On the podcast this week...

Interview: (01.13) 

Senior Editor – Naval Richard Thomas sits down with Paul Mcloughlin, news editor at the Middle East focused and London-based TheNewArab to talk about how Iran has cultivated and supported proxy forces in the region, and how the Quds Force operates as intelligence gatherers, trainers and convert operators in aid of Tehran’s ambitions.

News Roundup: (09:00) 

Editor – Air Tim Martin talks from an air domain perspective about how air defence networks and fighter fleets could see more regular action if the conflict between Iran and US continues to escalate. He also focuses on how Iran prioritises its defence spending and what offensive and defensive capability the country possesses. In this episode we also introduce our new Reporter – Land Flavia Camargos Pereira. 

She approaches the crisis from a different angle, analysing the radically different political reactions of South American countries such as Argentina, Brazil and Colombia. 

While Brazil supports the US action with President Jair Bolsonaro saying the country rejects all forms of terrorism, Argentina is more concerned about boosting security, with defence minister Agustín Rossi warning that the country must be alert. In Colombia meanwhile, the FARC political party organised a ceremony to pay tribute to the Iranian general, whereas other Latin American countries are concerned about how the crisis will impact the oil price.

Interview: (21.53)

Sophia Bellas, Middle East analyst at Dryad Global, speaks about where recent events leave the US’s influence in the region.

Recorded and produced by Noemi Distefano  with music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest