If you actually want to learn about the Middle East and not just engage in mindless moralizing, invest the time to listen to this podcast. It is time very well spent.

I can’t believe it took me this long to figure out that guy is a complete monster. Literally cheering on the bombing of Yemen. Absolutely sick.

conflicted thoughts.

I would give this 5 stars if it was Aimen Dean alone on the podcast. He provides a factual, well researched analysis of modern history in the Middle East in a way that beginners in the world of geo-politics can understand. Thomas Smalls on the other hand, while very knowledgeable, comes off arrogant and harps on Aimen Deans past to an annoying degree. His addition to the podcast is the pinnacle of American men in academia. His reactionary response to the 10/7 attacks, and spreading of disinformation were particularly off putting and make me ponder the factual nature of other episodes.

I listened to “What was Hamas Thinking” when many of us, im sure, we’re trying to more wholly understand the history of Israel and Palestine. I was genuinely horrified by the lack of humanity and compassion offered to Palestinians in the episode, as well as the reporting of unverified (and later debunked) information. A huge disappointment.

I've listened so far with great enthusiasm. And learned a lot. Selective generosity in criticisms against Palestinians and condescending view making me leave this show. I don't trust your conscience anymore. So long co-host.

I recommend this podcast to anyone looking to grow their knowledge of the Middle East. An orthodox Christian and a former jihadi don’t sound like the perfect pair for a podcast, but they are.

I started listening shortly after the events on October 7 2023. I have always searched for a “neutral source” to help explain the simmering molten lava that is the Middle East. I did not want to listen to more of the same garbage we’ve been fed over the decades. What grabbed my interest in this podcast was the absolute willingness to delve into history, without being beholden to “political correctness”. A frank discussion is desperately needed this day and age. The hosts, and their experiences, are so spellbinding. I am recommending this to everyone I know, and so far they have not been disappointed.

So glad I’ve been listening to these two men for a while because today their insight has never been more important!

Eye-opening, intelligent, and a meaningful way to learn about the dynamics of the Middle East and geo-politics in the region.

Thank you

I have binged listened the entire podcast and now am going back and dissecting each episode. So good!! And just like Aimen said: relax and try to listen! Don’t bring your judgement into this but I guess it’s very hard for a certain dear listener, who has certain ideology which is hard to break free from. Never did I hear a calling for destruction of Palestinian state. Perhaps some dear listeners are listening a different podcast with a different calling. Keep these coming!!!

Good overall but some variability in quality.

I’ve learn about the Middle East from this podcast. It is so well explained by these two highly educated gentleman

Journalism and accountability at their finest. Aimen has an extraordinary ability to deliver his fascinating stories, and Tom has the absolute best questions and follow up commentary.

Very much looking forward to season 4!

I am enjoying the podcast; however, Thomas Small’s refusal to call the people of Palestine, Palestinian, reeks of erasure. He constantly refers to “Arabs” or “Muslims”. They are Palestinian, and they are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, atheist and many other religions. Why are you so scared to say Palestinian Thomas? Do better.

“Dear listeners” this podcast is awesome - so informative and helpful in understanding the history and different perspectives of so many important conflicts that affect our world today. “Indeed!” I love it!

One of the best podcasts ever! 10/10 recommend.

This has blown me away. Holistic understanding and insight coupled with the clear and compelling articulation of all of the things that make the goings on in the Middle East so complex and influential on a global stage. Thank you!!

Aimen makes up “facts” about current military capabilities and Thomas naively believes them.

This podcast WAS one of my favorite podcast finds of this year, it breaks down very complicated topics with an expert perspective/ BUT the more I listen the more I see certain problems. It would be good to have a discussion of the status of human rights for women in Afghanistan — there have been two episodes about what the US did wrong and what it should have done — but without actually talking about human rights. That felt like an enormous strange blindspot, but the discussion was fascinating, no biggie. More problematic was the discussion of Uygurs. First of all, the alternative facts narrative with no supporting evidence, made me VERY uncomfortable. Like very very uncomfortable, to the point I kind of lost interesting in listening. How are you just going to say something isn’t a genocide and the media is presenting the wrong facts and not provide any follow up or sources?? I am a professional fact checker — but I think you don’t have to be to find that weird. So I feel like human suffering or atrocities can feel like an afterthought in the stories or even downplayed… . Yes there is a lot of interesting material but because the story is presented without the human element, sometimes you don’t really feel it’s helped you understand.

I like Thomas and his detours into Middle Ages really informative

I really enjoy these podcasts

Captures the joy of learning, breaking complex subject a down into (usually) linear sagas, non partisan yet still funny, insightful, and strangely compassionate. Must listen.

Not a fan of the ad choice

The degree of awareness on the why and subsequently the how and the who is astonishing. I’ve realized we are “conflicted” due the basis of actions of all humans, from citizens to governing class, all feel they have a foundation for truth for the things they do, no matter how noble or horrible they may be.

Never have I listened to such refreshingly honest commentary on the international conflicts of our times. Love the vibe/rapport between the hosts, their extra reading recommendations, and of course the inside information most of which, unfortunately, we don’t come across in media. Thank you for making the show, I cannot wait for more.

Fantastic podcast. Sharp, erudite, balanced gentlemen with real experience provide a look behind the geopolitical curtain from outside the American lens. All while exhibiting great charisma and chemistry. Absolutely top notch.

Am learning a great deal and highly recommend. The hosts know their material and have pleasant voices and don’t waste time.

This podcast is incredibly enlightening!! Anyone who has lived their adult life through this never ending war on terror needs to listen to this!

Wow, I can’t stop listening…. Need more episodes guys come on. Even turned my parents on to your podcast 🙌🏽 I had to come back and edit my review. I’m so happy season 3 is here, I truly enjoy your show, keep it up!

Season 1 was good info but since the hosts pro military position is skewing the reality of what’s happening in the areas and conflicts they talk about.

This is one of the best podcasts you will find if you have any interest in history, global events, politics, religion, communities, or even human psychology. It is very, very well scripted and very well produced. Listen to 'Conflicted' with your own level of "salt", but hold on to a desire to understand various points of view; you will not be disappointed.

Learned more from this podcast than ANY history class...not just history but culture and reasons for events. So good if you have any interest in what is happening in the Middle East!

Everyone who has a voice or a vote in a country that is involved with the Middle East conflicts should listen to this podcast. Twice. I thought I had a reasonably good understanding of everything going on in the region but I knew nothing. Sooo thankful for this show.

Wow! Absolutely the best,brilliant and honest knowledge about the middle east!

To learn information about the situation in the Middle East from someone who was actually a part of al qaeda is something I never thought I would get to experience. It is very interesting to see how Aimen joined a movement like that and got in for the right reason, only to leave when the movement took a turn to conduct the same types of actions aimen joined up to prevent. You are a good person and you are full of great information that Americans can NOT obtain through typical media outlets. Please keep producing content. I have listened to everything you have in conflicted so far. If there is another outlet I can get other content from either of you let us know.

I am absolutely enthralled with this podcast. The content is powerful and helps fill in the blanks of security issues and challenges around the world! Tune in if you haven’t already. This is a five star podcast all the way!

Unbelievably intriguing podcast!

I’ve learned more from this podcast about the United States and the Middle East than I had from all my history courses combined. Truly an incredible story and effort, cannot wait for season 3!

Blaming poor people for their poverty, instead of systemic and institutional factors is disgusting. Less fortunate individuals have more financial literacy than most, they lack resources so the caveat about “being responsible” was highly ill informed

I’m learning an amazing amount of detail and listening to what the hosts are saying has been more valuable than the best history lesson I’ve ever attended in or out of school. Moreover, their camaraderie and general demeanor sometimes leads to exchanges between them that leaves me in stitches! It’s a pleasure!

I really enjoyed listening to this, especially the first few episodes. I learned a lot and the hosts eschewed many of the biases that I am familiar with. However that does not mean it’s bias-free. The pro-monarchy conversation was particularly baffling. At first I was excited to hear this take but it amounted to little more than a vague idea of monarch = stability, an idea that places consistency on a pedestal as the main virtue of a nation, and conveniently ignores the possibility of a succession crisis or unstable monarch or any of the flaws really. This is a theme that repeats itself, as the hosts rarely critique their own stance on many of these topics. Their comparison of monarchies to “democracies” also came off as disingenuous since they were primarily authoritarian regimes with a veneer of democracy, which I’m sure they knew. The next thing that struck me was the conversation regarding Yemen. Aimen lays out a very reasonable sounding self-defense argument for Saudi Arabia’s involvement in Yemen and it’s hard to disagree with the logic of it. He proceeds to reduce the Houthis to the slogan on their flag, which surprised me because it doesn’t really address their stated goals and motivations but fine. He then completely omits the main source of public outcry regarding Yemen which is HOW that war has been executed. The indiscriminate bombing of civilian centers for example. The entire conversation strikes me as almost defensive which made this omission seem calculated. Then regarding the deradicalization of Muslim extremists, Aimen concludes that most simply cannot change. The only ones who can be rehabilitated are the curious free-thinkers like him. This seems pretty self-serving and not based on any real statistics. In all I recommend listening to this only if you are prepared to be skeptical. There is a lot of good information here but it’s good to be aware of how you are being steered. Listen for the facts if not the narrative.

