Following the death of three Americans, pressure is growing on President Biden to take a stronger stance against Iran. Few, however, are asking what the mood is inside Iran, and who is pulling the strings? Iran scholar Ali Ansari argues that understanding this is imperative in determining what should come next. 

Recommendations: 

Hamish: Tom Friedman - A Titanic Geopolitical Struggle is Underway - New York Times.

Geraldine: A Separation - Film available Apple TV

Reading Lolita in Tehran - Book by Azar Nafisi

With the Israel-Gaza war spilling into the broader Middle East and a US election looming that could see the re-election of Donald Trump as president, the start of 2024 feels incredibly volatile. Geraldine and Hamish ask former US national security advisor John Bolton where he sees the situation heading, and how the US and its allies should respond. 

Recommendations:

Hamish: Ghost of Beirut - television series

Geraldine: Anthony Blinken playing the guitar - YouTube

A war breaks out, a leader emerges, a revolution unfolds. How did it happen, and what are the implications for you? Two award-winning journalists with decades of experience reporting on major world events, Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald join forces for a fresh conversation about global news and how to make sense of it.