Rania Khalek Dispatches

Is the Democratic Party actually changing to embrace Palestine and left-wing causes, or is it doing what it always does: absorbing the movement that threatens it? Rania Khalek is joined by journalist and writer Sana Saeed to talk about Zohran Mamdani, Abdul El-Sayed, and how the anti-genocide movement has been used to give a face lift to the Democratic Party. But does it signal a more profound change of policy? They get into: 00:00 - Introduction: Movement Energy & Party Revival 00:31 - Dispatches Intro & Guest Introduction (Sana Saeed) 04:12 - How the Democratic Party Absorbs Insurgent Movements 10:00 - Zohran Mamdani's Platform Background, and Political Shift 17:48 - The Obama Legacy: Charisma, Drone Warfare, and Executive Power 32:23 - Holding Progressive Politicians Accountable to Movements 43:44 - Criticism Over Retaining NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch 55:34 - Abdul El-Sayed: Campaign Strategy and Messaging 57:51 - El-Sayed's Response to the "Uncommitted" Movement 01:06:08 - Capitalist Framing vs. "Corporate Socialism" 01:13:40 - Conclusion: Palestine, Electoral Politics, and Movement Energy 🔒 Members get the full conversation, including Sana and Rania on Zionism, who defines Jewish identity, and why Palestine-friendly politicians keep centering antisemitism. Join at breakthroughnews.org/subscribe Read Sana’s essays: The Charisma of Empire: https://sanasaeed.substack.com/p/the-charisma-of-empire-obama-mamdani It’s Time to Bury Palestine: https://substack.com/home/post/p-209968068 Follow Sana: X @SanaSaeed | Instagram @sanaface

Journalist Jasper Nathaniel just spent a month in the occupied West Bank, and he came back with a warning: while the world watches Gaza, Israel is finishing a decades-long project to dominate the West Bank and drive Palestinians off their land for good. Rania Khalek talks with him about what settler expansion actually looks like on the ground: armed settlers storming villages on so-called “hikes,” stealing homes and launching attacks from the houses they’ve stolen, cutting off a village’s spring water and building a settlers-only swimming pool in the middle of a Palestinian town. They get into the Israeli state’s role, the wall being built to annex the fertile Jordan Valley, and the looting of ancient ruins in Sebastia. They also dig into Congressman Ro Khanna’s trip to the West Bank, his detention by settlers and soldiers, and the incoherence of coming home to tell Palestinians they must resist nonviolently. They also discuss incoming Congressman Brad Lander, the collapse of “liberal Zionism” and Jasper’s own story as the grandson of Iraqi Jews who never needed Israel. This is just part of this episode. The full interview is available to Breakthrough News Members only. Become a member at https://breakthroughnews.org/subscribe/ Jasper’s Substack piece: https://open.substack.com/pub/infinitejaz/p/a-hellish-month-in-the-occupied-west?r=eexe&utm_medium=ios Jasper’s The Drift piece on Sebastia: https://thedriftmag.com/in-ruins/

The media wants you to think “Greater Israel” is a fringe fantasy belonging to Ben Gvir and the settler far right. It's not. It's a project for dominating the entire Middle East, and it goes far beyond land grabs. Daniel Levy, former Israeli peace negotiator and president of the US/Middle East Project, joins Rania Khalek to explain what “Greater Israel” actually is: annexation in Palestine, military occupation zones in Lebanon and Syria, and beyond that, a region where every state is subservient, dependent, or collapsed. Levy breaks down why Israel has no recognized borders by design, how the Lebanon "framework agreement" serves the Israelis and was signed by a Lebanese government that got nothing in return, why Israeli leaders now openly declare that Turkey is next, and the contradiction at the heart of it all: Netanyahu calls Israel a superpower while insisting it was on the brink of annihilation. Is this project achievable or is it imperial overreach? Plus, Levy reflects on his own evolution from an Orthodox Zionist upbringing in London, with a seat at the negotiating table, to becoming a sharp critic of Israel and Zionism. Follow Daniel Levy's analysis on Substack: https://daniellevy2.substack.com This is just part of the episode. To watch the full interview, become a Breakthrough News member at https://breakthroughnews.org/subscribe

It's been over a thousand days since Israel began its livestreamed genocide in Gaza, and global politics is still shifting as a result. Candidates who refuse AIPAC money are toppling Democratic incumbents across the US, support for Israel has become a political liability and the establishment's answer has been a full-blown red scare. Rania Khalek speaks with Palestinian novelist, poet, and activist Susan Abulhawa, author of “Mornings in Jenin,” to discuss how Palestine has become the litmus test of American politics, how AIPAC was dragged out of the shadows, and why she believes the cultural boycott and solidarity movement must stop centering Israeli feelings. She addresses Netanyahu's cynical claims about protecting Christians in Lebanon, Iran's demonstration that the empire can be defeated, and how accusations of antisemitism are weaponized to shield a state committing genocide. This is only part of the episode. The full interview is available to Breakthrough News members only. Become a member at breakthroughnews.org/subscribe .

