In this podcast, held on the occasion of the 5th ELIAMEP–ACG Summer Academy: “Leadership Beyond Borders: Empowering the Next Generation of Mediterranean Leaders,” which will take place in Ancient Olympia from July 14–19, 2025, Ömer Taşpınar, Professor of Security Studies at the National War College, speaks with Odin Linardatou about developments in the Middle East.

They discuss what Western leaders fail to understand about the region, why Islam is not the problem, the role of nationalism, the influence of the U.S. and Israel, Saudi Arabia’s ambitions, and how Turkey’s aspirations may—or may not—affect Greek-Turkish relations.