Shows
Iran's GambitS1/E81: Khamenei Ready for "Imam Hassan's Peace"? In response to President Donald J. Trump’s conciliatory overtures, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei invokes the historical precedent of Imam Hassan’s treaty with Muawiya (subject of one of Khamenei's books), signaling a potential strategic recalibration. Concurrently, media outlets affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launch a coordinated campaign against a televised political satire that ridicules the Saudi Foreign Minister. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while for the first time acknowledging “fundamental divergences at the level of overarching principles” between the United States and Iran, expresses cautious optimism regarding the prospects for diplomatic engagement.2025-04-2612 minIran's GambitTehran Prepares For the Third Round of Talks Assessing the initial and subsequent rounds of bilateral negotiations with the United States, Iranian officials have expressed surprise at the rapid pace of diplomatic engagement. This acceleration is primarily ascribed to the limited scope of U.S. demands, the relative inexperience or subject-matter unfamiliarity of American negotiators, a pronounced strategic urgency to secure an agreement, and the personalized and unconventional diplomatic style characteristic of President Donald J. Trump. Nonetheless, the trajectory toward a comprehensive accord remains encumbered by persistent structural and political impediments.2025-04-2417 minIran's GambitPragmatist vs. Obstructionist - Rafsanjani Junior vs. Shariatmadari Senior2025-04-2322 minIran's GambitS1/E78: U.S.-Iran Negotiations - The Devil In the Detail2025-04-2117 minIran's GambitRome - “I’m Picking Up Good Vibrations” Foreign Minister Dr. Abbas Araghchi has asserted that U.S. interlocutors have refrained from introducing extraneous, non-nuclear issues during the most recent round of negotiations. He confirmed that technical-level discussions would resume in Muscat on Wednesday, April 23, and that he would reconvene with U.S. Special Envoy Mr. Steven Witkoff on Saturday, April 26, to evaluate progress. This indicates Mr. Witkoff's April 15, post on X, stating: "Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment" was not expressed as a U.S. demand in the course of the negotiations.2025-04-2011 minIran's GambitEmbrace Or Attack Saudi In Preparation for Negotiations? Receiving the Saudi Defense Minister in Tehran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei chose a condescending attitude in dealing with the younger brother of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, but the fact that he received him undermines policy recommendation of Iranian strategist Dr. Mehdi Kharatian, who argues Iran can improve its negotiation position vis a vis the United States by attacking Saudi interest. In the meantime, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi downplays the significance of the change in U.S. Middle East Envoy Steven Witkoff’s ever-changing positions as expressed on television and social media.2025-04-1820 minIran's GambitKhamenei On Iran-U.S. Talks: “Neither Excessively Optimistic, Nor Excessively Pessimistic” Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei states he is “neither excessively optimistic, nor excessively pessimistic” regarding Iran’s bilateral diplomatic engagement with the United States—an appropriate stance, given the latest recalibration in U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Steven Witkoff’s position on Iran’s uranium enrichment capacity. While Iranian media appear condemn the change in Witkoff’s position, Deputy Foreign Minister and member of the negotiation team Kazem Gharibabadi delivered a more careful assessment indicating Iran is more interested in what positions U.S. negotiators present at the negotiation table than what they post on social media.2025-04-1724 minIran's GambitTehran Positions Itself for Renewed Talks with Washington As a prelude to potential diplomatic engagement with the United States, the Islamic Republic is strategically signaling both deterrence and openness to negotiation. The activation of Yemeni Houthi proxies and the controlled disclosure of the Revolutionary Guard’s subterranean missile infrastructure serve as calibrated demonstrations of Iran’s strategic depth and military resilience, aimed at reinforcing its bargaining position vis-à-vis President Donald J. Trump. Simultaneously, the removal of the U.S. flag from the facility’s floor, alongside Tehran’s formal diplomatic response, indicates a conditional willingness to engage in dialogue. However, Iran appears to be setting i...2025-03-3023 minIran's GambitIran Celebrates 1404: New Year, Old Problems Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s March 20 New Year address was far from jubilant, conveying a tone of somber resilience rather than triumphalism. He acknowledged that Iranians had endured significant economic hardship over the past year, with further adversities likely in the year ahead. Regarding recent communications from President Donald J. Trump and other U.S. officials, Khamenei adopted a posture of defiance, though his rhetoric was not categorically intransigent: Iran has no proxies in the Middle East region, he asserted, which may indicate Khamenei willingness to accommodate Trump's demands with regard to Iran's regional activities. Separately, amid escalating geo...2025-03-2723 minIran's GambitIn the Shadow of War & Negotiation As the Islamic Republic of Iran prepares for negotiations with the administration of President Donald J. Trump, the Islamic Republic finds itself in urgent need of expendable bargaining assets to safeguard the strategic core of its nuclear program. Yemen’s Houthis, a key force aligned with Iran’s regional ambitions, present an ideal sacrificial piece: First, Tehran escalates Houthi aggression against U.S. interests, using the Yemeni proxy as a tool to apply pressure and shape the regional security landscape. Then, at the negotiating table, Tehran offers de-escalation—promising to rein in the Houthis or even sever ties— in exchange...2025-03-1923 minIran's GambitIran's Other Problems: Seismic Vulnerability, Energy and Water Crises Iran faces escalating environmental and infrastructural crises, exposing governance deficiencies. Tehran’s seismic vulnerability is critical, with accumulated tectonic stress indicating a high-probability magnitude 7+ earthquake. Rapid urbanization and inadequate disaster preparedness put millions at risk. Simultaneously, Iran’s energy crisis worsens as demand outpaces supply. Dr. Hashem Oraee highlights policy mismanagement, with heavy subsidies fueling excessive consumption. Prioritizing residential energy over industrial needs has led to economic stagnation, inflation, and public sector shutdowns. Iran’s water crisis compounds these challenges. Over-extraction, reduced precipitation, and groundwater depletion have pushed the country into hydrological emergency, leading to land subsidence. With 90% of water...2025-03-1518 minIran's GambitTrump's Letter & Preconditions For Negotiations2025-03-1417 minIran's GambitKhamenei's Distrust of TrumpOn the same day that former Emirati Foreign Minister Anwar Mohammed Gargash visited Tehran, purportedly to deliver an official communique from President Donald J. Trump to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei categorically dismissed the prospect of diplomatic negotiations with the United States.2025-03-1324 minIran's GambitS1/E68: