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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 weeklyEpisodes610Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsIslamNewsReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for The East is a Podcast

Latest Episodes

[Note: This conversation continued for another 30 mins or so. You can listen to the entire episode by becoming a Patron or watch the episode on our YouTube channel linked below]

Ammar Ali Jan is a Pakistani political activist, academic, and author... more

***Producer's note: The guest host of this special episode recorded this during the weird 48-hour period where my YouTube channel was banned. It's unbanned now (at least as of today!). Unfortunately, the video recording of this episode got mangled, s... more

***The first half of an extra-long conversation I had with Adnan Husain on this channel. Check out the full episode on either of your channels or listen to the full audio on my Patreon!***

Join us for a special impromptu edition of Office Hours Sun... more

Some of you may know that around 48 hours ago, I received notice from YouTube that they were closing my account for violating their policy on "Violent Criminal Organizations." I appealed the ruling, and it was rejected. After a massive online campaig... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Adnan Husain
Guest, academic and commentator
Episode: The (un)banning of The East is a Podcast w/ Jay Ware and Adnan Husain
Kit Klarenberg
Guest with a beat on Western imperialism and intelligence histories
Independent researcher
Episode: The revenge of history w/ Kit Klarenberg and Alexander Mckay
Alexander Mckay
Guest commentator on UK politics and geopolitics
The East is a Podcast team
Episode: The revenge of history w/ Kit Klarenberg and Alexander Mckay
Navid Farnia
Guest brought into discussion
The East is a Podcast / Guest analyst
Episode: AISC - A Montage of Destruction
Masha Kardashevskaya
Sakha Republic native; long-time friend of Sardana; researcher/educator involved in Arctic Indigenous issues
Independent researcher/academic (Sakha Republic)
Episode: In search of Arctic internationalism w/ Sardana Nikolaeva and Masha Kardashevskaya
Sardana Nikolaeva
Sakha Republic indigenous leader/academic with involvement in diamond industry reform and local education
Sakha Republic institutions / local governance
Episode: In search of Arctic internationalism w/ Sardana Nikolaeva and Masha Kardashevskaya
Sara in Tehran
Guest on episode exploring Iranian politics and diaspora perspectives
Episode: [Unlocked] People of Granite: Why Iran won't break (pt.2) w/ Sara in Tehran
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)

Hosts

Sina Rahmani
Host and producer with a focus on diaspora narratives, radical imagination, and media critique.
Jay
Co-host who collaborates with Sina, contributing interview facilitation and critical perspectives.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 827 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
    7 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
    Norway10 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
    Canadaa year 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.
    a year 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 States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the depth and diversity of guests and the ability to connect historical context to current events.
Audience often highlights the quality of guests and expert analysis as a standout feature.
Fans appreciate rigor and willingness to challenge mainstream narratives.
Critics note highly opinionated takes; some episodes attract polarizing reactions but engage a dedicated audience.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#160
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#224
Argentina/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#241
Denmark/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

In search of Arctic internationalism w/ Sardana Nikolaeva and Masha Kardashevskaya
Q: How do sanctions shape the lived realities of Arctic Indigenous communities in Russia and beyond?
They discuss both hardships and unexpected adaptations: sanctions enforce self-reliance and push collaboration with non-Western partners, while also limiting access to Western academic and cultural exchanges, prompting a reorientation toward regional and non-Western networks.
In search of Arctic internationalism w/ Sardana Nikolaeva and Masha Kardashevskaya
Q: What is the federation really about in terms of autonomy and indigenous rights within the Sakha Republic?
The guests describe a complex layering of republic status, regional autonomy, and local language and cultural policies, arguing that autonomy has been central to preserving indigenous education and local development, even as the broader federation grapples with economic reform.
People of Granite: Why Iran won't break (pt.1) w/ Sara in Tehran
Q: The source of the resilience.
Sara explains that resilience stems from a deep, multi-layered Iranian identity—historical, cultural, and national—combined with a collective memory of external pressures, which strengthens people to defend themselves and their communities.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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 hard-edged, analytically driven show that examines power, imperialism, and geopolitics in West Asia, North Africa, and related regions. Across recent episodes, discussions span Western media narratives, statecraft, diaspora perspectives, and regional resistance, with frequent critiques of liberal interventions, sanctions, and foreign policy. Guests range from historians and journalists to activists and researchers, offering on-the-ground insights and historical context to complex geopolitical events. The format often blends rigorous analysis with provocative storytelling, challenging mainstream narratives while highlighting solidarity with marginalized communities. Noteworthy is a consistent emphasis on anti-imperialist critique, deep-div... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The East is a Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The East is a Podcast:

1. Guerrilla History
2. The Red Nation Podcast
3. Red Menace
4. Rev Left Radio
5. Turbulence

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

The East is a Podcast launched 8 years ago and published 610 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. Adnan Husain
2. Kit Klarenberg
3. Alexander Mckay
4. Navid Farnia
5. Masha Kardashevskaya
6. Sardana Nikolaeva
7. Sara in Tehran
8. Mubarak Awad

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