Oil, Power & Putin: Who’s Really Running the Middle East?

Forget borders—oil is the real map of power in the Middle East, and Trump and Putin are playing high-stakes poker for control. Iran isn’t just another player; it’s the wildcard that could make or break this global energy war.

Max Bennett and Lisa Vega dive into the brutal reality of how oil deals, backroom alliances, and power plays are reshaping everything from OPEC+ to Washington’s foreign policy. Is Iran just a pawn, or is it pulling the strings? Will these deals bring stability, spark another conflict, or just make the usual suspects even richer?

No filters, no fluff—just raw, unapologetic analysis of the geopolitical chessboard where black gold rules everything.

Note: This project explores the new creative potential unlocked by generative AI, showcasing how a single person, in just two hours, can curate (not create, but curate) a polished podcast series. I recognize the critiques around AI-generated content and the potential for digital clutter but invite you to take a listen on your next walk or drive and see what you think. Audio is AI-generated by Google's NotebookLM. Images by Grok-3 and Magic Studio.