Special Bonus Markets Happy Hour Podcast - June 25, 2025 - The Situation in the Middle East

In this special bonus podcast we bring you a timely discussion with a Middle East strategist and expert reporting on the situation in the region, as of today, June 25, when a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran continues to hold and narratives shift as to the effect of the US bombing on Iran nuclear's ambitions - whether obliteration or a set-back had been achieved.

Kawa Hassan is a Fellow at The Stimson Center in Brussels, where he is a nonresident fellow at its Middle East and North Africa program, as well as an international consultant with Shrova Strategies. He has over 20 years of experience in designing and leading Track 2/Track 1.5 diplomacy, policy research, development & humanitarian programs.

His passions include conflict prevention, resolution, and mediation, Middle East and North Africa, EU, NATO, policy research and development of practical, policy recommendations. He is a regular guest on international media outlets including FT, Washington Post, BBC, WSJ, NYT, VOA, El Pais, Euronews, Al Hadath, CGTN, Al Jazeera, etc.

We look at the aspects of the regional conflict that may be being overlooked and at the prospects for the ceasefire to hold or for regime change to take place. In assessing the incentives for various outcomes around the region, Kawa lists the chaos that would ensue and the regional ramifications should regime change take place, and furthermore gives a realistic assessment of what the best case scenario can be from here.

All views expressed are those of the guest and host and should not be attributed to their organizations.