The Most Toxic, Politicized World Cup Ever? (S01E86)

Fragile Lebanon Is Disintegrating Under Weight Of Israeli War, US Pressure (S01E105)

Friday, July 10, 2026, Istanbul Israel continues to occupy a huge swath of Lebanon, attacking Lebanese civilians in horrific atrocities taking place regularly. In the latest edition of the badlands podcast, Lebanon-based journalist Habib Battah, founder of the Beirut Report [https://beirutreport.com/], joins in for a discussion about how the country has been further fragmented along both sectarian and class lines as Israel continues its military operations against Hezbollah. The war is furthering the country’s collapse, with everything from traffic lights to security forces failing to function. The government is unable to accede to US and Israeli demands that it get Hezbollah under control. “This is a country that has been disintegrated, fragmented by decades and decades and decades of wars and so it’s in no it’s in no position really to take any massive control of the situation in this country,” he said. Habib also details his groundbreaking reporting on the massive new US embassy being built up, one that sounds like a vast fortress meant to effectively run Lebanon rather than represent US interests in the country. You can follow Habib on his Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/habib_b/] or on X. [https://x.com/habib_b] badlands is a listener-supported podcast. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borzou.substack.com/subscribe [https://borzou.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Fear, Treachery, Lies: Iran Crisis Continues To Rattle The Gulf (S01E104)

Thursday, July 9, 2026, Paris Overnight attacks between the US and Iran continued for a second day, with reports that Donald Trump pushed the envelope by hitting two railroad bridges in Iran’s north. That move could trigger Iranian retaliation against similar civilian infrastructure in the Arabian Peninsula states. The war pits the US against Iran, but the Persian Gulf has been the main battleground, as Trump struggles to restore the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz to its prewar status. In the latest edition of badlands, the well-informed Dr Andreas Krieg [https://substack.com/profile/141282968-dr-andreas-krieg], lecturer at King’s College in London, joins us for a lively discussion about the how the conflict has transformed the Gulf States, and forced them to reassess their security needs. Gulf states are refusing so far to buckle to Iranian demands that they acknowledge Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, their economic lifeline, while Iran is asserting itself even if it damages it’s own economic interests. “A lot of what’s happening right now is about ego and it’s about principle–it’s not even about money,” he said. He also offers his insider insights about the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran, and how the Gulf states are shifting their view of Israel’s potential role in the region. Also, on the latest edition of badlands, I discuss the latest developments in Iran and comment on the NATO summit in Turkey in an interview with India’s NewsX World. badlands is a viewer and listener-supported podcast. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borzou.substack.com/subscribe [https://borzou.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

'The War Has Started Again’: US, Iran Trade Major Attacks (S01E103)

Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Paris The US and Iran traded major military strikes overnight in the most serious threat to the framework ceasefire deal signed last month so far. The attacks continued into the morning with attacks by both countries into the late morning. Donald Trump said at the NATO summit in Turkey that he’s sick of negotiating with the Iranians and considers the memorandum of understanding effectively dead. The attacks may simmer down. But the bigger threat to any peace is the US decision to rescind its waiver of sanctions on Iranian oil, effectively giving Tehran zero incentives to stay in the deal and keep the Strait of Hormuz even somewhat open. In the latest edition of badlands, I delve into the continued erosion of the memorandum of understanding. Also, in a discussion with Pakistan’s Express 24/7 News I discuss the latest on the funeral services for the late Iranian ruler Ali Khamenei, the future prospects for a peace deal, and the significance of the NATO summit in Turkey. badlands is a listener-supported podcast. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borzou.substack.com/subscribe [https://borzou.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The Energy Crisis Is Still Not Over (S01E102)

Tuesday, July 7, 2026, Paris Is the oil shock finished? Not really. Energy analyst Robin Mills joins the latest edition of badlands for an interview on whether the tentative opening of the Strait of Hormuz will lead to a normalization of energy prices. Mills says energy is still below pre-war levels, in part because Gulf states are tentative about ramping up production. In today’s edition, I also discuss the latest kerfuffle over FIFA, the worldwide soccer organization that seemed to bend to Donald Trump’s will over a red card issued to an American player. (The US team still lost badly to Belgium). Plus, in an interview with the radio program The World, I discuss the future of Iran following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the consolidation of power by a new crop of regime stalwarts. badlands is a listener-supported podcast. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borzou.substack.com/subscribe [https://borzou.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Hero Or Scoundrel? Putting Iran's Ali Khamenei To Rest (S01E101)

Monday, July 6, 2026, Paris Millions of people are taking part in ceremonies marking the Feb. 28 death of Iran’s former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, a confounding historical figure who ruled Iran for 37 years. I wrote extensively about Khamenei [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/iran-ali-khamanei-supreme-leader-grand-ayatollah-islamic-republic-80-birthday-a9011186.html] in an article some years ago. But he remains something of an enigma. In this edition of badlands, I talk a bit about Khamenei and his legacy. In the end, he was granted a heroic death that will likely made him more warmly remembered—despite his many mistakes and the wrong turns he took throughout his reign. I also speak about the funeral procession in interviews with India’s NewsX World. badlands is a listener-supported podcast. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borzou.substack.com/subscribe [https://borzou.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]