#17 - Can Diplomacy Survive the Middle East?
Description
Welcome back to the Diplomacy and Discourse Podcast! In this episode, we will unpack the latest developments in the most volatile region on Earth — the Middle East.
June 2025 marked a chilling escalation as Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a surprise strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. What followed was a storm of retaliation, missile fire, and regional mobilization, turning what began in Gaza into a full-blown multi-front conflict. From Hezbollah rockets in Lebanon to Houthi drones in the Red Sea, the region is now entangled in a kinetic and symbolic war reshaping power dynamics across the Middle East.
But this isn’t just a military story — it’s a diplomatic, digital, and psychological one. We explore how social media shaped public sentiment, how misinformation muddied the truth, and how the world’s powers scrambled to keep the peace.
We will dive deep into the role of economic incentives in diplomacy, the impact of non-state actors, and how domestic politics (especially in Israel and the U.S.) continue to derail peace efforts. From failed negotiations and shifting alliances to climate stress and tech solutions, this episode covers the full spectrum of crisis and opportunity in today’s geopolitical landscape.
United States