Ali Abunimah joins Rania Khalek on Dispatches to discuss the dramatic collapse of global support for Israel, the growing backlash against Western support for genocide in Gaza, and why governments are increasingly resorting to repression as public opinion shifts in favor of Palestine. In this episode they discuss: New polling showing Israel’s popularity collapsing across the world Why propaganda and celebrity endorsements aren’t working anymore The crackdown on Palestine solidarity activists in the U.S. and Europe The October 7 rape narrative versus documented Israeli sexual violence against Palestinians Lebanon, Iran, and why submission to Israel doesn’t bring peace Whether Israel controls the U.S. or serves U.S. imperial interests The rise of anti-Israel voices on the American right Why Ali believes Israel is facing a long-term legitimacy crisis The Gwyneth Paltrow debacle This is just part of this episode. The full interview is available to Breakthrough News Members only. Become a member at breakthroughnews.org/subscribe

As Israel’s genocide in Gaza continues and Lebanon faces ongoing aggression and political pressure to capitulate, many people are grappling with fear, exhaustion, and despair. But what if hopelessness itself is part of the strategy? Psychoanalyst and author Lara Sheehi joins Dispatches with Rania Khalek to discuss the psychological dimensions of fascism, empire, colonial violence, and resistance — from Israeli psychological warfare and sexual humiliation as a tool of domination, to the weaponization of sectarianism in Lebanon, the role of media propaganda, and why revolutionary optimism is itself a political act. Sheehi also discusses her new book, From the Clinic to the Streets: Psychoanalysis for Revolutionary Futures, and explains why the work of Frantz Fanon is more urgent than ever. Topics include: Psychic militancy and psychological warfare How fascism reshapes society psychologically Israeli violence, humiliation & domination Lebanon, sectarianism & capitulation politics Why empire depends on despair The limits of liberalism The politics of the wellness industry Media propaganda and psychological control Revolutionary optimism and resistance 🎥 The full episode is available to Breakthrough News members. Become a member at: https://www.patreon.com/BreakthroughNews Follow Lara’s podcast Psychic Militancy on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PsychicMilitancy And on IG: @psychicmilitancypod https://www.instagram.com/psychicmilitancypod/# Follow Lara on IG: @psychoanalystactivist https://www.instagram.com/psychoanalystactivist/

The U.S. and Israel launched a massive war on Iran expecting quick capitulation. Instead, Iran absorbed the assault, retaliated across the region, and exposed major limits to American and Israeli power. Now the Trump administration appears to be searching for an off-ramp while Israel continues pushing for escalation, including in Lebanon. Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz crisis, sanctions, economic warfare, and the risk of a wider regional conflict continue to threaten the entire Middle East. To break down the latest developments, the shaky ceasefire negotiations, Trump’s contradictory messaging, and whether this war is entering a dangerous new phase, Rania Khalek is joined by Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute.

The Trump administration has announced a new military operation in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran is warning that any unauthorized U.S. presence will be treated as hostile. At the same time, Washington is rejecting key parts of Iran’s proposal to end the war, including sanctions relief and limits on the blockade. So what is this “ceasefire,” really? Is Iran actually weakened, as Trump claims — or has the war strengthened internal support for resistance? And is the next round already underway? In this episode of Dispatches, Rania Khalek is joined from Tehran by Iranian-American academic Navid Zarrinnal, to discuss: Whether the war is actually over — or just paused The escalating standoff in the Strait of Hormuz Iran’s real military capacity vs. U.S. claims Public opinion inside Iran after the attacks The economic pressure of sanctions and war Iran’s 14-point proposal — and why Washington is rejecting it Why nuclear enrichment is a red line The role of Lebanon in any regional settlement Gulf state positioning behind the scenes China, Russia, and Pakistan’s role How Iran may be winning the information war online — especially in English What the left’s position should be — and why opposing U.S. aggression means defending Iranian sovereignty Support independent media — become a BreakThrough News member today: 👉 http://Patreon.com/BreakthroughNews Follow Navid on Instagram @navidwahraman: https://www.instagram.com/navidwahraman/

