Hello everyone. Maz here—and yes, after more than a year away, The Voices of War is finally back.

I know some of you have been wondering where I’ve been, and I want to start today’s episode with a bit of a personal update—because, frankly, it’s been a hell of a year.

In short, I lost the balance centre and hearing on my right side, which meant I had to undergo three surgeries, including the insertion of a cochlear implant. I now only have one functioning balance centre—on my left side—which has meant months of intense physical rehab just to walk straight again.

Three months out from my last surgery, I’d say I’m about 80% recovered. I still do daily physio and rehab to improve my hearing and balance, and I’m slowly getting back to something resembling normal.

On a brighter note, Esin and I also welcomed our third child into the world. Baby Aydin has joined his big brother Daryan and big sister Lara in their shared mission to stretch every ounce of our patience—and, of course, every fibre of our love.

So, with that out of the way, let me say this: while I’ve been recovering, the world hasn’t exactly hit pause. In fact, it feels like it’s been accelerating—spiralling, even.

War crimes continue in Gaza with barely a flicker of outrage from those with the power to stop it. Ukraine remains a brutal war zone. Trump—on his apparent quest for a Nobel Peace Prize—has bombed Iran. Israel continues to act with complete impunity across the region. And NATO, along with much of Europe, seems to have all but rolled over to the whims of ‘Daddy Trump’.

In moments like these, I’ve found myself desperate to speak—to ask questions, to find sense amidst the chaos. But I didn’t want to just come back and hit record. I’ve spent the past months thinking about how to return with intention.

That’s why this season, I’m doing something a little different. Rather than launching straight into interviews, I’m starting with a set of questions. These are questions I don’t yet have answers to—but I intend to spend this season searching for them. And I want you to be part of that search.

If you know someone—an academic, a policymaker, a soldier, a survivor—who could help unpack these issues, please reach out. I’ve also launched a Substack where I’ll be writing more in-depth reflections on these topics, and where I’d love to hear from you.

Alright. Let me share some of the big questions I’ll be exploring this season.

Question 1: Why is Israel allowed to act with such impunity?
How can a state that claims to uphold democratic and Western values carry out what many see as genocide in Gaza? How can it expand its occupation in the West Bank unabated, and dish out kinetic ‘justice’ across the region—with little to no real consequence?

Why do nations like Iran chant ‘Death to Israel’ and ‘Death to America’? What drives such grave motivation?

Israel is the only nuclear-armed state in the region, yet claims perpetual existential threat. What am I missing?

If Netanyahu’s claims are a ruse, what is the real reason behind Gaza’s decimation?

With most of the world demanding a ceasefire, why does the United States continue to support Israel, regardless of its alleged crimes? Why are European states silent—or worse, supportive?

What about Arab states? Are they afraid to speak out? Or have economic incentives rendered the Palestinian issue a mere inconvenience?

I want to understand not only geopolitical alliances, but also the historical narratives, lobbying power, and media ecosystems that sustain this reality.

And most challengingly—what if Israel’s actions in Gaza reflect not just the conflict, but the erosion of moral and ethical standards traditionally associated with ‘Western values’? What if that’s the uncomfortable truth?

And beneath it all, I want to understand the true cost—for the people who live and die in Gaza every single day. Are we all guilty of viewing this war—and our own responses—with reckless disregard for the horrors endured by fellow human beings?

Question 2: Is Russia genuinely a threat to Europe?
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is unjustifiable. But does Russia really plan to invade Finland, Estonia, or Poland?

NATO members are now talking about spending 5% of GDP on defence. Are we caught in a classic security dilemma?

And what role does the military-industrial complex play? Is this about defence—or profit? And if it’s the latter, what are we sacrificing?

What does this endless escalation mean for Ukrainian families—and for ordinary Russians?

Question 3: Is the war in Ukraine part of a global realignment?
What role do BRICS nations play in enabling Russia? Is this a war between two nations—or two worlds?

Is this about territory—or a broader vision of multipolarity that challenges Western hegemony?

How are civilians bearing the weight of this realignment?

Question 4: Is the ‘rules-based international order’ still worth holding onto?
Or is the idea—real or imagined—already relegated to the history books?

Does the West invoke international law selectively? Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza, and now Iran—each has eroded its credibility.

What do non-Western states see? A principled system—or a cartel of power?

And who pays the price when the system meant to protect the vulnerable instead protects the powerful?

Question 5: To what extent are culture wars destabilising Western democracies?
Far-right and far-left extremes are gaining traction. Privileged ideologues are alienating working people—driving them to populism.

How did we get here? Who benefits? And what’s the cost to communities, families, individuals—both in blood and treasure?

Question 6: How do we stem the collapse of trust in our institutions?
From war lies, to economic spin, to COVID confusion—trust in leaders and institutions is eroding.

This isn’t about a few bad actors—it’s a deeper crisis of credibility and accountability.

How did we get here? What role has media played? Are democratic institutions too captured to serve citizens?

What happens when people disengage—or turn to authoritarian alternatives?

Can trust be rebuilt? And how?

Question 7: Can diplomacy still work in an age of total war and instant outrage?
Once the tool for peace, diplomacy now seems sidelined—seen as too slow or inconvenient.

Outrage travels faster than reason. Peace talks stall. Envoys are expelled. Cyberattacks and airstrikes replace dialogue.

Can backchannels still work? Is the conference table dead?

And in a world where AI can fake voices and video, what happens to truth?

What happens to victims when peace becomes politically impossible?

Question 8: What does war really do to people—and why do we keep ignoring their cries?
This podcast began with a simple goal: to reveal the unseen costs of war through lived experience.

This season, as before, I’ll speak with survivors, soldiers, scholars—and even perpetrators. Because behind every operation or strike are human beings.

Unless we reckon with that, we will repeat it.

So that’s where we’re headed this season.

A little different. A little more personal. But, I hope, more urgent than ever.

If these questions resonate with you—if you’ve been asking the same things—please share this podcast. Send me guest suggestions. Join the conversation on Substack. Let me know what questions are burning within you.

Help me bring nuance to discussions that are too often black-and-white.

We live in an age of noise. But if we listen—truly listen—we might still find the signal.

Thank you for sticking with me. I’ll see you in the next episode.