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Investigative journalist Matt Kennard joins us to discuss Irregular Army, his investigation into how white supremacists, neo-Nazis and other extremists found their way into the US military during the War on Terror. From Iraq and Afghanistan to Donald Trump, MAGA and Pete Hegseth, Kennard argues that the consequences of those years are now playing out at the highest levels of American politics. We explore the rise of the far right, Islamophobia, US military power and foreign policy, and ask whether the War on Terror helped create the political forces reshaping America today.

Get Matt Kennard’s book Irregular Army here: https://amzn.eu/d/09zq5TXF

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Can the Muslim world recover from political decline? What resources does the Islamic tradition offer in times of crisis, and what does genuine regeneration look like?

In this episode of The Thinking Muslim, we are joined by Dr. Sohaira Siddiqui to explore how Muslims have historically responded to periods of political collapse, colonialism, and institutional decline. Drawing on the thought of Imam Juḥany and the broader Islamic intellectual tradition, the conversation examines how the Ummah can rebuild from the ground up through scholarship, institutions, and community.

The discussion explores the relationship between political authority and religious authority, the enduring independence of Islamic scholarship, the legacy of colonialism, and why the mosque remains central to Muslim life. We also discuss the role of women in institution-building, the emergence of Al Mujadilah Mosque in Qatar, and whether the post-Gaza moment represents the beginning of a new phase of regeneration for the Muslim Ummah.

Rather than asking whether decline is inevitable, this conversation asks a more important question: what does Islam teach us about renewal?

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with others. Your support helps us continue producing conversations that matter.

About Dr. Sohaira Siddiqui:

Dr. Sohaira Siddiqui is a Professor of Islamic Studies and Theology at Georgetown University in Qatar and Executive Director of Al-Mujadilah Center & Mosque for Women. Her research focuses on classical Islamic legal theory and political thought, Islamic law under colonialism, contemporary Islamic family law, and questions of gender, authority, and participation in Muslim societies.

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The Middle East is changing rapidly, but are we witnessing the end of conflict or simply the beginning of a new phase?

In this episode of The Thinking Muslim, Muhammad Jalal sits down with geopolitical analyst Sami Hamdi to examine the shifting balance of power across the Middle East. From Donald Trump's claim that the war is over, to Iran's long-term strategy, the role of Saudi Arabia, the Houthis, and America's approach to the region, this conversation explores the political calculations shaping today's headlines.

The discussion also examines whether attitudes towards Israel are beginning to change in both the United States and the United Kingdom, looking at JD Vance's comments on the Israel lobby, sanctions on violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank, and Andy Burnham's remarks on Palestine.

The episode opens with reflections on the TPSS Conference in Istanbul and concludes with a personal conversation about Sami's outlook after years of analysing one of the world's most volatile regions.

About Sami Hamdi:

Sami Hamdi is a British journalist, political commentator, and risk intelligence advisor specialising in Middle Eastern affairs and international geopolitics. Renowned for his strategic analysis of the region, he regularly provides insight into the political, military, and diplomatic developments shaping the Middle East.

In 2025, Hamdi was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while in the United States, reportedly in connection with statements he had made about the war in Gaza. Today, Sami Hamdi remains one of the leading voices analysing the rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape of the Middle East

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