To Negotiate Or Not To Negotiate? On March 7, during an interview with Fox Business, President Donald J. Trump asserted that he had dispatched a letter to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stating: "I hope you're going to negotiate because it's going to be a lot better for Iran... If we have to go in militarily, it's going to be a terrible thing for them... The other alternative is we have to do something, because you can't let them have a nuclear weapon." Later that day, while addressing the press from the Oval Office, the president reaffirmed: "We're down to final strokes with Iran,... We...2025-03-1018 minIran's GambitRussian Mediation Offer a NonstarterToday’s discussion is dedicated to Iran-Russia relations, with a particular focus on Moscow’s diplomatic overture to facilitate U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s efforts to broker nuclear negotiations with the Islamic Republic. First, I will analyze the strategic implications of Russia’s proposal, which was initially reported by Bloomberg News on March 4. Then, I will examine the reactions of Iranian political analysts to this development, assessing their perspectives within the broader context of Iran’s foreign policy and regional security dynamics.2025-03-0715 minIran's GambitPezeshkian Blames Khamenei For Lack of Negotiations With the U.S. On March 2, a parliamentary majority impeached Dr. Abdulnaser Hemmati, minister of economy. Defending Hemmati, President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized to parliamentarians that Iran's economic problems will not be solved with the impeachment, and pointed at a different solution: Negotiations with the United States, in the hope of achieving sanction relief. However, he also added that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is not allowing such negotiations. In other words, Pezeshkian is directly accusing Khamenei for the hardships Iranians suffer under the U.S. sanctions regime. But today's program begins elsewhere, a conversation with Professor Sadeq Zibakalam of Tehran University, who discusses...2025-03-0318 minIran's GambitS1/E65: No Direct Talks with the U.S. as Long as Maximum Pressure PersistsSupreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has recently conveyed contradictory signals regarding the prospect of direct diplomatic engagement with the United States. On January 28, his remarks suggested openness to such negotiations, whereas on February 7, he appeared to reject the possibility. Officials within the Islamic Republic have subsequently interpreted Khamenei’s statements through the lens of their respective institutional interests. In the latest demonstration of bureaucratic politics, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, at a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, stipulated "talks between Iran and the United States are not feasible as long as the maximum pressure campaign re...2025-02-2616 minIran's GambitKhamenei Nixes U.S. Negotiations, Rumors of Pezeshkian’s Resignation Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has once again recalibrated his strategic posture concerning diplomatic engagement with the United States. In his January 28 address, he appeared to tacitly endorse diplomatic negotiations with Washington. However, on February 7, Khamenei asserted that engaging in negotiations with President Donald J. Trump’s administration is “neither wise and intelligent, nor is it honorable.” The rationale behind this apparent policy shift remains unclear, though some Iranian analysts speculate it may be a reaction to the presidential memorandum recently signed by President Donald J. Trump. Khamenei’s statements have also fueled speculation regarding President Masoud Pezeshkian...2025-02-0923 minIran's GambitCollective Leadership in the Face of Internal and External Threats?The Islamic Republic operated under a system of collective leadership throughout the 1980s. At the time, this governance structure remained largely unrecognized by external observers, but those with insight into Iran’s political dynamics understood that supreme authority did not rest solely with Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Instead, the Islamic Republic’s decision-making and policy implementation were effectively managed by a quadrumvirate comprising key institutional figures: the head of the legislative branch, Parliamentary Speaker Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani; the head of the executive branch, President Ali Khamenei; and the head of the judiciary, Mr. Abdol-Karim Mousavi Ardabili. The fourth figure in t...2025-02-0417 minIran's GambitRenewed Trump Optimism in TehranAs Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi lays the groundwork for a new round of nuclear negotiations with the United States, and Ali Larijani, senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, signals a willingness to offer nuclear-related concessions in exchange for sanctions relief, Iranian political analysts view President Donald J. Trump’s psychology and Republican dominance across the executive and legislative branches as strategic levers to circumvent opposition from U.S. allies critical of Iran and to secure a durable bilateral agreement with Washington. 2025-02-0217 minIran's GambitKhamenei Greenlights Iran-U.S. Talks, Will Trump? Today's program discusses renewed speculations about direct negotiations between Tehran and Washington, and as before, the two capitals appear out of sync: historically, when Washington was ready to negotiate with Iran, formidable impediments, primarily Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prevented Tehran to take part in negotiations. Now that Tehran appears most interested, if not desperate for negotiations, President Donald J. Trump is possibly playing hard to get. Framing his authorization within his characteristic anti-imperialist rhetoric, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has officially sanctioned direct diplomatic engagement between the Islamic Republic and the United States. However, Washington appears unresponsive, as inferred...2025-01-3015 minIran's GambitS1/E60: Consequences of a Potential Withdrawal of U.S. Forces From Syria Officially, the United States has maintained a military presence in Syria since September 2014. As of December, approximately 900 U.S. troops reportedly remain in Syria - a number which according to the latest reports may be closer to 2000. This military posture could face a rapid reconfiguration with President-elect Donald J. Trump’s impending return to the White House, given his predisposition toward minimizing direct U.S. involvement in foreign military operations. While such a withdrawal is likely to erode U.S. leverage over the emerging governance structure in Syria, it may not significantly shift the strategic balance of power in Sy...2025-01-1810 minIran's GambitS1/E59: Leadership Succession & Negotiation with the U.S. There is renewed speculation about Mr. Mojtaba Khamenei succeeding his father as the leader of the revolution and Iran's head of state. Separatelly, President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are engaged in poorly coordinated attempts to reach out to President-Elect Donald J. Trump to prepare the ground for negotiations with the United States. I am not entirely sure the president and the foreign minister are communicating the same signal, let alone the regime in its entirety, including the Revolutionary Guard and Ayatollah Khamenei. The Islamic Republic really needs to coordinate better. Still better, Ayatollah Khamenei himself must...2025-01-1625 minIran's GambitMashayekhi on MaladministrationThe central government in Iran, whether under the Pahlavi regime or the Islamic Republic, has historically provided institutionalized spaces for experts to engage in debates on technical—and occasionally political—issues aligned with state interests. These platforms, often manifesting as think tanks, policy research centers, and other quasi-official institutions, fulfill several critical functions: First, they channel dissent by allowing critics of government policies to articulate their objections within controlled environments, thus preventing such dissent from escalating into mass mobilizations or street protests against the regime. Second, they serve as a mechanism for the state to gauge the prevailing intellectual curr...2025-01-1327 minIran's GambitIRGC Commander on Assad's Ineptitude and Putin's Treachery Commander Behrouz Esbati, the Public Affairs Director of the Joint Force Cyber Command, on January 7 centered his speech on his firsthand observations of the systemic collapse of the Assad regime. Approximately one hour of his speech was published by Tabnak News Agency, an outlet affiliated with Dr. Mohsen Rezaei, the longest-serving Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Commander Esbati's remarks can be categorized into two distinct sections. The first section presents an Iranian perspective on the progressive disintegration of the Syrian regime, including the erosion of military morale and widespread demoralization among the Syrian populace. This...2025-01-0939 minIran's GambitIranians Connect to the Internet by StarlinkThere has always been a correlation, if not causality, between technological innovation and sociopolitical transformation: Gutenberg’s printing press catalyzed the Protestant Reformation, and from his exile in Iraq, Grand Ayatollah Rouhollah Khomeini famously utilized cassette tape recordings of his sermons to galvanize the Iranian populace against the Pahlavi regime during the 1970s. BBC Persian's radio service too aided the Iranian revolutionaries. The Internet similarly embodies revolutionary potential, a reality that underscores the Islamic Republic’s systematic strategies to regulate and suppress it since Iran's initial connection in 1993. Following Israel, Iran became the second nation in the Middle East to g...2025-01-0612 minIran's GambitLarijani Defends Iran's Track Record in Syria · On January 1, Dr. Ali Larijani, former Supreme National Security Council secretary, and adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, defended Iran's track record in Syria. It is not known if Dr. Larijani's spin is only meant for the Iranian public, or he delivers the same message to Khamenei.2025-01-0523 minIran's GambitForeign Ministry vs. Quds Force Part II As the Islamic Republic commemorated the fifth anniversary of assassination of Quds Force Chief Major General Qassem Suleimani, many public figures, who had personal interactions with him delivered lengthy interviews discussing this near-mythical individual. On January 2nd, I discussed former Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif's interview with Khorasan newspaper, and today, I'll discuss current Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi's interview. He delivered the interview on January 1, and my translation is based on the partial transcription released by Iran's al-Alam network. As you will see, there are significant differences between Dr. Zarif's account and Dr. Araghchi's, but this is understandable: the...2025-01-0420 minIran's GambitForeign Ministry vs. Quds Force Part IFormer Foreign Minister Dr. Mohammad-Javad Zarif's interview with January 1, 2025 edition of Khorasan newspaper not only provides some insights into his relationship with the late Quds Force Chief Major General Qassem, but also into inter-agency rivalry between the Foreign Ministry and the Quds Force. An audio recording, allegedly leaked to the media in 2021, provides greater insights into how the Quds Force undermined the Foreign Ministry's diplomatic efforts. 2025-01-0328 minIran's GambitKhamenei Commemorates Suleimani In the history of most countries, some eras appear more glorious than others. And at times, the past appears more glorious than what we expect of the future. This was my sense monitoring Iran's state-censored media today. Addressing the families of martyrs, including the family of Quds Force Chief Major General Qassem Soleimani, widows of Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon, and other affiliated groups, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a speech commemorating the fifth anniversary of Soleimani's assassination. In his address, Ayatollah Khamenei reflected on the apex of Soleimani's influence, particularly from 2003 to 2020—a period, which coincides with th...2025-01-0119 minIran's GambitDueling Rallies in Iran On December 30, Tehran witnessed two competing demonstrations emblematic of Iran's polarized political climate: one orchestrated by the regime and the other a spontaneous expression of public dissent triggered by the latest depreciation of the Iranian Rial against the U.S. Dollar. The state-organized rally aimed to commemorate the fifteenth anniversary of what the regime frames as "the sedition of 2009," a characterization starkly contrasting with global narratives that recognize this period as the Green Movement uprisings in Iran. As some may recall, Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election in 2009 under contentious circumstances ignited political contention. His rivals, Mr. Mir-Hossein Mousavi...2024-12-3122 minIran's GambitTahrir al-Sham's Iranian Fighters - Radicals or Infiltrators? While presence of Iranian nationals among the Tahrir al-Sham Movement risks radicalizing the Sunnis in Iran, and therefore constitutes a security threat to the Islamic Republic, some of those radicals may be Intelligence Ministry infiltrators. However, infiltrators too can at times go rogue and pursue their self-interests.2024-12-2919 minIran's GambitWhy Did the Regime Shelve the "Hijab and Chastity Bill"? On December 15, Iran's Supreme National Security Council issued a statement announcing suspension of the so-called "Hijab and Chastity Law," formally known as the "The Bill Supporting Families By Propagating the Culture of Chastity and Hijab". The bill, which was passed on June 13, 2024, was the regime's reaction to anti-hijab protests in the wake of the September 16, 2022 killing of 22-year-old Ms. Mahsa Amini in the custody of the so-called "Morality Police". It was also a reaction to the fact that increasingly, many women ignore the requirements for covering their head with a scarf in public spaces. Why is the regime capitulating...2024-12-2818 minIran's GambitRegime Conflicted On How to Deal With SyriaWhile President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the technocratic elites of the Islamic Republic appear to have accepted Iran’s total defeat in Syria, and are reaching out to the new rulers of that country to establish formal relations, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the Revolutionary Guard and IRGC affiliated media outlets are still in denial and talk of “Syrian youth” rebelling against the new regime.2024-12-2617 minIran's GambitDoes Ayatollah Khamenei Believe His Own Propaganda?Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's December 22 address on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Fatemeh Zahra had little to do with plight of women, and a good deal to do with regional developments, in particular Syria. He appeared irritated by Israel's "boasting" and "grand standing," assured the Iranian public that Israel was defeated rather than victorious, and expressed hope Israel would be "evicted" from the Middle East region. On the same day, Ali-Akbar Ahmadian, Supreme National Security Council secretary, delivered an interview expressing similar views. Doest the regime, and in particular, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, believe his own propaganda? If his...2024-12-2421 minIran's GambitShamkhani's Swan Song Part IIIIn the Islamic Republic, there is no government. Everyone is a member of the opposition when there is public criticism of the regime's performance. Rear Admiral Ali Shamkheni, Supreme National Security Council secretary from 2013 to 2023 is one of the few exceptions to this rule, and today's program is dedicated to his answers to critical questions from a group of students visiting Nour News Agency's headquarters at the Supreme National Security Council. 2024-12-2139 minIran's GambitShamkhani's Swan Song Part IIIn the Islamic Republic, there is no government. Everyone is a member of the opposition when there is public criticism of the regime's performance. Rear Admiral Ali Shamkheni, Supreme National Security Council secretary from 2013 to 2023 is one of the few exceptions to this rule, and today's program is dedicated to his answers to critical questions from a group of students visiting Nour News Agency's headquarters at the Supreme National Security Council. 2024-12-2030 minIran's GambitShamkhani's Swan Song Part IIn the Islamic Republic, there is no government. Everyone is a member of the opposition when there is public criticism of the regime's performance. Rear Admiral Ali Shamkheni, Supreme National Security Council secretary from 2013 to 2023 is one of the few exceptions to this rule, and today's program is dedicated to his answers to critical questions from a group of students visiting Nour News Agency's headquarters at the Supreme National Security Council. 2024-12-1930 minIran's GambitKhamenei and the IRGC Slam Critique Collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and manifest defeat of the Revolutionary Guard’s strategy in Syria have exposed the organization to public critique in Iran. While still short of demanding accountability, reformist politicians are openly calling for civilian control over the military, and civilian supremacy in national security decision-making. There is, however, no indication that the Revolutionary Guard leadership is willing to voluntarily subject itself to civilian control or give up its decisive influence over national security decision-making. On the contrary, as evident on the front page of Revolutionary Guard mouthpiece Javan newspaper, the Guard is likely to use...2024-12-1720 minIran's GambitKhamenei on Syria: Defiance in Defeat Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei showed defiance in defeat in his first public statement in the wake of the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria. Indirectly, he accused the new rulers of Syria of being agents of the United States and Israel. Furthermore, he claimed Iran was willing, but incapable of airlifting troops to Syria due to U.S. and Israel closing the skies over Syria to Iranian airplanes. He further added that former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had not requested military assistance from Iran. Khamenei used many a minute talking of invulnerability of the Axis of...2024-12-1221 minIran's GambitIn the Wake of Fiasco, Catastrophic OutlookOn Asr-e Iran's satirical commentary on the 95% of Syrian voters, who voted for Bashar al-Assad in the May 2021 presidential election in Syria, but failed to support him in the face of armed opponents; and Fars News Agency's involuntarily commical comment on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urging Assad to "democratise Syria". The program also features an English translation of an undated interview by Ahmed hussein al-Shara, Tahrir al-Sham group leader, who in an undated interview threatened to "bring the war to Iran" by inciting Iran's ethnic and religious minorities against the central government in Tehran. Finally, the program features a translation...2024-12-1024 minIran's GambitFiasco!Fiasco!2024-12-0816 minIran's GambitIran: Economic Failure, Introspection and Denial Iran’s national security strategy is evident. Lebanese Hezbollah, Tehran’s most prominent proxy, is in disarray, while the Assad regime in Syria, once a linchpin for the strategic overland corridor linking Iran to Lebanon via Iraq, is on the verge of either disintegration or defection from Iran’s camp. Today, rather than delving into real-time updates from Syria or elsewhere which other media do much better than yours truly, I will point at a few really simple economic factors driving the unraveling of Iran’s geopolitical strategy.2024-12-0617 minIran's GambitDomino Dancing From Beirut to Aleppo If you’ve been keeping an eye on global developments, as I assume many of you have, you’re likely aware of the seismic shift in Syria: Aleppo has fallen under the control of Tahrir al-Sham, a faction designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States in May 2018. While the rapidity of this development may have taken some by surprise, the evolving power dynamics in Syria were long evident. Lebanese Hezbollah, a strategic ally of Syria and a linchpin in Iran’s so-called Axis of Resistance, is in disarray. Having incurred devastating losses in Lebanon, it has redepl...2024-12-0120 minIran's GambitPreposterous Commentary On Ceasefire in Lebanon, Sensible Commentary on Iran-U.S. RelationsIn today’s program, I’ll spend a few minutes critiquing the Revolutionary Guard-affiliated media's preposterous commentary on the ceasefire in Lebanon. However, I won’t dwell on these absurdities for too long. Instead, I’ll transition to discussing an interview in Etemad newspaper with Mr. Mohsen Mir-Damadi, a reformist political activist, who provides an astute and pragmatic assessment of the state of Iran-U.S. relations.2024-11-2708 minIran's GambitIntelligence Failure Today’s program focuses on a story from Jamaran News Agency, which may not be a familiar name to most of you, but it represents a noteworthy institution expressing the perspectives of the household of the late Grand Ayatollah Rouhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. For context, "Jamaran" refers to a village situated on the mountain slopes of northern Tehran, where Grand Ayatollah Khomeini’s compound was located during the Iran-Iraq War. At that time, Grand Ayatollah Khomeini was often referred to as “Pir-e Jamaran,” or the Old Man of Jamaran. While I am not entirely convinced that mem...2024-11-2610 minIran's GambitAli Larijani Greenlights WashingtonToday, my focus is on two articles featured in yesterday's edition of Sazandegi newspaper, a publication representing the technocratic elites of Iran. The editor and most of the columnists associated with this newspaper have held governmental responsibilities, which grants them a distinctly pragmatic approach to politics compared to the average Iranian journalist, who is typically oppositional—oppositional to the Cabinet, or oppositional to the opposition! In contrast, Sazandegi adopts a perspective focused on practical political solutions. Yesterday’s edition of the newspaper featured two particularly intriguing articles—an uncommon occurrence in any daily publication. It’s not every da...2024-11-2514 minIran's GambitIran Responds to IAEA ResolutionToday's program is dominated by the escalating tensions between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). On November 21, select members of the IAEA Board of Governors, including Britain, France, Germany, and the United States, passed a resolution urging Iran to enhance its cooperation with the agency and provide a “comprehensive” report. This move, seen as an effort to pressure Tehran back to the negotiating table over its nuclear program, was met with a defiant response from Iran’s Foreign Ministry, which vowed to “respond in kind.” The Iranian media landscape reflects a growing polarization over this issue. Iran's state-affi...2024-11-2414 minIran's GambitSanctioned by the EU, Iran Looks to the Trump Presidency for SalvationThere was a time when the European Union (EU) was perceived as Iran’s ally, counterbalancing what Tehran labeled as the U.S. “Great Satan.” During those years, Europe often sought to shield Iran from Washington’s more aggressive policies. However, the geopolitical landscape has shifted dramatically. Iran’s growing alignment with Russia has alienated the Europeans to such an extent that their stance toward Tehran now appears more assertive and antagonistic than that of the United States. Amid these tensions, a cautious sense of optimism is palpable in Tehran, particularly following the meeting between Iran’s UN Ambassador, Amir Saeid I...2024-11-1916 minIran's GambitIran Denies Meeting Elon As some of you may recall, yesterday’s program was dedicated to the November 14 meeting between Mr. Amir-Saeid Iravani, Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, and Mr. Elon Musk, entrepreneur and adviser to President Donald J. Trump. Today’s program will continue this discussion, as the alleged meeting remains a focal point in Iran’s heavily censored media. Iran’s Foreign Minister Mr. Abbas Araghchi has outright denied that such a meeting took place. The conservative Kayhan newspaper prominently celebrated the dismissal of the meeting's news, while reformist outlets such as Ham-Mihan praised the initiative. There is also an intrigu...2024-11-1816 minIran's GambitIran Meets Elon The focus of today’s discussion is the November 14th meeting between Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Mr. Amir Saeid Iravani, and Mr. Elon Musk, the prominent entrepreneur and perceived confidant of President-elect Donald J. Trump. According to the November 14th edition of the New York Times, the two gentlemen engaged in discussions lasting over an hour at an undisclosed location. Subsequent reporting by other outlets revealed that the meeting occurred at Ambassador Iravani’s official residence in New York City. An unnamed source cited by the New York Times claimed that during the meeting, Ambass...2024-11-1625 min
At The BoundaryShifting Power in the Middle East: The Decline of Clerics and Rise of the IRGCText the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this thought-provoking episode of “At the Boundary”, guest Ali Alfoneh from The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington dives deep into the shifting power dynamics in the Middle East. Together with GNSI Fellow Arman Mahmoudian, Ph.D., they explore the decline of clerical influence and the growing prominence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This conversation unpacks the implications of these shifts for national security and global policy—offering invaluable insights for anyone interested in the evolving political landscape of the Middle East.Link's...2024-11-1346 minIran's GambitThe Islamic Republic Reacts to Trump The Islamic Republic has reacted with measured caution to the election of Mr. Donald J. Trump in the U.S. presidential elections. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei remains uncharacteristically silent, refraining from any direct commentary. Beneath surface-level official statements, such as “it does not matter who is president in the United States,” lies a profound apprehension over managing the implications of Mr. Trump’s victory—a sentiment echoed across Iran’s state-censored media. Amid these muted or guarded responses, an outline of a possible strategy emerges, likely influenced by figures such as former Foreign Minister Dr. Mohammad-Javad Zarif and former Amb...2024-11-1330 minIran's GambitFaltering Pillars of Iran’s National Security Doctrine: Proxies, Missiles, and the Nuke Iran’s proxy networks and missile capabilities are currently under significant strain. This situation could propel Iran towards a nuclear breakout—not necessarily the regime’s first-choice option, but rather a potential consequence of these two other pillars faltering. 2024-11-0413 minIran's GambitUnder Attack, the Regime Reaches Out to the U.S. & Minorities In an interview with the Financial Times published on October 29, Dr. Ali-Akbar Velayati, former Foreign Minister and current foreign policy adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, indicated that Tehran is undergoing a strategic reassessment of its foreign policy, specifically with regard to engagement with Western nations. While Velayati underscored, “We do not have a positive history of negotiations with the U.S., nor do we trust U.S. intentions,” many analysts in Iran perceive the interview as an initial outreach to Washington, aimed at staving off further Israeli military action against Iran. Concurrently, President Masoud Pezeshkian’s recent appointments of eth...2024-10-3113 minIran's GambitIs Iran Prepared to Negotiate Terms of Capitulation With the United States? Under the headline "Khamenei 'Open' to Closer Ties with the West", Ms. Najmeh Bozorgmehr and Ms. Bita Ghaffari present a curious article in today's edition of the Financial Times, which I interpret as an unofficial diplomatic communiqué from Tehran to Washington. From my analysis, it appears that Iran, faced with a series of significant strategic losses since September, is now reconsidering its position. These losses include the near-collapse of Lebanese Hezbollah, the failure of Iran’s missile capabilities to breach Israel’s multi-layered air defense systems, and Israel’s repeated incursions into Iranian airspace. The situation is dire enough that th...2024-10-3014 minIran's GambitTehran Billboard Promotes Pezeshkian, Who Will Be Blamed For Defeat!The latest billboard on Vali-Asr Square, in Tehran is a seldom promotion of a president, but Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian is also likely to be blamed if the Islamic Republic's conflict with Israel turns from bad to worse. In doing so, the regime protects Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who will remain infallible. 