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Hope for the best

Expect the worst

Some drink your pain

Some die of thirst

No way of knowing

Which way it's going

Hope for the best

Expect the worst

Welcome to the commentary magazine Daily Podcast. Today is Tuesday, January 13th, 2026. I'm John Budhor. It's the editor of Commentary Magazine with me, as always. Executive Editor A. Greenwald. Hi, Abe. Hi, John. Senior editor, Seth Mandel. Hi, Seth. Hi, John. Senior editor Seth Mandel. Hi, Seth.

Hi, John. And joining us today, commentary contributing editor and podcaster, columnist, and all-around fact totem at the free press, Eli Lake.

Hi, Eli. Great to be back, John. Thanks for having me.

Eli, I think for 20 years now, or close to 20 years now, you have been writing about the

Islamic Republic of Iran and the political, geopolitical, sociological, religio-fascist implications of this regime's existence. And here it is, I think,

unambiguously, in the most challenging position it has faced in its 47 years of existence.

When you read these reports, which now range from of existence.

When you read these reports, which now range from, I think, a minimum of 2,000 people killed by the regime in the last 40 hours to 12,000 killed, depending on your sources.

But everybody agreeing that the regime is now open, basically opening fire

on the protesters from sniper positions to whatever and in cities across the country.

Do you look at that and does this, are you in a weird position of feeling like

...