Podcasts about Islamic republic

This week on Conflicted, host Thomas Small is joined by Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and a leading scholar of Iranian domestic and foreign policy. Together, they explore the profound impact of the recent 12-Day War between Iran, Israel, and the United States on the Islamic Republic. As an Iranian who has studied the regime for decades, Alex offers a vital look into the power struggles between revolutionary ideology and Iranian nationalism that are now at play in Tehran. Thomas and Alex discuss the main events of the war, the strategic decisions made by all sides, and the unexpected conclusion that has left Iran in a precarious position. They delve into how the conflict's strategic and economic fallout - from widespread internet blackouts to the regime's military and technological limitations - has humiliated the ruling elite and exposed their vulnerability. The conversation also explores how the war has intensified internal debates, with pragmatic and moderate voices now pushing for political reform and a change in Iran's foreign policy. The episode offers a sobering, yet essential, look at a regime that must now confront its own failures and decide whether to change course or risk total collapse. You can find Alex on X @AlexVatanka To listen to the full episode, you'll need to subscribe to the Conflicted Community. And don't forget, subscribers can also join our Conflicted Community chatroom, where you can interact with fellow dearest listeners, discuss episodes past and future, get exclusive messages from Thomas and Aimen, ask future Q&A questions and so much more. All the information you need to sign up is on this link: https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm/  Conflicted is proudly made by Message Heard, a full-stack podcast production agency which uses its extensive expertise to make its own shows such as Conflicted, shows for commissioners such as the BBC, Spotify and Al Jazeera, and powerfully effective podcasts for other companies too. If you'd like to find out how we can help get your organisation's message heard, visit messageheard.com or drop an email to hello@messageheard.com! Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHconflicted And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflictedLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION GAZA PLAN.. 1950 RAMALLAH 10-6-25 FIRST HOUR 9-915 The Trump Peace Plan and the Problematic Role of the Palestinian Authority Guest: Peter Berkowitz Peter Berkowitz examines the Trump peace plan, which calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of 50 remaining hostages (living and dead) within 72 hours, and the disarming of Hamas. Hamas disarmament is a crucial Israeli war aim. The central challenge is the future role of the Palestinian Authority (PA), which Berkowitz argues is corrupt, incompetent, weak, and lacks democratic legitimacy, having not held elections since 2005. International recognition of a Palestinian state is viewed as counterproductive, as it rewards proponents of armed struggle. The plan anticipates a pathway toward a Palestinian state only after substantial and comprehensive PA reform, including ceasing terror incitement and abandoning the goal of Israel's destruction. Given the security challenges and the history of Palestinian rejection of a state coexisting with Israel, the realistic possibility of a two-state solution is seen as many years in the future. 915-930 The Trump Peace Plan and the Problematic Role of the Palestinian Authority Guest: Peter Berkowitz Peter Berkowitz examines the Trump peace plan, which calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of 50 remaining hostages (living and dead) within 72 hours, and the disarming of Hamas. Hamas disarmament is a crucial Israeli war aim. The central challenge is the future role of the Palestinian Authority (PA), which Berkowitz argues is corrupt, incompetent, weak, and lacks democratic legitimacy, having not held elections since 2005. International recognition of a Palestinian state is viewed as counterproductive, as it rewards proponents of armed struggle. The plan anticipates a pathway toward a Palestinian state only after substantial and comprehensive PA reform, including ceasing terror incitement and abandoning the goal of Israel's destruction. Given the security challenges and the history of Palestinian rejection of a state coexisting with Israel, the realistic possibility of a two-state solution is seen as many years in the future. 930-945 Houthi Attacks, Sanctions, and the Implications of a Gaza Ceasefire Guest: Bridget Toumey Bridget Toumey reports that the Houthis, who are well-organized and disciplined, attacked a Dutch ship in the Gulf of Aden and continued launching at least one missile and one drone at Israel, a slower pace than the nearly daily attacks seen in September. The Houthis also sanctioned 13 US oil and energy companies and their CEOs, citing the war in Gaza and US support for Israel. This announcement mirrored US sanctions and may be a precursor to resuming attacks against US-connected vessels. Israel's counter-Houthi air strikes have hit targets but have failed to deter the group, which also exploits connections with other terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). If the Gaza conflict ends, the Houthis might need a new casus belli to justify attacks, but they are willing to invent excuses if Iran wishes to continue stirring chaos. 945-1000 Life, Economy, and Chinese Threat Perception in Taipei, Taiwan Guest: Anne Stevenson-Yang Anne Stevenson-Yang reports from Taipei, Taiwan, a vibrant economy and republic vital to the global economy due to TSMC, the microchip maker. Taiwan is characterized by a wonderful public culture where honesty and personal safety are prevalent. Despite its high-tech focus, the economy suffers from problems common elsewhere, including increasing income inequality, unaffordability, high housing prices, and stagnant wages. Regarding geopolitical tensions, the average Taiwanese person is largely immune to the constant threat from China, having heard talk of belligerence for the last 30 years. However, there is apprehension related to China's grim economic winter and growing concern that the US protective umbrella may be receding, leading to more interest in investing in Taiwan's own defense. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Iran's Strategy, Setbacks for Hezbollah, and the Chinese Economic Lifeline Guest: Jonathan Sayah Jonathan Sayah discusses US efforts to bolster the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) with $230 million, intending to empower the national identity over sectarian militias like Hezbollah. Iran consistently seeks to arm its proxies, but Hezbollah is currently on its back foot, having lost leadership, money, and the Syria corridor due to Israeli attacks and the new regime in Syria. A peace deal in Gaza would significantly weaken Iran, as stability does not favor the Islamic Republic, which thrives by exploiting regional instability. The morale of the Islamic Republic has crumbled due to external defeats and internal incompetence (failing infrastructure, high inflation). Furthermore, Iran relies heavily on China to purchase oil, utilizing a money-laundering network to evade US sanctions, securing an economic lifeline for the regime in return for natural resources and infrastructure projects. 1015-1030 Iran's Strategy, Setbacks for Hezbollah, and the Chinese Economic Lifeline Guest: Jonathan Sayah Jonathan Sayah discusses US efforts to bolster the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) with $230 million, intending to empower the national identity over sectarian militias like Hezbollah. Iran consistently seeks to arm its proxies, but Hezbollah is currently on its back foot, having lost leadership, money, and the Syria corridor due to Israeli attacks and the new regime in Syria. A peace deal in Gaza would significantly weaken Iran, as stability does not favor the Islamic Republic, which thrives by exploiting regional instability. The morale of the Islamic Republic has crumbled due to external defeats and internal incompetence (failing infrastructure, high inflation). Furthermore, Iran relies heavily on China to purchase oil, utilizing a money-laundering network to evade US sanctions, securing an economic lifeline for the regime in return for natural resources and infrastructure projects. 1030-1045 Taiwanese Resilience and Japan's New Conservative Leader Guest: Scott Harold Scott Harold discusses Taiwan's resilience, rooted in its democratic rule of law and high societal trust, which China attempts to undermine. Taiwanese self-identity is deepening, particularly among younger generations. However, concerns exist in Taipei that the US administration's "Fortress America" focus is inducing doubt about Washington's commitment to Taiwan's defense, a doubt China exploits. Harold also covers the historic rise of Takaichi Sanae as the LDP head in Japan, positioning her to become the first female Prime Minister. Takaichi is a conservative acolyte of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo who emphasized increased defense spending to enhance the US-Japan alliance. Her selection was seen as an effort to bring conservative votes back to the LDP, responding to growing political frustration and capitalizing on sentiment against an influx of foreigners. 1045-1100 Taiwanese Resilience and Japan's New Conservative Leader Guest: Scott Harold Scott Harold discusses Taiwan's resilience, rooted in its democratic rule of law and high societal trust, which China attempts to undermine. Taiwanese self-identity is deepening, particularly among younger generations. However, concerns exist in Taipei that the US administration's "Fortress America" focus is inducing doubt about Washington's commitment to Taiwan's defense, a doubt China exploits. Harold also covers the historic rise of Takaichi Sanae as the LDP head in Japan, positioning her to become the first female Prime Minister. Takaichi is a conservative acolyte of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo who emphasized increased defense spending to enhance the US-Japan alliance. Her selection was seen as an effort to bring conservative votes back to the LDP, responding to growing political frustration and capitalizing on sentiment against an influx of foreigners. THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 Europe Responds to Russian Harassment Without US Lead Guest: Mary Kissel Mary Kissel analyzes the European emergency summit in Copenhagen, convened due to alarming mysterious drone activity over European airports, likely instigated by Russia. This harassment, which includes potential risks like hitting a passenger jet, aims to create confusion and test the resolve of the continent. The outcome, focusing on a "drone wall," suggests that the EU is starting to take more responsibility for its own defense, a long-term goal of US presidents. Kissel notes that the US absence from the prominent conversation does not signal the end of NATO. She also highlights that politicians like Starmer and Meloni are moving toward stronger defense measures, realizing that their voting bases are unhappy with current economic and security outcomes 1115-1130 Syria's Search for Stability: Security Deals, the Golan Heights, and the Gaza Impact Guests: Ahmad Sharawi, Bill Roggio Ahmad Sharawi and Bill Roggio discuss Syrian President al-Sharaa's focus on stability and his pursuit of a security agreement with Israel. Negotiating away the Golan Heights is considered a non-starter for al-Sharaa's survival, as his father, Hafez Assad, is often seen as the man who lost the territory, and al-Sharaa would be domestically labeled a traitor by all segments of the Syrian population, including hardliners. A full peace agreement is out of the question, but a limited security agreement might be possible, allowing Israel to maintain its presence in the Golan Heights while potentially withdrawing from areas entered after the fall of the Assad regime. The end of the war in Gaza is expected to expedite negotiations between Syria and Israel toward a security deal, as it affects the optics of al-Sharaa making such a move in the Arab world. Al-Sharaa's main priority is removing Israeli presence and stopping Israeli air strikes inside southern Syria 1130-1145 Russia's Multi-Front War: European Drones, Space Threats, and Tomahawk Missiles Guests: John Hardie, Bill Roggio John Hardie discusses Russia's expanding conflict, which includes drones over European airports like Munich and Berlin, viewed by Denmark as Russian "gray zone" activity aimed at testing Western response. NATO has been slow to adopt cost-effective counter-drone measures, unlike Ukraine's use of mobile fire groups. Russia is also engaging in anti-satellite activity, with Russian satellites reportedly stalking UK military satellites in low Earth orbit. Russia continues to target Ukrainian energy infrastructure with massive barrages as winter approaches. The US is reportedly considering supplying longer-range Tomahawk missiles to allies for transfer to Ukraine. These missiles could strike deep into Russian military-industrial sites, which, coupled with economic pressure, might convince Putin to pause the war. 1145-1200 Russia's Multi-Front War: European Drones, Space Threats, and Tomahawk Missiles Guests: John Hardie, Bill Roggio J FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Gaza Ceasefire Talks: Hostages, Disarmament, and Hamas's Reach into Europe Guest: Joe Truzman Joe Truzman details the Gaza ceasefire negotiations, which center on the release of the remaining 48 hostages (living and deceased) within 72 hours, potentially in exchange for a significant number of Palestinian prisoners, including convicted terrorists. The central obstacle to peace is Hamas's refusal to disarm, viewing it as tantamount to surrendering their identity. Fighting has lessened, with Israel toning down air strikes, possibly to show goodwill to President Trump. Truzman emphasizes that if Hamas retains its arms, another conflict is inevitable. He also notes the rise in reported Hamas plots in Europe, something uncommon historically, indicating the organization may be branching out its operations and feeling emboldened, as seen in the recent deadly attack on a synagogue in Manchester. 1215-1230 Gaza Ceasefire Talks: Hostages, Disarmament, and Hamas's Reach into Europe Guest: Joe Truzman . 1230-1245 Maduro Regime Threatens US Embassy; Lula's Concern over US Pressure Guests: Alejandro Piña Esclusá, Ernesto Araújo Alejandro Piña Esclusá reports that Nicolás Maduro's chief negotiator, Jorge Rodríguez, falsely claimed a third party plans to assault the US embassy in Caracas, but Esclusá warns that Maduro himself ordered the operation. The regime is allegedly interested in the embassy because they believe opposition leader María Corina Machado is hidden there. The regime, which stole the election, is now persecuting and imprisoning more opposition members than ever to infuse terror into the population. Ernesto Araújo views an attack on the embassy—an action against the "only thing that's sacred in international relations"—as very serious, suggesting Maduro is desperate for a bargaining chip with the US. Brazil's Lula da Silva is reportedly worried about the seriousness of the US attitude toward Maduro and may be softening his stance with Trump, fearing what information might emerge regarding the Foro de São Paulo organization if the Maduro regime falls. 1245-100AM Maduro Regime Threatens US Embassy; Lula's Concern over US Pressure Guests: Alejandro Piña Esclusá, Ernesto Araújo

Iran's Strategy, Setbacks for Hezbollah, and the Chinese Economic Lifeline Guest: Jonathan Sayah Jonathan Sayah discusses US efforts to bolster the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) with $230 million, intending to empower the national identity over sectarian militias like Hezbollah. Iran consistently seeks to arm its proxies, but Hezbollah is currently on its back foot, having lost leadership, money, and the Syria corridor due to Israeli attacks and the new regime in Syria. A peace deal in Gaza would significantly weaken Iran, as stability does not favor the Islamic Republic, which thrives by exploiting regional instability. The morale of the Islamic Republic has crumbled due to external defeats and internal incompetence (failing infrastructure, high inflation). Furthermore, Iran relies heavily on China to purchase oil, utilizing a money-laundering network to evade US sanctions, securing an economic lifeline for the regime in return for natural resources and infrastructure projects. 18666 TEHRAN

Iran's Strategy, Setbacks for Hezbollah, and the Chinese Economic Lifeline Guest: Jonathan Sayah Jonathan Sayah discusses US efforts to bolster the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) with $230 million, intending to empower the national identity over sectarian militias like Hezbollah. Iran consistently seeks to arm its proxies, but Hezbollah is currently on its back foot, having lost leadership, money, and the Syria corridor due to Israeli attacks and the new regime in Syria. A peace deal in Gaza would significantly weaken Iran, as stability does not favor the Islamic Republic, which thrives by exploiting regional instability. The morale of the Islamic Republic has crumbled due to external defeats and internal incompetence (failing infrastructure, high inflation). Furthermore, Iran relies heavily on China to purchase oil, utilizing a money-laundering network to evade US sanctions, securing an economic lifeline for the regime in return for natural resources and infrastructure projects. 1924 ALEPPO

Two years after the Iran-backed, Hamas-led attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, Israel remains locked into a multi-front, defensive war against the Islamic Republic and its patrons — including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. Bill Roggio and Joe Truzman look back at how 10/7 reshaped the region, what's surprised them most, and why the conflict is far from over.

Three years ago, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman named Mahsa Jina Amini was fatally beaten by Iran's morality police. She'd been arrested for not following the Islamic Republic's dress code. Her death sparked the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement, one of the largest uprisings in Iran in decades. Journalists Fatemeh Jamalpour and Nilo Tabrizy tell this story in their new book For the Sun After Long Nights: The Story of Iran's Women-Led Uprising. In today's episode, Jamalpour speaks with Here & Now's Jane Clayson about the movement and Iran's future.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

About two hundred kilometers west of the city of Karachi, in the desert of Baluchistan, Pakistan, sits the shrine of the Hindu Goddess Hinglaj. Despite the temple's ancient Hindu and Muslim history, an annual festival at Hinglaj has only been established within the last three decades, in part because of the construction of the Makran Coastal Highway, which connects the distant rural shrine with urban Pakistan. Now, an increasingly confident minority Hindu community has claimed Hinglaj as their main religious center, a site for undisturbed religious performance and expression. In Hinglaj Devi: Identity, Change, and Solidification at a Hindu Temple in Pakistan (Oxford UP, 2018) Jürgen Schaflechner studies literary sources in Hindi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, and Urdu alongside extensive ethnographical research at the shrine, examining the political and cultural influences at work at the temple and tracking the remote desert shrine's rapid ascent to its current status as the most influential Hindu pilgrimage site in Pakistan. Schaflechner introduces the unique character of this place of pilgrimage and shows its modern importance not only for Hindus, but also for Muslims and Sindhi nationalists. Ultimately, this is an investigation of the Pakistani Hindu community's beliefs and practices at their largest place of worship in the Islamic Republic today--a topic of increasing importance to Pakistan's contemporary society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

About two hundred kilometers west of the city of Karachi, in the desert of Baluchistan, Pakistan, sits the shrine of the Hindu Goddess Hinglaj. Despite the temple's ancient Hindu and Muslim history, an annual festival at Hinglaj has only been established within the last three decades, in part because of the construction of the Makran Coastal Highway, which connects the distant rural shrine with urban Pakistan. Now, an increasingly confident minority Hindu community has claimed Hinglaj as their main religious center, a site for undisturbed religious performance and expression. In Hinglaj Devi: Identity, Change, and Solidification at a Hindu Temple in Pakistan (Oxford UP, 2018) Jürgen Schaflechner studies literary sources in Hindi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, and Urdu alongside extensive ethnographical research at the shrine, examining the political and cultural influences at work at the temple and tracking the remote desert shrine's rapid ascent to its current status as the most influential Hindu pilgrimage site in Pakistan. Schaflechner introduces the unique character of this place of pilgrimage and shows its modern importance not only for Hindus, but also for Muslims and Sindhi nationalists. Ultimately, this is an investigation of the Pakistani Hindu community's beliefs and practices at their largest place of worship in the Islamic Republic today--a topic of increasing importance to Pakistan's contemporary society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/anthropology

The war in Gaza triggered by Hamas' attacks on Israel in October 2023 sparked several massive aftershocks that have redrawn the geopolitical map of the Middle East. After decimating Hamas, the Israel Defense Forces went on to effectively neuter Hezbollah in Lebanon, depriving Iran of its most potent forward threat to Israel. The overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria last December further weakened the so-called Axis of Resistance. With Iran at its most vulnerable in decades, Israel took the fight to the Islamic Republic in a 12-day offensive in June that left its chief regional foe reeling. The aftermath of the violence has significantly altered the balance of power in the Middle East. Israel has emerged as the primary security power in the region, Iran has seen its influence evaporate, and other countries are calibrating their responses to the new reality. How do Arab states, particularly those in the Gulf, which have only recently moved to détente with Iran, respond to Israel's rise in tandem? The Middle East Institute's Annual Conference 2025 unpacked the effects of a re-ordered region on the rest of the world via three panels staffed with experts. These panels examined the impact of the far-reaching changes brought about by almost two years of war. Mr K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, opened the conference.

The war in Gaza triggered by Hamas' attacks on Israel in October 2023 sparked several massive aftershocks that have redrawn the geopolitical map of the Middle East. After decimating Hamas, the Israel Defense Forces went on to effectively neuter Hezbollah in Lebanon, depriving Iran of its most potent forward threat to Israel. The overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria last December further weakened the so-called Axis of Resistance. With Iran at its most vulnerable in decades, Israel took the fight to the Islamic Republic in a 12-day offensive in June that left its chief regional foe reeling. The aftermath of the violence has significantly altered the balance of power in the Middle East. Israel has emerged as the primary security power in the region, Iran has seen its influence evaporate, and other countries are calibrating their responses to the new reality. How do Arab states, particularly those in the Gulf, which have only recently moved to détente with Iran, respond to Israel's rise in tandem? The Middle East Institute's Annual Conference 2025 unpacked the effects of a re-ordered region on the rest of the world via three panels staffed with experts. These panels examined the impact of the far-reaching changes brought about by almost two years of war.   Panel 1: Winners and Losers in a New Regional Order This opening panel discussion focused on regional reactions, and included perspectives from Israel and Iran.   Get Ready to Dive Deeper than the Discussion. Drawing on his discussion at MEI's Annual Conference, Alam Saleh explores how the 12-Day War has forced Iran to recalibrate its foreign policy amid global shifts, regional realignments, and domestic crises - to read, click here.   Read an in-depth analysis by Neri Zilber—building on his insights from MEI's Annual Conference—as he examines how the 7 October Hamas attack reshaped Israel's domestic politics, drove a shift in its military doctrine, and altered the regional balance - click here.   Syria's new rulers have scored some successes in moving the country out of international isolation. But, Nanar Hawach argues, they risk these gains because of a series of mis-steps domestically. Expanding on his remarks at MEI's Annual Conference, he charts a course forward. Read his remarks here.    

The war in Gaza triggered by Hamas' attacks on Israel in October 2023 sparked several massive aftershocks that have redrawn the geopolitical map of the Middle East. After decimating Hamas, the Israel Defense Forces went on to effectively neuter Hezbollah in Lebanon, depriving Iran of its most potent forward threat to Israel. The overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria last December further weakened the so-called Axis of Resistance. With Iran at its most vulnerable in decades, Israel took the fight to the Islamic Republic in a 12-day offensive in June that left its chief regional foe reeling. The aftermath of the violence has significantly altered the balance of power in the Middle East. Israel has emerged as the primary security power in the region, Iran has seen its influence evaporate, and other countries are calibrating their responses to the new reality. How do Arab states, particularly those in the Gulf, which have only recently moved to détente with Iran, respond to Israel's rise in tandem? The Middle East Institute's Annual Conference 2025 unpacked the effects of a re-ordered region on the rest of the world via three panels staffed with experts. These panels examined the impact of the far-reaching changes brought about by almost two years of war.   Panel 2: The Middle East and External Powers This panel dissected what the changes meant for big powers in the region, particularly the United States and China.   Get Ready to Dive Deeper than the Discussion.    Ambassador Barbara Leaf reflects on her analysis from the conference to unpack why the Middle East has never truly been an arena for “Great Power Competition,” despite frequent claims to the contrary - head here to read.   Zhaoyi Zhu's MEI Perspectives piece dives into how China's rivalry with the US drives its Middle East policy, with Beijing prioritising its Gulf partners, maintaining conditional ties with Israel, and engaging cautiously with Iran.

The war in Gaza triggered by Hamas' attacks on Israel in October 2023 sparked several massive aftershocks that have redrawn the geopolitical map of the Middle East. After decimating Hamas, the Israel Defense Forces went on to effectively neuter Hezbollah in Lebanon, depriving Iran of its most potent forward threat to Israel. The overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria last December further weakened the so-called Axis of Resistance. With Iran at its most vulnerable in decades, Israel took the fight to the Islamic Republic in a 12-day offensive in June that left its chief regional foe reeling. The aftermath of the violence has significantly altered the balance of power in the Middle East. Israel has emerged as the primary security power in the region, Iran has seen its influence evaporate, and other countries are calibrating their responses to the new reality. How do Arab states, particularly those in the Gulf, which have only recently moved to détente with Iran, respond to Israel's rise in tandem? The Middle East Institute's Annual Conference 2025 unpacked the effects of a re-ordered region on the rest of the world via three panels staffed with experts. These panels examined the impact of the far-reaching changes brought about by almost two years of war.   Panel 3: What Lies Ahead? This concluding panel looked ahead and attempted to divine future trends, including how the Gaza war will end, and the repercussions of changes on Singapore.   Get Ready to Dive Deeper than the Discussion.    Asaad Alshamlan argued that the Middle East cannot be explained by a single grand narrative, highlighting four forces—Gulf–Arab disparities, state fragility, US–China rivalry, and the unresolved Palestinian question—which shape the region's complex landscape. This MEI Persepectives article builds upon his arguments - read here.   Based on the insights he delivered at the event, Mohammed Baharoon unpacks how regional powers, global actors, and non-state players are fueling a revival of old imperial ambitions while introducing new, economy-driven “quantum politics” in the Middle East - read the full piece here.  

