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Shaky Israel-Iran ceasefire points to unfinished business My new analysis of the 12-day war, and why it may well be the beginning of a new and more dangerous phase of the Israel-Iran conflict, rather than its end. en.majalla.com/node/326170/po…

The most thoughtful assessment I’ve read of the current situation in Iran, by Karim Sadjadpour.

My take on CNN International with Becky Anderson on President Trump’s NATO press conference remarks regarding Israel-Iran: 1. The US is above Iran & Israel, not led by Israel 2. The US won’t be rushing to make a new deal with Iran as it’s expecting Iran to play by the rules the US has set.

I tell ⁦Kasra Naji⁩: It’s difficult to estimate how long the Iranian regime can survive but this looks like the beginning of the end. Ali Khamenei is likely to become the Islamic Republic's last “Supreme Leader” in the full sense of the word. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Pleased to share my latest big-picture article in Foreign Policy: Iran Is Islamism’s Last Lifeline in the Middle East. I argue that without support from a weakened Tehran, the region’s extremist movements would wither. foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/26/ira…

Coming up on The Briefing Room on Radio 4 at 4 and BBC Sounds David Aaronovitch and guests discuss what’s next for Iran. Shashank Joshi Lina Khatib Ali Ansari Dr Patricia Lewis bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0…

On June 25 on CNN International I told Becky Anderson that without a resolution on Israel-Palestine, which only Washington can influence positively, Israel & Iran can’t be expected to coexist peacefully. Trump supported Netanyahu in the campaign on Iran; now Netanyahu needs to give something back

Podcast🎙️ | Iran’s nuclear programme: destroyed, damaged or intact? Bronwen Maddox is in Jordan this week, speaking to regional experts about the US and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear programme. Joining her on the podcast to assess the consequences are Lina Khatib and

Podcast🎙️ | Iran’s nuclear programme: destroyed, damaged or intact? Bronwen Maddox is in Jordan this week, speaking to regional experts about the US and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear programme. Joining her on the podcast to assess the consequences are Lina Khatib and

Without Iran’s support, many Islamist groups would lose a major source of funding and weapons, which would in turn translate into political loss both domestically and regionally, argues Lina Khatib. foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/26/ira…

Podcast🎙️ | Iran’s nuclear programme: destroyed, damaged or intact? Bronwen Maddox is in Jordan this week, speaking to regional experts about the US and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear programme. Joining her on the podcast to assess the consequences are Lina Khatib and

Read my cover article in the current issue of TIME, out in print now. This is the beginning of the end of the Iranian regime as we’ve known it. Thank you adam rasmi for the opportunity.

Amidst all the noise, Palestinian oud master Nizar Rohana played amazing compositions & talked about musical heritage. Platforming Palestine etc. is not down to one form. Refocus by supporting talent & attending events like this. Thanks to Arts Canteen for creating this space.

How many countries have birthed a whole global musical genre in our lifetime? The UK must honour the creators of heavy metal, the original 4 members of BlackSabbath, for their contribution to British cultural heritage and increasing its influence all over the world. Knighthoods!

Hezbollah was never serious about disarming: Weapons are its political coercion tool. Iran is similarly not serious about abandoning nuclear enrichment. Both convey vagueness and may even make international agreements on paper but this is just to buy time. Neither is trustworthy.

I tell The Telegraph: Armed groups aligned with Syrian government forces are attacking the Druze in Sweida without accountability. Thousands of fighters not trained to be part of a state apparatus, who come from jihadist ranks, now find themselves blended into Syrian armed forces.

The events in Sweida underline the repercussions of: 1. lack of genuine inclusive governance in Syria; 2. the Syrian authorities’ giving jihadist allies space to act with impunity; 3. Israel’s zero hesitation to act decisively to secure itself. Tough lessons for Syria’s stability

It’s a sad day for all of us in the global metal music community. I am so grateful I was at Ozzy’s incredible farewell show. I hope the UK recognizes what a historic contribution Black Sabbath have made to music and to British cultural heritage.

Alarmingly, the only foreign policy statement made by the UK’s newest political party is expressing support for Palestine. It’s time policymakers in the UK and beyond recognize that the continuation of the Israel/Palestine status quo is damaging, and feeding extremism everywhere.

I cannot believe this week. Iconic giants I grew up with have departed one by one. There are no words to describe the status and influence Ziad Rahbani had on music, theatre, and society across the whole Middle East and he has gone too soon. The world has lost a shining light.