CONFLICTED

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 podcastchoices.com/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 podcastchoices.com/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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.