Political objectives versus military operations

In this Conflicted Conversation, Thomas speaks with Ali Ansari, Professor of Modern Middle East History at the University of St Andrews.

Prof. Ansari discusses:

• The depth and antiquity of Iranian culture
• His childhood experiences inside the Shah's inner circle
• The Shah's biggest mistake
• How the revolution could have better built upon what it inherited
• The huge incompetence and corruption that has undermined Iran's political economy
• How the new Supreme Leader is the IRGC's man
• The clarity of America's military aims alongside the opacity of its political aims
• The real weaknesses of the Iran Nuclear Deal
• How Iranians inside Iran feel about the regime and the war

Follow Prof. Ansari on X: ⁠https://x.com/aa51_ansari

Join the Conflicted Community here: ⁠https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm ⁠

Find Conflicted on X: ⁠https://x.com/MHconflicted⁠

And Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted⁠

And Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/conflictedpod⁠

And YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sdlF1mY5t4⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠

Conflicted is a Message Heard production.

Executive Producers: Jake Warren & Max Warren.

This episode was produced and edited by Thomas Small.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices