Roqe Ep. 431 - IRAN RISES - Who Is In Charge? - Lisa Daftari, Shahram Kholdi

Roqe Ep. 431 - IRAN RISES - Who Is In Charge? - Lisa Daftari, Shahram Kholdi

From Roqe by Roqe Global Media

April 16, 2026 · 1h 2m

About this episode

The episode discusses the shifting global conversation around Iran and explores the current power dynamics within the country and its diaspora.

Jian opens Episode 431 of Roqe with an essay titled The Story Has Been Hijacked, reflecting on how the global conversation around Iran has shifted away from the human rights movement that brought millions into the streets - and why it is up to Iranians to bring that focus back. He is then joined by Lisa Daftari, Iranian-American foreign policy analyst and Editor-in-Chief of The Foreign Desk (from Los Angeles), and Dr. Shahram Kholdi, Middle East historian and political analyst (from Southwestern Ontario), for a wide-ranging conversation on who is really in charge right now. From the inner workings of the Islamic Republic to the competing influences shaping U.S. policy, and the evolving leadership dynamics within the Iranian diaspora, this episode explores how power is exercised - and perceived - at a critical moment. This is Roqe Ep.431 - IRAN RISES - Who’s In Charge? This episode is supported by: Stellar Law - stellarlaw.ca Famluxy - famluxy.com

People in this episode

Guests: Lisa Daftari, Shahram Kholdi

Topics covered

  • Iran
  • human rights
  • foreign policy
  • leadership dynamics
  • Islamic Republic

Keywords

  • Iran Rises
  • political analysis
  • U.S. policy
  • Iranian diaspora

Sponsors

Stellar Law, Famluxy

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Stellar Law, Famluxy

Books & works: Roqe, IRAN RISES - Who Is In Charge, The Story Has Been Hijacked, IRAN RISES - Who

Places: Iran, Los Angeles, Middle East, Southwestern Ontario, U.S.

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