Mark DubowitzEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, returns to School of War to discuss the newly released memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran. What does the deal actually say? What are its biggest strategic implications? And is it comparable to the JCPOA—or something worse? 01:19 - Paragraph 1: Lebanon and Hezbollah 09:45 - Paragraphs 2–3: Sovereignty and the 60-day clock 11:24 - Paragraph 4: Lifting the blockade 16:37 - Paragraph 5: The Strait of Hormuz 23:48 - Paragraph 6: A $300 billion reconstruction fund 33:49 - Paragraph 7: Ending all sanctions 35:43 - Paragraph 8: Nuclear weapons and enrichment 39:12 - Paragraph 9: Maintaining the status quo 40:44 - Paragraph 10: Oil waivers and sanctions relief 43:48 - Paragraph 11: Releasing frozen funds 46:56 - Paragraph 12: Monitoring compliance 47:52 - Paragraph 13: Negotiating the final deal 50:59 - Paragraph 14: A UN Security Council resolution 51:13 - Squandering battlefield leverage Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod , and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more at The Free Press . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Please take 5 minutes to fill out Ark Media’s LISTENER SURVEY ____ The United States and Israel have launched coordinated strikes against Iran, and the region is now at war. In this emergency episode of Call Me Back, Dan is joined by Nadav Eyal and Mark Dubowitz to break down the opening operation, Iran’s retaliation across the region, and the high-stakes question at the center of it all: Is this about degrading nuclear and missile capabilities, or is this the beginning of regime change? They discuss the decapitation strategy targeting Iran’s senior leadership, the possibility that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been killed, the international response, and what comes next. As sirens sound in Israel and ballistic missiles fly across the Gulf, this is real-time analysis of a historic turning point in the Middle East. In this episode: - Operation Epic Fury and Roaring Lion: How the war began - Iran’s regional retaliation and the widening battlefield - Targeting the leadership: Decapitation and the Khamenei question - Nuclear reconstitution, Pickaxe Mountain, and the missile threat - Regime change or strategic degradation? - International reaction and Gulf alignment - The American message and what it signals - How this ends and what comes next More Ark Media: Subscribe to Inside Call me Back Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Adaam James Levin-Areddy, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Patricio Spadavecchia, Yuval Semo

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Chief Executive Mark Dubowitz. Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

Please take 5 minutes to fill out Ark Media’s LISTENER SURVEY ____ As American military assets flow into the Middle East and Tehran prepares its response to Washington’s demands, Dan is joined by Nadav Eyal and Mark Dubowitz to assess whether President Trump is leaning toward diplomacy or decisive military action. They break down what’s real, what’s signaling, what would be the goals and scope of an American attack, and whether Israel is preparing to take part in it. In this episode: 3:00 - Is Trump leaning toward a strike or a deal? 3:30 - What “zero enrichment” really means and why it matters 9:30 - Pickaxe Mountain and Iran’s rebuilding nuclear infrastructure 11:00 - The scale of U.S. military deployments in the region 16:00 - Israel’s preparedness and the missile defense dilemma 22:30 - Hezbollah, Gulf states, and regional spillover risks 27:00 - Symbolic strike or regime-level operation? 39:00 - How politics, legacy, and red lines shape Trump’s decision More Ark Media: Subscribe to Inside Call me Back Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Adaam James Levin-Areddy, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Patricio Spadavecchia, Yuval Semo

