From Cairo to Tehran, Propaganda & Power Plays

Today on the show, I’m honored to welcome Dalia Ziada, a remarkable Middle East security expert, author, and dear friend. (Yes, she’s been over for Walton dinnertime!) Dalia is originally from Cairo, where she was recognized for playing a central role in the civil society movement that sparked Egypt’s 2011 revolution against the Mubarak regime. She was named by CNN as one of eight agents of change in the Middle East and twice listed by The Daily Beast as one of the most fearless women in the world.

Dalia’s story and her tireless fight for liberal democracy have been featured in bestselling books, where she’s described as part of the ‘pink hijab generation’—young women committed to faith, femininity, and freedom.

She is also a courageous advocate for Israel (something I deeply appreciate as an American-Israeli Jew). After the October 7 attacks, Dalia publicly condemned Hamas and defended Israel’s right to protect its people. Her moral stand led to serious threats in Egypt and ultimately forced her to seek asylum in the United States.

In today's episode, we explore Dalia’s personal journey from growing up amid widespread anti-Israel sentiment in Egypt to becoming a bold voice against media propaganda and disinformation. We dive into how influential outlets like Al Jazeera shaped public opinion during her youth, and what ultimately led her to question—and later challenge—those narratives.

Dalia also shares powerful insights into what it takes to disrupt anti-Israel messaging in the Arab media today, and she draws on her experience during Egypt’s revolution to reflect on the possibilities and perils of regime change in Iran. Finally, we look ahead to discuss how Western policymakers can more effectively engage with Iran to promote stability and reform in a volatile region.

Check out Dalia's website: https://www.daliaziada.org/

Follow Dalia on Twitter: https://x.com/daliaziada/highlights

Follow Dalia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daliaziada/

YouTube Link

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About Jessica Lauren Walton: Jessica is a communications strategist, video producer, and writer in the U.S. defense sector. She has written articles on a range of security and mental health topics and conducted interviews with military leadership, CIA officers, law enforcement, psychologists, filmmakers, and more. Read her full bio here.

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