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Artwork for Turbulence

Turbulence

Turbulence
Israel
United States
Iran
Gaza
Palestine
U.S. Military
Trump Administration
American Empire
Sudan
Netanyahu
Somaliland
Palestinian Resistance
Oil
Climate Change
Venezuela
Yemen
Lebanon
October 7th
United Arab Emirates
Environmental Destruction

Turbulence is a podcast about the end of the American empire, or the end of the world—whichever comes first. Join Dylan Saba, Séamus Malekafzali, and M Ceniza as they navigate the geopolitical chaos of a world-system in flux. turbulencepod.substack.com

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes53Founded7 months ago
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Artwork for Turbulence

Latest Episodes

Aamer joins us to discuss the repressive crackdowns in Bahrain amidst the Iran war, the popular uprising in 2011, the history of leftist and Islamist movements in the country, and the shifting geopolitics of the Gulf.

Works mentioned: The View from ... more

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit turbulencepod.substack.com

We discuss Trump’s visit to Beijing, negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz, the budding UAE-Israel alliance, and advancements in Hezbollah’s drone warfare.

We... more

Salman Abu Sitta joins us to discuss his memories of the Nakba, a practical program for the return of Palestinian refugees, Zionist continuities with the Nazis, and the meaning of intergenerational resistance.

Texts mentioned: Mapping My Return, The... more

Navid Zarrinnal joins us from Tehran to discuss the popular mobilizations in support of the war effort, national resilience in the face of economic siege, the prospects of diplomacy with the West, and Iranian support for the Axis of Resistance.

Navi... more

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Recent Guests

Salman Abu Sitta
President of the Palestine Land Society; Palestinian refugee
Palestine Land Society
Episode: Episode 24: A Geography of Palestine, From Nakba to Return w/ Salman Abu Sitta
M Ceniza
Producer of Turbulence
Turbulence podcast
Episode: Episode 24: A Geography of Palestine, From Nakba to Return w/ Salman Abu Sitta
Navid Zarrinnal
Ph.D. from Columbia University, based in Tehran; war updates on Instagram
Independent researcher/analyst
Episode: Episode 23: Iran Against the Empire w/ Navid Zarrinnal
Basil Farraj
Director of the Ibrahim Abu Lughod Institute of International Studies and Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Cultural Studies
Birzeit University
Episode: Episode 22: Palestine's Prisoners w/ Basil Farraj
Dr. Adam Hanieh
Director of the Middle East Institute at SOAS University of London; author of Crude Capitalism
SOAS University of London; Crude Capitalism
Episode: Episode 21: Oil Wars w/ Adam Hanieh
Karim Makdisi
Associate Professor of Political Studies at the American University of Beirut
American University of Beirut
Episode: Episode 20: Lebanon on the Brink w/ Karim Makdisi
Tim Barker
Writer and historian, Substack Origins of Our Time
Substack Origins of Our Time
Episode: Episode 19: Merchants of Death w/ Tim Barker
Laleh Khalili
Professor of Gulf Studies
University of Exeter
Episode: Episode 18: Strait Outta Hormuz w/ Laleh Khalili
Darryl Li
Academic/Scholar discussing transnational jihad
Episode: BONUS: Transnational Jihad w/ Darryl Li

Hosts

Dylan Saba
Host with a focus on geopolitical analysis and commentary; co-creator of the program.
Séamus Malekafzali
Co-host who engages in critical discussions of geopolitics and policy.
M Ceniza
Producer and host contributor, helps shape episode structure and research.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 112 ratings
  • Great interviews

    This has jumped to the top of my interests very quickly. Good interviewers and great guests.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Looking into things! 2025
    United Statesa month ago
  • Excellent Deep Dives into global geopolitics

    Has rapidly and justifiably established itself as an authoritative resource exploring the US empire and its collapse. Highly recommend.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    public4jbh
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Way with words

    Dylan Saba has an incredible way with words that perfectly describes the issue at hand. Excellent reporting and dissection of key issues in the struggle for not only Palestinian liberation but freedom for all humans. Bravo!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ssonic75
    United States5 months ago
  • Wanted to root for this pod but the Lebanon episode took me out

    We are in enough trouble with Israeli expansionism without the need to entirely whitewash the problems within the resistance. The fact that “say what you will about Assad” is the totality of the commentary permitted in critical reflection of Hezb in Syria is embarrassing enough so as to render the podcast unlistenable. Big shame, unnecessary.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Wizkhaleeefa
    Ireland5 months ago
  • Listen to this now

    Twelve out of five stars

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HoxaKing
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Sharp hosts with strong reporting and insightful commentary.
Excellent sourcing and thoughtful guest selection that enriches understanding of global dynamics.
Some episodes draw criticism for perceived bias or one-sided framing, which can be polarizing.
Deep, rigorous geopolitical analysis that challenges mainstream narratives.
Engaging and intellectually rigorous, though not light listening for casual listeners.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 22: Palestine's Prisoners w/ Basil Farraj
Q: Can you detail what precisely this death penalty bill is and how Palestinians have been responding to it?
The bill expands the death penalty for crimes deemed to be of nationalist motive, labeling the acts of Palestinian resistance as criminal and framing the issue within a broader logic of criminalization; Palestinians condemn it as a continuation of racialized control and an escalation in the broader regime of occupation.
Episode 19: Merchants of Death w/ Tim Barker
Q: What role does Israel play in the U.S. defense ecosystem, and how does aid translate into procurement?
The guest explains that much U.S. aid to Israel is deposited into a 'checking account' that Israel can use to buy weapons from U.S. contractors, illustrating how aid functions as a purchasing mechanism within the defense industrial complex.
Episode 19: Merchants of Death w/ Tim Barker
Q: How does the defense budget compare across historical periods, and what does that imply for current policy?
Barker argues that defense spending has always been large and context-dependent, often exceeding public perception when measured against GDP or discretionary spending, and that understanding the structure—such as the organic defense base and private contractors—is crucial to evaluating current policy.
Episode 18: Strait Outta Hormuz w/ Laleh Khalili
Q: But can you just lay out in as detailed a way as possible, what precisely is happening right now in the Strait? What mechanisms is the Iranian military using? What are they utilizing? What is the current status of shipping? What is happening in the Strait right now?
Laleh Khalili explains that Iran has used drones, missiles, and small fast boats to threaten shipping, while also leveraging the insurance sector to raise war risk premiums and slow down or deter movements. She notes the complex set of tactics: threatening routes, selective permission for some traffic, and leveraging the broader economic and diplomatic terrain to pressure international actors, rather than a simple open/close dichotomy. This approach blends military means with economic and political signaling to reshape how global commerce flows through Hormuz.
Episode 16: Cuba, Defiant w/ Helen Yaffe
Q: Can you tell us how effective international measures have been in easing the blockade, and what are the most realistic paths forward for Cuba?
International measures are limited in impact due to the US legal framework and political leverage, but pressure from other governments, along with increasing diaspora and grassroots solidarity, can create openings. Cuba's resilience comes from internal social programs and diversified internationalism, including medical aid, which complicates full isolation.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Turbulence

What is Turbulence about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show consistently centers global geopolitics, with a focus on US empire dynamics, Middle East conflicts, oil politics, and broad systemic power shifts. Episodes frequently feature rigorous historical context, scholarly analysis, and critiques of policy decisions, often connecting local protests or regional events to larger geopolitical currents. Noteworthy are deep dives into prison regimes, energy geopolitics, and the ethics of imperial power, delivered with a sharp, analytic voice that invites provocative, long-form discussion. Potential listeners who crave critical perspectives on power, war, and diplomacy are likely to find this engaging and thought-provoking, with a willingness to challenge conventional narratives.

A standout asp... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Turbulence?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Turbulence:

1. American Prestige
2. TRUE ANON TRUTH FEED
3. Fourth Reich Archaeology
4. Chapo Trap House
5. Trillbilly Worker's Party

How many episodes of Turbulence are there?

Turbulence launched 7 months ago and published 53 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 Turbulence?

Recent guests on Turbulence include:

1. Salman Abu Sitta
2. M Ceniza
3. Navid Zarrinnal
4. Basil Farraj
5. Dr. Adam Hanieh
6. Karim Makdisi
7. Tim Barker
8. Laleh Khalili

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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