ROPESCAST

ROPES
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Documentary
  • Updated Weekly

The hosts of ROPESCAST Ksenia Svetlova and Ibrahim Abu-Ahmad and invite you to join the only podcast in the Middle East that discusses peacebuilding, the regional vision and the cooperation between the countries in the Middle East, as well as politics, economics, culture and social issues. Whether the topic is the future of the Abraham Accords, the Saudi - Syrian rapprochement or Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding, ROPESCAST podcast offers the most original and interesting views and voices of opinion-makers, activists and scholars of the region.

  1. May 15

    Securing the Gulf: Iran, Regional Order, and the US Partnership

    In this episode of ROPESCAST, Ksenia Svetlova sits down with Dr. Sanam Vakil, Director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, who offers an interesting perspective on the shifting strategic landscape of the region. The discussion centers on Iran’s proxies and the evolving dynamics of relations between Tehran and Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas. Dr. Vakil explains how these groups have institutionalized themselves as both political, military and social forces.She paints a rather complicated picture of what has happened since the beginning of the Iran war, illustrating why a purely military approach to defeating these groups often fails to address the underlying regional reality. A significant portion of the conversation interrogates the decision-making process within the current U.S. administration. Dr. Vakil analyzes what she describes as a “hollowing out” of regional expertise in Washington and cautions against the dangerous allure of seeking “easy wins” against the Islamic Republic—a regime that operates on a strategic calculus built over decades of survival. The episode concludes with a look at the Palestinian arena and the influence of the war in Iran on it. Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome to ROPESCAST 02:13 – “Did Anyone Expect This War?” 03:50 – How October 7 Reshaped the Middle East 05:02 – Israel’s Miscalculation on Iran 06:32 – How Iran Built the “Axis of Resistance” 09:45 – Why Hezbollah & Hamas Can’t Be Defeated Militarily 15:27 – After Soleimani: The Axis Reinvents Itself 21:37 – Washington’s Iran Expertise “Hollowed Out” 26:31 – A New Middle East Security Order? 34:44 – “The Real War Was Disinformation 39:15 – Can This Conflict End Through Negotiation? 🌐 Learn more about ROPES:  ropes.org 📩 Don’t forget to subscribe to the ROPESCAST for more stories of peace, dialogue, and impact across the Middle East.

    45 min

  2. May 12

    No Illusions: Bahrain, Iran, and the Future of Regional Cooperation

    In a special 50th episode of ROPESCAST, Ksenia Svetlova sits down with Ahmed Khuzaie, a strategic analyst from Bahrain who doesn't pull any punches when it comes to the reality of Gulf security. We recorded this as the region continues to deal with the messy aftermath of the war in Iran and the persistent weight of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Ahmed has a fascinating take on the Abraham Accords—he respects the history they made but argues they’ve already reached their limit. He walks us through his vision for "Abraham Accords 2.0," a necessary evolution designed to handle the much more complex security threats we’re seeing today. One of the most striking parts of our conversation is how he clarifies Bahrain’s stance on Tehran. While some neighbors have wavered or tried different diplomatic paths, Ahmed explains why Manama has stayed remarkably consistent. For Bahrain the Iranian threat was never a theory; it’s a reality they’ve lived with, which is why they’ve maintained a firm policy against normalization with the Islamic Republic. We also talk about how the war has fundamentally shifted what the Gulf cares about most, and whether the Accords can actually help stabilize the Palestinian arena. Chapters: 00:00 — Welcome to ROPESCAST 00:50 — Bahrain Under Fire 03:33 — Why Iran Targets Bahrain 07:12 — The Myth of Bahrain’s “Shia Majority” 12:28 — Did the Abraham Accords Make Bahrain a Target? 15:25 — “The Gulf Will Never Be the Same Again” 16:34 — Was the Iran War Worth It? 24:26 — Inside Iran’s Fragile Power Structure 28:21 — Abraham Accords 2.0 36:14 — Can Arabs Ever Accept Israel? 🌐 Learn more about ROPES:  ropes.org 📩 Don’t forget to subscribe to the ROPESCAST for more stories of peace, dialogue, and impact across the Middle East.

    40 min

  3. Apr 30

    Strategic Paradox: Why the Campaign Against Iran Left the Regime Intact

    Our new ROPESCAST episode features a high-stakes dialogue between host Ksenia Svetlova and Elliott Abrams, a veteran U.S. diplomat and foundational figure in American foreign policy who served as Deputy National Security Advisor and Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela. The discussion offers an analysis of the recent conflict with the Iranian regime, interrogating the strategic paradox of an American kinetic campaign that successfully neutralized key military assets while intentionally eschewing a ground invasion, thereby leaving the regime’s governance structures and its control over the Strait of Hormuz effectively intact. Moving beyond the tactical, Abrams—now a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations—analyzes the ties between Israel and the US and discusses the military aid to Israel, settler violence and upcoming elections in Israel. The dialogue concludes by evaluating the Abraham Accords’ durability after the war with Iran, illustrating how the framework navigated its most severe geopolitical stress test to date. Chapters: 00:00 — Meet Elliott Abrams: Inside U.S. Middle East Strategy 08:16 — Why Trump Went to War Without Europe 13:31 — Gulf States Tried to Stop the War — Then Got Hit Anyway 17:34 — “We Cannot Afford Another North Korea” 20:36 — Did Netanyahu Convince Trump to Attack Iran? 23:22 — The Truth About Iran’s “Destroyed” Nuclear Program 27:45 — Is America Turning Against Israel? 35:30 — Has Israel Lost the Democratic Party? 40:35 — Elliott Abrams on Settler Violence & Qatar’s Influence 45:33 — Will Saudi Arabia Ever Normalize With Israel? 48:23 — The Future of the Middle East After the Iran War 🌐 Learn more about ROPES: ⁠ropes.org⁠ 📩 Don’t forget to subscribe to the ROPESCAST for more stories of peace, dialogue, and impact across the Middle East.

    49 min

  4. Mar 29

    Tehran 1979, Hormuz 2026: A Diplomat's Journey Through the Iranian Quagmire

    What happens when the "ghosts" of history dictate the wars of the future? In this episode of ROPESCAST, Ksenia Svetlova sits down with a man who has lived through the heart of the Iranian fire: Ambassador John Limbert. A veteran diplomat and scholar, Limbert holds a perspective few on earth possess—having spent 444 days as a hostage in Tehran during the 1979 crisis. Together, we go beyond the headlines to exercise the historical traumas that continue to haunt the Middle East today. We explore the enduring legacy of the 1953 coup that toppled Mohammad Mosaddeq and the seismic shift of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, analyzing how these "ghosts" still drive the strategic logic of the regime in Tehran. Turning to the present, Ambassador Limbert provides a masterclass in diplomacy and realism as we analyze the current US-Israeli war. Is the region trapped in a cycle of "kinetic deterrence," or is there an exit ramp from the escalating chaos in the Gulf? From the revolutionary DNA of the IRGC to the possibility of a regime demise, this is a deep-dive into the quagmire that has defined the last half-century—and the forces that will shape the next. Tune in for a conversation that bridges the gap between the trauma of the past and the high-stakes strategy of 2026. Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome to ROPESCAST 00:34 – Meet Ambassador John Limbert: Diplomat, Hostage, Iran Expert 01:50 – Is War with Iran Inevitable? A Diplomat’s Perspective 03:55 – A “Greek Tragedy”: 47 Years Leading to Conflict 05:41 – Why Do So Many Support the War? 07:07 – Iran’s Rhetoric & the Road to Escalation 10:38 – The 1979 Revolution: How Iran Transformed Overnight 18:11 – Two Irans: Modern vs. Traditional Society 23:15 – 444 Days Hostage: Inside the U.S. Embassy Crisis 39:11 – Can This Regime Fall? 44:13 – What Could Actually Bring Change in Iran? 50:35 – Final Prognosis: What Happens Next? 🌐 Learn more about ROPES: ropes.org 📩 Don’t forget to subscribe to the ROPESCAST for more stories of peace, dialogue, and impact across the Middle East.

    59 min

  5. Mar 25

    Iranian Dissident Dreams of a Democratic Iran

    In this deeply personal and high-stakes conversation, Iranian activist and former political dissident Dr. Daniel Dana joins the ROPESCAST to discuss what he believes is the imminent collapse of the Islamic Republic—and what comes next. Sentenced to death three times and forced into exile, Dana shares his decades-long fight against the regime, offering a rare insider perspective on Iran’s opposition movement, the role of the diaspora, and the possibility of a democratic future. We dive into the critical questions shaping this moment:Can external pressure and internal unrest truly topple the regime? What are the real risks of civil war or another authoritarian replacement?And is Iran on the brink of becoming the first democratic model in the region? The conversation also explores the deeper historical ties between Iran and Israel, the vision of renewed relations, and how a post-regime Iran could transform the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. Chapters: 0:00 – Welcome to the ROPESCAST & Intro to Dr. Daniel Dana 1:04 – From Champion Gymnast to Anti-Regime Activist 3:01 – The Human Side of War in Iran Today 8:01 – Could Democracy Survive in Post-Regime Iran? 13:08 – How He Imagines the Regime Will Collapse: Step by Step 16:00 – Role of the Diaspora in Iran’s Future 21:38 – Reimagining Iran-Israel Relations & Ending Anti-Semitism 28:03 – Life in Pre-Revolution Iran: Freedom and Women’s Rights 30:13 – The Middle East After Iran: Proxies, Peace, and Democracy 32:58 – Closing Thoughts & Where to Learn More About Danny Dana 🌐 Learn more about ROPES: ropes.org 📩 Don’t forget to subscribe to the ROPESCAST for more stories of peace, dialogue, and impact across the Middle East.

