The Take Another Take: What is Iran’s right to resist regime change?
Dec 27, 2025
Hamid Dabashi, a Professor of Iranian Studies at Columbia University, dives into the complex dynamics of Iran's resistance to external pressures. He critiques Israel's claims of 'liberating' Iran, emphasizing that true liberation must come from the Iranian people themselves. Dabashi discusses how foreign threats can bolster national unity and exposes the risks of foreign involvement in Iranian uprisings. He warns of cultural losses and stresses the significance of Iran's poetic heritage amidst geopolitical tensions.
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Childhood Memory Of 1953 Coup
- Hamid Dabashi recounts childhood memories tied to the 1953 CIA-MI6 coup that shaped his generation's trauma.
- He describes vivid scenes of trucks, chants, and his mother's reaction that made the event emotionally persistent.
Claim: No Evidence Iran Has A Bomb
- Dabashi argues there is no evidence Iran is actively weaponizing nukes while under international supervision.
- He contrasts Iran's oversight with Israel's unaccountable nuclear arsenal and media-driven fear narratives.
Threat Narratives Serve Geopolitical Aims
- Dabashi contends Israel and Western media manufacture threats to justify intervention.
- He links repeated warnings about Iran's nukes to a wider ecosystem that omits accountability for nuclear-armed states.