Atlas Network Podcast host Michael Carnuccio interviews Faisal Saeed Al Mutar, founder of Ideas Beyond Borders, about countering simplistic narratives of the Middle East by expanding access to liberty, free markets, scientific inquiry, and open debate through translation projects like House of Wisdom 2.0 and original regional content. Al Mutar describes audiences’ strongest interest in prosperity and understanding the region’s diversity, argues cultures are malleable and not destined for authoritarianism, and highlights reforms and entrepreneurial energy, including his Smart Bets-winning “Kurdistan Is Open for Business,” which helped move business registration in Iraqi Kurdistan from months to days and enabled over 7,000 registrations. He explains launching Middle East Uncovered to present nuanced, independent reporting amid lobbying and state-influenced narratives, shares examples of regional resilience, discusses personal risks and his background growing up in Iraq under Saddam and later Al-Qaeda control, and outlines a 10-year vision of a region with more visitors than escapees.

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Show Notes / Timestamps

00:00 Middle East Beyond Misery

00:32 Meet Faisal Saeed Al Mutar

02:27 Voices of Life vs Death

04:59 House of Wisdom Revival

07:09 Ideas People Want Most

08:32 Can Liberalism Work Here

12:04 Smart Bets Stage Moment

14:35 Liberty Forum Advice

16:37 Kurdistan Open for Business

20:25 Youth Hope and Oil Curse

25:30 Middle East Uncovered Mission

30:48 Untold Stories That Inspire

34:43 Risk and Resolve

38:04 How You Can Help

40:53 Does Support Move Needle

44:30 Rapid Fire Questions and Food

46:53 Faisal’s Iraq Story

50:35 Vision for 10 Years

53:09 Closing and Call to Action