From Tehran to Taipei: How the Iran War Reshapes China’s Taiwan Calculus (feat. Matt Pottinger)

From Tehran to Taipei: How the Iran War Reshapes China’s Taiwan Calculus (feat. Matt Pottinger)

Author: FDD March 26, 2026 Duration: 44:23

On the battlefield, the Iran war is expanding, and the real negotiations aren’t happening in backchannels — they’re happening in the Strait of Hormuz. 

The Iran war isn’t just about Iran. It’s about energy, leverage, and whether Beijing—and even Taiwan—are already learning the lessons of this war in real time. 

FDD’s Matt Pottinger joins host Mark Dubowitz to break down why a deal may be closer than it looks, why Trump may not take it, and how this war is already reshaping the global balance of power — and why China’s watching closely.


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: 54

The Iran Breakdown with Mark Dubowitz
Podcast Episodes
Rage Against the Regime: Music as Rebellion (featuring Liraz Charhi) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:08
About the EpisodeLiraz Charhi is an Israeli artist with deep Iranian roots, and her voice is shaking the walls of the Islamic Republic. Known for her role on the hit Apple TV+ series Tehran, Liraz joins Mark Dubowitz to…
The Israeli Perspective (featuring Yair Lapid and Eyal Hulata) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:14
About the Episode"Death to Israel, the little satan!"It's all too familiar, this rallying cry of Islamic Republic regime officials and their sympathizers — they've been chanting this for almost 50 years now. But make no…
Woman, Life, Freedom (featuring Masih Alinejad) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:32
About the EpisodeIn today’s episode, host Mark Dubowitz is joined by one of the Iranian regime's most fearless enemies, Masih Alinejad. Masih is not just a journalist or an activist—she’s a one-woman revolution. Born in…
Iran Before the Revolution (featuring Ray Takeyh) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:19
About the EpisodeWhether you’re a seasoned Iran watcher or just starting to explore the topic, understanding the Islamic Republic requires going back to the events that led to the 1979 Islamic Revolution. And to do that…