badlands podcast by borzou daragahi
Incisive and engaging commentary and intelligence on global affairs, hosted by journalist Borzou Daragahi. The podcast covers international politics, conflicts, and geopolitical trends with sharp analysis. It is part of the Substack platform, offering in-depth perspectives on world events.
Episodes
JD Vance Discloses Trump’s Real Plan On Iran (S01E100)
Thursday, July 2, 2026, IstanbulIn an interview with Ben Shapiro’s Daily Wire network, Vice President JD Vance strongly suggested that the US was playing Iran, replenishing world energy stockpiles ahead of a possible future kinetic action.Needless to say, such talk will not help ongoing negotiations, only feeding into Iranian suspicions that the memorandum of understanding the US signed was a ruse
Armenia Rejects Israel's ‘Weaponization’ of Genocide (S01E99)
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, IstanbulIsrael recently began taking steps to recognize the Armenian Genocide, the horrific massacre of Armenian people at the hands of Ottoman Turks some 110 years ago. The move is meant in large part to provoke Israel rival Turkey. Problem is, even the Armenians are telling Israel to bugger off.On the latest edition of the badlands podcast, I explain how Israel’s ill-tim
Lebanon Peace Deal Fuels War (S01E98)
The US managed to get Lebanon and Israel to sign on to a peace deal that key constituencies reject. The country’s parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri along with Hezbollah have rejected terms that seem to force the Lebanese Army and state to disarm Hezbollah without any guarantee that Israel will vacate Lebanese territory in now occupies. In the latest edition of the badlands podcast, Sciences Po sch
Offside in Seattle, And In The Strait Of Hormuz (S01E97)
Monday, June 29, 2026, IstanbulIran was booted from the World Cup, failing to advance to the knockout round after a controversial referee call and a heartbreaking game for Iranian football fans.Meanwhile in Strait of Hormuz, Iran and the US traded strikes after Iran attacked ships that were using a path Tehran considers forbidden.Ambiguity and misunderstandings led to confusion in both cases.In th
Spoiler Alert: Many Ways Iran Deal Could Be Derailed (S01E96)
Friday, June 26, 2026, Istanbul On Thursday, Iran attacked a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, violating a provision of the memorandum of understanding it signed with Iran. Meanwhile, Israel continued its attacks on Lebanon, killing more civilians, also in violation of the memorandum which requires the US to leash Benjamin Netanyahu.So many things could go wrong in the ongoing talks with Iran, and so
The Gulf Considers Giving Iran A Bear Hug (S01E95)
Thursday, June 25, 2026, Istanbul Even as Marco Rubio attempts to keep America’s Gulf clients in line, some of them are already finding their own way. In today’s podcast I discuss the ongoing diplomatic intrigues involving the US, Gulf countries, and an emerging power bloc consisting of regional powers determined to avoid being dragged into another war. This bloc—I argue—seems at the very least am
Atomic Cafe: Why Trump Is So Fixated On Iran’s Nuclear Program (S01E94)
Wednesday, June 24, 2026, IstanbulDonald Trump keeps making claims about Iran’s agreement to compromise on its nuclear program that Iran keeps swatting down. To make matters worse, even war hawks and neocons in Washington keep noting that he has actually achieved little in negotiations.Making matters even worse is the possibility that Iran has abandoned any pretense of adhering to its nuclear obli
Deconstructing The Scheme To Sabotage Iran Diplomacy (S01E93)
(Photo: AI-generated image posted online to intimidate Trita Parsi).) Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Istanbul Trita Parsi has been among the most measured and well-informed experts on Iran and the Middle East in the public eye. Yet for years, he’s been targeted by nefarious and well-funded forces seeking to paint him as an asset of the Islamic Republic, where he would be arrested on national security cha
US-Iran Talks Balk Over Lebanon, Trump Threats (S01E92)
Monday, June 22, 2026, Istanbul Iran and the US talks get underway in Switzerland, but almost immediately fall apart. The Iranian delegation stood up JD Vance just as he was waiting for his photo op! In today’s podcast I discuss why I believe the talks will continue in fits and starts over the coming weeks despite the initial hiccups. Plus, comedian Tim Dillon hilariously describes Iran as a poor
Sipping Neocon Tears: Warmongers Rage Over Iran Deal my (S01E91)
Thursday, June 18, 2026, IstanbulNext week we could be in a war again, with Donald Trump bombing the s**t out of Iran and Iran destroying the Gulf’s energy infrastructure.But this week, we are drinking neocon tears, as warmongers crash out over the memorandum of understanding signed between Iran and the US and upcoming negotiations to hammer out a durable deal.In today’s podcast, I savor some of t
Submit Or Die: Why Israel Is Crushing The Palestinian Economy (S01E90)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit borzou.substack.comTuesday, June 16, 2026, IstanbulA major new report by the Crisis Group details how the Israel has increasingly pushed the once-thriving economy of the West Bank to the brink of disaster. The increasing pauperization of Palestinian residents has major impacts for the viability of communities in what would be the bulk o
All The Ways The US Lost The War To Iran (S01E89)
Monday, June 15, 2026 IstanbulA memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran has been agreed to, with a signing ceremony in Geneva expected on Friday. A lot could happen in the next few days, to derail or delay the finalization of the deal, supposedly extending the ongoing “truce” by 60 days while opening up the Persian Gulf to commercial traffic. More could happen in the coming two months.
