The Inside Story Podcast

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How is the war playing out in Iran? Mar 04, 2026

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Iran stands at a crossroads. With its top leadership assassinated early in the joint US-Israeli offensive, the remaining layers of power have been trying to maintain control. There are concerns that after January's mass anti-government demonstrations, this war would lead to chaos.

In this episode:

Sasan Karimi, former deputy to Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs
Maha Yahya, Director of the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center
Christopher Hill, former US diplomat and ambassador to Iraq

Host: Mohammed Jamjoom

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What are the implications of Iran's strikes on Gulf Arab states? Mar 03, 2026

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Iran attacks Gulf Arab states, hitting civilian buildings and energy infrastructure, as well as U.S. bases. The impact of the American-Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic is felt across the region. What does this mean for Gulf states' relations with Iran and with the US?

In this episode:

Abdulaziz Alghashian, Senior non-resident fellow at the Gulf International Forum
Bader Al Saif, Professor at Kuwait University, specialising in Middle East history and politics
Foad Izadi, Professor in the Faculty of World Studies at the University of Tehran

Host: Mohammed Jamjoom

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What are the risks for Israel opening another battlefront, in Iran? Mar 02, 2026

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Israel's assault on Iran comes while it's still attacking Gaza and Lebanon, after bombing Syria, Yemen, and Qatar in the past year. What are the risks for Israel opening another battlefront, and from the collapse, or the survival, of the Islamic Republic?

In this episode:

Alon Pinkas, Former Ambassador and Consul General of Israel in New York
Rami Khouri, Distinguished Fellow at the American University of Beirut
Mitchell Barak, CEO of Kevoon Research Strategy and Communications

Host: Rishaad Salamat

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How does Iran work after the assassination of its supreme leader? Mar 01, 2026

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Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khomeini assassinated in attacks by the US and Israel. There are huge crowds of mourners on the streets, and the complex process of selecting his successors are already underway. So, how does Iran work and how robust are these state systems now under attack?

In this episode:

Ibrahim Fraihat, Associate Professor, International Conflict Resolution, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies.
Sanam Vakil, Director, Middle East and North Africa Program, Chatham House.
Elijah Magnier, Military and Political Analyst.

Host: Rishaad Salamat

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How dangerous is the situation between Iran and US/Israel? Feb 28, 2026

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The US and Israel attack Iran - and Tehran retaliates, firing missiles at Israeli targets and US assets in the region. It follows a massive military build-up by Washington - and indirect talks between the US and Iran over its nuclear program. So how dangerous is the situation?

In this episode:

Daniel Levy - President of the U.S. / Middle East Project and a former Israeli negotiator
Mehran Kamrava - Professor of Government at Georgetown University in Qatar
Richard Weitz - Senior Fellow at NATO Defense College in Washington DC

Host: James Bays

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Why is the US pressuring Nouri al-Maliki to withdraw his prime ministerial bid? Feb 27, 2026

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"I am not backing down." That's what a defiant Nouri Al Maliki had to say, after the US objected to his return as Iraq's prime minister. Washington has set a Friday deadline for him to pullout. But what if he doesn't? And what would the implications be for Iraq?

In this episode:

Muhanad Seloom, assistant professor at Doha Institute for Graduate Studies
Ahmed Rushdi, president of the House of Iraqi Expertise Foundation
Kenneth Katzman, senior fellow at The Soufan Center

Host: James Bays

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Why is the German Chancellor in Beijing? Feb 26, 2026

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There has been another visit by a Western leader to China. This time, the German chancellor is in Beijing, saying he wants to reset ties. It comes against the backdrop of tensions between Europe and the United States. But can China be an alternative? And what does it have to offer?

In this episode:

Jost Wubbeke, Managing Partner at Sinolytics
Harry Broadman, Former Assistant to the U.S. Trade Representative
Dan Wang, Economist and Director on Eurasia Group's China team

Host: James Bays

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What's driving Israel's relationship with India? Feb 25, 2026

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"We have a great interest in creating an axis of our own." Those are the words of Benjamin Netanyahu as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes his second visit to Israel. In an increasingly volatile region, what's driving what Israel describes as its special relationship with India?

In this episode:

Alon Liel, Former director of Israel's Foreign Ministry and international relations commentator
Andreas Krieg, Associate Professor at the School of Security Studies at King's College London
Siddharth Vardarajan, Founding editor of The Wire, an Indian digital news portal

Host: James Bays

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Can Mexico win its war against drug trafficking? Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

How much power do drug cartels have in Mexico? The killing of the leader of one the country's largest criminal organisations has sparked a wave of violence. But can Mexico win its war against drug trafficking?

In this episode:

Sergio Aguayo, Professor at the College of Mexico
Chris Dalby, Author of 'CJNG: A Quick Guide to Mexico's Deadliest Cartel'
Michael Vigil, former Chief of International Operations at the US Drug Enforcement Administration

Host: Mohammed Jamjoom

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Where do the US-Iran talks stand? Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

More talks are planned for Thursday between Iran and the US, which is mobilising its largest military force since the invasion of Iraq more than two decades ago. There are mixed messages from President Donald Trump, while Tehran says it wants talks but is ready for war, too. So where do both sides stand?

In this episode:

Jamal Abdi, President of the National Iranian American Council
Hassan Ahmadian, Assistant Professor at the University of Tehran
Richard Weitz, Senior Fellow at NATO Defense College

Host: James Bays

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