Election Insights: U.S. Politics, Israel, and Migration In this episode, we delve into the upcoming U.S. elections with a focus on some of today’s most pressing ‎topics: U.S. policy on Israel, the impact of the Lebanon-Gaza conflict, Iran's regional role, the perspectives ‎of American Jewish communities, the stance of the Democratic Party, and migration issues. This ‎conversation provides a thought-provoking look at the intersections of international relations and U.S. ‎domestic policy,...

Why Do People Fight? لماذا يقاتل الناس؟ Yuval Noah Harari once said something I find profound: Why are there so many wars in the world? Many people will tell you it's because humans fight for the same reasons animals do. They’ll say it’s natural—we fight for land, for resources, just like chimpanzees, wolves, or lions. For a long time, I believed this too. But after years of studying history, I realized it’s not true at all ... The shorten out is in Arabic

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part VII: Identity & Emotion Summary Emotions play a crucial role in shaping human behavior, influencing our thoughts, ‎decisions, and actions, often more than logic alone. Rather than being separate, emotions ‎and rationality are interconnected, with emotional reasoning like love and fear guiding ‎our choices in a deeply human way.‎ Despite the common misconception that emotions are irrational, they have logical ‎implications, such as trusting those we...

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part VI: Identity & Gender 1 Summary Podcast Episode Outline: Understanding Identity and Masculinity Introduction Explore the concept of identity as a cultural construct shaped by historical and social contexts. Cultural Context of Identity Discuss how identities are not fixed but influenced by power dynamics and personal narratives, particularly in relation to ethnicity and sexual identity. Gender and Judith Butler’s Theories Highlight...

Judeo-Presian & Early New Persian | فارسیهود در آیینه ی تاریخ‎ آیا می‌دانید نخستین نامه‌ی برجای‌مانده به زبان پارسی نو را يک یهودی نوشته است؟ به بيان دیگر، هر هر پژوهشگر ایران‌شناس اگر بخواهد کاوشی در زبان پارسی نو بکند، نباید این نامه را نادیده بگیرد. منظور از پارسی نو، زبانی است که از پارسی میانه و پارسی باستان جداست. بدون اینکه بتوان به‌روشنی زمانی دقیق برای این دگرگونی‌ها برگزید، باید به‌گونه‌ای کلی گفت که فارسي باستان به دوره‌ی هخامنشیان و پارسی میانه به دوره‌ی پس از یورش تازیان...

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part V: Identity & Sociolinguistics Summary In this episode, I explore the deep connection between language and identity, ‎examining how our linguistic habits shape how others perceive us. We delve into the ‎idea of heritage languages, native speaker myths, and how education influences our ‎linguistic development and identity. Drawing on historical and cultural perspectives, we ‎look at how language standards and policies affect individuals and communities....

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part IV: Identity, Language and Culture Summary In this episode, we dive into the relationship between identity, language, and culture, ‎exploring how language shapes and constructs our understanding of the world rather ‎than merely reflecting it. Drawing on thinkers like Wittgenstein, Derrida, etc, we unpack ‎the idea that identity is a discursive construct, brought into being through the ‎processes of language and thought. We challenge traditional concepts,...

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part III: Identity and Language 2: The Quest of ‘Self’ Summary In this episode, I explore the concept of the self and how it has evolved across cultures ‎and philosophies. Drawing from the framework proposed by psychologist Ulrich Neisser, ‎I break down the term 'self' into five categories: Ecological, Interpersonal, Remembered, ‎Private, and Conceptual. I also touch on the history of the self in linguistic ‎anthropology, from its fusion with the clan in...

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part III: Identity and Language Summary In this episode, I explore the complex relationship between language and identity, ‎diving into how we express who we are and how language shapes that expression. From ‎the personal question of *Who am I?* to the broader social forces that mold our ‎identities, we touch on everything from cultural diversity in America to the impact of ‎self-discovery and authenticity in shaping modern identity. I also raise questions about...

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part II: Identity and Race Summary In this episode, I explore how Enlightenment ideas of natural law and human progress ‎evolved into dangerous ideologies in the 19th and early 20th centuries. We trace the shift ‎from rationalism to Romantic nationalism, particularly in Germany, where thinkers like ‎Herder and Fichte laid the groundwork for racial and national ideologies. The concept of ‎the Aryan race, as developed by figures such as Gobineau, Chamberlain, and...

Antisemitism: Shadows and Coexistence Conversation with Menashe Amir In this second series of conversations with the esteemed Israeli journalist of Persian descent, Menashe ‎Amir, we address the deeply uncomfortable yet pervasive issue of antisemitism. While this topic has ‎been thoroughly examined throughout history, it remains an enduring and regrettably influential force in ‎shaping contemporary thought and society. As you will observe in my dialogue with Menashe Amir, the ‎complexity and...

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part I: Beyond the Melting Pot Summary:‎ In this episode, we explore the evolving concept of cultural identity in times of crisis. As individuals and ‎communities across the globe—from Native Americans to Middle Eastern migrants—reconnect with ‎their linguistic, cultural, and religious roots, the process of self-identification has taken on new ‎importance. We dive into how cultural identity is no longer about simple assimilation or fitting into the ‎melting pot,...

Iranian Languages and Dialects, Part XIV: Zaza | Zazaki or Dimlī Summary In this episode, we explore the linguistic position and historical evolution of Dimlī (also known as ‎Zaza), a language from the Northwest Iranian group. Dimlī is part of a larger set of Caspian ‎dialects, including Ṭālešī, Gūrānī, Gīlakī, and Māzandarānī, which share numerous isoglosses—‎common linguistic features—across phonetic, morphological, and lexical structures. The episode ‎delves into how Dimlī, despite its...

Dr. Einat Wilf on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict‎ (Interview) In this episode, I had the privilege of engaging in a profound conversation with Dr. Einat Wilf on the intricate dynamics of ‎the Israeli-Palestinian and Jewish-Arab conflict. Despite her demanding itinerary between Tel Aviv and Los Angeles, Dr. ‎Wilf, a distinguished expert in Middle Eastern affairs, generously took the time to join me at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los ‎Angeles for a 45-minute discussion. Our conversation explored...

Iranian Languages and Dialects, Part XIII: Ossetian | ИРОН ӔВЗАГ This episode is a special tribute to my late professor and mentor, Professor Dr. Roland Bielmeier (1943-2013) Summary In this comprehensive episode, we journey through the rich tapestry of Ossetic cultural history, ‎literature, and language. Starting with the linguistic isolation of Ossetic from its Central Asian ‎relatives, we explore how this language developed unique traits influenced by neighboring Turkic ‎and Caucasian...

Persophony and Persography as Symbols of Iranian Unity and the Reza-Khani Order In this presentation, delivered in Persian at the First International Symposium on Iranian Ancient ‎Languages and Scripts - From Turpan to Ctesiphon - on May 15th, 2022, in Dushanbe, the capital of ‎Tajikistan, I explore how the use of Persian, both in writing and speech over the past millennium, has ‎contributed to the concept of Iranian unity and the national identity of the Iranian people. This idea is ‎linked...

Iranian Languages and Dialects, Part XII: LORI | LURI‎‏ لُری ‏ In this episode, I dive into the fascinating world of the Lori language, spoken by ‎about five million people along the Zagros mountain range. We explore the linguistic ‎bridge Lori forms between Kurdish and Persian, and touch on the dialect split ‎between Northern and Southern Lori, marked by the Āb-e Dez River. I also discuss ‎why Lori may be under-researched, partly due to its close ties to Persian. ‎Additionally, we take a...

Iranian Languages and Dialects, Part XI: BALUCHI ‎| BALOCHI Summary In this episode, we delved into the captivating world of the Balochi language, exploring its ‎phonology, grammar, and syntax. We examined how Balochi differentiates itself and connects ‎with other Iranian languages like Parthian and Middle Persian. We discussed its unique syntax ‎features, including its word order and how neighboring languages influence its vocabulary and ‎structure.‎ We also touched on the challenges...

Iranian Languages and Dialects, Part X: KHWAREZMIAN ‎ Summary In this episode, I journey into the intriguing world of Khwarezmian | Chorasmian, a Middle Iranian ‎language that reveals a rich linguistic and historical background. Despite Khwarezmian being a ‎dormant language with limited exploration, its historical and linguistic significance is noteworthy. ‎We address the challenges in transcribing and interpreting Khwarezmian texts due to incomplete ‎sources and a less developed writing...

Iranian Languages and Dialects, Part IX: KURDISH Summary In this episode, I explored the rich tapestry of Kurdish languages and their historical evolution. I ‎delved into how Kurdish literary expression was once predominantly poetic, reflecting a broader ‎trend among Iranian languages, such as Pashto and various Iranian dialects. As we moved into the ‎‎20th century, a more diverse range of Kurdish literature began to emerge, with Kurmanji and ‎Sorani becoming the principal written...

Summary In this episode, I explored the rich history and linguistic features of the Sogdian language, a key ‎player in the cultural tapestry of the ancient Silk Roads. I delved into the unique aspects of ‎Sogdian script, including its evolution and adaptation into other languages like Uighur, ‎Mongolian, and Manchu. ‎ I also discussed the complexities of Sogdian phonology, the influence of the rhythmic law on ‎vowel retention, and the intriguing historical spellings that give us a glimpse...

Iranian Languages and Dialects, Part VII: Pashto ‎ Summary In this episode, we delve into Pashto, an Iranic language spoken across Afghanistan, Pakistan, and ‎parts of Iran. We explore its significance, dialectal variations, and its deep connection with ‎Pashtun identity. By examining the historical roots and the spread of the language, we uncover ‎how Pashto has shaped and been shaped by the cultural and social dynamics of the region. If you ‎haven't already, I highly recommend listening...

Antisemitism, Part VIII: The Myth of Anti-Zionism ‎ In this final episode of our series, I explore the intricate relationships between ‎antisemitism and anti-Zionism, tracing their historical and ideological evolution. I ‎delve into how anti-Zionism has transformed from a critique of Israeli policies into a ‎broader ideological weapon often used to perpetuate antisemitic views. We cover the ‎concept of fictive anti-Zionism, marked by exaggerated and unfounded claims, and ‎examine how this...