Nearly 600 days of war. Thousands dead. A new offensive was launched.Israel says it’s still about Hamas. But with every passing day, that claim wears thinner. This week, Netanyahu launched “Operation Gideon’s Chariots”, a massive new ground assault on Gaza. So why now? What’s the goal? And who’s really calling the shots? From leaked tapes and stalled ceasefires to U.S. double-deals and rising dissent within Israel — this war is no longer just about Hamas. It’s about political survival. In this episode of Grey Zone, Ananya Dutta breaks down Netanyahu’s latest move, the growing backlash from world leaders, and how Gaza has become the stage for one man’s desperate power play.Is this a war of strategy — or a war of politics?And what is Washington quietly negotiating behind the scenes?Watch the full episode on YouTube-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ7NvHdPe4s

Join us for an exclusive interview with Dr. Prahlada Ramarao, the visionary scientist behind India’s Akash missile defence system.

Discover how Dr. Ramarao, mentored by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, led a team of over 1,000 scientists to create this groundbreaking technology. Hear about the challenges, breakthroughs, and the Akash system’s crucial role in strengthening India’s security. This is a rare insight into the dedication, innovation, and leadership that made Akash possible.

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation - like, share, and subscribe for more stories of Indian scientific excellence!

Watch the full episode on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMza3spOKbU&t=254s

It’s been nearly a year since mass protests in Bangladesh toppled Sheikh Hasina’s regime, ushering in an era of political uncertainty and bold realignments. Now, Dhaka is tightening export rules on Indian goods. India has hit back, imposing restrictions on imports through land ports, affecting over $770 million worth of trade.But this isn't just a tariff war. It’s about power, influence, and China.In this episode of Grey Zone, Ananya Dutta explores the trade fallout, the geopolitical undercurrents, and what it means for South Asia’s strategic future.Watch the whole episode on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wznCdg7P5_M

From the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir on April 22 to India's Operation Sindoor, to a ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan on May 10, a series of big events have taken place over the last few weeks. India has struck both terror and military infrastructure in Pakistan in the past few days. Now that the two nuclear-armed neighbours have agreed to a ceasefire, one question remains- what really happened?

In this episode of Point Blank, Hindustan Times Executive Editor Shishir Gupta decodes why Pakistan had to seek a ceasefire & why India has only paused Operation Sindoor and not stopped it altogether.

Watch the full episode on YouTube-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZkNLvnlmqk

Today, millions of Filipinos voted in the country’s midterm elections, but the spotlight is on Rodrigo Duterte, the former President who now sits in custody at the International Criminal Court, facing charges of crimes against humanity. Yet from 11,000 kilometres away in The Hague, Duterte remains a political force, even running for mayor of Davao City.In this episode of Grey Zone, Ananya Dutta dives into the surreal and unsettling story of how Duterte’s influence endures, how his children are fighting to keep the dynasty alive, and why the outcome of this vote could reshape the Philippines forever. Is this the end of the Duterte era — or just the beginning of its second act? And what does it say about a nation that’s still divided by one man?Watch the whole episode on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPyjm2VmdE8

On May 8 evening, Pakistan fired missiles & drones into India through the LoC & international border. Notably, the Jammu sky was lit up as Indian air defences successfully intercepted the incoming projectiles. The escalatory move by Pakistan followed India's strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan on May 6-7. Even though India struck terror launch pads, Pakistan tried to attack Indian military sites last night.

To learn more about India's response last night and what India is mulling next after an escalatory move by Pakistan, watch this episode of Point Blank by Hindustan Times Executive Editor Shishir Gupta.

Watch the full episode on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bEM6Ol95Wc

A missile from Yemen shut down Israel’s airspace. Tel Aviv went into panic mode, flights were grounded, and a crater appeared near its busiest airport. But this wasn’t just another missile attack. It was a statement — and the Houthis claimed responsibility. Backed by Iran but increasingly acting on their own, the Houthis are evolving into one of the most unpredictable actors in the Middle East.

So what’s their real endgame? Are they trying to provoke a wider regional war? Or are they simply showing off their reach? Meanwhile, Israel's Netanyahu is pointing fingers at Iran, warning of retaliation. With U.S.-Iran nuclear talks already on thin ice, could this be the final straw? And what role does Donald Trump, now back in the White House play in shaping the next chapter?

