Kianistan

tafhimkiani

Engaging Conversations on Geopolitics, Islam, Business, and Emerging Technology Welcome to Kianistan, a podcast where insightful discussions meet diverse perspectives. Join us as we explore the intricate geopolitics of the Greater Middle East, delve into the rich and multifaceted world of Islam, uncover the latest trends in business, and navigate the forefront of emerging technologies. Each episode features engaging conversations with experts, thought leaders, and innovators from various backgrounds, providing you with informative and thought-provoking content.

  1. 1 day ago

    Laith Marouf: Strait of Hormuz Clashes, Yemen War & the Fall of the Petrodollar | EP 154

    If this conversation added value, consider supporting the show: buymeacoffee.com/tafhimkianzIn Episode 154 of the Kianistan Podcast, award-winning journalist, political commentator, media activist, and geopolitical analyst Laith Marouf returns to break down the rapidly escalating war between Iran and the United States, the renewed conflict inside Yemen, and the shifting alliances reshaping West Asia.We start with the UK's new law restricting trade with Israeli settlement bodies, and why it may be more theater than substance. From there, Laith connects the dots between Europe's collapsing political establishment, the rise of the far right, and growing public disillusionment with Western democracy. The conversation then turns to Yemen, where renewed fighting between Ansar Allah, Saudi-backed forces, and UAE-backed militias is exposing a bitter rivalry between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi — and how Pakistan's Gwadar port fits into the same regional contest for control of trade routes.Laith also lays out his read on the Strait of Hormuz naval clashes between Iran and the US, the state of America's depleted missile and interceptor stockpiles, the resignations shaking the top of the US military, and why he believes Iran won't wait until after the November election to act. We close with a look at China and Russia's calculated position on Iran following the SCO summit, Syria's fragile hold under al-Jolani, and Iran and Yemen's indigenous missile programs.If you enjoy thoughtful, in-depth conversations on geopolitics, international relations, military strategy, and global affairs, don't forget to subscribe and share this episode.WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODEThe UK's new ban on trade with Israeli settlements — and why Israel is angrier at Britain than anyone elseWhy Europe's traditional political parties are losing ground to the far rightWhether public opinion can ever change US foreign policyWhat's really driving the renewed war in YemenThe behind-the-scenes rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over Yemen's portsWhy Saudi Arabia keeps escalating against Ansar Allah despite its own vulnerabilityLaith's "zero-sum war" thesis for the future of Palestine and IsraelThe fragile state of Syria under al-Jolani's regimeWhat's actually happening in the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and the US NavyAmerica's dwindling missile and interceptor stockpilesWhy Iran may escalate before the US midterms rather than afterChina and Russia's real position on Iran after the SCO summitIran and Yemen's indigenous missile manufacturing programsCHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction: West Asia at a Boiling Point 01:18 – Welcome Back, Laith Marouf 01:24 – UK's New Ban on Israeli Settlement Trade — Policy or Theater? 08:52 – Europe's Political Crisis & the Rise of the Far Right 12:53 – Can Public Opinion Ever Change US Foreign Policy? 15:53 – Yemen: Who Is Really Driving the Renewed Conflict? 20:08 – UAE vs Saudi Arabia: The Fight for Yemen's Ports & Gwadar 26:15 – Saudi Arabia's Gamble: Retaliate Against Ansar Allah or Negotiate? 30:17 – Zero-Sum War: Total Victory, Genocide, or the End of Israel 35:44 – Syria Under al-Jolani: A Regime on Borrowed Time 39:14 – Strait of Hormuz: Inside the US-Iran Naval Clashes 42:44 – America's Military Exhaustion: Running Out of Missiles & Interceptors 47:16 – China, Russia & the Multipolar Order's Stakes in Iran 52:17 – Iran & Yemen's Missile Programs: Indigenous Power, Not Just Iranian Aid 54:57 – Closing Thoughts & Where to Follow Laith MaroufABOUT LAITH MAROUF :Laith Marouf is an award-winning journalist, political commentator, media legal activist, and geopolitical analyst. He is the founder of Free Palestine TV and has appeared on numerous international media platforms discussing Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, geopolitics, media, and international affairs.CONNECT WITH LAITH MAROUF YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/laithmarouf

  2. 1 day ago

    Peter Schiff: Iran "Wins" the War, Gold's Next Move & Trump's Economic Disaster | EP 155

    In Episode 155 of the Kianistan Podcast, economist, investment advisor, and long-time Federal Reserve critic Peter Schiff joins us to break down how the ongoing war between the US and Iran is colliding with America's own economic and political troubles.If you enjoy sharp, no-nonsense conversations on economics, markets, geopolitics, and where the world is headed, don't forget to subscribe and share this episode.WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODEWhy Peter Schiff believes the Iran-US war has already gone worse than planned for AmericaHow the war, oil prices, and the draining of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve are connectedWhat a Democratic House and Senate could mean for Trump after the midtermsWhy Peter thinks Iran will emerge from this war stronger, not weakerThe three possible endgames for the war — endless conflict, negotiated settlement, or escalationWhy the petrodollar is in "greater jeopardy" than everWhy gold pulled back after its parabolic rally — and why Peter expects new highsThe real numbers behind Trump's tariffs and the US-China trade deficitThe only way Peter believes America can actually fix its debt and deficit problemWhether AI poses a genuine extinction-level riskWhether AI will destroy more jobs than it creates — and what that means for workersA deep dive into whether AI could ever truly "want" anythingHow the Republican Party has transformed since Peter's own Senate runCHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction: US-Iran War Meets US Politics 01:18 – Welcome Peter Schiff 01:26 – The US-Iran War: Oil Prices & No End in Sight 05:06 – Midterms 2026: Could a Democratic Congress Push Trump to Escalate? 08:32 – Why Peter Schiff Thinks Iran "Wins" This War 12:21 – Trump's Delusion & the Republican Party's Silence 16:56 – Has the US Avoided Recession? AI Spending vs. the Real Economy 18:12 – Three Endgames for the Iran War 23:54 – The Petrodollar's Slow Collapse 25:07 – Why Gold Pulled Back — And Why New Highs Are Coming 26:51 – Trump's Tariffs: Who's Really Winning the Trade War? 29:55 – The Only Way to Fix the Deficit: Cut Spending, Raise Rates 31:15 – Could AI Wipe Out Humanity? 34:42 – Will AI Destroy More Jobs Than It Creates? 38:20 – Does AI Even Want Anything? The Philosophy of AI Autonomy 43:10 – AI vs. the Human Touch: What Happens to Customer Service Jobs? 47:29 – How Trump Transformed the Republican Party 50:16 – Closing Thoughts & Where to Follow Peter SchiffABOUT PETER SCHIFF Peter David Schiff is an American stockbroker, financial commentator, and radio personality. He co-founded Euro Pacific Canada (Echelon Wealth Partners) and is involved in several financial services companies, including Euro Pacific Asset Management as an independent investment advisor, and SchiffGold.CONNECT WITH PETER SCHIFF YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/peterschiff Sign up for Peter's most valuable insights at https://SchiffSovereign.comFollow Peter Schiff on Twitter: / peterschiff Follow Peter Schiff on Instagram: / peterschiff Follow Peter Schiff on TikTok: / peterschiffofficial Follow Peter Schiff on Facebook: / peterschiff Subscribe for conversations on geopolitics, economics, markets, and global affairs.If this conversation added value, consider supporting the show: buymeacoffee.com/tafhimkianzHashtags #PeterSchiff #Iran #USA #Gold #Silver #Inflation #FederalReserve #Economy #Recession #AI #Tariffs #Petrodollar #Deficit #Trump #Geopolitics #KianistanPodcastTAGS Peter Schiff, Peter Schiff podcast, Iran USA war, oil prices, strategic petroleum reserve, gold price, silver price, SchiffGold, Euro Pacific Asset Management, petrodollar, US debt, national deficit, Federal Reserve, interest rates, recession, inflation, AI jobs, AI extinction risk, AI bubble, Trump tariffs, US China trade war, midterm elections 2026, Republican Party, Trump economy, stock market, economics, investment advisor, Austrian economics, gold and silver, Kianistan Podcast, Tafhim Kiani

  3. 4 days ago

    Pakistan, Saudi Arabia & Türkiye: What the Makkah Defence Pact Means | Zarrar Khuhro - Ep 152

    ☕ SUPPORT THE SHOW: buymeacoffee.com/tafhimkianzWhat does the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement mean for Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and the future of the Middle East?In Episode 152 of the Kianistan Podcast, host Tafhim Kiani is joined by Pakistani journalist and columnist Zarrar Khuhro for an in-depth discussion about Pakistan's new defence partnership with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, the changing balance of power in the Middle East, Iran, Yemen, India, Israel, China and Pakistan's evolving regional strategy.The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement brings Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye closer together on defence and strategic security. But what does this new partnership actually mean? Could it become a new regional security bloc, and how might it affect Iran, Yemen, the Gulf, the Red Sea and South Asia?Zarrar Khuhro examines Pakistan–Saudi relations, Pakistan–Türkiye defence cooperation, the Yemen war, Gulf security, Iran's position, the strategic importance of the Bab al-Mandab, China's role in the region and Pakistan's difficult balancing act between major global and regional powers.WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER• What the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement means• Why Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the agreement• The history of Pakistan–Saudi relations• Pakistan's role in the Yemen war• Why Türkiye is becoming strategically important to Pakistan• Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and the changing Middle East• The future of Gulf security and US security guarantees• Pakistan's relationship with Iran and Saudi Arabia• Could Pakistan be drawn into another regional conflict?• Yemen, Ansarullah and Saudi security• The strategic importance of the Bab al-Mandab and Red Sea• Pakistan, Türkiye and Somalia• India, Israel and emerging regional blocs• Pakistan's military relationship with Türkiye• China's role in Middle Eastern security• China–Pakistan strategic relations• Could the Makkah Agreement expand?• Is this becoming a new regional security alliance?• What the new geopolitical order means for Pakistan and the Middle EastCHAPTERS00:00 – What Is the Makkah Defence Agreement?02:22 – Introducing Zarrar Khuhro03:20 – Why Pakistan, Saudi Arabia & Türkiye?04:18 – Pakistan–Saudi Relations & Yemen05:29 – Türkiye–Saudi Relations07:06 – Why the Makkah Agreement Matters07:44 – US Security Guarantees & the Gulf09:06 – The Iran War & a Changing Middle East10:33 – Why the Three Countries Need Each Other12:30 – India, Pakistan & the 2025 Conflict14:12 – What Does “An Attack on One” Mean?18:00 – Pakistan's Balancing Act20:55 – Can Pakistan Avoid Regional Wars?22:02 – Pakistan, Yemen & Escalation24:21 – Iran, Pakistan & Saudi Arabia27:49 – Ansarullah: Proxy or Independent Actor?29:19 – Saudi Arabia & Yemen30:00 – The Balkanization of the Middle East31:44 – Iran & the Postwar Region32:30 – Pakistan, Somalia & Bab al-Mandab34:00 – Türkiye, Pakistan & Somalia35:46 – Is This a Sunni Alliance?37:25 – India, Israel & Regional Blocs40:03 – What Does the Alliance Change?42:08 – Can the Makkah Agreement Work?44:17 – Turkish Military Support for Pakistan44:40 – What China Is Learning From the Wars47:57 – China's View of the Agreement49:00 – China–Pakistan Strategic Relations50:54 – Pakistan, Iran & US Pressure53:20 – Pakistan's Difficult Balancing Act53:45 – How Will the Iran War End?54:58 – America's Strategic Setback56:40 – Iran, US Midterms & the Future58:24 – Can We Predict the Future?58:41 – Final Thoughts59:23 – Thank You & GoodbyeABOUT ZARRAR KHUHROZarrar Khuhro is a Pakistani journalist, columnist and television presenter who has worked extensively across print and electronic media. His commentary covers Pakistan, foreign policy, geopolitics, international relations and regional security.CONNECT WITH ZARRAR KHUHRODawn: Zarrar KhuhroX: Zarrar Khuhro

  4. 2 Sept

    Mark Leon Goldberg: Iran War, Hormuz, Yemen & the Global Impact | EP 151

    ☕ SUPPORT THE SHOWbuymeacoffee.com/tafhimkianzIn Episode 151 of the Kianistan Podcast, host Tafhim Kiani is joined by Mark Leon Goldberg, host and founder of the Global Dispatches Podcast and Editor-in-Chief of UN Dispatch, for an in-depth discussion about the ongoing Iran war, the Strait of Hormuz, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, US foreign policy and the wider consequences for the Middle East and global economy.If you are interested in Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, US foreign policy, Middle East geopolitics, global trade, energy security and international affairs, this episode provides an important discussion about the potential consequences of the current conflict.Subscribe to the Kianistan Podcast for more long-form conversations on geopolitics, international relations, war, diplomacy, history, economics and global affairs.WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE• The latest pattern in the Iran–US conflict• Why the Strait of Hormuz is strategically important• Iran's response to US military pressure• The possibility of renewed kinetic warfare• Iran's internal debate over escalation• US economic pressure and secondary sanctions• Why China's relationship with Iran matters• Oman's role as a mediator between Iran and the United States• Oman's difficult position between Iran and the Gulf states• The economic importance of the Strait of Hormuz• Global energy and shipping risks• The potential for the Iran conflict to spread to Yemen• The strategic importance of the Bab al-Mandab Strait• Saudi Arabia and the risk of renewed conflict with Yemen• The Houthis and Saudi Arabia's military challenges• The possibility of a wider regional war• Mark Leon Goldberg's work covering global affairs• The future of the United Nations• The race for the next UN Secretary-General• How AI could change podcasting and independent mediaChapters : 00:00 – Introduction & Mark Leon Goldberg01:36 – Iran War & the Current Stalemate03:01 – Strait of Hormuz & the New Pattern of Conflict04:15 – US Strikes, Iranian Retaliation & Escalation05:32 – Economic Warfare & Pressure on Iran06:14 – Iran's Debate Over Escalation08:24 – US Sanctions, China & Iran's Economy09:53 – Oman's Role in the Iran Conflict12:50 – Oman's Difficult Position Between Iran & the Gulf14:25 – How Could Shipping Through Hormuz Work?16:00 – Strait of Hormuz, Oil & Global Trade18:00 – Iran's Leverage Over Regional Energy Routes20:00 – US Strategy & the Limits of Military Pressure22:00 – The Gulf States & Regional Security24:00 – Saudi Arabia's Position in the Conflict26:00 – Saudi Arabia, Iran & Regional Power28:00 – Yemen, the Houthis & Regional Escalation31:00 – The Bab al-Mandab Strait & Global Shipping34:00 – Could the Iran War Become a Regional War?36:00 – Israel's Role & Regional De-Escalation40:08 – Yemen & the Risk of a Wider Conflict43:38 – Global Dispatches & Covering World Affairs45:16 – The United Nations & the Next Secretary-General47:37 – AI, Podcasting & the Future of Independent Media49:35 – Final Thoughts & Closing50:03 – Thank You & GoodbyeABOUT MARK LEON GOLDBERGMark Leon Goldberg is the host and founder of the Global Dispatches Podcast and Editor-in-Chief of UN Dispatch.CONNECT WITH MARK LEON GOLDBERGGlobal Dispatches: Global DispatchesSpotify: Global Dispatches on SpotifyApple Podcasts: Global Dispatches on Apple PodcastsYouTube: Global Dispatches on YouTubeSubscribe for conversations on Iran, the Middle East, Russia, Ukraine, China, global politics, international relations and the changing world order.#MarkLeonGoldberg #Iran #Hormuz #Yemen #SaudiArabia #MiddleEast #Geopolitics #USForeignPolicy #GlobalAffairs #KianistanPodcast

