Radio War Nerd EP #589 — Hezbollah Rising, feat. Cyrus
Guest: "Cyrus", MENA researcher
Recorded: March 12, 2026
Cyrus joins us to discuss why Hezbollah entered the war against Israel now, Lebanon politics, Syria under the former leader of Al Qaeda's branch, Iraq's pro-Iran militia groups, and more. (Beirut, along with the rest of Lebanon, is being bombed by Israel, so the connection is a bit spotty at times - nothing the mighty War Nerd Legion can't manage.)
Further listening with Cyrus:
-EP #543 — Syria, Hezbollah & Palestine-Israel, feat. Cyrus
-EP #509 — Jolani & The Making of Syrian Sunni Ethno-Supremacism
-EP #487 — Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire + Syria Collapse
-EP #478 — Israel's War on Lebanon
Total time: 1:44:22
Direct link to this episode's mp3 here
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Sound production by Telescope Audio
Comments (31)
Not to be nitpicky but isn't iftar the meal after the fast and suhoor is the one that happens in the early morning?
Something I don’t understand is: how can the president & prime minister of Lebanon even say this stuff, responding to an Israeli invasion with “our first priority is disarming Hezbollah NOW!” Without even pretending to “unite in the face of this crisis” etc? Is this like a Repubs & Dems split on the USA where the two sides share political office but openly hate each other and each other’s constituencies? What is going on?
How do these assholes react to charges of serving a foreign power? Are they totally insulated from this? Do they just say “well Hezbollah is a servant of a foreign power”?
In the future, if you know there are going to be connection issues, don't record the call itself (or don't use the call recording as the one you post) - have each participant record themselves on their computer or laptop, then put the recordings together in your audio editing software. If you have a recording of the call as well you can use it to mark the correct positions for the individual voice channels
Imperialism will destroy us all if the workers of the world do not unite and begin the global socialist revolution
Thank you, great episode.
Thank god for Cyrus
That was a great interview. I wonder what Israel tries to achieve in Lebanon. Or is everyone just in panic mode. The observation that Iran supports Russia against Ukraine to keep NATO out of the Middle-East makes things really complex. Which puts Europe in a real tight spot. Support Ukraine and antagonize Russia and Iran. Or negotiate with Iran to get shipping going again and make it harder for Ukraine to survive.
This is incredible, thank you Cyrus and John and Mark for bringing us this. Out of all the recent episodes monitoring the situation, I want very badly to share this one in particular with some friends (or maybe a for-public edit?) just wanted to throw that out there.
Does Cyrus write anywhere?
Was surprised to listen that Turkey's army is bigger and even more sophisticated than Iran's. Always thought it was the opposite. I do know that Turkey has a local company making killer drones (Lethal Autonomous Weapons). Are they also big in ballistic missiles and suicide drones?
I really enjoy how Cyrus can casually drop a “this senior Hezbollah guy was telling me”
So like, with the nuclear weapons thing… are we still in agreement that this would mean the end of all human life on earth and possibly all life on earth whatsoever?
Unfortunately the way things are going it would probably be something much stupider than even extinction
"I'll talk to you in the next war" lol Cyrus
The Dutch aren’t joining the case on the side of SA. They’re submitting an interpretation of the genocide convention without explicitly attributing blame on Israel. It’s pretty weak and mostly a bone thrown to the leading liberal party in the coalition.
The Dutch officially don't 'support' the war but we 'understand the reasons' for the war. Which falls somewhere between being huge pussies and being a gaslighting boyfriend. "Of course it's terrible that your friend was assaulted, disgusting. But you have to admit she was kind of asking for it right?"
Who am I to be pricy to such cogent insight? Very much appreciated, nonetheless. On reshaping of the Middle East; Has anyone else been recc'd "Predictive History" Yt channel lately? Idk what to make of it tbh https://youtu.be/spg58Glfz68?si=TK7OrN_K8SiE5zBm
Somebody referred to him as geopolitical Jordan Peterson. In the end I think that’s an apt comparison.
Don’t wanna speak too soon but we have to consider making one of those “apology form” templates. To: Hezbollah. from: Dr. John Dolan lol
I just can’t get over the depth of knowledge Cyrus has, the man is citing the exact dates so many of these events happened off the top of his head! Incredible guest as always.
Not that Hegseth is paying attention or knows how to read, but it’s interesting the timing of the de facto creation of these free-fire zones in Lebanon and his declaration of “no quarter” for Iranians is of a piece.
There isn’t anything more informative and educational than a Cyrus episode on war nerd. You guys are one of the only lifelines of sanity during all this and cannot tell you how much its appreciated to have. And thank you Cyrus for coming on and giving your perspective and insight despite the hell going on around you.
Cyrus displayed true poise and ice water veins by laying out sentence after sentence of clear, detailed, thoughtful analysis from a city that's under imperial bombardment. I can't think or speak or think that clearly under ideal circumstances. Both illuminating and genuinely moving. Stay safe over there, man. We need you.
Two things: 1) Iran, please please please threaten Europe unless they kick isreal out of Eurovision 2) I love macron’s stupid, “The French are on their way!” Bullshit that he pulls out anytime there’s an international incident. Like, dawg, nobody thinks you’re doing shit and nobody thinks you’re a player on the world stage
Hes trying to act like its still the 1890s or something meanwhile the response to his pronouncements is usually just a shrug lol
Fantastic depth and breadth of insight from Cyrus as usual.
Really great and illuminating interview.
new subscriber / long admirer of RWN here. I have family in southern Beirut (displaced since day 2), and Lebanon hasn't been getting enough coverage, so thank you for this episode.
Lebanon’s flag is undeniably one of the best 🇱🇧 it also sounds like LibAnon which could be something
LibAnon sounds like a term that the TrueAnon podcast would use to refer to RussiaGate.