Preview: Janetyn Sayeh discusses the protests in Iran since 2022, identifying Gen Z as the "fearless" leaders who have "categorically rejected" reform within the Islamic Republic. Unlike Millennials, who led the 2009 Green Movementand sought systemic reform, Gen Z-led uprisings—such as the "Woman, Life, Freedom movement"—have been the most major instances of civic engagement against the regime.

Solmaz Khorsand in conversation with Ali Fathollah-Nejad & Azadeh KianINSIDE IRAN - REGIME RESILIENCE AND THE STRUGGLE FOR CHANGEThere is a saying among Iranians. ‚There will always be a market for Iran experts.‘ And they are right. Since the revolution in 1979 and the Islamist takeover, the world has been captivated and frightened by the (wannabe) regional hegemon whose rulers have suppressed the population, particularly women and minorities, funded terrorist groups in the region, and toyed with the nuclear threat of becoming a nuclear power. Since 13 June, when Israel attacked Iranian soil and the 12-day war that followed, a fragile ceasefire has been in place. Commentators around the world foresee the next round coming soon and expect it to be more brutal and lethal than the first.How stable is the Islamic Republic's regime? What would happen if the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, were to die? Can Iran's democracy movement, which has survived for the past 46 years, gain momentum and lead the country towards a free and democratic future? A feminist revolution on the horizon as it was called for during the „Woman, life, freedom“ protests after the death of Mahsa Jina Amini in 2022?To discuss these issues, renowned experts Azadeh Kian and Ali Fathollah-Nejad will join journalist Solmaz Khorsand for a conversation that will provide insight into the inner workings of the Iranian regime, the mistakes of the West, and the long history of Iranian resistance.Solmaz Khorsand, Independent journalist and podcaster; fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM)Ali Fathollah-Nejad, German-Iranian political scientist, Director of the Center for Middle East and Global Order (CMEG), and author of most recently Iran – How the West Betrayed its Values and Interests (in German) (Berlin: Aufbau).Azadeh Kian, Iranian-French academic, Professor of Sociology, director of the Social Sciences department and director of the Center for Gender and Feminist Studies at the University Paris Cité

In this episode of Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael, I speak with renowned foreign policy expert Vali Nasr about his book Iran's Grand Strategy: A Political History. We examine the historical roots of Iran's political and strategic thinking, from the Persian Empire to the modern Islamic Republic, and explore how ideology, geopolitics, and domestic politics shape Iran's approach to the world. Nasr explains how Iran perceives the United States and its foreign policy, and how this perception informs Tehran's dealings with the U.S., its own diplomacy, and its long-term strategy. He also offers a reassessment of the 1953 Iranian coup d'état, arguing that while the U.S. supported it, the coup itself emerged organically from Iranian political dynamics. And yes, we will discuss the issue of Iran and its nuclear program, including what the strike against Fordow nuclear site entails for Iran.

It's Friday, September 19th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Iranian Christian denied a retrial for practicing his faith Mehran Shamloui, an Iranian Christian convert from Islam, has been denied a retrial for his case by the Iranian Supreme Court, reports International Christian Concern.  Shamloui was arrested in 2024 and, in March 2025, was sentenced to 10 years and 8 months in prison simply for participating in a house church. The charges against him included “propaganda activities contrary to Islamic law,” and “membership in groups opposing the state.”  He was released from jail after he posted bail in late 2024. He fled the country and intended to travel to Europe, but was stopped in Turkey. He was deported to Iran in July 2025 because he was missing formal documentation.  Shamloui is currently serving his sentence in Iran's Evin Prison, a notoriously deplorable institution known for mistreating its prisoners, including Christians.  Hebrews 13:3 says, “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” Iran is an Islamic Republic and a known persecutor of the Christian community. Bibles written in Farsi, the official language of Iran, are strictly prohibited, as is discussing Jesus with Muslims to share the gospel with them. Hadi Ghaemi, the executive director of The Center for Human Rights in Iran, said, “The Christian community in Iran is facing a crisis. The Iranian authorities are abducting growing numbers of Christians and throwing absurd national security charges at them in order to imprison them for years for doing nothing other than peacefully practicing their faith.” NY Attorney General vs. TX Attorney General over Abortion Kill Pill Far-left Democratic New York Attorney General Letitia James is intervening in Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's attempt to prosecute an abortionist for mailing abortion kill pills from one state to the other to undermine Texas's pro-life laws, reports LifeSiteNews.com. Paxton first filed his lawsuit in December 2024 against abortionist Margaret Carpenter, founder of the “Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine.”  Paxton alleged that Carpenter “unlawfully provided a Collin County resident with abortion-inducing drugs that ended the life of an unborn child and resulted in serious complications for the mother, who then required medical intervention.” Carpenter is not licensed to practice medicine in Texas. Subsequently, in February 2025, Judge Bryan Gantt of North Texas ordered Carpenter to stop sending abortion kill pills into the state and to pay a $100,000 fine. (Carpenter also faces charges out of Louisiana for the same).  So far, New York officials have protected the abortionist from consequences via the state's shield law, which bars cooperation with other states concerning laws against abortion. Paxton has challenged the shield law and sued the Ulster County, New York clerk who refused to enforce the fine. Americans celebrating Charlie Kirk's assassination held accountable The Secret Service, several U.S. airlines, Office Depot, and Nasdaq said they were among more than 30 employers that have sanctioned or fired employees in reaction to their disturbing statements about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, reports The Washington Post. Regarding the Secret Service, an agent named Anthony Pough wrote on Facebook, “If you are mourning this guy .. delete me,” in reference to Kirk's killing. Pough accused Kirk of spewing “hate and racism on his show.” Roughly three dozen workers are reported to have been suspended or fired over their responses to Kirk's murder, including employees of Clemson University, MSNBC, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Carolina Panthers. Plus, several local fire departments and school districts said they had also suspended or terminated employees over their remarks. WLBT-TV reports that Lauren Stokes, the executive assistant for the Vice Chancellor of Development at the University of Mississippi, was fired for her anti-Kirk comments. She allegedly wrote, “For decades, yt [white] supremacist and reimagined Klan members like Kirk have wreaked havoc on our communities, condemning children and the populace at large to mass death for the sake of keeping their automatic guns. … So no, I have no prayers to offer Kirk or respectable statements against violence.” WNDU reports that 18-year-old Camryn Giselle Booker, a college student at Texas Tech, was expelled after a video of her publicly celebrating Charlie Kirk's death went viral.  In the video, she is jumping around and yelling at students paying tribute to Kirk on the Lubbock, Texas campus. Listen. BOOKER: “Your homie dead. He got shot in the head. Your homie dead. He got shot in the head.” After Booker was expelled, Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott posted this comment on X. “Definitely picked the wrong school to taunt the death of Charlie Kirk. Thanks Texas Tech!” Felicia Branch, a professor at the University of Arkansas, is on administrative leave over her vile social media post, reports the Arkansas Times. She wrote, “No, I will not pull back from CELEBRATING that an evil man died by the method he chose to embrace.  Don't tell someone who has been targeted by people like him how to feel, how not to post, how not to celebrate, that he can no longer inflict his brand of evil.” She added that Kirk is “an evil person [who] is no longer on this earth causing immense suffering.” Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has called for Professor Felicia Branch to be fired. ABC yanked Jimmy Kimmel over Charlie Kirk comments And yesterday, ABC indefinitely suspended late-night host Jimmy Kimmel for inappropriate comments he made about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, reports Newsbusters.org. Here's the soundbite from Monday night. KIMMEL: “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid, [Tyler Robinson], who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.” Conservative talk show host Erik Erikson  called out the leftist comedian. He said, “What Kimmel was doing was participating in the creation of the leftwing talking point that Kirk's assassin was on the right. He did not have to participate. [Kimmel] chose to participate and circulate what was obviously, even on Monday, a lie. On top of that, it was not funny. It was hectoring and cruel.” Erikson reported that the primary reason Kimmel is no longer on the ABC program schedule is because of the influence of Nexstar, a moderately right-leaning group of stations, that controls 32 significant ABC affiliates including New Orleans, Nashville, Syracuse, Albany, and Grand Rapids and Lansing, Michigan. Nexstar decided to stop airing Kimmel's program. Star Spangled Banner's God-honoring fourth verse And finally, on September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key penned the immortal words of “The Star Spangled Banner.” Key was a Washington attorney sent to the British navy to secure the release of a prisoner during the War of 1812. During his mission, the British bombarded Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland. The sight of the American flag continuing to fly over the fort despite the barrage inspired the verses in the song. Congress officially made it the national anthem over a hundred years later. The opening verse is well known. But the later verses are more obscure. Listen to David Hedrick, a former Marine, sing the last half of verse four. HEDRICK: “Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: “In God is our trust;” And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.” (applause) Indeed, Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, September 19th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 25-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 25,795 on turnover of $10-billion N-T. Taiwan shares closed at a record high Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates and signaled more reductions this year following its two-day policy meeting. Analysts say tech stocks led the rally as lower interest rates made growth shares more attractive (吸引人的) compared with their dividend yields. In contrast, non-tech shares were mixed, with "Military concept stocks" weakening as expectations of higher defense spending had already been priced in. Public Alert Testing for National Disaster Prevention Day The island is conducting a nationwide disaster drill today to test its public alert system, in conjunction with (連同) National Disaster Prevention Day. The Central Weather Administration says members of the public received an alert on their mobile phones at 9:21am, as part of efforts to help people become familiar with the alert system and to improve their ability to respond in a real disaster. The exercise is simulating a magnitude 8.5 earthquake off the coast of eastern Taiwan, and a subsequent tsunami. The drill will also include all schools and kindergartens. Students will practice the "drop, cover, and hold on" procedure to learn how to protect themselves during an earthquake. (NS) Taipei MRT Abnormality Caused by Jammed Passenger Item A Taipei MRT train on the Bannan Line experienced a delay (延遲) during rush hour this morning, causing a platform at Xinpu Station to become overcrowded. The Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation says a door on a train heading toward Nangang Exhibition Center Station gave a warning signal at about 8:20 a.m. The company says the door was likely jammed by a passenger's personal item. To ensure safety, the transit authority asked the one thousand passengers to get off the train and wait for the next one. After the issue was resolved, the train resumed service at Ximen Station. This is the second time the Bannan Line has experienced a delay this week. (NS) US CDC Panel to Vote on Controversial Changes to Childhood Vaccines The CDC's vaccine advisory panel will vote Thursday on controversial changes to the childhood vaccine schedule - including delaying the Hepatitis B shot for newborns. It may also change guidance (指導，引導) on the MMRV jab - which offers protection against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a vaccine skeptic (懷疑論者), fired the existing panel and replaced it with his own picks. Toni Waterman has more. Iran Withdraws UN Resolution Prohibiting Attacks on Nuclear Facilities Iran has decided at the last minute to withdraw a resolution prohibiting attacks on nuclear facilities that it put forward for a vote before an annual gathering of the U.N. nuclear watchdog's member nations. The draft resolution “strongly condemned” the “deliberate and unlawful attacks carried out in June 2025 against nuclear sites and facilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” adding that this constituted a “clear violation of international law.” Western diplomats said Thursday that the U.S. has been heavily lobbying (遊說) to prevent the resolution from being adopted, also raising the possibility of reducing funding to the International Atomic Energy Agency That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－ 新潤建設機構為北台灣前十大建商，建築與品質嚴格把關，售後服務貼心周到。住戶透過報修App能即時回應，維修快速高效。 社區引進自有品牌 Ruenn Café，打造下樓就能享受美食的便利；同時不定期舉辦互動課程，豐富公設活動。 一起來了解新潤，發現家的更多可能

Lasting from September 1980 to August 1988, the Iran-Iraq War was the longest conventional war fought between two states in the twentieth century. It marked a period that began just after a revolutionary government in Iran became an Islamic Republic and Saddam Hussein consolidated power in Iraq. It ended with both wartime governments still in power, borders unchanged, yet hundreds of thousands of people dead. Neither side emerged as a clear victor, but both sides would eventually claim victory in some form. Dust That Never Settles: Literary Afterlives of the Iran-Iraq War (Stanford UP, 2025) considers how Iraqi and Iranian writers have wrestled with representing the Iran-Iraq War and its legacy, from wartime to the present. It demonstrates how writers from both countries have transformed once militarized, officially sanctioned war literatures into literatures of mourning, and eventually, into vehicles of protest that presented powerful counternarratives to the official state narratives. In writing the first comparative study of the literary output of this war, Amir Moosavi presents a new paradigm for the study of modern Middle Eastern literatures. He brings Persian and Arabic fiction into conversation with debates on the political importance of cultural production across the Middle East and North Africa, and he puts an important new canon of works in conversation with comparative literary and cultural studies within the Global South. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Lasting from September 1980 to August 1988, the Iran-Iraq War was the longest conventional war fought between two states in the twentieth century. It marked a period that began just after a revolutionary government in Iran became an Islamic Republic and Saddam Hussein consolidated power in Iraq. It ended with both wartime governments still in power, borders unchanged, yet hundreds of thousands of people dead. Neither side emerged as a clear victor, but both sides would eventually claim victory in some form. Dust That Never Settles: Literary Afterlives of the Iran-Iraq War (Stanford UP, 2025) considers how Iraqi and Iranian writers have wrestled with representing the Iran-Iraq War and its legacy, from wartime to the present. It demonstrates how writers from both countries have transformed once militarized, officially sanctioned war literatures into literatures of mourning, and eventually, into vehicles of protest that presented powerful counternarratives to the official state narratives. In writing the first comparative study of the literary output of this war, Amir Moosavi presents a new paradigm for the study of modern Middle Eastern literatures. He brings Persian and Arabic fiction into conversation with debates on the political importance of cultural production across the Middle East and North Africa, and he puts an important new canon of works in conversation with comparative literary and cultural studies within the Global South. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literary-studies

Lasting from September 1980 to August 1988, the Iran-Iraq War was the longest conventional war fought between two states in the twentieth century. It marked a period that began just after a revolutionary government in Iran became an Islamic Republic and Saddam Hussein consolidated power in Iraq. It ended with both wartime governments still in power, borders unchanged, yet hundreds of thousands of people dead. Neither side emerged as a clear victor, but both sides would eventually claim victory in some form. Dust That Never Settles: Literary Afterlives of the Iran-Iraq War (Stanford UP, 2025) considers how Iraqi and Iranian writers have wrestled with representing the Iran-Iraq War and its legacy, from wartime to the present. It demonstrates how writers from both countries have transformed once militarized, officially sanctioned war literatures into literatures of mourning, and eventually, into vehicles of protest that presented powerful counternarratives to the official state narratives. In writing the first comparative study of the literary output of this war, Amir Moosavi presents a new paradigm for the study of modern Middle Eastern literatures. He brings Persian and Arabic fiction into conversation with debates on the political importance of cultural production across the Middle East and North Africa, and he puts an important new canon of works in conversation with comparative literary and cultural studies within the Global South. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/middle-eastern-studies

Today's conversation is with Younes Sadaghiani.Younes studied politics at university having left Iran during the 2000s as it degenerated under the Islamic Republic. He has become a prominent voice online for his commentary on Iran, Islam, and UK politics. In this episode we unpack his personal journey, the realities of life under the Islamic Republic, and the broader challenges facing both the Middle East and the West.Expect to learn:Why Younes chose to put his head above the parapet online and speak out on big issuesThe history of the Islamic Republic in Iran and what life looks like for the 60% of Iranians who aren't MuslimThe challenges of Radical and Fundamentalist Islam, and how that shapes geopoliticsWhat Younes believes the political left misunderstands about IslamWhy a country so rich in natural resources still leaves its citizens without basic utilitiesHow Iran's financial support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis fuels instability in the Middle EastThe hard realities about Israel versus Hamas that often get lost in debateYounes' biggest mindset shifts in the last five years, and his evolving relationship with faith and spiritualityWhat he learned helping craft the Reform Party's communication strategy during the 2024 UK electionThe significance of 40,000 names on the UK's terror watch list, and what politicians should do to secure the country's futureWhy he believes this conversation is just the beginning, with a follow-up episode needed on spirituality, wellness, and the future of the UKThis episode is a deep dive into a topic many have been scared to address. Younes brings articulate insights and I know you're going to learn a lot during this 55 minute episode.Today's episode is optimised by Puresport. You can save 10% using code CAMBRO10 – ⁠https://bit.ly/3RmVT0V⁠ Connect with Younes:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/younessrocksYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@YounessrocksTwitter/X: https://x.com/younesrocksConnect with Col:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/col.cambro/Email List: https://colcambro.kit.com/30bde23b0cPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/ColCampbell

This event was the launch of 'Paths Made by Walking: The Work of Howzevi Women in Iran' by Amina Tawasil. This groundbreaking ethnography on Iranian howzevi (seminarian) women reveals how ideologies of womanhood, institutions, and Islamic practices have played a pivotal role in religiously conservative women's mobility in the Middle East. This event was co-organised with the Department of Anthropology at LSE. Meet the speaker and chair: Amina Tawasil is an anthropologist serving as a Lecturer in the Programs in Anthropology at Columbia University's Teachers College since 2017. She has published several articles from her fieldwork in the Islamic Republic of Iran on seminarian women, and has recently published a book entitled, 'Paths Made by Walking: The Work of Howzevi Women in Iran' through Indiana University Press. Previously, she taught at the International Studies Institute, University of New Mexico after serving as the inaugural Andrew W. Mellon postdoctoral fellow in the Middle East and North African Studies program, with courtesy appointment in the Department of Anthropology at Northwestern University. She is particularly interested in ethnographic and theoretical framings of anonymity, slow labor, time, urban situations, and performance. She is currently completing her fourth year of ethnographic fieldwork among graffiti writers in New York City, Philadelphia and urban New Jersey, which she has published a chapter on in the 'Ethnography of Reading at Thirty' edited volume. Yazan Doughan is Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at LSE. Yazan is an anthropologist whose work straddles the linguistic and socio-cultural branches of the discipline, with close engagements with social and legal theory, conceptual and social history, and moral philosophy. His work blends ethnography, genealogy, and history to shed light on the question of social justice in contemporary postcolonial contexts, with Jordan as a primary field site.

A summer of turmoil and near-total war as Iran and Israel trade shots, as the conflict between the two rivals almost plunges the world into a destructive war and total shutdown of oil trade in the region. As Israel accuses Iran of nearly building a nuclear weapon the US, under President Trump, carries out a strike against nuclear facilities. The first direct American military action carried out against the Islamic Republic. Although there is a pause in fighting for the moment, a new round of fighting is likely to follow, with even worse consequences for the global economy. In the US as well, President Trump passed the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill", which will have far-reaching economic effects, such as cuts to Medicaid and SNAP services.For early ad-free access support the program on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon

If Iran's Islamic Republic collapsed—or got pushed out—who would pick up the pieces? This week we look at the recent history of Iran, and the coup perpetrated by the CIA and MI6. To understand Iran's broader political context, and the power players poised to seize leadership.   Linked Bonus Episode: McKinley Dies and the Empire is Born On Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-mckinley-131344006?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link On Substack: https://www.thepoliticalorphanage.com/p/assassins-part-iv-mckinley-dies-and?r=1moac&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

EIAP shadow commander in charge of finding guests Max Ajl returns to the show after a long hiatus to discuss what lessons can be drawn from the 12-day war between Iran and ZioAmerikkan Empire.    Check out his piece, "Peoples and Regimes: Anti-Imperialism and the Islamic Republic of Iran" Watch the video edition on The East is a Podcast YouTube channel Consider supporting the show www.patreon.com/east_podcast

For review:1. Report: IDF Strikes Gathering of Houthi Leadership in Sanaa. The strike was first reported by the Houthi-run Al Masirah TV, and then confirmed by Defense Minister Israel Katz and the Israel Defense Forces, though they did not confirm the targets.2.  IDF Ground Operation on Syrian Military Installation Near Damascus.According to a Syrian source who spoke to Al Jazeera, the raid involved four helicopters and two fighter jets, as well as dozens of soldiers.Saudi outlet Al-Hadath reported that Israeli forces had located and confiscated “secret and sensitive equipment,” citing an unnamed senior Israeli security official.3. The United Nations Security Council on Thursday unanimously extended “for a final time” a long-running peacekeeping mission in Lebanon until the end of 2026, when the operation will then begin a year-long “orderly and safe drawdown and withdrawal.”4. Wall Street Journal Report: The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog has been guarded by a 24/7 security detail in recent weeks due to a specific Iranian threat against him.5.  Britain, France and Germany announced Thursday their decision to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. The step was announced in a letter to the UN Security Council sent by the European powers as they launched a 30-day process to once again level punitive measures against the Islamic Republic.6. Sweden and the Netherlands have urged the EU to adopt sanctions on Israel and Hamas over the war in Gaza, including suspending the EU-Israel trade deal.7. USAF Sentinel ICBM Update.

Listen to the first episode of AJC's new limited podcast series, Architects of Peace. Go behind the scenes of the decades-long diplomacy and quiet negotiations that made the Abraham Accords possible, bringing Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and later Morocco, together in historic peace agreements.   Jason Isaacson, AJC Chief of Policy and Political Affairs, explains the complex Middle East landscape before the Accords and how behind-the-scenes efforts helped foster the dialogue that continues to shape the region today. Resources: Episode Transcript AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace - Tune in weekly for new episodes. The Abraham Accords, Explained AJC.org/CNME - Find more on AJC's Center for a New Middle East Listen – AJC Podcasts: The Forgotten Exodus People of the Pod Follow Architects of Peace on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace You can reach us at: podcasts@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Transcript: Jason Isaacson: It has become clear to me in my travels in the region over the decades that more and more people across the Arab world understood the game, and they knew that this false narrative – that Jews are not legitimately there, and that somehow we have to focus all of our energy in the Arab world on combating this evil interloper – it's nonsense. And it's becoming increasingly clear that, in fact, Israel can be a partner. Manya Brachear Pashman: In September 2020, the world saw what had been years – decades – in the making: landmark peace agreements dubbed the Abraham Accords -- normalizing relations between Israel and two Arabian Gulf states, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain.  Later in December, they were joined by the Kingdom of Morocco. Five years later, AJC is pulling back the curtain to meet key individuals who built the trust that led to these breakthroughs. Introducing: the Architects of Peace. Manya Brachear Pashman: On the eve of the signing of the Abraham Accords, AJC Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer Jason Isaacson found himself traveling to the end of a tree filled winding road in McLean, Virginia, to sip tea on the back terrace with Bahraini Ambassador Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashid Al Khalifa and Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. Jason Isaacson: Sitting in the backyard of the Bahraini ambassador's house with Dr. Al Zayani, the Foreign Minister of Bahrain and with Shaikh Abdulla, the ambassador, and hearing what was about to happen the next day on the South Lawn of the White House was a thrilling moment. And really, in many ways, just a validation of the work that AJC has been doing for many years–before I came to the organization, and the time that I've spent with AJC since the early 90s.  This possibility of Israel's true integration in the region, Israel's cooperation and peace with its neighbors, with all of its neighbors – this was clearly the threshold that we were standing on. Manya Brachear Pashman: If you're wondering how Jason ended up sipping tea in such esteemed company the night before his hosts made history, wonder no more. Here's the story. Yitzchak Shamir: The people of Israel look to this palace with great anticipation and expectation. We pray that this meeting will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Middle East; that it will signal the end of hostility, violence, terror, and war; that it will bring dialogue, accommodation, co-existence, and above all, peace. Manya Brachear Pashman: That was Israel's Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir speaking in October 1991 at the historic Madrid Peace Conference -- the first time Israel and Arab delegations engaged in direct talks toward peace. It had taken 43 years to reach this point – 43 years since the historic United Nations Resolution that created separate Jewish and Arab states – a resolution Jewish leaders accepted, but Arab states scorned. Not even 24 hours after Israel declared its independence on May 14, 1948, the armies of Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria attacked the new Jewish state, which fought back mightily and expanded its territory. The result? A deep-seated distrust among Israel, its neighboring nations, and some of the Arab residents living within Israel's newly formed borders. Though many Palestinian Arabs stayed, comprising over 20 percent of Israel's population today, hundreds of thousands of others left or were displaced. Meanwhile, in reaction to the rebirth of the Jewish state, and over the following two decades, Jewish communities long established in Arab states faced hardship and attacks, forcing Jews by the hundreds of thousands to flee. Israel's War of Independence set off a series of wars with neighboring nations, terrorist attacks, and massacres. Peace in the region saw more than a few false starts, with one rare exception.  In 1979, after the historic visit to Israel by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, he and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin joined President Jimmy Carter for negotiations at Camp David and signed a peace treaty that for the next 15 years, remained the only formal agreement between Israel and an Arab state. In fact, it was denounced uniformly across the Arab world.  But 1991 introduced dramatic geopolitical shifts. The collapse of the Soviet Union, which had severed relations with Israel during the Six-Day War of 1967, diminished its ability to back Syria, Iraq, and Libya. In the USSR's final months, it re-established diplomatic relations with Israel but left behind a regional power vacuum that extremists started to fill. Meanwhile, most Arab states, including Syria, joined the successful U.S.-led coalition against Saddam Hussein that liberated Kuwait, solidifying American supremacy in the region and around the world. The Palestine Liberation Organization, which claimed to represent the world's Palestinians, supported Iraq and Libya.  Seizing an opportunity, the U.S. and the enfeebled but still relevant Soviet Union invited to Madrid a joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation, along with delegations from Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, and Israel. Just four months before that Madrid meeting, Jason Isaacson had left his job on Capitol Hill to work for the American Jewish Committee. At that time, AJC published a magazine titled Commentary, enabling Jason to travel to the historic summit with media credentials and hang out with the press pool. Jason Isaacson: It was very clear in just normal conversations with these young Arab journalists who I was spending some time with, that there was the possibility of an openness that I had not realized existed. There was a possibility of kind of a sense of common concerns about the region, that was kind of refreshing and was sort of running counter to the narratives that have dominated conversations in that part of the world for so long.  And it gave me the sense that by expanding the circle of relationships that I was just starting with in Madrid, we might be able to make some progress. We might be able to find some partners with whom AJC could develop a real relationship. Manya Brachear Pashman: AJC had already begun to build ties in the region in the 1950s, visiting Arab countries like Morocco and Tunisia, which had sizable Jewish populations. The rise in Arab nationalism in Tunisia and rebirth of Israel eventually led to an exodus that depleted the Jewish community there. Emigration depleted Morocco's Jewish community as well.  Jason Isaacson: To say that somehow this is not the native land of the Jewish people is just flying in the face of the reality. And yet, that was the propaganda line that was pushed out across the region. Of course, Madrid opened a lot of people's eyes. But that wasn't enough. More had to be done. There were very serious efforts made by the U.S. government, Israeli diplomats, Israeli businesspeople, and my organization, which played a very active role in trying to introduce people to the reality that they would benefit from this relationship with Israel.  So it was pushing back against decades of propaganda and lies. And that was one of the roles that we assigned to ourselves and have continued to play. Manya Brachear Pashman: No real negotiations took place at the Madrid Conference, rather it opened conversations that unfolded in Moscow, in Washington, and behind closed doors in secret locations around the world. Progress quickened under Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. In addition to a peace treaty between Israel and Jordan, reached in 1994, secret talks in Norway between Israel and PLO resulted in the Oslo Accords, a series of agreements signed in 1993 and 1995 that ended the First Intifada after six years of violence, and laid out a five-year timeline for achieving a two-state solution. Extremists tried to derail the process. A Jewish extremist assassinated Rabin in 1995. And a new terror group  launched a series of suicide attacks against Israeli civilians. Formed during the First Intifada, these terrorists became stars of the Second. They called themselves Hamas. AP News Report: [sirens] [in Hebrew] Don't linger, don't linger. Manya Brachear Pashman: On March 27, 2002, Hamas sent a suicide bomber into an Israeli hotel where 250 guests had just been seated for a Passover Seder. He killed 30 people and injured 140 more. The day after the deadliest suicide attack in Israel's history, the Arab League, a coalition of 22 Arab nations in the Middle East and Africa, unveiled what it called the Arab Peace Initiative – a road map offering wide scale normalization of relations with Israel, but with an ultimatum: No expansion of Arab-Israeli relations until the establishment of a Palestinian state within the pre-1967 armistice lines and a so-called right of return for Palestinians who left and their descendants.   As the Second Intifada continued to take civilian lives, the Israeli army soon launched Operation Defensive Shield to secure the West Bank and parts of Gaza. It was a period of high tension, conflict, and distrust. But behind the scenes, Jason and AJC were forging ahead, building bridges, and encountering an openness in Arab capitals that belied the ultimatum.  Jason Isaacson: It has become clear to me in my travels in the region over the decades that more and more people across the Arab world understood the game, and they knew that that this false narrative that Jews are not legitimately there, and that somehow we have to focus all of our energy in the Arab world on combating this evil interloper – it's nonsense. And it's becoming increasingly clear that, in fact, Israel can be a partner of Arab countries. Manya Brachear Pashman: Jason led delegations of Jewish leaders to Arab capitals, oversaw visits by Arab leaders to Israel, and cultivated relationships of strategic and political consequence with governments and civil society leaders across North Africa, the Levant, and the Arabian Peninsula. In 2009, King Mohammed VI of Morocco bestowed on him the honor of Chevalier of the Order of the Throne of the Kingdom of Morocco. Jason's priority was nurturing one key element missing from Arab-Israeli relations. An element that for decades had been absent in most Middle East peace negotiations: trust.   Jason Isaacson: Nothing is more important than developing trust. Trust and goodwill are, if not synonymous, are so closely linked. Yes, a lot of these discussions that AJC's been engaged in over many years have been all about, not only developing a set of contacts we can turn to when there's a crisis or when we need answers to questions or when we need to pass a message along to a government. But also, develop a sense that we all want the same thing and we trust each other. That if someone is prepared to take certain risks to advance the prospect of peace, which will involve risk, which will involve vulnerability. That a neighbor who might have demonstrated in not-so-distant past animosity and hostility toward Israel can be trusted to take a different course. Manya Brachear Pashman: A number of Israeli diplomats and businesspeople also worked toward that goal. While certain diplomatic channels in the intelligence and security spheres stayed open out of necessity – other diplomats and businesspeople with dual citizenship traveled across the region, quietly breaking down barriers, starting conversations, and building trust.  Jason Isaacson: I would run into people in Arab capitals from time to time, who were fulfilling that function, and traveling with different passports that they had legitimately, because they were from those countries. It was just a handful of people in governments that would necessarily know that they were there. So yes, if that sounds like cloak and dagger, it's kind of a cloak and dagger operation, a way for people to maintain a relationship and build a relationship until the society is ready to accept the reality that it will be in their country's best interest to have that relationship. Manya Brachear Pashman: Privately, behind the scenes, signs emerged that some Arab leaders understood the role that Jews have played in the region's history for millennia and the possibilities that would exist if Muslims and Jews could restore some of the faith and friendship of bygone years.  Jason Isaacson: I remember sitting with King Mohammed the VI of Morocco just weeks after his ascension to the throne, so going back more than a quarter century, and hearing him talk with me and AJC colleagues about the 600,000 subjects that he had in Israel. Of course, these were Jews, Israelis of Moroccan descent, who are in the hundreds of thousands. But the sense that these countries really have a common history. Manya Brachear Pashman: Common history, yes. Common goals, too. And not for nothing, a common enemy. The same extremist forces that have been bent on Israel's destruction have not only disrupted Israeli-Arab peace, they've prevented the Palestinian people from thriving in a state of their own and now threaten the security and stability of the entire region. Jason Isaacson:  We are hopeful that in partnership with those in the Arab world who feel the same way about the need to push back against extremism, including the extremism promoted, promulgated, funded, armed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, that we can have enough of a network of supportive players in the Arab world, in the West. Working with Israel and working with Palestinian partners who are interested in the same future. A real future, a politically free future, where we can actually make some progress. And that's an ongoing effort. This is a point that we made consistently over many years: if you want to help the Palestinian people–and we want to help the Palestinian people–but if you, fill in the blank Arab government official, your country wants to help the Palestinian people, you're not helping them by pretending that Israel doesn't exist.  You're not helping them by isolating Israel, by making Israel a pariah in the minds of your people. You will actually have leverage with Israel, and you'll help the Palestinians when they're sitting at a negotiating table across from the Israelis. If you engage Israel, if you have access to the Israeli officials and they have a stake in your being on their side on certain things and working together on certain common issues. Manya Brachear Pashman: Jason says more and more Arab leaders are realizing, with some frustration, that isolating Israel is a losing proposition for all the parties involved. It has not helped the Palestinian people. It has not kept extremism at bay. And it has not helped their own countries and their own citizens prosper. In fact, the limitations that isolating Israel imposes have caused many countries to lag behind the tiny Jewish state. Jason Isaacson: I think there was just this sense of how far back we have fallen, how much ground we have to make up. We need to break out of the old mindset and try something different. But that before the Abraham Accords, they were saying it in the years leading up to the Abraham Accords, with increasing frustration for the failure of Palestinian leadership to seize opportunities that had been held out to them. But frankly, also contributing, I think, to this was this insistence on isolating themselves from a naturally synergistic relationship with a neighboring state right next door that could contribute to the welfare of their societies. It just didn't make a whole lot of sense, and it denied them the ability to move forward. Manya Brachear Pashman: Jason remembers the first time he heard an Arab official utter the words out loud – expressing a willingness, daresay desire, to partner with Israel. Jason Isaacson: It took a long time, but I could see in 2016, 17, 18, 19, this growing awareness, and finally hearing it actually spoken out loud in one particular conference that I remember going to in 2018 in Bahrain, by a senior official from an Arab country. It took a long time for that lesson to penetrate, but it's absolutely the case. Manya Brachear Pashman: In 2019, Bahrain hosted an economic summit where the Trump administration presented its "Peace to Prosperity" plan, a $50 billion investment proposal to create jobs and improve the lives of Palestinians while also promoting regional peace and security. Palestinians rejected the plan outright and refused to attend. Bahrain invited Israeli media to cover the summit. That September, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, AJC presented its inaugural Architect of Peace Award to the Kingdom of Bahrain's chief diplomat for nearly 20 years. Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time, told Jason that it was important to learn the lessons of the late Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and late Jordanian King Hussein, both of whom signed peace treaties with Israel. He also explained the reason why Bahrain invited Israeli media.  Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa: President Anwar Sadat did it, he broke a huge barrier. He was a man of war, he was the leader of a country that went to war or two with Israel. But then he knew that at the right moment he would want to go straight to Israeli and talk to them. We fulfilled also something that we've always wanted to do, we've discussed it many times: talking to the Israeli public through the Israeli media.  Why not talk to the people? They wake up every day, they have their breakfast watching their own TV channels, they read their own papers, they read their own media, they form their own opinion.    Absolutely nobody should shy away from talking to the media. We are trying to get our point across. In order to convince. How will you do it? There is no language of silence. You'll have to talk and you'll have to remove all those barriers and with that, trust can be built. Manya Brachear Pashman: Jason had spent decades building that trust and the year to come yielded clear results. In May and June 2020, UAE Ambassador to the UN Lana Nusseibeh and UAE Minister of State Dr. Anwar Gargash both participated in AJC webinars to openly discuss cooperation with Israel – a topic once considered taboo.  So when the Abraham Accords were signed a few months later, for Jason and AJC colleagues who had been on this long journey for peace, it was a natural progression. Though no less dramatic.  Sitting with Minister Al Khalifa's successor, Dr. Al Zayani, and the Bahraini ambassador on the evening before the White House ceremony, it was time to drink a toast to a new chapter of history in the region. Jason Isaacson: I don't think that that would have been possible had there not been decades of contacts that had been made by many people. Roving Israeli diplomats and Israeli business people, usually operating, in fact, maybe always operating with passports from other countries, traveling across the region. And frankly, our work and the work of a limited number of other people who were in non-governmental positions. Some journalists, authors, scholars, business people, and we certainly did a great deal of this over decades, would speak with leaders in these countries and influential people who are not government officials. And opening up their minds to the possibility of the advantages that would accrue to their societies by engaging Israel and by better understanding the Jewish people and who we are, what we care about, who we are not.  Because there was, of course, a great deal of decades, I should say, centuries and millennia, of misapprehensions and lies about the Jewish people. So clearing away that baggage was a very important part of the work that we did, and I believe that others did as well. We weren't surprised. We were pleased. We applauded the Trump administration, the President and his team, for making this enormous progress on advancing regional security and peace, prosperity. We are now hoping that we can build on those achievements of 2020 going forward and expanding fully the integration of Israel into its neighborhood. Manya Brachear Pashman: Next episode, we hear how the first Trump administration developed its Middle East policy and take listeners behind the scenes of the high stakes negotiations that yielded the Abraham Accords.  Atara Lakritz is our producer. T.K. Broderick is our sound engineer. Special thanks to Jason Isaacson, Jon Schweitzer, Sean Savage, and the entire AJC team for making this series possible.  You can subscribe to Architects of Peace on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and you can learn more at AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace.  The views and opinions of our guests don't necessarily reflect the positions of AJC.  You can reach us at podcasts@ajc.org. If you've enjoyed this episode, please be sure to spread the word, and hop onto Apple Podcasts or Spotify to rate us and write a review to help more listeners find us. ___ Music Credits: Middle East : ID: 279780040; Composer: Eric Sutherland Middle East Violin: ID: 277189507; Composer: Andy Warner Frontiers: ID: 183925100; Publisher: Pond5 Publishing Beta (BMI); Composer: Pete Checkley (BMI) Middle East Tension: ID: 45925627 Arabic Ambient: ID: 186923328; Publisher: Victor Romanov; Composer: Victor Romanov Arabian Strings: ID: 72249988; Publisher: EITAN EPSTEIN; Composer: EITAN EPSTEIN Inspired Middle East: ID: 241884108; Composer: iCENTURY Middle East Dramatic Intense: ID: 23619101; Publisher: GRS Records; Composer: Satria Petir Mystical Middle East: ID: 212471911; Composer: Vicher    