In this episode, Ananya Dutta decodes the timing, the strategy, and the possible fallout of an attack that was less about damage, and more about strategy.

Watch the full episode on YouTube-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At4378Z6MhY

#IsraelUnderAttack, #Houthis, #YemenStrike, #MiddleEastCrisis, #IranProxy, #Netanyahu, #GazaWar, #RedSeaCrisis, #TelAviv, #BenGurionAirport, #IsraelIranTensions, #IranBackedHouthis, #IranProxies, #USIranTensions, #Trump2025, #OperationProsperity, #HouthiMissile, #AirspaceShut, #MiddleEastGeopolitics, #HouthisVsIsrael, #GazaSolidarity, #IranFrankenstein, #GreyZone, #AnanyaDutta, #WestAsiaFlashpoint

India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar has lashed out at Europe for ‘lecturing’ India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. Jaishankar rebuked Europe for its hypocritical stance on the India-Pakistan conflict, citing Europe's selective morality and actions. He also criticised Europe for preaching restraint while ignoring its actions and those of its allies supplying Pakistan with arms. This comes as Pakistan has vacated some 26 terrorist training camps, which have now been moved towards the hinterland. Pakistan also test-fired the Abdali surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of 450 km.

In the latest episode of Hindustan Times Point Blank, Executive Editor Shishir Gupta explains why Pakistan should think a hundred times before taking the nuclear route against India.

Watch the full episode on YouTube-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym45oFPmDak

Russia says it’s ready to talk peace - with Ukraine, bypassing Washington. Kyiv says it’s open to the idea. In 2022, Ukraine and Russia came close to a peace deal, until the West stepped in. From Boris Johnson’s surprise visit to Kyiv, to reports that the U.S., Germany, and France shut down negotiations, the message was clear: no deal with Moscow, keep fighting.In this episode of Grey Zone, Ananya Dutta revisits those critical moments - how the Minsk Agreement was used and abused, how NATO’s expansion fueled distrust, and why Ukraine may once again be falling into a familiar trap. Can Kyiv afford to rely on a West that keeps walking away when things get tough? Or is it time to stop outsourcing peace?While President Zelensky faces pressure at home and abroad, Russia is making its move, asking to talk directly. But is Kyiv in any position to choose? With the West’s track record of walking away from Saigon to Kabul-is Ukraine doomed to become another footnote in its long list of abandoned allies?

Watch the full episode on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4PrDbF1K-8

#UkraineWar #RussiaUkraine #NATO #Zelensky #Putin #PeaceTalks #MinskAgreement #UkraineCrisis #Geopolitics #Russia #WesternIntervention #BrokenPromises #Ukraine2025 #TrumpPutin #Kyiv #UkraineNews #BorisJohnson #SaigonToKabul #UkraineDilemma #USForeignPolicy #GreyZone #WorldPolitics #GlobalSouth #UkraineConflict #Realpolitik #AnanyaDutta

Azerbaijan just hosted the Iranian president — and weeks later, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to land in Baku. Why is a small Caspian nation suddenly at the centre of such high-stakes diplomacy? Iran and Azerbaijan have spent years trading accusations, cutting ties, and drawing red lines. So why the sudden reset? And more importantly — why is Israel watching so closely?This isn’t just about diplomacy. It’s about geography, pipelines, alliances — and a potential new front in the Iran-Israel shadow war. Azerbaijan’s oil-rich location, wedged between Russia, Iran, and Turkey, makes it a prime vantage point in West Asia. Israel sees a launchpad. Iran sees a threat. And Azerbaijan? It sees leverage.In this episode of Grey Zone, Ananya Dutta breaks down why Azerbaijan matters, what Iran and Israel are fighting over, and whether Baku is playing peacemaker — or power broker.

Watch the full episode on YouTube-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkgkkGRfCRo#Azerbaijan #Iran #Israel #Geopolitics #MiddleEast #Baku #Netanyahu #Pezeshkian #NagornoKarabakh #GreyZone #Caucasus #IsraelIran #IranAzerbaijan #EnergyPolitics #ShadowWar #AbrahamAccords #ZangezurCorridor #OilPolitics #Diplomacy #MiddleEastConflict #TelAviv #Tehran #RussiaIran #TurkeyAzerbaijan #IranIsraelTensions #AnanyaDutta