CONFLICTED

Rania Ali, a filmmaker and public speaker, shares her gripping experiences living in Raqqa during the rise of ISIS. She recounts her childhood in a historically rich city that turned into a hotbed of conflict. Rania bravely details her involvement in protests against oppressive regimes, the liberation by the Free Syrian Army, and the harsh realities of daily life under ISIS's brutal control. She highlights the resilience of her community, especially women who resisted oppression, and shares her harrowing escape amidst chaos.

An old friend returns to the Conflicted Community for a chat about his home country of Yemen. Yes, you guessed it, it’s the irrepressible Baraa Shiban… Thomas and Baraa once again discuss the complex and evolving situation in Yemen, focusing on the impact of U.S. administrations, the role of the Houthis, and the broader regional dynamics in the Middle East. The impact of the new Trump administration has entirely changed the situation on the ground there, while increased sanctions and strikes from Israel have seen the humanitarian crisis deepen. The pair also talk about the implications of Houthi actions on regional stability, whether their attacks on Red Sea shipping and Israel will continue, and just what the ceasefire negotiations with the Trump administration mean.  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/  Conflicted is proudly made by Message Heard, a full-stack podcast production agency which uses its extensive expertise to make its own shows such as Conflicted, shows for commissioners such as the BBC, Spotify and Al Jazeera, and powerfully effective podcasts for other companies too. If you’d like to find out how we can help get your organisation’s message heard, visit messageheard.com or drop an email to hello@messageheard.com! Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHconflicted And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob Geist-Pinfold, a lecturer in defense studies at King’s College London, dives deep into the Israeli settler movement's historical roots and evolving nature from secularism to religious nationalism. He discusses how this transformation has influenced Israeli politics, particularly the far-right's rising power after the October 7th attacks. The conversation also covers the implications of these changes for Palestinian statehood and the West Bank's division, shedding light on the complex relationships between settlers and the Israeli state.

Giri Rajendran, an expert on U.S. global power dynamics and Trump’s strategies, returns for a deep dive into military moves and their implications. He discusses the decline of U.S. influence amid rising powers, particularly linked to the Ukraine conflict. The conversation touches on NATO’s expansion, the intricate U.S.-China trade relations, and how Trump's administration sought to reshape the global order. Giri also highlights Liberation Day's significance and the evolving landscape of Chinese capitalism, making for a thought-provoking dialogue.

Matar Ismaeel, a filmmaker and political activist from Misyaaf, shares his harrowing experiences during the Syrian Civil War. He discusses the radicalization of friends and the violence he captured on film, including the fierce battles between opposition forces and ISIS. Matar reflects on the emotional impact of evacuating Southern Damascus and celebrates the fall of the Assad regime. His insights offer a poignant look into the challenges ahead for Syria, blending personal narratives with the complexities of a conflicted landscape.

Giri Rajendran, an economist with three degrees from LSE and experience in finance at BlackRock, joins to discuss the tumultuous economic landscape shaped by Donald Trump. The conversation dives into Trump's Grand Strategy, probing its long-term goals and viability. Rajendran also unpacks the evolution of the global order since the 1930s, examining America's role in international trade. With insights on naval dominance's impact on commerce, this dialogue navigates the precarious balance of power in today's shifting geopolitical climate.

In this engaging discussion, Tom Khaled Wurdermann, a PhD candidate at the University of Heidelberg, dives into the complex ideologies shaping Jewish-Arab relations. He explores the historical roots of Palestinian antisemitism and its interaction with European ideologies. The conversation touches on the nuanced relationship between leftist thoughts and antisemitism, and how these intersect with the broader narratives of nationalism. Finally, they examine the cultural significance of death and its contrasting perceptions in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.

Matar Ismail, a documentary filmmaker and political activist from Masyaf, shares his gripping experiences from the Syrian Civil War. He discusses his early activism and the risks he faced while documenting protests, including imprisonment and torture. Matar vividly recounts the brutal Siege of Southern Damascus, detailing the dire humanitarian crisis and the complex dynamics between rebel factions and the Assad regime. His personal stories highlight the resilience of his community amidst unimaginable hardships, as well as the toll of war on civilians.

Hamza Howidy, a Palestinian activist from Gaza now in exile in Germany, shares his harrowing journey of protesting against Hamas. He recounts life under Hamas rule and the dual threats from both Hamas and Israeli military actions. Hamza reflects on his childhood during turbulent political shifts and discusses the rise of Hamas amidst internal divisions. He enlightens listeners about the harsh realities for teenagers in Gaza, the societal impacts of militarization, and the complex dynamics of foreign aid, all while envisioning a future free from Hamas's governance.

Khalil Sayegh, a Palestinian Christian political analyst and co-founder of the Agora Initiative, discusses his journey from Gaza to the U.S. Diving into the complexities of Palestinian identity, he shares his opposition to Hamas and the impacts of war on his life. The conversation examines the political dynamics between Hamas and Fatah, the critical historical roots of Palestinian nationalism, and ongoing challenges faced by Palestinians. Sayegh emphasizes survival amidst violence, addressing the importance of rights and the role of liberalism in this context.