America Unleashed: Why the US Can’t Kick Its Addiction To Empire (S01E88)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit borzou.substack.comFriday, June 12, 2026, IstanbulIt’s not just Iran. The US is kicking up chaos in a wide swath of the world, including in Latin America, where it has toppled the government in Venezuela, besieged the nation of Cuba, meddled in Columbian elections, and harassed the president of Mexico. Foreign policy analyst Dan DePetri
So, The US Ain't Gonna Bomb The Sh*t Out of Iran? (S01E87)
Thursday, June 11, 2026, IstanbulIf you look at social media you might be forgiven for being confused. One day Donald Trump says the US is within days of a durable peace deal with Iran. The next moment he’s threatening to bomb the country. Then he declares the US controls the Strait of Hormuz. Then he demands that Iran open it up to traffic.He then threatens to “bomb the s**t” of Iran. And then ho
The Most Toxic, Politicized World Cup Ever? (S01E86)
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, IstanbulThe 2026 World Cup gets underway this week in North America and already the pre-tournament shenanigans threaten to upstate the actual game-play.The US, under President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, appear to have made it their mission to harass the teams, staff, and fans of countries they don’t like. That includes Iraq and Somalia, whose celebra
Investigating Jared And Ivanka’s ‘Bond Villain Lair’ In Albania (S01E85)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit borzou.substack.comTuesday, June 9, 2026, Istanbul Tiny Albania has upended Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner’s multi-billionaire scheme to use Gulf money to buy an island and an environmentally sensitive stretch of mainland for resort projects. For now it looks like EU-empowered anticorruption prosecutors, emboldened by continued mass pro
War Fears Spike As Iran And Israel Trade Strikes (S01E84)
Monday, June 8, 2026, IstanbulI’ve warned for weeks that neither side in the conflict is quite tired of war yet, and that only the fear of plunging the world into a global depression has kept the brakes on escalation in the Middle East.Over the weekend we got a lesson on just how easily the war may flare up again, especially when you have Israel, Iran, and the US all poking and prodding each other
How Iran Is Defeating The Washington Blob (S01E83)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit borzou.substack.comFriday, June 5, 2026, IstanbulUS lawmakers finally stood up to the Trump administration this week, voting in a surprise move to call on President Donald Trump to halt the war in Iran or seek Congressional approval.Huge segments of official Washington are finally catching up with the overwhelming American public consen
Albania Protests Halt Jared And Ivanka’s 'Epstein Island' Resort Scheme (S01E82)
Thursday, June 4, 2026, Istanbul Tiny Albania turned itself into a Balkan United Arab Emirates by cozying up to Israel and the administration of Donald Trump. It joined the Board of Peace, the sham organization used to deflect attention from the ongoing Israeli subjugation of Palestinians in Gaza.But it all blew up this week over plans to hand over precious coastal properties and an island to Jar
Israel's War In Lebanon Threatens To Blow Up US Deal With Iran (S01E81)
Tuesday, June 2, 2026, IstanbulAxios reports on a testy exchange between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s offensive in Lebanon. Earlier on Monday, Iran announced that it was walking away from negotiations over reopening the Strait of Hormuz and potentially rolling back its nuclear program because of Israel’s continued military actions in Lebanon, which now amount to an occupation
They Need Iran To Be The Next Forever War (S01E80)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit borzou.substack.comMonday, June 1, 2026, IstanbulThe same people who goaded Donald Trump into launching a war of choice against Iran that would be over in a few days or weeks are now signaling that the US president should just stay the course for another two-and-a-half years!This comes as the US and Iran again exchanged fire overnight S
Turkey's Democracy Under Dire Threat (S01E79)
Friday, May 29, 2026, IstanbulNot enough has been said about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s systematic dismantling of Turkey’s opposition movement and the craven acquiescence of the United States and the European Union to his machinations. Today’s podcast features an interview with Turkish scholar and fellow Substacker Orhan Şener Deliormanlı. He’s a UK-educated political commentator and
Trump Threatens To ‘Blow Up’ Oman (S01E78)
Thursday, May 28, 2026, IstanbulIt was one of the nastiest and most uncalled for moments in Donald Trump’s unhinged second term. In the middle of a press briefing at a cabinet Trump threatened to “blow up” Oman if it didn’t do the Americans’ bidding on the Strait of Hormuz. It was a deranged outburst that is part of a pattern of Trump attacking the countries attempting to find a diplomatic solutio
She Reports Iran News In Her Pajamas (S01E77)
In today’s edition of badlands, I speak with journalist Leila Gharagozlou, a CNN correspondent who has amassed a massive following on her TikTok account with astute, pithy takes and takedowns on Iran and geopolitics. She often gives her talks while chilling on her couch in Dubai in her favorite bathrobe. In a wide-ranging discussion we talk about everything from the role of the Revolutionary Guard
US Airstrikes Endanger Iran Peace Talks (S01E76)
Tuesday, May 26, 2026, IstanbulIranians are warning of a wider war following US airstrikes on the country late Monday or early Tuesday. On the latest edition of badlands, I discuss how little the latest attack makes sense.Also on today’s jam-packed podcast:* Why Iran might got internet restored* Whether Israel might face more international pressure* Whether the United Arab Emirates may be facing t
Rumors Of Iran Deal Trigger Epic Neocon Meltdowns (S01E75)
News of a possible deal between Iran and the US sent heads exploding among neocons and warmongers. Truth be told it was a delight to be behold.In today’s special edition of the podcast, I discuss the deal and how it could still fall apart.Plus, in an interview with India’s NewsX World, I speak about Turkey’s efforts to destroy President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main opposition party and shut down an
Let’s Face It: Donald Trump Is An Idiot (S01E74)
Friday, May 22, 2026, IstanbulOn Wednesday, Donald Trump took a call from Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.On Thursday, Turkey’s Erdogan-controlled judiciary removed the effective and charismatic leader of the opposition party from his post, and re-installed a flailing dullard.On today’s podcast, I discuss how time after time, Trump’s idiocy, arrogance, and naïveté allow him to be used by
Ukraine: High-Tech 'Kill Zones’ And The New Economics Of Warfare (S01E73)
Thursday, May 21, 2026, IstanbulUkraine stunned the world last weekend with a fresh, robust drone and missile strike on Russia’s capital. It wasn’t the first Ukrainian attack on Moscow, but it was most definitely the most robust, targeting Russian energy infrastructure in an attempt to decrease Russia’s ability to wage war. In an exceptional and insightful interview, Ukrainian analyst Anastasiya S
Trump's Tough Talk Toughens Iran’s Resolve (S01E72)
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, IstanbulAfter signaling that the US was again getting ready to resume its military operations against Iran, Trump again backed down.He said he was convinced to give diplomacy a chance for a few days, but the facts suggest he remains caught in a trap created by a combination of military and geographic reality and his own rhetoric.On today’s edition of badlands, I discuss ho
Iran Regime, Opponents Lack Solutions To Economic Woes (S01E71)
Last week Tehran-based tech entrepreneur Hamidreza Ahmadi stunned Iran watchers with an insightful and extraordinarily brave essay written from Iran about the real reasons behind Iranians’ misery in the leftist journal Jacobin.In the piece, the Queens College graduate and one-time New York resident stu recounts the double tragedy of the January protests in Iran. Not only were the protests brutally
In Iran & Ukraine, Hybrid Warfare Comes Of Age (S01E70)
Donald Trump again threatened war this weekend, and there are reasons to believe he means this time.But does he know what he’s in for? In today’s podcast, I discuss the inventive ways that Iran has fended off the US attacks and pressure, a creativity born of both new weapons of warfare and Iran’s unique geography.Lots of fun stuff in the latest edition, including AI-generated depictions of battles
UAE Caught Two-Timing Arab World With Israel (S01E69)
