Middle East: From regional war to global conflict?

Should we be worried that the current situation in the Middle East can lead not only to the wider regional war but also to global conflict? Do you think that Russia/China might be willing to clash with the US/the West over Iran? Read a few comments. If you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you.

Podcast: What’s next for the Middle East after Iran attacks Israel?

I talked to James Dorsey, Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute of the National University of Singapore, Author of The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer. If you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you.

Credit: IDF

Podcast: Are we inching towards a big regional war in the Middle East?

Listen to Erwin van Veen, Senior Research Fellow, Clingendael Institute’s Conflict Research Unit, Head of Clingendael’s Middle East Program. If you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you.

Desert Tempest 23, a multilateral exercise hosted by Jordan to enhance military expertise and interoperability between the U.S., United Kingdom, and Jordanian Armed Forces. Credit: US Army)

Peacekeeping mission for Gaza: How (un)realistic is it?

According to Bloomberg agency the US and Israel are exploring options for the future of the Gaza Strip, including the possibility of a multinational force that may involve American troops if Israeli forces succeed in ousting Hamas, people familiar with the matter said.  I have to say, I can hardly imagine any US presence there and the fact is that National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson also said that sending US troops to Gaza as part of a peacekeeping force is not something that’s being considered or is under discussion. But in theory, can some kind of peacekeeping mission be a move forward, or it is probably unrealistic, and why? Read a few comments. If you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you.

Juniper Oak, a large-scale bilateral multi-domain exercise aimed to enhance interoperability between U.S. and Israeli took place in January.  Credit: US Air Force 

Does the Middle East face the prospect of wider regional war?

I know it is difficult to forecast, but do you think that we are approaching a bigger regional war in the Middle East and what it could look like? Or not, and why? Read a few comments. If you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you.

Credit: idf.il

Podcast: Why is Saudi Arabia buying footballers like crazy?

I talked to James Dorsey, Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute of the National University of Singapore, Author of The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer. If you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you.

Image by jamesmdorsey.net

Podcast: How far would Russia go to help Iran and vice versa?

I talked to Barbara Slavin, Distinguished Fellow, Stimson Center, Lecturer, George Washington University. If you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you.

Saudi Arabia: Loujain al-Hathloul was released from prison but…

Saudi women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul was released from prison but she is on probation for three years and she will also be banned from traveling for five years. And a score of women’s rights activists stay behind bars. So from your perspective, what does Loujain al-Hathloul’s case say about the approach of Saudi Arabia regime towards women’s rights activists, and perhaps also more broadly towards political dissidents and activists? Read a few comments.

Netanyahu in Saudi Arabia?: Any breakthrough?

It seems that Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu secretly flew to Saudi Arabia, met MBS and Pompeo. While it is hardly a secret that some Israeli-Saudi contacts exist, this looks like a different level. What does it mean for the region? How you read this, is this some kind of breakthrough, or is it mostly a reflection of pragmatism/realism/personal ties from all sides? Read few comments.

Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Credit: https://www.netanyahu.org.il

Beirut explosion: What’s next for Lebanon

We have just witnessed a huge catastrophe in Lebanon with dozens of killed. This happened on top of various political, economical and societal issues that the country faces, not to mention the Hariri trail with an expected verdict. What this “perfect storm” of problems mean for Lebanon, will the current tragedy exacerbate the existing problems, or perhaps it might lead to some unity and perhaps to efforts to solve the most pressing issues? Read few comments.

Credit: Andrej Matisak