Unholy: Two Jews on the News Iran burns, the world waits - with Suzanne Maloney
40 snips
Jan 15, 2026 
In this discussion, Dr. Suzanne Maloney, a senior foreign policy expert at the Brookings Institution specializing in Iran, navigates the complexities of the current unrest in Tehran. She assesses the likelihood of regime change amidst crackdowns on protests and discusses the implications of U.S. military options under Trump's unpredictability. Maloney highlights the critical role of defections from Iran's security forces and evaluates the risks to Israel, offering insights into Iran's military and nuclear ambitions. The conversation spans global policy shifts and potential opposition leadership in a turbulent region.
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Prepare For Long-Term Transition
- Do pursue long-term measures to prepare for transition rather than one-off strikes.
- Maloney recommends isolation, pressure and building opposition capacities over time.
Sow Doubt Within Security Forces
- Try to encourage defections within Iran's security forces to weaken the regime's control.
- Maloney says splintering the Revolutionary Guard is critical for meaningful change.
Desperation Breeds Escalation
- A threatened regime fearing existential collapse may respond unpredictably and escalate regionally.
- Maloney warns Iran might take risky attacks rather than calibrated retaliation.