The Inside Story Podcast

As the conflict in the Middle East escalates, Gulf nations are seeking new defence partnerships. Saudi Arabia and Qatar has signed deals with Ukraine to gain access to its drone expertise. Could other countries follow suit? And would it make a difference on the ground? In this episode:  Dania Thafer - Executive Director of the Gulf International Forum, a think-tank based in Washington DC Olek...

The Iran war is hitting Gulf Arab nations hard, but with a wider impact in today's interlinked world.  As well as global oil and gas supplies, Gulf states play a critical role in many economies. So how are they connected — and what could be at risk?  In this episode:  Nikolay Kozjharnov, Research Associate Professor in Energy Security at the Gulf Studies Center at Qatar Univer...

Iran sets out its conditions for an end to the war — rejecting the US list of 15 demands. Tehran says they don't reflect reality, while Donald Trump threatens to 'unleash hell' if his terms aren't met. What are the red lines for both sides?  In this episode:  Abas Aslani, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies Ellie Geranmayeh, Senior Policy Fellow a...

Iran has kept up attacks on neighbouring Gulf states and Israel, despite intense US and Israeli bombing, with senior Iranian figures assassinated. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, limiting the transit of vital energy supplies. So what's Iran's strategy - and what are its options?  In this episode:  Foad Izadi, Professor at the Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehra...

Millions of Israelis forced to take shelter day and night, from repeated Iranian missile attacks. The economic shockwaves of the war Israel and the US have launched against Iran are being felt across the world. How is it affecting Israel and its future?  In this episode:  Gideon Levy, columnist at Haaretz Newspaper.  Alex Coman, professor at Holon Institute of Technology Dan Perry,...

Schools and hospitals bombed. Strikes on apartment buildings. Energy facilities targeted. And attacks on neighbouring states. Have Israel, the US, and Iran broken international law in the war, or what legal justification might they claim?  In this episode:  Geoffrey Nice, Human rights lawyer and former International Criminal Court prosecutor. Brian Finucane, Senior Adviser with the U.S....

Who's left running Iran? Much of the top leadership has been assassinated but the country is still fighting. How has it been able to withstand such blows? And can the Iranian government survive this war? In this episode:  Hamidreza Gholamzadeh, Director, House of Diplomacy. Ali Vaez, Director, Iran Project, International Crisis Group. Tim Ripley, Editor, Defence Eye. Host:&nbsp...

The Yemeni armed group says it's ready for any developments in the ongoing confrontation. Given their proximity to the Red Sea, what could the Houthis' involvement mean for this vital maritime route? In this episode:  Farea Al Muslimi - Research Fellow in the Middle East and North Africa Program at Chatham House   Khaled Batarfi - Political analyst who specialises in Saudi foreign policy...

Energy prices have soared since Israel attacked Iran's South Pars gas field. Iran has targeted oil and gas facilities in neighbouring countries since early in the war. And it's warned of more to come. In this episode:  Mohsen Baharvand, Former Iranian ambassador to the United Kingdom Jim Walsh, Research associate in MIT's Security Studies Program John Sfakianakis, Chief economist at the...

Israel assassinated Iran's supreme leader on the first day of the war — killing senior military, intelligence and political figures afterwards. For decades, assassination has been Israeli policy. But what has the strategy achieved? And is it becoming normalised?  In this episode:  Rami Khouri, Distinguished Fellow at the American University of Beirut Illan Pappe, Israeli historian...

Relentless US and Israeli attacks on Iran killed top figures with thousands of air-strikes across the country. Iran has retaliated, hitting Israel and Gulf neighbours, targeting energy facilities and supply routes. So what are Iran's options now?  In this episode:  Elijah Magnier, Military and political analyst who specialises in wars in the Middle East Setareh Sadeqi, Assistant Professo...

Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has wanted to attack Iran for his entire political career, and he finally got his way with Donald Trump in the White House. Within Israel, there's huge support for the war. So how could it impact Netanyahu's political future?  In this episode:  Alon Pinkas, former Ambassador and Consul General of Israel in New York  Dahlia Scheindlin, polit...

The Strait of Hormuz has effectively been closed to most shipping since the US and Israel attacked Iran — sending energy prices soaring worldwide. The marine channel in the Gulf had been the gateway for 20% of global energy supplies. What difficulties does this pose for Donald Trump?  In this episode:  Eli Bremer, Republican Strategist and Retired Major in the U.S. Air Force ...

What's the impact of the war in Iran on China? The two countries are close trading partners. Yet, Beijing has largely stayed away from lending any support to Tehran. But what does China stand to lose in this latest conflict in the Middle East? In this episode:  Shaun RHINE, Founder and Managing Director, China Market Research Group.  Barbara Slavin, Distinguished Fellow, Stimson Center.&...

The already bad situation in Gaza...is getting worse as the war in Iran rages on. The humanitarian crisis is deepening and efforts to enforce the US-brokered ceasefire are put on hold. So, is the world ignoring Gaza? And how's that benefitting Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu? In this episode:  Abdulla Al Etaibi - Assistant Professor in International Affairs at Qatar U...

With Lebanon under fire, the UN chief visits Beirut, calling for peace. Israel's bombing campaign has displaced nearly a million people. Now, its troops are advancing and threatening to stay. So, what's the endgame?  In this episode:  Nadim Houry, Executive Director of the Arab Reform Initiative Maureen Philippon, Norwegian Refugee Council’s country director for Lebanon Nicholas No...

Does US President Donald Trump have an exit strategy for the war with Iran? He is reportedly under pressure to set a deadline. But with contradicting statements from his administration, when will this offensive end? And on what terms? In this episode:  Adolfo Franco, U.S. Republican strategist and former adviser to U.S. Senator John McCain Foad Izadi, Professor in the Faculty of World Studies...

Europe is under pressure as the conflict in the Middle East continues, and is now competing with Asia for scarcer oil and gas supplies. Rocketing prices benefit Russia and weaken sanctions imposed for the war in Ukraine, with Europe wary of antagonising Donald Trump. How is the Iran war impacting all these?  In this episode:  Steven Erlanger, Chief Diplomatic Correspondent for Europe at...

Iran has significant oil and gas reserves and is a major supplier to China. A member of the US president's inner circle says control of them is a key American aim. So how valuable are Iran's natural resources? And could they be a factor in US thinking?  In this episode:  Foad Izadi, Professor in the Faculty of World Studies at the University of Tehran Mohammad Reza Farzanegan, Professor...

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei replaces his assassinated father. His selection sends a defiant message to the US and Israel as they attack the country. So, who is Iran's new leader, and what does his appointment mean?  In this episode:  Hassan Ahmadian, Associate Professor at the University of Tehran Mehran Kamrava, Professor at Georgetown University in Qatar Alex Vatanka, Senior Fellow at t...

Tehran has carried out more attacks on Gulf states despite an apology by the president to Iran's neighbours. Civilian targets have been hit, including airports and vital infrastructure. Who's in control in Iran and how will Gulf states react as the attacks continue? In this episode:  John Brennan, Former Director, Central Intelligence Agency under the Obama administration.  Bader Al-Saif...

From the Gulf countries, to Lebanon, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Cyprus and Sri Lanka - the conflict has been spreading. But what are the dangers of this war expanding even further beyond the Middle East? In this episode:  Alam Saleh, Senior Lecturer in Iranian Studies at Centre for Arab & Islamic Studies at  Australian National University Michael O'Hanlon, Senior fellow and director o...

Some of Washington's allies have been critical, saying they won't join the conflict. And as fighting escalates, the US is still struggling to garner support from its partners. But does it need them to continue to wage this war? In this episode:  Anatol Lieven, Director of the Eurasia Programme at Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft Theresa Fallon, Director of the Centre for Russia, Eu...

Hezbollah has been attacking Israel - as it pummels southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut. That's despite the Lebanese government's ban on Hezbollah's military activities. What will be the fallout for Lebanon? In this episode:  Heiko Wimmen, Project Director Iraq, Syria, Lebanon for the International Crisis Group Nimrod Novik, former Senior Policy Adviser to Shimon Peres and member of Leadersh...

Iran stands at a crossroads. With its top leadership assassinated early in the joint US-Israeli offensive, the remaining layers of power have been trying to maintain control. There are concerns that after January's mass anti-government demonstrations, this war would lead to chaos. In this episode:  Sasan Karimi, former deputy to Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs Maha Yahya, Director...