This is a great listen , a unique pairing of individuals from the opposite side, to come together and lay it all out bare. Kudos to the creators. This pod needs to get famous.

Binged the entirety of the show over 3 days, my job is 90% driving so plenty of time to listen. ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! Dean’s knowledge of the jihadi world is unmatched, and his ability to share his insights intelligently and with great humor is top notch. Bonus points for his assessment of the ‘08 financial crisis and fractional reserve banking. It was a genuine treat to hear that coming from someone who is (as far as I know) outside the circle of libertarian/Austrian school of economic thought.

The Al-Qaeda spy turned MI6 agent is fascinating. But the American monk has annoying tone and interrupts the spy too often, and his perspective is less unique. I stopped listening because there wasn’t enough of the spy.

While this podcast certainly offers some helpful and unique insights, as someone who has spent years traveling and working throughout the Middle East (an witnessing the aftermath of Saudi meddling) I could not help noticing one rather conspicuous bias throughout these shows, namely a consistent pro-Saudi slant to nearly every issue covered, either outright or by omission. Are we seriously to believe that in a multi-part and in-depth analysis of the history of the War on Terror that not one meaningful criticism is to be placed at the feet of the world’s chief exporter of Wahabism? What’s more, the disaster in Yemen is all on the Houthi’s (while zero evidence is provided for them actually being a “proxy” of Iran and everything worth knowing about them is stated on their flag)? Is MBS even mentioned? No mention of the Saudi blockade that caused the worst Cholera outbreak in recorded history, or of mass starvations that’s led to the unnecessary deaths of tens of thousands of Yemeni children. No mention of the unrelenting air strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure which have been roundly condemned by the international community? Instead the Houthis are put forth as this massive bogey man and Iran-backed proxy (while zero evidence is offered for their actually being supported by Iran in any meaningful way) and the Saudis who are armed with the most sophisticated aircraft and weapons systems on earth, and who are supported and trained by every Western nation that can find a place in line to sell them a bullet are the underdogs? Sadat is the ‘most brilliant leader to come out of the Arab world’ and Nasser (leader of the non-align movement, Pan-Arabism, and a man who masterfully played the US and Soviets off of one another like no leader before or since, is just dismissed as a brutal despot? And the American co-host is an ‘unapologetic Monarchist’. Also, they trudge vaguely over the topic of Palestine as if it’s a chore and a tired issue that they are embarrassed to have to reference. What could have been a thoughtful show is undone by a bias so blatant that it honestly makes me wonder about where their funding comes from. And the omissions regarding Saudi abuses are as abundant as the simplistic critiques of Iran. Here’s just a few, Saudi ranks at the bottom in press freedom behind Libya and the DRC (i.e. behind two failed states with essentially zero protections for the press) still executes people for homosexuality and witchcraft, calls for the murder of its persecuted Shia minority in its grammarschool textbooks, and concerning those antisemitic screeds on the Houthi flag? The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a US ally and member in good standing of the UN, might want to check what’s being said about Jews in stated-sanctioned mosques and by state-sponsored clerics in Saudi Arabia and around the world. And that’s just the tip of the ice burg. Offering a critical analysis of the War on Terror without a critique of the Saudi regime is like doing a history of Fascism and leaving out the Third Reich. In the end my analysis of this podcast is that it winds up just being slickly produced pro-Saudi propaganda, but I’ll give it two stars for the valid points that it offers despite this irredamable flaw.

Great podcast! My family and I listened to this podcast for our whole road trip. Coming from a Lebanese background, we found it extremely informative, intellectual, and thought provoking! Aimen and Thomas keep the listeners engaged with great conversations and humor. Excited for a possible season 3!

It is so important to hear this podcast. You guys do an awesome job. Aimen IS very humble, so sensible, so real, so leveled and witty to boot. A amateur psychologist who lived the deal and figured it out. I particularly like the banter between you. Makes me smile while listening to the details of a convoluted and serious situation. Also makes me more inclined to move to the UK...but the sun shines routinely in Nevada:-)