The Inside Story Podcast

US President Donald Trump is threatening to take over or destroy Iran's main oil export hub at Kharg Island. Trump admits such a move would require boots on the ground. But, given the nature of this conflict, will he take that chance? And why does Kharg Island matter so much?
In this episode:
Negar Mortazavi, Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Center for International Policy
Matthew Kroenig, Vice President at the Atlantic Council
Alexandre Vautravers, Defence Policy Specialist and Editor-in-Chief of Swiss Military Review
Host: James Bays
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Pakistan says it's ready to host talks on ending the war in Iran. That came after a meeting of regional foreign ministers in Islamabad. But what leverage do these players have to reach a ceasefire? And with fighting escalating, is a peaceful settlement possible?
In this episode:
Munir Akram, A former Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations
Ali Vaez, Director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group
Bozkurt Aran, Director at The Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkiye and a former Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan and Iran
Host: James Bays
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What difference will the Houthis' involvement in the war make? They have launched missiles at Israel in support of Iran and threatened more attacks. What are the consequences of opening a new front? And given the Yemeni group's proximity to the Red Sea, what could it mean for global shipping?
In this episode:
Hisham Al-Omeisy, Senior Yemen Advisor, European Institute of Peace.
H A Hellyer, Senior Associate Fellow, Defence and Security Studies, Royal United Services Institute.
Michael Mulroy, Former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Middle East.
Host: James Bays
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As the conflict in the Middle East escalates, Gulf nations are seeking new defence partnerships.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar has signed deals with Ukraine to gain access to its drone expertise.
Could other countries follow suit? And would it make a difference on the ground?
In this episode:
Dania Thafer - Executive Director of the Gulf International Forum, a think-tank based in Washington DC
Oleksiy Melnyk - Co-Director of the Foreign Relations and International Security programmes at the Razumkov Centre
Pavel Felgenhauer - Defence and Russian foreign policy analyst
Host: Adrian Finighan
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The Iran war is hitting Gulf Arab nations hard, but with a wider impact in today's interlinked world.
As well as global oil and gas supplies, Gulf states play a critical role in many economies. So how are they connected — and what could be at risk?
In this episode:
Nikolay Kozjharnov, Research Associate Professor in Energy Security at the Gulf Studies Center at Qatar University
Cornelia Meyer, Macroeconomist and oil and gas specialist
Torbjorn Soltvedt, Associate Director at global risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft
Host: James Bays
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