Iran, the back story

The episode of 'The National Security Hour' on America Out Loud Podcast Network features a deep dive into the historical and geopolitical significance of Iran, with guest Sergeant Sangari, an Iraqi-Syrian-Iranian specialist and head of the Near East Center for Strategic Engagement. Sangari traces Iran’s roots to the ancient Assyrian Empire, emphasizing the cultural and religious continuity from Assyria to modern Iran, including the role of Aramaic-speaking Christians and the Assyrian Church in spreading Christianity across Asia. He argues that the U.S. invasion of Iraq and subsequent policies have led to the near-eradication of Assyrian Christians in the region, with their population plummeting from 2.3 million under Saddam Hussein to less than 100,000 today. Sangari also discusses the internal power struggle within Iran, particularly between factions vying to negotiate with the U.S. over a potential deal that could unlock trillions in economic value through the IRGC’s vast transnational network. The conversation shifts to broader critiques of U.S. foreign policy, including the failure to support Christian minorities, the unintended consequences of training extremist groups, and the lack of a unified global religious authority in Islam compared to the Catholic Church. The episode ends with a call to action for listeners to support Christian communities and engage with the show’s mission of truth-telling and national security advocacy.