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Artwork for The East is a Podcast

The East is a Podcast

Sina Rahmani (@urorientalist)
Gaza
Palestine
Israel
Iran
Zionism
United States
Colonialism
Palestinian Resistance
Hezbollah
Settler Colonialism
Hamas
Imperialism
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Lebanon
Syria
Palestinian Liberation
Islam
Yemen
Genocide
October 7th

A critical lens on the history of the present on West Asia and North Africa. Interviews with experts and archival mashups. Created by Sina Rahmani (twitter: @urorientalist)

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes597Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsReligion & SpiritualityIslamPolitics

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Artwork for The East is a Podcast

Latest Episodes

**This episode ends abruptly when Sara's internet connection cut off suddenly! We picked up the conversation as best as we could the next day. Part 2 will be available to Patrons (soonish) and on YouTube**

Tehran-based Sara discusses some of her ex... more

Days of Rage: The Young Palestinians is a documentary film produced by Jo Franklin-Trout about Palestinian views on the Israeli occupation, first aired on PBS in 1989

"Days of Rage takes an inside look at the Palestinian intifada, which began in la... more

***Thank you to everyone who signed up and helped make this episode free. I appreciate the support***

Mujamma Haraket returns to the show for an overview of the complex relationship between Iran and Hamas, and the Palestinian resistance.

Check ou... more

**I was once again forcibly conscripted into another edition of Iran vs. Epstein Empire. This is about 60% of the episode. You can listen to the entire episode if you become an EIAP Patreon or watch the livestream edition here**

"Have the tables tu... more

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Recent Guests

Mubarak Awad
Civil rights activist discussed in segment
Center for Nonviolence (nonviolence advocacy)
Episode: "Days of Rage: The Young Palestinians" (1987)
Mujamma Haraket
Archivist/writer focusing on resistance movements; storyteller
Resistance Tales / Mujamma Haraket
Episode: Not a proxy: Iran and the Palestinian resistance w/ Mujamma Haraket (FULL EPISODE)
Navid Zarinal
Historian and journalist in Tehran
Episode: Iran War Diary (Day 80): Get used to the "Regime"
Navid Farnia
A guest on the program, member of the Anti-Imperialist Scholars Collective
Episode: Iran vs. the Epstein Empire 16 w/RIF, Sina Rahmani and Navid Farnia
Ali Jezzinni
Producer at Al Mayadeen English; freelance journalist specializing in security, strategic and military affairs
Al Mayadeen English
Episode: A demise greatly exaggerated: The Party, South Lebanon, and FPV Drone warfare w/ Ali Jezzini
Arash Joblaghi
Guest with deep expertise on Iran's military doctrine and missiles
Episode: "Creative Destruction": Missiles and drones vs the US Empire w/ Arash Joblaghi
Ali Alizadeh
Journalist and streamer, host of Jadal Persian
Jadal Persian
Episode: Tankie Group Therapy #38: F*** it, we'll do it live!
Aman Ullah Tariq
Guest, commentator on South Asian geopolitics
Independent Analyst / Commentator
Episode: Playing the Middle Ground: Pakistan and US-Iran negotiations w/ Aman Ullah Tariq
Sara Larijani
Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Tehran researching history of colonialism and imperialism in Iran
University of Tehran
Episode: "War, War until Victory!": Iran resists ZioAmerican aggression w/ Sara Larijani and Taha Zeinali

Hosts

Sina Rahmani
Host and geopolitical analyst with focus on Iran, West Asia, and imperial dynamics
Kumars Salehi
Co-host and guest with anti-imperialist/Marxist perspectives

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 815 ratings
  • *Note to Sina, re: listeners' attention spans - My odds of listening all the way through go WAY up when the recording is available as a downloadable podcast as opposed to just on YouTube. Thank you!

    Really enlightening discussions you don't find many other places. I always learn a lot. But more importantly, this podcast has hands down the best intro and outro music of anything I subscribe to (Please never change it).

    Podcast Addict
    5
    always.listening
    4 months ago
  • «Educated perverts»

    Love most things about this pod except the way Sina pronounces Khan Younis like it’s a french suburb. Keep it up guys 👍

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mr Kliin
    Norway7 months ago
  • Alternative media is critical to our understanding

    At a time dominated by Western imperialism and colonialism, citizens need to understand the impact of the old oligarchs and corporate elites. The podcasters are a diverse knowledgeable well educated bunch that immerse us with opposing perspectives to help us understand and resist oppressive regimes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    k_mattar
    Canada8 months ago
  • On the ground reports of the perverted system of capitalist injustice which leaves working, poor people without adequate housing, health care, nutritious food, childcare, livable wages, human dignity and, above all, the power to control their communities and control the workplace for the good of the workers. All Solidarity with the Working Class! ¡El Pueblo Unido Jamás Será Vencido!

    Podcast Addict
    4
    Harold N.
    9 months ago
  • The East is the bestcast

    Literally one of the best podcasts on the air. Simultaneously devastating and uplifting. Tankie Therapy has been a source of hope in these bleakest of times.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Max Paower
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the depth and breadth of guest expertise and the provocative, anti-imperialist framing.
A subset criticizes perceived bias or polemical tone but still values challenging mainstream narratives.
Many appreciate the nuanced on-the-ground reporting and historical context offered by a diverse set of guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#122
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#163
New Zealand/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#248
India/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Playing the Middle Ground: Pakistan and US-Iran negotiations w/ Aman Ullah Tariq
Q: Can you explain the origins and implications of the defense pact with Saudi Arabia and how realistic it is for Pakistan to wage war on Iran if asked?
The guest argues that while Pakistan often presents itself as a regional power willing to back its Gulf partners, the reality is more nuanced; domestic political and public resistance would likely halt any major military commitment, and the pact is as much about signaling power as about actual confrontation planning.
Playing the Middle Ground: Pakistan and US-Iran negotiations w/ Aman Ullah Tariq
Q: What is your view from Karachi about how Pakistan is handling this moment of negotiations and alignments?
The guest emphasizes Pakistan's long-standing practice of hedging and balancing, arguing that Islamabad has historically tried to maintain influence by engaging with multiple powers, while also recognizing the limits of its autonomy within the Western-led security framework.
Who Paid the Pipers of Western Marxism?
Q: What do you think, generally, that they did well? What do you think they are falling behind?
The movement has seen significant radicalization and political engagement due to moral outrage at the conditions faced by the Palestinian people, triggering recognition of their broader struggle against imperialism. However, there's a need to transition from mobilizing individuals to establishing lasting organizational structures that ensure continuity and effective political education, connecting local movements to a global anti-imperialist framework.
"We are simply people who love life": Voices from the Gaza holocaust
Q: What are the main challenges of being an online language teacher from Gaza?
The life in Gaza is very hard. There is no electricity, and the Internet is very weak.
"We are simply people who love life": Voices from the Gaza holocaust
Q: Can you also tell us how many times have you been displaced in the past two years?
We have been displaced more than ten times, from North to South.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The East is a Podcast

What is The East is a Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A critical-tilt show examining West Asia and North Africa through geopolitical, historical, and anti-imperialist lenses. Episodes routinely explore sanctions, regime resilience, drones and modern warfare, media narratives, and the shifting balance of power among Iran, the United States, Israel, Gulf states, and regional actors. Guests range from on-the-ground reporters to scholars and journalists offering deep context on sovereignty, resistance, and decolonization, often weaving in fundraising or solidarity drives for Gaza and Lebanon. The format tends to be bold, polemical, and ideologically driven, with a strong emphasis on alternative perspectives and critical media critique that challenges mainstream narratives. A standout trait is the ... more

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1. Guerrilla History
2. The Red Nation Podcast
3. Upstream
4. Makdisi Street
5. Geopolitical Economy Report

How many episodes of The East is a Podcast are there?

The East is a Podcast launched 8 years ago and published 597 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The East is a Podcast?

Recent guests on The East is a Podcast include:

1. Mubarak Awad
2. Mujamma Haraket
3. Navid Zarinal
4. Navid Farnia
5. Ali Jezzinni
6. Arash Joblaghi
7. Ali Alizadeh
8. Aman Ullah Tariq

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