The Inside Story Podcast

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has wrapped up his three-day tour of the Gulf. Regional states want a greater say in security--after coming under attack during the Iran war. So, can Washington rebuild trust with its regional allies? And will Gulf states be able to steer the future of the Strait of Hormuz?
In this episode:
Abdulla Banndar Al Etaibi, Assistant Professor of International Relations at Qatar University
Gordon Gray, Former U.S. Ambassador and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs
Sina Toossi, Senior Fellow at the Center for International Policy, focusing on U.S.-Iran relations
Host: James Bays
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Benjamin Netanyahu says he's grateful to the US for its military aid but that it's time for Israel to build its own weapons-production capacity. The Israeli prime minister's announcement comes as tensions grow over the US agreement with Iran. But demand soars for Israel's weapons — its arms exports hit a record $19 billion last year. Supporters say that it strengthens Israel's ability to stand on its own. Can Israel afford to lose its greatest ally?
In this episode:
Alexandre Vautravers, Security and defence policy specialist
Michael Mulroy, Former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East
Antony Loewenstein, Author of 'The Palestine Laboratory'
Host: Folly Bah Thibault
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Keir Starmer is the latest to step down, after nearly two years in office. He'd been expected to put an end to the political chaos. So, what went wrong? And what does it mean for the future of the UK?
In this episode:
Jennifer Nadel, Co-Founder of the cross-party think tank Compassion in Politics.
Tim Bale, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London.
Zaid M Belbagi, Managing Partner at Hardcastle Advisory.
Host: Imran Khan
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The US and Iran have finished the first round of talks with an agreement on a roadmap to a final deal.
But is there enough trust to end the conflict?
In this episode:
Mohammad Eslami - Research Fellow at Tehran University.
Kenneth Katzman - Senior Fellow at The Soufan Center.
Zeidon Alkinani - Founding Director at the Arab Perspectives Institute.
Host: Anna Burns-Francis
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Iranian armed forces say they've closed the Strait of Hormuz after Israeli attacks on Lebanon, just days after an agreement with the U.S. reopen it. Disruption to the crucial waterway has had a huge economic impact worldwide. So, what happens next?
In this episode:
Ian Ralby - Senior Fellow at the Center for Maritime Strategy and Associate Fellow with the International Law Programme at Chatham House.
Mehran Kamrava - Professor of Government at Georgetown University in Qatar and Head of the Iranian Studies Unit at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies.
Stavros Karamperidis - Associate Professor in Maritime Economics and Head of the Maritime Transport Research Group at the University of Plymouth.
Host: Tom McRae
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