East meets West with Olga Bataman and Tara Reade is a place where we invite guests from both East and West, so you can get a perspective from across the ocean – on politics and things that matter.
V-Day episode: Why the West hides their most important WWII ally – with Caleb Maupin
Olga and Tara sit down with journalist and political analyst Caleb Maupin – to peel back the layers of the “official” narrative surrounding the Second World War, and its modern-day consequences. 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, Caleb Maupin and the hosts break down how the “deep state” uses historical amnesia as a tool for geopolitical control. С Днем Победы! On Victory Day, we remember
Hormuz war reset, ‘orchestrated’ attempt on Trump, Iran’s Lego – with Larry Johnson
In this episode of East Meets West, we sit down with veteran intelligence analyst Larry Johnson – to pull back the curtain on the strategic maneuvers currently shaping US foreign and domestic policy. Why does the ‘Project Freedom’ initiative matter, and is it a genuine military objective or 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.
Iran’s uranium for data centers and ‘soft mutiny’ in US Navy with Stanislav Krapivnik
Olga and Tara welcome former US Army officer and geopolitical analyst Stanislav Krapivnik to discuss new dimensions of the unrelenting conflict in the Persian Gulf. 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.
Real reasons why US-Iran talks stalled — insider’s account with Prof. Mohammad Marandi
Olga and Tara are joined by Professor Seyed Mohammad Marandi, who was on the ground in Islamabad during the high-stakes 21-hour negotiations between the US and Iran. We analyze the breakdown of diplomacy between US Vice President J.D. 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 a blind eye to assassination calls for Iranian negotiators.
Trump as a symptom, weaponized Christianity & Freedom Flotilla with Tadhg Hickey
Olga and Tara welcome Irish satirist and activist Tadhg Hickey for a raw assessment of the current geopolitical landscape. In this episode, we examine what Donald Trump as president actually signals for the international rules-based order. We also look into the “weaponization of Christianity.” How is religious rhetoric used to justify imperial interests today? Tadhg shares what really happened when Israel disrupted the Freedom Flotilla’s effort in 2024 and how the activists were treated. We explore the resilience of nations like Iran under decades of sanctions. From the collapse of traditional “diplomatic decorum” to the rise of a post-truth political era, we analyze the systemic tremors reshaping our world.
Dollar sinking in Hormuz, death of ‘Dubai bling’, and rise of petroyuan, with Pepe Escobar
Olga and Tara are joined by veteran geopolitical analyst Pepe Escobar to dissect the seismic shifts occurring in the Strait of Hormuz. We dive deep 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 explore the rise of the petroyuan, the updated concept of the ‘Primakov triangle’ which 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.