In Episode 7 of East Meets West, Olga and Tara are joined by veteran British parliamentarian George Galloway.

We dive deep into the "culture of impunity" and explore why Galloway describes Israel as America’s "51st State."

Is the world on a dangerous slide toward a "Second Vietnam" in Iran? Is an "eschatological mania" driving current US defense policy? We also discuss Galloway’s own recent legal battles and why he has sought "exile in the East."

From the "cult of death" seen in Spain’s recent assisted suicide case to the resilient spirit of Cuba — we tackle the most pressing geopolitical questions.

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In Episode 8 of East Meets West, Olga and Tara sit down together with veteran geopolitical analyst Pepe Escobar.

We thoroughly look into the implementation of Iran’s new "tollbooth" system and what it means for the future of global trade. Is the US dollar truly "sinking" in the Persian Gulf?

We also explore the rise of the Petro-Yuan, the updated concept of "Primakov Triangle" that includes Russia, Iran and China — and why the traditional business models of the UAE and the West are facing an existential crisis.

From hypersonic deterrence to the emergence of a gold-backed alternative to SWIFT, we break down the birth of a new multipolar reality.

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In Episode 9 of East Meets West, Olga and Tara talk to Irish author and activist Tadhg Hickey.

What does Trump as the president actually signal to the world? What does exceptionalism around Israel mean for the international rules-based order? How was Christianity weaponized in today’s politics?

Tadhg also shares what really happened when Israel disrupted the Freedom Flotilla’s effort in 2024 and how the activists were treated.

We explore Iran's resilience under decades of sanctions — and many more pressing topics.

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Great conversation with Tadhg

Olga Bataman CoHost of East Meets West discusses the Easter Orthodox traditions in Russia ! Follow us at @emw_podcast on X and telegram

In Episode 10, Olga and Tara are joined by Prof. Mohammad Marandi — who was in Islamabad during the high-stakes negotiations between the US and Iran.

We break down the diplomacy between Vice President JD Vance and the Iranian delegation. Is the US strategy a calculated move for regional dominance, or a sign of diminishing diplomatic options?

We look into the reality of the Strait of Hormuz crisis and the "information war" that is shifting global perceptions of power.

We also explore how civilian casualties get normalized in global coverage and why Western media turn blind eye to assassination calls for Iranian negotiators.

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Hey everyone there are a lot of fakes and spam inviting to chat rooms etc. that is NOT me. I will never invite you to chat rooms or other nonsense. Please just delete and report fakes. Thanks

In Episode 11, Olga and Tara welcome geopolitical analyst and former US Army officer Stanislav Krapivnik.

As the US faces an AI-driven energy crisis and a lack of domestic enrichment capacity, is the Uranium “heist" in Iran a matter of national survival? Was the mission to save a US pilot a cover up to attack a uranium site?

We also analyze the "soft mutiny" within the US Navy, the internal factions vying for control of Washington’s foreign policy, and why the current military-industrial complex is structurally incapable of winning a long-term war.

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In Episode 12, Olga and Tara are joined by former CIA analyst Larry Johnson.

Is the “Project Freedom” actually a legal loophole to bypass the War Powers Act? We dive deep into the tactical realities of the Strait of Hormuz, exploring why a conventional naval victory against Iran may be a military impossibility.

We also challenge the narrative on the recent security breach involving Donald Trump: was this event a genuine threat or a meticulously orchestrated political narrative?

From Iran's “Lego” videos to the CIA increasingly relying on foreign intelligence and from the “hollowing out” of Ukraine to the utility of NATO as a “jobs program” — we analyze the cracks in the current geopolitical order.

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In our Victory Day episode, Olga and Tara sit down with journalist and political analyst Caleb Maupin.

Why is the history of the 20th century being rewritten in real-time, and who benefits from the confusion? We discuss the Soviet Union's role in defeating fascism, diving deep into the uncomfortable truths the West often ignores.

How are these historical distortions used to fuel today’s conflicts in Ukraine and beyond? From the rise of the "New Left" to the influence of the CIA on modern social movements, Maupin breaks down how the "deep state" uses historical amnesia as a tool for geopolitical control.

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