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 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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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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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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 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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"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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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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"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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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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