The Courage to Talk, Not Kill: Peace, Security, and Syria’s Women

Sir Richard Dalton, former British ambassador to Iran, joins Sanam Naraghi Anderlini on this week's episode of If You Were In Charge. They discuss the collapse of diplomacy following recent U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, examining how Trump's withdrawal from the JCPOA, Netanyahu's hardline policies, and the Ayatollah's defiance have escalated regional tensions. Dalton argues that without renewed multilateral engagement, lasting peace will remain elusive, criticizing Britain's failure to lead in condemning Gaza atrocities. Despite these challenges, he maintains that dialogue and diplomacy offer the best path toward a collective future. As Iran is Sanam's childhood home, she also speaks with her daughter Soleh before and after the main interview, both to hear how Soleh's college community has responded to recent events and to reflect on loved ones directly impacted by the conflict in Iran, as well as those watching from afar. If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the⁠ ⁠⁠Bjian Ghaisar Foundation⁠ And ICAN⁠ International Civil Society Action Network⁠ Original Music, Little Monster Media  Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an ⁠Africa Digital Audio Production⁠ ICAN’s newsletter: ⁠https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A personal reflection from Sanam on two weeks of war in Iran. What it is like watching the bombardment of her childhood neighborhood from afar. — We also wanted to celebrate our former guests, Women of the Sun from Palestine, who won the 2025 Vigdís Prize for Women’s Empowerment. So we re-uploaded our conversation with Marwa Hammad of Women of the Sun in Palestine and Yael Braudo-Bahat of Women Wage Peace in Israel two remarkable women who refuse to give in to despair, and who refuse to give up on the future. Women of the Sun - https://womensun.org/ Women Wage Peace - https://www.womenwagepeace.org.il/en/ If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bjian Ghaisar Foundation⁠⁠ And ICAN⁠⁠ International Civil Society Action Network⁠⁠ ICAN’s newsletter: ⁠⁠https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/⁠⁠ Original Music, Little Monster Media Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an ⁠⁠Africa Digital Audio Production⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Jessie Stone, a six-time U.S. freestyle team member, shares her journey of how an illness to one of her team during a kayaking trip led her to establish a health clinic in Uganda. Now she is on the front line as USAID cuts mean millions can no longer access life-saving care. Welcome to If You Were In Charge with Sanam Naraghi Anderlini. In the last ten years, Dr. Jessie Stone's clinic has served hundreds of thousands of patients and helped address critical health issues like malaria and community health. Speaking to Sanam, she stresses the importance of community education and describes the challenges faced in providing healthcare in a country with one doctor for every 25,000 patients. She highlights the extraordinary resilience of local communities and the need for grassroots solutions in healthcare. And as always, listen to the end for news on upcoming episodes and words of wisdom from Soleh! If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the Bjian Ghaisar Foundation And ICAN International Civil Society Action Network You can find out more information or how to get in touch following the link to our homepage -  https://shows.acast.com/if-you-were-in-charge Original Music, Little Monster Media  Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an Africa Digital Audio Production ICAN’s newsletter: https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fall of the Assad regime came swiftly in the end, with far less violence than anyone imagined. How did this happen? Can Syria emerge from its decades of brutality and bloodshed to become a bastion of hope in the Middle East? Sanam talks to Abir Hajibrahim, co-founder of Mobaderoon and one of Syria’s leading peacebuilders, who has built a network of dedicated peacebuilders and volunteers—preventing violence, reconciling communities, and mobilizing people to be active, engaged citizens determining their own futures. This conversation explores the untold stories of Syria’s peacebuilders—individuals from all walks of life who stepped into the chaos of conflict to rebuild trust, heal communities, and drive reconciliation from the ground up. This episode dives into the human cost of violence, the power of grassroots engagement, the unique role of women in peace efforts, and what sets peacebuilding apart from humanitarian work—all against the backdrop of a shifting political landscape. It’s a candid, hopeful look at the future of Syria, shaped by the courage and determination of its people. Mobaderoon https://mobaderoon.org If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the Bjian Ghaisar Foundation And ICAN International Civil Society Action Network You can find out more information or how to get in touch following the link to our homepage -  https://shows.acast.com/if-you-were-in-charge Original Music, Little Monster Media  Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an Africa Digital Audio Production ICAN’s newsletter: https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Politics and poetry may seem like an odd couple. But throughout history, and across cultures, through symbolism and story telling, writers and poets have captured the spirit of their age and shared them with us through time and geography - helping us make sense of human foibles, and the events of our our own world. In Episode 6 of If You were in Charge Sanam takes a different tack in her conversation with Christine Van Ruymbeke, The Soudavar Professor of Persian literature and culture at Cambridge University. It is said that the key to understanding Iran is through poetry, with Iranians often turning to verse to express their hopes and frustrations in everyday life. Familiarity with Persian poetry and the study of its rich, deep history in the West has suffered due to the Western world’s antagonism toward the Iranian regime. Yet these works hold profound cultural significance, particularly through Sufism and its global philosophical resonance. During an uncertain time in the world what wisdom to the poets of the past have for us about how navigate our modern world.  Sanam also speaks with her daughter, Soleh, a PhD student at Cambridge, to reflect on the conversation and the role poetry played in their family life—with a few laughs along the way. So join us to hear about the enduring cultural power of classical poets such as Rumi and Saadi, and how these centuries-old verses continue to resonate with contemporary challenges. The episode also highlights the role of women in literature, showcasing their intellectual force and strategic insight in navigating cultural and social currents. Guest.  Professor Christine van Ruymbeke Head of Middle Eastern Studies at Cambridge University Ali Reza & Mohamed Soudavar Professor of Persian Studies If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the Bjian Ghaisar Foundation And ICAN International Civil Society Action Network You can find out more information or how to get in touch following the link to our homepage -  https://shows.acast.com/if-you-were-in-charge Original Music, Little Monster Media  Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an Africa Digital Audio Production ICAN’s newsletter: https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/ Chapters 00:00 The Power of Poetry and Literature 05:00 Exploring Persian Literature 10:10 The Significance of Rumi and Saadi 20:13 Lessons from Persian Fables 30:04 Women in Persian Literature and Their Power 37:23 Reviving Literature in Education 42:12 The Importance of Humanities 45:38 Funding and Institutional Support for Literature 47:48 Hope for the Future of Literature 49:23 Connecting Poetry to Society and Governance 58:35 The Role of Literature in Understanding Human Nature ProfessorChristine van Ruymbeke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the war on Gaza raging and violence escalating in the West Bank, few see hope for peace in the Middle East.  But Marwa Hammad of Woman of the Sun in Palestine and Yael Braudo-Bahat of Women Wage Peace of Israel, refuse to give in to such despair, and they refuse to give up on the future. In Episode 5 of If You Were in Charge, Sanam Naraghi Anderlini takes on the toughest conflict of our times, offering a slice of hope and a glimpse into the resilience and courage of the women Peacebuilders who persist in waging peace. Stressing the urgent need to shift investment from conflict to peace, advocating for a future where women play a central role in forging a sustainable resolution. They also explore the challenges posed by funding cuts to civil society initiatives and the vital role of personal narratives in humanizing the cost of war. Despite mounting obstacles, the conversation finds hope in the tenacity of women working at the grassroots to foster understanding and drive meaningful change. At the end of the podcast Sanam is joined by her daughter to Soleh to reflect, get her views on what she made of the conversation and catch up on her news. Women of the Sun - https://womensun.org/ Women Wage Peace - https://www.womenwagepeace.org.il/en/ If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bjian Ghaisar Foundation⁠⁠ And ICAN⁠⁠ International Civil Society Action Network⁠⁠ ICAN’s newsletter: ⁠⁠https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/⁠⁠ Original Music, Little Monster Media  Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an ⁠⁠Africa Digital Audio Production⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the podcast, Sanam Naraghi Anderlini is joined by two distinguished voices in global diplomacy to examine the United Nations at a critical juncture.  Richard Gowan, Director for UN and Multilateral Diplomacy at the International Crisis Group, and María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, former President of the UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister of Ecuador, and poet, delve into the mounting pressures facing the UN amid intensifying great power rivalries. Their conversation explores the urgent need for institutional reform, the vital importance of gender parity in global leadership, and the UN’s responsibility in advancing preventive diplomacy to sustain peace and security. The guests call for a renewed commitment to multilateralism, accountability in implementing resolutions, and the long-overdue appointment of a female Secretary-General. If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the Bjian Ghaisar Foundation And ICAN International Civil Society Action Network ICAN’s newsletter: https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/ Original Music, Little Monster Media  Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an Africa Digital Audio Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would have happened, if the US had heeded Afghan women's warnings about the Taliban, and supported their solutions before 2021? What if the international community supported  Afghan women's strategies for ending violence and building peace - then and now?  