2024-10-2814 minIran's GambitIran's State-Censored Media Downplay the Israeli Attack Minimizing Pressure on the Regime to Retaliate Following the October 25 Israeli strikes against targets in Tehran, Shiraz, and Khuzestan, Iran's state-censored media insist the attack was limited and the damage minimal. The uniformity of the message may indicate an information campaign aiming at calming the population, and lessen the pressure on the regime to retaliate, which will provoke another attack. Israel, however, which according to the New York Times, targeted air defense systems near Iran's petrochemical plants, may not wait for a response before launching new attacks against Iran.2024-10-2720 minIran's GambitFormer Foreign Minister Zarif on IRGC Dominance Over National Security Decision MakingThe Supreme National Security Council, Iran’s central national security decision-making body, remains one of the most secretive organizations in the Islamic Republic. Its proceedings are not public, and insights into its operations are mostly limited to references in the journals of former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and scattered accounts from Iranian officials. Therefore, former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s book “The Audacity of Resilience,” published in Tehran in March, is a revelation. The book illuminates the SNSC process, documents interagency rivalry among Iran’s government bureaucracies, and highlights the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ dominance in national security decision mak2024-10-2524 minIran's GambitPezeshkian Invites Everyone Into the Tent (On Governor Generals)In yesterday’s edition of reformist Ham-Mihan newspaper, there ws an excellent article by Ms. Mansoureh Mohammadi, on appointment of governor generals under President Masoud Pezeshkian. In the past, I used to do a social background analysis of the governor generals, in order to develop a better understanding of the composition of the executive branch of government in Iran, and more broadly, about the ruling elites of the Islamic Republic. Under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, I was particularly interested in how many governor generals were veterans of the Revolutionary Guard, and found out most of the governors appointed by Mr. Ah...2024-10-2423 minIran's GambitIranian Opposition's Support for an Israeli Attack on Iran? Today’s program is based on a single article in Ham-Mihan newspaper, which discusses the Iranian opposition abroad, and delves into the principle of whether the end justifies the means, especially when this entails the unprecedented situation of opposition-minded individuals or factions supporting foreign adversaries attacking Iran, their homeland. Obviously, Ham-Mihan argues that the end does not justify the means, and depicts the exiled opposition as traitors and mercenaries of foreign powers, primarily Israel. Ham-Mihan has also some unrealistic policy recommendations, such as “dialogue, permitting dissent, and encouraging a multiplicity of voices” in Iran, which I will comment on in the...2024-10-2317 minIran's GambitThe Regime Summons the Ghost of the Shah to Forge National Unity Reviewing the Persian language media, you sense that an unsettling atmosphere pervades the political landscape, as though destiny is inescapably closing in. There is also a palpable sense of fatalism, a resigned recognition that the path forward may not be altered and catastrophe awaits Iran. n this charged atmosphere, the regime's desperation to construct a semblance of national unity becomes palpable, so much so that it has begun conjuring the ghost of Shah Mohammad-Reza Pahlavi—a monarch whom it has long vilified as both a traitor to his people and a puppet of foreign interests. This ironic resurrection speaks to...2024-10-2215 minIran's GambitIsland Dispute and Israel’s Use of Jinns to Fight Hezbollah! Dear listeners, I'm recording this program on Sunday October 20th. As you may recall, yesterday's program focused on the ongoing island dispute between Iran and the United Arab Emirates. This issue resurfaced after the European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council issued a Joint Statement, calling on Iran to "end its occupation of the three UAE islands—Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa—which constitutes a violation of UAE sovereignty and the principles of the U.N. Charter." Yesterday, I predicted that the Islamic Republic would use this affair to frame a new threat to Iran’s territ...2024-10-2114 minIran's GambitS1/E19: Disputed Islands: External Threat, Internal Unity?Iran and United Arab Emirates both claim sovereignty over the Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa islands. This conflict predates the Islamic Republic, with Shah Mohammad-Reza Pahlavi ordering the Imperial Navy in 1971 to assert Iranian sovereignty over the islands. The dispute has simmered since then and resurfaces regularly. A fresh episode occurred a few days ago when the European Union (EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held their first summit, themed “Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity.” The October 16 summit produced a Joint Statement that devoted an entire section to Iran. The statement emphasizes “the import...2024-10-2014 minIran's GambitDeath in Gaza, Unveiling in Tehran!How is Hamas leader Mr. Yahya Sinwar depicted in the Islamic Republic’s propaganda? Is his violent death likely to impact Iran? How come the "Morality Police" has almost stopped enforcing Iran’s hijab law, and how can it be related to the war in Gaza and Lebanon?2024-10-1916 minIran's GambitParliamentarian: Iran Has Already Built the Nuclear Bomb! With Lebanese Hezbollah—a key element of Iran’s defense strategy and its main deterrent against Israel and, indirectly, the U.S.—struggling, Iran’s state-controlled media are openly discussing nuclear breakout as a way to restore the balance of terror. Remarkably, Iranian lawmakers are participating in this debate. On October 9, 39 members of parliament sent a letter to the Supreme National Security Council calling for a “revision of Iran’s nuclear doctrine.” Ahmad Bakhsheyesh Ardestani, a member of the parliamentary National Security and Foreign Affairs Committee, echoed this sentiment in a recent interview with the reformist newspaper Shargh, emphasizing Iran’s need to...2024-10-1714 minIran's GambitKayhan Threatens to Disrupt EU Shipping In response to Iran’s missile and drone transfers to Russia, the European Union sanctioned three Iranian airliners on October 14: Saha Airlines, which operates domestic flights within Iran; Mahan Air; and Iran Air. Following the sanctions, Iran Air suspended its services to EU member states. This leaves the significant demand for flights from Iran to Europe to be fulfilled by foreign airlines through connecting flights via intermediate countries such as Turkey, the UAE, and Qatar. While most Iranian media merely reported the new sanctions, Kayhan newspaper, a mouthpiece for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reacted strongly to the sanctions in its Oc...2024-10-1713 minIran's GambitQaani Resurrected, Nuclear Negotiations in the Grave Today’s Persian-language media are dominated by two major stories: the resurrection of Quds Force Chief Brigadier General Ismail Qaani, and the stalled nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, which seem to remain in the grave for the foreseeable future.2024-10-1512 minIran's GambitIranian Public Unpersuaded By the Regime's Account of Iran-Israel RivalryPreempting reformist criticism of the regime's foreign policy fiasco, Revolutionary Guard mouthpiece Mashregh News preemptively attacks Ham-Mihan Daily, accusing it and the reformist camp of "defeatism" and selling out of the ideals of the revolution - things Ham-Mihan's columnists have yet to write! However, in doing so, Mashregh News reveals that large parts of the Iranian public remain unpersuaded by the regime's account of the natural rivalry between two regional powers, Israel and Iran.2024-10-1514 minIran's GambitPager Debacle in Lebanon, Erosion of Social Cohesion in IranThis Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting delivers both stories discussed in today's podcast: Dr. Masoud Assad-Allahi, former adviser to the Quds Force and a lecturer at the Imam Hussein University of the Revolutionary Guard, first blamed an Iranian company for not following security protocols before delivering pagers to Lebanese Hezbollah, but later was persuaded under interrogation to reach a different conclusion. Dr. Bizhan Abdolkarimi, a philosopher, had no such regrets, after accusing the Islamic Republic leadership of underminig social cohesion in Iran and weakening the country in the face of adversaries such as Israel. 