The Inside Story Podcast

Iran sets out its conditions for an end to the war — rejecting the US list of 15 demands. Tehran says they don't reflect reality, while Donald Trump threatens to 'unleash hell' if his terms aren't met. What are the red lines for both sides? 

In this episode: 

• Abas Aslani, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies
• Ellie Geranmayeh, Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Fore...

Iran has kept up attacks on neighbouring Gulf states and Israel, despite intense US and Israeli bombing, with senior Iranian figures assassinated. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, limiting the transit of vital energy supplies. So what's Iran's strategy - and what are its options? 

In this episode: 

• Foad Izadi, Professor at the Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran
• Mehran Kamrava, Professor at...

Millions of Israelis forced to take shelter day and night, from repeated Iranian missile attacks. The economic shockwaves of the war Israel and the US have launched against Iran are being felt across the world. How is it affecting Israel and its future? 

In this episode: 

• Gideon Levy, columnist at Haaretz Newspaper. 
• Alex Coman, professor at Holon Institute of Technology
• Dan Perry, political analyst, former edit...

Schools and hospitals bombed. Strikes on apartment buildings. Energy facilities targeted. And attacks on neighbouring states. Have Israel, the US, and Iran broken international law in the war, or what legal justification might they claim? 

In this episode: 

• Geoffrey Nice, Human rights lawyer and former International Criminal Court prosecutor.
• Brian Finucane, Senior Adviser with the U.S. Program at International Crisi...

Who's left running Iran? Much of the top leadership has been assassinated but the country is still fighting. How has it been able to withstand such blows? And can the Iranian government survive this war?

In this episode: 

• Hamidreza Gholamzadeh, Director, House of Diplomacy.
• Ali Vaez, Director, Iran Project, International Crisis Group.
• Tim Ripley, Editor, Defence Eye.

Host: James Bays 

Connec...

The Yemeni armed group says it's ready for any developments in the ongoing confrontation. Given their proximity to the Red Sea, what could the Houthis' involvement mean for this vital maritime route?

In this episode: 

• Farea Al Muslimi - Research Fellow in the Middle East and North Africa Program at Chatham House

   

• Khaled Batarfi - Political analyst who specialises in Saudi foreign policy

   

• Rockford Weitz - ...

Energy prices have soared since Israel attacked Iran's South Pars gas field. Iran has targeted oil and gas facilities in neighbouring countries since early in the war. And it's warned of more to come.

In this episode: 

• Mohsen Baharvand, Former Iranian ambassador to the United Kingdom
• Jim Walsh, Research associate in MIT's Security Studies Program
• John Sfakianakis, Chief economist at the Gulf Research Center

Hos...

Israel assassinated Iran's supreme leader on the first day of the war — killing senior military, intelligence and political figures afterwards. For decades, assassination has been Israeli policy. But what has the strategy achieved? And is it becoming normalised? 

In this episode: 

• Rami Khouri, Distinguished Fellow at the American University of Beirut
• Illan Pappe, Israeli historian and chairperson of the Nakba M...

Relentless US and Israeli attacks on Iran killed top figures with thousands of air-strikes across the country. Iran has retaliated, hitting Israel and Gulf neighbours, targeting energy facilities and supply routes. So what are Iran's options now? 

In this episode: 

• Elijah Magnier, Military and political analyst who specialises in wars in the Middle East
• Setareh Sadeqi, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of World Stud...

Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has wanted to attack Iran for his entire political career, and he finally got his way with Donald Trump in the White House. Within Israel, there's huge support for the war. So how could it impact Netanyahu's political future? 

In this episode: 

• Alon Pinkas, former Ambassador and Consul General of Israel in New York 
• Dahlia Scheindlin, political consultant and pollster b...

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 Profe...

What's the impact of the war in Iran on China? The two countries are close trading partners.Yet, Beijing has largely stayed away from lending any support to Tehran. But what does China stand to lose in this latest conflict in the Middle East?

In this episode: 

• Shaun RHINE, Founder and Managing Director, China Market Research Group. 

• Barbara Slavin, Distinguished Fellow, Stimson Center. 

• Hassan Ahmadian, Ass...

The already bad situation in Gaza...is getting worse as the war in Iran rages on. The humanitarian crisis is deepening and efforts to enforce the US-brokered ceasefire are put on hold. So, is the world ignoring Gaza? And how's that benefitting Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu?

In this episode: 

• Abdulla Al Etaibi - Assistant Professor in International Affairs at Qatar University.

   

• Mohammed ...

With Lebanon under fire, the UN chief visits Beirut, calling for peace. Israel's bombing campaign has displaced nearly a million people. Now, its troops are advancing and threatening to stay. So, what's the endgame? 

In this episode: 

• Nadim Houry, Executive Director of the Arab Reform Initiative
• Maureen Philippon, Norwegian Refugee Council’s country director for Lebanon
• Nicholas Noe, Editor-in-Chief of the Beir...

Does US President Donald Trump have an exit strategy for the war with Iran? He is reportedly under pressure to set a deadline. But with contradicting statements from his administration, when will this offensive end? And on what terms?

In this episode: 

• Adolfo Franco, U.S. Republican strategist and former adviser to U.S. Senator John McCain
• Foad Izadi, Professor in the Faculty of World Studies at the University of Tehran
• L...

Europe is under pressure as the conflict in the Middle East continues, and is now competing with Asia for scarcer oil and gas supplies. Rocketing prices benefit Russia and weaken sanctions imposed for the war in Ukraine, with Europe wary of antagonising Donald Trump. How is the Iran war impacting all these? 

In this episode: 

• Steven Erlanger, Chief Diplomatic Correspondent for Europe at The New York Times
• Chris Weafe...

Iran has significant oil and gas reserves and is a major supplier to China. A member of the US president's inner circle says control of them is a key American aim. So how valuable are Iran's natural resources? And could they be a factor in US thinking? 

In this episode: 

• Foad Izadi, Professor in the Faculty of World Studies at the University of Tehran
• Mohammad Reza Farzanegan, Professor of Middle East Economics at Ma...

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei replaces his assassinated father. His selection sends a defiant message to the US and Israel as they attack the country. So, who is Iran's new leader, and what does his appointment mean? 

In this episode: 

• Hassan Ahmadian, Associate Professor at the University of Tehran
• Mehran Kamrava, Professor at Georgetown University in Qatar
• Alex Vatanka, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute in Wa...

Tehran has carried out more attacks on Gulf states despite an apology by the president to Iran's neighbours. Civilian targets have been hit, including airports and vital infrastructure. Who's in control in Iran and how will Gulf states react as the attacks continue?

In this episode: 

• John Brennan, Former Director, Central Intelligence Agency under the Obama administration. 
• Bader Al-Saif, Professor, Kuwait University...