“This feeling I was nurturing… was punishable by death.”This week on Outcast World, Graeme speaks with writer and doctor Majid Parsa, author of The Ayatollah's Gaze — a compelling story about growing up queer in the Islamic Republic of Iran.We explore forbidden desire, the underground queer scene in Tehran — full of joy, glamour, and danger — and what it means to party knowing your social gathering at home with friends could be raided at any moment.Majid opens up about gender performance, state surveillance, religious expectation, and the power of queer intimacy in places where even the word “gay” is unspeakable.A conversation about shame, courage, exile — and the quiet ways queer Iranians keep finding each other.---THIS IS OUTCAST WORLD ---Like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and please leave a review. This helps us become easier to discover. Please take time to rate the show and if you're enjoying the podcast then take time to comment about it wherever you listen. //////// Check us on Insta, Youtube and TikTok @thisisoutcastworld ///// Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Preview Iran. Colleague Behnam Ben Taleblu comments on how Beijing regards the Islamic Republic after the B-2 raid. More later

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report: China's economy is facing a crisis of its own making. Overproduction, collapsing prices, and shrinking export markets are triggering what experts call a “doom loop.” Author Gordon Chang joins us to explain why Beijing may have no way out. Iran's regime launches a brutal crackdown following its war with Israel. Human rights groups say the Islamic Republic is rushing executions and using sham trials to crush dissent. We'll speak with Alireza Jafarzadeh from the National Council of Resistance of Iran for an inside look at what's happening. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief DeleteMe: Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you text PDB to 64000. Message and data rates apply. True Classic: Upgrade your wardrobe and save on @trueclassic at https://trueclassic.com/PDB #trueclassicpod Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Paul Watson, who shares the following recording. Paul notes:“During the 1980s I was listening to shortwave radio from my home near London, in the southeast of England. I had a cassette recorder connected to the receiver and taped anything interesting that caught my ear. Little did I know that 40 years later the majority of these stations would have disappeared and I would have the opportunity to share these recordings with the world.”This recording is part of a five-part compilation series Paul has created, grouping international shortwave broadcasters by region. The majority of the clips are in English and feature interval signals, station IDs, and sign-ons/offs—a rich snapshot of shortwave radio during its Cold War-era heyday.This particular compilation focuses on: Africa and the Middle EastAll recordings were made during the 1980s, most in the first half of the decade. While frequencies and exact dates aren't provided, Paul has kindly included timestamps noting when each broadcaster appears in the audio. These are listed below for easy reference.We're grateful to Paul for sharing this excellent audio time capsule, and for his efforts to preserve and document the golden era of international broadcasting.ALGERIA: Radio Algiers (0)EGYPT: Radio Cairo (1.03)IRAN: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran (2.33)IRAQ: Radio Baghdad (4.17)ISRAEL: Kol Israel (6.33)KUWAIT: Radio Kuwait (8.00)LEBANON: Voice of Lebanon (9.29)LIBYA: Radio Jamariyah (10.18)NIGERIA: Radio Nigeria (12.15)QATAR: Qatar Broadcasting Service (13.53)SAUDI ARABIA: Broadcasting Service of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (14.21)SOUTH AFRICA: Radio RSA (15.45)SYRIA: Radio Damascus (17.37)TURKEY: Voice of Turkey (18.40)UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: UAE Radio (19.50)

For decades, Iran has been an adversary of the United States. Scott Anderson examines the Iranian revolution of 1979, the upheaval that deposed the reigning monarch and transformed the country from a U.S. ally to an Islamic Republic. He says blunders by American policymakers played a key role in the outcome. Anderson's new book is King of Kings.Later David Bianculli reviews the new HBO documentary, Billy Joel: And So it Goes.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A new and unexpected trend is emerging: the face of Ali Khamenei and the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran appearing in Western protests, from Toronto to London to Sydney. On this edition of Roqe, Jian Ghomeshi asks: Why are some Western activists and segments of the political Left embracing a regime widely known for its brutality, repression, and human rights abuses? Human rights lawyer Kaveh Shahrooz and academic Forouq Canaani join Jian to explore this ideological shift. From propaganda and anti-imperialism to diaspora backlash and the legacy of Mahsa Amini, this panel discussion dives deep into the dissonance of supporting "resistance" while uplifting tyranny. A thoughtful, provocative episode asking hard questions at a critical moment.

Iran's nuclear program led to a direct military confrontation with the U.S. last month. Now, the Islamic Republic is trying to stabilize its nation, its program and its negotiating stance with the West. Nick Schifrin was among a group of reporters who sat down in New York with Iran's top nuclear negotiator. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

This episode covers the stability of Islamic Republic of Iran in the aftermath of the 12 Day War, and how the regime will adapt to its new reality. Guest Biographies Michael Connell is an expert in Persian-Gulf security-related issues, the armed forces of Iran, U.S.-GCC security cooperation, and adversary cyber policy and strategy. He has served as CNA's Field Analyst to Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT). Dov Zakheim a Senior Fellow at CNA and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He served as Undersecretary of Defense from 2001-2004. Further Reading CNA Report: The Nuclear Programs of Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran CNA Report: The Evolving Russia-Iran Relationship CNA InDepth: Russia and China Respond—or Don't—to the 12-Day War in Iran CNA Talks: Syria After Assad

You can't win a war with airpower alone, despite what the U.S. Air Force will tell you. For more than 100 years, the masters of the air have promised that military and political objectives can be achieved if you just let them drop enough bombs.It's a theory that's been tested, and fallen short, many times. Operation Midnight Hammer, the Trump administration's use of 14 GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrators on Iranian nuclear sites, is just the latest test. The promise is that this has set back Iran's nuclear program (it probably has) but Israel is hoping for much more—regime change in the Islamic Republic.Time will tell, but I'm not betting on it.On this episode of Angry Planet we zoom out and talk about the strategy behind airpower in the 21st century. Robert Farley, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Kentucky, is on the show today to give us his thoughts on the Iran strikes, airpower in general, and the lessons to be learned from watching the war in Ukraine.Should we abolish the independent Air Force?Was Israel's war on Iran a success?Has airpower ever forced regime change?Curtis LeMay mentionedBombing doesn't create revolutionary fervorAirpower as theater“Israel-splaining”What's a Golden Dome for anyway?Are FPV drones part of the air force arsenal or infantry weapons?Strikes on Iran Show the Force, and Limits, of AirpowerRobert on PBS in KentuckyBuy Grounded: The Case for Abolishing the United States Air ForceThe Five-Ring Circus: How Airpower Enthusiasts Forgot About InterdictionSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/warcollege. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and US bureau chief Jacob Magid join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington, DC, but mediators in the ongoing negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal have been notified by the Trump administration that the president expects them to secure an agreement this week. US Special Envoy to the Mideast Steve Witkoff will travel to Doha today to advance the deal. We hear from Magid and Berman what the atmosphere is like in DC: Are officials still hopeful a deal could occur according to Trump's timeline? Ahead of a White House dinner, both US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu took American media's questions, including a query about the viability of the two-state solution. We learn what Netanyahu said at the dinner, as well as remarks following the meal from a senior Israeli official who intimated that Israel is ready to temporarily govern the Gaza Strip: “There has to be a system there that manages life,” the official said. “Maybe for a certain amount of time, it is us." Yesterday, the US announced that it was revoking its “foreign terrorist organization” designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group once linked to Al-Qaeda that took control of Syria in December 2024. This comes after last week, Trump formally dismantled US sanctions against Syria. We learn what was said during the Trump-Netanyahu dinner and the US's hopes to reintegrate Syria into the global economy. Part of the reason that Netanyahu is in DC is to celebrate the success of the 12-day Israel-Iran war. In a briefing with a senior Israeli official following the dinner, it was also noted that Israel anticipates the US will permit it to launch new strikes on Iran, in the event that the Islamic Republic attempts to restart its nuclear program. There was no ceasefire deal announcement, but there was drama of a different sort: Following Trump’s opening remarks to reporters before their White House dinner, Netanyahu expressed his appreciation for the American leader on behalf of Israelis as well as Jews around the world and presented Trump with a letter he sent to the Nobel Prize committee nominating the US president for the peace prize. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: 5 IDF soldiers killed, 14 injured by roadside bomb in northern Gaza Witkoff to join hostage talks in Doha Tuesday as sides told Trump wants deal by week’s end Katz calls for confining all Gazans in ‘humanitarian city’ built over Rafah’s ruins US revokes terror label for Syria’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which toppled Assad Proposal outlines massive camps for Gazans in bid to advance Trump’s ‘vision’ – report Israel said to expect US backing for future strikes on Iran if it revives nuclear program Netanyahu surprises Trump with Nobel recommendation, as leaders stress coordination Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: A Palestinian tent city in the Al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, July 6, 2025. (Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Tuesday, July 8th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson Indian legislator offers money to assassinate evangelists and pastors A member of a district legislative council in India has announced a bounty on Christian evangelists.   In a public speech, BJP Legislative Assembly Member Gopichand Padalkar allegedly issued a rate card for the assassination of various Christians, the highest amount offered for the killing of pastors. Members of the Christian community in the area are asking that police open a case against the legislator for inciting violence and spreading hatred. Under such treacherous conditions, would you pray for the safety of Christians in India? Iranian Christians losing hope about regime change World News Group reports that Christians in Iran are losing hope now for any possible regime change. During the week following the U.S. strikes, 1,000 people were arrested and falsely accused of spying for Israel, many of whom were Christians.  Some were executed.  The report quotes a 40-year-old Christian woman. She said, “Nobody welcomes wars, but at this point, war seems to be the most viable solution [for a regime change]. The oppressed people of Iran have used every opportunity to free themselves of this terrorist group in control. Every peaceful protest is cracked down upon in the most brutal way. We hoped these conflicts would give us a chance to fight for freedom by having military forces eradicated by Israel, just like the Israeli prime minister promised us.” An opinion survey conducted in 2022 by a Netherlands institute, found that, on a sample size of 158,000 people, over 80% of Iranians rejected the Islamic Republic and would prefer a democratically-elected government. Texas Governor called for a Day of Prayer for flood victims The latest count of the deceased in the Texas flooding tragedy has now reached 100, 27 of whom include children and counselors from a Christian girls camp known as Camp Mystic, reports ABC News. Davin Williams, the camp nurse, was heartbroken. WILLIAMS: “We had no idea people were missing. We had no idea that they had to wade through water, barely able to stand to get to the pavilion. I didn't even realize the gravity of the situation until we saw helicopters flying over us.” Over the weekend, Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott called for a day of prayer. The governor said, “This is a time when we, as a state, need God more than ever.”   ABBOTT: “All we know is that prayer does work. Your prayers have made a difference. We ask for continued prayers as we continue our efforts to locate everybody who has been affected by this. “Pray so much for the families who have lost a loved one, who are going through challenging times that they never imagined on the third of July that something like this would happen. Prayer matters!” In less than one hour, the Guadalupe River had surged 26 feet up the banks, causing the majority of the wreckage.  This looks like the worst disaster since the 1953 Waco tornado which killed 114 people and injured another 597.  Habakkuk 3:2 is a cry for mercy:  “O LORD, I have heard the report of You, and Your work, O LORD, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.” King Charles III and royal family support homosexual pride King Charles III and the royal family in London showed support for the annual homosexual pride march via  social media over the weekend. The Royal Family X account featured the Royal Band playing the iconic homosexual/transgender anthem entitled, Pink Pony Club, which was originally released by Chappell Roan. The royals drew attention to the sinful celebrations by adding in the caption: "#Pride2025," alongside emojis of a rainbow, disco ball, and sparkles. In reaction, one person wrote, “What a terrible post. No wonder at the coronation the King chose not to say 'defender of the Faith.' The monarchy ended with our beloved late Queen Elizabeth II.” And another asked, “Isn't the King the head of the church of England? He shouldn't be promoting sins.” 35,000 Brits participated in the march, supported also by the King's Royal Guard, reports Parade.  Spanish bill would imprison pastors who help “gays” or transgenders Spain is considering a bill that would imprison pastors who employ any “methods, programs, techniques or procedures of aversion or conversion, whether psychological, physical, pharmacological or of any other nature, intended to modify, repress, eliminate or deny their sexual orientation, sexual identity or gender expression,” reports The Christian Post. The lower house approved the bill by an overwhelming vote of 311 to 33.   Interestingly, Spain's Gross Domestic Product has been in a slump for 16 years. 25% tariff on Japan and South Korea; 30% on South Africa Yesterday, President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff to be imposed on Japan and South Korea, and a 30% tariff on South African imports, effective August 1st, reports NBC News. The tariffs will be subject to negotiation, as the announcement suggested “perhaps” a reconsideration, “depending on our relationship with your Country,” in Trump's words. South Africa has seen no measurable growth in its GDP this year. The nation's economy is stagnating. Also, both the South Korean and Japanese economies contracted slightly in the first quarter of this year. India now fourth largest economy worldwide India is replacing Japan this year as the fourth largest economy in the world, according to initial estimates. Japan was the second largest economy in the world between 1988 and 2010, but its Gross Domestic Product has not improved since 1995 -- 30 years ago. The International Monetary Fund projects that the BRICS eastern nations of China and India will take the #2 and #3 positions as the strongest economies in the world by 2030. Thanks to Javier Milei, Argentina's economy is rebounding Argentina's economy is doing better. Since President Javier Milei's election in 2023, the country's annual inflation rate has reduced from 211.4 percent in 2023 to 43.5 percent by mid-2025. Remarkably, Milei cut 27% of the state budget and laid off thousands of government employees in his first year in office (last year), after which the economy took a small hit.   But recovery appears to be on its way for Argentina. The nation's GDP got a 5.8% boost in the first quarter of 2025. Congressional Budget Office predicts $1.9 trillion deficit this year The U.S. President's budget proposed for 2026, includes the identical base discretionary spending projection as Biden's previous budget - $1.6 trillion. The proposed budget includes an increase in spending of $155 billion for Homeland Security and Defense, and significant decreases in Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and international welfare programs. The Congressional Budget Office is projecting a $1.9 trillion deficit this year, the third-highest deficit in American history. Keep in mind the biblical principle from Deuteronomy 15:5-6. It says, “…Carefully obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe with care all these commandments which I command you today. For the Lord your God will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, July 8th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Ian Bremmer sits down with New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman to dissect what may go down as the most consequential month in the Middle East in years. Just weeks after Israel launched a war against Iran—and after President Trump authorized US airstrikes—an uneasy ceasefire is in place. But what was actually achieved?Iran, the clear loser of the 12-Day War, entered as the most vulnerable player and emerged weaker still. Tehran stood largely alone, with Hamas degraded, Hezbollah decimated, Syria toppled, and Russia distracted. Yet the Islamic Republic can still claim regime survival, some damage inflicted on Israel, and a murkily intact nuclear program.Netanyahu, meanwhile, avoided a ceasefire until he had secured key gains: he crippled Iran's infrastructure, leveraged US firepower to hit targets beyond Israel's reach, and rescued his collapsing political career. As Friedman notes, “The people who won this war for Israel...were, for the most part, the very same people who were in the streets of Israel for nine months against Netanyahu and his judicial coup.” That tension will only grow in the months ahead.For Trump, this marks the biggest foreign policy victory of his second term—at least for now. He struck a blow to Iran's ambitions, avoided a broader war, and emerged politically unscathed. But what happens next, especially in Gaza, will test the durability of that win.Host: Ian BremmerGuest: Thomas L. Friedman  Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published.

In Episode 425 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with geopolitical and intelligence analyst Dmitri Alperovitch about the new security dynamics and economic opportunities that arise from America's and Israel's attacks on Iran, the risks of strategic overreach, and whether U.S. actions do more to compel or deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. In the first hour, Alperovitch scrutinizes Israel's decision to initiate a series of targeted strikes against Iran's nuclear program, including their decision to assassinate key nuclear scientists and senior members of the IRGC. We discuss America's choice to participate in this campaign, Iran's response, potential additional repercussions from these attacks, political conditions within the Islamic Republic, and whether this latest round of violence might precipitate the collapse of the Iranian government or incite a coup against its supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. In the second hour, Alperovitch is asked whether he believes Trump's decision to involve the American military directly in Israel's war with Iran was in America's national interests or if it results in strategic overreach that will further undermine American security and the credibility of American global leadership. He and Kofinas discuss how this move is perceived by other regional players like Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States, how it alters the security dynamics in the Middle East, and how it affects Dmitri's assessment of the risks Washington faces in its broader Cold War with the People's Republic of China. Subscribe to our premium content—including our premium feed, episode transcripts, and Intelligence Reports—by visiting HiddenForces.io/subscribe. If you'd like to join the conversation and become a member of the Hidden Forces Genius community—with benefits like Q&A calls with guests, exclusive research and analysis, in-person events, and dinners—you can also sign up on our subscriber page at HiddenForces.io/subscribe. If you enjoyed today's episode of Hidden Forces, please support the show by: Subscribing on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, Stitcher, SoundCloud, CastBox, or via our RSS Feed Writing us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Joining our mailing list at https://hiddenforces.io/newsletter/ Producer & Host: Demetri Kofinas Editor & Engineer: Stylianos Nicolaou Subscribe and support the podcast at https://hiddenforces.io. Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @hiddenforcespod Follow Demetri on Twitter at @Kofinas Episode Recorded on 06/23/2025

In this episode, Tim engages in a profound conversation with Nazanin Nour, an Iranian human rights activist. They explore the stark contrast between the oppressive Iranian regime and the resilient Iranian people, who are fighting for their rights and freedoms. Nazanin's Podcast | Mehmooni with Nazanin Nazanin on Instagram | @iamnazaninnour Chapters 02:12 Understanding the Iranian Regime vs. the People 12:09 The Impact of Sanctions and International Relations 14:52 Recent Events: Israel and Iran's Tensions 29:00 Gender Inequality Under the Iranian Regime 42:08 How the West Can Support Iranian Voices ____________________________________________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠you'd like to support our work, you can DONATE here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals  Subscribe On YouTube @thenewevangelicals The New Evangelicals exists to support those who are tired of how evangelical church has been done before and want to see an authentic faith lived out with Jesus at the center. This show is produced by Josh Gilbert Media | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joshgilbertmedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We are committed to building a caring community that emulates the ways of Jesus by reclaiming the evangelical tradition and embracing values that build a better way forward. If you've been marginalized by your faith, you are welcome here. We've built an empathetic and inclusive space that encourages authentic conversations, connections and faith. Whether you consider yourself a Christian, an exvangelical, someone who's questioning your faith, or someone who's left the faith entirely, you are welcome here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don't forget to purchase our “Welcome to the Crusades” series before the price increases next week. Paid AP subscribers get a 20% discount, so subscribe today! Danny and Derek broadcast from an undisclosed resort location. This week: an update on the conflict with Iran, including the ceasefire (2:34), Trump's disagreement with US intelligence assessments (5:25), the status of the Islamic Republic's nuclear facilities and material (10:15), and the potential for new US-Iran talks (15:46); with the latest conflict with Iran on hold, there are now questions whether Netanyahu will finally come to the negotiating table over Gaza (18:22); the 2025 NATO summit was held and addressed topics like a 5% defense spending minimum, while members states ingratiated themselves with Donald Trump, and the latter held a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy (22:09); China is taking new steps on curbing fentanyl (32:37); and the Supreme Court gives the Trump administration the green light to send migrants to unaffiliated third countries (34:58).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prager University 5 Min Videos- Is Israel a Liability? The Cult of Death, What Is Birthright Citizenship? and Dinesh D'Souza- Fostering Iran Regime Change   PragerU 5 Minute Videos- Is Israel a Liability?  The Cult of Death What Is Birthright Citizenship? REGIME CHANGE? Dinesh D'Souza Podcast How Foreign Aid Keeps Africa Poor   Is Israel a Liability? | 5-Minute Videos | PragerU Watch this video at- https://youtu.be/-YR0ix_rMcY?si=3GFN3T6SzNQfE6rw PragerU 3.37M subscribers 144,687 views Premiered Jun 23, 2025 5-Minute Videos A growing chorus of voices—from the American left and right—now calls Israel “a liability.” They say it's time to walk away. Are they right? Or is Israel an indispensable ally? Michael Doran, Director of the Middle East Center at the Hudson Institute, confronts this controversy.

