The 2026 Middle East Forecast

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: forms.gle/sMCbRFmFTBdcfEDd8%C2%A0

Join the Conflicted Community here: conflicted.supportingcast.fm/%C2%A0

Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/MHconflicted

And Facebook: facebook.com/MHconflicted

And Instagram: instagram.com/conflictedpod

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conflicted is a Message Heard production.

Executive Producers: Jake Warren & Max Warren.

Produced by Thomas Small and edited by Lizzy Andrews.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices