Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on June 23, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

Israel claims Iran is closer than ever to building a nuclear weapon. But as it targets Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his nation’s attacks will also “liberate” Iranians. In a civilization shaped by millennia of empire and resistance, those words land differently. What does liberation mean to Iranians as the US and Israel call for regime change?

In this episode:

• Hamid Dabashi (@dabashihamid), Professor, Columbia University

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker. The original production team was Chloe K. Li, Sonia Bhagat, Haleema Shah, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Mariana Navarrete, Noor Wazwaz, Kylene Kiang, and our guest host, Manuel Rápalo.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement and Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer.

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Tools from Anthropic and OpenAI are being used by the Pentagon to make military decisions in Iran, guiding decisions could cost lives. Fast, powerful, or flawed, how have AI systems already changed how wars are fought?

In this episode:

• Heidy Khlaaf (@hak90), Principal Research Scientist, AI Now Institute

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, Sarí el-Khalilí, Chloe K. Li, and Noor Wazwaz, with Spencer Cline, Tuleen Barakat, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer.

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From inside Iran to the diaspora, Iranians are deeply divided about their country’s future. With Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gone and Reza Pahlavi, the grandson of the former shah, waiting in the wings, what do conversations about regime change reveal about the spectrum of what Iranians really think?

In this episode:

• Yara Elmjouie (@yelmjouie), AJ+ Journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz, Marcos Bartolomé, and Catherine Nouhan, with Spencer Cline, Tuleen Barakat, Maya Hamadeh, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube