Podcasts about Kurdish

SPONSORS: 1) GhostBed: Use Code "JULIAN" to get 10% off your new GhostBed Mattress https://ghostbed.com/julian PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/JulianDorey (***TIMESTAMPS in Description Below) ~ Eric Czuleger is a Diplomat, Author, & Renegade Country Explorer. For the past 11 years, Czuleger has lived and traveled across Europe, Asia, and Africa –– getting himself into wild situations that include managing diplomatic relationships between unrecognized countries. Eric insists he is *not* in the CIA –– but absolutely no one believes him. His life memoir, “You Are Not Here” came out in 2023. ERIC'S LINKS: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eczuleger/?hl=en X: https://x.com/eczuleger BUY HIS BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Not-Here-Countries/dp/B0C87SH7Q8 FOLLOW JULIAN DOREY INSTAGRAM (Podcast): https://www.instagram.com/juliandoreypodcast/ INSTAGRAM (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/julianddorey/ X: https://twitter.com/julianddorey 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 - Istanbul detention, Turkey ban, Google mistake 4:07 - Smoky room, waterboarding fear, book sales joke 8:01 - Interrogation, Kurdistan book, Erbil questions 13:08 - Kurdish statehood history, Sykes-Picot 18:16 - Nation-state illusion, Westphalia, social constructs 23:01 - Internet, crypto, digital citizenship 28:00 - Bretton Woods, U.S. power, dollar dominance 34:18 - Globalization, wealth inequality, systemic failure 42:00 - Climate change, Tower of Babel, fragmentation 50:15 - 5th-Generation warfare, influence, mind battles 59:11 - China, psychological/economic/legal warfare, TikTok 1:09:17 - Info wars, U.S. polarization, social media 1:24:13 - Transparency, government trust, speech tension 1:40:02 - U.S. soft power, sitcoms, cultural influence 1:54:16 - Micro-states, Liberland, Somaliland, Bitcoin embassy 2:01:05 - Ambassadorship, aid logistics, geopolitics 2:08:00 - China tension, soft power argument, desert escape 2:15:00 - Intelligence secrecy, accountability, governance trust 2:21:00 - USAID, aid misuse, soft power repair 2:27:00 - Development vs. geopolitical aid, system reform 2:32:00 - Statecraft illusions, collective action 2:45:07 - Patriotism vs. cynicism 2:53:54 - Czuleger'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 315 - Johnny Mitchell Music by Artlist.io Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this day in 1974, the UPC barcode was scanned at a checkout counter for the first time. It may have seemed small at the time, but it revolutionized product tracking and is still going strong today. Plus, the local news for June 26, 2025 and an excerpt from the final culminating episode of “The Country In Our Hearts” podcast on Nashville's Kurdish community. Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Tony Gonzalez Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Nina Cardona, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP 

Nicole F. Watts's Republic of Dreams: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Struggles, and the Future of Iraqi Kurdistan (NYU Press, 2025) is a harrowing portrait of Iraqi Kurdistan and its history, as it weathers Hussein's genocidal campaign against the Kurds, a civil war, the US invasion of Iraq, the Arab Spring, and the sustained neglect of the city of Halabja. Watts, a former journalist and now professor of political science, has spent over a decade researching the struggles of the Kurdish people in Iraq, and in vivid, lyrical prose, she tells their story through the eyes of Peshawa, a young Muslim Kurd whose family barely survived the bombing and then fled for their lives.Throughout the book, the thread of Peshawa's story immerses readers in the everyday and extraordinary world of Iraqi Kurds between the late 1980s and 2022, exploring the meaning of home and dislocation in the wake of war and genocide.Based on over a hundred in-depth interviews with Iraqi Kurdish activists, journalists, elected officials, and community organizers, and hundreds of hours of conversations with Peshawa and his family, Republic of Dreams brings to vivid life the story of modern Kurdistan, and the Kurdish national dream to have their own homeland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Nicole F. Watts's Republic of Dreams: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Struggles, and the Future of Iraqi Kurdistan (NYU Press, 2025) is a harrowing portrait of Iraqi Kurdistan and its history, as it weathers Hussein's genocidal campaign against the Kurds, a civil war, the US invasion of Iraq, the Arab Spring, and the sustained neglect of the city of Halabja. Watts, a former journalist and now professor of political science, has spent over a decade researching the struggles of the Kurdish people in Iraq, and in vivid, lyrical prose, she tells their story through the eyes of Peshawa, a young Muslim Kurd whose family barely survived the bombing and then fled for their lives.Throughout the book, the thread of Peshawa's story immerses readers in the everyday and extraordinary world of Iraqi Kurds between the late 1980s and 2022, exploring the meaning of home and dislocation in the wake of war and genocide.Based on over a hundred in-depth interviews with Iraqi Kurdish activists, journalists, elected officials, and community organizers, and hundreds of hours of conversations with Peshawa and his family, Republic of Dreams brings to vivid life the story of modern Kurdistan, and the Kurdish national dream to have their own homeland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

Nicole F. Watts's Republic of Dreams: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Struggles, and the Future of Iraqi Kurdistan (NYU Press, 2025) is a harrowing portrait of Iraqi Kurdistan and its history, as it weathers Hussein's genocidal campaign against the Kurds, a civil war, the US invasion of Iraq, the Arab Spring, and the sustained neglect of the city of Halabja. Watts, a former journalist and now professor of political science, has spent over a decade researching the struggles of the Kurdish people in Iraq, and in vivid, lyrical prose, she tells their story through the eyes of Peshawa, a young Muslim Kurd whose family barely survived the bombing and then fled for their lives.Throughout the book, the thread of Peshawa's story immerses readers in the everyday and extraordinary world of Iraqi Kurds between the late 1980s and 2022, exploring the meaning of home and dislocation in the wake of war and genocide.Based on over a hundred in-depth interviews with Iraqi Kurdish activists, journalists, elected officials, and community organizers, and hundreds of hours of conversations with Peshawa and his family, Republic of Dreams brings to vivid life the story of modern Kurdistan, and the Kurdish national dream to have their own homeland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/middle-eastern-studies

RFP - Rojava - the Kurdish women's revolution in Northern Syria discussed by Anne Ehrlich & Bodil Reller.A live webinar recorded on 22nd June 2025 at 10am UK time.On Sundays (10am UK time), our webinar series Radical Feminist Perspectives offers a chance to hear leading feminists discuss radical feminist theory and politics.Attendance of our live webinars is women-only, register at https://bit.ly/registerRFP

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:   The United States may be edging closer to joining the war between Israel and Iran. A wave of new military deployments—including aircraft carriers, destroyers, and refueling tankers—suggests preparations are underway for potential involvement.   Israel's campaign inside Iran is reportedly taking a toll on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei's inner circle. Key military and intelligence advisers have been killed in targeted strikes, leaving the regime exposed and vulnerable.   The U.S. military has pulled out of two more bases in Syria. Kurdish allies are warning that the drawdown could create conditions for a dangerous ISIS resurgence.   And in today's Back of the Brief: Investigators in India are reviewing black box data from the Air India crash that killed 270 people. Early signs point to one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent years.   To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief StopBox: Get firearm security redesigned and save with BOGO the StopBox Pro AND 10% OFF @StopBoxUSA with code PDB at https://stopboxusa.com/PDB! #stopboxpod Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold True Classic: Upgrade your wardrobe and save on @trueclassic at https://trueclassic.com/PDB#trueclassicpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're joined by the legendary actor, BAFTA-winning writer, and one half of People Just Do Nothing – Allan Mustafa, aka Seapa, aka MC Grindah – for a hilarious and heartfelt deep-dive into the meals that shaped him, and some hilarious stories from; firing Post Malone's guns at his house in LA, to helping trigger Craig David's comeback, to getting forcefully removed from a 'ping-pong' show in Bangkok to surviving a food disaster in Mexico!Allan shares everything from the Kurdish-inspired dishes of his childhood to late-night eats in Prague and big family meals at Royal Nawaab. He talks about learning to cook for himself (shoutout Kurdish risotto), his go-to weeknight spots (Song Que gets a major nod), and where he heads when it's time to celebrate (One Club Road and Mountain top the list).We also get an incredible step-by-step guide to his dream foodie weekend in Marseille – from chai lattes and French-Tunisian couscous to rocky beach swims and street-level people-watching that feels straight out of The Wire.To close it all out, Allan picks his perfect three-course meal, including a Kurdish stew, Czech duck with dumplings, and his controversial but justified love of profiteroles.Warm, unfiltered, and full of great food recs – this is one of our faves yet.And remember, use code GOTOBLINQ for one month free with our sponsor Blinq, and don't forget to send in your wildest hospitality horror stories to – front of house, back of house, or just you as a customer - to competition@thegotopodcastcompany.com.------Please leave us a great rating and a comment and share it with your friends - it really helps us grow as a show.If you're in the industry and are looking for the greatest POS system in the world than look no further as Blinq are tearing up the rulebook—no long-term contracts, no hidden fees, and no per-device charges. Just £49 a month for unlimited devices and 24/7 UK-based support that's always there, in person when you need it.Built for hospitality, by hospitality, blinq is the fastest, easiest POS system on the market—so intuitive, anyone can use it. And while others take weeks to get you up and running, with blinq, you're live in just 2 hours.Join the hospitality revolution today & use the code GOTOBLINQ to get your first month free - https://blinqme.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With rapid change sweeping a region still in the throes of wars the Kurdish people spread across four nations see an opportunity to secure if not their dream of a nation then autonomy within national federal structures that would secure their rights and culture as a people. Arab Digest editor William Law invites the Kurdish-American journalist Sirwan Kajjo onto the podcast to discuss the possibilities and the promises that lie within reach of the Kurds. Sign up NOW at ArabDigest.org for free to join the club and start receiving our daily newsletter & weekly podcasts.

Who Are They? A Special Series: The KurdsJoin Journey Of Hope Podcast Host Elio Constantine as he launches the first episode in a special series on the podcast, "Who Are They?". Elio, and pastor Bashir take a deep dive into the culture, history, language, and spirituality of the Kurdish people, and they talk in depth about all of the different ways that Heart For Lebanon is ministering to this unique people group!website: Home - Heart for LebanonEmail Elio: podcast@heartforlebanon.org

The DOJ files to seize over $7 million linked to illegal North Korean IT workers. The FBI warns of BADBOX 2.0 malware targeting IoT devices. Researchers uncover a major security flaw in Chrome extensions. ESET uncovers Iranian hackers targeting Kurdish and Iraqi government officials. Hitachi Energy, Acronis and Cisco patch critical vulnerabilities. 20 suspects are arrested in a major international CSAM takedown. Hackers exploit a critical flaw in Roundcube webmail. Today's guest is Ian Bramson, Global Head of Industrial Cybersecurity at Black & Veatch, exploring how organizations can close the cyberattack readiness gap.  ChatGPT logs are caught in a legal tug-of-war.  Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode? Sign-up for our daily intelligence roundup, Daily Briefing, and you'll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow CyberWire Daily on LinkedIn. CyberWire Guest Today's guest is Ian Bramson, Global Head of Industrial Cybersecurity at Black & Veatch. Ian joins us to explore how organizations can close the cyberattack readiness gap in industrial environments—especially as cyber threats grow more sophisticated and aggressive. Selected Reading Department Files Civil Forfeiture Complaint Against Over $7.74M Laundered on Behalf of the North Korean Government (U.S. Department of Justice) FBI: BADBOX 2.0 Android malware infects millions of consumer devices (Bleeping Computer) Chrome Extensions Vulnerability Exposes API Keys, Secrets, and Tokens (Cyber Security News) Iran-linked hackers target Kurdish and Iraqi officials in long-running cyberespionage campaign (The Record) CISA reports critical flaw in Hitachi Energy Relion devices (Beyond Machines) Critical security vulnerabilities discovered in Acronis Cyber Protect software (Beyond Machines) Cisco Patches Critical ISE Vulnerability With Public PoC (SecurityWeek) Police arrests 20 suspects for distributing child sexual abuse content  (Bleeping Computer) Hacker selling critical Roundcube webmail exploit as tech info disclosed (Bleeping Computer)– mentioning this in the Briefing OpenAI slams court order to save all ChatGPT logs, including deleted chats (Ars Technica) Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at cyberwire@n2k.com to request more info. The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What have learned? What have we enacted in the six years since Christchurch and the far-right fanatic who livestreamed his own mass shooting in a New Zealand mosque? Here in France, outrage is growing over the 53-year-old man who posted five times to Facebook before and after killing his Tunisian neighbour and who also targeted two Kurdish asylum seekers. Posts included a call to "go get them wherever they are" and to vote for Marine Le Pen's National Rally. It was enough for it be treated as a terror case and for the conservative right-wing interior minister to make the trip to the French Riviera town of Puget-sur-Argens.How much of the blame for the real-life attack goes to the virtual world? As US tech platforms downsize fact-checking and content moderation on their sites, the European Union finds itself in a bind. Its Digital Services Act needs enforcement and reinforcement, say anti-racism advocates. But the bloc is also locked in wide-ranging trade negotiations with a United States whose vice president clearly states that Europe's biggest challenge is "the threat within" of a supposed assault on free speech and censorship of MAGA-world ideas.Does Europe have what it takes to define and defend the free exchange of ideas, while preventing the phones in our pockets from becoming bullhorns for hate?Produced by Rebecca Gnignati, Aurore Laborie and Ilayda Habip.

We haven't spoken since John's dog ate the afikoman, and we discuss his Omer success and Asher's Omer challenges. In the meantime, Asher continues his amazing world travels, this time to Kurdistan on an interfaith mission with his Chaldean friends. We discuss that region's deep connection to Jewish history, including minor prophets like Nachum (John had to Google him). We then discuss Trump's anti-antisemitism efforts, and our gratitude that adults are finally in the room on college campuses. Asher ends by describing the Wild West way in which new Jewish holidays are established.

There has been more deadly violence near an aid distribution site in Gaza. Syria has recruited half of its planned national army. The Hajj pilgrimage begins today. On this morning's episode of Trending Middle East: At least 27 killed and 90 injured near Gaza aid distribution centre in Rafah UN calls for investigation into Palestinian deaths near Gaza aid site as Israel pushes back Syria has recruited half of planned 200,000-strong army, military sources say Under pressure, Kurdish militia resumes integration talks with Damascus Mapping the global gathering of Hajj This episode features Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan correspondent, and Ali Al Shouk, senior news reporter.

In a world that rewards urgency, overwork, and perfectionism, what does it look like to return to ourselves—not through punishment, but through presence?This week, I share a personal story of falling out of alignment with my commitments—not from malice, but from fear, fatigue, and scarcity. I reflect on what it took to course-correct, to soften instead of self-judge, and to rebuild a rhythm rooted in integrity, self-trust, and care.I also explore examples from around the globe—stories of individuals and communities who are embodying integrity in the face of oppression, not through performance, but by building relationships, refusing silence, and staying aligned with their values even when the cost is high.Featured Stories in This Episode:Afro-German communities building self-sustaining infrastructure instead of relying on state validation.Saudi feminist scholar Hatoon al-Fassi, who risked imprisonment to hold truth to power through ancestral knowledge.Kurdish women in Rojava, co-creating democratic, feminist societies rooted in daily reflection and radical interdependence.Chicago's Black Youth Project 100, resisting performative allyship and investing in mutual aid rooted in “We take care of us.”Crown Heights Mutual Aid created multilingual hotlines, raised funds, distributed rent relief, and built lasting infrastructure.Each of these stories asks: What does it mean to stay rooted in your values when the pressure is to conform, perform, or disappear?Reflection Prompts: These are invitations to sit with, not solve. You don't need to write your way through them. You might take them on a walk. Move with them in your body. Breathe with them in silence. Let them live in you, in whatever way you need this week.Where in my life do I feel out of alignment with my commitments—not out of malice, but out of fear, fatigue, or uncertainty?What would it feel like, in my body, to return to integrity—not as a performance, but as a practice of self-trust?How can I hold myself with tenderness and accountability at the same time, the way a gardener both prunes and protects?https://www.transmutingwhitesupremacyandpatriarchy.com/ → Subscribe to the newsletter for weekly reflections like these → Learn more about the Cultivating Intersectional Leadership course → Follow along on Instagram and LinkedIn for more practices, invitations, and community conversationsLet's Stay in Practice—Together: This work isn't meant to be done alone. If this episode stirred something in you, share it with someone you trust. Name what you're sitting with. Let these reflections ripple outward.Support the show

The story of how Nashville became home to the largest Kurdish diaspora in America is an epic one. A tale of bloody genocide, of freedom fighters, of stunning perseverance. But the story of the Kurdish people, no matter where they are, is a story about a country that only exists in the hearts of its people. And the lengths they'll go to make it real. Learn more here.

The US-Israeli Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said it started distributing aid. Iraq's Oil Ministry is suing the semi-autonomous Kurdish region. Negotiations in Cairo and Doha for a Gaza ceasefire are "not leading" to a deal yet. On this episode of Trending Middle East: US-backed Gaza aid foundation is distraction from what is really needed, UN says Head of US-Israeli aid agency for Gaza resigns over lack of 'humanitarian principles' Gaza ceasefire talks not leading to a deal yet, source says Iraqi Oil Ministry files lawsuit against Kurdish region over unilaterally signed energy deals This episode features Nada AlTaher, Senior Foreign Reporter; Hamza Hendawi, Cairo Correspondent; and Sinan Mahmoud, Baghdad Correspondent.

Ankara's latest effort to end a four decades long Kurdish insurgency is opaque and is full of risks and opportunities for Turkey and Syria's Kurds says lawmaker Cengiz Candar.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this conversation, guest Meer Awny discusses his Kurdish heritage and its significance, the political challenges of Kurdistan, and the pride and history of Kurdish people. He shares insights from his upbringing in Australia, his experiences with sports, and a pivotal car accident at 16 that shaped his perspective on life. Meer also talks about his work as a high-performance coach, the rigorous journey of building his business, the immigrant mindset, and balancing professional ambitions with personal relationships and health. The discussion touches on the importance of spirituality, nature, and maintaining integrity in daily actions.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:04 Exploring Kurdish Heritage02:51 Life in Kurdistan vs. Australia04:59 High Performance Coaching and Upbringing06:17 The Impact of Combat Sports11:13 A Life-Changing Car Accident14:29 Gratitude and Perspective16:09 The Immigrant Mindset and Hard Work22:03 Balancing Health, Family, and Business29:08 The Realities of Business Success33:35 The Challenges of Gym Ownership34:17 Refusing to Quit: A Business Owner's Mindset38:51 The Importance of Daily Efforts44:55 High Performance Standards in Combat Sports46:30 Balancing Mental and Physical Training52:49 Spirituality and Connection to Nature01:02:13 The Impact of Technology on Youth01:03:19 Pride in Personal and Professional AchievementsFollow Meer: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meer_awny/FOLLOW ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbetarofficial/Sponsors: Betar Media: https://www.instagram.com/betarmedia/

Kate Adie presents stories from Turkey, the South China Sea, Ukraine, the US and Angola.Outlawed Kurdish group the PKK, which has waged a 40-year insurgency against Turkey, has announced it's disbanding. More than 40,000 people were killed during its fight for an independent Kurdish state - now the group says the Kurdish issue 'can be resolved through democratic politics'. Orla Guerin reports from Diyarbakir, in the Kurdish heartland.In the South China Sea, the tiny island of Pagasa is at the centre of a dispute between the Philippines and China. For the past 10 years, China has been expanding its presence in the region - but the Philippines is one of the few southeast Asian countries to stand its ground. Jonathan Head gained rare access to the island.Over the last decade, the Ukrainian Orthodox church gradually distanced itself from the Moscow Patriarchate, until it formally severed ties in 2022. But some priests and parishioners are reluctant to give up the traditions that were so familiar to them. Nick Sturdee reports from Western Ukraine.In Arizona, we meet the Native American 'knowledge keepers', who are now willing to share some of their secrets, as part of a cultural project which is uniting some of the major tribes, including the Navajo, the Hopi and the Apache nations. Stephanie Theobald went to find out more about their vision.Angolan president, João Lourenço, has made it his mission to claw back millions of dollars stolen by corrupt past leaders. At the National Currency Museum in the capital Luanda, Rob Crossan reflects on the meaning of money - asking where has it all gone?Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill & Katie Morrison Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

Last week's announcement by President Donald Trump on lifting US sanctions on Syria seemed to have a refreshing effect for a country that has been reeling from political divisions and economic turmoil. This week, the European Union followed, lifting all economic restrictions in a major diplomatic shift aimed at supporting Syria's reconstruction and fragile peace. The news has been accompanied by more breakthroughs: the World Bank cleared Syria's $15.5 million debt, paid off by Saudi Arabia and Qatar. On the ground, the interim government led by President Ahmed Al Shara, a former HTS leader, is scrambling to unify rebel factions, “eradicate” remnants of ISIS, and bring the country under one flag. The challenges are far from over. Sectarian violence continues to plague minority communities, some Kurdish groups are demanding autonomy, and Israeli airstrikes persist along the southern border. Al Shara, once designated a terrorist by the West, is now lobbying for international legitimacy. So what does the lifting of sanctions really mean? And can Syria be unified? In this week's Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher looks at the significance of the US and European decisions and the challenges faced by the Syrian leader in his efforts to unite the country.

The Kurdistan Workers Party, the PKK, has announced the end to its more than forty-year fight against Turkey, a conflict that claimed more than 40,000 lives. But the declaration, called historic by Turkish officials, is being met by public skepticism with questions remaining over disarmament and its calls for democratic reforms. Upon hearing the news that the PKK was ending its war and disarming, Kurds danced in the streets of the predominantly Kurdish southeast of Turkey. The region bore the brunt of the brutal conflict, with the overwhelming majority of those killed being civilians, and millions more displaced.From armed struggle to political arena"It is a historic moment. This conflict has been going on for almost half a century," declared Aslı Aydıntaşbaş of the Brookings Institution, a Washington-based think tank."And for them [the PKK] to say that the period of armed struggle is over and that they are going to transition to a major political struggle is very important."The PKK, designated as a terrorist organisation by the European Union and most of Turkey's Western allies, launched its armed struggle in 1984 for Kurdish rights and independence. At the time, Turkey was ruled by the military, which did not even acknowledge the existence of Kurds, referring to them as “Mountain Turks.”Nearly fifty years later, however, Turkey is a different place. The third-largest parliamentary party is the pro-Kurdish Dem Party. In its declaration ending its armed struggle and announcing its dissolution, the PKK stated that there is now space in Turkey to pursue its goals through political means.However, military realities are thought to be behind the PKK's decision to end its campaign. “From a technical and military point of view, the PKK lost,” observed Aydın Selcan, a former senior Turkish diplomat who served in the region.“For almost ten years, there have been no armed attacks by the PKK inside Turkey because they are no longer capable of doing so. And in the northern half of the Iraqi Kurdistan region, there is now almost no PKK presence,” added Selcan.Selcan also claims the PKK could be seeking to consolidate its military gains in Syria. “For the first time in history, the PKK's Syrian offshoot, the YPG, has begun administering a region. So it's important for the organisation to preserve that administration.“They've rebranded themselves as a political organisation.” Turkish forces have repeatedly launched military operations in Syria against the YPG. However, the Syrian Kurdish forces have reached a tentative agreement with Damascus's new rulers—whom Ankara supports.Kurdish leader Ocalan calls for PKK disarmament, paving way for peace Erdoğan's high-stakes gambleFor Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is trailing in opinion polls and facing growing protests over the arrest of his main political rival, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, on alleged corruption charges, this could be a golden opportunity. “This is a win for Erdoğan, no doubt,” claimed analyst Aydıntaşbaş.Along with favourable headlines, the PKK's peace announcement offers a solution to a major political headache for Erdoğan. The Turkish president wants to amend the constitution to remove term limits, allowing him to run again for the presidency.The pro-Kurdish Dem Party holds the parliamentary votes Erdoğan needs. “Yes, Erdoğan, of course, will be negotiating with Kurds for constitutional changes,” said Aydıntaşbaş.“Now we are entering a very transactional period in Turkish politics. Instead of repressing Kurds, it's going to be about negotiating with them. And it may persuade the pro-Kurdish faction—which forms the third-largest bloc in Turkish politics—to peel away from the opposition camp,” added Aydıntaşbaş.However, Aydıntaşbaş warns that Erdoğan will need to convince his voter base, which remains sceptical of any peace process with the PKK. According to a recent opinion poll, three out of four respondents opposed the peace process, with a majority of Erdoğan's AK Party supporters against it.For decades, the PKK has been portrayed in Turkey as a brutal terrorist organisation, and its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Öcalan, is routinely referred to by politicians and much of the media as “the baby killer.” Critics argue the government has failed to adequately prepare the public for peace.“In peace processes around the world, we see a strong emphasis on convincing society,” observed Sezin Öney, a political commentator at Turkey's PolitikYol news portal. “There are reconciliation processes, truth commissions, etc., all designed to gain public support. But in our case, it's like surgery without anaesthesia—an operation begun without any sedatives,” added Öney.Turkey looks for regional help in its battle against Kurdish rebels in IraqPolitical concessions?Public pressure on Erdoğan is expected to grow, as the PKK and Kurdish political leaders demand concessions to facilitate the peace and disarmament process.“In the next few months, the government is, first of all, expected to change the prison conditions of Öcalan,” explained Professor Mesut Yeğen of the Istanbul-based Reform Institute.“The second expectation is the release of those in poor health who are currently in jail. And for the disarmament process to proceed smoothly, there should be an amnesty or a reduction in sentences, allowing PKK convicts in Turkish prisons to be freed and ensuring that returning PKK militants are not imprisoned,” Yeğen added.Yeğen claimed that tens of thousands of political prisoners may need to be released, along with the reinstatement of Dem Party mayors who were removed from office under anti-terrorism legislation.Turkey's Saturday Mothers keep up vigil for lost relativesErdoğan has ruled out any concessions until the PKK disarms, but has said that “good things” will follow disarmament. Meanwhile, the main opposition CHP Party, while welcoming the peace initiative, insists that any democratic reforms directed at the Kurdish minority must be extended to wider society—starting with the release of İmamoğlu, Erdoğan's chief political rival.While the peace process is widely seen as a political victory for Erdoğan, it could yet become a liability for the president, who risks being caught between a sceptical voter base and an impatient Kurdish population demanding concessions.

