Why have decades of negotiations, sanctions, and military pressure failed to change Iran's behavior? According to Dr. Harold Rhode, the answer lies in something far deeper than politics. It lies in culture.

Having lived in Iran during the Islamic Revolution and later served for twenty-eight years as the Pentagon's leading adviser on the Islamic world, Dr. Rhode argues that American policymakers repeatedly misunderstand how Iranian leaders think because they assume that other cultures share Western assumptions about compromise, diplomacy, and power. Drawing on his remarkable firsthand experiences, he explains why cultural misunderstandings have shaped U.S. policy toward Iran for decades, how the regime maintains its grip on power, and what Israel and the United States should learn if they hope to confront the Islamic Republic successfully.

This conversation offers a fascinating look at the intersection of culture, history, and geopolitics, and demonstrates why understanding an adversary's worldview may be the most important step toward defeating it.

Is the region drifting toward another major war, or are all sides carefully managing the conflict?

Elliott Chodoff returns to Shoulder to Shoulder to explain the strategic calculations behind the latest confrontation with Iran. He discusses why Western diplomacy often misunderstands Middle Eastern political culture, why Iran continues to test American resolve, how Israel might respond if attacked, and why Lebanon remains one of the region's biggest wild cards.

Rather than focusing on the daily headlines, this conversation examines the deeper strategic forces shaping events and what they could mean for the months ahead.

Join an all-star panel of Middle East experts for a special Israel365 webinar on Iran, regional security, and what comes next. Register at israel365.com/regime.

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki look beyond fireworks and patriotism to the ideas that made the American experiment unique. They explore how the Bible shaped the Founders' understanding of liberty, why freedom and personal responsibility are inseparable, and what passages from Deuteronomy, the Ten Commandments, and even Little House on the Prairie reveal about the moral foundations of a free society. Along the way, they discuss the Ark Encounter, biblical literalism, and why Israel's appreciation for America reflects more than politics. It's a thoughtful conversation about faith, freedom, and the enduring power of America's Judeo-Christian heritage.