Podcasts about Democracy

Democracy Now! Friday, March 20, 2026

Democracy Now! Friday, March 20, 2026

Sitting-in for Thom Hartmann is guest-host Jefferson Smith of the Democracy Nerd Podcast helping us realize the hidden power that we receive ourselves from thankfulness. Also Jeff's dad Joe Smith returns after his marriage at age 90, surviving a heart attack and defeating cancer for the popular segment News With My Dad. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How decades of corporate power and political strategy rewired the country from within…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

All of us at Progress Texas are looking forward to seeing a bunch of great friends and making a bunch of brand new ones this weekend at the Harris and Collin County Democratic Party conventions, in Houston and McKinney respectively. These events are open and FREE with registration to the public and can be considered a terrific gateway into higher levels of involvement at this critical time - we hope to see YOU there.And, the news regarding Cesar Chavez's abuse of women is difficult to deal with - but it must be dealt with, and unlike those who would protect Donald Trump from his past as indicated in the Epstein files, we're proud to see progressives tackling the Chavez revelations head-on.This episode will air on KPFT 90.1 FM in Houston at 10am this Friday morning, and again on KPFT's HD-2 channel at 11am on Sunday - learn more at https://kpft.org/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

In this new episode of the Public Health Joy Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Lisa Bowleg, Founder and CEO of the Intersectionality Training Institute, for a conversation that challenges how we think about research, power, and purpose.Together, we dig into what it really means to do research in service of communities, not just for publications and career advancement. Dr. Bowleg opens up about the structural barriers inside academia, the courage it takes to unlearn what we've been taught, and why centering lived experience is essential to research that actually creates change.From the roots of intersectionality to the realities of doing justice work in today's climate, this episode is both a wake-up call and an affirmation. One thing is clear: if your work is rooted in real values and real communities, you keep going — no matter what.If you care about health equity, community-led research, and staying grounded in your purpose, this is an episode you won't want to miss.Key Points From This Episode:Intersectionality is a critical framework for understanding health equity. [03:37 – 05:44]Everyone has multiple intersecting identities that relate to power dynamics. [05:44 – 07:46]Research should incorporate lived experiences and emotions. [10:23 – 13:44]Community engagement is essential for actionable research outcomes. [14:26 – 19:21]Unlearning traditional academic practices is crucial for effective research. [21:12 – 24:57]Intersectionality serves as a glue connecting various social justice issues. [17:15 – 19:21]Joy in social justice work can be a powerful motivator. [34:44 – 36:03]Democracy requires active participation and commitment. [33:11 – 34:17]The academic system has structural barriers to community-led research. [19:21 – 21:12]Building community connections enhances the impact of research. [36:13 – 38:39]If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and, leave a review! For more transcripts, show notes, and more visit: Click Here

Thank you DavidPageYea, Lynette, Marg KJ, Greg Owens, Joan, and many others for tuning into my live video! * Iran Can't Hit U.S. Directly—So It's Hitting Everyone Around It: Iran strikes Gulf nations, oil hubs, and U.S. bases across the region. The result: rising oil prices, global instability, and a war spreading through allies. [More]* GOP Candidate Tells Americans to Su… To hear more, visit egberto.substack.com

Headlines for March 19, 2026; “Iran Is Playing the Long Game”: Prof. Vali Nasr on What to Expect from Protracted War in Middle East; The End of the Petrodollar? How Iran War Is Reshaping the Global Economy: Author Laleh Khalili; From Epic Fury to Epstein Fury: Rep. Ro Khanna on the Betrayals of the Trump Administration

Headlines for March 19, 2026; “Iran Is Playing the Long Game”: Prof. Vali Nasr on What to Expect from Protracted War in Middle East; The End of the Petrodollar? How Iran War Is Reshaping the Global Economy: Author Laleh Khalili; From Epic Fury to Epstein Fury: Rep. Ro Khanna on the Betrayals of the Trump Administration

Ezra Levin, Co-Founder, Indivisible explains that each time we show up, we disrupt President Trump's attempts to rule through repression and remind the country, and the world, that people power is our path to a truly free America. Plus one billionaire just admitted what they all know: This System Is Going to Break. And check-up on Bob Kennedy. They ignored 99% of the safety data before pulling kids' COVID protection. Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works reminds us that our data was stolen, and no one is talking about it. Musk is to blame, but was he behind the whole thing?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From red deer to Mesoamerica to America today, the evidence is overwhelming: bottom-up systems endure, top-down systems fail…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Democracy Now! Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Sign up for the live Conversations with Tyler recording with Craig Newmark at 92NY! Few living scholars can claim to have shaped how we read Machiavelli as decisively as Harvey Mansfield. His new book, The Rise and Fall of Rational Control, argues that Machiavelli didn't just write about politics—he invented the intellectual machinery of the modern world, starting with the concept of "effectual truth," which Mansfield credits as the seed of modern empiricism. At 93, after 61 years of teaching at Harvard, Mansfield remains cheerfully unimpressed by most of contemporary philosophy, convinced that the great books are self-sustaining, and that irony is what separates serious philosophy from the rest. Tyler and Harvey discuss how Machiavelli's concept of fact was brand new, why his longest chapter is a how-to guide for conspiracy, whether America's 20th-century wars refute the conspiratorial worldview, Trump as a Shakespearean vulgarian who is in some ways more democratic than the rest of us, why Bronze Age Pervert should not be taken as a model for Straussianism, the time he tried to introduce Nietzsche to Quine, why Rawls needed more Locke, what it was like to hear Churchill speak at Margate in 1953, whether great books are still being written, how his students have and haven't changed over 61 years of teaching, the eclipse rather than decline of manliness, and what Aristotle got right about old age and much more. Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video on the new dedicated Conversations with Tyler channel. Recorded January 22nd, 2026. This episode was made possible through the support of the John Templeton Foundation. Other ways to connect Follow us on X and Instagram Follow Tyler on X Sign up for our newsletter Join our Discord Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu Learn more about Conversations with Tyler and other Mercatus Center podcasts here. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Bumper 00:00:36 - Intro 00:01:20 - Machiavelli's "Effectual Truth" 00:05:56 - Conspiracy Theories 00:12:39 - The Vulgarity of Democracy 00:16:35 - The Future of Straussianism 00:34:30 - Why the Supply of Great Books has Dried Up 00:37:56 - Rational Control vs. Spontaneous Order 00:40:25 - Winston Churchill 00:43:30 - Students at Harvard 00:46:05 - Manliness 00:47:34 - Death and Politics 00:48:56 - Outro  Image Credit: Erin Clark via Getty Images

Martha C. Nussbaum, distinguished service professor of law and philosophy at the University of Chicago and the author of The Republic of Love: Opera & Political Freedom (Oxford University Press, 2026), offers her analysis of opera as an arm of the Enlightenment, from Mozart to today.   cover image courtesy of the publisher

Democracy Now! Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Craig Aaron, President & Co-CEO of the original Free Press reports that a massive Coalition calls on Democratic leadership to stand firm against Stephen Miller's plans to reauthorize dangerous government spying. Is Kash Patel Setting Us Up for Another 9/11? Does Trump ever tell the truth? Trump Said a Former President Backed His War. Every Single One Just Called Him a Liar. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What he saw from inside the system, and why his departure signals that the guardrails are collapsing faster than anyone on the outside fully understands…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tickets are on sale for Confluence 2026. Use code ZECK10 for 10% offThis talk is from the 2025 edition of the Confluence Festival. Platinum Members of The Way Forward get access to all past Confluence talks, as well as 20% off all Confluence tickets. Become a Platinum member here.You have the greatest currency in the world within you… and you can use it to break out of the toxic system we live in.This video is a little different from our usual podcast. I asked Tom Barnett to talk about Natural Law in the 2025 edition of the Confluence Festival, and his presentation called “The Offer” didn't disappoint. His path into natural law, self-sovereignty, and personal responsibility began long before he even knew those words existed. Growing up in Australia, Tom constantly questioned the limits of freedom and democracy, often finding himself in conflict with authority while trying to understand why the world felt so inconsistent and unfair. His background in holistic health, spanning sports performance, nutrition, psychology, emotional patterns, and spiritual lessons, deepened during a long personal battle with chronic fatigue that eventually pushed him to explore consciousness, natural lore, and the deeper laws shaping reality.This presentation explores how the hero's journey applies to modern life, the difference between lawful and legal systems, and why true change may begin with confronting our own inner government. If we want a different world, the first step might be remembering who we actually are.You'll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[12:24] How law, lore, and story all connect[20:11] Why natural law is the "great leveler" and what that means for your standing [27:25] How Tom overcame 20 years of chronic fatigue[44:38] Why going fully private is a trap, and what mastering both worlds actually looks like[50:32] Your name is not you, and the pop quiz that proves it[01:00:45] Ancient knowledge was never destroyed, it's waiting in counter space[01:08:50] The difference between a grounded no and a fearful refusal[01:20:41] Why breathwork is just the beginning, and how to reach the essence beneath intentLearn more about Tom:The Humble Kingdom | WebsiteThe Humble Kingdom | InstagramTom Barnett | FacebookTom Barnett | InstagramFind more from Alec:Alec Zeck | InstagramAlec Zeck | XThe Way Forward | InstagramThe Way Forward is Sponsored By:PACHA Sourdough: The wheat-free, sprouted buckwheat bread that actually digests well. Made with just two ingredients: organic sprouted buckwheat and sea salt. No gums, oils, or fillers.Shop now and use code THEWAYFORWARD for 10% off. Dr. Cowan's Garden helps you boost daily nutrient density with vegetable powders and clean, pasture-raised essentials. Shop now and use code: THEWAYFORWARD for 15% off your first order.

Is it by accident certain nations are ruled in different ways? We will show you how forms of government may not be natural, but an orchestrated process by which an Elite group control.Is there a difference between Democracy, Republic, Dictatorship, or Oligarchy? Politically maybe, but not actually.

Democracy Now! titulares en español de 18 de marzo de 2026

Democracy Now! Tuesday, March 17, 2026

PREVIEW FOR LATER TONIGHT: Mary Kissel. Mary Kissel comments on the agonizingly slow transformation of Venezuela from a narco-terrorist dictatorship into a democracy. She explores potential reasons behind the stagnant pace of political change within this South American nation currently. (3)1952 CARACAS

Democracy Now! Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Iran: The Treason That Changed America's Energy Future...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mobile internet access has been disabled in Moscow in recent days after similar outages in dozens of regions, reports the Wall Street Journal. Could it happen here? Plus the slogan that promised efficiency was really a blueprint to dismantle public government and hand its power—and money—to the billionaire class. And the superpower of cats is only recently understood by scientists. Plus six years later, Epstein's ranch finally gets searched. And a judge decides how a woman can deliver her own child. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What trust remains in antitrust enforcement under the Second Trump Administration?  Diana Moss joins Lindsay Langholz to discuss the Nexstar-Tegna merger, what impact the deal would have on consumers, and why the politicization of regulatory bodies like the FCC threatens due process and the rule of law.Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Lindsay Langholz, Vice President of Policy and ProgramGuest: Dr. Diana Moss, Vice President and Director of Competition Policy, Progressive Policy InstituteLink: The Nexstar-Tegna Merger Will Raise Your Cable Bill, and Then Some, by Diana MossLink: Resisting the Politicization of Antitrust and Regulation, by Diana Moss Link: Competition, Progressive Policy InstituteVisit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky | LinkedIn | YouTube -----------------Broken Law: About the law, who it serves, and who it doesn't.----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2025.

Every year we try to dedicate an episode of Talking Taiwan to 228, an important date in Taiwan's history, marking the 228 Massacre. 228 stands for February 28 1947. February 28th is now commemorated as a national holiday in Taiwan known as the 228 Peace Memorial Day. Related Links: https://talkingtaiwan.com/kita-foundation-mapping-the-path-of-the-trailblazers-that-paved-the-way-for-taiwans-democracy-and-freedom-ep-342/   However, the 228 Massacre is not confined to this single date in history. There were circumstances leading up what happened on February 28th and there were also subsequent events after February 28th which escalated into bloody violence and massacres leading to what some refer to as the March Massacre.   Under the authoritarian Chiang regime, and Chinese Nationalist Kuomintang, what followed after 228 was 38 years of martial law and the White Terror era. Anyone could be disappeared, executed or worse for just saying or doing the wrong thing, or for what was seemingly wrong in the eyes of the authorities. The people of Taiwan were horrified and terrified. For decades there was denial and suppression of 228 by authorities in Taiwan, and generations dared not speak of 228.   228 was absent from high school textbooks until relatively recently. To learn more about the specifics of 228 I invite you to listen to some of our past episodes on the topic. We recommend episodes 309, 277, 228, and 172.   In an effort to confront its authoritarian past, in recent years Taiwan has taken steps to acknowledge historical sites of injustice such as buildings where military police fired on civilians on February 28, 1947. Around this time of year, around February 28 and leading into March, it's a time to reflect on the past, and what we can learn from it.   So in the vein of reflecting on the past, this year I thought I'd share my interview with Sabrina Liu and Meng Chiang who are part of the team that makes up the KITA Foundation, an organization that was formed as an oral history project to understand who are the trailblazers that paved the way for Taiwan's democracy and freedom.   Related Links: https://talkingtaiwan.com/kita-foundation-mapping-the-path-of-the-trailblazers-that-paved-the-way-for-taiwans-democracy-and-freedom-ep-342/

