The Inside Story Podcast
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The Inside Story Podcast -- where we dissect, analyse and help define major global stories.
1420 Episodes
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Iran has significant oil and gas reserves and is a major supplier to China. A member of the U.S. 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 U.S. thinking? In this episode: Foad Izadi, Professor in the Faculty of World Studies at the University of Tehran Mohammad Reza Farzanegan, Professor of Middle East Economics at Marburg University Paolo von Schirach, President of the Global Policy Institute, an independent think-tank Host: Imran Khan Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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 the Middle East Institute in Washington DC Host: Tom McRae Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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, Professor, Kuwait University. Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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 of research in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution Serhan Afacan, Director of the Center of Iranian Studies in Ankara Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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, Europe, Asia Studies & a Senior Fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs General Dominique Trinquand, former head of the French military mission to the UN and NATO Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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 Leadership of Commanders for Israel's Security Nabeel Khoury, former U.S. Diplomat and non-resident fellow at the Arab Center. Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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 of the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center Christopher Hill, former US diplomat and ambassador to Iraq Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
Iran attacks Gulf Arab states, hitting civilian buildings and energy infrastructure, as well as U.S. bases. The impact of the American-Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic is felt across the region. What does this mean for Gulf states' relations with Iran and with the US? In this episode: Abdulaziz Alghashian, Senior non-resident fellow at the Gulf International Forum Bader Al Saif, Professor at Kuwait University, specialising in Middle East history and politics Foad Izadi, Professor in the Faculty of World Studies at the University of Tehran Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
Israel's assault on Iran comes while it's still attacking Gaza and Lebanon, after bombing Syria, Yemen, and Qatar in the past year. What are the risks for Israel opening another battlefront, and from the collapse, or the survival, of the Islamic Republic? In this episode: Alon Pinkas, Former Ambassador and Consul General of Israel in New York Rami Khouri, Distinguished Fellow at the American University of Beirut Mitchell Barak, CEO of Kevoon Research Strategy and Communications Host: Rishaad Salamat Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
2 Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khomeini assassinated in attacks by the US and Israel. There are huge crowds of mourners on the streets, and the complex process of selecting his successors are already underway. So, how does Iran work and how robust are these state systems now under attack? In this episode: Ibrahim Fraihat, Associate Professor, International Conflict Resolution, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. Sanam Vakil, Director, Middle East and North Africa Program, Chatham House. Elijah Magnier, Military and Political Analyst. Host: Rishaad Salamat Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
The US and Israel attack Iran - and Tehran retaliates, firing missiles at Israeli targets and US assets in the region. It follows a massive military build-up by Washington - and indirect talks between the US and Iran over its nuclear program. So how dangerous is the situation? In this episode: Daniel Levy - President of the U.S. / Middle East Project and a former Israeli negotiator Mehran Kamrava - Professor of Government at Georgetown University in Qatar Richard Weitz - Senior Fellow at NATO Defense College in Washington DC Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
"I am not backing down." That's what a defiant Nouri Al Maliki had to say, after the US objected to his return as Iraq's prime minister. Washington has set a Friday deadline for him to pullout. But what if he doesn't? And what would the implications be for Iraq? In this episode: Muhanad Seloom, assistant professor at Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Ahmed Rushdi, president of the House of Iraqi Expertise Foundation Kenneth Katzman, senior fellow at The Soufan Center Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
There has been another visit by a Western leader to China. This time, the German chancellor is in Beijing, saying he wants to reset ties. It comes against the backdrop of tensions between Europe and the United States. But can China be an alternative? And what does it have to offer? In this episode: Jost Wubbeke, Managing Partner at Sinolytics Harry Broadman, Former Assistant to the U.S. Trade Representative Dan Wang, Economist and Director on Eurasia Group's China team Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
"We have a great interest in creating an axis of our own." Those are the words of Benjamin Netanyahu as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes his second visit to Israel. In an increasingly volatile region, what's driving what Israel describes as its special relationship with India? In this episode: Alon Liel, Former director of Israel's Foreign Ministry and international relations commentator Andreas Krieg, Associate Professor at the School of Security Studies at King's College London Siddharth Vardarajan, Founding editor of The Wire, an Indian digital news portal Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
