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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. MAR 5

    The Kurdish Front: Arming the Resistance and the Vision for a Free Iran

    In this episode of the Ropescast we explore the current military turning point by analyzing reports of massive Israeli "softening" strikes against Iranian regime targets along the Iraqi border, which are reportedly designed to facilitate the entry of Kurdish militias. The conversation also examines the high-stakes possibility of the US administration directly arming Kurdish forces to dismantle regime control in western Iran. Finally, we delve into the "Kurdish Dream" by looking at the realistic prospects for Kurdish self-rule and independence within the framework of a liberated, democratic Iran, as our guest Suzan Quitaz offers a nuanced look at whether these events signify the beginning of the end for the regime. Chapters: 00:00 Arming Kurdish Forces Against the Iranian Regime 01:31 Kurdish Reactions to the U.S. Plan 03:57 Can Kurds Trust the United States? 08:42 Kurdish Life Under the Iranian Regime 13:22 Kurdish Militias Preparing to Fight 17:20 Kurdish Female Fighters: Their Unique Role 23:21 Can Armed Protestors Win Against the Iranian Regime? 🌐 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.

    43 min

  7. FEB 23

    The Tehran Calculus: How, When, and If - with ex-Mossad official Sima Shine

    Is a direct war with Iran inevitable, and what happens the day after the first strike? In this episode of the ROPESCAST, we sit down with Sima Shine, former senior Mossad official and leading Iran expert at the INSS institute, to cut through the rhetoric and look at the hard calculus of a regional conflict. We break down the realistic scenarios of an escalation, analyze the current risk appetite in Washington, Jerusalem, and Tehran, and examine how a war would fundamentally redraw the Middle East’s security architecture. A sober, intelligence-driven look at the interests, the risks, and the timeline. Chapters: 0:38 – Who Is Simma Shine? 1:10 – Is War With Iran Really Imminent? 2:28 – Massive U.S. Military Buildup: What Does It Mean? 4:02 – Inside the U.S.–Iran Negotiation Gap 8:04 – The Regional & Domestic Pressures on Trump’s Decision 14:11 – Understanding Iran’s Mindset 19:04 – Iran’s Internal Crisis: Economy, Protests & Regime Fragility 27:16 – Would a Deal With Trump Endanger the Regime?🌐 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.

    52 min

  8. FEB 20

    Beyond the Cold Peace: Navigating Regional Security with Ambassador Dr. Abderhaman Salaheldin

    In the latest episode of ROPESCAST, we are joined by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Abderahman Salaheldin, a distinguished Egyptian diplomat and former Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs. This conversation provides an in-depth analysis of the current state of Israel-Egypt relations and the dynamics of the war in Gaza, while also revisiting the visionary goal of an encompassing regional peace once championed by President Sadat. We explore how the Abraham Accords are reshaping diplomatic corridors and discuss the long-term prospects for a truly integrated Middle East. This episode offers a masterclass in regional diplomacy, exploring whether a warm and sustainable partnership can finally be realized for the next generation of leaders. Chapters: 00:00 — Opening the Conversation: Why Peace Work Still Matters 00:40 — Ambassador Salahaddin: From Diplomacy to Free Thought 07:01 — Did Traditional Diplomacy Fail the Region? 10:11 — The Egypt–Israel Peace Model: A Blueprint for the Future 16:45 — What a Stable, Secure Gaza Should Look Like 22:00 — Why Egypt Rejects Any Attempt to Push Gazans Into Sinai 33:52 — The Only Path Forward: Governance, Security, and Political Horizon 🌐 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.

    1h 1m
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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
    47
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © ROPES
  • Show Website
    ROPESCAST

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