stability in the region requires addressing these root causes rather than relying on simplistic cultural or religious explanations.

Episode on YouTube:

Omer's book: ⁠ https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/what-the-west-is-getting-wrong-about-the-middle-east-9780755655069/

Streaming everywhere! ⁠https://linktr.ee/TahrirPodcast⁠

Reach out! TahrirPodcast@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon for as low as $2 per month ($20 per year)! ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TahrirPodcast