The Atrocities That Shaped the Modern Middle East

About this episode

On this week’s episode of “The David Frum Show,” The Atlantic’s David Frum opens with a discussion of the seemingly forgotten attack on the Yazidi people by ISIS in 2014. Then, David is joined by historian Simon Sebag Montefiore to discuss his new book, “The Cauldron: The Making of the Modern Middle East.” David and Simon discuss how much of the present-day Middle East emerged from the ruins of the Ottoman Empire and the violence that took place both before and after the empire’s collapse. David and Simon discuss how, one after another, different language groups and religious groups were pushed into exile or eliminated altogether. Then, David finishes with a discussion of “The Hidden Hand: The Information War and the Rise of Antisemitic Propaganda” by Warren Kinsella. - - - Sign up for David Frum’s newsletter alert. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Atlantic subscribers also get access to exclusive subscriber audio in Apple Podcasts. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/Listener. Learn mor