After 40 years of war with Turkey, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) lay down their arms. So, where does that leave hopes for a sovereign Kurdish state? Or ambitions for a more democratic Turkey?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Monday the Kurdistan Workers' party, or the PKK, made a historic announcement that it would disband, ending its four-decade-long armed campaign against the Turkish state. The move comes amid a new push to end this conflict, which has claimed more than 40,000 lives and spilled over into Syria and Iraq. Alan Makovsky, a senior fellow for the Center for American Progress and a former senior staffer with responsibility for Turkey on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down whether this really marks a turning point for Turkey and the Kurds' struggle for political and cultural rights.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:PKK ends 40-year war against Turkey, vows to pursue Kurdish rightsIs Turkey's four-decade Kurdish insurgency coming to an end?German, Greek PMs stay tough on migrationCyprus says Syria will take back citizens trying to reach the Mediterranean island by boat

David Waldman throws the news at us and dives for cover. Greg Dworkin tells us that the worst is by design, and he brings the receipts from around the world. Trump makes the world safe for White flight. Donald stopped the war between India and Pakistan using only his mind. He is now wishing the war in Gaza to end. Who's Ukraine? Maybe they got him coffee one time. South Korea's conservatives throw everything up in the air to see if it all falls into place. Germany wishes to ignore their far-right, but they are a noisy bunch. After 40 years, the Kurdish group PKK says, “Oh well, it was worth a try.” In Virginia, they have no one to blame but themselves but probably won't. So, Qatar is sending Trump a giant golden palace of a 747. Hey, can't a country give their buddy a thing without everyone suddenly questioning it? The White House said Ceci n'est pas une émolument, or something to that effect. Anyhow, Trump is only borrowing it until he keeps it... that's not “corrupt”, it's called “being smart”. You'd have to be a radical Left Trump hater to say otherwise. Trump said “tariffs”, setting off another sheep stampede. Time for another executive order to yell at another cloud, this time to demand that prices go down from up where they are. Drug prices should go down once the customer base passes away. James Bond still can rest easy, his car shopping remains tariff-free. Insult to Nazis, Steven Miller, is thinking about suspending habeas corpus, inspiring fantasies of abusing his corpus. David explains habeas corpus, as does just about everyone with a keyboard this morning. We have always been at war with Eastasia. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka refused to take the bait at an ICE detention center, but that didn't keep them from arresting him. He's lucky they didn't send in Seal Team 6.

In today's episode, we cover the Kurdish PKK's announcement, the US and China's 90-day reduction in tariffs, the release of the last living American hostage in Gaza, and the India-Pakistan ceasefire.Watch TLDR's latest videos here:https://youtu.be/SgtsKNsaI70 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ1WTTwfp4M TLDR's Daily Briefing is a roundup of the day's most important news stories from around the world. But we don't just tell you what's happening, we explain it: making complex topics simple to understand. Listen to the Daily Briefing for your global news bulletin every weekday.Pre-order the next edition of Too Long, TLDR's print magazine, here: https://toolong.news/dailyProduced and edited by Scarlett WatchornHosted by Georgina FindlayWritten by Nadja Lovadinov and Georgina FindlayMusic by Epidemic Sound: http://epidemicsound.com/creator//////////////////////////////Sources:✍️ Kurdish Workers' Party Disbandshttps://www.ft.com/content/6d6a5912-15f8-4e20-a734-18713755a5c5 https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/world/europe/kurdish-pkk-turkey.html ✍️ US & China Reach Deal on Tariffshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cedy09wq25qthttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/12/china-us-agree-pause-trade-war-trump https://www.ft.com/content/92887b83-1b99-4d69-ba70-6bc812e23dbe ✍️ Hamas to Release Last American Hostagehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2q7749dxlohttps://news.sky.com/story/hamas-says-it-will-release-israeli-american-hostage-edan-alexander-as-part-of-ceasefire-negotiations-13366287 https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250511-hamas-officials-say-group-held-direct-gaza-ceasefire-talks-with-us ✍️ India & Pakistan to Discuss Agreed Ceasefirehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm26760pj13ohttps://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/india-pakistan-military-operations-chiefs-hold-talks-by-phone-cnn-news18-says-2025-05-12/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/11/india-and-pakistan-both-claim-victory-after-ceasefire-declared See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Happy Mother's Day to all the incredible mothers around the world! In this week's episode, Colleen is joined by Baran, a Bilkent University Political Science graduate, to discuss Kurdish Cinema in the context of Voice of My Father (2012, dir. Orhan Eskiköy) and Turtles Can Fly (2004, dir. Behmen Kubadi).

