In the latest discussion, the hosts dive into the decline of baathism in Syria and the implications for the region. They analyze al-Julani's election delay and HTS's future in maintaining control. The conversation shifts to Hamas's surprising military capabilities and the fallout from recent terror attacks in the U.S. and Germany. This dynamic Q&A not only engages with pressing geopolitical issues but also brings personal insights, setting the stage for an intriguing look at the future of the Middle East.

In this engaging discussion, Tom Tugendhat, a Conservative British MP and veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, shares his insights on the current crises in the Middle East. He reflects on his personal experiences in the region and provides a critical look at the rise of Islamism. Tugendhat emphasizes the need for effective Western security strategies in a changing world. The conversation also highlights the challenges faced by British Muslim communities and the complex interplay between cultural practices and foreign policy.

Explore the rise and legacy of Emperor Haile Selassie, the pivotal figure of 20th-century Ethiopia. Discover how he navigated a politically tumultuous landscape and transformed feudalism into constitutional monarchy. Uncover the brutal reality of Mussolini's invasion and Selassie's struggles during exile. Delve into the cultural impact of his reign, including the Rastafarian movement, and reflect on the enduring complexities of his legacy amid modern challenges. A fascinating journey through Ethiopia's rich history awaits!

Aaron Zelin, a leading expert on the Syrian Civil War and author, joins to discuss the dramatic fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime after over 50 years of rule. He provides insight into the rapid shift in power dynamics and the emergence of rebel groups. Zelin also explores the uncertain future for Syria's minority communities, including the Kurds and Alawites, while analyzing the geopolitical ramifications. Additionally, the conversation touches on the evolving political landscape and Turkey's strategic moves in the ongoing conflict.

A dramatic resurgence of the Syrian civil war is explored, focusing on Abu Mohammad al-Julani's recent offensive and its implications for regional stability. The podcast dives into al-Julani's evolution from Al-Qaeda affiliate to a significant player in the conflict, dissecting the complex web of factions including the Assad regime, Kurdish forces, and foreign influences. Insights into shifting alliances, brutal tactics, and the ramifications of ceasefire negotiations shed light on the precarious future of Syria and its intricate geopolitical landscape.

This discussion dives into the implications of a possible Trump presidency on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. The hosts analyze how voter dynamics and political extremism might reshape interactions with Iran and Qatar. They also examine the contrasting perceptions of leadership, particularly between Trump and Kamala Harris. Key themes include the erosion of neoliberalism following past financial crises and the unpredictable nature of conflicts in the region. Expect a blend of serious insights paired with dark humor throughout the conversation.

Discover Ethiopia's profound history as the cradle of humanity, where some of the oldest human remains were found. Dive into the ancient Aksumite Kingdom and its intersection with significant Biblical and Quranic stories. Learn about the revered Solomonic Dynasty and Ethiopia's bold resistance against imperial forces, including the Mahdists and Italians. Explore the significant rise of Christianity and the intricate relationships between religion and politics, culminating in rich cultural legacies that shaped Ethiopia's sovereignty and heritage.

Conflicted is back, continuing our trip across La Françafrique this week, with a survey of the last 10 years in Francophone West Africa, and yes, you guessed it: it’s insurgencies, jihadi movements and coups galore!Thomas and Aimen open up with a discussion of the anti-jihadist activities being carried out by the French in the Sahel since 2013, including the infamous operations Serval and Barkhane. But as jihadi movements grew, the French found themselves in hot water, which got even hotter as a new player entered the fray: the Russians, in the guise of the Wagner Group. We then discuss how the Wagner Group operates in the area, coming in after a coups across the region to cause France’s influence to dwindle, and making instability become the plat du jour for many West African countries. Will the region ever get out of it?New Conflicted Season 5 episodes will be coming every two weeks, but if you want to have your Conflicted fix every single week, then you’ll have to join our Conflicted Community.Subscribers will get bonus episodes every other week, and can also join our Conflicted Community chatroom, where you can interact with fellow dearest listeners, discuss episodes past and future, get exclusive messages from Thomas and Aimen, ask future Q&A questions and so much more.All the information you need to sign up to the Conflicted Community is on this link: https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm/ Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHconflictedAnd Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflictedLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s Conflicted Community episode, we invite the researcher and author Jack Margolin onto the show, to talk about his recently published book, The Wagner Group: Inside Russia’s Mercenary Army.Jack is an independent researcher and expert on modern mercenaries, focussing on conflict finance, guns and crime in data, who previously worked with the The Center for Advanced Defense Studies.Continuing our Africa focus this season, Jack and Thomas discuss how Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of this Private Military Company, went from creating troll farms in St. Petersburg to sending troops to Syria and then Africa, with malign interests every step of the way. Jack explains how the ‘adhocracy’ Wagner operate in the region sees them exploit local resources for monetary gain, while also bolstering Russian interests in the region by doing the jobs that nation states and more cautious mercenary groups were not able to do. But after Prigozhin’s downfall last year, are the Wagner Group still around? And will they continue to offer despotic African governments something the West cannot?To listen to the full episode, you’ll need to subscribe to the Conflicted Community. And don’t forget, subscribers can also join our Conflicted Community chatroom, where you can interact with fellow dearest listeners, discuss episodes past and future, get exclusive messages from Thomas and Aimen, ask future Q&A questions and so much more.All the information you need to sign up is on this link: https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm/ Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHconflictedAnd Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflictedLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bonjour tout le monde! In this week’s Conflicted, Thomas and Aimen are going continental as they continue their survey of Africa, with the first of a two part series on French West Africa, aka La Françafrique!France’s West African colonial possessions are relatively unknown in the English speaking world, but from Chad to Senegal, their histories are fascinating, and remind us of the disturbing continued tentacles of colonialism on the continent…In this first episode, Thomas and Aimen take us back to the precursors to colonial West Africa, from the Ghana Empire of antiquity, to the resplendent reign of Mansa Musa and his Malian empire renowned as the richest in the world… They then look to the arrival of the French and the ‘civilising mission’, before examining how France have continued to subjugate and exploit many West African countries through a neo-imperial control of their monetary policies.New Conflicted Season 5 episodes will be coming every two weeks, but if you want to have your Conflicted fix every single week, then you’ll have to join our Conflicted Community.Subscribers will get bonus episodes every other week, and can also join our Conflicted Community chatroom, where you can interact with fellow dearest listeners, discuss episodes past and future, get exclusive messages from Thomas and Aimen, ask future Q&A questions and so much more.All the information you need to sign up to the Conflicted Community is on this link: https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm/ Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHconflictedAnd Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflictedLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices