Breaking Down The Islamic Republic (Cliff May feat. Mark Dubowitz)

Breaking Down The Islamic Republic (Cliff May feat. Mark Dubowitz)

Author: FDD March 20, 2026 Duration: 1:04:48

We’re marking one year of The Iran Breakdown by bringing you a special conversation from our sister FDD podcast.

In this episode of Foreign Podicy, host Cliff May sits down with Mark Dubowitz to unpack a question at the core of this show: what the Islamic Republic actually believes — and how it has waged war on the United States and its allies since 1979.

It’s a conversation about ideology, strategy, and a threat too often misunderstood.

If you want to understand the regime in order to make sense of the war, start here.


Hosted by Mark Dubowitz, The Iran Breakdown with Mark Dubowitz is a focused miniseries from FDD that cuts through the noise surrounding one of the world's most persistent and complex crises. Rather than just recounting headlines, this podcast delves into the underlying forces-historical, religious, and societal-that shape Iran's actions both at home and abroad. You'll hear detailed analysis on the regime's nuclear ambitions, its support for proxy networks across the Middle East, and the ongoing struggle for human rights within its borders. Each episode aims to connect these geopolitical strategies to their real-world impact, offering a clearer understanding of a nation that consistently defies simple explanation. For anyone trying to make sense of the tensions that ripple from Tehran to the wider world, this series provides essential context and insight, moving beyond surface-level reporting to explore the deeper cultural and ideological drivers. Tune in for a sober, informed exploration that treats the subject with the gravity it demands.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

The Iran Breakdown with Mark Dubowitz
Podcast Episodes
From Gaza to Doha to Tehran: Nowhere to Hide (feat. Rich Goldberg) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:46
To help break down lessons learned from the 12-Day War, Israel’s strike in Qatar, and how American energy dominance is reshaping the strategic landscape — Rich Goldberg is back with Mark on The Iran Breakdown.
Nothing Short of Complete and Utter Dismantlement (feat. Jacob Nagel) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:31
Washington has wasted decades chasing pauses and half-measures. But as Mark Dubowitz and Brigadier General Jacob Nagel argue, the only answer to Iran’s nuclear blackmail is total dismantlement — no delay, no suspension,…
The Saudi Factor (feat. Amb. Michael Ratney) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:56
Mark Dubowitz is joined by former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney to break down the complex Saudi–Iran stalemate — from the 1979 Siege of Mecca and Khomeini’s revolution, to today’s regime-backed Houthis r…