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Wednesday, September 9, 2026, Istanbul

Iran launched dozens of ballistic missiles against US bases in Jordan late Tuesday in response to the continued targeting of Iranian commercial vessels by the American fleet. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthis escalated their conflict against Saudi Arabia, hitting oil infrastructure and injuring dozens of civilians.

Meanwhile, France, Canada, other Western countries joined the UK in announcing new sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

On the latest episode of badlands, I discuss Israel’s reaction to the sanctions and the significance on the trading restrictions imposed on Israel, as well as the latest escalation in Yemen.

The fun-filled and jam-packed episode features part two of an interview with the astute retired US diplomat Alan Eyre (exclusively for paying customers), who talks about US foreign policy in the age of Donald Trump.

Also, in interviews with India’s NewsX World, I discuss how the US has gone off the rails, violating human rights, failing as a democracy, botching diplomacy with Russia, and destroying Cuba.

badlands is a listener-supported podcast. To receive new episodes and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit borzou.substack.com

Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Istanbul

Canada is finally standing up to America’s abuses and the UK finally is standing up to Israel’s crimes. But will such interventions be enough?

In the latest jam-packed episode of badlands, I discuss the Ottawa’s doubling down on its confrontation with the US and the UK’s proposal to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements.

The episode features part one of my interview with Chatham House’s brilliant Sanam Vakil, who has a critical, well-informed take on the crisis in the Persian Gulf.

Also in the episode, I discuss the wider implications of the the US war against Iran in an in-depth interview with Pakistan TV.

Additionally, I discuss Iran’s latest attempt to impose its control over the Strait of Hormuz and the International Atomic Energy Agency’s attempt to bring a measure of control over Iran’s nuclear program in an interview with India’s NewsX World.

badlands is a viewer-supported podcast. To receive new episodes and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Monday, September 7, 2026, Istanbul

An article in Israel’s Jerusalem Post last week made waves for a provocative suggestion to boost military recruitment numbers to fight the Iran war.

In this special Labor Day episode of badlands, I discuss the sheer chutzpah of the suggestion and one aspect of it that hasn’t been widely pointed out.

In interviews with India’s NewsX World, I discuss the latest round of attacks between Iran and the US, an investigation into civilian casualties caused by an American attack on southern Iran, and Pete Hegseth’s latest foibles over leaks in Washington.

I also discuss Israel’s call to expel Palestinians in Gaza and the intensifying war in Ukraine.

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borzou.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit borzou.substack.com

Friday, September 4, 2026, Istanbul

It’s not just Iran and Cuba. The US seems to be waging wars of various sorts even against allies, including Canada, which is locked in a trade war with Washington.

Unique among allies, Canada has stood up to the US, with Premier Mark Carney refusing to buckle to American pressure.

In the latest episode of badlands, University of Ottawa professor Thomas Juneau discusses Canada’s stance on both Trump and the ongoing Middle East war.

I also discuss how Donald Trump is setting the stage to indefinitely delay a decision on Iran, cementing yet another long-term Middle East quagmire.

Additionally, I discuss a Republican US senator’s demand that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth be removed from office and the deaths of two teenagers in the West Bank in an interview with India’s NewsX World.

badlands is a listener-supported podcast. To receive new episodes and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit borzou.substack.com

Thursday, September 3, 2026, Istanbul

The US has yet to overcome its hubris about its own ability to shape the world. In the latest episode of badlands, former US Pentagon official Jasmine el-Gamal joins me for a candid discussion about American arrogance.

We talk about how the Iran conflict as well as the Ukraine war are part of a historical pattern of military misadventures, and whether the US has the responsibility to use its power for good and the danger of the testosterone-fueled approaches to the world.

(Here’s part one of the interview with Jasmine.)

In another segment, I speak about an alternative universe where Donald Trump embraced rather than immediately violated the terms of the memorandum of understanding he signed with Iran.

And in an interview with India’s NewsX World, I answer questions about the latest war developments, the pressure on Iran to submit to fresh inspections on its nuclear program, and the escalating rhetoric between Tehran and Washington.

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Wednesday, September 2, 2026, Istanbul

The war between Iran and the US continued to escalate, with the countries trading blows for the sceond day in a row. At least four Iranian civilians were killed, including a child, and dozens more injured after the US struck a wedding party in southern Iran,

Iran responded by launching several waves of missiles at US basses in Jordan and in. Bahrain and Kuwait, with US local and local officials heavily suppressing any news on casualties or damage.

In the latest episode of badlands, I bring you up to speed on what happened and explain why the return to kinetic warfare was inevitable.

Plus, I describe my interview with the Crisis Group’s Amjad Iraqi, who recently published a lengthy report on the dashed hopes for peace in Gaza, and the built-in flaws within Donald Trump’s Board of Peace.

In addition, I describe the latest humanitarian situation inside Gaza in interviews with India’s NewsX World.

badlands is a listener-supported podcast. To receive new episodes and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borzou.substack.com/subscribe

Tuesday, September 1, 2026, Istanbul

The US appears to be floating the notion that it could manage the crisis in Iran and the Persian Gulf by adopting the Israeli strategy of “mowing the lawn.”

In the latest edition of badlands, I explain why it won’t work in Iran, and didn’t even work for Israel.

Plus, I discuss how badly the US scheme of isolating Iran is already going.

Finally, I talk about the latest in Iran with India’s NewsX World.

badlands is a listener-supported podcast. To receive new episodes and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borzou.substack.com/subscribe

Monday, August 31, 2026, Istanbul

The US claimed it launched attacks on two missile launchers preparing to attack Persian Gulf shipping on Iran’s Larak Island. Iran says two military personnel were killed and two injured, and launched overnight counterattacks targeting US military sites in Jordan and the Arabian Peninsula.

In the latest episode of badlands, I discuss the inevitability of the return to warfare as well as the escalating rhetoric preceding the bombing and the danger of the type of “preemptive” war thinking that drives the US thinking.

In an interview with BBC News, I also discuss the deadly capsizing of a ferry departing from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Plus more talk about Iran as well as the CIA chief’s visit to Moscow last week in interviews with India’s NewsX World.

badlands is a viewer-supported podcast. To receive new episodes and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borzou.substack.com/subscribe

Thursday, August 6, 2026, Chicago

Israel continues to hammer away at Lebanon and occupy much of the country’s south, even as the US and Iran appear to be heading toward another deal on the Persian Gulf.

In the latest episode of badlands, scholar Nadim Shehadi joins me for a deep analysis and debate about which country—Iran, Israel, or the US—ultimately played the biggest role in turning Lebanon into a basketcase, and a site for regional conflict.

Also in the episode, I discuss the latest effort by corporate Democrats in the US to grapple with the rise of Michigan Senate candidate Abdul el-Sayed and the leftwing of the party. Instead of voting blue no matter who, they are launching a $15 million effort to sabotage Democrat Socialists of America by digging up dirt and publicly smearing them.

badlands is a listener-supported podcast. To receive new episodes and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borzou.substack.com/subscribe

Friday, August 28, 2026, Istanbul

It’s the six-month anniversary of the Iran war, and the conflict shows no sign of ending soon, even as fighting has momentarily calmed down. It is shaping up to be another forever war, but one that has ramifications for the whole world.

In the latest episode of badlands, I briefly assess the state of the conflict, with a focus on the US bases that were hit by the Iranians during the war and may never ever be rescuscitated.

I also examine the diplomatic fallout of the conflict, including a new strategic alliance formed by regional countries in reaction to the chaos and unpredictability of the US, which I discuss in an interview with South Era Networks.

badlands is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, please, please, please consider becoming a paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borzou.substack.com/subscribe