In this episode of the Signal Horizon Podcast, Ralph Schoellhammer is joined by Zineb Riboua, Research Fellow at the Hudson Institute and a widely published analyst on Iran, Middle East security, and Western foreign policy. Together, they look into the current state of the Iranian regime, the ongoing protests, and why this moment may be fundamentally different from previous uprisings. While media coverage in Europe and the United States has noticeably declined, pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran is intensifying. They discuss how sanctions enforcement, the collapse of Iran’s proxy network (including Hezbollah, Syria, and the Houthis), and unprecedented Israeli intelligence penetration have left the regime more exposed than ever before.
This conversation also explores:
Why Iran’s leadership is strategically weaker, not stronger
The role of Trump-era maximum pressure and what may come next
How Iran’s nuclear ambitions backfired geopolitically
Why Iran’s youth and middle class are increasingly disconnected from the regime
The absence of a unified opposition — and why that may change
Whether a Venezuela-style transition is emerging as a new model for regime change
Why Europe and the West misread Iran for decades
They also examine the ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic and why Tehran repeatedly rejects deals that would ensure its survival. And could the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei himself become a direct target?
This episode is essential viewing for anyone interested in Iran protests, Middle East geopolitics, US–Iran relations, Israel and Iran, sanctions policy, and the future of regional security.