As war spreads across Lebanon and Iran, the U.S. and Israel claim they are making progress. But on the ground, the picture looks far more complicated. After a supposed pause in fighting and failed negotiations, Israel escalated dramatically, launching massive strikes on Beirut while continuing its ground invasion in southern Lebanon. At the same time, Iran has held firm in negotiations, raising questions about whether Washington’s strategy is working. So who’s actually winning? In this episode of Dispatches, Rania Khalek speaks with journalist Jon Elmer of The Electronic Intifada to break down the military realities: -Israel’s war in south Lebanon and the battle for Bint Jbeil -Hezbollah’s resurgence and military capabilities -The U.S.-Israel strategy against Iran -What the failed negotiations reveal -Whether this war is escalating toward a second phase

As Israel escalates its war on Lebanon, one narrative dominates: that Hezbollah is the cause of the conflict. But that story erases decades of history. Long before Hezbollah existed, southern Lebanon was already a frontline of anti-colonial struggle led by Palestinian fighters, Lebanese leftists, and marginalized communities resisting Israeli aggression and internal neglect. In this episode of Dispatches, Rania Khalek speaks with scholar Nate George about: THE ORIGINS OF RESISTANCE IN SOUTH LEBANON THE ROLE OF THE LEBANESE LEFT AND THE PLO HOW ISRAEL, THE US, AND REGIONAL POWERS CRUSHED THAT MOVEMENT THE SHIFT FROM SECULAR REVOLUTION TO ISLAMIST RESISTANCE WHY HEZBOLLAH EMERGED — AND WHAT IT REPLACED This conversation challenges the dominant narrative and reveals a deeper truth: 🎥 The full episode is available to Breakthrough News members. Become a member at: https://www.patreon.com/BreakThroughNews

Donald Trump has issued a shocking ultimatum to Iran: submit, or face the destruction of its civilian infrastructure and the total devastation of the country within hours. As Washington and Tel Aviv escalate their war threats, Iran says it will retaliate in kind with potentially catastrophic consequences for Israel, the Gulf, and the wider region. Meanwhile, Israel continues its assault across the region: threatening Tehran with the Dahieh doctrine, demanding unilateral disarmament from every force that resists it, and pushing Lebanon toward collapse and capitulation. To break down what this moment means, Rania Khalek is joined by Mouin Rabbani, co-editor of Jadaliyya. They discuss: Trump’s ultimatum and the threat of massive war crimes against Iran Iran’s response and what Tehran is demanding The US-Israeli divide over war aims How the Strait of Hormuz could become Washington’s Suez Israel’s campaign for regional military supremacy Lebanon, displacement, and the attempted “Shia Nakba” Whether Israel’s regional hegemony is beginning to crack What this war reveals about American decline The global costs of Israel’s unchecked power

The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has entered its second month, and despite repeated assassinations, attacks on infrastructure, and growing civilian casualties, Iran has not collapsed. Meanwhile, Donald Trump is threatening to take Iran “back to the Stone Age,” floating the seizure of oil infrastructure, Kharg Island, and even a military reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, all while claiming negotiations may be underway. So what is actually happening inside Iran? Is Tehran looking for a way out, or preparing for a longer war? How is Iranian society responding to mounting destruction and civilian targeting? And what would any eventual settlement mean for Lebanon and the wider region? To discuss all this, Rania Khalek is joined by Foad Izadi, Associate Professor of World Studies at the University of Tehran. Support independent media, become a Breakthrough News member today: Patreon.com/BreakthroughNews

Journalist and lawyer Dimitri Lascaris just returned from Iran, where he traveled from Tehran to the Strait of Hormuz, witnessing firsthand the impact of the US-Israeli war. From hospitals treating the wounded to the world’s most important oil chokepoint, Lascaris saw a side of this war that Western media is barely covering. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most critical waterways on earth, responsible for a massive share of global energy flows. But today, it has become a frontline in a rapidly escalating conflict. Trump says only with its opening would he consider a ceasefire. In this episode of Dispatches, Rania Khalek speaks with Dimitri Lascaris about: What he witnessed inside Iran during wartime The situation on the ground at the Strait of Hormuz Civilian infrastructure and the human toll of the war Whether US and Israeli actions constitute war crimes How Iran is responding and what comes next This is a rare, on-the-ground account from inside a country under attack. You can follow Dimitri’s work on his YouTube channel Reason2Resist https://www.youtube.com/@reason2resist Support independent media, become a Breakthrough News member today: Patreon.com/BreakthroughNews

