Crafting Narratives and Influence: My University of Michigan lecture on Saudi sports

I visited Ann Arbor this week to speak at the University of Michigan's CMENAS colloquium about the evolution of Saudi Arabia's sports strategy. Listen to the entire lecture below.

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Ann Arbor is a lovely place.

I had the pleasure of spending a couple of days in the vibrant campus town earlier this week, when I was invited by Professor Jay Crisostomo to give a guest lecture at the University of Michigan’s Centre of Middle Eastern and North African Studies (CMENAS) colloquium. I strolled through the quaint, leafy streets, ate a reuben at the legendary Zingerman’s deli—Obama once called it a “killer” sandwich—and spent time with a collection of smart, engaging students.

The lecture was about a topic that Sports Politika readers will be well versed in: the evolution of Saudi Arabia sports strategy. I spoke for a little more than a hour about the kingdom’s rise in the sports world, some of its pivotal successes, and how those successes reflect the country’s political ambitions. I also shared some personal stories from Egypt, including how football and the Arab Spring helped shape my understanding of the world.

Listen to the entire lecture below.

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