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In this episode of The Thinking Muslim, we are joined once again by political analyst Sami Hamdi to unpack the far-reaching consequences of the Iran-Israel war and what it reveals about the changing balance of power in the Middle East.

When the conflict began, Washington and Tel Aviv spoke of regime change in Tehran, destroying Iran’s nuclear programme, and remaking the region. Yet months later, many of those ambitions appear unrealised. We examine whether the war has damaged perceptions of American power, strengthened Iran's position, and exposed the limits of Israeli influence despite its military campaign.

We also explore the growing independence of regional powers such as Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, both of which resisted pressure to join a wider confrontation. Has a new regional order begun to emerge?

The conversation turns to Syria, where Ahmed al-Sharaa faces mounting pressure to navigate a volatile geopolitical landscape while prioritising stability and reconstruction. We discuss whether Damascus can avoid being drawn into future conflicts and what role Syria may play in the region's future.

We also examine the continuing tensions between Türkiye and Israel, the state of the Saudi-UAE rivalry, Mohammed bin Salman's standing in the Muslim world, and whether new trade corridors and rail projects signal the revival of a long-lost vision of Muslim economic integration.

Finally, we discuss reports of a potential multi-billion-dollar package involving Iran, including sanctions relief, infrastructure rebuilding, guaranteed loans and the unfreezing of assets, and what this could mean for the future of the region.

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

06:20 - Strait of Hormuz Showdown: Has Iran Forced Washington to Back Down? | Regime Change and Regional Power

20:30 - Iran’s Support for Militias in Syria | What Kind of Iran Emerges After This Conflict?

40:30 - Has Israel Lost the Public Relations War? | How Iran Changed American Perceptions of Israel

54:15 - Erdoğan’s Warning to Israel | Is Turkey the Next Target?

1:08:45 - Syria After the Revolution | The Limits of Pragmatism and Dealing with the US

1:24:15 - The New Hijaz Railway | A Symbol of Muslim Unity After 100 Years of Division?

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What does it take to create compelling Muslim-led media in an industry that has often misrepresented Muslims? In this episode of The Thinking Muslim, we sit down with Gabriel Milo to discuss Timehoppers, the challenges and opportunities facing Muslim creatives, and why investing in ambitious, high-quality projects is essential for shaping our own narratives.

From the history of Orientalist depictions of Muslims in media to the future of Muslim participation in the creative industries, this conversation explores how storytelling can become a powerful tool for community building, cultural confidence, and meaningful change.

Whether you're a creative professional, aspiring filmmaker, entrepreneur, or simply interested in the future of Muslim representation, this episode offers valuable insights into the importance of vision, collaboration, and collective responsibility.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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In this episode of The Thinking Muslim, I am joined by Professor Salman Sayyid to explore the roots, evolution, and contemporary manifestations of Islamophobia. Drawing on history, politics, colonialism, identity, and global power dynamics, Professor Sayyid examines how anti-Muslim prejudice is reproduced across generations and why understanding Islamophobia is essential to understanding the modern world.

We discuss the legacy of colonialism, questions of Muslim sovereignty, integration and identity in Europe and the United States, the relationship between Islamophobia and violence, and how Muslims can engage more effectively with wider society during a time of growing solidarity with Palestine.

If you enjoy thoughtful conversations on faith, politics, history, and Muslim affairs, be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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