The Rules of Engagement Podcast

Rules of Peace: Prof. Raphael Cohen-Almagor on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

How do you negotiate when "spoilers" are actively sabotaging the room? In this episode of Rules of Engagement, host David W. Huckins sits down with Professor Raphael Cohen-Almagor (DPhil, Oxford) to break down over 13 years of research into the structural failures of Middle East peace efforts. We dive into: * The Democratic Catch: Why unlimited liberty can undermine the systems that protect it. * The Superforecaster: The specific leadership traits required for high-stakes peace. * Track II Diplomacy: Why "deniable" channels often work better than official ones. Connect with the Guest:Find his books on his Amazon Author page:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Raphael-Cohen-Almagor/e/B001HPMUFU [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Raphael-Cohen-Almagor/e/B001HPMUFU] Additional Resources: * SSRN Research: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=293806 [https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=293806] * Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphael_Cohen-Almagor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphael_Cohen-Almagor]

Iran’s 2026 Uprising: Negotiating Freedom & The 10-Point Plan with Zolal Habibi

Zolal Habibi, member of the NCRI Foreign Affairs Committee, joins David Huckins on the Rules of Engagement Podcast to discuss the unvarnished truth about the resistance movement in Iran. In a time of extreme censorship and state-sponsored violence, Zolal explains the communication strategies being used on the ground to maintain a united front against tyranny. From the 1988 massacre to the current 2026 provisional government declaration, this episode explores the high-stakes leadership required to transition a nation toward a secular, democratic republic. Call to Action: Support the people of Iran by contacting your elected leaders and urging them to recognize the Iranian people's right to overthrow the regime and support the 10-Point Plan for a Free Iran. Timestamps: * 00:00:41 – Introduction: Communication when the stakes are at their highest. * 00:04:17 – The NCRI and the organized resistance strategy since 1981. * 00:07:03 – The Roadmap: A 6-month provisional government and free elections. * 00:10:20 – Deep Dive: Reading the 10-Point Plan for a Free Iran. * 00:16:23 – Human Rights: Abolishing the death penalty in a state of 120,000 executions. * 00:24:20 – The January 2026 Uprising: The Bazaar strike and student movement. * 00:33:40 – Why the Iranian youth reject both the Shah and the Mullahs. * 00:47:12 – Resistance Units: Communicating hope under a total internet blackout. * 01:06:31 – The "Body Ransom": Analyzing the regime’s tactics of cruelty. * 01:13:35 – Women in Leadership: Breaking glass ceilings to dismantle misogyny. * 01:23:06 – Advocacy: How to speak to your lawmakers about the "Third Option." Connect with Zolal Habibi & The Resistance: * Website: https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/ [https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IranNCR/ [https://www.facebook.com/IranNCR/] * X (Twitter): https://x.com/Ashrafi4ever [https://x.com/Ashrafi4ever] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ncriran [https://www.youtube.com/ncriran] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashrafi4ever/ [https://www.instagram.com/ashrafi4ever/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zolalhabibi/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zolalhabibi/] Watch and Subscribe to the Rules of Engagement Podcast to stay informed on high-stakes communication and leadership.

How to Master Hard Conversations & Close the Empathy Gap | Zander Keig

Show Overview Welcome to the flagship episode of Rulesof Engagement. In a world that feels increasingly polarized, we explore thevital skill of talking to each other respectfully—even when we diametricallydisagree. In this episode, Dave sits down with Xander Keig, aCoast Guard veteran, 2020 National Social Worker of the Year, and author.Xander shares his unique perspective on conflict analysis, his personal journeyas a trans man navigating the "empathy gap" in society, and practicaltools to move from reactive anger to thoughtful response. If you've everstruggled to navigate a difficult conversation online or in person, thisepisode is a masterclass in staying engaged without losing your cool. Support our Guest & Partners: * 👉Visit Xander Keig’s Website: ⁠www.zanderkeig.net⁠ [http://www.zanderkeig.net] * 👉Read "The Third Space": Buy direct from Zander! [https://www.zanderkeig.net/#books] and all major book retailers. * 👉Listen on Substack: ⁠The Third Space Podcast⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/2NOngmTEM1mhHvCqsC6FZT] & ⁠The Umbrella Hour⁠ [https://theumbrellahour.substack.com/] * 👉Connect on LinkedIn: ⁠Xander Keig⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/xander-keig-82559b12/] Join the Movement: The Rules of Engagement Podcastis about how we can disagree without being disagreeable. If you value civildiscourse and building bridges, hit that SUBSCRIBE button!