TRASHFUTURE

Full-Spectrum Puppet Warfare feat. Séamus Malekafzali

Jan 13, 2026
Séamus Malekafzali, a keen observer of geopolitics and Middle East affairs, joins to discuss pressing issues surrounding Iran. He delves into the dynamics of recent protests, tracing their evolution from economic grievances to mass demonstrations. The conversation highlights the influence of Reza Pahlavi and the challenges of disorganization amid violent repression. They critique European hypocrisy in addressing human rights while benefiting from oligarch money, underscoring the complexities of alliances and the societal fallout from sanctions and mismanagement.
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INSIGHT

Power Concentration And Fragile Consequences

  • Modern geopolitics centers on a tiny number of individuals whose choices can drastically reshape global events.
  • Riley argues this concentration makes occasionally trivial acts (like a stunt) potentially world-altering.
INSIGHT

Europe As A Museum Of Diplomacy

  • European institutions and publications perform as a museum for old diplomatic styles and ideological aesthetics.
  • Riley says this museum-like posture coexists with real-world power and extractive ties to former colonies.
ANECDOTE

Instant MEK Recognition

  • Séamus said he can often tell MEK presence by visual cues like banner color and poor English.
  • He used that instinct to interpret a Los Angeles U-Haul incident as likely MEK-related.
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