The Inside Story Podcast

Rockford Weitz, maritime security expert on shipping chokepoints; Khaled Batarfi, analyst of Saudi foreign policy; Farea al-Muslimi, Yemen and regional dynamics researcher. They explore Houthi control of Bab al-Mandeb and asymmetric naval threats. They discuss why Houthis may hesitate to escalate, recent US strikes and impacts on insurance, rerouting and global trade.

Mohsen Baharvand, former Iranian ambassador to the UK with diplomatic insight; Jim Walsh, MIT security specialist on deterrence and escalation; John Sfakianakis, Gulf Research Center chief economist on regional energy markets. They discuss strikes on energy and desalination sites, how regional states are caught between Iran and the US, risks of conflict escalation, and lasting impacts on global oil supply and prices.

Luca Trenta, Swansea University expert on covert action; Ilan Pappe, Israeli historian critical of Zionist policy; Rami Khouri, seasoned Middle East analyst. They discuss Israel's long practice of targeted killings. Conversations cover the historical roots, domestic and strategic motives, erosion of taboos against striking leaders, legal implications, and how such tactics shape regional dynamics.

Elijah Magnier, a military and political analyst on Middle East wars; Mehran Kamrava, an academic on Gulf diplomacy and mediation; Setareh Sadeqi, an Iranian political scholar. They probe Iran’s strategic choices after high-profile killings. Short takes cover Iran’s rejection of diplomacy, limits on strikes, realism of ground invasion, Gulf states’ dilemma, and prospects for third-party mediation.

Alon Pinkas, former Israeli ambassador with deep diplomatic experience; Dahlia Scheindlin, Tel Aviv pollster and electoral analyst; Mitchell Barak, political strategist and ex-aide to Netanyahu. They discuss Netanyahu's political resilience. They explore high public support for war versus low trust, the muted opposition response, wartime unity and the role of international opinion.

The Strait of Hormuz has effectively been closed to most shipping since the US and Israel attacked Iran — sending energy prices soaring worldwide. The marine channel in the Gulf had been the gateway for 20% of global energy supplies. What difficulties does this pose for Donald Trump?  In this episode:  Eli Bremer, Republican Strategist and Retired Major in the U.S. Air Force  Andreas Krieg, Associate Professor at the School of Security Studies at King's College London Patrick Bury, Defence and Security Expert at the University of Bath  Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Hassan Ahmadian, Tehran-based associate professor offering on-the-ground political perspective. Barbara Slavin, Stimson Center analyst with deep Middle East and US policy experience. Sean Ryan, China market specialist focused on trade and energy ties. They discuss China–Iran economic links, limits on military backing, energy vulnerabilities and how Beijing balances relations across the Gulf in a shifting geopolitical landscape.

Gordon Gray, former U.S. ambassador with deep policy experience; Mohamed Salah, Gaza-based NGO founder reporting on humanitarian realities; Abdullah Al-Ataybi, political scientist analyzing Gulf diplomacy. They discuss Gaza’s worsening humanitarian conditions. They unpack stalled aid deals, shifting global attention to Iran, political consequences for Netanyahu, and doubts about regional stabilization efforts.

A deep look at mounting violence in south Lebanon and how peacekeeping forces are stretched thin. Conversations about massive civilian displacement and collapsing shelters. Analysis of strikes hitting infrastructure and the risk of sectarian escalation. Debate over whether military aims include creating a buffer or expanding operations and what that means for regional stability.

Foad Izadi, Iranian professor offering Tehran’s perspective; Lawrence Wilkerson, retired U.S. Army colonel and foreign policy critic; Adolfo Franco, Republican strategist and McCain adviser. They debate whether a U.S. off-ramp exists. They clash over objectives, legality, intelligence readings, Iran’s likely demands, escalation risks, and the possibility of ground troops and regime-change aims.