People Talk... Politics

Ep. 52 – Life as an Iranian political prisoner - with Professor Kian Tajbakhsh

Episode Summary

In the new podcast episode, our Policy Fellow Ellie Guaschi interviewed Professor Kian Tajbakhsh, former political prisoner in Iran released during a prisoner swap under the Obama administration. Professor Tajbakhsh shared his story and explained why it was naive to believe that ‘reformists’ could change the political and strategic direction of Iran back in the 2000s and is still naive now. He argued that Iran’s ultimate goal is to destroy Israel and establish hegemony in the Middle East.

Episode Notes

In the new podcast episode, our Policy Fellow Ellie Guaschi interviewed Professor Kian Tajbakhsh, former political prisoner in Iran released during a prisoner swap under the Obama administration. Professor Tajbakhsh shared his story and explained why it was naive to believe that ‘reformists’ could change the political and strategic direction of Iran back in the 2000s and is still naive now. He argued that Iran’s ultimate goal is to destroy Israel and establish hegemony in the Middle East.