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)

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.

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

Can Trump’s peace plan lead to some viable diplomatic process?

Do you think President Donald Trump’s peace plan could lead to something substantial in the (at this moment basically non-existent) Israeli–Palestinian peace process, or most probably not, and why? Read few comments.

Kurds in Syria: Trump’s decision will likely inflame more conflict

As the US President Donald Trump makes way for Turkey operation against Kurds in Syria how do you read this move and in your opinion could it mean something for the future of Syria? Read few comments.

Could US-Iran relations erupt into a military conflict?

How much we should be worried about the continuing escalation between the US and Iran? Do you see any indications that the current situation might lead to some military action (from any side), or you perhaps see this less dramatically? Read few comments.