Democracy Now! titulares en español de 17 de marzo de 2026

Sharon tells us why sugarcoating history doesn't help any of us. Truly loving your country means acknowledging the not-so-great and even horrible moments of its past.  Plus, Condoleezza Rice was banned from restaurants and movie theaters as a child because of the color of her skin. She went on to become Secretary of State. And somehow, after everything she's seen, and where we are now, she's still optimistic about democracy. You'll want to hear why. And be sure to read our newsletter at ThePreamble.com – it's free! Join hundreds of thousands of readers who still believe understanding is an act of hope. Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson (00:00:00) What it really means to be a patriot (00:08:29) Condoleezza Rice on growing up in the segregated south (00:23:42) The future of democracy To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Headlines for March 16, 2026; “A Sense of Despair”: Many Iranians Fear a Prolonged War — and What Comes After; Report from Jerusalem: As Israel Keeps Bombing Iran, Palestinians Face Growing Violence in West Bank; “Mr Nobody Against Putin” Wins Oscar; Meet the Russian Teacher in Film Who Confronts State Propaganda

Democracy Now! Monday, March 16, 2026

The $5 Billion Secret Behind Trump's Iran War — And Jared Kushner's Role...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Who's paying for this war? You are.. At $11,500 a second. If the road to Tehran required the sons and daughters of the billionaire & political class to march beside everyone else's kids, would we still be there? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Reform California, the conservative group behind a proposal to require voters to show identification at the polls, say they've gathered enough signatures to qualify the measure for the November ballot. Supporters of the initiative, which would require a government-issued photo ID each time a voter casts a ballot in person or by mail, say it's necessary to combat fraud. But critics say voter fraud is close to nonexistent and that the ID requirement could disenfranchise some state residents. We talk about the impact of voter ID laws on elections and voter behavior. Guests: Christian Grose, professor of political science and public policy; director, Democracy and Elections Lab at USC Lindsey Holden, California politics reporter, Politico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this every-other-month presentation, Professor Wolff presents insights and analysis on six key topics leading up to, and lasting beyond, the current war on Iran; including: the history of U.S. military involvement in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq, the economic trends throughout U.S. history that lead up to war, the role of oil and natural gas as an excuse for conflict, the relevance and importance of the Straight of Hormuz, the reality of the U.S. empire's decline and Israel's gamble, and the prospects and consequences of renewed global conflict.    Presented by Democracy at Work and the Left Forum   Special messages to our audience:  Please help sponsor Global Capitalism by becoming a monthly donor to Democracy at Work. Go to our website to learn more (www.democracyatwork.info/donate). Follow Democracy at Work on X (Twitter) and YouTube.   Our four Democracy at Work books, three by Richard Wolff (Understanding Marxism, Understanding Socialism, and The Sickness is the System: When Capitalism Cannot Save Us from Pandemics or Itself) are for sale on Lulu.com.   Find direct purchase links on our website ( www.democracyatwork.info/books ), or find them directly on Lulu ( www.lulu.com/spotlight/democracyatwork )   Your support helps to produce and distribute these talks. Thank you.   Follow us on X (formally known as Twitter) at: @ProfRDWolff @DemocracyAtWrk2:13 

Democracy Now! titulares en español de 16 de marzo de 2026

Common Dreams reports that Stephen Miller wants to increase mass surveillance on Americans. More than 90 civil society groups on Thursday urged congressional Democrats to “stand firm against White House efforts to extend government surveillance powers” by renewing “without new safeguards” a highly controversial surveillance authorization historically abused by federal agencies. Free Press Action and Demand Progress are leading the call to senior Democratic lawmakers to not reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)—a controversial law that has been abused hundreds of thousands of times—without first enacting privacy reforms.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

New reporting suggests President Trump knew of all the risks of going to war with Iran, but decided to do it anyway; Ali digs into new polling that shows Americans have serious doubts about the fairness of our elections; Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes reacts to the Trump administration's new investigation into his state's 2020 election results; and, as the war between Russia and Ukraine enters its fifth year, Ali reconnects with a former Ukrainian refugee he met in Poland at the start of the current war, in 2022. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Now with more than half of the measures in Project 2025 implemented by the Trump administration, The Heritage Foundation is now looking to roll back the rights of American women; The New York Times' Maureen Farrell discusses her new reporting on Jared Kushner's attempt to raise billions for his private equity firm from foreign governments, despite serving as an envoy for President Trump; and Democratic Rep. Robin Kelly makes the case for why she should be the next U.S. senator from Illinois. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries reacts to new reporting that Trump knew the risk of Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz, but he chose to go to war anyway; Georgia Democrat Shawn Harris dishes on his bid to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene in the House; former Republican Congressmen Joe Walsh and Charlie Dent weigh in on the new signs that Trump's grip on power could be slipping. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Truth Be Told with Booker Scott – Frustrated voters see promises without results and politics without accountability. When turnout drops, power shifts and chaos follows. Real change begins with ordinary citizens taking action—registering neighbors, knocking on doors, volunteering at polls, and demanding leadership that legislates. Democracy moves when people show up and refuse to stay silent...

