#14 "Listen to The Iranian": Sina Rahmani (The East is a Podcast)

In this episode Mehmet and Erik have a conversation with Sina Rahmani. He is an Iranian, living in North America and the host of The East Is A Podcast, an all-time favourite for both Mehmet and Erik.  We talk about the events in Iran which have been one-sidedly and sensationally presented in the west. In the background the Empire and the Ethno-state have their fingers dirty. So why is Iran such an important target for the Empire and what does it mean to be sovereign? We discuss some of the contents of the imperial toolbox and factors leading up to the protests. Economic pressure with sanctions and currency manipulation, smuggling of starlink units and weapons to foment violent riots and the media machinery. We discuss the Shah and his son, the clown-prince in exile, Iranian diaspora, support for Palestine and what the destruction of the Iranian state would mean to people in the area. While the battle may be over the war might just have begun. The peoples and states in the crosshairs of a dying empire will keep being demonised. If they resist they are authoritarian, if they open up they’ll be vulnerable. What the future holds and what the way forward to avoid a devastating war is unknown.  Early in the episode Sina reads a testimony from his friend Navid Zarinnal, who is living in Tehran. He hosts a podcast on imperialism called The Colony Archive, which we highly recommend. Please note that we had some technical difficulties in the beginning, that led to a lot of chaos and laughter. Big thanks to Sina for being such a joyful human being even in these difficult times. The genocide in Gaza continues. We urge you to support the Palestinians in these very dire times by donating: - via The Sameer Project - via Lifeline4Gaza You can reach us on Twitter (@fredshetsarna) and Instagram (@fredshetsarna). Organise resistance, education and solidarity wherever you are.