The Inside Story Podcast How far will the Iran war spillover?
Mar 7, 2026
Serhan Afacan, director of the Center of Iranian Studies in Ankara, maps regional incidents and Turkey/Azerbaijan ties. Michael O'Hanlon, Brookings foreign policy researcher, evaluates U.S. strategy and military effects. Alam Saleh, ANU Iranian studies lecturer, explains Iranian strategy and domestic dynamics. They discuss geographic spread, confused strikes, factional command splits, and competing endgames in short, sharp conversations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Iran Uses Geography And Proxies To Multiply Deterrence
- Iran's strategy focused on prolonging and geographically expanding the conflict rather than seeking direct power parity.
- Alam Saleh describes Iran using proxies, geography like the Strait of Hormuz, and cheap missiles to exhaust regional defenses and raise costs for the US and Israel.
Air Power Can Hurt Iran But Won't Topple The Regime
- Michael O'Hanlon argues the US air campaign has killed top Iranian leaders and set back the country but has not achieved regime collapse.
- He notes air power rarely induces revolutions and Iran's opposition is weak after 47 years of repression.
Contradictory Claims Reveal Iranian Command Confusion
- Confusion and mixed claims followed attacks on neighbouring states, with Iranian leaders both apologising and denying strikes.
- Serhan Afacan highlights apologies from Iran's president and denials over strikes on Turkey and Azerbaijan as signs of disarray.