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The 2026 Middle East Forecast

The 2026 Middle East Forecast

CONFLICTED

December 16, 202552m 58s

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Show Notes

What does the future hold for the Middle East — and the world — in 2026?

In this special episode of Conflicted, Thomas instructs Aimen to peer into his crystal ball and offer his forecasts for the year to come.

In this episode, Aimen and Thomas discuss:

  • How professional geopolitical analysts make forecasts
  • The impossibility of foreseeing Black Swan events
  • Why an end to the war in Ukraine could reshape Middle Eastern geopolitics
  • The likelihood of a U.S. war against the Houthis in Yemen
  • Renewed hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon
  • The strategic importance of the Gulf states
  • Iran’s nuclear programme, proxy network, and the risk of renewed confrontation


Add your predictions to your 2026 Forecast Card here: https://forms.gle/sMCbRFmFTBdcfEDd8 


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Conflicted is a Message Heard production.

Executive Producers: Jake Warren & Max Warren.

Produced by Thomas Small and edited by Lizzy Andrews.

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