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The Arab Revolution

Revolution is sweeping the Arab world as the area experiences a period of unprecedented change.

In a series of special programmes, Radio 4 brings you the latest news, analysis and debate on the questions underpinning these momentous events.

Listen to the Programmes

How did we get here-Egypt?: 04 Feb 2011
Stephen Sackur and a group of experts uncover the hidden history behind the political upheaval in Egypt. How did President Mubarak rise to power and what were the factors that finally threatened his iron grip?
Front Row-Hisham Matar: 11 Feb 2011
Hisham Matar's second novel follows a boy whose world is turned upside down when his father is kidnapped. Hisham talks about how his own father, a Libyan dissident, was kidnapped over 20 years ago and is still being held in detention somewhere in Libya.
Special-From Our Own Correspondent: 12 Feb 2011
A special edition of From Our Own Correspondent. Reports on the joy in Cairo's Tahrir Square as the president steps down; the future of those who enforced Mubarak's police state; the difficulties faced by western diplomats.
Tahrir Square: 17 Feb 2011
In Tahrir Square, the BBC's Magdi Abdelhadi, himself Egyptian-born, relives the drama of the last few weeks and talks to Egyptians about their hopes for the future.
Four Thought-Ahdaf Soueif: 23 Feb 2011
Egyptian author Ahdaf Soueif describes how the anti-Mubarak protests have allowed Egyptians to reconnect with thousands of years of history and regain their sense of self.
Analysis-Rethinking the Middle East: 28 Feb 2011
Dr Maha Azzam looks at the recent history of US involvement in North Africa & the Middle East, including the brief shift in policy during the presidency of George W Bush, the role that Israel plays in US/Arab relations.
Start the Week-Engagement with Libya: 28 Feb 2011
The former UN deputy secretary-general Mark Malloch-Brown, on whether national governments are still able to address complex international issues, and Conservative MP Daniel Kawczynski on the idea of 'principled engagement' with Libya.
From Our Own Correspondent- Talking Politics with Gaddaffi: 03 March 2011
Jeremy Bowen talks politics and revolution with Colonel Gaddaffi in a restaurant overlooking Tripoli harbour. He seems determined to hold on, and has now launched a counter-attack in the country's rebellious east.
The Report-Libya Special: 03 March 2011
Hugh Miles talks to some of those charmed into assisting Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's regime and to former members of Saif al Islam's circle who saw much of Libya's wealth squandered on buying influence.
Excess Baggage-Raja Shehadeh: 05 March 2011
Sandi Toksvig talks to Raja Shehadeh the Palestinian writer and lawyer this Saturday about his walks around the rift valley in the footsteps of a great uncle who fell foul of the Ottoman authorities in Palestine during WW1.
Letters to the Arab World: 14 March 2011
Five writers from North Africa and the Middle East consider the momentous events that are reshaping the Arab world, and pen open letters to reflect on the consequences for the region and for its people.
The World Tonight-Special Report: 14th March 2011
What caused the uprisings sweeping the Middle East to happen now? Has the Arab Spring run out of steam? Is there a role for the West to play? This special edition of The World Tonight was recorded at the foreign policy think tank Chatham House.
File on Four-Egypt's Missing Millions: 15 March 2011
Banks and fraud squads across the world are beginning the task of tracing a vast fortune stolen from the Egyptian people by members of the Mubarak regime. Some estimates have suggested the missing money could run into many billions of pounds.
Friday Play-The Cairo Trilogy: 18 March 2011
Dramatised by Ayeesha Menon from the novels of Nobel Prize-winning author Naguib Mahfouz the drama was recorded on the streets of Cairo.
Profile-Amr Moussa: 26 March 2011
Morland Sanders profiles the Secretary General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa. As he prepares to depart as head of the League and stand for President of Egypt what are the challenges now facing both the League and him personally?
The Report-Donations from Arab Countries: 31 March 2011
Simon Cox investigates the problems that donations from Arab countries are creating for British universities. But what is the morality, or otherwise, of accepting money from dodgy regimes? Or is it just about how you use the money, rather than who donated it?
In Business-Over a Barrel: 31 March 2011
Turmoil across the Middle East sent oil prices jumping. Peter Day investigates the future of oil and what the current upheavals might mean for other energy supplies.
Crossing Continents-Egypt: Sisters of the Revolution:
14 April 2011
Bill Law returns to Egypt to see how five women he met three years ago have helped shape the revolution, and how they have been affected by it.
Lebanon: The Next Generation: 03 May 2011
John McCarthy returns to the Lebanon to ask what has happened in the years of comparative peace. What are the post-war generation of young Lebanese doing to reshape their society?
Islam Inc: 24 May 2011
From Africa to Kazakhstan, a new Islamic network is attracting millions of followers. Edward Stourton travels to Turkey to find out about the man who has inspired a global phenomenon-Fethullah Gulen.
File on 4: 07 June 2011
After Iranian military rockets were found on the battlefields of Afghanistan, Allan Urry assesses new evidence alleging Iran's closer ties with al Qaeda and the Taliban.
World at One: 13-17 June 2011
Thirty minutes of news, analysis and comment, with Martha Kearney. Examining the implications of the Arab Spring.
Analysis: Egypt's New Islamists: 13 June 2011
Edward Stourton asks if the Egyptian revolution spells the end of old-style Islamism. As groups like the Muslim Brotherhood embrace democracy, how will they - and Egypt - change?
Profile: Mustafa Abdul Jalil: 3 Sep 2011
Mustafa Abdul Jalil is a former Justice Minister for the Gaddafi regime and now head of Libya's National Transitional Council. Nick Ravenscroft reports on whether he has the leadership qualities to steer the country toward democracy.
The Call of the Arab Spring: 16 Sep 2011
Scores of British Arabs have been travelling to participate in the uprisings taking place in countries their parents left decades ago. Zubeida Malik talks to three of these young British Arabs about how their decisions have made them rethink their ideas of home.
Analysis: Libya's Islamic Capitalists: 26 Sep 2011
Hugh Miles looks at the background of the new rulers in Libya and asks how post-Gaddafi Islamic capitalism might work.
The Iraqi Interpreter's New Home: 28 Oct 2011
Iraqi interpreters were offered a new life in the UK for their help. What did they get? Aasmah Mir gets to the heart of their stories, from war-torn Iraq to the streets of Glasgow.
Archive on 4: After the Dictator: 29 Oct 2011
With Gaddafi dead, Owen Bennett-Jones explores what happens after dictators fall.
Tales from the Arab Spring: Revolution (Egypt): 19 Dec 2011
Jeremy Bowen looks back over a momentous year in the Middle East and hears from those who witnessed events at first hand in Egypt.
Tales from the Arab Spring: Counter Revolution (Libya): 20 Dec 2011
Jeremy Bowen hears that the experience of protesters in Libya proved to be the opposite of their counterparts in Egypt and Tunisia.
Tales from the Arab Spring: Whose Tomorrow? (Syria): 21 Dec 2011
Jeremy Bowen hears from some of the people who have witnessed the repression of Bashir al-Assad's regime in Syria.
Songs for Tahrir: 18 Jan 2012
In a return visit to Cairo, Palestinian singer Reem Kelani meets up with the activists, poets and musicians with whom she spent time on Tahrir Square in early 2011.