2024-10-1327 minIran's GambitIran-Russia Relations: Love-Hate Relationship Without Love!While the photo of the handshake of presidents Masoud Pezeshkian and Vladimir Putin adorn the front pages of Tehran newspapers, former parliamentarian Mr. Heshmat-Allah Falahatpisheh disturbs the party with bitter facts. 2024-10-1215 minIran's GambitFormer Spy Chief on Why Some Iranians Appear to Welcome Israeli Bombing of Iran Jamaran News, a website close to the family of the late Grand Ayatollah Khomeini, which usually releases interviews with, or articles written by various individuals with executive responsibility, released an article by Mr. Saeed Hajjarian, who explains why some Iranian appear to welcome Israeli bombing of their own country, and perceive Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as their liberator.2024-10-1121 minIran's GambitInter-Agency Reconciliation at Home and Reaching Out to Arab States Unofficial mouthpieces of the Revolutionary Guard seldom praise Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On the contrary, many a foreign minister has fallen victim for machinations of the Guard and its network. Nevertheless, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who previously, in his capacity as nuclear negotiator, was the target of the Guard media, is now subject to panegyric articles in Javan newspaper, the most official among the Guard’s multiple mouthpieces. Javan also appears to be warming to Iran’s regional rival Saudi Arabia, yet at times, there are glimpses of the iron fist under the velvet glove: Javan not only r...2024-10-1013 minIran's GambitReal or Theatrics? Parliamentarians Demand the Bomb!39 members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, the Iranian parliament, wrote a letter to the Supreme National Security Council demanding a revision of Iran's nuclear doctrine, and beg Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of issuing a new fatwa, or religious edict, annulling the ban on production and use of the nuclear bomb. While this particular letter may be more theatrics than real, the regime is weakened and desperate.2024-10-0912 minIran's GambitIsraeli Bombardment and Renewed Anti-Regime Protests?Despite President Masoud Pezeshkian's efforts, the Islamic Republic does not appear willing to give political freedom; lacks the means to improve the economic conditions of an increasingly impoverished population; and maintains restrictions on personal freedoms. No wonder some elite members fear a renewed round of anti-regime protests in the wake of Israeli bombardment of Iran.2024-10-0913 minIran's GambitQuds Force Chief Qaani Killed? Is the Successor Up to the Job?If Quds Force Chief Brigadier General Ismail Qaani was indeed killed in Beirut, Lebanon, he is likely to be succeeded by Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Fallahzadeh. How did Qaani change the Quds Force since he took over the leadership of the organization in January 2020, and is Fallahzadeh the right man under the disastrous circumstances the Quds Force and its allies find themselves in?2024-10-0822 minIran's GambitRafsanjani Junior Stabs Jalili's brotherThe threat of Israel was expected to unify rival factions in the regime, but the knives are out: Mohsen Hashemi Rafsanjani, son of the late President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, likens Iran's government television, where Vahid Jalili, brother of former nuclear negotiator and presidential candidate Saeed Jalili is a senior executive, with revolutionary era radial Mohammad Montazeri, and warns against repetition of revolutionary era excesses.2024-10-0613 minIran's GambitExternal Threats and Internal Unity, For NowThe threat from the impending Israeli attack against Iran has managed to secure a degree of unity among the political elites of the Islamic Republic, but how long is unity likely to last? Apart from inter-elite unity, Is the regime also capable of bridging the gap between state and society in the case of a prolonged conflict with Isral, and possiblly the United States? 2024-10-0512 minIran's GambitAyatollah Khamenei's SermonS1/E4: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's October 4th Friday prayer sermon served the purpose of legitimizing Iran's October 1st retaliatory missile attack against Israel and psychologically prepare the Iranian public for war, but at the same time avoid panic.2024-10-0419 minIran's GambitCall For Nuclear Breakout!While President Masoud Pezeshkian is bridging the gap between his Cabinet and hardline element such as Kayhan newspaper and the Revolutionary Guard, Revolutionary Guard mouthpiece Javan newspaper openly calls for a revised nuclear doctrine and a nuclear breakout to compensate the degraded Lebanese Hezbollah and establish the balance of terror with Israel.2024-10-0317 minIran's GambitRevenge, Caution or Nuclear Breakout?While Kayhan newspaper demands revenge and punitive action against Arab states and Israel's diplomatic representations abroad, the Revolutionary Guard and representatives of the technocratic elites urge caution. The intra-elite debate does not appear to be about use of force against Israel, but on the expediency of nuclear breakout to compensate for Lebanese Hezbollah's degraded capabilities.2024-10-0117 minIran's GambitDebacle in Lebanon, Suppression at Home and a Dash for the Bomb? Iran’s recent debacle in Lebanon bears some resemblance to the Argentine military junta’s defeat in the 1982 Falklands/Malvinas War; but unlike the military junta, the Islamic Republic is neither likely to surrender its nuclear program, nor willing to relinquish power. Instead, we may witness increased suppression at home and a dash for the bomb.2024-09-2908 min
Akkurat med ClementIsrael og Hizbollah: En ny form for krig?Angrebene målrettet toppen af Hizbollahs militante organisation hvor walkie-talkier og personsøgere eksploderede pludseligt på tværs af Libanon bliver analyseret af Thomas Brønd, adjunkt ved Forsvarsakademiet og med fra USA forfatter Ali Alfoneh. Med ved bordet står: Per Mikael Jensen, tidl. journalist og medieleder, nu ansat ved Seaborg, Mia Amalie Holstein økonom, CEPOS, Amalie Kestler chefredaktør, Politiken, Kashif Ahmad, medlem af Borgerrepræsentationen i København for de Radikale, professor Jens Christian Svenning, ekspert i biodiversitet - og om verdensøkonomien Ulrik Bie økonomisk redaktør, Berlingske.2024-09-221h 41Akkurat med ClementKan S beholde magten i storbyerne?Det vil Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil (S) kæmpe for. Hun indleder dagens Akkurat, hvor vi også taler om amerikansk valgkampsduel, situationen i Iran og bilmarkedet. Med ved bordet står: Jeppe Duvå, chefredaktør på Kristeligt Dagblad, Amalie Lyhne, kommentator på Berlingske, Franciska Rosenkilde, partileder (AL), Mogens Lykketoft, fhv. udenrigsminister (S), Christian Bülow tidl. Formand DFU, Ali Alfoneh, forsker på The Arab Gulf States Institute i Washington, Bodil Dam, journalist og Bo Christensen redaktør Motor-magasinet.
