March 8, 2025 | The Iran Breakdown
A new FDD podcast series hosted by Mark Dubowitz.
[##### Mark Dubowitz
Chief Executive](https://www.fdd.org/team/mark-dubowitz/)
Coming March 19
About
Tehran’s fingerprints are on some of the most critical challenges that the world grapples with today. Because its illicit activity spans the globe, the Islamic Republic dominates international headlines. From exporting terrorism and racing for the nuclear bomb to brutal human rights violations, news on Iran is often dark and convoluted.
Further widening this information gap, many consequential stories from inside Iran—like the regime’s decaying legitimacy and the restless population’s insatiable hunger for freedom— don’t always make it out of Iran. That has regime fingerprints on it, too.
The international community’s conflicting views on ‘the Iran threat’ also muddy the water.
To make it make sense, Mark sits down with some of the top voices on Iran to unpack and explore the fundamental dynamics that shape it. In 10 episodes of The Iran Breakdown, viewers and listeners will build a sturdy foundation for responsible Iran-watching.
Follow now
Episodes 1-3 of The Iran Breakdown drop on Wednesday, March 19. Follow now wherever you get your podcasts, including on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Sneak Peek
Full episode available March 19
In this preview of The Iran Breakdown, Mark gets a masterclass on the Iran nuclear file from his FDD colleague Rich Goldberg, who previously served as the White House National Security Council's director for countering Iranian weapons of mass destruction.
Trailer Transcript
Welcome to The Iran Breakdown, a new FDD podcast series where we’ll dissect Iran’s regime, it’s dangerous policies, its complicated history, the courageous efforts of its people to demand freedom. I’m your host, Mark Dubowitz, and I’m here to guide you through one of the most critical geopolitical and human rights challenges facing the world today.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has been a central player in global headlines for decades: its pursuit of nuclear weapons, funding of terror groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and others; its oppression of its own people, and its growing alliances with global power states like China, Russia, North Korea. But beneath the headlines lies a deeper story, story of a regime that is losing legitimacy, a restless population, hungry for freedom, and a global community with many conflicting ideas about how to respond. And that’s what we’ll cover with The Iran Breakdown.
Over the course of 10 episodes, I’ll bring some of the best minds I know to explore the key dynamics shaping Iran, from its relentless pursuit of regional dominance to the mounting cracks within its authoritarian leadership; Israeli blows to its Axis of Resistance and its expanding nuclear weapons program. And we’re going to tackle the big questions: How did we get here? What are the regime’s goals? What should U.S. administrations do to stop the regime? Most importantly, how can we support the brave Iranian women and men who every single day speak and act out against their oppressive government?
While the regime dominates the headlines, it’s the people of Iran who define its soul.
Beyond the geopolitics, I hope you’ll join me in also celebrating Iran – its rich and diverse heritage, its incredible history, vibrant culture, and the aspects that truly define its people, not its rulers. Millions of Iranian women and men, young and old, have taken to the streets for decades, chanting “death to the dictator, death to the Ayatollah,” risking everything to demand change. Their bravery reminds us that while the regime dominates the headlines, it’s the people of Iran who define its soul. So it’s time to dive deep on Iran, to cut through the noise, get on the headlines.
Please subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you prefer to get your podcasts.
This is The Iran Breakdown… so let’s break it down.