Episodes

  • Has Israel’s bid to reshape West Asia hit a road block?

    Has Israel’s bid to reshape West Asia hit a road block?
    May 27 2026
    The October 7 attacks triggered a wave of changes across West Asia, transforming conflicts, alliances, and the balance of power in the region. What began as a war in Gaza soon expanded into a wider regional crisis involving Lebanon, Iran, Syria, Yemen, and the Gulf. In this episode of Global Faultlines, we examine how West Asia has changed over the past two years, from Israel’s evolving military strategy and Iran’s regional position to Syria’s political transition, the Red Sea crisis, and shifting Gulf dynamics. As old red lines continue to collapse across the region, the episode asks whether West Asia is entering a completely new and more volatile era. Expert: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Research, Editing and Production: Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Camera: Shivaraj S Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • Lebanon part 2: Why Lebanon remains in perpetual crisis

    Lebanon part 2: Why Lebanon remains in perpetual crisis
    May 13 2026
    Lebanon’s civil war ended in 1990, but many of the country’s deeper fault lines remained unresolved. In the decades that followed, Lebanon rebuilt its cities and economy, yet sectarian politics, weak institutions, and competing centres of power continued to shape the state. In this second and final part of our Lebanon series on Global Faultlines, we examine the events that pushed the country into prolonged crisis. From the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri and the withdrawal of Syrian troops, to the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, the episode traces how regional conflicts continued to reshape Lebanon’s political landscape. We also look at the impact of the Syrian Civil War, the refugee crisis, the financial collapse of 2019, and the Beirut Port Explosion that exposed the depth of institutional failure in the country. As tensions rise once again between Israel and Hezbollah, the episode asks why Lebanon remains trapped in recurring cycles of instability, and whether the country can still find a path toward recovery. Expert: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Research, Editing and Production: Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Camera: Shivaraj S Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
  • Lebanon part 1: How did a fragile state become a battlefield for regional powers?

    Lebanon part 1: How did a fragile state become a battlefield for regional powers?
    Apr 29 2026
    Lebanon was once seen as a rare success story in West Asia, a country that appeared stable on the surface. However, beneath that image lay deep structural fault lines. In Part 1 of our Lebanon series at Global faultlines, we trace how a fragile post-independence system began to unravel. From the growing influence of Syria to the arrival of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Lebanon was steadily pulled into regional conflicts. We examine the impact of the Lebanese Civil War, Israel’s invasions in 1978 and 1982, and the rise of Hezbollah as a powerful force shaped by support from Iran. By the end of this episode, we ask: how did Lebanon become a frontline for regional power struggles—and what did that mean for its future? Expert: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Research, Editing and Production: Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Camera: Shikha Kumari A, Karthik P Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • Who won the U.S.-Israel war on Iran?

    Who won the U.S.-Israel war on Iran?
    Apr 15 2026
    As tensions in West Asia spiral into one of the most dangerous confrontations in recent years, this episode of Global Faultlines breaks down the 2026 Iran–Israel–U.S. war, starting from the U.S.-led “Operation Epic Fury” and the killing of the former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to Iran’s sweeping retaliation across the region. We trace the roots of the conflict back to the collapse of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, examine how a long-running shadow war escalated into direct military confrontation, and unpack the strategic, economic, and humanitarian consequences, particularly the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz. With a fragile Pakistan-brokered ceasefire now under strain and high-stakes talks collapsing, we also take a closer look at why diplomacy has failed so far, what the key sticking points are, and whether the region is on the brink of another round of escalation. Expert: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Research, Editing and Production: Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Camera: Shivaraj S, Karthik P Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
  • Part 2: From the invasion of Iraq to the war on Iran

    Part 2: From the invasion of Iraq to the war on Iran
    Mar 18 2026
    The 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq marked a decisive break in the country’s modern history. It removed the regime of Saddam Hussein, but also dismantled the institutions that had held the state together. In the aftermath, decisions such as the dissolution of the Iraqi army and de-Baathification weakened state authority and contributed to a rapidly deteriorating security environment. Iraq soon descended into insurgency and sectarian violence, with multiple armed groups, including those linked to Al-Qaeda, operating across the country. These conditions enabled the rise of the Islamic State, which seized large parts of Iraqi territory in 2014, bringing the state close to collapse. Although ISIS was eventually defeated territorially, its impact continues to shape Iraq’s political and security landscape. Today, Iraq faces persistent challenges: fragile governance, powerful armed groups, economic strain, and the competing influence of external actors, including Iran and the United States. In this episode of Global Faultlines, we examine Iraq after 2003, the collapse of the state, the rise of ISIS, and the country’s uncertain path forward. Expert: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Research, Editing and Production: Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Camera: Shivaraj S Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
  • Iraq Part 1: How was the modern Iraqi state created?

    Iraq Part 1: How was the modern Iraqi state created?
    Mar 4 2026
    Modern Iraq was not born in 2003. Its origins lie in the aftermath of the First World War, when the collapse of the Ottoman Empire led Britain to assemble a new state. The borders were drawn quickly. Building a stable political order proved far harder. Under the British Mandate, Iraq inherited centralised institutions that concentrated power but struggled to accommodate its ethnic and sectarian diversity. Sunni Arab elites dominated the new state, while Shia Arabs and Kurds often remained politically marginalised, patterns that would shape Iraq’s politics for decades. The 1958 revolution ended the monarchy and marked a turn toward military-led republicanism. The rise of the Ba'ath Party deepened authoritarian rule and ideological nationalism, culminating in the regime of Saddam Hussein. By the late 20th century, Iraq had fought a devastating war with Iran, invaded Kuwait, and endured years of sanctions. The state remained intact, but it was weakened, centralised, and heavily securitised. To understand why Iraq became the focal point of the 2003 invasion, it is essential to examine how the modern state was constructed, and how the fault lines embedded in its early formation continued to shape its trajectory. In this episode of Global Faultlines, we trace the creation of modern Iraq and the foundations of its long instability. Expert: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Research, Editing and Production: Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Camera: Shivaraj S Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
  • Iran Crisis Explained: Will the Islamic Republic survive U.S. pressure and regional escalation?

    Iran Crisis Explained: Will the Islamic Republic survive U.S. pressure and regional escalation?
    Feb 18 2026
    In late December 2025, Iran was hit by a nationwide uprising triggered by the collapse of the Rial and deepening economic distress. What began as anger over inflation and currency instability quickly broadened into political demands, with protesters challenging the authority of the Islamic Republic. The state’s response was swift and forceful with mass arrests, reported fatalities, and a near-total internet blackout that has limited independent reporting. The scale of unrest across provinces suggests a moment of significant internal strain. The crisis unfolds against mounting external pressure. The United States has revived elements of its “maximum pressure” policy while pursuing nuclear talks in Oman. Israel is recalibrating its regional strategy after the post–October 7 escalation. Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical energy chokepoint, with any disruption carrying global consequences, including for India. In this episode of Global Faultlines, we examine whether Iran’s current unrest marks a turning point for the regime, or another chapter in its long history of survival under pressure. Expert: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Research, Editing and Production: Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Camera: Shivaraj S Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • Saudi Arabia explained: Why is the kingdom changing its strategy in West Asia?

    Saudi Arabia explained: Why is the kingdom changing its strategy in West Asia?
    Feb 4 2026
    Saudi Arabia is recalibrating its role in a region defined by protracted wars, shifting alliances, and declining faith in military solutions. After years of assertive intervention, Riyadh has begun to pull back from direct confrontation, opting instead for diplomacy, de-escalation, and strategic hedging. The Yemen war exposed the costs of prolonged conflict, while attacks on Saudi oil facilities underscored the kingdom’s vulnerability to asymmetric threats. At the same time, the reliability of U.S. security guarantees has come under question, even as China’s diplomatic footprint in West Asia has expanded. These pressures have pushed Saudi Arabia to reopen channels with rivals, including Iran, and to position itself as a mediator rather than a belligerent. This shift is unfolding as wars in Gaza and Ukraine reshape global alignments and energy politics, forcing Riyadh to balance its security interests with economic ambitions at home. Whether this marks a durable strategic reset or a tactical pause remains an open question. In this episode of Global Faultlines, we examine why Saudi Arabia is changing its regional strategy, how its relationships with rivals and partners are evolving, and what this shift means for the future balance of power in West Asia. Expert: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Research, Editing and Production: Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Camera: Shivaraj S Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    52 mins