Welcome back to the Reacted History Podcast, in this episode we are tackling a bite sized history lesson on the 1953 Iranian Coup. The United States, with the help of the British, stole Iran's democracy. But why....? This is the first in a several part Middle East Series where we discuss how the United States has treated Middle Eastern countries and how that affects us today. REDACTED HISTORY LIVE SHOW QUESTIONNAIRE: https://forms.gle/qhJFC3wsYTV3ixz6A Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ralph spends the whole hour with progressive activist, Corbin Trent, former communications director for Alexandria Ocasio Cortez to discuss the lack of vision and the spineless leadership in the corporate Democratic Party.Corbin Trent is a co-founder of Brand New Congress and former co-director of Justice Democrats, two grassroots organizations working to elect progressive Democrats to Congress. He was the National Campaign Coordinator for the Bernie Sanders Presidential campaign, and recently served as the Communications Director for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. He writes about rebuilding America at AmericasUndoing.com.This is a [Democratic] Party that is led by sinecurists and apparatchiks who never look at themselves in the mirror after they lose to the most vicious, cruel, ignorant, anti-worker, anti-women, anti-environment, anti-small taxpayer, pro-war Republican Party. They never look into it. It's always: they blame the Greens or they blame some third party or Independent candidate. And they never ask themselves why as a national party did they abandon half the country, which are now called red states?Ralph NaderThe Democratic Party I think, ultimately, is leaderless because it's visionless. It doesn't really see. I don't think the Democratic Party as an entity or as an ideology has a real vision for how to go forward differently. And, therefore, it's hard to be led. It's hard to lead if you don't have a direction.Corbin TrentThe Democratic Party—like your Chuck Schumers, like your Hakeem Jeffries, and like most of the people that are elected there and in leadership positions at all, look at this system, the system of neoliberalism, and they think that somehow it's going to magically start working again. And the fact is that it's not. They have been unable so far to internalize the depth of the brokenness of this system. And then really unable to, I think, really internalize why Trump was powerful, why his messages were powerful. They want to look at it through this extremely narrow and negative lens of racism, bigotry and fear. As opposed to a complete and utter disdain for the system which is sucking from their lives and extracting from their communities. And I think that spells trouble.Corbin TrentIt's not my job as a voter to inspire myself to vote for you. It's your job as a candidate or as a party or as somebody to build a vision that inspires me to vote.Corbin TrentNews 3/13/26* This week, the New York City Council held a hearing on proposed legislation to carry out Mayor Zohran Mamdani's pledge to repossess property from “landlords who have racked up housing code violations and debt from unpaid taxes and fines.” This bill would empower the city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development to turn these buildings over to owners they deem “more responsible.” This would be an update of a program the city has tried to implement before, called “third-party transfer.” However, the council is hesitant to take this step, worrying that it could disproportionately affect small landlords that simply lack the resources to fix code violations or pay fees, as opposed to venture capital backed corporate landlords. Rosa Kelly, chief of staff to the housing commissioner, said the department “views the program as a key part of [their] broader enforcement and preservation toolkit to ensure that housing remains safe and livable for New Yorkers.” This from Gothamist.* In more local news, this week Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser released a long-awaited report on congestion traffic pricing in the District of Columbia. According to the Washington Examiner, the study was conducted in 2021 and the Mayor has delayed the release until now. Along with the release of the study, Mayor Bowser sent a letter to D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, wherein the Mayor described the “congestion pricing tax scheme,” which includes a proposed $10 charge for people entering the city, as a “bad idea,” and argued that D.C. could not be compared to Midtown Manhattan, which recently implemented a successful congestion pricing system. Democratic Socialist Councilwoman and leading Mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis-George refused to dismiss the study out of hand, writing “Now that the report is public, the Council has an opportunity to dig into the findings & explore what they could mean for the District—including opportunities to reduce congestion, improve air quality & public health, & strengthen public transit for residents across the city.”* Meanwhile, on the West Coast, a new poll shows incumbent Mayor Karen Bass drawing under 20% of the vote in the upcoming primary for her reelection campaign. While this still puts Bass in the lead, it is clearly a weak showing and would be far below the 50% threshold she would need to win to avoid a November runoff. This poll also finds former reality television star Spencer Pratt in second place with around 10% support, and councilmember Nithya Raman – who has been both endorsed and censured by DSA LA in the past – in third with just over 9%, per KTLA. The LA Mayoral race mirrors the California gubernatorial race, which features ten candidates, none of whom draws over 20% in the polls. At some point, the party will have to step in to pressure underperforming candidates to drop out and endorse more viable alternatives, but June is quickly approaching with little sign of party unity.* Speaking of the Democrats, POLITICO is out with a new story on how red state Democratic parties are undermining their best chances of toppling incumbent Republican Senators – independent populist left candidates. In Montana, former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar has launched an independent bid for Senate, with the backing of former longtime Montana Democratic Senator Jon Tester. Bodnar filed on the final day candidates could get on the ballot in the state, and on that same day, three-term incumbent Republican Senator Steve Daines announced he would not run for reelection. POLITICO describes this as “an explicit effort to keep Democrats from fielding a strong candidate of their own.” The state party however shows no interest in stepping aside to clear a path for Bodnar. A similar dynamic is unfolding in South Dakota, with the state party feuding with independent candidate Brian Bengs – who has “raised more than five times his Democratic opponent and more than any non-Republican candidate in the state in 16 years” – while in Idaho, former Democratic state lawmaker Todd Achilles is running as an independent and the state party has played their strategy close to the vest. Only in Nebraska has the state party fully thrown their weight behind the popular independent candidate Dan Osborn, who came within approximately 60,000 votes of longtime incumbent Deb Fischer in 2024 and is polling within a single point of Senator Pete Ricketts this cycle.* In Congress, Republicans have independent problems of their own. Last week, Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley announced he would register as “no party preference,” instead of as a Republican, as he seeks reelection to Congress in his newly redrawn California congressional district. Axios quotes a Kiley spokesperson who said it is “not official yet” whether he will leave the party or the conference, adding: “For now, he's just filing as an independent for his reelection campaign.” If Kiley did leave the Republican conference, it would further imperil the Republicans' razor-thin House majority, which has been continuously whittled down over the course of the 119th Congress.