logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2021
31m 34s

The People's Mujahidin: Inside a secreti...

THE TIMES
About this episode

It is not marked on maps. Men with automatic weapons guard its border. Few outsiders have ever visited the heavily guarded enclave in rural Albania that is home to the People’s Mujahidin, or MEK.

For its supporters, MEK is the biggest and most resilient Iranian opposition group, a government-in-waiting. Others see it as a bizarre and secretive cult led by a zealot with no chance of replacing Iran's ruthless theocracy.

Sunday Times foreign correspondent Matthew Campbell goes in search of the truth – the first British journalist to be allowed inside the camp.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Matthew Campbell, foreign correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: David Aaronovitch.

Clips: Al Jazeera, BBC News, Channel 4 News, France 24, Fox Business, NCRI.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
Will the Mandelson files expose Starmer?
Peter Mandelson’s disastrous few months continue apace, after the government released a tranche of documents that tell us a lot about his hiring - and firing - as ambassador to the US. So what’s in the files? And what does it all say about the judgment of the Prime Minister?This ... Show More
29m 34s
Today
The Gulf's moment of truth - reshaping the Middle East
As Iran continues to attack its Gulf neighbours could the strikes turn into a wider war? Who might be drawn in? And with Iran hitting friends as well as foes, how will this war reshape the Middle East and its relationship with the US?Our listener survey is live - find it here.Thi ... Show More
28m 31s
Yesterday
Why oil matters: conflicts abroad, costs at home
War in the Middle East has caused oil and gas prices to soar and sent the markets into turmoil. But why does oil still have such a powerful influence over the cost of household goods? And what has history taught us about how wars are waged when oil holds such sway?Our listener su ... Show More
31m 21s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2019
A Deadly Crackdown in Iran
<p>Behind the curtain of an internet blackout, the Islamic Republic’s security forces have killed at least 180 unarmed protesters. </p><p>Natalie Kitroeff speaks to Farnaz Fassihi about Iran’s deadliest political unrest in decades and why the United States wanted that unrest — an ... Show More
23m 46s
Apr 2024
Could Iran attack Israel? And Can Biden Stop It?
Today, we look at President Joe Biden’s warning that Iran is threatening to launch a “significant attack” on Israel.Tensions have risen following what is believed to be an Israeli attack on an embassy in Syria, which killed senior Iranians. America has promised “ironclad” support ... Show More
30m 6s
Apr 2024
In the Shadow of the Shadow War
Canadian media coverage of the war in the Middle East has, unsurprisingly, focused on the impact on diaspora communities here in Canada. We have heard about Jewish Canadians, Palestinian Canadians, and we have heard in general terms about the many Muslim communities across Canada ... Show More
50m 6s
Oct 2023
Interview with the Iranian Foreign Minister; Israeli public opinion on the war; Michael Lewis on Sam Bankman-Fried
This week guest anchor Bianna Golodryga sits down for an interview with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Bianna presses him on his government's praise for the recent Hamas attack and asks him about his apparent threats to the U.S.   Then, Bianna speaks with Isra ... Show More
42m 37s
May 2024
La richiesta senza precedenti di un mandato d’arresto per Netanyahu. Dopo la morte del presidente iraniano.
Il procuratore della Corte penale internazionale Karim Khan ha richiesto l'emissione di mandati d'arresto per il premier israeliano Benjamin Netanyahu e il suo ministro della difesa Yoav Gallant e per tre leader di Hamas, per crimini di guerra e crimini contro l'umanità. Il presi ... Show More
25m 41s
Jul 2024
Why is Iran seeing its lowest voter turnout ever?
Iranians are voting for a new president – but the first round of the election saw the lowest voter turnout in the country’s history. Will more people turn out on Friday for the final round of the vote, or will this trend continue? And why has turnout been so low?  In this episode ... Show More
15m 12s
Jan 2024
Who are the Houthis and why are the US and UK attacking them?
The Houthi, a political and military group in Yemen, have been attacking ships in the Red Sea since November. They say they’re targeting vessels headed to or owned by Israel as a way to support Palestinians in Gaza.Not all of the ships are connected to Israel. And now the US and ... Show More
14m 5s