Alex Vatanka

In this engaging discussion, Alex Vatanka, founding director of the Iran program at the Middle East Institute, unravels the complex leadership of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He delves into Khamenei's surprising rise to power and his alliance with the Revolutionary Guards. The podcast explores how Khamenei's policies shape Iran's anti-Western stance and his support for militant groups. Vatanka even examines the ripple effects of Khamenei's potential assassination, questioning the future of governance in Iran and its geopolitical ramifications.

Topics discussed include Biden's State of the Union address, Iran's elections and protests, Bosnia's pipeline feud, and NATO welcoming Sweden as a member. Highlighting political tensions, power struggles, ethnic divisions, and shifting alliances in the global landscape.

Alex Vatanka, analyst of Iranian politics, and Alan Eyre, retired U.S. diplomat with decades negotiating Iran, discuss Iran's January 2026 mass protests. They cover why markets and bazaars joined the unrest. They assess Tehran's limited options, risks of foreign strikes, elite fractures, and how unrest could reshape regional dynamics.

In this discussion, Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow and expert on Iranian politics, shares insights on Ayatollah Khamenei’s unexpected rise from a reluctant leader to Iran's supreme authority. He explores Khamenei's crucial role in shaping Iran's anti-Western stance and its complex power dynamics involving the Revolutionary Guard. Vatanka also analyzes Iran's nuclear ambitions and the implications of Khamenei's potential demise, suggesting that his departure could either destabilize or reinforce the regime. A riveting look at the man behind the curtain of Iranian politics!

Dan Williams, a Bloomberg News reporter in Jerusalem, shares on-the-ground insights regarding escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. Alex Vatanka, a Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute, discusses the socio-economic hardships faced by Iranians under oppressive governance. John Erath, Senior Policy Director for the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, highlights nuclear proliferation concerns, emphasizing the complexities surrounding Iran's nuclear ambitions amidst military actions. Together, they paint a vivid picture of the human and geopolitical stakes in this fraught region.