* Turning to foreign affairs, Reuters reports that on Sunday, Colombia held congressional elections which saw the leftist Historic Pact win the most seats in the Senate, but with only 25 out of 102 seats, the Pact will have to compete against the right-wing Democratic Center in order to form a coalition government. Democratic Center, led by ⁠former President Alvaro Uribe, won 17 seats. Ivan Cepeda, the presidential candidate of Historic Pact, called the election results a “categorical ​victory.” In the House, Democratic Center won 32 out of 182 seats, followed by the ‌Liberal ⁠Party with 31, and the Historic Pact with 29. Colombia will choose a new president in May, but according to Ariel Avila, a re-elected senator from the Green Alliance, whether that president is left or right they will likely face a “vetocracy” where “lawmakers block parties ​simply because they come from the opposing side.”* In more news from Latin America, the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) reports the right-wing government of Daniel Noboa in Ecuador has suspended the largest opposition party – the leftist Citizens' Revolution or RC – for nine months. If carried out, RC, led by former leftist president Rafael Correa, will effectively be barred from registering candidates for the 2027 local elections. CEPR Co-Director Mark Weisbrot is quoted saying “The government of President Daniel Noboa, who is strongly backed by President Trump, is trying to accelerate the destruction of what is left of democracy in Ecuador.” CEPR Director of International Policy Alex Main added “Democracy has been under attack since the presidency of Lenín Moreno (2017–2021), with not only the exclusion of political parties, but with persecution by lawfare, the imprisonment or forced exile of political opponents, and Noboa's repeated assumption of ‘emergency' powers and other abuses that have gutted civil liberties.” Recently, President Noboa has been closely collaborating with Trump and the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) to carry out joint “lethal kinetic operations” in Ecuador.* Turning to the Middle East, NBC reports Iran is launching its ‘most intense' strikes of the war, firing some of its most advanced ballistic missiles toward Tel Aviv and Haifa and attacking multiple ships attempting passage through the blockaded Straits of Hormuz. Additionally, reports are trickling out through the Israeli press, which operates under military censorship, about high-profile targets being hit inside the country. The Jewish Chronicle confirms Binyah Hevron, son of Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich was wounded by a Hezbollah rocket, with shrapnel penetrating his back and abdomen, while Yahoo News has debunked rumors that an Iranian missile strike killed Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Officially, over 1,200 have been killed by Israeli and American strikes in Iran, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, while 570 have been killed in Lebanon. Retlatiatory strikes by Iran have killed 13 in Israel.* Meanwhile, a new wrinkle has emerged in the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery deal. Last week, Variety reported that Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal have been raising the alarm about financing for this deal coming from Gulf states, including the Qatar Investment Authority, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. This duo have called for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States – an interagency body that reviews foreign investments in American businesses for potential national security risks – to review the deal. Warren told the industry trade publication, “Given the cloud of corruption surrounding the Trump administration's review of this deal from Day One, it's no surprise that Trump's Treasury Department is sticking its head in the sand instead of investigating the national security risks of $24 billion from Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds apparently flooding this deal. It's American consumers who will pay the price. Thanks to Donald Trump, a Paramount-Warner Bros. merger could mean higher prices and fewer choices, and might allow foreign actors to control what's on our screens or access our private viewing information.” Ironically, the Trump administration's warlike actions in Iran may have inadvertently solved this problem. Gizmodo reports that the Gulf states are now “reviewing current and future investment commitments in order to alleviate some of the anticipated economic strain from the current war.” It is unclear what would happen if the Gulf states rescinded their financing of this deal, seeing as Paramount is the buyer preferred by the Trump administration and has already paid the $2.8 billion “break-up” fee to Netflix stipulated by their previous agreement with WBD.* Finally, a new Pew poll reveals a troubling reality of contemporary American life. According to the poll, which asked people around the world to rate the morality and ethics of others in their country, 53% of U.S. adults say their fellow Americans have bad morals and ethics. While that may not sound so stark, Pew notes that the United States is the only country they surveyed where more adults described the morality and ethics of others living in the country as bad rather than good, with only 47% saying the latter. Turkey came up second, with 51% saying good and 49% saying bad. Pew is careful to state that they have never conducted a poll on this question before, meaning they cannot say whether this is a reflection of long-held beliefs among Americans or a new phenomenon, but it could be the result of long-term trends related to political polarization and the decline in interpersonal trust over the past several decades. Whatever the reasons behind this fact, it presents a formidable problem for political leaders. How can one unify a country wherein the people do not trust one another or even believe that their neighbors are morally and ethically upstanding individuals? Surely there must be a way forward, but what that is I cannot say.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Iranian Schoolgirls Killed After Hegseth Uses ChatGPT To Send Strike Trump's Iran Lies, Miller's surveillance grab, Democrats' 28-0 winning streak, and neo-Nazis at a GOP rally. What do we do if our national leader is guided and manipulated by adversarial foreign countries? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Trump-era billionaire boom exposes the real divide in America: not right versus left, but the billionaires versus everyone else; more than a dozen pregnant teen migrants have been sent to a facility in South Texas where they can't receive adequate prenatal care. A former Trump Administration official says "This is 100% and exclusively about abortion" and not about immigration; and Ben Rhodes digs into the sheer unpopularity of the Iran war and Pete Hegseth's increasingly unhinged wartime rhetoric. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As the U.S.-led strikes on Iran enter their third week, we're getting a clearer picture of the human cost of this war; MS NOW's Ines De La Cuetara reports on Israeli strikes triggering a humanitarian crisis in Lebanon; Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton discusses her bid for the U.S. Senate; author George M. Johnson returns to the “Velshi Banned Book Club” to discuss their upcoming memoir, “And If I Die Before I Wake” To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jumping into this war with Iran was not only incredibly expensive, but Ian Bremmer explains where the lack of strategy regarding oil in the region has backfired; with the Illinois Senate primary is days away, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi joins Ali to talk about the war with Iran and how the Trump Administration has leapfrogged Congress; MS NOW's Ayman Mohyeldin sits down for an exclusive interview with the Foreign Minister of Iran. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

