The Middle East and the Muslim world is shifting, and most of the conversation around it still misses what actually matters.

In this episode, we sit down with Mahfuz Talukder, known as NewsBaba, a fast rising geopolitical analyst with nearly 500,000 followers on TikTok and hundreds of millions of views, to break down what is really going on behind the headlines.

We look at the Strait of Hormuz, US–Iran tensions, Israel’s position, and the idea of a “Muslim NATO,” but more importantly, we step back and ask a deeper question. How should we even be thinking about politics in the first place?

Too much of today’s political conversation is driven by emotion, reaction, and simple binaries. Who is right, who is wrong. Who we support, who we oppose. But geopolitics does not work like that. It is not about what we feel. It is about incentives, power, strategy, and decisions made by states acting in their own interests.

That is where the gap is.

Activism matters. Raising awareness matters. But it is not enough on its own. We have to go a step further into analysis. Into understanding why things happen, not just reacting to them after the fact.

How many Muslim analysts can we actually name?

How many Muslim strategic thinkers are shaping how we understand the world?

This is something we are missing, and it has real consequences. Because if we want to see meaningful change in the Muslim world, in the Middle East, and globally, then we need to be able to think clearly about the world as it is. Not how we want it to be.

This conversation is an attempt to move in that direction. To step away from noise, bias, and surface level takes, and to start thinking in a more grounded, structured way about geopolitics and power.

In this episode:

Strait of Hormuz and its global importance

US–Iran tensions and regional strategy

Israel’s role and strategic pressure

The idea of a Muslim NATO

Why political analysis is missing

Why emotion is not enough in geopolitics

Follow NewsBaba on TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@mahfuztalukder

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Disclaimer:

The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

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What do Kashmir, Iran, and the growing relationship between India and Israel actually have in common?

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Muzzamil Ayyub Thakur about the deeper connections behind today’s biggest geopolitical flashpoints. From Kashmir to Iran, this is not a set of isolated conflicts. It is one system playing out across different regions.

We discuss the situation in Kashmir, rising tensions in Iran, and the strategic alignment between India and Israel.

This comes at a time when tensions are escalating fast. Israel has carried out strikes inside Iran, including near sensitive diplomatic areas. At the same time, indirect talks between the United States and Iran have reportedly taken place through Islamabad, with figures like Steve Witkoff involved in negotiations.

The Strait of Hormuz has once again become a major pressure point, with global energy markets and military strategy tied directly to what happens there.

Within this wider context, we break down how Kashmir fits into the picture and why it cannot be understood in isolation.

This episode covers

Kashmir and why even worship can become a form of resistance

India and Israel’s military and political cooperation

Iran, deterrence, and the importance of hard power

The Strait of Hormuz and global leverage

Why the Ummah feels divided despite having real strength

The difference between reacting and actually thinking ahead

Dr. Thakur makes a strong point throughout the episode. The issue is not just power. It is how we understand power and whether we are willing to connect the dots fast enough.

Find Dr. Muzzamil Ayyub Thakur here:

IG: / dr.mayyubthakur

Follow us on:

IG: / thinkingyouthpod

TikTok: / thinkingyouthpod

Subscribe to our Youtube channel for more: / @thethinkingyouth

Subscribe to the Thinking Muslim Podcast: / @thethinkingmuslim

Subscribe to Mosaab's Substack: https://notmosaad.substack.com

Subscribe to Arhaam's Substack: https://substack.com/@mohammadarhaamm...

Disclaimer:

The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.