Podcast appearances and mentions of Rania Khalek

Ralph welcomes political consultant and pollster, Celinda Lake, to outline a ten-point Progressive Contract for America that she and Ralph believe – if adopted by Democratic candidates— will ensure they landslide the Republicans in the midterms. Then, Ben Cohen stops by to fill us in on his “Free Ben & Jerry!” campaign to take back the brand from the conglomerate that no longer retains the social justice values of their original company. Plus, Marine Corp veteran, Matthew Hoh, tells us about the provocative speech he made on Veterans Day entitled “Armistice Day and the Empire.”Celinda Lake is a political strategist and president of Lake Research Partners. She and her firm are known for cutting-edge research on issues including the economy, health care, the environment and education, and have worked for a number of institutions including the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Governor's Association, AFL-CIO, SEIU, CWA, Sierra Club, NARAL, Human Rights Campaign, Planned Parenthood, VoteVets Action Fund, and the Kaiser Family Foundation. Her international work has included work in Liberia, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus Ukraine, South Africa, and Central America.I think [a Compact for America] is a really, really, really important idea, and it's absolutely essential to winning…And it should include concrete economic proposals. And it is noticeable that the two people who won governorships in 2025—Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill—both had contracts with their voters.Celinda LakeDemocrats need to lay out ten concrete proposals and run on them. We have the critique of what's going on. We understand what's happening in real people's lives. The third leg of the stool is offering our alternative—and a concrete alternative that people can pass on to their friends and family, that people can hold us accountable for. And the last of the ten proposals in the contract needs to be something about campaign finance reform. We have to get corporate money out of politics, or our system will continue to be rigged against us and rotting from the middle.Celinda LakeBen Cohen is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and longtime anti-war activist. He is a co-founder of the ice cream company Ben & Jerry's and a prominent supporter of progressive causes. He is co-founder of Up In Arms, a public education and advocacy campaign pushing for a common-sense approach to military budgeting.What's happened is that the company recently got owned by the Magnum Corporation, and the Magnum Corporation has disbanded that independent board of directors. I mean, it's kind of a crazy, stupid move because it's under that independent board (which has legal authority over the social mission and the quality of the product and the use of the trademark) it's under that independent board that the company has grown and done so well. But they've gotten rid of the independent board.Ben CohenWhen Ben & Jerry's was in the midst of trying to fend off this acquisition, there were some new laws that were passed in Vermont that allowed a consideration of the benefit of the community with regard to a potential sale. And after the sale happened, B Corporation started. And I've talked with the founder of B Corp, and he was saying that one of the inspirations for starting B Corporations was what happened to Ben & Jerry's. So B Corporations are a different legal structure for corporations which requires them to take into account the social benefit to the community and legally makes it easier to resist these efforts to have the company taken over.Ben CohenMatthew Hoh is a disabled Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War and former Afghan War State Department Officer. In 2009, after being appointed to the Foreign Service, Hoh resigned his post in Afghanistan over the Obama administration's escalation of the Afghan War. He is now an analyst and commentator on foreign and military policy issues as a senior fellow with the Eisenhower Media Network. He serves on the advisory boards of many peace organizations, including Veterans for Peace and World Beyond War, and is an associate member of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity.The United States recognized Armistice Day as a holiday until after the Second World War. And then in the height of the Cold War in the early 1950s, this idea of a holiday dedicated to peace, a holiday dedicated to the abrogation of warfare, a holiday that exposed just how false the motives for war are—oh that was incredibly troublesome. That was very problematic for the American empire (again, at the height of the Cold War). So there was this campaign to rename Armistice Day to Veterans Day. And this way, it became not a remembrance of the horrors of war, of what war entailed, of who profited from war. But rather a celebration of American veterans, that they have won freedoms, they have protected us from overseas enemies—and utilizing veterans, then, as a tool to crush dissent, to silence opposition.Matthew HohClick here to sign up to get a copy of Matthew Hoh's "Armistice Day and the Empire”News 6/19/26* Our top stories this week are about major local progressive victories. Here in Washington, DC Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George – endorsed by a broad coalition of groups including the Metro DC DSA, the AFL-CIO, the Sierra Club and many more – has triumphed in the Mayoral primary. Lewis George trounced her centrist opponent, Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, who was backed both by major local corporate interests, such as the realtor lobby and even the Washington Parking Association, but also Democratic Party power brokers, including two former DNC Chairs. Lewis George, hailed as DC's answer to Zohran Mamdani, won over 50% of the vote in the first round, meaning that while this is DC's first mayoral election under ranked-choice voting, this race will not trigger this mechanism. McDuffie, for his part, won around 36% of the vote, coming ahead of Lewis George only in Ward 3, the wealthiest in the District. While votes remain to be counted, McDuffie has conceded.* Another DSA-backed candidate is poised to win a seat on the DC council. In Ward 1, Aparna Raj appears to have come up just short of 50% but while this means the race will go to a second round of ranked-choice reallocation, given that Raj is more than 25 points ahead of her nearest opponent, her victory is all but guaranteed. This is based upon data from the DC Board of Elections. Raj's impending victory, paired with that of Janeese Lewis George and others like Oye Owolewa demonstrates that the DC DSA is an electoral force to be reckoned with.* In more progressive electoral news, Semafor reports Bernie Sanders has endorsed former Congresswoman Cori Bush in her “comeback” bid for her old seat. Bush, a nurse and Black Lives Matter activist, was a member of the “Squad” in the House before she was defeated by a primary challenge from the right, backed in large part by AIPAC money. With the Republican redistricting in her home state of Missouri, this seat is now the sole remaining safe Democratic seat in the Show-Me State. In a statement, Bush said she was “honored to be endorsed” by Sanders, whom she called a “true leader in our movement to guarantee healthcare, housing, and childcare for all.”* Another much-publicized Bernie endorsement was announced this week: that of Tennessee state Rep. Justin J. Pearson. Pearson was originally running as a primary challenger against longtime incumbent Congressman Steve Cohen in Tennessee's 9th congressional district, but since the state Republicans redrew the districts Cohen has decided to retire, leaving the Democratic nomination to Pearson for the taking. While this district has been drawn in such a way to make it difficult for a Democrat to win, Pearson argues that “You've got a number of disaffected Republican voters, you've got a number of distraught MAGA voters, and you've got fired-up Democrats, which is a perfect recipe for success for us…Because our tent is big enough for everybody who is feeling that this status quo was rigged and broken against working-class folk, and want to see a future that is more just,” per the Intercept.* Elsewhere in the South, the race in Florida's 20th congressional district is descending into chaos. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the powerful centrist Democratic congresswoman who was drawn out of her traditional seat by the recent Republican-led redistricting is now officially running in this district, a move that “disappointed” Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried, according to the Miami Herald. Fried further stated that Wasserman Schultz “[refused] to engage in meaningful dialogue about her decision.” Elijah Manley, the progressive candidate in this race, had harsher words for DWS. In a quote reported by Florida Politics, Manley stated “I'm not surprised that Debbie Wasserman Schultz is carpetbagging to FL-20, a black opportunity district, abandoning her own district and constituents…She is no different than the Republicans that are eviscerating black representation across the South. She is everything that's wrong with the broken unpopular Democratic establishment…I look forward to retiring her from public office permanently.”* Facing down the barrel of this decision, several of the Black candidates running in the 20th convened to discuss a plan to consolidate in order to ensure the district would continue to be represented by a Black member of Congress, as it has been for the past 34 years. However, CBS reports that plan has “fallen apart” as the filing deadline passed with none of the major Black candidates bowing out. This report includes statements from Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who, the piece notes, resigned from this very seat in disgrace earlier this year amid a congressional ethics investigation, saying she is “excited to campaign in the district I have represented for the last 5 years.” Dale Holness, the former Mayor of Broward County, said, “It has to be about policies that produce prosperity for the people.” Elijah Manley, said “I think it's going to come down to who works the hardest, and I think I'm going to work the hardest.” To this end, Manley has recently racked up major progressive endorsements in Florida, including Armando Grundy-Gomes, President of the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida, the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida, through President Matthew Grocholske, and Black Voters Matter lead Florida organizer Jamil Davis. According to the most recent polling, Manley lags behind Wasserman Schultz 21% to 39% in initial ballot testing, but blitzes into the lead 36% to 27% after voters receive candidate biographical information, per Florida Politics.* Another major political story from Florida is the comeback bid of former Congressman Alan Grayson. Grayson, who won a House seat in 2008, lost it in the Tea Party wave of 2010, won another seat, ran unsuccessfully for Senate, and then sought a comeback in 2018 is running in Florida's 7th congressional district, AOL reports. Grayson, known during his time in Congress for his “combative style and frequent clashes with Republicans,” is seeking to unseat scandal-plagued incumbent Republican Congressman Cory Mills. As this piece notes, Mills has “faced allegations ranging from sextortion claims made by a former girlfriend to accusations that he embellished aspects of his military record,” as well as what appears to be clear instances of corruption, such as driving government contracts to entities he owned. However, before these two have any chance of facing off against one another, both will have to get through his own party's primary.* Looking to Latin America, the outgoing President of Colombia Gustavo Petro, has published a fascinating op-ed in the Washington Post. In this piece, President Petro emphasizes how his government – considered one of the most opposed to American intervention in the region – has cooperated with the United States on shared objectives including stopping the “deadly flow of drug trafficking and transnational criminal violence.” Throughout the op-ed, Petro goes to great lengths to talk up Trump and how they have collaborated on mutual goals, even ending the piece by writing that “with continued U.S.-Colombia partnership, we can truly make the Americas great again.” This apparent about face from Petro, culminating in an obsequious appeal to Trump's favor, has led many to speculate about Petro's motivations here, including fear for his own safety, possible persecution within the American legal system or intervention in Colombia if his designated successor Ivan Cepeda ultimately wins the Colombian runoff presidential election this month. Whether or not this stratagem will work remains to be seen, but with Trump, flattery can get you everywhere.* In neighboring Peru, votes continue to be counted in the razor's edge race between Keiko Fujimori and Roberto Sánchez. The votes for the election, held on June 7th, are almost completely counted now – the tally stands at 99.38% – and at the moment Fujimori leads by around 39,000 votes. However, around 140,000 votes have been formally challenged, with 60% of those coming from Fujimori strongholds like Lima as well as Peruvians abroad. This from Reuters. Peru's political system has been wracked by instability, with the country going through nine presidents in the last ten years. Another painstakingly close election is unlikely to restore stability no matter who comes out on top.* Finally, we turn to the Middle East, where it seems the numerous parties involved in the latest round of peace talks may have finally reached a deal. According to Al Jazeera, in addition to the US-Iran agreement, rooted in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which includes financial concessions to the Islamic Republic, Israel and Hezbollah are pursuing a ceasefire in Lebanon. However, Israel's notoriously loose interpretation of ceasefire agreements jeopardizes both this deal and MOU. Journalist and expert Rania Khalek states simply that “From Iran's perspective, continued Israeli strikes would be a violation of that understanding.” Vice President JD Vance, who has been intimately involved in these negotiations, expressed a sharp warning to Israel not to jeopardize the deal and risk alienating Trump, their “only ally” left. Trump for his part is already hedging, saying “If it works out, I'm going to take the credit…If it doesn't work out, I'm blaming JD,” per CNN. A report in the Hill indicates that Republican Senators would largely oppose the deal if it were submitted for their approval, but given the increasing concentration of foreign policy powers in the executive branch, it is unlikely the Senate will even be consulted.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ali Abunimah joins Rania Khalek on Dispatches to discuss the dramatic collapse of global support for Israel, the growing backlash against Western support for genocide in Gaza, and why governments are increasingly resorting to repression as public opinion shifts in favor of Palestine.In this episode they discuss:New polling showing Israel's popularity collapsing across the worldWhy propaganda and celebrity endorsements aren't working anymoreThe crackdown on Palestine solidarity activists in the U.S. and EuropeThe October 7 rape narrative versus documented Israeli sexual violence against PalestiniansLebanon, Iran, and why submission to Israel doesn't bring peaceWhether Israel controls the U.S. or serves U.S. imperial interestsThe rise of anti-Israel voices on the American rightWhy Ali believes Israel is facing a long-term legitimacy crisisThe Gwyneth Paltrow debacleThis is just part of this episode. The full interview is available to Breakthrough News Members only. Become a member at breakthroughnews.org/subscribe

Just days after President Donald Trump publicly criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over ceasefire violations, fresh strikes between Israel and Iran have cast new doubt over efforts to secure a wider peace deal. The latest flashpoint is Lebanon. Despite a US-brokered ceasefire, Israeli attacks on Hezbollah targets have continued, including recent strikes in Beirut. Iran responded with attacks on Israel, triggering another exchange of fire and raising fears that the fragile truce could unravel. The escalation comes as the Trump administration pushes for a broader agreement with Tehran. While Trump has urged restraint and signalled progress in negotiations, Netanyahu has made clear he believes the conflicts with both Iran and Hezbollah are not over. The renewed violence has exposed growing tensions between diplomacy and military strategy, with critics warning that continued strikes could jeopardise any chance of a lasting deal. As the fighting continues, questions remain over whether peace is within reach - or slipping further away.Piers Morgan discusses the latest developments with Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel before being joined by a panel featuring Lebanese-American journalist and commentator Rania Khalek, former British Army commander Colonel Richard Kemp, System Update host Glenn Greenwald, former Trump White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley, and Tehran University professor Mohammad Marandi. 00:00 Introduction 01:40 Sharren Haskel responds to Trump saying Israel will ‘do what he wants' 06:10 Haskel on Trump slamming Netanyahu as ‘f*cking crazy' 10:55 Glenn Greenwald on Trump latest in Iran 13:50 Hogan Gidley: “We need to apply more military pressure on Iran” 16:40 Rania Khalek on what Trump should do next 23:30 Trump previously saying he wouldn't start wars 33:30 Mohammad Marandi joins Uncensored Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Israel's genocide in Gaza continues and Lebanon faces ongoing aggression and political pressure to capitulate, many people are grappling with fear, exhaustion, and despair.But what if hopelessness itself is part of the strategy?Psychoanalyst and author Lara Sheehi joins Dispatches with Rania Khalek to discuss the psychological dimensions of fascism, empire, colonial violence, and resistance — from Israeli psychological warfare and sexual humiliation as a tool of domination, to the weaponization of sectarianism in Lebanon, the role of media propaganda, and why revolutionary optimism is itself a political act.Sheehi also discusses her new book, From the Clinic to the Streets: Psychoanalysis for Revolutionary Futures, and explains why the work of Frantz Fanon is more urgent than ever.Topics include:Psychic militancy and psychological warfareHow fascism reshapes society psychologicallyIsraeli violence, humiliation & dominationLebanon, sectarianism & capitulation politicsWhy empire depends on despairThe limits of liberalismThe politics of the wellness industryMedia propaganda and psychological controlRevolutionary optimism and resistance

The U.S. and Israel launched a massive war on Iran expecting quick capitulation. Instead, Iran absorbed the assault, retaliated across the region, and exposed major limits to American and Israeli power.Now the Trump administration appears to be searching for an off-ramp while Israel continues pushing for escalation, including in Lebanon.Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz crisis, sanctions, economic warfare, and the risk of a wider regional conflict continue to threaten the entire Middle East.To break down the latest developments, the shaky ceasefire negotiations, Trump's contradictory messaging, and whether this war is entering a dangerous new phase, Rania Khalek is joined by Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute.

Matt and Daniel are joined from Beirut by BreakThrough News journalist Rania Khalek to discuss hasbara hits of the 80s, the matryoshka doll of nested Israeli missile defense systems, and whether AOC's tireless working is working, or just making us tired.Please donate to Palestine Red Crescent Society: https://www.palestinercs.org/enNew Bad Hasbara Merch: https://estoymerchandise.com/collections/bad-hasbara-podcastSubscribe to the Patreon https://www.patreon.com/badhasbaraBreakThrough News: https://www.youtube.com/breakthroughnewsDispatches: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwZtBKjGSMzW-grFNiIzMyvqBYznqN2dgRania Substack: https://substack.com/@raniakhalekRania X: https://x.com/RaniaKhalekRania IG: https://www.instagram.com/raniakhalek/See Francesca Fiorentini and Matt Lieb May 21 in Pasadena: https://events.leapevents.com/event/new-world-disorder-05-21-26-8-pmWhat's The Spin playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/50JoIqCvlxL3QSNj2BsdURWhat's The Spin Album List: https://bit.ly/whatsthespinlistSkad Skasbarska playlist: http://bit.ly/skadskasbarskaSubscribe/listen to Bad Hasbara wherever you get your podcasts.Spotify https://spoti.fi/3HgpxDmApple Podcasts https://apple.co/4kizajtSubstack https://substack.com/@badhasbaraSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/bad-hasbara/donationsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, an in-depth investigatory show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (5/6/26). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth is, or claiming they have the answer, is likely leading you astray, for one reason or another. Stay Vigilant. !function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u2q643"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");   Rumble("play", {"video":"v77fqym","div":"rumble_v77fqym"}); Source Links (In Chronological Order): Iran Destroyed Over 228 US Military Targets, The Failed False Flags & Trump's Insider Information (20) Glenn Greenwald on X: "When Somali Americans were accused of fraud in Minnesota, there was endless discourse about what it supposedly revealed about Somali and Muslim culture. Will those who led that discussion do the same for this massive fraud ring and the monolithic group the FBI just arrested?

