The Velvet Glove: Russia's Soft Power Play

Operation Epic Fury: 14 Days of Regional Escalation - Oil, Ash, and the New Fronts of the Iran War

As Operation Epic Fury hits the 14-day mark, the economic shockwaves are being felt at every gas pump in the world. This week on Global Front with Irada Hasan, we break down Iran’s "horizontal escalation" - the decision to bring the Gulf states, Türkiye and Azerbaijan into the crosshairs. We dive deep into the maritime blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the surge in global oil prices that threatens to de-stabilize the West. Most importantly, we look at the developments on the ground: How are Qatar and the UAE responding? Is there a path to de-escalation that doesn't involve a total collapse of the global economy? Share your thoughts with us! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2595011/open_sms]

The Iran Squeeze: Hormuz, Chokepoints, and the Global Jugular.

What happens when 20% of the world’s oil passes through a gap only 21 miles wide? In this episode of The Global Front, together with Irada Hasan we dive into the Strait of Hormuz—the world’s most volatile maritime chokepoint. We explore Iran’s "Asymmetric Attrition" strategy, the historical "Tanker Wars," and the recent 2026 escalations that sent oil prices soaring. Plus, we look at how the world is searching for a "Plan B," highlighting Azerbaijan’s rising role as a strategic energy corridor that bypasses the chaos. If you want to understand why a tiny strip of water in the Middle East dictates the price of your bread and fuel, this episode is for you. Share your thoughts with us! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2595011/open_sms]

The Silent Pipeline: Energy, Influence and the New World Order

Energy rarely makes headlines - until prices rise, conflicts begin, or economies slow down. Yet behind everyday life lies an invisible system of pipelines, supply routes, and strategic decisions that shape how nations grow, compete, and respond to crises. From heating homes to powering industries, energy connects distant regions to local realities in ways most people never notice - until the impact reaches their own lives. In this episode of The Global Front, Irada Hasan explores how pipelines, sanctions, and geography quietly shape global power. From Europe’s break with Russian energy to Azerbaijan’s strategic rise, Iran’s untapped potential, and Turkmenistan’s vast gas reserves, this episode reveals how decisions made in distant regions influence electricity bills, inflation, and everyday life around the world. Share your thoughts with us! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2595011/open_sms]

The Velvet Glove: Russia's Soft Power Play

What is soft power — and when does it stop being soft? From the Baltics to the Caucasus and Eastern Europe, Russia’s strategy has often relied on cultural integration before political leverage. This episode examines how modern soft power tools — Russification policies, identity shaping, and strategic citizenship — become instruments of long-term geopolitical control. In The Velvet Glove: Russia’s Soft Power Play, Irada Hasan explores how influence is built through language policy, education systems, passport distribution, media narratives, and “peacekeeping” missions.  A deep dive into how influence is engineered — and why soft power often precedes hard outcomes.  Share your thoughts with us! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2595011/open_sms]

Trailer | The Global Front

Power rarely announces itself. It doesn’t shout. It reshapes. It moves through history, borders, belief, and influence — long before conflicts reach the headlines. The Global Front is a geopolitical podcast hosted by Irada Hasan, exploring how soft power, hard power, and political strategy quietly shape today’s global crises across Eurasia, the Middle East, Europe, and beyond. Each episode unpacks one real story — a decision, a moment, a system — revealing how the past continues to control the present. No sides. Just understanding how the world really works. Share your thoughts with us! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2595011/open_sms]