Roqe

A new edition of Roqe including feature interviews with economist and academic, Dr. Mahdi Ghodsi in Vienna, and kamancheh master Kourosh Babaie live in the Roqe Studio, in conversation and performance. Jian begins the episode with a thought-provoking audio essay on the catastrophic economic situation in Iran, sharing statistics and info as a segue into the first guest. And Pegah joins Jian for a Roqe Roundup about the latest viral videos and news from inside Iran, a new petition and call to action to end gender apartheid, and more.

A new episode of Roqe including feature interviews with acclaimed actor and writer, Houshang Touzie in Los Angeles, about his responses to the uprising in Iran and a new tele-play, and songwriter and recording artist, Peyman Salimi, who joins Jian from Brussels for a chat and to debut songs from his forthcoming new album. Plus journalist and news producer, Mahsa Mortazavi is in the Roqe Studio for a Roundtable to discuss the poisoning of schoolgirls in Iran, the attacks on Iran International in London, and more….

A new edition of Roqe featuring Part 8 of the “Voices from Inside Iran” series including interviews with frontline protesters in Mashhad, Tehran and Tabriz on where they believe the new revolution is at and their reaction to the most recent events in Iran. Plus, Jian opens the show with an audio essay about the horrendous regime poison attack on schoolgirls and university students and the lack of any action by UNICEF, the UN, and the West. And a special extended Roqe Roundtable convenes with Pegah, KNZ, and Darya joining Jian to discuss the poisonings, the death of Pirooz the cheetah, and the platforming of the prevaricating IRI Foreign Minister on CNN.

A new edition of Roqe as part of the Uprising series, including feature interviews with popular athlete and blogger, Picasso Moin, in Istanbul, and founder of the online marketplace, ‘Alangoo,’ Golshid Mola, in Los Angeles. Plus, Jian kicks off the show with an audio essay reflecting on the appearance of Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at the United Nations Human Rights Council, entitled, “The Iranian Foreign Minister is a Buffoon,” and the Roqe Roundtable convenes with new team member, KNZ, to discuss Pirouz the cheetah, the events of the UNHRC and the poisoning of schoolgirls in Iran.

A new edition of Roqe featuring three musicians of Iranian background in different parts of the diaspora making their contributions to the effort for a free Iran - the “sounds of change.” First, Jian is joined by talented songwriter and producer, Majid Kazemi, who is on the line from Dusseldorf and speaks of his experience at the major demonstration in Brussels earlier in the week. Then the rock vocalist and musician, Houman Javid, is live in the Roqe Studio in Toronto for a conversation and performance and makes the case that the current uprising is an inspirational continuation of what he and his peers wanted years ago inside Iran. And finally, the singer and recording artist Gelareh Sheibani joins Jian from Los Angeles to debut a new song and speak about her message of peace and inner-balance. Plus the Roqe Roundtable convenes to discuss the latest in the news and chatter across the Iranian diaspora and the uprising.

A new edition of Roqe, continuing the “Voices from Inside Iran” series that began in the fall, this time featuring four courageous young Iranians who’ve been on the frontlines of the movement for change in Iran - in Rasht, Shiraz, Tehran and Gilan. Plus, Jian kicks things off with an opening essay focused on the Islamic Republic as a threat to journalists around the world - particularly given the recent attacks on Iran International that are forcing the network to relocate from the UK to America. And the Roqe Roundtable convenes to discuss a big day in Brussels, the Munich Security Conference, Masih, Reza Pahlavi and a new viral video from a conference of engineers in Iran.

A new edition of Roqe as part of the Uprising series with a special feature-length interview with psychologist and academic, Dr. Fathali M. Moghaddam, on his new book: “Political Plasticity: The Future of Democracy and Dictatorships.” Jian and Dr. Moghaddam discuss the possibilities for actualized democracy in a new Iran and the obstacles along this path rooted in historic continuity of behaviour and socio-political structures. Plus, Jian starts this episode with an essay entitled, “There is no “normal” in the Islamic Republic of Iran,” addressing the firing of a teacher in the north of Iran for playing a love song in her class, and challenging a regime-supported narrative of how Iran is somehow returning to “normalcy” after months of volatility. And the regulars convene for the Roqe Roundtable and to discuss the 40th day since the executions of two young men in Iran and the related demonstrations and protests today in Tehran and beyond.

A new edition of Roqe from the Uprising series including feature interviews with popular Iranian-American therapist, Dr. Afarin Rajaei in San Diego, and Iranian-British broadcaster, producer and influencer, Shirin Naseri in the Roqe Studio - both addressing the psychological dimensions of the current moment for Iranians. And Jian begins the show with an audio essay entitled, “Really, Financial Times?” questioning a new article in that appears to be peddling of Islamic Republic propaganda about demonstrations in Iran over the weekend. Plus, the Roqe Roundtable convenes to discuss the global rallies on the weekend including the massive event in Los Angeles, the Feb 10th conference that brought together prominent Iranian opposition leaders, the upcoming Munich Security Conference, and more.

A new edition of Roqe from The Uprising series featuring interviews with tech entrepreneur and online energizer Kooshiar Azimian in Los Angeles, and writer and academic Dr. Ali Fathollah-Nejad in Berlin. Jian starts the show with an audio essay addressing President Biden following his recent State of the Union address and complete omission of any mention of Iran. Plus the regulars, Pegah and Shaya assemble with Jian for the Roqe Roundtable to discuss the The Future of Iran’s Democracy Movement Conference in Washington DC, the global call to action and rallies taking place worldwide on Saturday Feb 11th, and the courage of dissident lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh in her latest bold interview whilst on medical leave from prison in Iran.

A new edition of Roqe with feature guests: Australian-Iranian actor and producer, Mojean Aria, fresh from winning an award at the Sundance Film Festival with his latest project, “Shayda,” and award-winning journalist, physician and political scientist, Gilda Sahebi in Berlin. Jian begins the show with an essay decrying the notion that the revolution in Iran is dead. Plus, the Roqe regulars convene for the Roundtable and discuss Shervin Hajipour’s Grammy win, Toomaj Salehi’s 100 days in solitary, a new survey that shows over 80% want regime change in Iran, and the Supreme Leader’s latest PR effort in deceptively offering to “pardon” political prisoners.