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Déjà Vu

Al Jazeera

DEJA VU strips away the myth of modern exceptionalism. Through intimate, fireside conversations with the world's most provocative historians, philosophers, and public intellectuals, we excavate the buried parallels between today's crises and history's most pivotal moments.

Each episode asks: What can we learn from the last time this happened?

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  • 5 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 53 min
  • English

Episodes 5

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  • S1 · E4
    September 6 · 1 hr 6 min

    How the West’s promise of freedom created a world of anger | Pankaj Mishra

    Why does anger seem to rule the world today? Pankaj Mishra traces our age of anger to the collision of Enlightenment promises of liberty and equality with empire, nationalism and capitalism. He asks what happens when those promises are broken – and when the Global South turns Western ideals back on the West itself. In this episode: Pankaj Mishra, Author, Age of Anger Episode credits: This episode was produced by Mohamed Hassan, Marcos Bartolomé and Sonia Bhagat. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. Our engagement producer is Adam Abou-Gad. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

  • S1 · E3
    August 23 · 1 hr 4 min

    The Suez Crisis stopped the British Empire. Will Hormuz defeat the US? | Laleh Khalili

    What happens when a revolutionary movement takes control of the world’s most vital waterway, bringing global oil shipping to a halt and sparking war with an empire? It’s not the Strait of Hormuz, but the Suez Crisis of 70 years earlier. In 1956, Egypt shut the Suez Canal and took on three armies alone. When the canal reopened months later, now with Egypt in control, the region and the global economy would change forever. In this episode: Laleh Khalili (@lalehkhalili), Political Scientist and Author of ‘Sinews of War and Trade’ Episode credits: This episode was produced by Mohamed Hassan, Marcos Bartolomé and Sonia Bhagat. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. Our engagement producer is Adam Abou-Gad. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

  • S1 · E2
    August 9 · 1 hr 15 min

    Why does Iran defeat the empires trying to conquer it? | Mehran Kamrava

    Why does every empire want Iran – and how has Iran outlasted attempts to control it? Long before the CIA-backed coup, there were wars with Russia and British control over oil and tobacco. Iran learned from its history of invasions, wars, and revolution – why do great powers keep making the same mistake? Political historian Dr. Mehran Kamrava reveals how great-power rivalry forged modern Iran. In this episode: Mehran Kamrava (@mehrankamrava), Political Historian, Georgetown University Qatar Episode credits: This episode was produced by Mohamed Hassan, Marcos Bartolomé, and Sonia Bhagat. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. Our engagement producer is Adam Abou-Gad. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Jo de Frias is Al Jazeera’s head of podcasts. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

  • S1 · E1
    July 26 · 1 hr

    Is Israel repeating the Crusaders' fatal mistake? | Roy Casagranda

    A European settler state in the heart of Palestine, ruled by religious zealots, fueled by Western arms. A divided Muslim world fights back. Sound familiar? We’re in 1099, when the First Crusade conquered Jerusalem and subjugated its native population. Just 88 years later, it was lost to Saladin’s newly united Muslim army. Why did the Crusaders fail to build an everlasting kingdom, and will Zionism meet the same fate? In this episode: Roy Casagranda (@DrRoyCasagranda), Political Philosopher Episode credits: This episode was produced by Mohamed Hassan and Marcos Bartolomé, with Sonia Bhagat. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. Our engagement producer is Adam Abou-Gad. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Jo de Frias is Al Jazeera's head of podcasts. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

  • July 23 · 1 min

    Deja Vu: New podcast from Al Jazeera

    Explore how past moments have shaped the crises we face today. Join host Mohamed Hassan for in-depth conversations with historians and public thinkers who reveal the patterns behind the headlines. Listen now for a preview; first full episode drops July 2026. Subscribe for updates.

Showing 1–5 of 5 episodes