Episodios

  • Did the Iranian Revolution Succeed? And Can It Survive? with Ray Takeyh

    Did the Iranian Revolution Succeed? And Can It Survive? with Ray Takeyh
    Mar 12 2026
    Ray Takeyh, senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of The Last Shah: America, Iran, and the Fall of the Pahlavi Dynasty, joins the show to talk about the origins, evolution, and possible future of the Islamic Republic of Iran. What forces produced the 1979 revolution, and how did it reshape Iran’s political and religious order? What are the psychological and sociological impacts of this revolution? How have the regime’s leaders interpreted and sustained the revolutionary project, and what have the major challenges been? As Iran enters a new and uncertain phase under Mojtaba Khamenei, can the Islamic Republic endure, or is there a potential for future revolution in Iran? ▪️ Times 02:07 Living through the Islamic Revolution 04:12 A diverse Iran 05:50 How did the revolution succeed? 14:06 Khomeini & Khamenei 20:46 Too cautious 22:35 Dynastic succession 34:00 Iran vs. Venezuela 38:35 Regime resiliency 44:30 Beginning of the end 50:14 Threshold states Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack
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    56 m
  • How the War in Iran Actually Works with Mark Montgomery

    How the War in Iran Actually Works with Mark Montgomery
    Mar 9 2026
    Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at FDD and retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, joins the show to provide in-depth analysis of the Iran conflict. Mark gives his thoughts on naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz, including their strategic implications for the progress of the war. He also discusses drone warfare, missile defense, and the broader geopolitical context. Mark also explains how Ukraine and Russia are playing growing parts in the war. ▪️ Times 02:30 A constant menace 07:34 Radar and THAAD 11:06 Hormuz 20:26 Real deterrence 31:36 Russian targeting 38:38 Conservation of resources 46:03 Life at sea Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack
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    50 m
  • General Frank McKenzie on the War in Iran

    General Frank McKenzie on the War in Iran
    Mar 6 2026
    General Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie Jr, USMC (ret.), commanded US Central Command from 2019-2022. Gen. McKenzie led a distinguished 42 year career in the US Marine Corps, commanding at multiple levels and serving on the Joint Staff. In this in-depth conversation, General McKenzie shares his insights on the recent U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, strategic mistakes by Iran, and the prospects for regime change. He gives a full breakdown of Iran's military capabilities, regional dynamics, and possible future scenarios. ▪️ Times 03:45 Iranian response 07:40 Ballistic missiles 19:06 Defeating drones 22:20 Soleimani 30:31 Iranian miscalculation 32:48 War was never inevitable 36:18 Outcomes Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack
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    41 m
  • Ep 281: Fred Kagan on the Iran War, Drone Defense, and the Future of the Middle East

    Ep 281: Fred Kagan on the Iran War, Drone Defense, and the Future of the Middle East
    Mar 3 2026
    Fred Kagan, senior fellow and director of the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, joins the show to discuss the war, what Ukraine can do to help the Gulf with drone defense, and the future of the Islamic Republic. ▪️ 01:51 Updates 03:29 Iranian strikes 09:15 Munitions crisis 14:28 Innovation 18:45 Isolated and weak 25:12 Arming the opposition 30:55 A dangerous game 36:22 10/7 40:21 Turkey Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack
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    45 m
  • Ep 280: Mike Doran on the Iran War

    Ep 280: Mike Doran on the Iran War
    Mar 2 2026
    Mike Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute, joins the show to bring us the latest breakdown on the war and how long this may go on. ▪️ Times 01:52 Where are things going? 05:45 Rational strikes 09:56 A weakened positioned 16:33 Lasting change 20:13 What comes next? 26:40 Regional war 30:28 Integration 38:30 The Decider 47:32 Futures Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack
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    50 m
  • Ep 279: Mark Dubowitz on U.S.-Israel War with Iran

    Ep 279: Mark Dubowitz on U.S.-Israel War with Iran
    Feb 28 2026
    Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to bring us up to speed on the rapidly developing full-scale conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran. ▪️ Times 01:19 Iranian leaders targeted 04:48 10/7 roots 07:39 Ambitious war aims 12:41 Scope 15:59 Regime change 20:11 Iranian response 23:42 Playing with fire 28:13 Partnership Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack
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    32 m
  • Ep 278: Yossi Cohen on The Mossad

    Ep 278: Yossi Cohen on The Mossad
    Feb 27 2026
    Yossi Cohen, served as the director of the Mossad from 2016 until 2021 and is the author of The Sword of Freedom: Israel, Mossad, and the Secret War. As director, he personally orchestrated some of the Mossad’s most daring operations, such as the seizure of the Iranian nuclear archives—the exposure of which was among the main factors behind the United States’ withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal—and clandestine activity all over the world. ▪️ Times 01:27 Joining the Mossad 16:02 Serving behind the lines 26:31 Recruitment 32:45 HUMINT 39:50 Deciding to strike 44:36 Iran 49:51 Moral conflicts Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack
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    51 m
  • Ep 277: Behnam Ben Taleblu—Will There Be a War with Iran?

    Ep 277: Behnam Ben Taleblu—Will There Be a War with Iran?
    Feb 23 2026
    Behnam Ben Taleblu, Senior Director (Iran Program) and Senior Fellow at FDD, joins the show to talk about the build-up of American military power in the Middle East and what it might mean for Iran and the Iranian regime. ▪️ Times 02:04 U.S. build-up 05:46 Timing 11:08 “Decisive and different” 24:41 Iranian retaliation 30:03 Targets 35:25 Ideology of the Supreme Leader 41:36 A Trump JCPOA 45:46 Regime change by air Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack
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    50 m