‘Roving Out' is a radio documentary that celebrates the burgeoning musical culture of Ireland, by focusing on musical artists Mohammad Syfkhan, Varo, Qbanaa and Wise Wolf, who have all made Ireland their home. Named after the traditional song, ‘As I Roved Out', it explores how these musicians decided to leave their own countries, some due to war and persecution, others for adventure to seek a new life on this island.All of the artists have managed to find a foothold in the Irish musical community, where they have met like-minded people and managed to combine their own culture with Irish musical forms. The artists all represent different countries including Syria, Italy, France, Cuba and Palestine and the scope of their music takes in many genres from traditional and folk to R n' B, pop and hip hop.Mohammad Syfkhan - a Kurdish/Syrian Singer and Bouzouki player has released his debut album ‘I am Kurdish' on the Leitrim based record label Nyahh records. He has played many gigs around Ireland including a sold-out album launch at the Bello Bar in Dublin. He will be appearing on festival bills throughout the Summer.Varo are singers and fiddle players Lucie Azconaga and Consuelo Nerea Breschi, who met in Dublin in 2015. They have recorded a soon to be released collaboration album featuring Ian Lynch (Lankum), John Francis Flynn, Anna Mieke, Slow Moving Clouds, Inni-K amongst others.Having spent her first year exploring a range of styles and genres, Cuban Irish artist Qbanaa returns in 2025 with the sound that may well come to define her. Qbanaa's forthcoming EP Elisa (her nickname in Cuba) containing snippets of found sounds, street recordings and conversations made in Cuba, poetic bilingual lyricism and immersive soundscapes makes for a collection of beautifully understated original music.Talha AlAli, AKA Talha Wise Wolf, is a Palestinian psychotherapist, activist, hip-hop artist, and human rights defender. Since moving to Ireland in the 2010s, Talha has studied a Masters in Psychology and performed many gigs around the country.The programme investigates the lives of these musicians before they moved to Ireland, their reasons for moving here, and how they have brought their unique musical cultures to boost the thriving music scene here. It celebrates the diversity of Ireland and its music, while also examining difficult subjects such as the circumstances that have caused some of the artists to migrate here, racism they have experienced and difficulties in integrating to Irish society at first.For more, see Newstalk.com.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States has been elected the 267th pope. The 69-year-old is from Chicago, Illinois, and will be known as Pope Leo XIV. Also, after dozens of community kitchens providing desperately needed food to Palestinians in Gaza were shuttered this week, the US is asking aid groups to back a new Israeli aid plan run by US security contractors. And, a nonprofit group in rural Ghana is using cheap motorized tricycles to help pregnant women get to the hospital to give birth. Plus, two high school friends in eastern Turkey learn to make the “daf” — a shallow drum popular in Kurdish, Persian and Middle Eastern music.Listen to today's Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This week, Anna and Mandi are joined by the hilarious Kae Kurd — the British-Kurdish stand-up sensation who's been setting stages on fire from the Apollo to your TikTok feed. From his early days as a refugee to becoming the UK's only professional Kurdish comedian, Kae shares his journey and how he got to where he is now.Plus, he spills the tea on his upcoming tour, “What's O'Kurd,” and why he's still trying to convince his mum that stand-up is a real job! Get ready for some fun conversations as this episode is your backstage pass to the mind of one of the UK's rising stars. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of political imprisonment, torture, threats of r*pe, and human rights abuses. Viewer discretion is advised. Jeremi and Zachary speak with Kurdish journalist Nedim Türfent, who spent over 2,400 days in a Turkish prison after releasing footage of state forces mistreating Kurdish workers. He was denied a fair trial, convicted on coerced testimony, and silenced for speaking truth. In confinement, he turned to poetry—smuggling out verses that have since reached global audiences. His words remain a powerful testament to resistance, memory, and humanity.

Will the call for the PKK to disarm end in a new era of peace for the Kurds, or is this just another turn in a tortured history? In February, Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party, known as the PKK, released a jaw-dropping written message to his followers from his jail cell, calling for the group to lay down arms and disband. In this series we explore the Kurdish issue - the persecution, the resistance and their attempts to form a state. We ask what does the future hold for one of the largest stateless ethnic groups in the world scattered across Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran.

The arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has sparked the largest wave of public protests in Turkey in over a decade, signaling a potential turning point in the country's political trajectory. As the opposition rallies support and President Erdoğan intensifies his crackdown, what lies ahead for Turkish democracy, the Kurdish peace process, and the broader political landscape? MEI Senior Fellow Gonul Tol joins host Alistair Taylor to unpack the growing unrest, the strategic stakes for Erdoğan's ruling coalition, and the mobilization of a new generation of political activists. Recorded April 29, 2025. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out MEI's podcast series, Rethinking Democracy with Gonul Tol (now available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts), and especially Episode 7, "The Protests and Political Crisis Shaping Turkey's Democratic Future."   Further reading: "Turkey Is Now a Full-Blown Autocracy," by Gonul Tol for Foreign Affairs (March 21, 2025)

Will the call for the PKK to disarm end in a new era of peace for the Kurds, or is this just another turn in a tortured history? In February, Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party, known as the PKK, released a jaw-dropping written message to his followers from his jail cell, calling for the group to lay down arms and disband. In this series we explore the Kurdish issue - the persecution, the resistance and their attempts to form a state. We ask what does the future hold for one of the largest stateless ethnic groups in the world scattered across Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran.

Elana Sasson has just released her second album In Between. With Producer/Pianist/Composer Santiago Bertel and a great band of people from around the world. This music brings together Elana's family's Kurdish and Persian musical traditions, with traditional music from the … More ... The post Elana Sasson & Santiago Bertel – “In Between” appeared first on Paradigms Podcast.

