Tensions in the Middle East have escalated once more this week, with Israel and Iran launching strikes against one another. Resolution remains unclear and the USA appears hesitant to act as peacemaker.

India, given its close diplomatic relationships with both Iran and Israel, has often been seen as a mediator. But where does it stand, given how unrest in Iran could have huge economic and trade implications at home?

Rohan Venkat discusses with Nicolas Blarel, Associate Professor of International Relations at the Institute of Political Science.

Here are the Cycle Recommendations from this episode:

• India Outside In #4a: What does Modi's 'unprecedented' outreach to the Gulf and Israel mean for India?
• India Outside In #4b: Why India-US ties are central to Delhi's expanding West Asia presence
• The Nehru Years; An International History of Indian Non-Alignment by Swapna Kona Nayudu
• India's world special issue
• azad essa's book hostile homelands
• Rhys Machold

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• ET Write Home by Emily Tamkin
• India Inside Out by Rohan Venkat

The Political Tricycle is a Podot podcast.

It's presented by Emily Tamkin and Rohan Venkat.

Executive Producer: Nick Hilton.

Producer: Ewan Cameron

For sales and advertising, email nick@podotpods.com

To watch a video version of the show, go to COOLER.NEWS

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

It has become common in India for political candidates to promise regular cash handouts to women who fall under a certain income threshold. Of course, they have to win their elections first.

The cash handouts schemes have been the subject of increasing debate. Many are asking whether this is bribery, whether it is enough to live on, whether the government can afford it and whether it actually does anything to raise the political voice of women.

Rohan Venkat and Emily Tamkin discuss with Raksha Kumar, reporting fellow at Global Press Journal.

Raksha's Substack.

Raksha's website.

Raksha's Global Press Journal series.

Here are the Cycle Recommendations from this episode:

• https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/04/indian-students-shock-trump-international-study-visa
• You're a bunch of cowards! – Hamilton Nolan
• https://adamtooze.substack.com/p/chartbook-390-beyond-la-logics-of
• From the Reuters Institute on misinformation

Subscribe below to our contributors' Substacks:

• ET Write Home by Emily Tamkin
• India Inside Out by Rohan Venkat

The Political Tricycle is a Podot podcast.

It's presented by Emily Tamkin and Rohan Venkat.

Executive Producer: Nick Hilton.

Producer: Ewan Cameron

For sales and advertising, email nick@podotpods.com

To watch a video version of the show, go to COOLER.NEWS

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

Karol Nawrocki has won the race to be the next President of Poland. It follows a tense campaign, where the far-right Nawrocki was often labelled (by both critics and supporters) ‘the Polish Trump’. So who is the relative newcomer, how big was the margin, and what does this mean for Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister of Poland with a steadfast commitment to a united Europe?

Rohan Venkat and Emily Tamkin are joined by Anna Gielewska, co-founder and editor-in-chief of VSquare and co-founder of Polish investigative outlet FRONTSTORY.PL

Subscribe to Goulash, the VSquare newsletter.

Here are the Cycle Recommendations from this episode:

• Support from Trump lifts candidate in Poland's knife edge Presidential race – WSJ
• Polish compatriots and the Kremlin's network of support – VSquare
• When lawless cruelty becomes state policy – India’s casting of Rohingya into the sea

Subscribe below to our contributors' Substacks:

• ET Write Home by Emily Tamkin
• India Inside Out by Rohan Venkat
• Dividing Lines by Tom Hamilton

The Political Tricycle is a Podot podcast.

It's presented by Emily Tamkin, Tom Hamilton and Rohan Venkat.

Executive Producer: Nick Hilton.

Producer: Ewan Cameron

For sales and advertising, email nick@podotpods.com

To watch a video version of the show, go to COOLER.NEWS

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