  5. 27 Aug

    Prof. Isa Blumi: Iran, Yemen & Is the Gulf About to Break Apart? | EP 148

    In Episode 148 of the Kianistan Podcast, historian Professor Isa Blumi of Stockholm University returns to break down the war between Iran and the United States, the fight over the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia's new campaign against Ansarullah in Yemen, and why he believes the borders of West Asia and the Gulf are being redrawn in front of us.If you enjoy the show, you can support it here: buymeacoffee.com/tafhimkianzProfessor Blumi argues that much of what we are watching is theatre: Trump's statements about the Strait of Hormuz move markets within seconds, algorithmic trading does the rest, and profits are made long before anyone checks whether the claim was even true. From there we get into the harder question — why isn't Iran fighting back in the narrative war, and are there factions inside Iran who would actually benefit from its failure?We also go deep into infrastructure and trade corridors: why pipelines and railways are quietly replacing shipping lanes, what that means for chokepoints like Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, how China's rail network now reaches Europe in 12-14 days, where Gwadar and the Karakoram Highway fit in, and why the North-South corridor through Azerbaijan is such a problem for Tehran. Professor Blumi explains how Gulf oil and gas may increasingly be routed to the Eastern Mediterranean, and what that means for Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, Turkey and Israel.On the Gulf, he explains why he thinks Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and even Saudi Arabia are facing an existential moment - collapsing revenue, the failure of NEOM, the succession fight around Mohammed bin Salman, and a "Mecca agreement" he argues is neither an alliance nor a real defence pact. On Yemen, he breaks down the troop build-ups in Ma'rib and Mocha, foreign fighters arriving from Sudan, Colombia and Syria, and Ansarullah's "siege for siege" doctrine that has left Saudi infrastructure exposed.Finally, he makes the case that Turkey and Israel have never really been enemies, that sectarian politics has run its course, and that the real contest ahead is between corporations, warlords and supply chains rather than sovereign states.CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome and Introducing Professor Isa Blumi01:12 Trump Claims the Strait of Hormuz02:41 Why Isn't Iran Fighting the Narrative War03:59 Rigged Markets, War Profiteering and Divided Power in Iran09:30 Is Iran Still at Risk of Being Broken Apart11:06 Pipelines, Supply Chains and the Future of Sovereign States14:20 Trade Corridors: China, Russia, Iran and Pakistan16:39 Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab: The Fight Over Chokepoints19:16 China's Railways, Gwadar and the Karakoram Highway20:26 Why Ships Are Losing to Pipelines and Drones22:27 Azerbaijan, Israel and the North-South Corridor Problem25:06 BlackRock, Warlords and Who Really Controls the Oil27:02 Time Is on My Side: Trump's Hormuz Gamble29:02 Gulf States Running Out of Money: Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE36:04 US Navy Retreat, Diego Garcia and Disgruntled Sailors37:51 Tough Talk vs Reality and the Split Inside Iran40:06 Patriotism, Corruption and Sabotage Inside Iran44:47 Yemen: Why Saudi Arabia Picked a Fight With Ansarullah46:22 Troop Build-Ups in Ma'rib, Mocha and the Taiz Front48:28 Foreign Fighters From Sudan, Colombia and Syria50:06 Siege for Siege: Ansarullah's New Doctrine52:50 MBS, Succession and Can Saudi Arabia Survive55:31 Red Sea Pressure, Pakistani Troops and Turkey's Arms Boom56:59 What Is the Mecca Agreement, Really60:45 Is Turkey-Israel Hostility Just Theatre63:30 Kuwait and Qatar Run Out of Options64:57 The End of Sectarianism as a Political Tool65:25 Where to Find Professor Blumi's Work and Books

  6. 27 Aug

    Alexander Rahr: Ukraine War, Trump's Peace Plan & the Rise of a Multipolar World | EP 147

    SUPPORT THE SHOWbuymeacoffee.com/tafhimkianzLeading Russia expert and political scientist Alexander G. Rahr returns to the Kianistan Podcast for Episode 147 — a candid conversation on the state of the Ukraine war, the failed Trump peace plan, and what he sees as a historic shift toward a multipolar world order.Rahr, a German political scientist and biographer of both Mikhail Gorbachev and Vladimir Putin, has spent years arguing that the West needs a deeper understanding of Russian history and geopolitics — a position that has drawn him significant criticism in European circles. In this episode, he explains why he views the Ukraine conflict as part of a much bigger struggle between a unipolar and multipolar world, how China, Iran, and the BRICS states factor into that struggle, and why he believes real change in Europe may not arrive until France's 2027 presidential election.⏱ CHAPTERS00:00 – Introduction & Welcoming Back Alexander Rahr01:21 – Greetings01:30 – Four Years of War: Is There Still a War Objective?05:21 – A Weakened NATO, a Weakened EU & the US-China-Russia Triangle08:49 – The Risk of NATO Troops Entering Russian Territory18:48 – Crimea, Donbas & the Shape of a Negotiated Settlement19:19 – Pressure on Zelensky & Ukraine's Leadership19:57 – Ukraine's Shrinking Defensive Position20:34 – President Trump's Peace Plan Offer to Russia21:55 – Why Europe Rejected Trump's Plan23:48 – China's Strategic Calculus in the War25:20 – How the Iran War Reshaped the Calculations34:57 – China's Deepening Support for Russia38:27 – New Eurasian Alliances: Russia, China, India & Turkey47:23 – France's 2027 Election & the Future of Europe49:38 – Alexander Rahr's Eurasian Society & New Book, "The Golden Gate of Kyiv"50:56 – Being Demonized in Germany for Advocating Diplomacy👤 ABOUT THE GUESTAlexander G. Rahr is a German historian and political scientist, widely regarded as one of Europe's leading experts on Russia. He is the biographer of both Mikhail Gorbachev and Vladimir Putin, and serves as head of the Eurasian Society think tank.🔗 CONNECT & LEARN MOREBooks by Alexander Rahr: https://www.amazon.com/Alexander-Rahr/e/B00457OFUK🔔 Subscribe to the Kianistan Podcast for long-form conversations on history, geopolitics, diplomacy, and global affairs.#AlexanderRahr #Russia #Ukraine #Putin #Gorbachev #MultipolarWorld #KianistanPodcast #Geopolitics #China #NATO #InternationalRelations🏷 Tags Alexander Rahr, Alexander G Rahr, Alexander Rahr political scientist, Alexander Rahr Russia, Putin biographer, Gorbachev biographer, Russia Ukraine war, Ukraine conflict update, multipolar world order, unipolar world order, NATO Russia, NATO expansion, Trump peace plan Ukraine, Trump Russia sanctions, Crimea Donbas negotiations, Zelensky Ukraine, China Russia relations, China Iran Russia, BRICS countries, Eurasian Society, Russia China India Turkey, France 2027 election, Macron successor, European political science, German political scientist, Russia expert, Golden Gate of Kyiv book, Russia geopolitics, US Russia China triangle, Iran war impact, Israel Iran conflict, world order shift, Cold War 2, new Cold War, Kianistan Podcast, Tafhim Kiani, geopolitics podcast, history podcast, international relations podcast

  7. 27 Aug

    Marat Iliyasov: Chechnya, Kadyrov & the War Russia Wants You to Forget | Kianistan Podcast EP 150

