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The Iran Breakdown with Mark Dubowitz

FDD
Iran
Israel
Nuclear Weapons
Hezbollah
Hamas
Middle East
Islamic Republic Of Iran
United States
U.s.-Israel Relations
JCPOA
Iran Nuclear Deal
Human Rights
Trump Administration
Women Life Freedom Movement
Israel-Iran Conflict
Masih Alinejad
Women's Rights
US Foreign Policy
Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action
Iran Nuclear Policy

Welcome to the Iran Breakdown. Hosted by Mark Dubowitz, this miniseries 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, funding of terror groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and others; its opp... more

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Artwork for The Iran Breakdown

Latest Episodes

The U.S. and Israel again struck deep inside Iran. The Supreme Leader is dead. The region is on edge. The question is no longer whether this is war — but how long will it last and what will be the impact.

The conflict has now spread far beyond Tehra... more

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Bonus Episode of The Iran Breakdown: Mark Dubowitz joins FDD's Jonathan Schanzer and Rich Goldberg for a late night FDD SITREP following the death of Khamenei.

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In the early hours of February 28, the United States and Israel launched a coordinat... more

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The U.S. and Israel have conducted joint military action against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Dubbed "Operation Epic Fury" by Washington and "Lion's Roar" by Jerusalem, the strikes were launched on February 28 after nuclear negotiations with the reg... more

YouTube

How does Iran fit into the global ecosystem of terrorism — and why does the West struggle to see the full picture?

For decades, policymakers treated ISIS, al-Qaeda, and Iran’s proxy network as separate threats. But that's not reality. This is: They ... more

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Recent Guests

Eli Lake
Senior fellow, author, longtime analyst on Iran and the Middle East
The Free Press
Episode: Trump’s Iran Gamble: Operation Epic Fury and Death to the Dictator (feat. Eli Lake)
Edmund Fitton-Brown
Former British Ambassador to Yemen, veteran diplomat with deep experience in the Middle East and former coordinator of the UN team responsible for monitoring sanctions on ISIS, al-Qaeda, and the Taliban
Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD)
Episode: The Islamic Republic's Weaponization of Global Terror (feat. Edmund Fitton-Brown)
Norman Roule
Former senior US intelligence official with decades of experience at the CIA
Episode: The Widening Gulf Between Iran and the Gulf (Behnam Ben Taleblu feat. Norm Roule)
David Patrikarakos
Journalist and author with extensive experience reporting on conflicts across Iran and beyond.
Episode: Is Iran Unraveling? (feat. David Patrikarakos)
Dr. Ali Ansari
A renowned historian with a focus on Iranian history.
University of St. Andrews
Episode: No Country for Old Mullahs (Behnam Ben Taleblu feat. Dr. Ali Ansari)
Miad Maleki
An Iranian-born former senior treasury official who helped design and implement the maximum pressure campaign.
FDD
Episode: Snapback to Reality: Using the Almighty Dollar to Force a Regime Reckoning (feat. Miad Maleki)
Jacob Nagel
Senior Fellow at FDD, former National Security Adviser to Prime Minister Netanyahu
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
Episode: Nothing Short of Complete and Utter Dismantlement (feat. Jacob Nagel)
Juan Zarate
Global co-managing partner at K-II Integrity and chair of FDD Center on Economic and Financial Power.
K-II Integrity, FDD
Episode: American Economic and Financial Power and the Iran File (feat. Juan Zarate)
Bradley Bowman
Sharp analyst of Tehran's strategy and FDD's expert on military matters
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
Episode: American Military and Political Power and the Iran File (feat. Bradley Bowman)

Host

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

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 112 ratings
  • Lame

    This show parrots right wing Zionist talking points. No clear critical thinking applied to any of it. Trash program. Get a new gig

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Okaybuddddddyyyyy
    United States10 days ago
  • Void of Independent Thought

    Pretty void of critical thinking. The parroting of Republican talking points and the labeling of antisemitism to valid criticism of Israel is getting tired.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    JForreal90
    United States14 days ago
  • Great guests and analysis

    2025 and 2026 are big years on Iran issue. Diverse group of Iranian, American, Israeli and European guests help make sense of it all.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Todis2026
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great updates on Iran

    Very practical show

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    wellgaveitatry
    United Statesa month ago
  • Look at his last name

    Obvious propaganda is extremely obvious

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    VietSchlong
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The show is perceived as a rigorous, timely, and honest take on complicated geopolitical issues.
Listeners appreciate in-depth discussions with experts who have real-world policy experience.
The host provides clear, practical insights into sanctions, diplomacy, and human rights.
Thoughtful and well-sourced analysis of Iran and regional dynamics.
High-quality guests and candid policy discussions that are valuable for listeners involved in policy, journalism, or academia.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Iran Protests: Day 16 | Mark's Generation Jihad interview
Q: If the regime collapses, what is the potential for the former regime elements to wage an insurgency?
Many IRGC members may not want to fight anymore if they see a pathway to a future in Iran, but hardcore revolutionaries might still resist.
Iran Protests: Day 16 | Mark's Generation Jihad interview
Q: How has the regime responded to these protests?
They have responded brutally, with killings, arrests, and public executions.
Iran Protests: Day 16 | Mark's Generation Jihad interview
Q: What precipitated this round of protests?
A deep anger and hatred for this regime amongst 85 percent of the Iranian public, leading to brutal crackdowns by the regime.
American Economic and Financial Power and the Iran File (feat. Juan Zarate)
Q: How has the financial risk calculation changed for international businesses regarding Iran?
The risk calculus has turned in favor of preventing interactions with Iran, as many businesses are keen to avoid potential fallout from engaging with a state sponsor of terrorism.
American Economic and Financial Power and the Iran File (feat. Juan Zarate)
Q: What do you think has been the impact of financial sanctions on Iran?
Sanctions have worked fundamentally by harming the regime's ability to implement its policies effectively and have forced Iran to make difficult strategic decisions due to limitations on capital access.

Audience Metrics

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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?

This miniseries focuses on Iran's nuclear ambitions, its regional proxy networks, and internal human rights dynamics, frequently featuring seasoned policymakers, analysts, and journalists with deep experience in Middle East geopolitics. Episodes orbit Iran's international alignments (China, Russia, and regional partners), U.S. foreign policy options, sanctions regimes, and the regime's domestic legitimacy challenges, including protests and human rights concerns. Unique strengths include access to high-profile experts from defense and policy think tanks, candid assessments of regime strategies, and pragmatic policy recommendations. Listeners are likely engaged in international affairs, national security, or policy research, and may be seekin... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Iran Breakdown?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Iran Breakdown:

1. Call Me Back - with Dan Senor
2. Ask Haviv Anything
3. Breaking History
4. The Foreign Affairs Interview
5. The Lion and The Sun: A Modern History of Iran

How many episodes of The Iran Breakdown are there?

The Iran Breakdown launched a year ago and published 43 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. Eli Lake
2. Edmund Fitton-Brown
3. Norman Roule
4. David Patrikarakos
5. Dr. Ali Ansari
6. Miad Maleki
7. Jacob Nagel
8. Juan Zarate

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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