How Iran Built Middle East Influence Through Proxy Networks
Why does a country with a $25 billion defense budget wield more Middle East influence than Saudi Arabia with its $70 billion war chest? In this episode, Alex Romano breaks down how Iran quietly became the region's power broker through one of the smartest proxy strategies in modern geopolitics. On Curious Machines, we explore Iran's massive influence in four Arab capitals - Baghdad, Beirut, Damascus, and Sanaa - and how they built this network on a shoestring budget. You'll discover how the 2003 Iraq invasion accidentally handed Iran its biggest strategic win, learn why Hezbollah now controls…
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