It was something out of a 1960s brat-pack comedy.Israel got sick of being treated like the side piece and announced to the world that it had a thing going with the United Arab Emirates, publicly announcing that Benjamin Netanyahu had visited the UAE and met with the leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed. An Israeli channel even reported that MbZ picked up Bibi from airport, personally driving to
The Art Of The Steal (S01E68)
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, IstanbulDiplomacy over Iran remains at an impasse, as Donald Trump heads to Beijing for his big meeting with Xi Jinping without a deal, a victory, or even an open Strait of Hormuz. Trump also reveals that he US tried to arm Iran’s opposition by handing weapons Kurds, despite his own skepticism, but that they stole the weapons instead.In today’s podcast I also discuss the fre
The War Is Tearing Iranian Families Apart (S01E67)
Monday, May 11, 2026There appears to be no perfect English translation for the Persian word, “ghar.” It means you’ve disowned someone, disavowed friendship or a familial relationship, and refuse to acknowledge them over some slight or act of disrespect. To say you’re ghar with someone means you used to hold someone dear, but now are no longer on speaking terms.Within the Iranian diaspora over the
Iran, US Jaw-Jaw, War-War At The Same Time (S01E66)
Friday, May 8, 2026, Paris There was another exchange of fire between Iran and the US on Friday. This time Americans disabled two Iranians ships. Meanwhile Iran struck Dubai. Images emerged showing smoke rising from the city’s glitzy international airport.The UAE may have also taken part on a series of US airstrikes on Thursday targeting Tehran, Qeshm Island, and Bandar Abbas. Iran can’t reach the
‘Any Wrong Move’ Could Lead To Civil War In Lebanon (S01E65)
Thursday, May 7, 2026, ParisDespite a US-imposed ceasefire, Israel continued to aggressively target Lebanon, ostensibly to target members and leaders of the Shia group Hezbollah.On Wednesday, for the first time since the ceasefire, Israel also launched an attack on Beirut, targeting an apparent Hezbollah commander, but also in a likely attempt provoke Hezbollah’s Iranian patrons and complicated an
Inching Toward An Iran Deal, Or More War (S01E64)
Wednesday, May 6, 2026, ParisLots of back and forth today on whether Iran and the US were getting closer to a deal or not. There were reports citing US officials saying that the countries were close to signing a memorandum of understanding that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic and serve as a framework for a broader and more durable deal.But Iranians denounced the US proposal
Iran Signals It’s Ready To Escalate (S01E63)
Tuesday, May 5, 2026, ParisIt was no surprise that the US tried to test Iran’s resolve on the Strait of Hormuz just after it announced the launch on Monday of its “Project Freedom,” an attempt to break the Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz by offering ships passage. What was a bit shocking was the Iranian response. It launched a barrage of missiles at the United Arab Emirates, including at l
Trump’s Strait Of Hormuz Gambit Begins (S01E62)
Monday, May 4, 2026, Paris Iran opened fire at two US ships on Monday, even as Americans claimed that two US-flagged vessels managed to sneak through the Strait of Hormuz as part of President Donald Trump’s “Operation Freedom.”Centcom also said two US naval vessels are operating in the “Arabian Gulf” after managing to transit through the strait, despite Iranian warnings.It remains unclear how muc
How The Conflict In Iran Could Become A Forever War (S01E61)
Friday, May 1, 2026, LondonYou can count how many missiles or how much oil storage capacity Iran has and how many interceptors and Tomahawak missiles the US has and conclude the war between the countries can only last a few more months.But history shows us that wars can drastically reshape nations, and that it’s possible and likely that the warring countries and the rest of the world could make dr
Iran-backed Shia Militias A Threat To Iraq, Region (S01E60)
April 30, 2026Iraq this week agreed on a new prime minister-designate, a relatively unknown player, who was blessed by the constellation of Shia political parties, power brokers, and armed factions who dominate the country.Ali al-Zaid, born 1986, is relatively young businessman whose interests include media and supermarkets. He succeeds Mohammed al-Sudani after a weeks-long deadlock that followed
