Turkey's Democracy Under Dire Threat

Atomic Cafe: Why Trump Is So Fixated On Iran’s Nuclear Program (S01)

Wednesday, June 24, 2026, Istanbul Donald Trump keeps making claims about Iran’s agreement to compromise on its nuclear program that Iran keeps swatting down. To make matters worse, even war hawks and neocons in Washington keep noting that he has actually achieved little in negotiations. Making matters even worse is the possibility that Iran has abandoned any pretense of adhering to its nuclear obligations and already launched its own Manhattan Project to fast-track a nuclear weapon. In today’s podcast, I break down the nuclear issue and assess both the politics and the science behind the headlines. I also speak to India’s NewsX World about the nuclear issue. badlands is a listener-supported podcast. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borzou.substack.com/subscribe [https://borzou.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Deconstructing The Scheme To Sabotage Iran Diplomacy (S01)

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit borzou.substack.com [https://borzou.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_7] (Photo: AI-generated image posted online to intimidate Trita Parsi).) Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Istanbul Trita Parsi has been among the most measured and well-informed experts on Iran and the Middle East in the public eye. Yet for years, he’s been targeted by nefarious and well-funded forces seeking to paint him as an asset of the Islamic Republic, where he would be arrested on national security charges. In today’s powerful and jam-packed edition of the badlands podcast, Trita, author of the excellent book Treacherous Alliance [https://www.amazon.com/Treacherous-Alliance-Secret-Dealings-Israel/dp/0300143117], joins me for an extraordinary and revealing interview. He discusses the attempt by Israeli operative Bari Weiss to spark a deportation drive against him, his confrontations with members of the Iranian-American community, and his continued access to the halls of power despite attempts to silence him. Also on today’s episode, I discuss the latest, including: * Positive signs coming from Washington and Tehran * Lindsay Graham’s attempts to gin up another round of war * The continued clashes in Lebanon, and how they could undermine the whole deal I also answer questions about the state of Donald Trump’s mental health, the ongoing discussions between the US and Iran, the impact of the oil sanctions waivers, and the growing tension in the US over support for Israel in an interview with India’s NewsX World host Asuma Kataoka. badlands is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

US-Iran Talks Balk Over Lebanon, Trump Threats

Monday, June 22, 2026, Istanbul Iran and the US talks get underway in Switzerland, but almost immediately fall apart. The Iranian delegation stood up JD Vance just as he was waiting for his photo op! In today’s podcast I discuss why I believe the talks will continue in fits and starts over the coming weeks despite the initial hiccups. Plus, comedian Tim Dillon hilariously describes Iran as a poorly behaving teenaged girl who gets the upper hand over her boomer mom. I also join Express 24/7’s Fahd Hassan in a discussion about the role the Lebanon conflict will play in the talks, and whether the diplomats involved can overcome the differing positions. And, in an interview with India’s NewxX World, I discuss the fragmentation of the Gulf States as a result of the war, and whether the US can overcome Israel’s spoiler role. Please listen or watch, share, and subscribe! hey, be cool and consider becoming a paid subscriber to support my work and allow me to do even more for you. if i get enough paid subscribers i’ll be to provide more commentary and reporting and improve production quality. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borzou.substack.com/subscribe [https://borzou.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

America Unleashed: Why the US Can’t Kick Its Addiction To Empire

Friday, June 12, 2026, Istanbul It’s not just Iran. The US is kicking up chaos in a wide swath of the world, including in Latin America, where it has toppled the government in Venezuela, besieged the nation of Cuba, meddled in Columbian elections, and harassed the president of Mexico. Foreign policy analyst Dan DePetris [https://substack.com/profile/561449-dan-depetris], of Defense Priorities [https://www.defensepriorities.org/], joins me in a discussion as to whether those advocates of restraint in Washington are winning or losing ground in an effort to reign back a US seemingly hellbent on maintaining the trappings of empire. DePetris and I discuss events in Iran, as well as Latin America, which is his focus. Please listen or watch, share, comment, and subscribe. badlands is a reader-supported podcast and newsleter. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borzou.substack.com/subscribe [https://borzou.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Sipping Neocon Tears: Warmongers Rage Over Iran Deal

Thursday, June 18, 2026, Istanbul Next week we could be in a war again, with Donald Trump bombing the s**t out of Iran and Iran destroying the Gulf’s energy infrastructure. But this week, we are drinking neocon tears, as warmongers crash out over the memorandum of understanding signed between Iran and the US and upcoming negotiations to hammer out a durable deal. In today’s podcast, I savor some of the meltdowns and turnabouts, specifically from famed neocon John Podhoretz, who once said Trump could say any antisemitic slur he wanted so long as he bombed Iran. I also go to into detail about the Iran memorandum and its implications in an interview with NewsX World. badlands is a listener-supported podcast. To receive new content and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borzou.substack.com/subscribe [https://borzou.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]