Iran is Decolonizing West Asia — And the US Empire is Crumbling in Real Time | Silk and Steel

Iran is Decolonizing West Asia — And the US Empire is Crumbling in Real Time | Silk and Steel

Author: Alternate Current Radio March 31, 2026 Duration: 58:37
In this wide-ranging episode, Carl Zha joins Ali Mirza for a deep dive into the catastrophic Iran war that has exposed the hollow core of American military power and is reshaping the geopolitical landscape of West Asia and beyond.
The headlines write themselves:
• The US now begs for time – buying 10 days to avoid bombing Iran's energy grid after Iran threatened to destroy regional desalination plants
• Market manipulation exposed: Over $500 million in suspicious bets placed just before Trump's market-moving tweets
• Iran exports MORE oil now than before the war – 1.5 million barrels per day at $90 (double pre-war revenue)
• The US has depleted one-third of its missile interceptors in just four weeks
• China supplies Iran with missile precursors while it bans rare earth exports to the US
• US allies realize they're on the bottom of the food chain – Israel is the only priority
We break down:
• Why Trump's "victory" declarations are just market manipulation tactics
• The terrifying parallel to Vietnam: How 3,500 Marines became 500,000 troops
• Why a ground invasion of Iran is logistically impossible (90 million people, unforgiving terrain, no coalition)
• The fertilizer crisis: 20% of world's natural gas from Qatar is offline – planting season is NOW
• The helium shortage: Taiwan's semiconductor industry is in trouble – the AI bubble is about to burst
• Why Australia is days away from running out of jet fuel (32% came from China, which banned exports)
• How US allies in Asia are waking up: South Korea's THAAD system stripped, the Philippines begging China for oil deals
• The perception shift in America: Even MAGA turns on Trump over this war
Plus: The USS Ford "laundry room fire," why China is the bedrock of stability, and why Iran is single-handedly decolonizing West Asia.

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Hosted by Mike Robinson and Brian Gerrish, UK Column Radio offers a distinct perspective on global events, anchored from Britain. This daily podcast, produced by Alternate Current Radio, moves beyond the standard news cycle to examine the underlying political, economic, and social forces shaping international headlines. Each episode features in-depth analysis and discussion, focusing on how decisions made in corridors of power translate into real-world consequences for citizens. The conversations are detailed and evidence-driven, appealing to listeners who prefer a more forensic approach to current affairs. You'll hear a consistent focus on themes of governance, media narrative, and national sovereignty, all framed within a context that challenges mainstream reporting. The tone is serious and engaged, built on the premise that a deeper understanding of news requires connecting disparate events into a coherent picture. For those seeking an alternative to conventional news commentary, this podcast provides a platform for sustained, critical dialogue. It’s a program dedicated to asking the questions often left unasked by other outlets, making it a regular listen for an audience that values thorough investigation over soundbite summaries.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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