044 - The Logic of Endless War

044 - The Logic of Endless War

Author: Arab Tyrant Manual Podcast April 15, 2026 Duration: 1:01:27

It's been four years since our last episode — and we're back with something bigger.

In this episode, recorded before the ceasefire announcement, Iyad El-Baghdadi and Ahmed Gatnash break down the ongoing U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran - a war that looks irrational from Washington, but it starts to make sense as an Israeli-driven war the United States was pulled into.

We trace the settler-colonial psychology behind Israeli strategic thinking, how October 7th shattered the illusion of a managed conflict with the Palestinians, and why Israel is now locked into open-ended war with no off-ramp — driven not by one leader but by a broad political consensus and a fear that the window of unconditional American support is closing.

We also look at Iran's regime resilience, why external attack tends to strengthen rather than weaken the IRGC's grip, and what a prolonged war means for Gulf economies built on foreign labour and energy rents. No clear positive outcome is on the horizon, and regional escalation remains a serious risk.

This episode also marks the beginning of something new. The Arab Tyrant Manual is becoming part of Kulna — a new editorial platform for long thinking about power, resistance, and what comes next.

Links

To find our more about Kulna and become a founding member: https://kulna.co/subscribe/


Hosted by Iyad El-Baghdadi and Ahmed Gatnash, the Arab Tyrant Manual Podcast is a detailed examination of how power is consolidated and abused across the world. While grounded in the complex political realities of the Middle East and North Africa, the analysis extends far beyond, dissecting the universal playbook used by authoritarian regimes. Each episode breaks down a specific strategy or tactic, from propaganda and surveillance to coercion and legal manipulation, explaining not just how these mechanisms function but why they are so effective. This isn't merely an academic exercise; the conversation consistently turns toward the practical methods of resistance and resilience employed by citizens and movements pushing back against repression. Listening to this podcast provides a clearer lens through which to understand current events, framing the headlines within the deeper, often hidden, structures of control and dissent. The discussions are informed, nuanced, and directly engaged with the stakes of political freedom, offering listeners a vital toolkit for deciphering the actions of modern governments. You'll find the Arab Tyrant Manual Podcast to be an essential resource for anyone seeking to comprehend the enduring struggle between authoritarianism and the human desire for self-determination, all through candid, expert analysis that connects regional expertise to global patterns.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 45

Arab Tyrant Manual Podcast
Podcast Episodes
034 - Reflections on the podcast, US elections and the future... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:12
Ahmed Gatnash and Iyad El-Baghdadi reflect about the podcast, how far it's come, and plans for the future, as well as discussing Joe Biden's election victory and Trump's defeat, and what they mean for the MENA region and…
033 - The Left's Tribal Anti-Imperialism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:49
In September, Ahmed spoke to Joey Ayoub, Lebanese writer and researcher, about tankies, genocide denial, red-brown alliances and the uncomfortable affinity between large parts of the political left and authoritarianism.…
032 - Lebanon vs Sectarian Warlord Oligarchy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:35
Ahmed talks to Timour Azhari and Joey Ayoub about the massive popular movement against the entire political order which has rocked Lebanon for over 2 weeks. It has led to the end of the government already, but can it ach…
031 - Lessons from Egypt's latest protests [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:00
Ahmed Gatnash speaks about the recent protests in Egypt, which surprised almost everyone but show that the lessons of 2011 have still not been fully absorbed. For a text version of the article: https://arabtyrantmanual.c…
030 - Is Your Phone Safe? Inside Saudi's Phone Hacking Scandal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:10
Human Rights Foundation and Arab Tyrant Manual present this panel from this year's Oslo Freedom Forum, in which Iyad el-Baghdadi and Karen Attiah discuss the Saudi government's use of surveillance software. They go into…
028 - In the Mirror: What Went Wrong with the Arab Spring? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:53
At the Oslo Freedom Forum last year, 7 activists from the Arab region found ourselves in a room together. This is the discussion which followed - on identity, exile, activism, trauma and healing, whether the Arab Spring…
027 - Iyad's Statement on Saudi Threats [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:34
This episode is a recording of Iyad El-Baghdadi's recent press conference, in which he speaks about the recent revelations from intelligence agencies that the Saudi government potentially poses a threat to his life. http…
026 - The Power of Nonviolence, with Jamila Raqib [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:23
What is the purpose of nonviolence? What are its limits? Surely it couldn't work against someone as brutal as the Nazis...could it? In this episode, Iyad and Ahmed speak to Jamila Raqib, Executive Director of the Albert…
025 - Bombs, Ballots and Bullets: the Battle for Libya's Future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:07
Ahmed Gatnash (@gatnash) discusses Libya with Nadine Dahan (@NadineDahan), a journalist and independent analyst focussed on Libya, human rights and transitional justice in the MENA region. As well as analysing the curren…