The Globalist – March 30, 2026

Episode Theme:
How drone technology has reshaped the wars in Ukraine and Iran

Overview

This episode of The Globalist explores the evolving role of drone warfare in the conflicts involving Ukraine, Iran, and the Gulf states, highlighting the geopolitical complexities and technological innovation changing the face of modern war. The discussion covers the escalation of the Iran-Gulf conflict, Ukraine’s export of counter-drone technology, Russia and Iran’s collaborative advancements in drones, and wider security, political, and cultural stories from around the globe. Expert guests provide on-the-ground perspectives and deep analysis of current affairs, including U.S. political divides, a landmark social media ban for under-16s in Indonesia, the intersection of art, architecture, and public spaces in Brazil, and the latest in space news.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Escalation in the Middle East: Iran, Israel, and the Gulf

(Primary Segment: 04:22 – 12:38)

• On-the-Ground Perspective:

  • Inzima Rashid (Monocle Gulf correspondent) describes a surge in Iranian missile and drone attacks on Gulf states, including the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait, with strategic civilian and industrial targets hit.

  • Israeli and U.S. responses are intensifying, with Israel directly targeting energy infrastructure and key urban centers in Iran.

    “Last night I was on the phone to an ambassador inside Tehran... there was a huge explosion in the background. That was around the fourth day in a row where the heart of Tehran had consistent bombardment.”
    — Inzima Rashid (06:10)

• Expansion of Conflict:

  • The conflict is growing both geographically (with Yemen’s Houthi rebels opening new fronts by firing missiles at Israel and threatening to close strategic waterways) and in complexity, as regional patience runs thin.

    “The Houthi rebels... got the green light from Iran to join this conflict after heavy Israeli bombardment... what they could do is block off a very particular strait... which would just add even more pressure to the global economy.”
    — Inzima Rashid (06:40)

• Regional Sentiment:

  • Gulf states like the UAE openly call for regime change in Iran; Qatar and Saudi Arabia are both considering more direct involvement. Economic consequences include plummeting tourism and increased resident departures.

    “Patience here is running thin... the UAE is now actively saying that they need a change of regime inside Iran.”
    — Inzima Rashid (08:35)

• Potential U.S. Ground Invasion:

  • Reports indicate the U.S. is considering a targeted ground operation, possibly an assault on Kharg Island—vital for Iranian oil exports—to choke Iran’s economy.

    “Kharg Island is essentially the backbone to the Iranian energy economy. Around 90% of Iran’s oil is currently on that island. Control... would be putting the knee on the neck of Iran’s economy.”
    — Inzima Rashid (11:40)

2. Drone Technology: Ukraine, Russia, and Iran

(Primary Segment: 12:38 – 19:58)

• Ukraine’s Gulf Outreach:

  • President Zelensky’s visit to Saudi Arabia marks efforts to export Ukraine’s battlefield-tested, low-cost drone interceptors—FPV (first-person view) drones designed to counter the proliferation of Iranian-made Shahed drones.

    “The Iranians designed [the Shahed]; Russians operate them... The Ukrainians figured out that they’re so prolific you need a very cheap way of knocking them down... If you build a fast FPV drone, you can intercept a Shahed... much cheaper than using an air defense missile.”
    — Jacob Parakilis, Rand Europe (13:49)

• Drone Economy and Diplomacy:

  • Ukraine’s defense industry has pivoted to possible exports, aiming to monetize tech advancements and build strategic alliances, especially as Gulf nations run low on their own interceptors.

    “Exporting allows Ukrainian industry to build more infrastructure... [it becomes] not just a potential form of income, but a form of defense diplomacy.”
    — Jacob Parakilis (15:32)

• Russia-Iran Drone Collaboration:

  • Russia has upgraded the original Iranian Shahed model, enhancing its speed, range, and maneuverability, with technical improvements now feeding back into Iran’s own arsenal.

    “Russia... has given [the Shahed] more powerful engines, more sensors, more complicated data links... They are in turn beginning to export those developments back to the Iranians.”
    — Jacob Parakilis (17:28)

• Strategic Impact:

  • Ukraine’s technological exports may serve as a prototype for defense diplomacy, potentially shifting the diplomatic balance with countries previously neutral or less supportive of Ukraine.

    “If Ukrainians can say, ‘Let us help you solve a tactical challenge,’... that’s a real and meaningful good, which might buy them more support politically.”
    — Jacob Parakilis (19:00)

3. U.S. Politics: Republican Split Over Iran

(Primary Segment: 32:18 – 36:55)

• CPAC Straw Poll and Party Direction:

  • J.D. Vance leads the 2028 Republican primary straw poll; Marco Rubio is rising, revealing splits between interventionist and isolationist factions.

  • Iran policy is deeply divisive—while Trump retains overwhelming support, the war is unpopular among both young and older voters, with economic pressures (e.g., fuel prices, cost of living) exacerbating discontent.

    “A lot of the conservative movement has now gotten behind Trump firmly... But JD Vance hasn’t been that vocal defending the Iran war... there are those that don’t want to be interventionists at all.”
    — Natasha Linstadt, University of Essex (33:32)

• Generational Divide:

  • Younger Republicans and some isolationist older figures oppose continued conflict, while party leadership leans towards Trump’s hawkish stance.

    “It tends to be more younger voters are against the conflict. But... it’s a surprisingly high number of Republicans that are still in favor of it.”
    — Natasha Linstadt (34:47)

4. Global Affairs Snapshots

Middle Eastern Mediation Attempts

• Pakistan convenes Saudi, Turkish, and Egyptian ministers aiming to play a channel for future US-Iran negotiations, despite persistent military escalations.

Europe Front Page Review

(21:04 – 23:49)

• UK and EU are negotiating a youth mobility scheme—UK seeks a hard cap amid economic revitalization efforts and migration debates.
• Swiss authorities track an increase in high-value mobile phone thefts with international smuggling routes leading to Algeria.

Indonesia’s Social Media Ban for Under-16s

(37:43 – 43:51)

• Policy Goals and Implementation:

  • A first-in-region, phased ban on under-16s using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and others.

  • Strict penalties for non-compliant tech companies; deployment of both AI and human moderators for enforcement.

    “The move aims to protect children... and strengthen their data protection... It’s a huge task for the government given Indonesia’s large population.”
    — Randy Mulianto, Red Voice Indonesia (37:43–38:28)

• National and Regional Reaction:

  • Debate among parents and youth about freedom vs. protection; neighboring countries are observing for policy inspiration.
  • Platforms like Roblox may introduce “offline modes” for underage users.

5. Culture & Space

Brazil: Alberto Exhibition – Art Transforms Architecture

(44:37 – 51:09)

• Vision:

  • Philippe Asis describes Alberto’s latest edition: immersive exhibitions inside iconic homes, including the radical, idiosyncratic Casabola by Eduardo Longo. New art commissions highlight Brazil’s pop and contemporary scene.

    “It’s the first time not in a modernist house, the first time a living architect, and the first time the architect is living inside the house while the exhibition is on.”
    — Philippe Asis (47:39)

• Public Engagement:

  • For the first time, exhibits spill onto Sao Paulo’s busiest avenue, with over 500,000 daily passersby, democratizing art access outside traditional venues.

    “We’re going to show over 20 artworks... interventions on the street. It will be an interesting Alberto. Alberto Rua means Alberto open, but also means street in Portuguese.”
    — Philippe Asis (49:33)

Space News: Artemis 2 and Beyond

(52:05 – 58:38)

• Upcoming Lunar Mission:

  • Artemis 2 launch window opens April 1; mission will carry four astronauts around the Moon with health concerns focused chiefly on radiation exposure.

    “On a short mission like this, the main problem is radiation... Once you get far enough away, there’s no protection... so they’re all wearing little monitors.”
    — Tira Schubert (53:30)

• Women in Space:

  • Practical advantages noted for female astronauts—greater efficiency in water, air, and food usage.

    “Women are slightly better in space... we use less consumables, we’re more efficient.”
    — Tira Schubert (55:17)

• Spectacular Astronomy:

  • Recent images of Saturn’s auroras and moons from Hubble and James Webb space telescopes offer respite and wonder amid global turbulence.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the pace and unpredictability of Middle East escalation:

  “It’s a very precarious and I think a very dangerous week ahead for this conflict.”
  — Inzima Rashid (12:25)

• On the Russian-Iranian drone alliance:

  “It’s a really interesting and also quite terrifying set of developments occurring in the heat of ongoing conflict.”
  — Jacob Parakilis (17:58)

• On art invading public spaces:

  “We are doing a show in the public space... the busiest avenue in Sao Paulo. Over 500,000 people passing by every day.”
  — Philippe Asis (49:33)

• On commercial space travel:

  “They just poke their heads over the Karman Line... four minutes of weightlessness—that’s even less time than we have to talk about it. So I don’t know, I probably ruined my chances of an invitation.”
  — Tira Schubert (57:17)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 04:22 – 12:38: Middle East Escalation and Gulf Reactions (Inzima Rashid)
• 12:38 – 19:58: Drone Technology in Ukraine, Iran, and the Gulf (Jacob Parakilis)
• 32:18 – 36:55: U.S. Republican Party Split Over Iran (Natasha Linstadt)
• 37:43 – 43:51: Indonesia’s Youth Social Media Ban (Randy Mulianto)
• 44:37 – 51:09: Brazil’s Alberto Art & Architecture Exhibition (Philippe Asis)
• 52:05 – 58:38: Space News: Artemis 2 and More (Tira Schubert)

Tone, Style, and Language

The hosts and expert guests maintain a precise yet conversational tone, with occasional humor and vivid first-person accounts. Technical insights are balanced with geopolitical analysis and human stories, making complex topics accessible but nuanced.

This episode offers a comprehensive and immediate snapshot of how technology, diplomacy, and society interact on the modern global stage—anchored by the transformative, and increasingly accessible, power of drones.