Bill, David Daoud, and Ahmad Sharawi discuss the evolving situation in Syria with new leader Abu Mohammed Al Jelani now at the helm and consequences of engaging with groups designated as terrorists, the latest kinetic interactions between Israel and the Houthis, and where the Islamic Republic of Iran fits into the evolving regional dynamics. 

Bill and Will Selber discuss the flawed psychology of continued Western efforts to find and promote cooperation with “moderate” terrorists with a particular focus on Mohammed Al-Jolani, now at the helm in Syria, and on the Taliban at the helm in Afghanistan (which is going great).

In this discussion, Joe Trusman, Editor at FDD's Long War Journal and expert on Palestinian terror groups and Hezbollah, takes listeners through the recent collapse of the Assad regime and its sweeping effects on Middle Eastern geopolitics. He analyzes the rise of Hayat-Tahrir al-Sham and Iran's complex influence following Assad's fall. The episode also delves into Turkey's strategic maneuvers in Syria and the evolving tensions between Israel, Hezbollah, and Hamas, shedding light on the intricate web of alliances and conflicts reshaping the region.

Bill, David, and Ahmad delve into the recent ceasefire deal reached between Israel and Hezbollah: details of the deal, the role of the U.S. in the deal, and the implications of the deal — including the broader regional consequences of the ceasefire amid the wider, ongoing conflict with Tehran behind the curtain.

David Daoud and Ahmad Sharawi delve into the complexities of Palestinian Islamic Jihad's religious identity, its relationship with Iran, how Iran uses segments within a society to infiltrate them, and the implications of this for Jordanian and other Sunni societies.