badlands podcast by borzou daragahi

Borzou Daragahi
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Politics
  • Updated Semiweekly

incisive and engaging commentary and intelligence on global affaiirs borzou.substack.com

  1. 1d ago

    How Iran Is Defeating The Washington Blob

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit borzou.substack.com Friday, June 5, 2026, Istanbul US lawmakers finally stood up to the Trump administration this week, voting in a surprise move to call on President Donald Trump to halt the war in Iran or seek Congressional approval. Huge segments of official Washington are finally catching up with the overwhelming American public consensus that the war is a disastrous mistake. But why did it take so much and so long to overcome? In today’s podcast, Washington-based scholar Sina Toossi and I discuss the hawkish Beltway consensus that led to a war that is badly damaging the world economy. Other topics in today’s edition: * The latest updates on Iran’s nuclear program * The rift between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Lebanon * Iran’s remaining military capabilities * Iran’s increasing abuse of dissidents and use of the death penalty * What to expect ahead Iran’s arrival to North America for the World Cup * And Sina’s picks on some of the best restaurants in Washington Please watch, listen, share, and subscribe! badlands is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

    15 min

  2. 2d ago

    Albania Protests Halt Jared And Ivanka’s 'Epstein Island' Resort Scheme

    Thursday, June 4, 2026, Istanbul Tiny Albania turned itself into a Balkan United Arab Emirates by cozying up to Israel and the administration of Donald Trump. It joined the Board of Peace, the sham organization used to deflect attention from the ongoing Israeli subjugation of Palestinians in Gaza. But it all blew up this week over plans to hand over precious coastal properties and an island to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump for a $4 billion resort scheme funded with ill-gotten cash from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. On today’s podcast, I detail how growing public unease over Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama’s enthusiastic embrace of Israel blew up in his face this week, forcing him to freeze the resort project. Plus, I discuss the ongoing low-level war between Iran and the US and, in an interview with India’s NewsX World, the complications that could arise when Team Iran arrives in the US for the World Cup this summer. Please listen or watch, share, comment, and subscribe. badlands is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borzou.substack.com/subscribe

    24 min

  3. 4d ago

    Israel's War In Lebanon Threatens To Blow Up US Deal With Iran

    Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Istanbul Axios reports on a testy exchange between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s offensive in Lebanon. Earlier on Monday, Iran announced that it was walking away from negotiations over reopening the Strait of Hormuz and potentially rolling back its nuclear program because of Israel’s continued military actions in Lebanon, which now amount to an occupation of the the country’s south. That wasn’t the deal, Iran declared, noting that ceasefire in Lebanon was part of the April settlement that ended the most ferocious phase of warfare between the US and Iran. Trump said he didn’t care. Apparently he did care. According to Axios’ explosive report, Trump was fuming at Netanyahu, going all Joe Pesce on him. “You’re f*****g crazy,” Axios reported that Trump told Netanyahu. “You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.” Lebanon has become a key stumbling back in ending a conflict that continues to threaten the world economy. On the latest edition of badlands, I discuss the deep ties between Iran and Lebanon that go beyond Hezbollah and its role as a proxy force for Tehran. In interviews with India’s NewsX World and Azerbaijan’s Anewz, I also discuss the latest news and diplomatic maneuvering, and the Strait of Hormuz and whether Iran is holding it hostage. In short, hell yeah it’s holding the Strait hostage, and it’s getting away with it because of US missteps. A quick programming note. badlands was ranked 29 in Substack’s list of rising newsletters! Thanks to everyone for their support. Please watch. listen, share, and subscribe. badlands is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borzou.substack.com/subscribe

    22 min

  4. Season 1 Trailer

    They Need Iran To Be The Next Forever War

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit borzou.substack.com Monday, June 1, 2026, Istanbul The same people who goaded Donald Trump into launching a war of choice against Iran that would be over in a few days or weeks are now signaling that the US president should just stay the course for another two-and-a-half years! This comes as the US and Iran again exchanged fire overnight Sunday to Monday. The US hit Iranian missile bases along southwestern Iran’s coast. Iran responded with missile strikes on US positions in Kuwait. No casualties were reported by either side. On today’s edition of badlands, I discuss delusions and propaganda disguised as policy with Brett Erickson, a dynamic analyst at the risk advisory firm Obsidian whose razor-sharp takes on the Iran conflict stand out. As both negotiations and low-level warfare continue, the world economy, is in deep trouble, he warns. “The problem is basically we’re in energy war right now,” he tells me. “And unfortunately Iran can withstand this much longer than the global economy can.” Erickson notes that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is costing the world 12.8 million barrels of oil per day. “We’re above 1.1 billion barrels lost in total now,” he says. “And it’s going to take time to conduct mine-clearing operations. It’s going to take time to negotiate this memorandum of understanding still. We then need to get tankers out of the Gulf and get them back into the Gulf. And it’s just a long timeline that could extend quite significantly.” Also on today’s show, I discuss the latest in Iran with updates on the diplomatic struggle to end the conflict in a pair of interviews with India’s NewsX World. Plus, why Israel has stepped up its war efforts in Lebanon. badlands is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

    25 min

  5. Season 1 Trailer

    Turkey's Democracy Under Dire Threat

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit borzou.substack.com Friday, May 29, 2026, Istanbul Not enough has been said about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s systematic dismantling of Turkey’s opposition movement and the craven acquiescence of the United States and the European Union to his machinations. Today’s podcast features an interview with Turkish scholar and fellow Substacker Orhan Şener Deliormanlı. He’s a UK-educated political commentator and media researcher now continuing his doctoral studies at Istanbul’s prestigious Galatasaray University. He specializes in youth movements and democracy in Turkey. But that’s not all today. In addition to the fascinating discussion about the decline of Turkey’s democracy, we have updates on the latest news from Iran, Gaza, and the West Bank, where the EU has sanctioned the most extremist settlers. Please listen or watch, comment, share, and subscribe. badlands is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

    20 min

  6. May 28

    Trump Threatens To ‘Blow Up’ Oman

    Thursday, May 28, 2026, Istanbul It was one of the nastiest and most uncalled for moments in Donald Trump’s unhinged second term. In the middle of a press briefing at a cabinet Trump threatened to “blow up” Oman if it didn’t do the Americans’ bidding on the Strait of Hormuz. It was a deranged outburst that is part of a pattern of Trump attacking the countries attempting to find a diplomatic solution to the Iran war. It also shows the childish way that Trump sees war. In reality might not only does not make right, it sometimes leads to defeats. Just because the US and Israel blew up more stuff than Iran in the recent armed conflict doesn’t make them the winners. It actually made them the losers, because it ended up strengthening the regime and expanding Iran’s influence. I discuss all this in today’s podcast, as well as bring you up to date on the news in an excellent interview with anchor Guy Shone of Azerbaijan’s Anewz. badlands is a reader-supported outlet. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borzou.substack.com/subscribe

    20 min

  7. May 27

    She Reports Iran News In Her Pajamas

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit borzou.substack.com In today’s edition of badlands, I speak with journalist Leila Gharagozlou, a CNN correspondent who has amassed a massive following on her TikTok account with astute, pithy takes and takedowns on Iran and geopolitics. She often gives her talks while chilling on her couch in Dubai in her favorite bathrobe. In a wide-ranging discussion we talk about everything from the role of the Revolutionary Guard in Iran to best Persian restaurant in Dubai. “I found that people who generally should understand the region a little bit better seem to constantly be misinterpreting and misunderstanding the Iranians and their point of view and how Iran works inside,” she says. “And I don’t know where that comes from. I can only assume that it is maybe this kind of wishful thinking—almost delusion—of what we want to happen rather than what is actually happening on the ground and how Iran fundamentally functions.” Please listen or watch, comment, share, and subscribe.

    10 min

  8. May 26

    US Airstrikes Endanger Iran Peace Talks

    Tuesday, May 26, 2026, Istanbul Iranians are warning of a wider war following US airstrikes on the country late Monday or early Tuesday. On the latest edition of badlands, I discuss how little the latest attack makes sense. Also on today’s jam-packed podcast: * Why Iran might got internet restored * Whether Israel might face more international pressure * Whether the United Arab Emirates may be facing the same kind of isolation it once imposed on Qatar * How Turkey’s democracy is failing A great talk last night on France 24 with Francois Picard included debate about how Iran, Israel, the Gulf, and the US are trying to shape the ongoing crisis. The entire discussion can be viewed below, but some choice excerpts are included in my latest podcast. In a deep dive with Pakistan Express 24/7’s Fahd Hassan, I discuss the latest developments across the region, including in Iran, Israel, and the Gulf, including the role of China and Pakistan in the negotiations. Also in today’s editions, more talk about Iran, as well as Israel and Turkey, on India’s NewsX World with host Ellie Richardson. Please listen, watch, and subscribe! badlands is a reader-supported podcast. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borzou.substack.com/subscribe

    34 min
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incisive and engaging commentary and intelligence on global affaiirs borzou.substack.com

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