5 Minute News Update: US GIVES FINAL ULTIMATUM TO IRAN, IRANIAN FORCES DESTROYED! Breaking War News With The Enforcer The United States has now issued it's final ultimatum to the Islamic Republic of Iran, demanding a dismantling of all nuclear programs and technology in their country along with a complete halt on missile development. The Iranians already refused both ultimatums earlier in the day before the Ultimatum was even made officially. US forces are flooding into the middle east in a heavy stream now as Israeli bombardments target and destroy Iranian air defenses and military sites throughout the day. The Enforcer 433K subscribers Started streaming 100 minutes ago After last night's airstrikes in the LAvizan neighbrohood which got close to killing the Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khameini, he is now going radio silent in hopes it will make it more difficult for Israel or the US to target and kill him in the future. Meanwhile in Ukraine the Ukrainian armed forces continue to defend the cities of Pokrovsk and Toretsk from ongoing Russian offensives. Today, Putin once again began reasserting the claim that all of Ukraine will become a part of the Russian Federation, and even stated that "Wherever a Russian soldier has set foot is our land," making it clear that his ambitions do remain in control of all of eastern europe. Support The Enforcer On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/The_Enforcer Join The Enforcer's Twitter: https://twitter.com/ItsTheEnforcer Support The War Effort In Ukraine: https://u24.gov.ua/ Day 1213 Global War News Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mi... The Enforcer

Dave Rubin of “The Rubin Report” talks about Arnold Schwarzenegger's heated appearance on “The View” where he angered Sunny Hostin and Whoopi Goldberg by simply saying that immigrants should not engage in illegal activities and should behave like they are a guest in someone's home and that they have a duty to give back to America; Ilhan Omar telling “Democracy Now!” why America is now one of the worst countries on Earth; a message for illegal immigrants proudly waving the Mexican flag from a proud legal immigrant from Brazil; Tucker Carlson trying to use a gotcha trivia question about Iran on Ted Cruz to disqualify him from supporting the U.S. supporting Israel's war with Iran and push to eliminate their capability for developing their nuclear weapons program; exiled Crown Prince of Iran Reza Pahlavi urging the people of Iran to rise up against the Islamic Republic and the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei; Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other Democrats realizing that the rise of independent media is threatening their ability to hold onto power and why censorship may be necessary to ensure voters aren't given misinformation; and much more. WATCH the MEMBER-EXCLUSIVE segment of the show here: https://rubinreport.locals.com/ Check out the NEW RUBIN REPORT MERCH here: https://daverubin.store/  ---------- Today's Sponsors: BlueChew - BlueChew is the original brand offering chewable tablets for better sex combining the active ingredients of Viagra and Cialis into ONE chewable. Try your first month of Blue Chew tablets FREE when you use promo code RUBIN. Go to: http://bluechew.com/ and use promo code RUBIN GoldCo - Protect your money with gold and silver during these unstable times. Get UNLIMITED bonus silver on all qualified orders, just for getting started. You'll also get a complimentary 2025 Gold & Silver Kit to help you make a decision. Go to: http://davelikesgold.com/ Built for America - Stop D.C. politicians who are trying to kill the energy tax credits that are actually bringing manufacturing back from China and putting Americans to work. Go to: https://www.builtforamerica.us/

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 3: 5:05pm- In a series of posts to Truth Social, President Donald Trump wrote of Iran: “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there—we are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” He then posted: “Unconditional Surrender!” 5:20pm- Where do Senators stand on Iranian regime change? Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) have called for the Trump Administration to continue to negotiate with Iran. Meanwhile, Senators James Lankford (R-OK), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) have opposed assassination but are openly calling for Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Khamenei to be toppled. 5:30pm- What the heck is “gibbeting”? 5:40pm- Breaking News: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been rushed to a D.C. hospital via ambulance. CNN reports Noem is conscious. Several reports online suggest she suffered from an allergic reaction. 5:45pm- According to reports, Iranian state media has said that tonight will “hold a surprise the world will remember for centuries.” 5:50pm- The New York Times reports that Fordo—“Iran's most heavily fortified nuclear site”—was constructed deep within a mountain and contains 3,000 sophisticated centrifuges. It's believed Israel does not possess the capabilities to destroy the facility unilaterally and they would require assistance from the U.S. which possesses 30,000-pound bombs. You can read the full report here: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/us/politics/iran-nuclear-site-israel.html.

The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Episode (06/17/2025): 3:05pm- Israel continues to strike Iranian nuclear development sites, ballistic missile launchers, and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps leadership. On Monday night, President Donald Trump was forced to leave the G7 Summit early in order to focus on the conflict. While speaking with the press aboard Air Force One, Trump said: “I'm not too much in a mood to negotiate” with Iran any longer. 3:10pm- According to a report from Alex Leary and Josh Dawsey of The Wall Street Journal, President Donald Trump met with advisors in the situation room on Tuesday—and is at least considering a U.S. strike on Iran. 3:15pm- Montage: For years, President Donald Trump has insisted that Iran cannot be allowed to develop and possess a nuclear weapon. 3:40pm- The New York Times reports that Fordo—“Iran's most heavily fortified nuclear site”—was constructed deep within a mountain and contains 3,000 sophisticated centrifuges. It's believed Israel does not possess the capabilities to destroy the facility unilaterally and they would require assistance from the U.S. which possesses 30,000-pound bombs. You can read the full report here: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/us/politics/iran-nuclear-site-israel.html. 3:45pm- In a series of posts to Truth Social, President Donald Trump wrote of Iran: “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there—we are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” He then posted: “Unconditional Surrender!” 4:05pm- While appearing on Fox News, Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) called out Democrats for comparing the U.S. Army's 250th birthday celebration to an authoritarian military parade. He explained: “Let's…stop ever comparing anyone, anything to the Nazis.” Is Fetterman's sudden shift to the political middle genuine or an act of political convenience? He has emphasized that he hasn't changed, the Democratic Party has—but in 2016, Fetterman endorsed Bernie Sanders for president saying: “He and I agree on virtually everything.” 4:15pm- In an interview with Fox News, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) called for regime change in Iran. 4:30pm- Corey DeAngelis—Senior Fellow at the American Culture Project & Author of the book, “The Parent Revolution: Rescuing Your Kids from the Radicals Ruining Our Schools”—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten leaving her position at the DNC. But, as DeAngelis asks, why was she holding a position with the Democratic National Committee in the first place? He highlights that roughly 99% of AFT campaign donations over the past 30+ years have gone to Democrats—“it's a money laundering operation.” 5:05pm- In a series of posts to Truth Social, President Donald Trump wrote of Iran: “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there—we are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” He then posted: “Unconditional Surrender!” 5:20pm- Where do Senators stand on Iranian regime change? Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) have called for the Trump Administration to continue to negotiate with Iran. Meanwhile, Senators James Lankford (R-OK), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) have opposed assassination but are openly calling for Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Khamenei to be toppled. 5:30pm- What the heck is “gibbeting”? 5:40pm- Breaking News: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been rushed to a D.C. hospital via ambulance. CNN reports Noem is conscious. Several reports online suggest she suffered from ...

PREVIEW: Colleague Brandon Weichert outlines the strong possibility that Israel will support the Pahlavi monarch return in a post-Islamic Republic future. More. 1900 NESTORIAN CHRISTIANS IN PERSIA

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 1: 3:05pm- Last week, Israel launched a series of preemptive strikes against Iranian nuclear development sites, ballistic missile launchers, and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps leadership. While speaking with the press during the G7 Summit in Canada, President Donald Trump said the Iranians “would like to talk but they should have done that before.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated the United States played no role in the strikes—though, the administration continues to insist that Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Khamenei has vowed to punish Israel and the United States. 3:15pm- Lee Zeldin—Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, his proposal to repeal Biden-era EPA regulations on power plants, and President Donald Trump blocking California's ban on gas-powered vehicles. Administrator Zeldin says of the Trump-signed Congressional joint resolutions: “Even in California…a very large majority of their residents don't want to drive an electric vehicle.” He continues, “the government should not be mandating an electric vehicle for all.” 3:30pm- On Saturday, the U.S. Army celebrated it 250th birthday with a parade in Washington D.C. Meanwhile, in response to the parade, far-left protests broke out in major cities across the country—sometimes turning violent. 3:40pm- During a weekend interview, Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) reacted to the Trump Administration's decision to federalize the National Guard in Los Angeles after Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass refused to halt violent demonstrations—accusing President Donald Trump of creating “some real dangers.” He said that the National Guard in Pennsylvania remains under the governor's control.

The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Episode (06/16/2025): 3:05pm- Last week, Israel launched a series of preemptive strikes against Iranian nuclear development sites, ballistic missile launchers, and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps leadership. While speaking with the press during the G7 Summit in Canada, President Donald Trump said the Iranians “would like to talk but they should have done that before.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated the United States played no role in the strikes—though, the administration continues to insist that Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Khamenei has vowed to punish Israel and the United States. 3:15pm- Lee Zeldin—Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, his proposal to repeal Biden-era EPA regulations on power plants, and President Donald Trump blocking California's ban on gas-powered vehicles. Administrator Zeldin says of the Trump-signed Congressional joint resolutions: “Even in California…a very large majority of their residents don't want to drive an electric vehicle.” He continues, “the government should not be mandating an electric vehicle for all.” 3:30pm- On Saturday, the U.S. Army celebrated it 250th birthday with a parade in Washington D.C. Meanwhile, in response to the parade, far-left protests broke out in major cities across the country—sometimes turning violent. 3:40pm- During a weekend interview, Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) reacted to the Trump Administration's decision to federalize the National Guard in Los Angeles after Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass refused to halt violent demonstrations—accusing President Donald Trump of creating “some real dangers.” He said that the National Guard in Pennsylvania remains under the governor's control. 4:05pm- Julianna Freeman—Writer for The Daily Caller, American Spectator, and The Federalist—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss her latest article: “Cameras and Cash Fuel ‘No Kings' Protests Against Trump: Today's Democrats are puppets to the purse strings—their passion is real, but their causes are contrived and backed by billionaires.” You can read the full article here: https://spectator.org/cameras-and-cash-fuel-no-kings-protests-against-trump/. 4:25pm- What's the better movie: Casino or Goodfellas? Matt proclaims it's Casino—and he gets demolished in an audience poll. Plus, is Joe Pesci a better actor than Al Pacino? 4:30pm- Dr. Victoria Coates— Former Deputy National Security Advisor & the Vice President of the Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss Israel's preemptive strikes against Iranian nuclear development sites and ballistic missile launchers. During an interview with Margaret Brennan, Senator Tom Cotton warned that Iran is “close to having enough pure weapons-grade uranium for several weapons.” Dr. Coates is author of the book, “The Battle for the Jewish State: How Israel—and America—Can Win.” You can find it here: https://a.co/d/iTMA4Vb. 5:05pm- Bill D'Agostino—Senior Research Analyst at Media Research Center—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to breakdown some of the best (and worst) clips from corporate media: freshly fired Terry Moran complains about how evil Donald Trump and Stephen Miller are while claiming he's “not that liberal” + MSNBC reporter Jacob Soboroff accidentally admits the “peaceful protesters” are harassing police and their horses. 5:20pm- Matt is still being blown out in the audience movie poll—but refuses to concede. And he still contends Joe Pesci is a better actor than Al Pacino. Will playing Pacino's “Dunkaccino” performance in the terrible Adam Sandler movie Jack and Jill change anyone's opinion? 5:40pm- While appearing on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) scolded his party for changing their values and demonizing anyo ...