Wed Jul 23 2025

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the tangled web of Middle East alliances — a region where loyalties shift fast, grudges run deep, and backchannel deals are the norm. This isn’t just a map of borders — it’s a chessboard of power, religion, and oil. We’ll break down who sides with who when tensions rise, what proxy wars are really about, and why Turkey is somehow always involved. Along the way, we’ll unpack surprising friendships, long-standing rivalries, and why it all still matters to the rest of us. This episode is equal parts politics, history, strategy, and drama — so whether you're news-curious or just want to impress at dinner, let’s make sense of the Middle East…sorta.