The Trump administration has announced a new military operation in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran is warning that any unauthorized U.S. presence will be treated as hostile.At the same time, Washington is rejecting key parts of Iran's proposal to end the war, including sanctions relief and limits on the blockade.So what is this “ceasefire,” really?Is Iran actually weakened, as Trump claims — or has the war strengthened internal support for resistance?And is the next round already underway?In this episode of Dispatches, Rania Khalek is joined from Tehran by Iranian-American academic Navid Zarrinnal, to discuss:Whether the war is actually over — or just pausedThe escalating standoff in the Strait of HormuzIran's real military capacity vs. U.S. claimsPublic opinion inside Iran after the attacksThe economic pressure of sanctions and warIran's 14-point proposal — and why Washington is rejecting itWhy nuclear enrichment is a red lineThe role of Lebanon in any regional settlementGulf state positioning behind the scenesChina, Russia, and Pakistan's roleHow Iran may be winning the information war online — especially in EnglishWhat the left's position should be — and why opposing U.S. aggression means defending Iranian sovereigntySupport independent media — become a BreakThrough News member today: 

As war spreads across Lebanon and Iran, the U.S. and Israel claim they are making progress.But on the ground, the picture looks far more complicated.After a supposed pause in fighting and failed negotiations, Israel escalated dramatically, launching massive strikes on Beirut while continuing its ground invasion in southern Lebanon. At the same time, Iran has held firm in negotiations, raising questions about whether Washington's strategy is working.So who's actually winning?In this episode of Dispatches, Rania Khalek speaks with journalist Jon Elmer of The Electronic Intifada to break down the military realities:-Israel's war in south Lebanon and the battle for Bint Jbeil-Hezbollah's resurgence and military capabilities-The U.S.-Israel strategy against Iran-What the failed negotiations reveal-Whether this war is escalating toward a second phase

As Israel escalates its war on Lebanon, one narrative dominates: that Hezbollah is the cause of the conflict.But that story erases decades of history.Long before Hezbollah existed, southern Lebanon was already a frontline of anti-colonial struggle led by Palestinian fighters, Lebanese leftists, and marginalized communities resisting Israeli aggression and internal neglect.In this episode of Dispatches, Rania Khalek speaks with scholar Nate George about:THE ORIGINS OF RESISTANCE IN SOUTH LEBANONTHE ROLE OF THE LEBANESE LEFT AND THE PLOHOW ISRAEL, THE US, AND REGIONAL POWERS CRUSHED THAT MOVEMENTTHE SHIFT FROM SECULAR REVOLUTION TO ISLAMIST RESISTANCEWHY HEZBOLLAH EMERGED — AND WHAT IT REPLACEDThis conversation challenges the dominant narrative and reveals a deeper truth:

Donald Trump has issued a shocking ultimatum to Iran: submit, or face the destruction of its civilian infrastructure and the total devastation of the country within hours.As Washington and Tel Aviv escalate their war threats, Iran says it will retaliate in kind with potentially catastrophic consequences for Israel, the Gulf, and the wider region.Meanwhile, Israel continues its assault across the region: threatening Tehran with the Dahieh doctrine, demanding unilateral disarmament from every force that resists it, and pushing Lebanon toward collapse and capitulation.To break down what this moment means, Rania Khalek is joined by Mouin Rabbani, co-editor of Jadaliyya.They discuss:Trump's ultimatum and the threat of massive war crimes against IranIran's response and what Tehran is demandingThe US-Israeli divide over war aimsHow the Strait of Hormuz could become Washington's SuezIsrael's campaign for regional military supremacyLebanon, displacement, and the attempted “Shia Nakba”Whether Israel's regional hegemony is beginning to crackWhat this war reveals about American declineThe global costs of Israel's unchecked power

Lebanese-American journalist Rania Khalek, from BreakThrough News, reports from Beirut on Israel's territorial expansion into Lebanon, the mass displacement of 20% of the population, & how Israelis running the Gaza playbook yet again. Hot off her viral takedown of Piers Morgan, she breaks down the "will you condemn" double standard, unpacks the diverse opinions Lebanese have about Hezbollah & normalization with Israel, and debunks all the hasbara the Ellisons see fit to print. (Note that this was recorded before AOC statement re no longer supporting Iron Dome funding, and her subsequent reframing that Israel can fund it's own Iron Dome, which she described as "critical to keep innocent civilians safe.") Subscribe to Bad Faith on YouTube for video of this episode. Find Bad Faith on Twitter (@badfaithpod) and Instagram (@badfaithpod). Produced by Armand Aviram. Theme by Nick Thorburn (@nickfromislands).

Journalist and lawyer Dimitri Lascaris just returned from Iran, where he traveled from Tehran to the Strait of Hormuz, witnessing firsthand the impact of the US-Israeli war.From hospitals treating the wounded to the world's most important oil chokepoint, Lascaris saw a side of this war that Western media is barely covering.The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most critical waterways on earth, responsible for a massive share of global energy flows.  But today, it has become a frontline in a rapidly escalating conflict. Trump says only with its opening would he consider a ceasefire.In this episode of Dispatches, Rania Khalek speaks with Dimitri Lascaris about:What he witnessed inside Iran during wartimeThe situation on the ground at the Strait of HormuzCivilian infrastructure and the human toll of the warWhether US and Israeli actions constitute war crimesHow Iran is responding and what comes nextThis is a rare, on-the-ground account from inside a country under attack.You can follow Dimitri's work on his YouTube channel Reason2Resist https://www.youtube.com/@reason2resist Support independent media, become a Breakthrough News member today:  Patreon.com/BreakthroughNews

The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has entered its second month, and despite repeated assassinations, attacks on infrastructure, and growing civilian casualties, Iran has not collapsed.Meanwhile, Donald Trump is threatening to take Iran “back to the Stone Age,” floating the seizure of oil infrastructure, Kharg Island, and even a military reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, all while claiming negotiations may be underway.So what is actually happening inside Iran? Is Tehran looking for a way out, or preparing for a longer war? How is Iranian society responding to mounting destruction and civilian targeting? And what would any eventual settlement mean for Lebanon and the wider region?To discuss all this, Rania Khalek is joined by Foad Izadi, Associate Professor of World Studies at the University of Tehran.Support independent media, become a Breakthrough News member today:  Patreon.com/BreakthroughNews

As the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran escalates into a second month, the situation is becoming increasingly unpredictable and uncontrollable.Iranian missiles are hitting Israeli targets at higher rates than expected, while the U.S. is deploying massive firepower, including 2,000-pound bombs.At the same time, conflicting signals are emerging from Washington, with reports that Trump may be seeking an off-ramp even as the war intensifies.So what is the strategy? Who is actually winning? And how far could this go?In this episode of Dispatches, Rania Khalek speaks with Trita Parsi to break down:-The real military balance in the war-Whether the U.S. has a coherent strategy-Iran's position and whether it's overplaying its hand-The risk of regional escalation-And whether there is any off-ramp left