Speaking from Tehran, Al Jazeera correspondent and columnist Ali Hashem explains how Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq are all part of a single, interconnected battlefield, a coordinated confrontation between the axis of resistance and the United States and Israel. That means what happens in Lebanon is directly tied to what happens in Iran, and vice versa. Despite months of attacks, Hezbollah remains operational and has restored its ability to strike deep into Israel, underscoring that this front is far from contained. At the same time, the war is becoming increasingly unpredictable. With no clear endgame and contradictory signals coming from Washington, both sides appear to be embracing escalation, what some describe as a “madman strategy”, signaling they are willing to go to the brink with no limits. So what happens when multiple fronts become one war? And what happens when no one is playing by predictable rules? Support independent media, become a Breakthrough News member today: Patreon.com/BreakthroughNews

As the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran escalates into a second month, the situation is becoming increasingly unpredictable and uncontrollable. Iranian missiles are hitting Israeli targets at higher rates than expected, while the U.S. is deploying massive firepower, including 2,000-pound bombs. At the same time, conflicting signals are emerging from Washington, with reports that Trump may be seeking an off-ramp even as the war intensifies. So what is the strategy? Who is actually winning? And how far could this go? In this episode of Dispatches, Rania Khalek speaks with Trita Parsi to break down: -The real military balance in the war -Whether the U.S. has a coherent strategy -Iran’s position and whether it’s overplaying its hand -The risk of regional escalation -And whether there is any off-ramp left

As Israel expands its war across the region, Lebanon is once again in the crosshairs. Israeli officials are openly calling for pushing the border to the Litani River, annexing southern Lebanon, and preventing displaced civilians from returning. At the same time, the country is being bombed, depopulated, and pushed toward internal collapse. So what is Israel actually trying to achieve? In this episode of Dispatches, Rania Khalek speaks with Karim Makdisi, co-host of the Makdisi Street podcast and Associate Professor of International Politics at the American University of Beirut. They discuss: -Israel’s long-term ambitions in southern Lebanon -Whether this is a plan for annexation or permanent control -Hezbollah’s actual strength after 2024 -Lebanon’s internal divisions and the role of the army -The risk of civil strife and regional escalation This isn’t Israel’s first invasion of Lebanon, but the stakes may be higher than ever.

The United States and Israel are pushing the region toward a dangerous escalation with Iran, threatening strikes on energy infrastructure and even raising the possibility of a ground invasion. But Iran isn’t backing down. As the war expands across the region and the global economy, the risk of a wider conflict is growing by the day. So what is the real strategy here? Is this brinkmanship, or the early stages of a war that could spiral far beyond anyone’s control? Have the U.S. and Israel fundamentally misjudged Iran? Rania Khalek is joined by Mohammad Marandi, professor at the University of Tehran, to break it all down.

In week 4 of the U.S.-Israeli war of aggression on Iran, the global economy has been pushed to the brink. Iran’s disruption of the Strait of Hormuz shows just how key it is to global energy markets, supply chains, and food systems, putting millions at risk. So what happens when the U.S. no longer has a monopoly on economic coercion? Has Trump overplayed his hand? Are we witnessing the limits of American power and the beginning of a more chaotic global order? To break it all down, Rania Khalek is joined by Marxist economist Prabhat Patnaik, professor emeritus at Jawaharlal Nehru University and co-author of Capital and Imperialism: Theory, History, and the Present.

Three weeks into the war on Iran, the conflict is expanding more than ever. The Strait of Hormuz is closed, energy infrastructure is under attack, and U.S. bases are increasingly vulnerable. Israel and Washington are escalating. According to Middle East expert Vali Nasr, this is actually all part of Iran's strategy. Iran isn’t trying to win quickly. To “win” is to survive — and for that it wants to make the war longer, more expensive, and politically unsustainable for the United States. In this conversation with Rania Khalek, Nasr explains: -Why Trump gets weaker the longer the war extends -How energy and Hormuz became the central battlefield -What Washington fundamentally miscalculated -Why regime change is unlikely -The role of Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iraqi factions -And whether any real off-ramp still exists -If this war continues, the consequences won’t just be regional, they will be global.

Israel has expanded its war across the region, bombing Lebanon and Iran while preparing a potential ground invasion into southern Lebanon. Israeli officials claim the goal is simply to create a “buffer zone” for security. But many Israeli politicians and commentators are openly discussing something much bigger: territorial expansion to the Litani River and beyond. This is not about security, it’s part of much longer historical Greater Israel project On this live episode of Dispatches, Rania Khalek is joined by historian Zachary Foster to examine the long history of Israeli invasions of Lebanon, the ideological roots of the “Greater Israel” concept, and how the Gaza model of destruction is now spreading across the region.