Geopolitics with Ghost Ep. 102: Iran Devolution, Mali Coup & UAE Exits OPEC - 4/28/26

About this episode

Ghost discusses the devolution of Iran's power structure, the UAE's exit from OPEC, and a coup attempt in Mali, among other geopolitical issues.

Ghost opens episode 102 with a striking observation: mainstream outlets are now describing Iran's post-war power structure in terms that amount to an admission of devolution without ever using the word. With Khamenei dead and his son Mashtaba serving as a figurehead, real authority has consolidated inside the IRGC and the Supreme National Security Council. Ghost breaks down what this means for ongoing US/Iran nuclear negotiations and why the enrichment red line is a double standard given Israel's unacknowledged arsenal. The UAE announces it is leaving OPEC effective May 1, a move Ghost frames as a Trump win that could drive oil prices down significantly. Mali's capital is rocked by a massive coordinated terrorist attack, its defense minister is killed, and Russia's Africa Corps pushes back against what Moscow calls a western-backed coup attempt. Ghost also covers Haredi extremists invading an Israeli military police chief's home, Ukraine summoning Israel's ambassador over Russian grain purchases, King Charles's address to Congress, and North Korea deepening military ties with Russia through 2031.

People in this episode

Host: Ghost

Topics covered

• Iran devolution
• US/Iran nuclear negotiations
• UAE exits OPEC
• Mali coup
• terrorism in Mali
• Israel and Ukraine relations
• North Korea and Russia military ties

Keywords

• Iran
• UAE
• OPEC
• Mali
• terrorism
• nuclear negotiations
• Russia
• North Korea
• Israel
• Ukraine

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: IRGC, Supreme National Security Council, UAE, OPEC

Books & works: King Charles's address to Congress

Places: Mali, Israel, Ukraine, North Korea, Russia

More episodes of Badlands Media

• OnlyLands Ep. 60: Pride Month Recaps, Spencer Pratt's Revenge & Ancient Copper Theories · June 13, 2026 · 1h 33m
• Spellbreakers Ep. 170: First in Space - A History of the German Space Program, Part I - The Early Years · June 13, 2026 · 1h 19m
• MAHA News [6.12] RFK Resigning Rumors, Ron Johnson on COVID Vax, Screwworm, Sunscreens · June 12, 2026 · 1h 4m
• Geopolitics with Ghost Ep. 113: Iran Deal, Levin Meltdown & Gabbard's Bio Lab Bomb - 6/12/26 · June 12, 2026 · 1h 48m
• The Daily Herold: 6/12/26 - Biolab Declass Confirmed, Iran Deal Whiplash & FISA Fails · June 12, 2026 · 56 min
• Badlands Daily: 6/12/26 - Iran Deal On, Off, On Again, Hormuz Secretly Open All Along · June 12, 2026 · 1h 56m