Selected interviews, features, and media appearances in print, podcasts, and television.
Rana Sweis joins a World Refugee Day conversation hosted by WUSC to reflect on nearly two decades of reporting on refugees and displacement, the human stories behind the headlines, and Jordan’s experience as one of the world’s leading refugee-hosting countries.
Rana Sweis joins Mirca Madianou of Goldsmiths, University of London, and Nathaniel Raymond of Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab to discuss the role of AI and emerging technologies in humanitarian response, examining when technology can be a force for good and when it risks reinforcing existing inequalities and creating new forms of harm.
Rana Sweis joins host Daniel Rosney and Jonathan Dagher of Reporters Without Borders to discuss Jordan’s monarchy, economic and political challenges, relations with the United States, press freedom, and the 2021 royal crisis.
Rana Sweis joins a Chatham House panel of experts to examine the impact of the war in Gaza on Jordan, including its domestic and security consequences, regional spillover, the strain on Jordan–Israel relations, and Jordan’s diplomatic role in the region.
Rana Sweis joins the Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ World Review alongside Steve Erlanger of The New York Times, Bobby Ghosh of Bloomberg Opinion, and Elise Labott of Foreign Policy to discuss political developments in Jordan, renewed Iran nuclear talks, and growing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
Rana Sweis joins DW to discuss the political crisis in Jordan, following reports that former Crown Prince Hamzah bin Hussein had been placed under house arrest and the detention of several senior figures over security concerns. The segment examines the unfolding events, domestic political and economic pressures, and concerns over stability in a country long regarded as a key regional ally.
Rana Sweis joins BBC World Service to discuss the political crisis in Jordan, following reports that former Crown Prince Hamzah bin Hussein had been placed under house arrest and the detention of several senior figures over security concerns.
Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks with Rana Sweis about the political crisis in Jordan and developments surrounding King Abdullah II’s half-brother, who said he had been placed under house arrest.
Voices of Jordan is reviewed in Contemporary Review of the Middle East, the flagship journal of the Middle East Institute, New Delhi, which publishes research and analysis on contemporary Middle Eastern politics, security, economics, and culture.
Rana Sweis joins New Lines Magazine to discuss King Abdullah II’s visit to the White House, U.S.–Jordan relations, and Jordan’s political and strategic role in the region.
Voices of Jordan is featured in The Irish Times’ “Book Ambassadors,” in which Irish diplomats around the world recommend books that offer readers insights into the countries and cultures where they serve.
Top of Mind, BYU Radio (Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, United States)
Rana joined a discussion on the unintended consequences of microfinance in Jordan, where loans intended to help low-income women build businesses and improve their livelihoods have left many trapped in cycles of debt. The conversation examined how microloans can function more like payday loans for vulnerable borrowers and how Jordan’s legal framework at the time exposed women who defaulted on their debts to the risk of imprisonment.
In “A Realistic Snapshot of Jordanian Society,” Martina Sabra reviews Voices of Jordan, describing its portraits as a “fascinating mosaic of Jordanian society” that captures a country undergoing profound social change and awakening.
Sally Bland reviews Voices of Jordan in The Jordan Times, praising the “sensitivity, sincerity and pure grace” of its portraits and its focus on the human side of contemporary Jordan, exploring how social and political issues shape people’s everyday lives.
ضمن فقرة «زووم إن» في برنامج «لكِ»، تستضيف أسرة البرنامج الصحافية والكاتبة الأردنية رنا صويص للحديث عن كتابها «أصوات الأردن»، وفكرته ومحتواه، إلى جانب تجربتها الصحافية وتغطيتها للقضايا السياسية والاجتماعية وقضايا اللاجئين في الشرق الأوسط.
تشارك الصحافية والكاتبة رنا صويص في نقاش حول كتاب الدكتور حسن البراري «الأردن وإسرائيل: علاقة مضطربة في إقليم ملتهب»، متناولةً العلاقات الأردنية الإسرائيلية وتعقيداتها في ظل التحولات السياسية والأمنية التي تشهدها المنطقة
Rana Sweis gives a talk on her book Voices of Jordan, followed by a discussion on Jordan’s role in the Middle East, its domestic challenges, and its efforts to navigate regional conflict and instability.
Rana Sweis joins WBEZ’s Worldview to discuss Jordan’s role in the Middle East, U.S.–Jordan relations, the impact of regional conflicts and the Syrian refugee crisis, as well as her book Voices of Jordan, which tells the story of the country through the lives of ordinary people.
Rana Sweis joins TRT World’s Money Talks as a guest commentator to discuss the resignation of Jordan’s prime minister following widespread protests over austerity measures and proposed economic reforms.
Rana Sweis joins former Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister Jawad Anani on TRT World’s The Newsmakers to discuss protests in Jordan and public opposition to the government’s proposed tax increases.
Rana Sweis joins Hassan Barari, Mamoun Abu Nowar and Bessma Momani on CGTN’s The Heat for a panel discussion on Jordan’s protests, the causes of growing public unrest, and the political and economic pressures facing the country.
Rana Sweis joins Al Ordon Al Yoom by phone to discuss journalism credibility, the changing media landscape, and the role of social media in Arabic-language news.
تستضيف فقرة «يوم جديد» الصحافية والكاتبة رنا صويص للحديث عن كتابها «أصوات من الأردن»، الذي يروي قصص مجموعة من الأردنيين ويقدم من خلالها صورة عن المجتمع الأردني وتحولاته السياسية والاجتماعية
Rana Sweis is featured in The Jordan Times in an article examining the contribution and role of women journalists in Jordan.
Rana Sweis joins The Takeaway to discuss the case of American aid worker Kayla Mueller, who was held hostage by ISIS and whose death was confirmed in February 2015.
Rana Sweis joins LBC Radio to discuss developments in the ISIS hostage crisis and the reaction in Jordan amid efforts to secure the release of Jordanian pilot Moath Al-Kasasbeh.
Rana Sweis speaks with John Hockenberry on The Takeaway about the hostage exchange standoff between Jordan and ISIS and Jordan’s offer to trade a convicted prisoner for the release of Jordanian pilot Moath Al-Kasasbeh.
Rana Sweis speaks with John Hockenberry on The Takeaway about American aid worker Kayla Mueller, who was being held hostage by ISIS in Syria.
Rana Sweis speaks with host Brooke Gladstone about reactions in the Middle East to the Chapel Hill shooting and the debate it sparked over perceived double standards in American media coverage.
Session III – Potential Scenarios for the Region
Rana Sweis joins Bahey el-Din Hassan, Alexander Dynkin, Rima Marrouch and Mazin Qumsiyeh for a panel discussion exploring potential political and social scenarios for the region. The session was moderated by Adam Daniel Rotfeld.
Bodrum, Turkey | October 12–14, 2012
Rana Sweis participated in the 8th Bodrum Roundtable, bringing together journalists, policymakers, economists, and international affairs experts to discuss political and economic developments in the Middle East, and European policy in the region. Speakers included Leila Abboud, Egemen Bağış, Carl Bildt, Thomas Carothers, Kemal Derviş, Daniel Gros, David Miliband, Nickolay Mladenov, John Peet, Richard Youngs, and others.