Coffee and a Mike Kevork Almassian #1294
Jan 18, 2026
Kevork Almassian, an award-winning journalist from Aleppo and host of Syriana Analysis, dives deep into the complexities of Middle East geopolitics. He discusses the escalating tensions surrounding Iran and critiques signals indicating regime change desires. Almassian highlights the broken rules-based international order and the real-life impacts on Palestinians amidst media narratives. He also contrasts the paths of regime change in Syria and Venezuela while underscoring the need for socio-economic reform across the region.
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Rhetoric Can Mask Diplomacy
- The U.S. may use escalatory rhetoric as leverage while pursuing backchannel diplomacy with Iran's elite.
- Iran's internet blackout and Starlink blocking signal internal control and international tech interference dynamics.
Platform Power Shapes Politics
- Elon Musk's actions on X (changing Iran's flag) reveal platform power to shape political narratives.
- Kevork warns this interferes with Iranian self-determination and signals foreign preference for specific opposition figures.
Upgrade Iran's Information Strategy
- Improve information warfare and PR to counter sophisticated Western psyops.
- Iran must modernize messaging to influence diaspora and domestic opinion effectively.