How much power do drug cartels have in Mexico? The killing of the leader of one the country's largest criminal organisations has sparked a wave of violence. But can Mexico win its war against drug trafficking? In this episode: Sergio Aguayo, Professor at the College of Mexico Chris Dalby, Author of 'CJNG: A Quick Guide to Mexico's Deadliest Cartel' Michael Vigil, former Chief of International Operations at the US Drug Enforcement Administration Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
More talks are planned for Thursday between Iran and the US, which is mobilising its largest military force since the invasion of Iraq more than two decades ago. There are mixed messages from President Donald Trump, while Tehran says it wants talks but is ready for war, too. So where do both sides stand? In this episode: Jamal Abdi, President of the National Iranian American Council Hassan Ahmadian, Assistant Professor at the University of Tehran Richard Weitz, Senior Fellow at NATO Defense College Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
US President Donald Trump slaps 15 percent trade levy on all imports. The move comes just a day after he'd set them at 10 percent - enraged by a Supreme Court ruling striking down much of his tariff regime. What are the global implications? In this episode: Deborah Elms, Head of Trade Policy, Hinrich Foundation. Rebecca Christie, Senior Fellow, Bruegel. Garima Kapoor, Deputy Head, Research, Elara Securities Host: Tom McRae Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace meets for the first time, pledging money, peacekeeping troops and investment for Gaza. Only one Palestinian was present, while major European nations stayed away. So, what did the gathering mean for the people of Gaza? In this episode: Rami Khouri, Distinguished Fellow at the American University of Beirut Gideon Levy, Columnist at the Haaretz Newspaper Hugh Lovatt, Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
Is social media addictive? Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg testifies in court, defending his company against charges of deliberately designing features that are addictive to children. Just how much influence does social media have on youth users? And how harmful could it be to their mental health? In this episode: Adele Walton, Online safety campaigner and author of Logging Off: The Human Cost of our Digital World Larry Magid, CEO of ConnectSafely.org Donna Dawson, psychologist focusing on personality and behaviour Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
The US has transferred thousands of detainees linked to the group from Syria to Iraq. It cites security concerns, but is the move enough to prevent ISIL from re-emerging in Syria? In this episode: Zeidon Alkinani, independent researcher on identity politics in Iraq and the Middle East Colin Clarke, executive director of The Soufan Center Sarah Sanbar, researcher in the Middle East and North Africa division at Human Rights Watch Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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but unfortunately, they are making a big deal out of it and they do not have the strength to do so. It is better for you not to trust them, but you know for yourself. 😂 We, the people, are eating the stick of our fathers' reassurance. Hoping for the liberation of Iran from the evil of Muslims and the eternal Shah ✌🏼
Actually, let me answer the question you asked about why the Islamic Republic attacked its neighboring countries and how this trust can be restored in the future: The Islamic Republic is in its last days and is struggling and has said many times before that if I want to be brought down, I will raze the entire Middle East to the ground, and they are trying to do this
As an Iranian, I am happy that Khamenei came to hell and all Iranians are happy about this. Just open your eyes to see the happiness of the Iranian people that America and Israel came like an angel and fulfilled our Iranian wish, which was the death of the child-killing, corrupt and stupid Khamenei. We are forever grateful to America and Israel.
Israeli American, not american israeli. when and where did Iran attack energy infrastructures? gone from journalism to baseless assertions?
Not sure who the speaker is who sounds like a stoned surfer, but he is very ignorant to how the rest of the world views the US. I think all us non-Americans have been burned by the trump administration's blatant lies and bullying, are fully aware that the US is completely unreliable. Right now you have a pedophile president trying to rig the midterms, selling trump 2028 merchandise, planning to federalize the vote and sink the US into a total autocracy and we do not trust you.
Who is the chimp defending trumps policies?
What ceasefire? The Israelis continue to attack and Gazan citizens daily. What serious, fair peace plan could possibly be brokered by the orthodox jewish son-in-law of trump? What a farce. Trump will demand a peace prize for a genocide he funded while he steals more land from the Palestinians to build trumpville. Sick world.
I wish I could listen to this without wanting to scream, but the host is so obnoxious... he cuts everyone off or talks over top of them. He is a very poor choice to host a debate!
Yes.
People remind me who started this war.
we all praying for peace
Why not mention the newly laid landmines? Cambodia is not a victim
As part of America I Just want to say, yes it's hard, it's difficult, it's even irrational was is happening in Gaza, but our countries also password through difficulties, hunger, and no one but USA has give US a hand to keep going. I hope the Palestinians could reach the peace with Israel some day
very quickly for Libia. That was funny!
Isincredible, how Brazil is taking relevance in America and has not being stopped yet. Let's see how BRICS increase it's rows and partner countries,if US allow it.
Sergey Markov, I didn't understand nor a Word from your opinion
wait, what? chump hopes iran will return to diplomacy? they were totally willing to talk and were in fact IN talks with the US. Israel attacked and then the US ran to do netanyahu's bidding.
very scary scenario indeed as the interviewer mentioned
Interviewer: Never invite Mamount to any interview. I wonder if Iran's misiles force could breake the Iron's curtain from Israel? yes or not
Very interesting