The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim

How does the Iranian regime use technology to control its people? How has AI and misinformation been used in the current wave of protests?
The Iranian regime just implemented the longest internet shutdown in its history. For over two weeks, very little information was getting in or out of the country as security forces cracked down hard on protestors.
Shutting off the internet is something the regime has done many times before. But why and how does it do it?
Mahsa Alimardani is associate director of technology threats and opportunities at WITNESS and specialises in how disinformation and AI are used in protests across the globe.
An Iranian herself, Mahsa tells Yalda the full scale of the misinformation tactics used by the regime as well as her ambitions to democratise satellite internet access.
You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.
Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]

It's been a month since a wave of protests spread across Iran, followed by a brutal government crackdown.
With the country under an internet blackout, it's still unclear how many have been killed - Richard and Yalda discuss what the death toll could be and we hear from one woman who shares what life is like inside Iran.
With Trump’s Board of Peace now established, Richard and Yalda explain what it is, who is on it and whether it could ultimately rival the United Nations.
Finally, as the United States deals with the aftermath of the killing of Alex Pretti – the man who was shot dead by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis - Richard and Yalda explain whether this could be a turning point for the country.
You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.
Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]

Why does Donald Trump want Greenland so much? How is Europe reacting?
Yalda is at Davos where the president insisted that America must have Greenland.
He has announced a framework has been agreed with NATO, but that the details still need to be worked out.
Yalda has been speaking to officials in Davos, who told her how betrayed they felt by the president.
Yalda also speaks to foreign policy expert Richard Fontaine about how Washington is reacting to the president’s latest moves.
Richard and Yalda then bring an update on the ongoing protests and internet blackout in Iran. With reports of soldiers firing on those in the streets, what will happen next?
To listen to Yalda’s bonus episode on the situation in Iran, go to the page on Spotify or Apple.
If you want to know more about the framework agreed on Greenland between Trump and NATO listen to our sister podcast Trump100.
You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.
Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]

What does the Iranian diaspora want America to do? Do they want intervention? And what do they think is next for Iran?
As protests continue across Iran and President Trump warns of consequences if the killing continues Yalda Hakim sits down with two Iranian American women to hear the views of the Iranian diaspora.
In this extra episode of the World, she speaks to Azadeh Afsahi, a human rights activist and Moj Mahdara who set up the Iranian Diaspora Collective about their motherland, their relationship to it, and what they want to happen next.
You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.
Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]

US President Donald Trump says "help is on its way" to the protesters in Iran – but what does he mean? Will the president strike Iran? And what could actually happen if the regime falls?
Protests in Iran have been spreading across the country for nearly two weeks. Why are tens of thousands of people out on the street? Richard and Yalda take stock of the fast-moving situation in Iran and try to make sense of what might happen next.
The two of them have been speaking to their contacts from across the globe, and Yalda has had a conversation with Shervin Pishevar, an American-Iranian businessman who has been instrumental in getting Elon Musk’s Starlink up and running in the country.
Richard also explains why even if Mr Trump acts, it will not be as easy a task as what he did in Venezuela.
You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.
Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]