Author Archives: Talal Asad

About Talal Asad

Talal Asad is Distinguished Professor of Anthropology (emeritus), The Graduate Center, City University of New York. He was born in Saudi Arabia, spent his childhood in British India and Pakistan, and was educated in Britain. He has taught in various universities in the Middle East as well as in England, France, and the United States.

Reflections on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

March 4, 2025 by
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In the remarks that follow, I focus on a few of the ways language is used to describe the violence unleashed by Israel on the Palestinians since October 7, 2023—with special reference to the university student protests against it. But I also want to speculate on what can be called “the seduction of power,” something to which not only humans in general but also victims in particular are liable. Power generates language which in turn often encourages and justifies cruelty. Continue reading →

Reflections on The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

March 21, 2024 by
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In the remarks that follow I want to focus on a few of the ways language is used to describe the violence unleashed by Israel on the Palestinians. We are all no doubt aware that language is related in complex ways to action – not only in describing and misdescribing reality but also in experiencing words and motivating action. I begin with a striking passage from an article by Brian Klug on the most recent Gaza massacre: “Sometimes it is better,” he writes, “to be Continue reading →