    ☕ SUPPORT THE SHOWbuymeacoffee.com/tafhimkianzDr Marat Iliyasov joins the Kianistan Podcast for Episode 150 — the conversation on Chechnya we've been wanting to have for a long time.Dr Iliyasov, a Chechen scholar who completed his PhD at the University of St Andrews and now teaches at the College of the Holy Cross, takes us through the whole arc: Ramzan Kadyrov's grip on the republic and his fragile health, the two wars of the 1990s, Stalin's mass deportation of 1944, and the century-long confrontation with the Russian Empire that came before all of it.We discuss why a republic of 1.5 million people matters so much in Russian politics, how the first war revived Chechen Islamic identity and the second brought radicalisation, the role of Sufi Naqshbandi and Qadiri traditions, why Akhmad Kadyrov changed sides, how Chechens ended up fighting on both sides in Syria and Ukraine, and what is likely to happen in Chechnya when Kadyrov is gone.Dr Iliyasov also explains why Western governments have never seriously backed the Chechen cause, and why the several Chechen governments-in-exile — including one in London — remain so divided.⏱ CHAPTERS00:00 – Introduction & Meeting Dr Marat Iliyasov01:40 – Greetings02:21 – Ramzan Kadyrov: Who Actually Runs Chechnya04:24 – "TikTok Warriors": Chechens in the Ukraine War05:32 – Kadyrov's Health & Why Moscow Keeps Him06:34 – How a Republic of 1.5 Million Became So Important08:26 – The Matryoshka: Why Chechnya Couldn't Legally Secede10:16 – Gorbachev, Yeltsin & the Declaration of Sovereignty12:07 – The First War & the Idea of a "Small Victorious War"14:55 – The Cost of Victory: A Nation Loses 10%16:41 – Khasavyurt Accords & the 1997 Peace Treaty17:46 – The Second War & Putin's Rise to Power19:14 – The Kadyrov Family's Role in Ending the War19:55 – Why Akhmad Kadyrov Switched Sides22:19 – Sufism in Chechnya: Naqshbandi & Qadiri Traditions23:15 – How the First War Revived Islamic Identity25:00 – Foreign Volunteers, Wahhabism & Russian Propaganda27:03 – The Second War & Radicalisation27:30 – The Black Widows28:26 – Qadiri vs Naqshbandi: Was One More Militant?30:22 – The Afghanistan Connection33:44 – Who Recognised Chechen Independence: Georgia & the Taliban36:45 – Stalin's Deportation of 194437:13 – The 19th-Century Conquest of the Caucasus39:05 – Bolsheviks, Broken Promises & Rebellion40:41 – Exile in Kazakhstan: Half a Million People in One Week42:57 – Coming Home to Find Settlers in Their Houses43:42 – The Parallels With Palestine45:05 – What Exile Did to Chechen Education & Culture49:53 – Chechens in Syria: Fighting on Both Sides52:44 – Fighting Russia by Fighting Assad56:12 – The Pankisi Gorge & the Sons of the Commanders58:30 – Moscow's Calculation: Let Them Leave1:00:03 – The Mufti, the Troops & the Politics of Calling It Jihad1:02:12 – Scott Ritter's Visit to Chechnya1:03:44 – What Happens When Kadyrov Dies?1:06:03 – Sons Too Young, a Daughter in a Patriarchal Society1:07:12 – Who Moscow Might Install Instead1:10:15 – The Dictator's Dilemma: Loyalty, Marriage & Betrayal1:11:36 – Why the West Never Backed the Chechen Cause1:14:29 – Would a Russian Collapse Be a Western Headache?1:16:09 – The Chechen Governments-in-Exile in London1:18:17 – Independence & the Question of What Comes After1:20:01 – Closing Thoughts & Where to Find Marat's Work👤 ABOUT THE GUESTDr Marat Iliyasov is a scholar of Chechnya and the North Caucasus, currently at the College of the Holy Cross. His areas of expertise include the history of Russo-Chechen interaction, post-Soviet conflicts, religious radicalisation and the governance of religions in Russia, and post-conflict developments across the former Soviet Union.🔗 CONNECT & LEARN MOREFaculty page: https://www.holycross.edu/academics/people/marat-iliyasovLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marat-iliyasov-25837614b

