Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Social scientist Hamidreza Azizi, author of The Axis of Resistance, joins Robert Wright to discuss the forces that shaped the Iranian regime and its attitude toward the US and Israel.
Exclusive Overtime discussion: nonzero.org/p/understanding-iran-robert-wright
Join NonZero's Discord server: discord.gg/Zy4jAhTQMF
Subscribe to The NonZero Newsletter at: nonzero.org/subscribe
0:00 Teaser
1:11 Hamidreza's background
9:16 A brief history of US-Iran relations
15:44 Understanding Iranian antipathy toward Israel
21:43 Islam vs Islamism
30:50 The Iran-Iraq security dilemma
36:39 The Iran-Israel security dilemma
45:22 Palestinian objectives and patrons
48:21 Heading to Overtime
Discussed in Overtime:
Are Iran’s “proxies” really proxies?
What Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis share.
Iran's (non)role in October 7.
Can Iran really “activate” the Houthis?
Are Iranians rallying around the flag?
The regime’s future viability.
Bob’s Strait of Hormuz plan.
Trump’s off-ramp problem.
Robert Wright (Nonzero, The Evolution of God, Why Buddhism Is True) and Hamidreza Azizi (The Axis of Resistance, German Institute for International and Security Affairs). Recorded May 14, 2026.
Twitter: twitter.com/NonzeroPods
Social scientist Hamidreza Azizi, author of The Axis of Resistance, joins Robert Wright to discuss the forces that shaped the Iranian regime and its attitude toward the US and Israel.
Exclusive Overtime discussion: nonzero.org/p/understanding-iran-robert-wright
Join NonZero's Discord server: discord.gg/Zy4jAhTQMF
Subscribe to The NonZero Newsletter at: nonzero.org/subscribe
0:00 Teaser
1:11 Hamidreza's background
9:16 A brief history of US-Iran relations
15:44 Understanding Iranian antipathy toward Israel
21:43 Islam vs Islamism
30:50 The Iran-Iraq security dilemma
36:39 The Iran-Israel security dilemma
45:22 Palestinian objectives and patrons
48:21 Heading to Overtime
Discussed in Overtime:
Are Iran’s “proxies” really proxies?
What Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis share.
Iran's (non)role in October 7.
Can Iran really “activate” the Houthis?
Are Iranians rallying around the flag?
The regime’s future viability.
Bob’s Strait of Hormuz plan.
Trump’s off-ramp problem.
Robert Wright (Nonzero, The Evolution of God, Why Buddhism Is True) and Hamidreza Azizi (The Axis of Resistance, German Institute for International and Security Affairs). Recorded May 14, 2026.
Twitter: twitter.com/NonzeroPods
