Temporada 1
Between Iran, Oman, Yemen and Somaliland
In this episode of the Middle East Shitshow, Yossi and Daniella move from the recent Iran-US negotiations in Oman to the historical and current geopolitical dynamics in the region. They touch on the Palestinian issue, noting the slow evolution of the Trump administration's Gaza plans. The conversation then moves to the highly fragmented Bab al-Mandeb region: the historical ties between Israel and Oman, including Israeli support for the newly independent Sultanate in the 1960s and 1970s; Israeli aid to Yemen and today's Houthis back then, and the potential for Israeli strategic ties with Somaliland to counter current Houthi threats. Episode summary: Why Oman is a preferred venue for indirect negotiations What “facilitation” really means in Middle East diplomacy Yemen’s north/south fracture and how the Houthis fit into it Red Sea shipping chokepoints and why global trade gets dragged in How history repeats: past proxy patterns echoing in modern alliances
In their second pilot episode, Daniella and Yossi Alpher discuss Iran, Gaza and Syria. They focus on the potential for a U.S. attack on Iran, the impact on Israel, and the regional dynamics involving Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan. They debate the likelihood of regime change in Iran and the preparedness of the Revolutionary Guard. The conversation shifts to the Gaza ceasefire, the role of Trump, and the challenges of disarming Hamas. They also explore the Kurdish situation in Syria, the potential threats from Turkey, and the complexities of U.S. troop withdrawal and the imprisonment of al-Qaeda forces in northeast Syria. Episode summary: Why regime change is improbable in Iran Gaza: how wider escalation could derail ceasefire implementation The stabilization force problem: who would actually do it, and why Kurds in Syria: autonomy, Turkey’s pressure, and risks to Israel’s security