Iran Regime Change Was Israel’s Plan All Along (S01E59)
Wednesday, April 29, 2026, LondonWas it all an op? A blockbuster piece in Israel’s Ynet by journalists Nahum Barnea and Ronen Bergman said Israel’s spy services began planning to topple Iran’s regime four years ago.The plan by Benjamin Netanyahu and the Mossad was to kill Iran’s leaders, spark a popular uprising, and back a Kurdish insurgency in the country’s west.According to the Hebrew-language
'Iran Doesn’t Want To Give Trump Any Kind Of Victory’ (S01E57)
Monday, April 27, 2026Iran’s defense ministry said on Saturday that the US was desperately looking for an offramp from the war that he and Israel launched against Israel.“Donald Trump is in a tough situation,” I tell India’s NewsX in an interview.We also discuss Iran’s nuclear program, its human rights records, Turkey and Europe’s worries about the conflict, and the declining influence and stature
Can Diplomacy Avert Renewal of Iran War? (S01E56)
Thursday, April 23, 2026, ParisPresident Donald Trump and Israel continued to wave their sabres. Trump posted a message on Truth Social calling for an attack on Iran’s leadership while Israel’s defense minister Israel Katz said it was eager for war:We are waiting for the green light from the U.S., first and foremost, to complete the elimination of the Khamenei dynasty and to return Iran to the dar
War In Iran Sparks Rising Fear, Anger Across Middle East (S01E55)
Wednesday, April 22, 2026, ParisThe talks are off but the dual blockade of the Persian Gulf continues. Iran is barring ships from other countries from entering and exiting the Strait of Hormuz, while the US is barring Iranian ships from the chokepoint.The game of brinkmanship is costing the global economy dearly. Sahar Mechmech, an economist at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, said fra
Trump’s Aggression Scuttles Iran Talks, For Now (S01E54)
Tuesday, April 21, 2026, ParisPlans to arrange another round of talks between Iran and the US hit an apparent impasse as a deadline US President Donald Trump set for resuming the war looms.The United Arab Emirates asks for a bailout, and China offers a peace plan.Watch or listen to me discuss the latest on India’s NewsX. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscriber
Blockade Might Break Iran, But Not The Regime (S01E53)
Monday, April 20, 2026The US fired upon and damaged the Iranian commercial ship Touska on Sunday as it tried to traverse the Strait of Hormuz and head into the Persian Gulf.The incident showed the US is serious about imposing a blockade on Iranian traffic into the Strait, an attempt to pressure Iran to open up the waterway to international traffic.The US believes that impeding Iran’s access to the
China Wants Iran To Chill Out And Be Normal (S01E52)
Friday, April 17, 2026, Istanbul A blockbuster report by the Financial Times alleged that China had sold Iran a satellite likely being used for precision targeting of US and potentially Israeli assets during the war. The revelation brought to the fore the long-term relationship between Tehran and Beijing, which provides Iran with capital, military equipment, and diplomatic support. But scholar Ahm
Are Israel And Turkey Gearing Up For War? (S01E51)
Thursday, April 16, 2026, IstanbulWith a shaky US-enforced ceasefire in its war against Iran, ongoing fighting in Lebanon, and continued violence against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, you would think Israel has enough on its plate.Apparently not. For some reason, Israel and its assets in the US have decided this is the right moment to also pick a fight with Turkey, a NATO member that boa
Will The Gulf Survive, And How? (S01E50)
Wednesday, April 15, 2026, IstanbulAfter weeks of spewing venom at Iran through various surrogates, United Arab Emirates deputy prime minister Mansour bin Zayed picked up the phone Wednesday and rang up Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Iran’s speaker of the parliament and a major power broker in Tehran. During the call, the two “discussed regional developments and ways to de-escalate tensions in the region
If The War Restarts, How Long Can Iran Survive? (S01E49)
