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The Iran Breakdown with Mark Dubowitz

FDD
Iran
Israel
United States
Islamic Republic Of Iran
Hezbollah
Hamas
Nuclear Weapons
Middle East
12-Day War
U.s.-Israel Relations
Women Life Freedom Movement
Trump Administration
US Foreign Policy
Nuclear Program
JCPOA
FDD
Human Rights Violations
Terrorism
Iran International
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

Welcome to The Iran Breakdown. Hosted by Mark Dubowitz, this show from FDD is here to guide you through one of the most critical geopolitical and human rights challenges facing the world today.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has been a central player in global headlines for decades: its pursuit of nuclear weapons, development of a massive missile and drove arsenal, funding of terror groups like Hez... more

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Latest Episodes

For decades, Washington and Jerusalem worried about Iran dominating the Middle East. But as the Islamic Republic weakens, is Erdogan’s Turkey positioning itself to become the region’s next great revisionist power?

Mark Dubowitz is joined by two Turk... more

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In this episode of The Iran Breakdown, Mark Dubowitz sits down with FDD’s Rich Goldberg for a wide-ranging discussion on Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, global energy markets and America’s growing energy dominance.

Rich leads FDD’s Energy and National S... more

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What makes the Islamic Republic of Iran different from a conventional regime seeking security, prosperity, and survival? Its ideological DNA fuses Maoist revolutionary thought, Frantz Fanon’s vision of anticolonial struggle and redemptive violence—ch... more

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The next battlefield isn’t in the sky or at sea—it’s underground.

The Islamic Republic, together with Hamas and Hezbollah, spent decades building a subterranean fortress: hundreds of miles of terror tunnels beneath Gaza and Lebanon, and deeply burie... more

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Recent Guests

Yadin Soffer
Co-founder and CEO of Tracer
Tracer
Episode: Subterranean Warfare: Can Pickaxe Mountain Be Destroyed? (feat. Yadin Soffer)
Andrea Stricker
Nuclear nonproliferation expert
Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD)
Episode: Pickaxe Mountain: Iran’s “Unbustable” Nuclear Bunker? (feat. Andrea Stricker)
Carine Hajjar
Opinion journalist at The Washington Post
The Washington Post
Episode: Lebanon: More than "a Piece of the Puzzle" (feat. Carine Hajjar)
Medhi Parpanchi
Persian-language journalist and editor with experience at BBC Persian, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Iran International TV
Iran International TV; former BBC Persian; Radio Farda
Episode: What Iranians Think About the US-Iran Deal (feat. Medhi Parpanchi)
Robert Greenway
American National Security Expert, former US Army Special Forces officer and NSC official
American Global Strategies / Heritage Foundation (as described)
Episode: Breaking Down the US-Iran MOU (feat. Robert Greenway)
Marc Thiessen
Washington Post columnist, Fox News contributor, AEI fellow
The Washington Post; American Enterprise Institute
Episode: What Does Winning In Iran Look Like? (feat. Marc Thiessen)
Rich Goldberg
Senior Advisor at FDD; runs the Energy and National Security Project
Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD)
Episode: Strait Victory: Bypassing Iran's Hormuz Chokepoint (feat. Richard Goldberg)
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin
Co-author of Stolen Revolution, Betrayal and Hope in Modern Iran
Co-author; Journalist
Episode: Stolen Revolution: Behind Iran's Protest Movements (feat. Bozorgmehr Sharafedin)
Richard Goldberg
Senior adviser, FDD; senior director for energy economics and security program
Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD)
Episode: The Iran Deal - What Trump Got, What Iran Got, and What Comes Next (feat. Richard Goldberg)

Host

Mark Dubowitz
Host of The Iran Breakdown, Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD)

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 185 ratings
  • Exceptional

    Absolutely essential podcast. Very informative and intelligent

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Petco3
    United States16 days ago
  • Awesome podcast

    This is one of my 2 favourite podcasts on the Iran War. Mark is such an insightful commentator with best speaking voice and his guest commentators are fabulous especially Rich Goldberg

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kslewis55
    Australia2 months ago
  • Great accurate information

    Appreciate the outstanding information and accurate data about this conflict. Appreciate the effort in discussing a complex and important foreign policy issue.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TomB333@
    United States2 months ago
  • Right to the point

    Thank you Mark. I am impressed how you n your guest are aware of Iran n it’s situation.

    We all Iranians got sick of fake news n propaganda.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sepideh2019
    United States3 months ago
  • Aaron MacLean is great!

    Awesome Episode with Aaron MacLean. Great to hear him answering questions and his thoughts on the war. He is such a jewel and someone that really gives hope for America and her allies.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ErBG2
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Insightful analysis that cuts through noise with credible guests.
High-quality policy-focused episodes on Iran and regional security.
Shows tangible impact on understanding complex geopolitical dynamics.
Guests bring deep expertise on energy, sanctions, and diplomacy.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Pickaxe Mountain: Iran’s “Unbustable” Nuclear Bunker? (feat. Andrea Stricker)
Q: What are the main options discussed for addressing Pickaxe Mountain, and which are considered viable?
Options include targeted air strikes on tunnel entrances, deep-strike penetrators to disrupt underground access, sealing entrances to deny access, possible ground raids under high risk, and more controversial notions like a tactical nuclear or chemical measure; among these, three are viewed as more viable with significant caveats about effectiveness and escalation risk.
Pickaxe Mountain: Iran’s “Unbustable” Nuclear Bunker? (feat. Andrea Stricker)
Q: What has been the impact of past Israeli and US strikes on Iran's nuclear capabilities?
The strikes have degraded Iran's weaponization capabilities, destroyed or damaged a large portion of its enrichment and conversion infrastructure, and disrupted the supply of weapons-usable materials, though some remnants and advanced centrifuges could potentially be recovered, delaying but not eliminating a future reconstitution.
Pickaxe Mountain: Iran’s “Unbustable” Nuclear Bunker? (feat. Andrea Stricker)
Q: Why is Pickaxe Mountain considered a critical site for Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions?
Because it is envisioned as a deeply buried complex capable of housing enrichment, weaponization work, and related activities, potentially making it harder to detect and destroy, and thus representing a long-term pathway to a nuclear breakout if reconstituted.
Lebanon: More than "a Piece of the Puzzle" (feat. Carine Hajjar)
Q: Carine, you had a piece in the Washington Post just recently on Lebanon, and I want you to explain the main thesis of that piece, especially in response to President Trump's comment that Lebanon is a small piece of the puzzle.
The piece argues that Lebanon is central to Iran's strategy and to the region's security dynamics, not a minor component; the U.S. and regional actors must address Lebanon's sovereignty and Hezbollah's armed status as part of any broader framework with Tehran.
The Iran Deal - What Trump Got, What Iran Got, and What Comes Next (feat. Richard Goldberg)
Q: What is exactly in this deal?
Rich explains that, based on background briefings, the initial phase aims to open the Strait of Hormuz with conditions like no military threat, the removal of mines, and a controlled oil flow, while keeping the broader sanctions framework and a potential escrow-like mechanism to manage funds; the exact language is still under wraps but the framework centers on phased concessions and verifiable steps.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Iran Breakdown

What is The Iran Breakdown about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A policy-focused geopolitics podcast that examines Iran, its nuclear program, regional influence, and the broader Middle East through expert analysis and timely diplomacy-driven debate. Episodes frequently feature policy wonks, former officials, and regional specialists who dissect sanctions, deterrence, diplomacy, and energy security, often connecting Iran's internal dynamics to global markets and alliance structures. Notably, the show blends historical context with forward-looking strategy, including discusses of scenario planning, counterfactuals, and practical policy options for governments and allies. It's probably especially compelling for listeners who want sharp, data-informed takes on Iran, US strategy, and the Gulf region, with a ... more

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1. FDD Morning Brief
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3. Call Me Back - with Dan Senor
4. Ask Haviv Anything
5. Ark News Daily

How many episodes of The Iran Breakdown are there?

The Iran Breakdown launched 2 years ago and published 67 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 Iran Breakdown?

Recent guests on The Iran Breakdown include:

1. Yadin Soffer
2. Andrea Stricker
3. Carine Hajjar
4. Medhi Parpanchi
5. Robert Greenway
6. Marc Thiessen
7. Rich Goldberg
8. Bozorgmehr Sharafedin

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