The Glenn Beck Program — Best of the Program | Guests: Dr. Zuhdi Jasser & Khosro Isfahani | 3/26/26
Date: March 26, 2026
Host: Glenn Beck (Mercury Radio Arts)
Guests: Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, Osro (Khosro) Isfahani
Theme: Insightful discussions on unrest in Iran, Islam vs. Islamism, threats facing America, and the enduring psychological battles of modern society.
Overview
In this episode, Glenn Beck navigates the turbulent landscape of global and domestic threats through storytelling and candid interviews. He brings on Khosro Isfahani, a human rights defender with firsthand knowledge of current events in Iran, for an urgent account of citizen uprisings and external support. Later, Dr. Zuhdi Jasser—Muslim reformer and Congressional candidate—joins to dissect the crucial distinction between Islam and Islamism, pushing for honest engagement in the West. The episode closes with a lesson from British wartime history, drawing a psychological parallel to America's state today.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Cyber Attacks and Iranian Uprising
- Glenn highlights ongoing DDoS attacks on his network, tying them to coverage of radical Islam and Iran, underscoring the risks faced when exposing such stories.
"The more we talk about radicalized Islam... especially with Iran in particular, somebody is trying to take our site down." — Glenn Beck (04:01)
- Introduction of Osro (Khosro) Isfahani:
- Research Director, National Union for Democracy in Iran
- Former frontline journalist and human rights defender in Tehran
- Noted for infiltrating missile facilities, smuggling documents, aiding communities under threat
On-the-Ground Mood in Iran (07:26)
- Despite government suppression, Iranians are celebrating Nowruz publicly, defying regime threats.
- Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi called for decentralized, peaceful neighborhood celebrations—people responded with singing, dancing, and anti-regime chants.
"Each convoy of these militiamen that tried to approach the celebrations, they were taken out by Israeli drones." — Osro Isfahani (08:15)
- US and Israeli support is now actively neutralizing regime forces (e.g., drone strikes on Basij militia), giving hope for regime collapse.
The Reality of Citizen Uprisings (09:55)
- Weapons scarcity: Iranians largely unarmed; reliant on external technological and strategic support.
- Key development: Announcement of a decentralized resistance group, “Immortal Guard,” reportedly trained and operational.
"The Iranian people are the boots on the ground... a lot of technologies have been deployed and drones and all that we are seeing, these are just the start of it. A lot more is ready to go." — Osro Isfahani (10:25)
- Remaining obstacles: Leadership decapitation still incomplete; more targeted actions required for a successful uprising.
Perception of US/Israeli Intervention (13:50)
- Regime propaganda claims the population is "turning on" foreign powers, but Isfahani insists real sentiment is celebratory with each regime defeat.
"With every missile hitting this regime, people are rejoicing... there's a video of a mother at her son's grave killed—she's shouting, addressing the United States and Israel and telling them, God bless you. You made our hearts happy." — Osro Isfahani (15:12)
Timeline and Signals for Revolution (16:07,17:13)
- More regime figures must be neutralized before a mass uprising.
- Iranians await clear signals from exiled leadership (Reza Pahlavi) and potentially Donald Trump for mass mobilization.
"The timeline is not too far from being over, but there is much more needed to be done for the call to arrive." — Osro Isfahani (17:19)
2. American Islamist Demonstrations & Child Marriage Defense
Radical Rhetoric in US Cities (19:20, 21:01)
- Audio excerpts:
- Philadelphia Protester:
"Until we have done everything in our power to bring the United States to its knees, let us not lose sight of the enemy. For every US military base that crumbles and for every US soldier who returns home in the casket, we cheer." — Muslim Speaker (19:20)
- Children’s Skit in a Philadelphia Mosque: Chanting death threats and promoting extremist ideology.
- Philadelphia Protester:
- North Carolina Scholar defends child marriage from an Islamic perspective.
"In Islam, it's understood by consensus, you can marry a child." — Muslim Speaker (21:51)
Glenn’s Reaction
- Alarm at “invasion” of extremist ideas within America; calls for sharing of resources to understand and counter such ideologies.
3. Dissecting Islam vs. Islamism with Dr. Zuhdi Jasser
Dr. Jasser’s Reformist Perspective (24:05)
- Difference between Islam (religion) and Islamism (political/theocratic movement):
"You can't admit as a Muslim that you need reform unless you realize that... the establishment of the faith has a cancer in it and that is theocracy." — Dr. Zudi Jasser (24:46)
- Acknowledges normative “mainstream” Islam is dominated by problematic, anti-Western clerical voices:
"95% of the imams globally are problematic. They are evil as far as their concept of humanity, of human rights. Their values are incompatible with America, with the west..." — Dr. Jasser (24:46)
- The West’s only hope is in encouraging and empowering Muslim reformers—like those rising up in Iran—to reclaim and humanize their faith.
Moral Challenge to Muslim Communities (28:37)
- Silent Muslims must be pressured to take a stand, just as moral Germans did against Nazis:
"Tell them that they're like the silent Nazis in Germany... Get them awakened, but don't deprive them and disenfranchise them of their relationship with God and the faith of Islam." — Dr. Jasser (28:17)
- Citing historical context: American Muslims previously resisted mosque takeovers by the Muslim Brotherhood, but governmental inaction let radicals gain ground.
- The strength of “Americanism”—an inclusive, anti-theocratic form of democracy—is the key to countering Islamism, a point missed by European models.
Scale and Strategy (30:18)
- 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide; an estimated 30–40% are committed Islamists.
"People who say that Islam is a problem are right... but the issue is, what is our strategy as a West? To save the west, we have to have a strategy of an offense and the head of the spear of that offense." — Dr. Jasser (30:50)
- America, uniquely, can model an anti-Islamist reform, using constitutional liberty and integration as tools.
4. History Lesson: British War Posters & Psychological War Today
The Three Posters (32:05)
- Glenn recounts Britain's Ministry of Information WWII campaign to steel the public for war:
- “Freedom is in peril. Defend it with all your might.” — Jolt people out of denial.
- “Your courage, your cheerfulness, your resolution will bring us victory.” — Sustain effort in adversity.
- “Keep calm and carry on.” — Withheld, meant for catastrophic failure, intended to foster steadiness when all else collapses.
Parallels to Today (39:41)
- Beck likens today’s era of information warfare, cultural confusion, and apathy to “occupied territory” in the mind:
"The worst case scenario that the British were worried about... is happening today... not occupation from one enemy, but dozens... Even the enemy that whispers doubt and fear in your mind while you're laying in bed." — Glenn Beck (39:41)
- The new battlefield is psychological—against despair, confusion, and passivity.
- Takeaway:
"All you really have to do is so simple. Like the poster said. That third poster. Keep calm and carry on." — Glenn Beck (46:17)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Iranian Resistance:
"We have been fighting this regime nonstop since its inception... so many people have died in Iran. We have very few loved ones." — Osro Isfahani (08:31)
-
On US/Israel Intervention:
"With every missile hitting this regime, people are rejoicing... You made our hearts happy. After this darkness, this is the mood that we are seeing." — Osro Isfahani (15:12)
-
On the Challenge of Reform:
"We have to recognize that America really has the answer... Americanism as that antitheocratic religious liberty is the only way to create a strategy against political Islam." — Dr. Jasser (30:26)
-
On Psychological Warfare Today:
"Bombs unite people. Confusion isolates them. And that's why I thought of that poster yesterday. I think that's why that final message matters more now than it did then." — Glenn Beck (40:38)
Important Timestamps
| Segment | Topic | Timestamp |
|------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|
| Iran / DDoS | Cyberattacks & intro to Isfahani | 04:01 |
| Iran Uprising | Nowruz, public mood, Israeli/US drone support | 07:26 |
| Resistance | Immortal Guard, readiness for revolt | 10:25 |
| Signals | Awaiting leadership signal, incomplete decapitation | 16:07 |
| US Protests | Philadelphia radical protest, Philadelphia mosque skit | 19:20, 20:30 |
| Child Marriage | Defense by NC scholar | 21:01 |
| Islam vs. Islamism | Dr. Jasser’s critical distinctions and historical context | 24:05 |
| Muslim Reform | The need for pressure and American model | 28:37, 30:18 |
| WWII Posters | Psychological preparation for war, lessons for today | 32:05–39:41 |
| Keep Calm | Parallels drawn to current societal crisis | 39:41–46:17 |
Tone & Language Notes
- Glenn Beck: Urgent, anecdotal, at times contemplative. Candid about uncertainty and the need for historical perspective. Calls for compassion alongside vigilance.
- Isfahani: Sober, from-the-frontlines reporting, passionate about the Iranian cause, careful with operational details.
- Dr. Jasser: Analytical and reformist, openly self-critical of the problems within mainstream Islam, but optimistic about individual liberty and reform.
Takeaways for Listeners
- Expect more destabilization in Iran, but also historic opportunities for change, thanks to both indigenous preparation and foreign support.
- Debates about Islam and Islamism are essential; nuance and reform are possible but require honest critique and cultural self-confidence in the West.
- America faces not just physical, but psychological warfare—unity, calm, and personal fortitude are now the frontline responses.
- The fight for freedom, clarity, and courage is ongoing—both across the world and within each mind.