SPONSORS: 1) MOOD: Get 20% off your first order of federally legal, hemp-derived cannabis gummies, flower, edibles, and more at https://mood.com with code JULIAN. Ships discreetly to your door and backed by a 100-day satisfaction guarantee (****TIMESTAMPS in Description Below) ~ Sonny Faz is a YouTuber, Streamer and Muslim. Bek Lover is also a YouTuber, Streamer and Muslim. JOIN PATREON FOR EARLY UNCENSORED EPISODE RELEASES: https://www.patreon.com/JulianDorey CLIPPERS DISCORD: https://discord.gg/8QmWEKJ3BT SONNY's LINKS: YT: https://www.youtube.com/@SonnyFazio IG: https://www.instagram.com/sonnyfaz/?hl=en X: https://x.com/NotSonnyFaz BEK's LINKS: IG: https://www.instagram.com/beklovernyc/ X: https://x.com/BekLoverNYC FOLLOW JULIAN DOREY IG: https://www.instagram.com/julianddorey/ X: https://x.com/juliandorey JULIAN YT CHANNELS - SUBSCRIBE to Julian Dorey Clips YT: https://www.youtube.com/@juliandoreyclips - SUBSCRIBE to Julian Dorey Daily YT: https://www.youtube.com/@JulianDoreyDaily - SUBSCRIBE to Best of JDP: https://www.youtube.com/@bestofJDP ****TIMESTAMPS**** 0:00 - Epstein, John McCain's Wife, System Broken 10:14 - Insane Emails, Spiritual Satanic Warfare, Taxes, The Divide 21:13 - “Less Competition,” Carter & Nixon, Ford & Detroit, The Quran 32:08 - Muslim Scapegoats, 9/11, NYC, Frontlines of Truth, Foreign Wars 42:03 - Hollywood Mind Control via Arabs, Israel, Gaza & Muslims 47:13 - The Problem w/ “Monolith” Religion, Submission to a Creator, God 57:37 - Messengers, Jesus & Islam, Exodus 33, Jesus Miracles in Quran 1:07:07 - Muslims & Alcohol, Moderation 1:16:41 - Origin of Prophet Muhammad, Bek & Sonny Islam conversion stories 1:25:54 - How to Become a Muslim, Birmingham Quran, Miracles in the Quran 1:37:58 - Quran from God argument, Changes from spirituality, Faith 1:48:23 - So many religions, Christianity & Judaism vs Islam, Muslims belief in Jesus 1:57:34 - ‘Jesus died for our sins.', Paul massacres, The transmission to man 2:06:37 - Separation of Church & State, Sonny & Bek Islam Doc, Western Civilization 2:16:32 - Democracy & Free Speech illusion, Dearborn Muslims 2:29:29 - Islam Protest in Texas, The Word “Islamist,” “Othering,” Tommy Robinson & UK 2:41:14 - The Kaaba Misconception, One righteous leader, Sonny's Hajj 2:44:01 - Sonny & Bek's Work CREDITS: - Host, Editor & Producer: Julian Dorey - COO, Producer & Editor: Alessi Allaman - https://www.youtube.com/@UCyLKzv5fKxGmVQg3cMJJzyQ - In-Studio Producer: Joey Deef - https://www.instagram.com/joeydeef/ Julian Dorey Podcast Episode 395 - Sonny Faz & Bek Lover Music by Artlist.io Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Drone warfare has evolved immensely since Ukraine. The use of artificial intelligence in combat has evolved just since Venezuela. Guest: Steven Feldstein, political scientist and senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in the Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program.Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.Podcast production by Evan Campbell, and Patrick Fort. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Democracy Now! Friday, March 13, 2026