Monday, April 13, 2026, IstanbulIran has retrofitted its arms indusrty and security posture several times in the last few decades. After the Iran-Iraq war, it committed to developing an expansive missiles program to fend off any attacks from neighbors in the Arab world.Following the 2003 US war against Iraq, it developed the mosaic defnse doctrine under which it granted authority to regional comma
The Talks: What’s Next For Iran And The World (S01E48)
Saturday, April 11, 2026, Istanbul Diplomatic delegations gathered in the Pakistani capital on Saturday for the start of historic talks between the the US and Iran aimed at re-opening the Strait of Hormuz and establishing a more durable peace. For the latest podcast I spoke with Hossam Rossam, a former political analyst for the UK embassy in Tehran and ex senior analyst at Iran International. We d
‘What Does It Mean To Close The Strait of Hormuz?’ (S01E47)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit borzou.substack.comFriday, April 10, 2026, IstanbulYou can’t totally blame Donald Trump for not being able to imagine that Iran would close Strait of Hormuz. Nader Itayim, Mideast Gulf editor at energy and commodities focused Argus Media, said many energy analysts long doubted Iran would pull off such a move, even as it regularly warned
Viktor Orban Won’t Leave Without A Fight (S01E46)
Tuesday, Aptil 7, 2026, IstanbulHungary’s April 12 elettions could finally end the political career of Viktor Orban, rhe rightwing populist and Vladimir Putin ally who has ruled the country since 2010. Orban, mired in allegations of corruption, is losing to challlenger Peter Magyar. He is a one-time loyalist to Orban who broke with him two years ago. Marc Roscoe Loustau of the Central European Uni
The Iran War And The Artemis Moon Mission (S01E45)
Sunday, April 5, 2026, IstanbulThe Iran war escalates after a US plane was shot down over southern Iran, prompting an ambitious search-and-rescue mission.Join me and a panel of experts as we discuss the latest in the Iran war, along with other news stories on France 24’s The World This Week. badlands is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a f
Iran Pulls Off Battlefield Surprises For US (S01E44)
Saturday, April 4, 2026, IstanbulFor weeks US and Israeli officials have been telling nervous domestic audiences that their war against Iran was going swimmingly. As much as 90% of Iran’s ability to fire missiles had been eroded and the country had no air defences, air force, or navy to speak of, they contended. But on Friday, two US military aircraft were shot down by Iranian forces, including an
Even At War, Iran Targets Religious Minority (S01E43)
Friday, April 3, 2026, Istanbul While Iran is combatting US and Israeli forces in the skies and seas, it continues a crackdown on dissidents, many of whom have been jailed or summoned for questioning. But one particular target of its ire is baffling. Iran’s Baha’i minority has never been a component of the Iranian regime and in fact takes a quetist approach politics. Baha’i community spokeswoman
What’s Up With Iran’s Nuclear Program? (S01E42)
Thursday, April 2, 2026, Istanbul Iran’s nuclear program was supposedly the reason that Israel and the US launched their war against Iran. Some US foreign policy critics considered it a ruse, an excuse to launch a war to weaken the only country capable of challenging the US and Israel for dominance in the Middle East. The US may be considering a daring operation to deploy special forces in central
Iran War: No Offramp, No Problem (S01E41)
Wednesday, April 1, 2026, IstanbulBoth Iran and the US appeared to offer diplomatic olive branches, but none seemed sincere. The US continues to amass forces for a possible military ground attack on Iranian territory while Iran continues to fire missiles at Israel and the Gulf, and Israel continues to hammer Iranian infrastracture. I spoke recently with India’s NewsX in an interview about why neit
Dangerous Escalation In Iran War Approaches (S01E40)
Tues, March 31, 2026, Istanbul A deadline set by the US for a a possible ratcheting up of action agaisnt Iran is rapidly appraoch. In the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula everyone is on edge. The war has already cost billions and frayed diplomatic relations between Iran and the Gulf States, as well as between the Gulf States and their US patrons. I was on France 24’s Debate show with the alw
Israel Vows To Expand Lebanon Front (S01E39)
