In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP President Lara Friedman speaks with Middle East policy journalist, analyst, and author Omar Rahman about the Iran War and its impacts in the region. Their conversation explores:

Iran-U.S. diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire, and challenges to ending this war.

The Trump Administration's blockade of Iran's blockade of the Straits of Hormuz

The impact of the Iran War on the policies/interests/unity of Gulf states

Israel's war on Lebanon and its impacts for the region

The rapidly expanding/shifting Overton window with respect to support for Israel in the U.S.

Also see Omar's articles referenced in the podcast:

His 4/7/26 article in Foreign Policy: The Gulf’s Wartime Unity Is Unraveling: https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/07/iran-united-states-gulf-uae-qatar-bahrain-saudi-oman-war/

His 4/15/26 article in the National Interest: In Blockading Iran, the US Forgot About China: https://nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-east-watch/in-blockading-iran-the-us-forgot-about-china

His 3/4/26 co-authored piece in Foreign Policy: Security Alliances With the U.S. Have Made Gulf States More Vulnerable: https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/04/iran-united-states-war-gulf-states-alliances/