    34 min

  6. Mar 20

    Settler Violence or State Policy? What Happens in the West Bank

    In this urgent and deeply personal episode of the ROPESCAST, we sit down with Nivine Sandouka of ALLMEP and Aviv Tatarsky of Ir Amim and Engaged Dharma to confront the accelerating reality of settler violence in the West Bank—and the growing evidence that it is not only unchecked, but increasingly state-sanctioned. Together, we unpack what’s happening on the ground: the patterns, the impunity, and the broader political system enabling it. What does this surge in violence mean for Palestinians living under constant threat? And what does it reveal about the trajectory of the conflict as a whole? This episode is dedicated to the memory of Muhammed and Fahim Muammar, brothers from Quiryat village who were killed by settlers at the beginning of March. Muhammed welcomed our team into his home during a ROPES solidarity visit just months earlier—a reminder that behind every headline are lives, families, and human connections that cannot be reduced to statistics. This is a difficult but necessary conversation—one that asks not only what is happening, but what it means for the future of the region. Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction: Remembering Muhammed & Fahim 1:00 – Guests on the Ground 2:30 – Aviv’s Experience Under Attack 4:00 – Protective Presence Explained 5:25 – The Rising Tide of Settler Violence 8:50 – State Sanctioned Violence 12:00 – Economic & Social Impact on Palestinian Village 16:20 – Settlement Expansion & Ethnic Cleansing 20:00 – Hope, Cooperation & Regional Responsibility 🌐 Learn more about ROPES: ropes.org 📩 Don’t forget to subscribe to the ROPESCAST for more stories of peace, dialogue, and impact across the Middle East.

    37 min

  7. Mar 15

    From the Heart of Beirut: Hussein Ibish on Israel-Lebanon Relations

    In a visceral and urgent conversation recorded under fire in the Lebanese capital, Hussein Ibish joins The ROPESCAST to map out the "Day After" for Lebanon. We dive into the internal Lebanese struggle for sovereignty, the chances of Hezbollah laying down its arms, and the potential for a historic shift in relations between Jerusalem and Beirut. Chapters: 00:00 ROPESCAST Introduction 01:03 Live & Under Fire from Beirut 04:03 Lebanon Turns Against Hezbollah 05:22 Mass Displacement Crisis 08:03 Hezbollah’s Strategic Failure 12:07 Israel’s Military Strategy in Lebanon 16:40 Lebanon’s Proposal to Negotiate with Israel 30:18 The Iran War and Trump’s Strategy 34:35 Gulf Views on Israel After October 7 🌐 Learn more about ROPES: ropes.org 📩 Don’t forget to subscribe to the ROPESCAST for more stories of peace, dialogue, and impact across the Middle East.

    41 min

  8. Mar 6

    The Iranian People Will Topple This Brutal Regime

    In this new episode of the ROPESCAST , we talk with Mandana Irandoost – Iranian-British activist, media personality, and alum of the ROPES media program. We get into what’s happening right now inside Iran, the real challenges the anti-regime activists are dealing with, and whether change can actually come from within: through regular Iranians, protests, civil society pushing back enough to actually topple the regime. We also cover the IRGC’s reach into the West – especially here in Great Britain – and how their elements operate, influence, or intimidate even outside Iran. And we finish looking ahead: what an Iran could be like tomorrow that doesn’t threaten its neighbors anymore, one where people can live freely without exporting instability. It’s straightforward conversation from someone with roots in both worlds. If you’re following Iran closely, this one’s worth hearing. Chapters: 00:00 Meet the Iranian Activist Challenging the Regime01:20 Why Iranian Protesters Rally Around the Lion & Sun Flag05:39 The Killing of Mahsa Amini That Ignited a Revolution08:07 “Iranians Just Want a Normal Life” – Life Under the Regime11:49 “We Warned the World” – Iran’s Threat Beyond Its Borders15:08 Mass Killings & Internet Blackouts Inside Iran20:15 IRGC Influence in Britain – How the Regime Operates in the West 🌐 Learn more about ROPES:  📩 Don’t forget to subscribe to the ROPESCAST for more stories of peace, dialogue, and impact across the Middle East.

    50 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The hosts of ROPESCAST Ksenia Svetlova and Ibrahim Abu-Ahmad and invite you to join the only podcast in the Middle East that discusses peacebuilding, the regional vision and the cooperation between the countries in the Middle East, as well as politics, economics, culture and social issues. Whether the topic is the future of the Abraham Accords, the Saudi - Syrian rapprochement or Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding, ROPESCAST podcast offers the most original and interesting views and voices of opinion-makers, activists and scholars of the region.

Information

  • Creator
    ROPES
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © ROPES
  • Show Website
    ROPESCAST

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