Assal Rad

Assal Rad, a scholar of Middle East history and author of State of Resistance, dives into the escalating tensions between the U.S., Iran, and Israel. She untangles the complexities of U.S. foreign policy and the precarious military strategies at play. The discussion highlights the fragility of international law amid aggressive tactics and challenges the efficacy of regime change in Iran. With rising global power rivalries in the backdrop, Rad questions whether we're witnessing a shift away from diplomacy toward unchecked power politics, with dire implications for regional stability.

Dr. Assal Rad, a scholar specializing in Middle East history and U.S. foreign policy, discusses the complexities of Iran's geopolitical landscape. He critiques Western narratives framing Iran as a national security threat, shedding light on historical events like the 1953 coup. Rad emphasizes the moral dilemmas of using human rights as a pretext for military interventions and unpacks the 'axis of resistance' involving groups like Hezbollah. He also examines the contrasting approaches of the Trump and Biden administrations towards Iran, highlighting the implications for U.S.-Iran relations.

Asal Rad, a historian and fellow at the Arab Center in Washington, D.C., dives into the evolving narrative surrounding media coverage of Gaza. She critiques the reluctance of Western outlets to label actions as genocide, emphasizing how misleading headlines obscure accountability. Discussing the impact of social media and the role of Palestinian journalists, Rad stresses the importance of diversifying news sources. She illustrates how vague language perpetuates false equivalences and how the deaths of journalists further hinder transparent reporting.