  8. 26 Aug

    Paul Robinson: Ukraine, Iran & Why the West Can't Find a Way Out | EP 149

    ☕ SUPPORT THE SHOWbuymeacoffee.com/tafhimkianzProfessor Paul Robinson returns to the Kianistan Podcast for Episode 149 — a sober, historically grounded conversation on where the Ukraine war actually stands, how the Iran war is being folded into it, and why decision-makers on every side seem unable to change course.Professor Robinson, who teaches at the University of Ottawa and served as a British Army Intelligence Corps officer before turning to Russian and Soviet history, walks us through Putin's real bottom line versus his public position, why Britain's Ukraine policy has survived four prime ministers untouched, how Moscow manages public opinion and its economy to avoid a 1917-style shock, and why he believes the attempt to link Ukraine and Iran is an argument for escalation rather than a route to settlement.We also discuss the narrowing of acceptable debate in Western democracies, Canada's tariff standoff with Washington, and whether Russia, China and Iran really constitute an alliance — or something far looser.⏱ CHAPTERS00:00 – Introduction & Welcoming Back Professor Paul Robinson01:15 – Greetings & Catching Up01:17 – Where the Ukraine War Stands After Stalled Negotiations03:06 – Four UK Prime Ministers, One Unchanged Ukraine Policy05:08 – Why Anti-Russian Sentiment Runs So Deep in Britain06:45 – Irrationality in Foreign Policy Decision-Making07:56 – Lord Skidelsky & the Narrowing of Acceptable Debate10:58 – Putin's Real Bottom Line vs His Public Position12:14 – Donbas, Neutrality & NATO: Russia's Two Core Demands14:31 – Could the War End This Year? Trump, China & Europe16:57 – Would Europe's Right Actually Change Course?17:35 – Diffused Costs: Why Nobody Lobbies to Stop the War19:12 – Escalation, Deep Strikes & the Laws of War22:23 – Why Russia Still Calls It a "Special Military Operation"24:24 – Russia's Economy, Recruitment & Avoiding a 1917 Scenario25:27 – Paul Robinson's Years in the USSR & Russia26:02 – Strikes Inside Russia & the Limits of Public Patience30:38 – Duma Elections & the First Signs of Rumbling31:55 – Responsibility, Provocation & the Failure of Minsk35:07 – Hard Line or Accommodation? The HMS Defender Lesson36:37 – Living Next Door to a Superpower: Canada's Experience37:25 – Canada, Carney & Trump's 50% Tariffs39:09 – Why Europe Still Pins Its Hopes on Washington40:33 – NATO, the EU & the Institutional Culture of Foreign Policy42:29 – Are the Ukraine and Iran Wars Being Fused Together?43:15 – Shahed Drones, Intelligence Sharing & the Real Linkages45:54 – What Happens If One War Ends Before the Other?48:51 – Hormuz, Bad Advisers & Trump's Missing Strategy51:28 – Russia, China & Iran: Alliance or Opportunism?53:47 – Why Moscow & Beijing Won't Rescue Tehran56:28 – Can Sanctions Succeed Where Military Action Failed?58:34 – Escalating Without a Strategy: The Vietnam Parallel1:00:42 – Where to Follow Paul Robinson's Work👤 ABOUT THE GUESTPaul Robinson holds an MA in Russian and Eastern European Studies from the University of Toronto and a D.Phil. in Modern History from the University of Oxford. Before his graduate studies he served as a regular officer in the British Army Intelligence Corps (1989–1994) and as a reserve officer in the Canadian Forces (1994–1996), and worked as a media research executive in Moscow in 1995. He has written or edited 14 books and writes widely for the international press. His recent work covers Russian and Soviet history, military history, intellectual history, defence policy, and military ethics.🔗 CONNECT & LEARN MORECanadian Dimension: https://canadiandimension.com/articles/author/paul-robinsonIrrussianality blog: https://irrussianality.wordpress.com🔔 Subscribe to the Kianistan Podcast for long-form conversations on history, geopolitics, diplomacy, and global affairs.

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About

Engaging Conversations on Geopolitics, Islam, Business, and Emerging Technology Welcome to Kianistan, a podcast where insightful discussions meet diverse perspectives. Join us as we explore the intricate geopolitics of the Greater Middle East, delve into the rich and multifaceted world of Islam, uncover the latest trends in business, and navigate the forefront of emerging technologies. Each episode features engaging conversations with experts, thought leaders, and innovators from various backgrounds, providing you with informative and thought-provoking content.

Information

  • Creator
    tafhimkiani
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    144
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © tafhimkiani
  • Show Website
    Kianistan

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