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)

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.

Podcast: What to criticize about Qatar’s World Cup? And what’s next for protests in Iran?

I talked to Arash Azizi, PhD candidate in History at New York University (NYU), Author of The Shadow Commander: Soleimani, the US and Iran’s Global Ambitions.

What’s next for Iran amid Mahsa Amini’s protests?

Read a few comments.

Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Credit: http://english.khamenei.ir/

US-Iran relations: Towards a further escalation?

There are many discussions that China and Iran have nearly completed a security pact, lots of rumours about series of accidents in Iran, and Iran has just fired at mock-up of US aircraft carrier in the Strait of Hormuz. Do you you think we might enter another phase of very high tensions between Tehran and Washington, also taking into account that the US presidential elections are approaching fast? Read few comments.

Look who’s talking. Ayatollah Khamenei

How do you read a public statement of Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, why do you think he felt it was needed to lead Friday prayers in Tehran for the first time since 2012? Read few comments.

Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Credit: http://english.khamenei.ir/

Where could Iran’s nuclear program be heading?

Read few comments.

The killing of General Qasem Soleimani: What’s (perhaps) next for US-Iran relations?

The US said the death of General Qasem Suleimani should deter Tehran from future attacks on American assets. But Iran vows revenge over his killing. So in your opinion, what’s next? Another escalation that could perhaps lead to full scale war? Or maybe something less dramatic, and why? Read few comments.