Is a U.S. strike on Iran back on the table? How could it reshape the Middle East? And what role could the Middle East play in the new world order taking shape these days? Dan Senor speaks with Mark Dubowitz and Yonatan Adiri about the rising likelihood of U.S. military action against the Islamic Republic, which targets are being considered, and how Iran could retaliate. They also unpack Israel’s internal debates on how to respond, the Saudi UAE rift and what it means for normalization, Turkey’s expanding footprint, and why India is becoming a more important regional player. In this episode... - Is a U.S. strike on Iran coming and what would actually be hit - How Iran might retaliate and the debates inside Israel over next steps - Whether military action is meant to pressure the regime or help bring it down - Why Trump paused an attack and the regional forces shaping that call - Saudi Arabia’s recalculation, its rift with the UAE, and the impact on normalization - Turkey’s rise and why India is becoming a quiet power broker in the region This episode was sponsored by Maimonides Fund: Sign up for the SAPIR journal at sapirjournal.org/CallMeBack From the episode: - Listen to Yonatan’s podcast What’s Your Number? - Listen to Mark’s podcast The Iran Breakdown More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Subscribe to Inside Call me Back Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Adaam James Levin-Areddy, Brittany Cohen, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Patricio Spadavecchia, Yuval Semo

Is a U.S. strike on Iran back on the table? How could it reshape the Middle East? And what role could the Middle East play in the new world order taking shape these days? Dan Senor speaks with Mark Dubowitz and Yonatan Adiri about the rising likelihood of U.S. military action against the Islamic Republic, which targets are being considered, and how Iran could retaliate. They also unpack Israel’s internal debates on how to respond, the Saudi UAE rift and what it means for normalization, Turkey’s expanding footprint, and why India is becoming a more important regional player. In this episode... - Is a U.S. strike on Iran coming and what would actually be hit - How Iran might retaliate and the debates inside Israel over next steps - Whether military action is meant to pressure the regime or help bring it down - Why Trump paused an attack and the regional forces shaping that call - Saudi Arabia’s recalculation, its rift with the UAE, and the impact on normalization - Turkey’s rise and why India is becoming a quiet power broker in the region This episode was sponsored by SAPIR: Sign up for the SAPIR journal at sapirjournal.org/CallMeBack From the episode: - Listen to Yonatan’s podcast What’s Your Number? - Listen to Mark’s podcast The Iran Breakdown More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media ? Check out our careers page for new openings . Subscribe to Inside Call me Back Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What’s Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Adaam James Levin-Areddy, Brittany Cohen, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Patricio Spadavecchia, Yuval Semo

ISRAEL'S SUCCESSES AND IRAN'S STRATEGY HEADLINE 1: Hackers stole approximately $90 million from Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. HEADLINE 2: Iran and Israel are slugging it out like two boxers in the 10th round of a heavyweight bout. HEADLINE 3: As Trump considers what to do next, polls are shedding light about what Americans think about Iran. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Chief Executive Mark Dubowitz, who hosts FDD's new podcast, The Iran Breakdown. Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

In this episode of Ami’s House, we dive into why American isolationists are misreading the Iran conflict and, in doing so, undermining their own objectives. Featuring an insightful conversation with Mark Dubowitz– CEO of non-profit thinktank Foundation for Defense of Democracies– we unpack the pitfalls of isolationist rhetoric, explore on-the-ground realities, and discuss what constructive engagement might look like. Whether you follow Middle East foreign policy closely or are just curious about the human impact behind headlines, this episode sheds light on how U.S. isolationism can backfire and what genuine support might entail. We cover: Historical Context: Understand pre-1979 Iran, the Shah’s era, and how the Islamic Republic consolidated power. Myth-Busting: Learn why common narratives (e.g., “Argo”) misrepresent key events and how that shapes public perception. Nuclear Threat Analysis: Explore the strategic factors driving Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Israel’s responses, and why timing matters. U.S. Policy & Isolationism: Discover how calls to “avoid escalation” can paradoxically make war more likely by undermining credible deterrence. Civil Resistance & Regime Change: Hear about the growing Iranian protest movements, Operation Rising Lion, and how external support might tip the balance. If you found this discussion valuable, hit Subscribe and ring the bell to get notified about future Ami’s House episodes on Israel, Middle East affairs, and global politics. Consider joining our Patreon for early access, bonus content, and to help us build a grassroots community of informed viewers. Support on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/amishouse/posts Mike's podcast "Iran Breakdown" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WyoGsvpl3c&list=PLmEsAFBNkqsMQnt5pypwEX0ul0NyIjd3E Join the Conversation: Do you think U.S. isolationist policies help or hinder stability in the Middle East? Have you seen gaps between American debate and on-the-ground realities? Let us know your thoughts! Comments! 00:00 – Iran Under the Shah vs. the 1979 Islamic Revolution 02:50 – Debunking “Argo” and the 1953 Coup Narrative 04:31 – Khomeini’s Rise 06:08 – Succession of Ali Khamenei 07:03 – The Ayatollah's Biggest Miscalculation 12:22 – Why NOW? The Closing Window on Iran’s Nuclear Program 22:20 – What are the threats to the U.S. if it attacks Iran? 28:16 – The Regime's Vulnerability 38:28 – Operation Rising Lion: Supporting the Iranian People to Overthrow the Regime 45:22 Candace Owens, Tucker Carlson, and What the Isolationists Don't Get

