The Globalist Iran cracks down on top dissidents ahead of Netanyahu’s US trip
15 snips
Feb 10, 2026 Tara Kangalu, journalist on Iranian politics, outlines recent arrests of reformists and Tehran’s diplomatic posture. Tom Grundy, Hong Kong press freedom editor, discusses Jimmy Lai’s sentence and media exodus. Zoe Grunwald, Westminster editor, covers UK political fallout around Starmer and Mandelson. Ash Bajwaj, travel writer, talks luxury hotel pricing and stricter US visa checks. Gabe Bullard, culture reporter, reports on Basel’s Fasnacht and AI backlash.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
A Mother's View From Tehran
- Tara Kangalu recounts speaking with a Tehran mother who said, 'our brightest are now in Evin prison.'
- She uses this to illustrate the scale of arrests affecting intellectuals and activists.
Jimmy Lai's Sentence And Health
- Tom Grundy describes Jimmy Lai's 20-year sentence and poor health at age 78.
- He notes that being a British citizen has not protected Lai from Hong Kong authorities.
Press Freedom Narrowed In Hong Kong
- Hong Kong's media landscape has contracted sharply since 2020 with many outlets closing and journalists leaving.
- Tom Grundy says remaining outlets like Hong Kong Free Press still cover courts and press conferences but face constraints.
