The Inside Story Podcast

Haim Bresheeth, SOAS professor of Middle East politics; Gideon Levy, Haaretz columnist and critic of Israeli policy; Ilan Pappe, historian of Israeli history. They debate political backlash to a ceasefire, whether Israeli society normalizes perpetual war, the media’s role in jingoism, rising extremism, dehumanization of Palestinians, and if force can truly solve security threats.

Daniel Kelemen, Georgetown law and politics professor, maps Hungary’s EU role and foreign influence. Gabor Scheiring, former MP, explores economic exhaustion and inequality driving backlash. Istvan Kiss, political scientist and former adviser, unpacks domestic dynamics and electoral competitiveness. They discuss Orbán’s slipping support, international stakes, Russia’s ties, EU leverage and potential effects on Ukraine.

Rob Geist Pinfold, lecturer in international security at King's College London, provides strategic analysis. Nadim Houry, Arab Reform Initiative director, offers perspective on Lebanese politics. Hassan Ahmadian, Iranian foreign policy scholar, explains Tehran's regional posture. They discuss the axis of resistance, Islamabad negotiations, Israel’s strikes in Lebanon, Hezbollah’s autonomy, and what Iran considers nonnegotiable.

Kim Whaley, constitutional law professor warning of eroded presidential norms. Sanam Vakil, Middle East expert explaining regional calculations and allies’ unease. Robert Pape, security scholar on escalation and shifting global power. They discuss Trump's rhetoric, the fragile ceasefire, diplomatic confusion, desensitisation at home, and what the conflict might mean for world order.

Maximilian Hess, policy analyst on Russia–Iran ties; Afshin Shahi, Middle East historian; Leonid Ragozin, Russia/Eurasia journalist. They discuss Moscow’s strategic balancing with Washington, two centuries of fraught Russia–Iran history, Iran’s 2022 drone support and Russia’s shifting reliability, possible Russian intelligence aid, and how higher oil prices benefit Moscow.

Alicia Sanders-Zakre, nuclear disarmament policy lead focused on humanitarian impacts; Abas Aslani, Middle East security analyst with Iranian perspective; Tariq Rauf, former IAEA verification chief with safeguards expertise. They discuss why Bushehr has been struck, the plant's vulnerability and environmental risks, legal prohibitions on targeting reactors, and how attacks affect verification, regional stability and public safety.

Xavier Abu Eid, former PLO communications director, gives political context on the West Bank and Gaza. Alex de Waal, famine and humanitarian crises expert, examines food insecurity and global response. Dr Mohammed Tahir, orthopedic surgeon with frontline Gaza experience, reports on medical collapse and access barriers. They discuss aid restrictions, famine risk, reconstruction politics, and the erosion of protections for civilians.

Ali Salman, CEO of PRIME, advocates market-based economic fixes. Kaiser Bengali, economist and former Balochistan policy lead, warns of structural import dependence and fiscal waste. Michael Kugelman, South Asia expert, maps geopolitical and security risks. They discuss Pakistan's Middle East energy reliance, reform challenges, agricultural and social impacts, and grassroots solar resilience.

Craig Murray, former head of the UK Maritime Section, gives practical naval and historical perspective. Rockford Weitz, Tufts maritime law expert, explains legal and navigation options. Hassan Ahmadian, Iranian foreign policy scholar, outlines Tehran’s political and legal rationale. They discuss international law, wartime rights, alternate shipping routes, military vs diplomatic options, and potential tolls and agreements.

Yossi Mekelberg, Chatham House fellow on Israeli public opinion; Gordon Gray, Georgetown expert on Gulf affairs and former U.S. ambassador; Daniel Levy, U.S./Middle East Project president and ex-Israeli negotiator. They debate Israel’s aims in strikes on Iran. Short takes on shifting public support, U.S. decision-making, military goals and regional power plays. Tense snapshots of missiles, diplomacy and political risks.