Jimmy interviews Seyed Mohammad Marandi about why so many Middle Eastern governments lack the independence to oppose U.S. and Israeli policies — which Marandi says is because their political and economic elites are deeply tied to Western institutions and interests. He further speculates that foreign leaders may be constrained by political pressure, personal interests, or compromising information, while claiming that regional governments often prioritize regime survival over national interests.
Marandi contends that public opinion has increasingly turned against Israel across much of the Middle East and beyond, while governments remain aligned with Washington and its regional partners. Marandi concludes that the current geopolitical order is becoming unsustainable due to growing public dissatisfaction, regional instability, and what he views as the declining influence of long-standing Western power structures.