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In this episode of the Thinking Muslim Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Sami Al-Arian for a wide-ranging and incisive discussion on the shifting geopolitical landscape in the Middle East and beyond. Drawing on deep insight and experience, Dr. Al-Arian unpacks internal dynamics within Iran, questions of global responsibility, and the broader ideological currents shaping today’s conflicts.

We begin with an introduction before exploring assessments from within the Iranian regime, offering a perspective rarely heard in mainstream discourse. The conversation then turns to the question of blame - examining the roles of Israel, Washington, and inconsistencies in policy.

As the discussion unfolds, we look at potential turbulence within the Pentagon and what figures like Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump signal for future U.S. strategy. We also examine the role of Christianity in politics, asking whether “crusader-style” rhetoric is making a return in modern geopolitical narratives.

The episode then delves into the structure of power in Iran, questioning who truly holds authority and how influence is exercised. From there, we analyse the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and whether it represents the central point of tension between Trump and Iran.

Finally, we explore rising tensions between Israel and Turkey, considering whether Erdoğan’s Turkey is increasingly in the crosshairs - and what escalation could mean for the region.

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What are the real economic consequences of the current war - and are the “doomsday” predictions justified?

In this episode of The Thinking Muslim, we are joined by Mehreen Khan to explore the global economic shockwaves triggered by the Iran war and what they reveal about the future of power, finance, and geopolitics. From the resilience of sanctioned economies to the vulnerabilities of Gulf states, this conversation examines whether we are entering a new era of fragmentation and economic realignment.

We ask difficult but necessary questions:

Are Gulf Arab states truly stable? Why didn’t energy get used as leverage during Gaza? Is liberal capitalism reaching its limits? And are we witnessing the early foundations of a more independent and coordinated Muslim economic bloc?

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In this episode of The Thinking Muslim, renowned Middle East analyst Mouin Rabbani joins us for a deep and unfiltered conversation on the escalating tensions surrounding Iran and the shifting global order.

The discussion opens by examining whether the recent ceasefire represents a genuine strategic win for Trump - or something far more fragile. It then turns to the intensifying bombing campaign in Lebanon, exposing the stark imbalance on the ground and what it reveals about the trajectory of the conflict.

Can the region return to the pre-February status quo, or has a permanent shift already taken place?

The conversation expands to the role of the Gulf States, evolving security arrangements, and who is ultimately emerging as the real loser in this confrontation. With global stakes rising, Rabbani also unpacks China’s strategic calculations - particularly its interest in the Strait of Hormuz - and whether US actions are inadvertently accelerating Beijing’s influence.

The episode also explores the ideological forces shaping Western policy, including the intersection of extreme Christianity, imperialism, and Zionism.

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Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

00:35 – Was the ceasefire a victory for Trump?

07:00 – Escalation of the bombing campaign in Lebanon: assessing the imbalance between sides

16:50 – Is a return to the pre-February status quo possible?

24:00 – The Gulf States, security agreements, and identifying the net losers of the conflict

30:00 – China’s strategic perspective: understanding the Strait of Hormuz

37:30 – The intersection of extreme Christianity, imperialism, and Zionism

41:44 – What might the emerging new world order look like?

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