Will the call for the PKK to disarm end in a new era of peace for the Kurds, or is this just another turn in a tortured history? In February, Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party, known as the PKK, released a jaw-dropping written message to his followers from his jail cell, calling for the group to lay down arms and disband. In this series we explore the Kurdish issue - the persecution, the resistance and their attempts to form a state. We ask what does the future hold for one of the largest stateless ethnic groups in the world scattered across Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran.

Six years after the fall of the Islamic State group's self-proclaimed caliphate, thousands of women and children linked to IS group fighters remain detained in camps across northeastern Syria. Managed by Kurdish authorities since 2019, these detainees fall under a non-state jurisdiction — one that cannot try or extradite them, and where international humanitarian law offers little protection. This legal limbo could now shift with the fall of the Assad regime. The new government in Damascus is expected to take control over the camps. Kurdish officials — and the families themselves, including dozens of French nationals — are waiting anxiously to see what the future holds. FRANCE 24's Marie-Charlotte Roupie and Lina Malers report.

“Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” - Psalm 82:3–4As followers of Christ, we're called to advocate for the vulnerable and protect the oppressed. One of the most urgent needs today is among girls and young women in Lebanon. May-Lee Melki joins us with a powerful story of hope and a way you can make a difference. ​May-Lee Melki is a Lebanese-American advocate, legal scholar, and ministry leader dedicated to advancing justice and holistic transformation in the Middle East. She serves as the Strategic Engagement Manager at Heart for Lebanon, an underwriter of Faith and Finance.The Crisis Behind the HeadlinesIn a society shaped by shame-and-honor dynamics, without a biblical understanding of human dignity, refugee girls—especially Bedouin and Kurdish—are often seen as burdens or liabilities. Add to that multiple wars, a collapsed economy, and weak legal protections, and the danger becomes tragically clear: girls are exploited because they're seen as expendable.But Heart for Lebanon is stepping in not just to rescue—but to prevent. That may sound counterintuitive until you hear stories like Ferial's—a grandmother who joined a literacy class to model a different future for her granddaughters. After coming to know Christ through Heart for Lebanon, she said, “I can't change what happened to my daughters, but I can change the future for my granddaughters.”Prevention means investing in the whole family unit. It means addressing spiritual, emotional, and physical needs by offering:Christian counseling in their native languageNon-formal education programs that integrate biblical valuesSafe, holistic discipleship environments for moms, dads, and childrenCommunity development rooted in the GospelOne of the most moving examples is Alima, a 10-year-old enrolled in Heart for Lebanon's Hope Education Program. Her mother, under cultural and financial pressure, began pushing Alima to abandon school and enter into marriage. But because of the truth Alima had learned through Heart for Lebanon—truth about Jesus and her God-given worth—she found the courage to push back.Her bold faith not only protected her from child marriage but, through prayer and persistence, led to her mother's salvation as well. This is the ripple effect of prevention-centered ministry.Real Change Through Holistic MinistryThe key to sustainable impact is community transformation. The goal isn't to isolate and remove girls from danger—which can sometimes cause more trauma—but to reshape families and communities from within through Gospel truth. When fathers, uncles, and guardians are discipled alongside mothers and daughters, entire cultural norms begin to shift.That's what Heart for Lebanon is doing every day—breaking cycles of violence and shame with the hope of Jesus.Heart for Lebanon is inviting the Faith & Finance family to join them in this mission. A gift of $114 helps reach and protect three at-risk girls, offering them education, protection, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.You can give by:Texting “FAITH” to 98656Visiting FaithFi.com/LebanonOur shared goal? To introduce 500 young women and girls to Jesus and prevent the heartbreaking patterns of early marriage, child labor, and violence.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I want to buy a used tractor for our 15 acres. Can I use the interest from our high-yield savings account to purchase it?My husband and I started generating income later than most of our peers. He did a PhD, and I've been at home with the kids. Now that he has his first job, we have a small savings account but no 401(k) or investments. We want to maximize our investments but aren't sure where to start.Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly MagazineHeart For LebanonMaster Your Money: A Step-by-Step Plan for Experiencing Financial Contentment by Ron Blue with Michael BlueWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money (Pre-Order)Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

Menal Batti is a DJ and resident at the infamous filtr parties in Brno. With a profound passion for 90s techno, Menal Batti seamlessly blends forgotten deep cuts with the freshest contemporary sounds, all while intertwining her Kurdish heritage into her musical narrative, drawing inspiration from her father's saz—a traditional instrument symbolizing her cultural roots. “The intent behind this mix was to create something close to the chest that unfolds quietly. It moves with weight and tenderness, guided by feelings of tension, spaciousness and I would say even a trace of mysticism. I'm personally drawn to opposites and like to juxtapose softness and pressure, clarity and haze, ultimately enabling for my music to inhabit those in-betweens. For me, it's not about reaching a peak, but about shaping a space or perhaps even a void you can disappear into.” Follow soundcloud.com/menal_batti https://www.instagram.com/menal_batti/ Monument x Carbon Carbon is a new music platform designed by and for fans of electronic music. Carbon's goal is to provide a more convenient platform to discover new and relevant content while improving revenues artists and labels can earn from streaming. Visit: urlr.me/mNtbwu

Listen to this episode commercial free at https://angryplanetpod.comTurkey's president has grabbed a bit more power for himself with the recent arrest of the mayor of Istanbul. The mayor was thought to be one of the few politicians who could challenge Erdogan.Steven Cook will take us through it.Talking about authoritarians is one of the things we do here, so strap in for another tale of turmoil on an angry planet.Shilling for kagi.com“Competitive authoritarianism”Negotiating with the Kurdistan Workers' PartyHow to court the Kurdish vote while killing KurdsA stable of failsons“The Turkish Marc Andreessen”Why Erdogan hates PennsylvaniaDisproving McDonald's Diplomacy, once againLeveling a park to build a mallHow Erdogan processed the Arab Spring“Fools, knaves, and rubes”—Oh my!Turkey Can't Live With, or Without, ErdoganUkraine Has Written a Folk Song About Its DroneTurkey and Israel are becoming deadly rivals in SyriaSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/warcollege. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast, hosts Robert Morris and Ruairi return to David McDowall's A Modern History of the Kurds—this time exploring the past century. From the post-World War I era to the present day, we trace the Kurds' ongoing struggle for autonomy amidst shifting alliances, brutal repression, and repeated betrayals by global powers. How have Kurdish movements evolved in Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Iran? What role has Western intervention played—often disastrously—in shaping their fate? Join us as we unpack the modern history of a stateless nation caught at the crossroads of empire and resistance.⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Books⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok

When you think about neoliberal states, maybe you think of the UK, or Russia in the 90s, or Chile. You probably don't think about Iran. And yet, argues Bahar Noorizadeh, the Islamic Republic has been, since before the 1979 revolution, a neoliberal state – and an imperial one as well. It has suppressed the Kurdish and […]

Conflicted brings to an end our three part series with Ronnie Hamada, a Syrian Kurdish civilian, whose experience of the Civil War has been thrilling us over the past few episodes...  Thomas and Ronnie open with the impact of the Battle of Aleppo on the Kurdish province of Afrin, highlighting the rise of jihadist groups and the challenges faced by the Kurdish community. Ronnie also shares his harrowing experiences living under siege in Afrin, describing dire conditions, economic lockdowns and food shortages, and the desperate measures he and his family took to survive. Ronnie then recounts his journey fleeing to Turkey, as well as the broader humanitarian crisis in Syria and the role of NGOs in providing aid amidst the chaos.  In a final conversation which helps explain the complex dynamics of the Syrian Civil War in the country's north, the pair describe growing tensions between the YPG and the Assad regime, Turkey's military operations against Kurdish forces, and the aftermath of multiple Turkish operations in Syrian land, reflecting on what it has all meant got the future of Kurdish autonomy in Syria.  New Conflicted Season 5 episodes will be coming every two weeks, but if you want to have your Conflicted fix every single week, then you'll have to join our Conflicted Community. Subscribers will get bonus episodes every other week, and can also join our Conflicted Community chatroom, where you can interact with fellow dearest listeners, discuss episodes past and future, get exclusive messages from Thomas and Aimen, ask future Q&A questions and so much more. All the information you need to sign up to the Conflicted Community is on this link: https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm/  Conflicted is proudly made by Message Heard, a full-stack podcast production agency which uses its extensive expertise to make its own shows such as Conflicted, shows for commissioners such as the BBC, Spotify and Al Jazeera, and powerfully effective podcasts for other companies too. If you'd like to find out how we can help get your organisation's message heard, visit messageheard.com or drop an email to hello@messageheard.com! Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHconflicted And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Turkey, a political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been detained. The mayor of Istanbul was arrested during a raid on his home, and accused of corruption and assisting a Kurdish militant group in the country's south. Press conferences and demonstrations have been banned in the country for four days. Also, the ongoing impact of Voice of America in former Soviet republics in central Asia. And, March Madness is here — we have a look at a Ukrainian player making an impact on Notre Dame's women's basketball team.Listen to today's Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Congressional Democrats were split over whether to support the bill that would avert a government shutdown. In the end Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer voted for the bill.A federal judge ordered several federal agencies to rehire tens of thousands of probationary employees who were fired. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff discussed Washington's ceasefire proposal to end the war in Ukraine with Moscow officials. Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was "in favor" and agreed in principle to the plan but has some conditions.The government of Syria's Mohammad Al Sharaa announced a partnership with the Syrian Democratic Forces, a U.S. backed Kurdish rebel group. The move could be key in Syria's rebuilding.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:   First, President Donald Trump is coming to the aid of his chief political ally Elon Musk, threatening to label violence against Tesla dealerships as domestic terrorism. Later in the show, the Kurdish-led militia that controls northeastern Syria has agreed to merge its military and civilian institutions with the new Islamist government in Damascus, marking a major breakthrough for the country's post-Assad leadership. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he breaks down today's biggest stories shaping America and the world. More Tariffs Coming: Trump Doubles Down – The president warns business leaders that new tariffs will expand to more products and countries by April 2nd, as pharmaceutical giants and manufacturers prepare for the shift. U.S.-Canada Trade War Escalates, Then Pauses – A day of heated threats over steel, aluminum, electricity, and dairy ends with Canada backing down on power tariffs while Trump holds firm on import taxes. D.C. Showdown: Budget Bill, Biden's Auto-Pen, and a USAID Document Mystery – A continuing resolution moves forward, questions arise over Biden's use of an auto-pen for signing laws, and USAID orders mass document shredding. Democrats in Disarray: ActBlue Leadership Exodus and University Panic – Major donors and institutions face federal investigations, with top staff resigning and universities bracing for funding cuts over antisemitism failures. Ukraine Accepts Trump's Ceasefire Plan – Zelenskyy agrees to a 30-day ceasefire to regain U.S. military support, while Putin's response remains uncertain. Syria's Unexpected Peace Deal – The U.S.-backed Kurdish militia signs an agreement with Damascus, marking a major step toward American withdrawal from the region. Trump's Final Warning to Iran Rejected – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian refuses negotiations, telling the U.S. to “do whatever the hell you want.” Illegal Immigration Drops Further as Word Spreads Globally – Indian deportees and Central American smugglers confirm that Trump's border policies have effectively shut down illegal crossings. Congo Offers U.S. Exclusive Access to Strategic Minerals – In exchange for security assistance, Congo proposes handing over control of critical resources needed for defense and technology. Polygraphs Saving Rhinos in South Africa – A creative use of lie detector tests helps uncover poachers and disrupt illegal wildlife trade networks. Get the facts, the analysis, and the truth—only on The Wright Report. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32

The leader of Turkey's Kurdish rebels has called on the group to disband. That could end one of the world's longest running conflicts. How tariffs and political volatility may affect the American economy (10:16). And the craze for eating caviar… with chicken nuggets (18:33). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The leader of Turkey's Kurdish rebels has called on the group to disband. That could end one of the world's longest running conflicts. How tariffs and political volatility may affect the American economy (10:16). And the craze for eating caviar… with chicken nuggets (18:33). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

A Bibas family member calls on Israeli officials to take responsibility for the deaths of hostages in Hamas captivity. Also: life in Kurdish parts of Syria, and why an Australian radio host is out of a job.