As Israel expands its war across the region, Lebanon is once again in the crosshairs.Israeli officials are openly calling for pushing the border to the Litani River, annexing southern Lebanon, and preventing displaced civilians from returning. At the same time, the country is being bombed, depopulated, and pushed toward internal collapse.So what is Israel actually trying to achieve?In this episode of Dispatches, Rania Khalek speaks with Karim Makdisi, co-host of the Makdisi Street podcast and Associate Professor of International Politics at the American University of Beirut.They discuss: -Israel's long-term ambitions in southern Lebanon-Whether this is a plan for annexation or permanent control-Hezbollah's actual strength after 2024-Lebanon's internal divisions and the role of the army-The risk of civil strife and regional escalationThis isn't Israel's first invasion of Lebanon, but the stakes may be higher than ever.

Most of the world's eyes are on Iran, but Israel is waging a major second front of this war against Hezbollah in Lebanon.More than 1,000 have been killed there and over a million have been displaced from their homes. Defence minister Israel Katz said Israel intends to occupy southern Lebanon and the BBC reports that Israeli forces have been ordered to destroy homes if necessary, using Gaza as a blueprint.Add all of this to Donald Trump's anger over unsanctioned Israeli strikes on Iran's biggest gas field, as well as the US condemnation of settler violence in the West Bank, and the differences in their national interests become very clear.Joining Piers Morgan to discuss is former Israeli Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, professor at Lebanon's Université Saint-Joseph, journalist at Breakthrough News, Rania Khalek, and The Young Turks' founder Cenk Uygur. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The United States and Israel are pushing the region toward a dangerous escalation with Iran, threatening strikes on energy infrastructure and even raising the possibility of a ground invasion.But Iran isn't backing down.As the war expands across the region and the global economy, the risk of a wider conflict is growing by the day.So what is the real strategy here? Is this brinkmanship, or the early stages of a war that could spiral far beyond anyone's control? Have the U.S. and Israel fundamentally misjudged Iran?Rania Khalek is joined by Mohammad Marandi, professor at the University of Tehran, to break it all down.

In week 4 of the U.S.-Israeli war of aggression on Iran, the global economy has been pushed to the brink. Iran's disruption of the Strait of Hormuz shows just how key it is to global energy markets, supply chains, and food systems, putting millions at risk.So what happens when the U.S. no longer has a monopoly on economic coercion?Has Trump overplayed his hand?Are we witnessing the limits of American power and the beginning of a more chaotic global order?To break it all down, Rania Khalek is joined by Marxist economist Prabhat Patnaik, professor emeritus at Jawaharlal Nehru University and co-author of Capital and Imperialism: Theory, History, and the Present.

Three weeks into the war on Iran, the conflict is expanding more than ever.The Strait of Hormuz is closed, energy infrastructure is under attack, and U.S. bases are increasingly vulnerable. Israel and Washington are escalating.According to Middle East expert Vali Nasr, this is actually all part of Iran's strategy.Iran isn't trying to win quickly. To “win” is to survive — and for that it wants to make the war longer, more expensive, and politically unsustainable for the United States.In this conversation with Rania Khalek, Nasr explains:-Why Trump gets weaker the longer the war extends-How energy and Hormuz became the central battlefield-What Washington fundamentally miscalculated-Why regime change is unlikely-The role of Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iraqi factions-And whether any real off-ramp still exists-If this war continues, the consequences won't just be regional, they will be global.

Israel has expanded its war across the region, bombing Lebanon and Iran while preparing a potential ground invasion into southern Lebanon.Israeli officials claim the goal is simply to create a “buffer zone” for security. But many Israeli politicians and commentators are openly discussing something much bigger: territorial expansion to the Litani River and beyond.This is not about security, it's part of much longer historical Greater Israel projectOn this live episode of Dispatches, Rania Khalek is joined by historian Zachary Foster to examine the long history of Israeli invasions of Lebanon, the ideological roots of the “Greater Israel” concept, and how the Gaza model of destruction is now spreading across the region.

The war between the U.S., Israel, and Iran could send shockwaves through the global economy.Energy markets, shipping routes, fertilizer supply, and cloud infrastructure are all at risk. Even a short disruption could drive inflation, food shortages, and economic instability worldwide.Rania Khalek speaks with economist Yanis Varoufakis, former Finance Minister of Greece, about why this conflict could become one of the most economically disruptive wars in decades.

As war between Iran, Israel, and the United States escalates, what's actually happening on the battlefield, and how is the conflict being viewed inside the U.S. military itself?On this live episode of Dispatches, Rania Khalek is joined by two guests to break down both the military realities of the war and the growing opposition to it inside the United States.Jon Elmer, contributing editor at The Electronic Intifada, joins the show to analyze the military dynamics of the US-Israeli war on Iran — including Iran's strategy, the effectiveness of Israeli and U.S. defenses, and who appears to have the strategic advantage so far.Then Mike Prysner, Executive Director of the Center on Conscience and War and a U.S. Army veteran, discusses widespread opposition to war on Iran among American soldiers and what it reveals about morale, public opinion, and the limits of U.S. war-making power.

As Israel expands its war on Iran and U.S. officials float the possibility of American boots on the ground, what is really happening behind the headlines?Iran expert at Johns Hopkins Vali Nasr joins Rania Khalek to explain:Why Iran prepared for decapitation strikesWhy “regime collapse” is far from guaranteedHow global oil supplies “have become a battlefield” Why Trump may already be looking for an off-rampThe growing divide between U.S. and Israeli war goalsThe chances this conflict could spiral into something far biggerNasr argues that Iran's strategy isn't to win quickly. It's to make the war long, costly, and politically dangerous for Washington.If this is the “last battle” for Iran's leadership, what does that mean for the region — and for the global economy?

Mike Huckabee's reference to borders stretching “from the Euphrates to the Nile” has sparked a diplomatic firestorm across the Middle East.Even governments that normalized relations with Israel — including the UAE — publicly condemned the remarks. Why did this rhetoric hit such a nerve? And is it really new, or just unusually blunt?At the same time, tensions between Israel and Saudi Arabia are rising, fractures between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are deepening, and the risk of a U.S.–Iran war looms in the background, a conflict that could drag Gulf states into a confrontation they don't control.What does this moment reveal about the future of normalization, regional alliances, and the possibility of a wider war?Rania Khalek was joined by Giorgio Cafiero on Dispatches to break it all down.

At the Munich Security Conference, Marco Rubio said the quiet part out loud.No more “rules-based order.” No more liberal pretense. Just open coercion.After Gaza — after a genocide livestreamed for the world — U.S. empire isn't even pretending anymore.In this episode of Dispatches, Rania Khalek is joined by Dylan Saba — attorney with Palestine Legal and co-host of Turbulence — to unpack what this moment represents:• Gaza as the capstone of the War on Terror• The return of gunboat diplomacy• Why imperial “decline” means escalation, not collapse• Fascist consolidation at home under Trump• The Democratic Party's containment of dissent• Why the U.S. still lacks a real left foreign policyThis isn't a deviation in American foreign policy.It's its logical endpoint.

The United States is mobilizing for a new war on Iran — repositioning military forces, floating assassination threats, and insisting on negotiations at the same time.As this military buildup intensifies, Western media is reviving a familiar propaganda narrative: that Iran is collapsing, its government has lost control, and foreign intervention might actually help.To cut through the noise, Rania Khalek is joined by Navid Zarrinnal, an Iranian-American academic and host of The Colony Archive, speaking from inside Tehran. Navid breaks down what's actually happening on the ground — from internal debates over negotiations, to Iran's potential military retaliation, to why the myth of Iran's imminent collapse keeps getting recycled.They also discuss the end of Iran's so-called “strategic patience,” the reality of U.S. hybrid warfare, the role of foreign intervention in recent protests, and the dangerous push to fracture Iran along ethnic and sectarian lines — a policy openly floated by Western elites.Finally, Navid explains why the nuclear deal failed, why sanctions and regime-change politics won't bring justice, and what the Western Left should actually be focusing on.Read Navid's Breakthrough News article here; https://breakthroughnews.org/irans-protests-explained-a-diary-from-tehran/ 

Syria is entering a new and terrifying phase. In this episode Breht is joined by a panel of scholars and activists (Angie Bittar, Adam, Joma, Nur and Jalyssa) to take a clear-eyed look at what's unfolded over the last year and how it fits into the longer arc of the Syrian civil war, including the rapid collapse of the Assad-era order and the emergence of a new regime centered around HTS and Ahmad al-Sharaa (Jolani). Together, they break down the latest waves of mass violence and displacement across the coast, Suwayda, Aleppo, and Rojava, and ask what these events reveal about the new Syria. From there, they turn to the Kurdish question. They discuss the SDF, the long history of US imperial instrumentalization of Kurdish forces, the recurring pattern of abandonment, and the growing pressure now facing Rojava amid shifting regional and international priorities. They also examine ongoing kidnappings and sect-based killings, the breakdown of accountability, and what the allegations surrounding Syrian security institutions tell us about the direction of the new order. Finally, they zoom out to the information war. They map the propaganda narratives being pushed in Western and Zionist media, and offer practical "tells" for separating genuine reporting from information operations. Then, they close by asking what Syria teaches us about the current political moment: imperial strategy, proxy warfare, sectarian fragmentation, and what real solidarity demands. Access a full list of all the sources used for this episode HERE Donate to Jalyssa on Cash App: $JalyssaDugrot Or donate at: BuyMeACoffee/Jalyssa Check out Joma's great podcast: JDPOD Previous Episodes on Syria and Rojava:  "The Situation in Syria" Episode w/ Angie last year "On Syria: Civil War and US Imperialism" with Rania Khalek from 2018  "The Kurds and Revolutionary Rojava" with Dr. Redcrow from 2017 Interview with Murray Bookchin's Daughter on his Life and Legacy ---------------------------------------------------- Support Rev Left and get access to bonus episodes: www.patreon.com/revleftradio Make a one-time donation to Rev Left at BuyMeACoffee.com/revleftradio Follow, Subscribe, & Learn more about Rev Left Radio https://revleftradio.com/    

The U.S. military raid on Venezuela on January 3 shocked the world. On Dispatches, Rania Khalek is joined by Jorge Arreaza, Venezuela's former foreign minister, to explain what actually happened and to respond directly to U.S. media narratives about “betrayal,” regime change, and control.

Rania Khalek is joined by former UN human rights official Craig Mokhiber, whose recent Mondoweiss article, "Ushering in the age of impunity: Venezuela, Palestine, and the end of international law," unpacks how recent U.S. aggression from Venezuela to Gaza signals a dangerous unraveling of the post-World War II legal order. We'll discuss:• What the U.S. attack on Venezuela reveals about the limits of global legal restraints. • How the violence in Palestine fits into a broader pattern of unchecked power. • The crisis facing international law and global institutions like the UN, ICC, and ICJ. • What meaningful resistance and accountability might look like.

Rania Khalek is joined by journalist and political economist Ben Norton, editor of the Geopolitical Economy Report, to break down why the Trump administration attacked Venezuela—and what comes next. Norton explains how Trump's bombing of Venezuela and the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro are not isolated acts, but part of a broader U.S. imperial offensive in Latin America. The goal: control strategic resources like oil, gas, rare earths, and critical minerals, reassert U.S. dominance in the region, and build a supply chain that cuts out China.

Rania Khalek is joined by Zoe Alexandra of People's Dispatch and special guests for a live episode of Dispatches examining the Trump administration's unprecedented attack on Venezuela. The US has invaded and bombed Venezuela, kidnapped President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, and is openly threatening to expand its campaign against Venezuela's neighbors and allies. We break down the lies used to justify this aggression — and what comes next.

Rania Khalek joins Habibi House for one of the most powerful, unapologetic deep dives we've ever had...covering U.S. imperialism, Israel's global influence, media manipulation, and the rise of independent Arab voices in journalism.From her recent spinal surgery recovery to her fearless commentary on Gaza, Syria, and the American political divide, Rania opens up about her life, her career, and the contradictions of power that define the modern world.Topics Covered:The right-wing fracture over Israel and U.S. politicsHow Israel and the U.S. share imperialist interestsThe myth of “progressive except for Palestine”The media's complicity in global oppressionArab representation in independent journalismWomen in liberation movementsFitness, discipline, and resilience as political actsAbout the Guest:Rania Khalek is a Lebanese-American journalist and host at BreakThrough News, known for her fearless reporting on Palestine, U.S. foreign policy, and global imperialism. Her work has appeared in The Electronic Intifada and BreakThrough News, where she hosts Dispatches.About Habibi House:Habibi House is the unapologetic voice of the Arab & MENA diaspora in global media — where culture, politics, and art collide. We've hosted guests like Cenk Uygur, Maz Jobrani, Abby Martin, and Ana Kasparian.YouTube:  @BreakThroughNews  Instagram: @raniakhalekTwitter: @RaniaKhalekListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all platforms:https://linktr.ee/habibihousepodcastSupport Independent Arab Media. Subscribe, share, and comment to help us grow.Hashtags#RaniaKhalek #HabibiHouse #Palestine #Syria #Gaza #IndependentMedia #USImperialism #Lebanon #ArabVoices #BreakthroughNews #MENA #Politics #Podcast #LeftistMediaTimestamps00:00 – Rania Khalek joins Habibi House00:15 – Recovering from spinal surgery like a superhero02:00 – Has Israel lost the American right?04:00 – The media war and control over public opinion05:00 – U.S. capitalism, fascism, and media monopoly06:00 – “Palestine as a laboratory” — how oppression is tested and exported08:00 – Tucker Carlson, the MAGA split, and anti-imperialist contradictions09:00 – The Democratic Party's collapse and corporate capture13:00 – The symbiotic relationship between U.S. empire and Israel17:00 – Dual citizenship and U.S.-Israel power networks19:00 – White supremacy and imperial ideology in the West27:00 – American imperialism, sanctions, and global mafia politics29:00 – The Arab Spring, Syria, and Western intervention35:00 – Being labeled an “Assadist” for anti-intervention views37:00 – Western double standards on democracy in the Middle East42:00 – Women in media and liberation movements45:00 – Representation and resilience as an Arab woman journalist48:00 – Independent media, fitness, and leftist strength51:00 – Closing thoughts: outlive RFK and Zionism

A DSA member just won one of the most significant left-wing electoral victories in recent memory with Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York — despite red-baiting, anti-Palestinian smears, and a full-on campaign to demonize socialism.But that victory has raised big questions: Why keep Jessica Tisch as NYPD commissioner? Why discourage a primary against Hakeem Jeffries — and then endorse him for Speaker? What does accountability look like when socialists actually win power?To unpack all this, Rania Khalek is joined by the national co-chairs of the Democratic Socialists of America, Megan Romer and Ashik Siddique, to talk about Zohran's win, DSA's national strategy, Venezuela, Cuba, Palestine and how they plan to hold their elected members accountable. 

As the world slides deeper into imperial rot — from Trump's transformation of the U.S. into a Department of War state, to Europe's political collapse, to global leaders shamelessly bowing to Washington — a socialist shockwave has erupted in New York City: Zohran Mamdani has just won the mayoral race while proudly defending Palestine.What does this contradiction reveal about the global moment we're living in?Yanis Varoufakis — economist, political leader, former Greek finance minister, and author of “Technofeudalism” — joins Rania Khalek to unpack the rise of fascistic politics, the failures of global capitalism, the myth of Western “democracy,” and the lessons of Zohran's victory.Watch the full member-only episode at: https://www.patreon.com/BreakthroughNews

As Israel continues its relentless assault on Gaza, killing and starving hundreds of thousands of Palestinians with Western backing, even during so-called ceasefires, one thing has become clear: this isn't just about Palestine. It's about Western supremacy, empire, and the racism that underpins them both.To discuss this, Rania Khalek is joined by Dr. Ghada Karmi — academic, physician, and Nakba survivor — who has written powerfully about how Western imperialism, Arab complicity, and Zionism's own contradictions have led us here. Dr. Karmi is a former research fellow at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter and author of many books including “One State: The Only Democratic Future for Palestine-Israel.”She has spent her life exposing the deeper roots of this catastrophe: the colonial mindset that made Palestine disposable, the Western guilt that turned Jewish suffering into Palestinian punishment, and the moral rot that allows genocide to be broadcast live without consequence.

Dozens have been killed in U.S. airstrikes on boats off the Venezuelan and Colombian coasts.The Trump administration claims it's targeting drug traffickers — but there's no evidence. And now they're threatening airstrikes inside Venezuela.U.S. warships now encircle Venezuela, joined by 10,000 troops and the Navy's largest aircraft carrier.This is a war in slow motion, justified by recycled lies, CIA covert ops, and billionaire-backed propaganda.Rania Khalek speaks with Zoe Alexandra, managing editor of Peoples Dispatch and co-author of “Why Venezuela? How the US tries to undermine democracy and sovereignty in Latin America,” to unpack the truth behind Washington's latest regime-change operation and what it means for Latin America and the Global South.

Big Tech loves to sell itself as a liberatory force for connection, free speech, and empowerment.But when it comes to Palestine, those same companies have partnered with Israel to censor, surveil, and criminalize.To unpack this “digital settler colonialism,” Rania Khalek was joined by Omar Zahzah, Assistant Professor of AMED Studies at San Francisco State University and author of "Terms of Servitude: Zionism, Silicon Valley, and Digital Settler/Colonialism in the Palestine Liberation Struggle,” which argues that understanding Palestine is essential to understanding the global struggle against Big Tech and U.S. imperialism.

What we're witnessing in Gaza is not just another chapter of Zionism — it's the final stage. That's the argument of Israeli historian Ilan Pappé, who joins Rania Khalek on Dispatches to explain how Zionism is in fact “collapsing” even in its most ruthless moment. He discusses Israeli society is fracturing from within, the impact of Trump's return, Israel's widening regional war, and what a post-Israel Palestine could look like.Watch the full interview exclusively on Breakthrough News Patreon: https://Patreon.com/BreakthroughNewsSubscribe and click the bell so you don't miss future episodes. Support our work by donating directly on YouTube or at the link above.

Israel and its U.S. backers are advancing a clear project: Greater Israel. That means weakening every state in the Levant, fueling sectarianism, and pressuring Lebanon to disarm — leaving the south of the country defenseless.But disarming resistance in the middle of Israel's expansion isn't peace. It's surrender. So how should the Levant respond?Rania Khalek speaks with Antoun Issa, co-founder of DeepCut News, about the rise of “Greater Israel,” why disarmament would be catastrophic for Lebanon, the targeting of journalists, Syria's instability, his resignation from The Guardian, and what a real sovereign vision for the region could look like.

Israel murdered Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in 2022, then lied about it. The Biden administration helped them cover it up. Now, Israel is targeting even more journalists — with impunity.Rania Khalek is joined by Dion Nissenbaum, executive producer of the new documentary “Who Killed Shireen?” and Lina Abu Akleh, human rights advocate and Shireen's niece, to discuss the murder, the media disinformation campaign, the U.S. obstruction of justice, and why Israel is deliberately targeting journalists.They also discuss the ongoing detention of veteran reporter Ali Samoudi, the broader crackdown on press freedom, and the terrifying complicity of Western media in genocide.

The Western elite once claimed ignorance during the Holocaust. Today, Israel's genocide in Gaza unfolds in full view, yet nothing is done. The most powerful states arm the perpetrator while the “Responsibility to Protect” doctrine they have long celebrated is now ignored, except where it continues to serve the U.S. empire.Historian Tarik Cyril Amar joins Rania Khalek to discuss the hypocrisy of R2P, why no coalition has formed to intervene, the weaponization of Holocaust memory, Europe's empty gestures on Palestinian statehood, and the complicity of Western media in genocide. You can follow his work at https://www.tarikcyrilamar.com/ and his weekly analysis of world events at Syriana Analysis. Listen to the full episode of this program and support independent media: https://www.patreon.com/BreakthroughNews

Trump met with Putin. Hillary Clinton praised his “better understanding” of Ukraine. Europe bowed its head and posed for a photo. And Ukraine? Still collapsing — politically and militarily.After terrible human suffering, the war is lost, arms control is dead, and sanctions have failed. Meanwhile, BRICS can't stop U.S. rampaging in the Middle East, and Europe remains the obedient junior partner, with its leaders now fully committed to a policy of senseless militarization.Historian and Tricontinental Institute Director Vijay Prashad joins Rania Khalek to expose the delusions of the West, the myth of Ukraine “winning,” and what this moment means for global power, multipolarity, and U.S. empire.

Journalist and co-host of Breaking Points Krystal Ball joins Rania Khalek on Dispatches for a raw conversation about Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza, the Democratic Party's moral bankruptcy, Republican hypocrisy, and the media's role in selling lies. From grilling Rep. Elissa Slotkin to confronting corporate media censorship, Krystal unpacks the political shifts, propaganda, and double standards defining U.S. politics today.

This week on the Sumud Podcast, we're joined by journalist and BreakThrough News host Rania Khalek for a special episode diving into her latest documentary, Israeli Terror in Lebanon: Inside the Pager Attacks. The documentary uncovers the untold story behind the September 17th pager explosions in Lebanon—a years-long covert Israeli operation that left civilians maimed and silenced.

Starvation. Mass death. Children wasting away on camera. And still, no consequences.Rania Khalek is joined by Abby Martin to expose the full horror of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, the complicity of liberals who stay silent or worse, and the surreal reality in which Marjorie Taylor Greene, Candice Owens and Tucker Carlson speak out. They also dig into the renewed media focus on Jeffrey Epstein, and what the mainstream won't say about his ties to Israeli intelligence and elite blackmail. 

Pulitzer Prize-winning Palestinian writer and poet Mosab Abu Toha joins Rania Khalek on Dispatches to discuss Israel's use of starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza. From the mass famine unfolding across the Strip to his own brutal detainment by Israeli forces, Mosab shares what it means to survive genocide and to bear witness to it in real time. They also explore the Western world's complicity, the dehumanization of Palestinians in media and politics, and the role of art, poetry, and truth-telling in the face of extermination.

Israel has turned Gaza into a giant kill zone, with hundreds of Palestinians — including many children — gunned down while trying to collect food at so-called “humanitarian” distribution centers. With the help of Corporate America, the genocide has been operationalized, normalized, and broadcast in real time.Craig Mokhiber joins Rania Khalek live on Dispatches to discuss the method behind Israel's madness, the collapse of international law, the U.S. sanctioning UN officials while de-listing former al-Qaeda leaders, Israel's plan to herd Palestinians into Rafah, the war on Iran, and the global war on free speech.They also highlight a rare bright spot: the public's shifting opinion on Palestine, marked by Zohran Mamdani's stunning victory in NYC despite a smear campaign.The conversation also previews the upcoming Dispatches documentary featuring Craig, dropping later this week.

The U.S. has officially joined Israel's war on Iran, bombing Iranian nuclear sites and obliterating what was left of the nuclear talks. With Trump hinting at regime change, the world is now watching to see how Iran will respond.Is this the end of diplomacy? Does Iran now view nuclear weapons as the only way to deter U.S. and Israeli aggression? Can Iran survive?Rania Khalek is joined by Trita parsi, Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute, for a special live episode of Dispatches to break down what the strikes mean, the geopolitical fallout, and whether the path ahead now leads to wider war.

As Israel's war on Iran escalates, the media continues to flip the script—framing Israel as the victim and Iran as the aggressor, despite Israel initiating the conflict with bombings, assassinations, and covert attacks.In this special live episode of Dispatches, Rania Khalek is joined by political analyst Assal Rad to expose the media's double standards, the U.S. role in orchestrating the war under the false pretense of diplomacy, and the bigger geopolitical consequences of this growing conflict.They also discuss Trump's broken promises, the collapse of international law, the failure of strategic patience, and what may come next if the U.S. directly joins Israel's war.