This episode includes an Overtime segment that’s available to paid subscribers. If you’re not a paid subscriber, we of course encourage you to become one. If you are a paid subscriber, you can access the complete conversation either via the audio and video on this post or by setting up the paid-subscriber podcast feed, which includes all exclusive audio content. To set that up, simply grab the RSS feed from this page (by first clicking the “...” icon on the audio player) and paste it into your favorite podcast app.
If you have trouble completing the process, check out this super-simple how-to guide.
0:00 Teaser
1:06 Annelle’s Middle East bona fides
2:55 The state of play in Iran
8:14 A deepening fissure between Gulf Arab states
22:05 Explaining the Trump-Biden continuity on Middle East policy
26:45 Will the Middle East realign away from America?
34:46 Turkey and the moral hazard of US aid to Israel
40:00 Can Iran mend ties with the Gulf states?
47:40 Heading to Overtime
Robert Wright (Nonzero, The Evolution of God, Why Buddhism Is True) and Annelle Sheline (The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft). Recorded May 07, 2026.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NonzeroPods
Overtime titles:
An Iran-Israel polarity: How different Gulf states could swing.
Has Israel’s strategy served its interests?
Annelle: Trump needs to take an L to make a deal.
Is a multi-polar world a more stable world?
A possible silver lining to the Iran war.
Saudi Arabia: the most pivotal player.
Overtime video:







