Podcast appearances and mentions of elahe izadi

Summer is the perfect time to dive into a new book, and the Post's Book World section has compiled recommendations for every type of reader. Today, Book World editors Jacob Brogan and John Williams talk to host Elahe Izadi about the new releases and old titles they suggest digging into this summer. Here's the list of books mentioned in today's episode: “The Death and Life of August Sweeney” by Samuel Ashworth“Bleak House” by Charles Dickens“Mark Twain” by Ron Chernow“Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America” by Sam Tanenhaus“Is a River Alive?” by Robert MacFarlane“King of Ashes” by S.A. Cosby“Spent” by Alison Bechdel“Crush” by Ada Calhoun“The Book of Records” by Madeleine Thien“The Dry Season” by Melissa Febos“Sloppy” by Rax King“Flashlight” by Susan Choi“Second Life” by Amanda Hess“Mood Machine” by Liz PellyToday's show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Lucas Trevor. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick, and mixed by Sean Carter.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The 7 team is off for Memorial Day so we're bringing you a conversation our colleague Elahe Izadi had recently that we've been thinking about a lot. It digs into how to manage what we can't control as the world can feel increasingly uncertain. Elahe sat down with Tara Brach, a therapist with a PhD in clinical psychology who has also spent years studying Buddhism and mindfulness. Tara teaches meditation, and she's written several books including one called “Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha.”If you're interested in learning more about her work or accessing her podcast and meditations, you can find that here. This episode was produced by Emma Talkoff and mixed by Sam Bair. It was edited by Maggie Penman. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

House Republicans are trying to push President Donald Trump's massive tax and immigration bill across the finish line this week, hoping to conquer internal divisions and tee up a vote that would send the bill to the Senate. One of the areas targeted for major cuts is Medicaid, which insures more than 80 million people in the United States. To root out what they say is waste, fraud and abuse in the system, and preserve the program long term, conservatives have proposed reductions and changes to Medicaid eligibility.Today on “Post Reports,” Elahe Izadi speaks with health reporter Fenit Nirappil about the United States' largest public health insurance program: What it is, how it works, whom it serves and what could change.Today's show was produced by Elana Gordon and Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Lenny Bernstein and Azi Paybarah.Check out our Memorial Day sale to subscribe to The Washington Post. It's just $2, every four weeks, for your first year.

The world can seem like a really scary place right now. Many of us look around and see wars, climate change, economic uncertainty and a lot of overwhelming things we can't control. So today we're going to share a conversation about fear.Elahe Izadi spoke to Tara Brach, a therapist with a PhD in clinical psychology who has also spent years studying Buddhism and mindfulness. She teaches meditation, and she's written several books including one called “Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha.”If you're interested in learning more about her work or accessing her podcast and meditations, you can find that here. Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff and mixed by Sam Bair. It was edited by Maggie Penman. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Following direct talks between the U.S. and Hamas officials, Edan Alexander was freed Monday after more than 19 months in captivity in Gaza. He is the last living U.S. hostage in Gaza. The Israel-Hamas conflict has already exacted a devastating toll. More than 52,000 people in Gaza have died, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Fifty-eight people who were seized by Hamas remain in Gaza, 23 of whom are believed to be alive. Gazans are facing a critical famine risk as Israel blocks aid. Now, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government says it plans to expand the war if Hamas does not meet Israel's demands. Today on “Post Reports,” Elahe Izadi speaks with Middle East reporter Miriam Berger about Israel's plans to escalate the war in Gaza. Today's show was produced by Peter Bresnan with help from Elana Gordon. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Ariel Plotnick with help from Reena Flores. Thanks to Alan Sipress, Erin Cunningham and Heidi Levine. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas is a place that many people describe as one of the most beautiful areas in South Asia: Kashmir. It has also been the site of a struggle between two major powers: India and Pakistan.The Indian military said Wednesday that it had launched strikes against Pakistan in retaliation for last month's militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left at least 26 dead. These latest strikes killed at least 31 civilians, according to Pakistani officials. The escalation marks a turn in a decades-long conflict.Today, co-host Elahe Izadi talks to South Asia correspondent Karishma Mehrotra about how the region got to this point and whether South Asia could be on the brink of war.Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy and mixed by Sean Carter. It was edited by Maggie Penman and Ariel Plotnick. Thanks to Jesse Messner-Hage and Elana Gordon. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Ronny Chieng's approach to comedy, along with his expanding TV and film portfolio, have put him on The Washington Post's first-ever “Post Next 50” list – 50 people shaping our society this year. In this conversation with Elahe Izadi, he reflects on why he works to write jokes for his stand-up in a way that anyone can appreciate, even if they're coming from a different perspective, and why the work of “The Daily Show” is crucial. By the way, Martine Powers interviewed another name on the “Post Next 50” list. You can catch her conversation with Congresswoman Sarah McBride here. Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson, with help from Ted Muldoon, who also mixed the show. It was edited by Renita Jablonski.Special thanks to Evan Bretos, Hope Corrigan, Bronwen Latimer, Daniela Santamarina and Maggie Penman.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

“It was probably out in the middle of the river. I just saw a fireball, and then it was gone.” Today on “Post Reports,” unpacking a deadly collision in the nation's capital.Read more:On Wednesday night, an American Airlines plane and an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided in midair near Reagan National Airport. Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River in Washington. D.C. officials believe the three soldiers in the helicopter and all 64 passengers and crew aboard the airplane were killed. Today on “Post Reports,” host Elahe Izadi and transportation reporter Lori Aratani break down what we know about the collision, the close calls faced around Reagan National Airport in the recent past, and President Donald Trump's baseless claims that diversity, equity and inclusion programs within the Federal Aviation Administration were to blame for the crash. Today's show was produced by Bishop Sand and Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was mixed by Sam Bair and edited by Reena Flores. Thanks to Teddy Amenabar, Blair Guild, Evan Hill, Jorge Ribas, Chris Rowland, Kyle Swenson and Clarence Williams.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The 2024 election pushed some people to put down their phones more and tune out of the news. But author Catherine Price started thinking about breaking up with her phone years ago, after realizing she was focusing on it instead of her newborn daughter. “Our devices and their apps are designed to fragment our attention, whether it is taking us out of our real-life experience and getting us to focus our attention even momentarily on the phone itself or it's what we do within apps where we are looking at different pieces of content in a particular feed,” Price told “Post Reports” co-host Elahe Izadi. After realizing how detrimental her phone was to her life, she wrote “How to Break Up With Your Phone: The 30-Day Plan to Take Back Your Life.” The book details the negative impact our phones can have on our attention and mental health and provides advice for how to create a healthier relationship with them.“It really has made me feel more alive,” Price said. “It encouraged me to ask questions that have resulted in me tapping into this broader community of people I never would have met and discovering this joy.”Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair. You can find more writing by Price at her Substack here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

After 10 years on the job, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced earlier this week that he is stepping down. Today, The Washington Post's Amanda Coletta and host Elahe Izadi break down Trudeau's career, where this leaves Canadian politics and what this could mean for U.S.-Canada relations.Today's show was produced by Ariel Plotnick with help from Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores with help from Monica Campbell. It was mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to Reem Akkad.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Carter, a peanut farmer, Navy veteran and Georgia governor, served just four years in the White House. But his time in office was only part of his legacy. Later in life, he would be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his pursuit of peace and human rights.Elahe Izadi speaks with national political correspondent Dan Balz about the life and legacy of the former president.Today's show was produced by Ted Muldoon and Arjun Singh. It was edited by Maggie Penman, with help from Reena Flores. It was mixed by Ted Muldoon. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Today on “Post Reports,” Washington scrambles to avoid a government shutdown. President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk have fanned the flames. Read more:On Wednesday, Republicans scrapped House Speaker Mike Johnson's initial bipartisan plan to avoid a government shutdown. That's after President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk condemned the bill online. Musk called it “terrible,” “criminal,” “outrageous,” “horrible,” “unconscionable,” “crazy” and, ultimately, “an insane crime.”Today on “Post Reports,” host Elahe Izadi and congressional reporter Marianna Sotomayor discuss what Trump and Musk found so objectionable about that first plan, and why some are seeing it as a preview of the kind of power Musk – who's not even a government official – could soon have over Washington. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy and Laura Benshoff, with help from Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores, with help from Lucy Perkins, and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks also to Emily Rauhala. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

When Francesca Ebel, a Russia correspondent for The Post, returned to one of Moscow's most popular nightclubs after Russia's invasion of Ukraine began, she noticed differences. The physical structure was there, but there were fewer young artists. Something had changed.What Ebel noticed that night was just one example of a bigger shift. Her reporting has since found that young Russians are increasingly embracing a culture of ultranationalist patriotism and Orthodox Christian values. Online influencers and Kremlin-sanctioned artists are changing the narratives on war and identity. An independent poll this year found a majority of Russians ages 18 to 24 support Russia's war in Ukraine. Conforming can bring rewards and career advancement. Defiance can mean jail – or worse. Today on “Post Reports,” Ebel speaks with host Elahe Izadi about her reporting inside Russia on how Putin's propaganda strategies toward Russian youth are working – and creating a new generation to carry forward the Kremlin's anti-Western ideology. Read more from The Post's “Russia, Remastered” series:We reported for months on changes sweeping Russia. Here's what we found.A wartime generation of youth molded by Putin's propaganda Artists say Putin's push for patriotism is killing Russian cultureTo please Putin, universities purge liberals and embrace patriotsHave babies for Russia: Putin presses women to embrace patriotism over feminismWashington and the West struggle for a way forward with Putin's RussiaToday's show was produced by Elana Gordon, with help from Emma Talkoff. It was mixed by Rennie Svirnovskiy, who also helped with translation. It was edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Maggie Penman. Thanks to David Herszenhorn, Paul Schemm and Jenn Amur. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Since he last held office, President-elect Donald Trump's business interests have evolved. The real estate mogul launched the social media company Truth Social, and — in the height of this year's presidential campaign — he announced a cryptocurrency venture, World Liberty Financial. Both of these industries could be targeted with efforts at regulation during Trump's second term. So what could it mean for Trump to oversee an administration that also plays a role in these regulations? This dynamic sets up what ethics experts have described as unprecedented potential conflicts of interest for his second term.“Post Reports” host Elahe Izadi speaks with investigative reporter Jonathan O'Connell about how Trump became involved in these new businesses, what potential conflicts of interest they present, and what we might learn from how Trump approached potential conflicts in his first term. Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff with help from Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Alison MacAdam and Reena Flores and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Two years ago, President Biden and congressional Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act, aimed at stimulating clean energy production and reducing carbon emissions. Since then, hundreds of thousands of jobs have been created and Americans have claimed over $8 billion in tax credits to spend on climate-friendly technologies for their homes. The biggest winners have been more conservative areas, where more investments have been made because of lower tax barriers and more incentives for companies to build there. But despite this, President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to stop efforts to boost clean energy, calling it the “green new scam.” “Post Reports” co-host Elahe Izadi speaks with reporter Maxine Joselow about how he could do this and what the lasting effects of the Inflation Reduction Act might be.Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson with help from Elana Gordon. It was mixed by Justin Gerrish and edited by Lucy Perkins with help from Maggie Penman. Thank you also to Roger Hodge.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Last month, organic carrots were recalled after they were linked to an E. coli outbreak across 18 states that left one dead. This week, cucumbers available in 19 states have been recalled after regulators fielded reports of at least 68 people falling ill from salmonella. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared a massive E. coli outbreak linked to slivered onions in McDonald's Quarter Pounders to be over this week. Earlier this year, a Boar's Head plant shut down and ceased making liverwurst following a deadly outbreak of listeria. These kinds of high-profile incidents have many wondering about the country's food safety system, even as the number of food recalls this year appears to be on track to go down slightly.Today on “Post Reports,” co-host Elahe Izadi talks with national health-care reporter Rachel Roubein about how food regulation in the U.S. works, how bacteria like salmonella can wind up in vegetables like cucumbers and how to make sure the produce in our kitchens is safe to eat.Today's show was produced by Elana Gordon with help from Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins with help from Reena Flores and mixed by Justin Gerrish. Thanks also to Tracy Jan. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

In the past week, the civil war in Syria reignited. Islamist rebels seized control of Aleppo, triggering a new phase in a years-long civil war. The Post's Middle East bureau chief, Kareem Fahim, talks with host Elahe Izadi about why this moment matters.Read more: Last weekend's assault on Aleppo, Syria's economic capital, poses the most serious challenge to President Bashar al-Assad in years. Government forces, supported by Russia and Iran, have controlled the majority of territory in Syria. Now, the government is fighting back against Islamist rebels who showed surprising strength.This shakeup raises questions for the major foreign powers who have, directly or indirectly, become involved in the conflict, such as Russia, Iran and the United States. The incoming Trump administration will have to decide how it addresses one more destabilizing situation in the Middle East.Host Elahe Izadi talks with Middle East Bureau Chief Kareem Fahim about the implications for Syria and for the wider regional conflict.Today's show was produced by Peter Bresnan, with help from Sabby Robinson, Ariel Plotnick and Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was mixed by Justin Gerrish and edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Alison MacAdam, Reena Flores and Lucy Perkins. Thanks to Jesse Mesner-Hage. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The case the Supreme Court will hear Wednesday is brought by a doctor and three transgender teens with their families – including L.W. and her parents, Brian and Samantha Williams. Their suit challenges a law in Tennessee, but nearly half of states have banned certain treatments for minors with gender dysphoria, so the implications of the Supreme Court case could be wide-ranging. When the Williams family first sought out hormone treatment for their daughter, it wasn't illegal in any state, but over the past few years, trans kids have increasingly become a talking point for Republican lawmakers.Elahe Izadi speaks with reporter Casey Parks about what the law in Tennessee has meant for L.W. and her family – and what a ruling in this case could mean for the tens of thousands of kids who live in states where gender transition care is restricted. Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff and Ariel Plotnick with help from Bishop Sand. It was edited by Maggie Penman with help from Reena Flores. It was mixed by Justin Gerrish.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is poised to have an influential role in the next Trump administration as the president-elect's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Recently, Kennedy told news outlets that a top priority will be directing communities to take fluoride out of their drinking water. Fluoride has been a pillar of public health for decades, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes it as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. Experts point to evidence that it strengthens teeth and improves oral health. But fluoride has also inflamed local debates, where some oppose the government putting something in public drinking water. Recent research also raises questions about potential benefits and harms of fluoride.Yet these growing debates are already well underway in Oregon, which is home to Portland, the largest U.S. city without fluoride in its drinking water. The liberal suburb of Hillsboro and the small conservative town of Lebanon may also foreshadow the impassioned fights that could soon spread across the country. Whether to add or remove fluoride from drinking water was on the ballots in both places this month, fueling intense battles in person and online. National health reporter Fenit Nirappil recently traveled to Oregon to understand up close the science and politics of fluoride. He spoke with host Elahe Izadi about what he learned. Today's show was produced by Elana Gordon, who also contributed reporting. Sabby Robinson contributed production help. It was edited by Reena Flores, with help from Lucy Perkins, and it was mixed by Justin Gerrish. Thanks to Tracy Jan. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.You can also read the oral history of Elphaba ahead of the opening weekend of the movie, Wicked, here.

During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised to make sweeping changes to federal agencies, including doing away with the Education Department.This is not a new threat. Closing the department has been an off-and-on Republican goal since it was created in 1979. It is also difficult to make happen since it would require congressional approval – and it's unlikely Trump would have sufficient support. Still, Trump argues – and many Republicans are with him – that the department is unnecessary, ineffective and a tool of a “woke” culture war. Today on “Post Reports,” host Elahe Izadi speaks with education reporter Laura Meckler about the implications of eliminating the Education Department and the possible ripple effects of Trump's criticism of the agency. Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson, with help from Bishop Sand. It was mixed by Justin Garrish and edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Alison MacAdam, Maggie Penman and Lucy Perkins. Thanks to Chastity Pratt. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Today on “Post Reports,” how President-elect Donald Trump plans to make good on his campaign promise of mass deportations. Read more: President-elect Donald Trump has taken steps to fulfill his pledge to deport undocumented immigrants on a massive scale by naming top officials to lead the effort: Stephen Miller and Tom Homan. Miller — who helped shape policies during Trump's first administration, including the ban on travel from many Muslim-majority countries and family separations at the border — is expected to become a deputy chief of staff.Tom Homan, a former acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will serve as “border czar,” in charge of border security and deportations. On today's “Post Reports,” reporter Nick Miroff walks host Elahe Izadi through what those picks could mean for the incoming administration's approach to immigration enforcement and why they might have an easier time this term to turn Trump's rhetoric into reality. We also hear from an immigration lawyer and advocate about how he's advising his clients to prepare for another Trump presidency. Today's episode was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy and Laura Benshoff, with help from Ariel Plotnick. It was mixed by Sam Bair and edited by Monica Campbell with help from Maggie Penman and Lucy Perkins. Thanks to Maria Sacchetti and Efrain Hernandez Jr. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

There's Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz to head up the Justice Department. Former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as the director of national intelligence. Trump has chosen some eyebrow-raising names to staff his Cabinet. But are there any Republicans in the Senate that would choose to block them? Congress reporter Liz Goodwin joins hosts Aaron Blake and Elahe Izadi to dig into Trump's Cabinet appointments, their chances in the Senate, and whether Trump could bypass the upper chamber entirely with the use of recess appointments.Today's episode was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Rena Flores, Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy.Subscribe to Aaron's newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

There's Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz to head up the Justice Department. Former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as the director of national intelligence. Trump has chosen some eyebrow-raising names to staff his Cabinet. But are there any Republicans in the Senate that would choose to block them? Congress reporter Liz Goodwin joins hosts Aaron Blake and Elahe Izadi to dig into Trump's Cabinet appointments, their chances in the Senate, and whether Trump could bypass the upper chamber entirely with the use of recess appointments.Today's episode was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Rena Flores, Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy.Subscribe to Aaron's newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

When it comes to abortion, the results of last week's election were decidedly mixed. Abortion protections passed in New York, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado and Missouri but failed in Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota. This means that 2 million more women now have access to abortion services across the country. But with Donald Trump's second term as president nearing, there are questions about how a Republican-controlled government will approach the issue of abortion, and whether a federal abortion ban could be on the table. Elahe Izadi speaks to Post reporter Molly Hennessy-Fiske about what abortion access now looks like after the election, and how that could change again when Trump returns to the White House. Today's show was produced by Peter Bresnan. It was mixed by Sam Bair and edited by Monica Campbell. Thanks to Susan Levine, Frances Stead Sellers and Maggie Penman. Additional reporting for this episode was provided by Reshma Kerpalani. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Over the past few months, Elon Musk has heavily invested in the Trump campaign. Musk is hosting rallies in swing states, giving out million-dollar checks to registered voters in those states and organizing canvassers. Billionaires donating to presidential campaigns is nothing new, but Musk is putting much more than money into the race. Elahe Izadi speaks with technology reporter Trisha Thadani and national political reporter Michael Scherer about Musk's political influence.Today's show was produced by Eliza Dennis and Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sam Bair. The Campaign Moment newsletter is here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

On today's “Post Reports,” we look into why Republicans are waging legal battles to disqualify mail-in ballots, and why rhetoric against mail voting might actually hurt their presidential candidate. Read more: Since 2020, the Republican Party has waged a nationwide legal campaign to reject mail-in ballots.From Wisconsin to North Carolina to Nevada, Republicans say much of their litigation is aimed at enforcement of election law, down to the letter. But critics see a strategy that has nothing to do with election integrity — and everything to do with disqualifying voters who cast ballots by mail, an overwhelming majority of whom support Democrats. At the same time, Republicans are also ramping up their get-out-the-vote operations, which include pushing their supporters to use mail-in ballots.On today's “Post Reports,” Elahe Izadi speaks with democracy reporter Colby Itkowitz about Republicans' efforts to get mail-in ballots thrown out in Pennsylvania, and about the have-it-both-ways strategy they're employing in this election. And we hear from an election official in Pennsylvania's Lycoming County — a GOP-leaning area in the center of the state — who's sick of the fighting. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy, with help from Sabby Robinson and Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thank you to Griff Witte and HyoJung Kim. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Democratic Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota and Republican Sen. JD Vance of Ohio faced off at what was expected to be the only vice presidential debate on Tuesday night. But it was much less dramatic than the presidential debates. Read more:“Post Reports” co-host Elahe Izadi talks with senior political reporter Aaron Blake about Walz's stumbling performance, Vance's efforts to soften his image on unpopular issues for the GOP, like abortion, and whether either performance could significantly impact the race. Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff and Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy and mixed by Rennie Svirnovskiy. Subscribe to Aaron's newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Across the southeastern United States, Hurricane Helene destroyed houses, swept up cars and overflowed riverbanks. Now millions of people are without power and clean drinking water; more than 100 people are dead. “It's not really an overstatement to say there are towns that were there and are basically not there anymore,” environment and climate reporter Brady Dennis said. He's been reporting from North Carolina, where many communities were not prepared for the disaster. On today's show, Dennis describes the widespread destruction and relief efforts to host Elahe Izadi.Today's show was produced by Elana Gordon, with help from Sabby Robinson. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Reena Flores, with help from Ariel Plotnick. Thanks to Scott Dance, Paulina Firozi and Katie Zezima.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

For months, tensions between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah have increased, with the two sides exchanging cross-border attacks. Yet in recent weeks, Israel has ratcheted up its attacks in Lebanon, including the assassination of Hasan Nasrallah on Friday. The Shiite cleric oversaw Hezbollah for decades and became one of the most powerful and divisive leaders in the Middle East.The impact of Israel's strikes has also been devastating. The death toll has now surpassed 1,000 people, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. The agency doesn't distinguish between combatant and civilian deaths, but it said more than 80 children are among the dead. Hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing for safety. Now, officials have told reporters at the Post that Israel is planning an imminent, limited ground invasion into Lebanon.Today, host Elahe Izadi speaks with Shane Harris, who covers intelligence and national security for The Post, about Israel's strategy in attacking Hezbollah inside of Lebanon. We also hear whether this could pull Iran and the United States into a bigger regional conflict.Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Reena Flores. Thanks to Joe Snell and Ben Pauker. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

