Iran's Historical Resistance to Foreign Empires Examined

The podcast series *Deja Vu* released its second episode on Thursday, August 9, 2026, dedicating the installment to Iran and the great powers that have historically sought to shape its political trajectory. Produced by the International Affairs Media Group and distributed through major streaming platforms, the episode follows the series’ format of pairing contemporary analysis with archival material to trace recurring patterns in global diplomacy.

Hosted by senior fellow Maya Al‑Rashid, the episode examines the strategic interests of the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union/Russia, and China in Iran from the early 20th century to the present day. Interviews with former diplomats, regional scholars, and policy analysts provide insight into key moments such as the 1953 coup, the 1979 revolution, the Iran‑Iraq war, and recent nuclear negotiations. By contextualizing these interventions within broader geopolitical shifts, the program highlights how external influence has repeatedly intersected with Iran’s domestic developments. Listeners are directed to the series’ website for supplementary documents and a full transcript of the discussion.