Tuesday, March 31, 2026, IstanbulIsrael’s offensive in Lebanon is raging. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced and hundreds killed as Israel targets Hezbollah strongholds throughout the country’s south.I spoke with NPR Here & Now’s Scott Tong about whether the impact of the offensive.badlands is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becom
Yemen’s Houthis Complicate Middle East War (S01E38)
Monday, March 30, 2026, IstanbulYemen’s Houthi-led government fired a missile at Israel for the first time since hte war began on Saturday, marking its debut in the war launched by Israel and the US against Iran.The missile was easily shot down, the Israelis said.But the Iran-allied group’s participation in the conflict will complicate any US attempt to seize Iranian territory. The Houthis are wel
Iran Lets Loose The Memes of War (S01E37)
Sunday, March 29, 2026, Istanbul When most people think of Iranian propaganda, they think of the grafitti in Tehran showing the Statue of Liberty with a skull face. But in this war, Iran’s propaganda has leveled up. Its AI-generated Lego animations mocking President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and lionizing Iran’s military commanders have gone viral, as have its meme
Drifting Toward World War III (S01E36)
Friday, March 27, 2026, IstanbulYemen and Ukraine are now being drawn into the war by the US and Israel against Iran. Kyiv wants to offer its know-how on fending off Iranian drone swarms to the Gulf states, likely in an attempt to curry favor with the oil-rich monarchs and secure funding to fight off Russia.Yemen’s Houthis have threatened to close the Bab al-Mandib strait, a crucial chokepoint thr
Why The US Miscalculated The Iran War (S01E34)
Wednesday, March 25, 2026, IstanbulAs the war by US and Israel against Iran heads toward a month, some are wondering whether the US seriously underestimated Iran’s willingness to fight.Why did the US get it wrong, and is there now an exit strategy to end a conflict that has already killed hundreds of civilians and is roiling the global economy.badlands is a reader-supported publication. To receive
Trump’s Iran Screeds Are 'Unhinged & Juvenile’ (S01E33)
Tuesday, March 24, 2026, Istanbul I discuss the impact of US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s political scene and its infrastructure, the tough talk by Donald Trump in his social media posts, and the attempts by the US and Israel to drag Europe into the war. All this an update from the Iran-Turkey border during a brief interview with India’s NewsX. badlands is a reader-supported publication. To re
Will War Against Iran Lead To Anything Good? (S01E32)
Monday, March 23, 2026, Van, TurkeyFormer Chinese diplomat and host of the podcast “Devil’s Advocate” Han Yang me on his show to answer some of his tough questions about the origins of the Iran war, the state of the Iranian opposition, and prospects for Iranian democracy. He was also the first to interview me about my visit this weekend to the Iran-Turkey border, where I interviewed many Iranians
Algeria’s Got The Gas. Does It Have The Guts? (S01E31)
Sunday, March 22, 2026(Above: I discuss the situation in Iran with Algeria’s 24-hour news channel.)When Europe opted to cut off natural gas supplies from Russia following President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, it turned to Algeria for supply.Now that parts of Qatar’s huge Persian Gulf gas refinery have been knocked out by an Iranian attack, Europe is again hitting up Algeria.Bloomberg New
Seeking Civility In The Toxic Iran War Debate (S01E30)
Saturday, March 21, 2026, eastern TurkeyThe discussion over the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran has become a toxic and divisive issue in the Iranian American community,Just look at online to see yelling matches erupting on Twitter. There are videos of Iranians storming into shops of compatriots in the Diaspora, demanding that people put up flags or posters showing allegiance to to Reza Pahlavi
A Bleak Persian New Year Begins (S01E29)
Friday, March, 20, 2026, IstanbulNowrouz pirouz and eid mubarak to all those celebrating on this rare convergence of both the Persian and Muslim calendars. Wishing everyone some joy and light at this time of the year. I guess we should enjoy while we can. The International Energy Agency warned that the war against Iran has caused the greatest shock to world energy markets in history. “The war in t
Pro-War Vs Anti-War: A Debate On Iran (S01E28)