Over the weekend, the war between Israel and Iran escalated dramatically. Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israeli cities, with some evading air defenses and striking residential buildings. Israel responded with force — launching a sustained air campaign deep into Iranian territory. And yet, while Israel fights, the United States remains publicly absent. Officials insist the U.S. is not involved and that protecting American personnel is the top priority. But can the U.S. afford to sit this one out? In this episode, host Aviva Klompas speaks with Mark Dubowitz about what’s really happening behind the scenes. Is the U.S. quietly supporting Israel? Why isn’t Washington doing more to stop Iran’s nuclear threat? And how is the rest of the region reading America’s posture? This is more than a regional conflict. It’s a moment that will shape the future of deterrence, alliances, and Western resolve. Guest Bio: Mark Dubowitz is the chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), a Washington, D.C.-based nonpartisan policy institute. A leading expert on Iran’s nuclear program and global threat networks, he has played a central role in shaping U.S. policies to counter the Iranian regime and is the host of The Iran Breakdown podcast. Mark has advised four U.S. administrations and testified before Congress more than twenty times. His work has been cited by The New York Times , The Atlantic , and Politico , which called him one of Washington’s top policy influencers. Sanctioned by both Iran and Russia for his efforts to expose their malign activities, Mark has also contributed to FDD’s China Program, drawing on his background in China studies and Indo-Pacific business. A former venture capitalist and tech executive, he holds degrees from Johns Hopkins SAIS and the University of Toronto and has lived in Washington since 2003.

The Trump administration has been trying to hammer out a deal to dismantle Iran's nuclear program. In the last 24 hours, the rhetoric has ratcheted up on both sides, as both Iranian and US officials have warned about impending military action. A week ago, we recorded a conversation with Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, on the Iranian regime's strategy, its nuclear aspirations and what it would take to disrupt those aspirations diplomatically or, failing that, militarily. Can Iran's nuclear program be stopped? Can the regime be reined in or even toppled? Do the interests of Israel and America overlap, or are there meaningful gaps that could force a divergence in policy? How do we support the Iranian people, who have repeatedly rebelled against the tyranny of the ayatollahs in Tehran? Mark joined Rachel and Haviv to tackle these questions in a conversation that has only grown more relevant as the days have passed. This episode was sponsored by Julie and Frank Cohen because they believe this podcast is a way to teach our story, and because understanding our past and present is key to building a better future. Julie and Frank have asked to dedicate this episode to someone we lost on October 7. Today we remember 1st Sgt. Eliran Abergil, who was 29 when he died fighting the Hamas terrorists who invaded Kibbutz Be'eri. On the morning of the attack, Eliran was in Tiberias in Israel's north celebrating the Simchat Torah holiday with family. He rushed down south to join his comrades, met them on the front lines, and volunteered to be one of the first officers to enter Kibbutz Be'eri. He was killed in a firefight with Hamas gunmen. Eliran's wife discovered she was pregnant with their first child shortly after his death. Please join me on Patreon to support this project: ⁠ www.patreon.com/AskHavivAnything⁠ If you would like to sponsor an episode, please email us at ⁠haviv@askhavivanything.com⁠. A podcast by Haviv Rettig Gur