Simon Sebag Montefiore, an award-winning historian known for bestsellers like "Jerusalem: The Biography," discusses the intricate history of Jerusalem amidst the backdrop of current conflicts. He explores the city's significance across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, emphasizing the importance of understanding diverse narratives in promoting peace. The conversation highlights Jerusalem as a symbol of both conflict and missed opportunities for cooperation, while unraveling the complexities of its past and ongoing archaeological research.

Thomas and Aimen dive deep into the fallout from the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, the recently killed leader of Hezbollah. They discuss the dramatic implications for Lebanon and the wider Middle East amidst ongoing conflict. The conversation highlights Hezbollah's shaky future and the geopolitical ripples of Iran's potential next steps. Listeners are taken through covert Israeli tactics, exploring the espionage tactics and technology influencing these events while contrasting Hezbollah's legacy with its complex portrayal in Lebanon.

In this deep dive, Omar Al-Bashir, a notable figure in Sudan's political past, and Hasan Al-Turabi, a revolutionary politician, dissect the tumultuous events that shaped modern Sudan. They explore the intense rivalry in the 1990s and unveil jaw-dropping tales of Sudan's ties to global terrorism, including connections to Osama Bin Laden. The discussion shifts to the Arab Spring-inspired revolution, the brutal aftermath, and the chaotic power struggles post-Bashir. Can Sudan find a path to peace, or will chaos reign? Tune in for insights on the nation’s future.

Colonel Gaddafi, a controversial figure known for his long and tumultuous reign in Libya, revisits his legacy and revolutionary aspirations. He discusses his rise from humble beginnings and examines the historical complexities of Libya under his rule. The conversation dives into the bizarre decrees and eccentric policies that defined his governance, including chaotic international diplomacy. Gaddafi also reflects on his final years leading up to the Arab Spring, contrasting his leadership with the changing desires of the Libyan populace.

Get insights into the latest geopolitical tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, with a mix of humor and serious commentary. The discussion covers Israel's military tech advancements against regional adversaries. Hear about Hezbollah's military retaliation and its implications on Middle Eastern peace dynamics. Discover the challenges of finding reliable information on the Gaza War, along with recommended news sources for balanced viewpoints. Plus, explore diverse perspectives on signal intelligence in current regional conflicts.

The podcast dives into Sudan's complex history, focusing on Darfur and South Sudan's struggles against oppressive ruling tribes. It explores the brutal impacts of Arab supremacy, forced Islamization, and the genocide in Darfur during the early 2000s. The role of external influences, including Israel's involvement in the civil war, is dissected. Tensions over oil discoveries and ideological battles among factions are also highlighted, showcasing the profound implications of these conflicts on the nation’s ongoing turmoil.

Hasan Al Turabi, a revolutionary Islamic thinker, plays a crucial role in shaping Sudan's political landscape. They discuss the complexities of Sudan's colonial history and how it influenced nationalist movements vying for power post-Independence. The podcast dives into Al Turabi's early life, the ideological divides among factions during the 20th century, and the rise of Islamism amid political turmoil. With insightful commentary on Sudan's ethnic and religious tensions, the conversation reveals how these struggles shaped the nation's modern identity.

This week for our Conflicted Community, we answer your questions about the recent events and escalation in the Middle East.  From Hezbollah bombing a Druze village in the Golan Heights, to the Israeli response of assassinating Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, and Hamas political leader Ismael Haniyeh, it looks like escalation into regional war could well be imminent. But how did Israel pull off these targeted killings? What next for Hezbollah and Hamas? And how will Iran respond? Thomas and Aimen are here to discuss all this and more, including questions from dearest listeners on terrorist financing, and the recent riots in the UK.To keep listening, 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

Muhammad Ahmad, a self-styled revolutionary religious messiah, shares the gripping tale of his role in Sudan's struggle against foreign dominance. He details the country's transformation from ancient Christian roots to the complex Islamic landscape shaped by invasions. Ahmad delves into the Mahdist movement, fueled by resistance against Egyptian and British control, which sought to unite Sudanese people. The conversation also highlights the cultural diversity and geopolitical turbulence that continue to influence Sudan's identity and politics today.

Our very own Thomas Small has started a brand new podcast over on Substack called ‘Life Sentences’ – and we want to give Conflicted listeners a listen to the first episode…Life Sentences is Thomas’ attempt to introduce the world to the Church Fathers – the Christian writers, theologians, mystics and divines who wrote in the first 1000 years of Christianity. The podcast sees Thomas read out the texts of the Church Fathers and comment on them as he goes, making them relevant to today. It’s a fascinating listen, and we know all fans of Conflicted listeners will enjoy it. The first episode is now live, and new episodes come out on Sundays, every two weeks.You can subscribe and find out more about the podcast through the website at: https://wisdomreadings.substack.com/ To listen to more bonus episodes like this one, subscribe to the Conflicted Community, where 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 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