Vært: Clement Kjersgaard.2024-09-081h 42
Generation JihadEp. 161 — A Jihad for KnowledgeAnother co-host takeover ("Freaky Friday edition"): Behnam is joined by his friend, former FDD colleague, and top expert on Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ali Alfoneh, now with The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. They discuss this week's historic conflagration between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel.2024-04-2036 min
Iran 1400 PodcastSpotlighting an Author - Ali Alfoneh: Political Succession in the Islamic Republic of IranWhat will happen after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's passing? During this event hosted by the Iran 1400 Project, Ali Alfoneh, an author and political scientist, answered this question and presented his book “Political Succession in the Islamic Republic of Iran: Demise of the Clergy and the Rise of the Revolutionary Guard Corps”. His book imagines what leadership will look like in the Islamic Republic after the passing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. It looks back at the past, detailing the process of succession before and after the death of Ayatollah Khomeini, as well as towards the future, concluding that...2022-01-131h 08
Middle East Forum Podcast"Iran's Crisis: What's Next, Which Options?" with Ali Alfoneh | MEF Podcast Ep. #115Iran’s recent attacks on U.S. allies, a more hostile new president, the tough JCPOA stance, the apparent race to The Bomb: all these steps suggest the Islamic Republic’s increasingly belligerent foreign policy. Why explains this doubling down and how can Washington best respond?2021-08-1331 min
Middle East Forum PodcastIran's Crisis: What's Next, Which Options? with Ali AlfonehIran’s recent attacks on U.S. allies, a more hostile new president, the tough JCPOA stance, the apparent race to The Bomb: all these steps suggest the Islamic Republic’s increasingly belligerent foreign policy. Why explains this doubling down and how can Washington best respond?2021-08-1331 min
Middle East Forum Podcast"Iran After Khamene'i" with Ali Alfoneh | MEF Podcast Ep. #69What happens after Ayatollah Khamenei dies? Will another leading cleric or his son succeed him? Might the Iranian Revolutionary Guard insert its own candidate? Ali Alfoneh discusses the impending transition and suggests how the U.S. government can positively influence it.2021-01-2235 min
Middle East Forum PodcastIran After Khamene'iwith Ali AlfonehWhat happens after Ayatollah Khamenei dies? Will another leading cleric or his son succeed him? Might the Iranian Revolutionary Guard insert its own candidate? Ali Alfoneh discusses the impending transition and suggests how the U.S. government can positively influence it.2021-01-2235 min
Beyond the HeadlinesHow Iran became the epicentre of coronavirus in the Middle EastThis week James Haines-Young, foreign editor at The National, talks about how a slow response and official denials turned Iran’s Covid-19 outbreak into a national emergency. We also speak to Ali Alfoneh, senior fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.2020-03-2616 min
The Briefing RoomIran's RevengeThe killing of General Soleimani by the United States has led to uproar in Iran. Massive crowds have accompanied his coffin through the streets and he is now hailed as a martyr. Retaliation has started with a missile attack against US airbases in Iraq, led by The Revolutionary Guard (IRGC). David Aaronovitch examines the history and political clout of one of the most feared military organisations in the world. The IRGC's sphere of influence spreads deep into Iranian society and abroad too. What role will it play in what happens next and what impact will recent events...2020-01-0928 min
Eagles, Globes, and AnchorsEagles, Globes, and Anchors – 2. Iran, Building Bridges and Widening GulfsThis is episode 2 of the podcast Eagles, Globes, and Anchors from the Marine Corps War College (MCWAR) featuring our host, Dr. Rebecca Johnson, Dean of the Marine Corps War College. Dr. Johnson's guests are Dr. Amin Tarzi, Director of Middle East Studies at Marine Corps University, Mr. Ali Alfoneh, Senior Fellow, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington (AGSIW), and Mr. Alex Vatanka, Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute. Dr. Johnson's guests discuss the current national security situation regarding Iran. Eagles, Globes, and Anchors is the strategically-minded podcast of the Marine Corps War College, covering the intersection of strategy, security, and warfare...2018-12-0429 min
Eagles, Globes, and AnchorsEagles, Globes, and Anchors – 2. Iran, Building Bridges and Widening GulfsThis is episode 2 of the podcast Eagles, Globes, and Anchors from the Marine Corps War College (MCWAR) featuring our host, Dr. Rebecca Johnson, Dean of the Marine Corps War College. Dr. Johnson's guests are Dr. Amin Tarzi, Director of Middle East Studies at Marine Corps University, Mr. Ali Alfoneh, Senior Fellow, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington (AGSIW), and Mr. Alex Vatanka, Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute. Dr. Johnson's guests discuss the current national security situation regarding Iran. Eagles, Globes, and Anchors is the strategically-minded podcast of the Marine Corps War College, covering the intersection of strategy, security, and warfare...2018-12-0400 min
Hudson Institute Events PodcastTurmoil in the Persian Gulf�Are Iran and Saudi Arabia Poised for More Conflict?Hudson Institute hosts a panel on the burgeoning conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia with Ali Alfoneh, Michael Doran, Phillip Smyth, and Lee Smith.
2016-01-151h 32
Hudson Institute Events PodcastTurmoil in the Persian Gulf�Are Iran and Saudi Arabia Poised for More Conflict?Hudson Institute hosts a panel on the burgeoning conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia with Ali Alfoneh, Michael Doran, Phillip Smyth, and Lee Smith.2016-01-151h 32
Hudson Institute Events PodcastTurmoil in the Persian Gulf�Are Iran and Saudi Arabia Poised for More Conflict?Hudson Institute hosts a panel on the burgeoning conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia with Ali Alfoneh, Michael Doran, Phillip Smyth, and Lee Smith.2016-01-151h 32
Hudson Institute Events PodcastTurmoil in the Persian Gulf�Are Iran and Saudi Arabia Poised for More Conflict?Hudson Institute hosts a panel on the burgeoning conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia with Ali Alfoneh, Michael Doran, Phillip Smyth, and Lee Smith.2016-01-151h 32