The Inside Story Podcast

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Is the Iran war benefitting Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu? Mar 14, 2026

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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 Salah - Founder, 'Tech From Palestine' NGO.
Gordon Gray - Former U.S. Ambassador and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.
Host: James Bays

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What is Israel’s endgame in Lebanon? Mar 13, 2026

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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 Beirut-based news service, Mideastwire.com

Host: James Bays

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Does Donald Trump have an exit strategy for the war with Iran? Mar 12, 2026

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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
Lawrence Wilkerson, Retired U.S. Army colonel and former Chief of Staff for U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell

Host: Sami Zeidan

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Why does the Iran war pose more dilemmas for Europe? Mar 11, 2026

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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 Weafer, CEO of Macro-Advisory, a strategic consultancy focused on Russia and Eurasia
Alan Tonelson, Economist and founder of the RealityChek blog

Host: Imran Khan

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How valuable are Iran's natural resources? Mar 10, 2026

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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 Marburg University
Paolo von Schirach, President of the Global Policy Institute, an independent think-tank

Host: Imran Khan

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Who is Iran's new leader? Mar 09, 2026

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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 Washington DC

Host: Tom McRae

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How will Gulf states react as Iranian attacks continue? Mar 08, 2026

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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.
Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.

Host: James Bays

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How far will the Iran war spillover? Mar 07, 2026

Show notes

From the Gulf countries, to Lebanon, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Cyprus and Sri Lanka - the conflict has been spreading. But what are the dangers of this war expanding even further beyond the Middle East?

In this episode:

Alam Saleh, Senior Lecturer in Iranian Studies at Centre for Arab & Islamic Studies at Australian National University
Michael O'Hanlon, Senior fellow and director of research in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution
Serhan Afacan, Director of the Center of Iranian Studies in Ankara

Host: James Bays

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Has Donald Trump failed to sell the Iran war to the world? Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

Some of Washington's allies have been critical, saying they won't join the conflict. And as fighting escalates, the US is still struggling to garner support from its partners. But does it need them to continue to wage this war?

In this episode:

Anatol Lieven, Director of the Eurasia Programme at Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
Theresa Fallon, Director of the Centre for Russia, Europe, Asia Studies & a Senior Fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs
General Dominique Trinquand, former head of the French military mission to the UN and NATO

Host: James Bays

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Will Hezbollah drag Lebanon into the US-Israel war on Iran? Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

Hezbollah has been attacking Israel - as it pummels southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut.

That's despite the Lebanese government's ban on Hezbollah's military activities.

What will be the fallout for Lebanon?

In this episode:

Heiko Wimmen, Project Director Iraq, Syria, Lebanon for the International Crisis Group
Nimrod Novik, former Senior Policy Adviser to Shimon Peres and member of Leadership of Commanders for Israel's Security
Nabeel Khoury, former U.S. Diplomat and non-resident fellow at the Arab Center.

Host: James Bays

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