This week on #IfYouWereInCharge, Sanam speaks with Wazhma Frogh, Afghan woman peacebuilder and lawyer specializing in international human rights law and Afghanistan, and recipient of the International Women of Courage Award.  Despite the Taliban's oppressive rule, Wazhma speaks of her vital work in educating, advocating, and offering hope to Afghan women and girls, living day to day under the Taliban's oppressive rule. Where many feel despair, Wazhma still sees resilience, courage and inspiration, and shows how much could be done, if women like her, were in charge.  As always, Sanam is joined by her daughter Soleh, a PhD student at Cambridge, to reflect on the main interview and offer a different generational perspective. Welcome to If You Were in Charge Season 2, a podcast featuring global peace strategist Sanam Naraghi Anderlini. Each week, Sanam tackles a major global challenge and hosts leading practitioners and innovators to share their work and solutions—if they were in charge with the necessary political and financial resources. If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the Bjian Ghaisar Foundation And ICAN International Civil Society Action Network ICAN’s newsletter: https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/ Original Music, Little Monster Media  Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an Africa Digital Audio Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to If You Were in Charge Season 2, a podcast featuring global peace strategist Sanam Naraghi Anderlini. This week, Sanam speaks with Chris Worman, Chief Global Strategy & Partnership Officer at GivingTuesday. Together, they discuss the critical role of civil society and philanthropy at a time when the sector is facing significant funding challenges. Their conversation explores the importance of generosity, civic engagement, and the impact of initiatives like GivingTuesday in fostering community resilience and a shared future. At the end of the episode, Sanam is joined by her daughter, Soleh, a PhD student at Cambridge, to discuss this week's topic and how these themes resonate with her and her friends' experiences. The podcast reframes global challenges as global solutions in these extraordinary times of turbulence. What would the world look like if those living through and working on today’s toughest crises were given the power and resources to lead real change? That’s the driving question behind the podcast, hosted by renowned peacebuilder and ICAN founder Sanam Naraghi Anderlini. Each episode features frontline doers and imaginers—activists, organizers, and peacebuilders—whose lived experience, courage, and ideas are reshaping what’s possible. Sanam explores what they’re already achieving, what they could do with greater power and support, and what gives them hope. If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the Bjian Ghaisar Foundation And ICAN International Civil Society Action Network ICAN’s newsletter: https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/ Original Music, Little Monster Media  Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an Africa Digital Audio Production Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Civil Society 05:05 Chris Wurman's Journey into Philanthropy 10:14 The Role of Philanthropy in Global Development 15:20 Understanding Generosity and Civic Engagement 20:25 The Impact of Giving Tuesday on Global Generosity 25:42 The Role of Civil Society in Generosity 27:07 Reassessing Aid and Institutional Failures 29:01 Building Local Infrastructure for Giving 30:28 Challenges in International Giving 32:00 Investing in Local Development 35:05 Hope for Civil Society in a Changing World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to If You Were in Charge Season 2, a podcast featuring global peace strategist Sanam Naraghi Anderlini. This week, Sanam speaks with Ece Temelkuran, renowned author of How to Lose a Country: The 7 Steps from Democracy to Dictatorship, which explores the mechanisms of autocracy and the decline of democratic principles. Each week, Sanam tackles a major global challenge and hosts leading practitioners and innovators to share their work and solutions—if they were in charge with the necessary political and financial resources. To bring in the perspective of a younger generation, Sanam is joined each week by one of her twin daughters. This episode features Soleh, a PhD student at Cambridge. If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the Bjian Ghaisar Foundation And ICAN International Civil Society Action Network ICAN’s newsletter: https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/ Original Music, Little Monster Media  Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an Africa Digital Audio Production Chapters00:00 The Rise of Fascism: A Global Concern 03:07 Personal Reflections on Civic Engagement 05:56 Understanding the Steps to Fascism 08:57 The Role of Language and Political Discourse 11:51 Shamelessness in Politics: A Dangerous Trend 15:10 The Complicity of the Progressive Left 18:08 Dignity vs. Freedom: A New Political Narrative 21:09 The Importance of Historical Awareness 24:00 Reclaiming Dignity in Political Discourse 32:04 Radical Love in Politics 33:28 The Need for Honesty in Leadership 36:07 Wealth and Power Dynamics 38:28 The Impact of Inequality on Migration 40:21 Faith in Humanity as Resistance 42:58 Empathy and Human Exchange 43:52 Finding Hope in Community 45:50 The Importance of Giving 49:05 Reflections on Political Discourse 55:21 The Urgency of Political Action Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices