Rajan Menon, a senior research scholar with expertise in Middle Eastern politics, Marcel Dirsus, author of 'How Tyrants Fall,' and John Jenkins, a former British ambassador to the region, dive into the dramatic fall of Bashar al-Assad. They discuss the immediate chaos and celebrations following his departure, the rise of new power figures, and the complexities of governance in a post-Assad Syria. The guests also analyze the geopolitical shifts in the region and the implications for international diplomacy amid the changing dynamics.

Emma Ashford, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center, and Rajan Menon, director of the Grand Strategy Program at Defense Priorities, engage in a riveting debate on negotiating peace in Ukraine. They discuss the military and strategic dilemmas facing Ukraine, weighing continued military support against the need for negotiations. The conversation critiques the Biden administration's strategies and explores Ukraine's potential security landscape post-war. This clash of expert perspectives sheds light on the intricate geopolitical dynamics at play.

Rajan Menon, a professor emeritus of international relations at the City College of New York and a senior research scholar at Columbia University, dives into the complexities of Trump's recent call with Putin about the Ukraine war. He explores the risk of sidelining Ukraine in negotiations and questions Trump's history with strongman leaders. Menon discusses Ukraine's NATO aspirations, the geopolitical intricacies at play, and how Trump's diplomacy might shape a tenuous peace in the region amidst ongoing tensions.

In this discussion, Rajan Menon, a professor emeritus of international relations, dives into the assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, reflecting on Israel’s intensified airstrikes in the aftermath. He analyzes Benjamin Netanyahu's strategic goals and the high stakes of military objectives amidst growing internal debates. Menon highlights the risks faced by Gazan civilians amid possible annexation plans, as well as the implications of potential leadership changes within Hamas that could affect future conflicts.

Rajan Menon, an international relations expert and professor at The City College of New York, delves into Ukraine's surprising military strategy of invading Russia after 30 months of conflict. This unprecedented move aims to boost domestic morale and challenge Russian perceptions of the war. Menon discusses the chaos within the Russian military in response and the complexities of Ukraine's territorial ambitions, including risks from counterattacks and the hurdles posed by untrained conscripts. He also analyzes Putin's attempts to maintain control amid these significant challenges.