Thursday, March 19, 2026, Istanbul Some big war news today. Iran shot at and struck a US F-35 stealth fiigher. The damaged plane managed to land in the Gulf. Iran also fired a barrage of missiles at Israel’s refinery in Haifa, in response to the Israeli strikes on the South Pars refinery on Wednesday. At least one managed to hit the offshore facility. All of this contradicts repeated US and Israel
Iran Energy Attacks To Hasten Global Recession (S01E27)
Wednesday, March 16, 2026, Istanbul The US and Israeli forces struck Iran’s main natural gas refinery at the South Pars on Wednesday in a major escalation of the war. Iran has vowed retalation against energy infrastructure in the Arabian Peninsula. It listed a number of sites it intends to target, and by late evening local time, had struck the Ras Laffen facility in Qatar, which produces a quarter
An Ugly World Order Takes Shape (S01E26)
Tuesday, March 17, 2026, IstanbulOne million people have been displaced by the Israli invasion of southern Lebanon. This puts enormous pressure on the fragile government in Beirut, where missiles struck near the country’s only international airport.Meanwhile, Israel claims it killed or tried to kill Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Larijani, a longtime Tehran regime fixture s
US Tech Firms Could Be Targets In Iran War (S01E25)
Thursday, March 13, 2026, IstanbulIn the last day or so Iran’s pro-Revolutonary Guard Tasnim news agency issued a statement meant to strike fear across the US tech sector. It was a list of US-based companies that it said could be subject to attack. They included high-tech companies that are the darlings of Wall Street: Google, Microsoft, Palantir, IBM, Nvidia, Amazon, and Oracle.Why would Iran ta
The Iran War Shakes The Global Economy (S01E24)
Wednesday, March 11, 2026, IstanbulI was interviewed today by India’s SEN television about the impact of the war on the world economy (video above). High petrol and jet fuel prices forcing Americans to cancel road trips and vacations this summer is the least of our concerns. Think about rising costs for petrochemical and fertilizers exported through the Persian Gulf jacking up prices of everything
Sudan’s Forgotten Civil War Still Simmers (S01E23)
Tuesday, March 10, 2026, IstanbulSudan’s conflict has been described as one of the worst outbreaks of political violence over the last quarter century. At least 150,000 people, overwhelmingly civilians have been killed. Cities and towns lie ruins. Observers have repeatedly described the bloodshed as genocide. The Los Angeles Times’ foreign correspondent Nabih Bulos recently returned from a rare r
The Ayatollah Is Dead. Long Live The Ayatollah (S01E22)
Monday, March 9, 2026, IstanbulWe don’t know a lot about Mujataba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s former leader, Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US and Israeli airstrike on Feb. 28. What we do know is pretty ominous. We know that he lost his wife, mother, and son in that same airstrike that killed his father.We know that within Iran’s constellation of political factions he has long been known as a h
Is Iran Already Losing The War? (S01E21)
Monday, March 9, 2026, IstanbulThe war worsened over the weekend, with airstrikes on key Iranian infrastracture and retaliation attacks on US military targets and water treatment facilities. Israel and the US have superior capabilities but also have much more ambitious goals. To assess the state of the conflict I spoke with Hamidreza Azizi, a scholar at Germany’s Institute for International and Se
Trump Isn’t Going To Like Iran’s Next Leader (S01E20)
Sunday, March 8, 2026, IstanbulHe doesn’t have the religious credentials to be an ayatollah or much of a track record on anything. Unlike his prolific father, Mujtaba Khamenei is not known for his writings, teachings, or speeches. All we really know about the younger Khamenei is that he just lost his father and wife in Israeli airstrikes on the capital. I spoke to the UK’s LBC radio about what it
The Iran War Spreads To Lebanon (S01E19)
Saturday, Mar 7, 2026, IstanbulIsraeli airstrikes drove thousands of Lebanese living south of the Litani River toward the north and those in the south Beirut Hezbollah stronghold into the streets. What’s Israel’s goal, and what impact will it have on fragile Lebanon. I discuss in an interview National Public Radio. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or
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