The Making of Islamic Iran: How one nation redefined the West Asia and global politics

The Making of Islamic Iran: How one nation redefined the West Asia and global politics

Author: The Hindu October 1, 2025 Duration: 57:20
Global Faultlines
NewsPolitics
Iran has been a key force in East Asian politics for decades, influencing regional conflicts, global diplomacy, and international security. From the 1953 coup against Prime Minister Mossadegh to the transformative 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran’s history has shaped a political system that blends elected institutions with the authority of a Supreme Leader. In this first part of our two-part series on Iran, we explore the country’s regional ambitions, its backing of groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, and the long-standing pursuit of a nuclear program that has triggered international sanctions and scrutiny. We also delve into the Iran-Saudi rivalry, often seen as sectarian, but deeply rooted in geopolitical strategy and power dynamics. This episode unpacks how Iran’s history, politics, and regional strategies continue to influence East Asia and keep the country at the center of global attention. Expert: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Video: Shivaraj S Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Produced by The Hindu, Global Faultlines is for those who feel the daily headlines only scratch the surface. This international affairs podcast digs into the tectonic shifts happening beneath the day's events, seeking out the historical grievances, economic pressures, and ideological battles that truly explain why conflicts ignite and borders tense. Each episode is built not just on reporting, but on conversations with researchers, diplomats, and analysts who provide context often missing from the noise. You'll hear detailed examinations of power struggles in regions defining our century, from the South China Sea to the Sahel, unpacking how decisions in distant capitals ripple across the globe. The aim is to replace confusion with comprehension, offering a clearer picture of the forces sculpting our shared future. Tune in for a thoughtful, sustained look at the world’s most pressing divisions, where the analysis prioritizes depth and clarity over quick takes. This is a podcast dedicated to understanding the 'why' behind the 'what,' making sense of a complex geopolitical landscape one deep dive at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 24

Official website RSS
instagramyoutubetelegramwhatsapplinkedinspotify
Global Faultlines
Podcast Episodes
How the war on Iran changed the Gulf security order [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:02
The war on Iran may be over, but its consequences are only beginning to reshape the Persian Gulf. For decades, Gulf monarchies have balanced security partnerships with the United States, pragmatic engagement with Iran, a…
Did India read the war on Iran wrong? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:17
Since October 7, West Asia has witnessed a cascade of crises, from the war in Gaza, attacks on Red Sea shipping, to the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, and direct military confrontation between Israel and Iran. Togeth…
Iran, Israel and the U.S.: How the war changed West Asia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:11
The Iran-Israel-U.S. war may have ended with a ceasefire, but many of the questions that drove the conflict remain unresolved. After months of direct confrontation involving Iran, Israel and the United States, the region…
Has Israel’s bid to reshape West Asia hit a road block? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:07
The October 7 attacks triggered a wave of changes across West Asia, transforming conflicts, alliances, and the balance of power in the region. What began as a war in Gaza soon expanded into a wider regional crisis involv…
Lebanon part 2: Why Lebanon remains in perpetual crisis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:32
Lebanon’s civil war ended in 1990, but many of the country’s deeper fault lines remained unresolved. In the decades that followed, Lebanon rebuilt its cities and economy, yet sectarian politics, weak institutions, and co…
Who won the U.S.-Israel war on Iran? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:05
As tensions in West Asia spiral into one of the most dangerous confrontations in recent years, this episode of Global Faultlines breaks down the 2026 Iran–Israel–U.S. war, starting from the U.S.-led “Operation Epic Fury”…
Part 2: From the invasion of Iraq to the war on Iran [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:37
The 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq marked a decisive break in the country’s modern history. It removed the regime of Saddam Hussein, but also dismantled the institutions that had held the state together. In the aftermath…
Iraq Part 1: How was the modern Iraqi state created? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:30
Modern Iraq was not born in 2003. Its origins lie in the aftermath of the First World War, when the collapse of the Ottoman Empire led Britain to assemble a new state. The borders were drawn quickly. Building a stable po…

123»