Another Conversation with Amir Afkhami - COVID-19 Edition

Another Conversation with Amir Afkhami - COVID-19 Edition

Author: Saman Askari April 18, 2020 Duration: 1:13:51
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I speak again with a previous guest, Dr. Amir Afkhami, a health policy expert, historian and trained physician. This episode is all about COVID-19! Early in the episode, we discuss the nature of this coronavirus and how it affects the body. Then, we get into the subject of Iran and how the country became one of the epicenters of the disease, its government’s response, the historical parallels with Iran’s past health crises, why the city of Qom was where the v...

Saman Askari brings a distinct perspective to Iran Explained, shaped by his life as an Iranian-American in the San Francisco Bay Area. This isn't a platform for political agendas, but rather a space for thoughtful exploration. Each episode digs into a different facet of a country that is often reduced to headlines, weaving together current events with deep historical context and cultural insights. You'll hear discussions that connect ancient Persian history to modern societal shifts, analyze news through a nuanced lens, and examine the everyday realities that define Iranian life both inside the country and across its global diaspora. The aim is to build understanding beyond simplistic narratives. By approaching topics from news and politics to art and social customs with genuine curiosity and independence, this podcast provides listeners with a more complete, human picture. Saman's independent and non-partisan approach allows for conversations that are both informative and accessible, whether you're completely new to the subject or seeking deeper layers of knowledge. Tune in for a series that treats its complex subject with the depth and respect it deserves.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 31

Iran Explained
Podcast Episodes
A Conversation with Neda Maghbouleh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:06
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I speak with Neda Maghbouleh, the author of the 2017 book 'The Limits of Whiteness: Iranian Americans and the Everyday Politics of Race' and an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the Un…
A Conversation with Ervand Abrahamian [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:15
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I speak with Ervand Abrahamian, a world-renowned author and historian of Iran. We start our conversation talking about the reasons for the success of the clerical establishment in bringi…
A Conversation with Anousheh Ansari [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:22
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I speak with Anousheh Ansari, the first ever person of Iranian descent to travel to space and the first female self-funded space traveler of any nationality. Anousheh and I talk about he…
A Conversation with Hooman Majd [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:26
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I speak with Hooman Majd, an Iranian-American journalist and author. Hooman and I talk about the current level of support the Islamic Republic has inside Iran, the Iranian revolution and…
A Conversation with Vahid Yücesoy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:42
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I speak with Vahid Yücesoy, a PhD candidate in political science at the University of Montreal. Vahid and I talk about his background, how he became disillusioned with the Iranian reform…
A Conversation with Eli Lake [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:33
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I speak with Eli Lake, a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering national security and foreign policy. Eli and I talk about the recent US sanctions on Iran, the general role of the US and o…
A Conversation with Holly Dagres [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:49
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I speak with Holly Dagres, an Iranian-American Middle East analyst. Holly and I talk about her background, her time in Cairo, the recent protests in Iran, Reza Pahlavi and other alternat…
A Conversation with D. Parvaz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:22
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I speak with D. Parvaz, an Iranian-American journalist, who was wrongly imprisoned in Syria and Iran in 2011. We talk about her imprisonment, the potential of hardliners gaining more pow…
A Conversation with Barbara Slavin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:14
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I speak with Barbara Slavin, a journalist and foreign policy expert who focuses on Iran. We talk about how she became interested in Iran, the Trump administration’s approach to Iran and…
A Conversation with Borzou Daragahi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:10
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I speak with Borzou Daragahi, an award-winning journalist covering the Middle East and North Africa. We talk about the Trump administration and its recent war of words with Iran, Mike Po…