“Post Reports” co-host Elahe Izadi and senior political reporter Aaron Blake talk with Senate reporter Liz Goodwin about how Senate Democrats are feeling ahead of the November election. They also dig into the politics of New York City Mayor Eric Adams's indictment and preview what to expect in next week's first – and likely only – vice presidential debate. Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff and mixed by Sam Bair. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy. Subscribe to Aaron's newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

In 2020, North Carolina was the one that got away for Democrats: Then candidate Joe Biden lost the state by the smallest margin in the presidential election. Now, with the election a little over a month away, Democrats and Republicans are kicking into overdrive, campaigning to win North Carolina, a newly competitive swing state.Elahe Izadi speaks with political reporter Hannah Knowles about why Democrats now think they can win North Carolina and how the state could tip the balance of the election in November.Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff, with help from Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Sean Sullivan. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

This week, Israel unleashed a wave of airstrikes in southern Lebanon, against what it says are Hezbollah targets. At least 569 people have been killed in the attacks this week and more than 1,800 injured, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. The ministry doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants but said at least 50 children, 94 women and nine paramedics were among the dead. Thousands of civilians are now fleeing southern Lebanon in search of safety. Also, on Wednesday, Hezbollah fired a missile toward the Tel Aviv area as retaliation, which Israeli forces intercepted. This marks the first time the militant group has aimed a missile toward this major Israeli city. Israel has increasingly turned its attention away from its war against Hamas in Gaza to its conflict with Hezbollah, which has been launching near-daily rockets into northern Israel. Hezbollah says it has been carrying out the attacks in solidarity with the Palestinians of Gaza and will not stop until there is a cease-fire there. Tens of thousands of Israelis under fire have left their homes in the north of the country, and Israeli officials have vowed to ensure their safe return.Today, on “Post Reports,” host Elahe Izadi speaks with the Post's Susannah George about this dramatic escalation and fears of a widening conflict. Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson, with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy and Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Reena Flores. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Mohamad El-Chamaa, Suzan Haidamous, Lior Soroka and Jesse Mesner-Hage. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Last Friday, Georgia's state election board voted 3-2 to approve a new election rule: before vote totals can be reported, each precinct must confirm the total number of votes cast by three separate hand counts.The move was spearheaded by a pro-Trump majority who say that it will make elections more transparent. But critics – among them many of Georgia's election administrators – said hand counts would take too long, cost money and almost certainly produce counting errors, opening the door to doubts about the election results in November. The office of the Republican state attorney general, which is responsible for advising the board, wrote in an opinion that the change was unlawful. This rule is the latest in a string of new election measures passed by the pro-Trump election board. Democracy advocates have accused the board of intentionally injecting chaos and uncertainty into the presidential contest.Today on “Post Reports, host Elahe Izadi speaks with Amy Gardner, who covers voting for the Post, about how the rule change could affect the November election.Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Lucas Trevor. It was mixed by Sean Carter. And edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Reena Flores. Thanks to Griff Witte.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

“Post Reports” co-host Elahe Izadi and senior political reporter Aaron Blake chat with national political reporter Michael Scherer about all of this week's political news. They also dig into how last week's first – and perhaps only – debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump is shaping voters' perceptions of the candidates.Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff and mixed by Sean Carter. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy. Subscribe to Aaron's newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

“Post Reports” co-host Elahe Izadi and senior political reporter Aaron Blake talk with White House reporter Yasmeen Abutaleb about Harris and Walz's interview on CNN, new polling that shows continued Democratic enthusiasm, and an altercation between the Trump campaign and an employee at Arlington National Cemetery. Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Ariel Plotnick. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to Aaron's newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, there has been a big uptick in the use of the powerful anesthetic ketamine to treat anxiety and depression. But after the death last year of actor Matthew Perry, star of the hit sitcom “Friends,” due in part to the effects of ketamine, doctors and government officials are reconsidering the drug's widespread availability.On today's “Post Reports,” Elahe Izadi speaks with reporter Daniel Gilbert, who has been following the ketamine boom for years. They talk about how ketamine became so widely accessible and about the uncertain future of the drug. Today's show was produced by Peter Bresnan, with help from Emma Talkoff and Ali Bianco. It was edited by Monica Campbell and mixed by Rennie Svirnovskiy. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Elahe Izadi, co-host of “Post Reports,” and senior political reporter Aaron Blake sit down with White House reporter Cleve Wootson at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago to talk about the highlights from Harris's speech. Harris focused on her middle-class upbringing and how she would protect abortion access and reproductive rights, and she cast herself as a candidate who would bring normalcy and competency to the White House. They also revisit the most memorable speeches of the four-day convention and look ahead to what the next two months might look like for Harris. Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff and Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to Aaron's newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Biden received a warm welcome at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday evening when he walked on stage to address his party. Thousands of Democratic delegates packed in the arena chanted “Thank you, Joe!” and pumped signs saying “We love Joe” as he gave his speech. “Post Reports” co-host Elahe Izadi and senior political reporter Aaron Blake talk with White House reporter Matt Viser about Biden's historic address and what the first night of the convention tells us about the current strength of the Democratic Party. Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks also to Ariel Plotnick.Subscribe to Aaron's newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The United States imposes more sanctions than any other country on Earth. Since the 1960s, sanctions have become a core element of U.S. diplomatic strategy, with countries like North Korea, Venezuela, Syria, Russia, China and Iran all being subject to these economic penalties. Today, Elahe Izadi speaks with White House economics reporter Jeff Stein about how the United States fell in love with sanctions, about whether the country's current strategy is sustainable and about whether sanctions truly work as a diplomatic tool. Plus, Elahe reports from Chicago on the opening scenes of the Democratic National Convention. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy and Ariel Plotnick, with help from Trinity Webster-Bass. The show was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Reena Flores, with help from Lucy Perkins. Thanks to Mike Madden. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Florida is just one of a number of states where abortion rights will be on the November ballot. In Florida, voters will decide whether to pass Amendment 4, which would reverse Florida's six-week abortion ban and put abortion protections in the state constitution.Grassroots organizers in Florida have been going door to door trying to get out the vote to pass Amendment 4. Some of these groups have been specifically targeting Latino voters, who organizers believe have been ignored by the Democratic Party. This summer, reporter Molly Hennessy-Fiske visited Florida to spend time with these organizers and see the kinds of conversations they were having with potential voters. Today on “Post Reports,” host Elahe Izadi speaks with Molly about what she learned in Florida about how abortion rights could shape the election. Today's show was produced by Peter Bresnan, with support from Ali Bianco and Elana Gordon. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Lucy Perkins. Thanks to Susan Levine. Additional reporting by Reshma Kirpalani.

This month, Earth hit its hottest days recorded in history. But even on the warmest days, millions of workers in the U.S. labor in heat that is increasingly hazardous to their health.This month, the Biden administration proposed a rule that, for the first time, would protect such workers, whether their jobs are indoors or outdoors. The proposal sets out two heat index triggers that would apply nationally and require employers to offer drinking water, among other safeguards.Yet some employers, in areas such as agriculture, construction and tourism, are resisting the changes, arguing that they would make their sectors less competitive.Today on “Post Reports,” Elahe Izadi speaks with climate change reporter Anna Phillips about the federal government's efforts to protect workers.Today's show was produced by Trinity Webster-Bass, with support from Elana Gordon. It was edited by Monica Campbell and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

This is a special episode of The Campaign Moment dedicated to answering the questions on everyone's minds about what happens next now that Harris is the Democrats' potential nominee.Senior political reporter Aaron Blake, who writes The Post's new Campaign Moment newsletter, and Colby Itkowitz, who covers voting and elections on the democracy team, sit down with Post Reports co-host Elahe Izadi. They talk about how Harris polls against Trump, what it means for her to take over a campaign that was designed for President Biden, and how the GOP is reacting to her campaign.Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was mixed by Sean Carter. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy. Thanks also to Trinity Webster-Bass.Subscribe to Aaron's newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Yesterday, President Biden announced that he would no longer be running for reelection; he also endorsed Vice President Harris to replace him as the Democratic nominee for president in November's election. Over the past 24 hours, endorsements of Harris have been rolling in from top Democrats. Today on Post Reports, host Elahe Izadi speaks with The Washington Post's White House bureau chief, Toluse Olorunnipa, about Biden's decision to endorse Harris. Plus, host Martine Powers and White House reporter Cleve Wootson dive deep into Harris's career and how she's evolved as a politician over the years.Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff and Trinity Webster-Bass. It was mixed by Sam Bair and edited by Reena Flores, with help from Ariel Plotnick. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

These days, there's one thing that Raquel Campos isn't taking for granted: water. Back in January, the taps went dry in her apartment in Mexico City. At first, she thought it was just her building, until she realized far more of the city was experiencing the same dilemma. Mexico City is experiencing one of the worst droughts in its history. That, along with other factors such as leaky infrastructure, has left the capital's critical Cutzamala water system dwindling to record lows. Throughout June, it has hovered at about 26 percent of its capacity. Water scarcity is affecting both lower-income and wealthy neighborhoods. Today on “Post Reports,” host Elahe Izadi speaks with weather and climate reporter Kasha Patel about Mexico City's water crisis and how the city – along with other parts of the world – is trying to tackle these challenges. Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Monica Campbell and mixed by Sean Carter.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Soon after the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, in which 20 children and six adults were murdered, Infowars' Alex Jones began to push the false idea that the tragedy was a hoax perpetrated by the U.S. government to promote gun restrictions. So a group of parents decided to sue Jones for defamation, and in 2022 they were awarded a $1.5 billion settlement. This month, a bankruptcy judge ordered Jones to liquidate some of his personal assets to help cover the judgment. Jones was allowed to keep his controlling stake in the Infowars conspiracy site for now, but the site could be shut down within a matter of months. Elahe Izadi sits down with media reporter Will Sommer to talk about Jones's fall and what it could mean for the future of the misinformation landscape.Today's show was produced by Peter Bresnan. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

With every breath you take, you could be inhaling microplastics. Today, we talk about where they come from, how they impact our health and what we can do to avoid them in our daily lives.Read more:For years, scientists on the hunt for microplastics have found them almost everywhere. First, they spotted tiny pieces of plastic in the ocean, in the bodies of fish and mussels. Then they found them in soft drinks, in tap water, in vegetables and fruits, in burgers.Now researchers are discovering that microplastics are floating around us, suspended in the air on city streets and inside homes. One study found that people inhale or ingest on average 74,000 to 121,000 microplastic particles per year through breathing, eating and drinking.Today on “Post Reports,” climate reporter Shannon Osaka answers host Elahe Izadi's questions about these plastic particles that humans are taking in in much larger quantities than previously thought. And she gives some advice on how to get microplastics out of our lives as much as possible. Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

It's Friday, so it's time for The Campaign Moment — our weekly roundtable conversation to help you keep track of the biggest developments of the 2024 campaign.In a district that overwhelmingly voted for Trump in 2020, Ohio voters almost elected a Democratic congressman this week. But are such special election results representative? Senior political reporter Aaron Blake, who writes The Washington Post's new Campaign Moment newsletter, and Toluse Olorunnipa, White House bureau chief for The Post, sit down with host Elahe Izadi. They also discuss Hunter Biden's conviction on felony gun charges, how family matters impact presidential campaigns, and polling that shows voters are checked out when it comes to major campaign stories.Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff and Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy. Subscribe to Aaron's newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Since Lina Khan was appointed chair of the Federal Trade Commission in 2021, the FTC has become more ambitious in its efforts to curb alleged unfair business practices. The agency has banned most non-compete agreements, has begun to scrutinize the proliferation of AI and has initiated lawsuits against massive tech companies like Meta, Microsoft and Amazon. (Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post).The FTC under Khan's leadership has drawn bipartisan support in Congress, but also the ire of some pundits and business leaders. Elahe Izadi sat down with Khan in The Washington Post studio this week for a wide-ranging conversation about Khan's tenure at the FTC, how the government should be regulating AI, why the FTC is going up against Amazon and what it means to be doing this work in an election year. Today's show was produced by Peter Bresnan. It was edited by Allison Michaels and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Housing has become increasingly expensive around the country. And while it's traditionally seen as a local issue, housing could be a major factor in the 2024 presidential election.Read more:In polls, voters often say the economy is one of the top issues they'll consider when voting in the 2024 presidential election.But what exactly does that mean? For a lot of people, the cost of housing — rent or a mortgage payment — is the main way they feel fluctuations in the economy. That cost can also be the most stressful.Today, host Elahe Izadi speaks with politics reporter Leigh Ann Caldwell about why housing has gotten so expensive in Nevada and other swing states— and how that could sway the presidential election.Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sam Bair.Two projects from the Post Reports team were just honored with Peabody awards. You can listen to “The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop” here; and Part One of “Surviving to Graduation” here.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

TikTok offered the Biden administration a kill switch. Today on “Post Reports,” why the U.S. government declined.Read more:In 2022, TikTok offered the U.S. government an extraordinary deal. The social media app – owned by a Chinese company – said it would let federal officials pick its U.S. board of directors, would give the government veto power over each new hire and would pay an American company that contracts with the Defense Department to monitor its source code. The Biden administration, however, went its own way. Today on “Post Reports,” tech reporter Drew Harwell takes host Elahe Izadi behind the scenes of the U.S. government's decision to pass on TikTok's proposal. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here and check out this story about the health consequences of loud restaurants.