Host Misbah Azam is joined by Kamran Bokhari, Senior Director at New Lines Institute to discuss the evolving situation in the Middle East.
While many are fixated on the conflict in the Gaza Strip, a more expansive war is underway. Iran is strategically leveraging the Gaza situation to exert pressure on the United States and enhance its standing in the region. This broader conflict spans Iran's borders with Iraq, through Syria and Lebanon, all the way to the eastern Mediterranean coast, establishing a continuous sphere of influence.
Over the past 15 years, Iranians have established a significant presence in the southern part of Saudi Arabia through their alliance with the Houthis in Yemen. This development has allowed Iran to further its power agenda and position itself as a key player in regional security.