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Deja Perkins, an urban ecologist and co-organizer of Black Birders Week, remembers seeing House Sparrows all over Chicago as a kid. These little brown birds are native to Eurasia and North Africa, but were forced to adapt to many places around the world where they were introduced. Though many people consider House Sparrows to be urban pests, Deja admires them and draws parallels between their natural history and the story of her own ancestors.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.
In this episode, I'm joined by bestselling author Damien Lewis to talk about one of the remarkable men featured in his new book SAS Great Escapes Four — Archie Gibson. Archie served with the Long Range Desert Group and worked closely with the SAS during some of their earliest and most daring operations. His wartime journey took him from the harsh deserts of North Africa to the rugged terrain of Yugoslavia, where he operated alongside local resistance fighters behind enemy lines. We also delve into the ongoing campaign to award SAS legend Paddy Mayne a posthumous Victoria Cross, recognition he was controversially denied during the war. patreon.com/ww2podcast
Wayne Shepherd reads excerpts from Serving God and Country, United States Military Chaplains in World War II. (click for more) In World War II, over 12,000 Protestant ministers, Catholic priests, and Jewish rabbis left the safety of home to join the Chaplain Corps, following the armed forces into battle across Europe, Asia, North Africa, and the high seas.With author Lyle Dorsett's permission, this week we feature selected readings from this book. These are the personal stories of some of the bravest and most selfless men who served with the armed forces. Many lost their lives or suffered debilitating wounds while serving as pastors to the troops. For more information about Dorsett's book, click here. NEXT WEEK: Matthew WolakSend your support for FIRST PERSON to the Far East Broadcasting Company:FEBC National Processing Center Far East Broadcasting CompanyP.O. Box 6020 Albert Lea, MN 56007Please mention FIRST PERSON when you give. Thank you!
Today's episodes of Voices of the Middle East and North Africa and This Way Out are preempted by special programming for KPFA's 2025 Spring Fund Drive. Liam O'Donoghue speaks with renown geographer and author Richard Walker about his view of cities as living organisms and the role industry plays in development and ongoing health of cities. This live event which took place in Berkeley, California on March 27, 2025. To support our mission and receive Richard Walker's book Pictures of a Gone City as a thank-you gift, please donate here or call (800) 439-5732 (800-HEY-KPFA). The post Special Spring Fund Drive Programming: Richard Walker on the Role of Industry in Building Cities appeared first on KPFA.
Dr Phil Williams is Professor Emeritus at the University of Pittsburgh, where he taught from January 1990 to April 2022. In the first part of his career, at Aberdeen University, Southampton University, and Chatham House, he wrote books on Crisis Management, The Senate and US Troops in Europe, During the last 30 years his research has focused primarily on transnational organized crime, His most recent book is “The Mediterranean Connection: Criminal Networks and Illicit Economies in North Africa.” Aspects of criminal networks usually include the smugglers' toolkit: concealment, deception, circumvention and facilitation North Africa itself can be understood as a space of flows – primarily south to north, but also north-south (hazardous waste) and horizonal flows, cannabis from Morocco moves Eastwards while counterfeit cigarettes move from Dubai to the Atlantic and through Algeria into Europe. Some international assistance is provided by Interpol and the United Nations agencies to counteract this.
It's Thursday, May 15th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark 1,518 executions worldwide in 2024 A report from Amnesty International found there were 1,518 executions around the world last year. That's up 32 percent from 2023. Nations with the most documented executions include Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. These numbers do not include executions in China, North Korea, and Vietnam. China is considered to be the world's leading executioner, with potentially thousands of executions last year. All of these countries are ranked on the Open Doors' World Watch List of nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian. British city council no longer bans street preachers A local government district in England has backed down from banning street preachers. Back in March, Rushmoor Borough Council sought to criminalize street preaching, praying for people, singing, or handing out Bibles. Local churches, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, opposed the plan. Thankfully, the council backed down. Jamie Broadey, a local evangelist, said, “Since we found out about the injunction and asked for prayer, we have been contacted by Christians from across the UK. The issue is uniting preachers and Christians and we are prepared to challenge this as far as need be to prevent the Gospel being criminalized.” Acts 5:29 says, “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.'” $1.2 trillion economic package with Qatar United States President Donald Trump is visiting countries in the Middle East this week. Yesterday, he signed an agreement with Qatar that would generate an economic exchange worth at least $1.2 trillion. This includes an historic sale of Boeing aircraft and GE Aerospace engines to Qatar Airways worth $96 billion. Trump budget insists on work requirements for Medicaid This week, Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives unveiled the “big, beautiful bill,” as the president calls it, to advance Trump's agenda. The bill includes tax breaks, spending cuts, and border security. Notably, the measure would cut $900 billion from Medicaid spending. It would also require many people to prove they are working, volunteering, or pursuing education to be eligible for Medicaid. Listen to comments by House Speaker Mike Johnson. JOHNSON: “We are protecting Medicaid for the people who need and deserve it. This program is an essential lifeline for our most vulnerable Americans: pregnant women, single mothers, low income seniors, the disabled. That's who Medicaid is intended to be for, and that's who we're protecting while we're eliminating fraud, waste and abuse to improve Medicaid. “These are reforms to restore and preserve the system so that it doesn't collapse on itself. That means ensuring illegal aliens don't get coverage meant for Americans in need. It means implementing work requirements to ensure that adults who can work, but refuse to, cannot keep cheating the system. We're going to continue to call this out.” Trump's bill defunds Planned Parenthood The “big, beautiful bill” from Republicans also paves the way for defunding Planned Parenthood. The legislation would bar federal funds from going to prohibited entities that perform abortions in many cases. The measure would also cut taxpayer funding for transgender surgeries for minors. U.S. drug overdose deaths down Drug overdose deaths in the United States declined last year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 80,000 people died from overdoses in 2024. That's down 27 percent from 2023. It's the largest drop in overdose deaths on record. However, overdose deaths are still higher now than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. Inflation down and egg prices down Annual inflation was lower than expected last month. The consumer price index rose 0.2 percent in April. That put the 12-month inflation rate at 2.3 percent. Inflation is now the lowest it's been since 2021. Notably, egg prices fell by over 12 percent. However, they're still up about 50 percent compared to a year ago. Worldwide Bible engagement update And finally, the American Bible Society released the second chapter of its State of the Bible USA 2025 report. The chapter looks at Bible engagement around the world. People are most actively engaged and committed to the Bible in areas that are majority Christian like Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. Interestingly, people are the most receptive to new ideas and other religions in Muslim-majority areas like North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. The greatest indifference to the Bible is found in the secular west and certain majority-Christian areas like the U.S., Western Europe, Russia, and Eastern Europe. Of countries in the secular West, the U.S. had the highest rates of Bible usage and church attendance. Isaiah 45:22 says, “Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the Earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, May 15th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
“This has been my favorite session of the three days. Thank you,” said one attendee following a powerful live conversation at AJC Global Forum 2025. This exclusive episode of AJC's People of the Pod, presented by AJC's Women's Global Leadership Network, features a candid discussion on the critical impact of Jewish women leaders in global diplomacy and conflict resolution. Casey Kustin, AJC's Chief Impact and Operations Officer, joins former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Mira Resnick and Dana Stroul, Research Director and Kassen Family Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, to share how they've navigated the corridors of power, shaped international policy from the Middle East to Europe and beyond, and opened doors for the next generation of women in foreign affairs. ___ Resources– AJC Global Forum 2025 News and Video AJC Global Forum 2026 returns to Washington, D.C. Will you be in the room? Listen – AJC Podcasts: Most Recent Episodes: A United Front: U.S. Colleges and AJC Commit to Fighting Campus Antisemitism What is Pope Francis' Legacy with the Jewish People? Why TikTok is the Place to Talk about Antisemitism: With Holocaust Survivor Tova Friedman The Forgotten Exodus: Untold stories of Jews who left or were driven from Arab nations and Iran People of the PodFollow People of the Pod on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod You can reach us at: peopleofthepod@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Interview Transcript: Manya Brachear Pashman: Live from AJC Global Forum 2025, welcome to People of the Pod. For audience members who are not in this room, you are listening to a show that was recorded in front of a live studio audience on April 29 at AJC Global Forum 2025 in New York. I'm your host, Manya Brachear Pashman. Thank you all for being here. In countries around the world, women are working more than ever before. But compared to men, they are not earning as much or being afforded an equal voice – at work, at home, or in the community. In no country in the world do women have an equal role. Let me repeat that. In no country in the world, do women have an equal role–when it comes to setting policy agendas, allocating resources, or leading companies. With us today are three modern-day Miriams who have raised their voices and earned unprecedented roles that recognize the intellect and compassion they bring to international diplomacy. To my left is AJC Chief Impact and Operations Officer, Casey Kustin. Casey served as the staff director of the Middle East, North Africa, and Global Counterterrorism Subcommittee on the House Foreign Affairs Committee for 10 years. She has worked on political campaigns at the state and national level, including on Jewish outreach for Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Welcome, Casey. To Casey's left is Dana Strohl. She is the Director of Research for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. She was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East. In this role, she led the development of U.S. Department of Defense policy and strategy for Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Iran, Iraq–I'm not done–Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Prior to that, she also served on Capitol Hill as the senior professional staff member for the Middle East on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Welcome, Dana. And last but not least, Mira Resnick. Mira was the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Israeli and Palestinian Affairs and Arabian Peninsula Affairs, in which she handled two crucial Middle East portfolios, usually helmed by two separate people. Previously, she oversaw the Department's Office of regional security and arms transfers, where she managed foreign arms sales and shepherded the Biden administration's military assistance to Ukraine and Israel after Russia's invasion and after the October 7 Hamas attacks. Like Casey, Mira has also served as a senior professional staff member with the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, focusing on the Middle East and North Africa. Thank you for being here, Mira. Welcome to all of you, to People of the Pod. I think it's safe to say, this panel right here, and all the knowledge and experience it represents could solve the Middle East conflict in one day, if given the chance. Casey, you served for a decade as staff director for the Middle East, North Africa and Global Counterterrorism Subcommittee. A decade, wow. You witnessed a lot of transition, but what were the constants when it came to regional cooperation and security needs? Casey Kustin: What's the saying? The enemy of my enemy is my friend. And that's the world that we're all trying to build. So, you know, from an American perspective, which we all came from in our government work, it was trying to find those shared interests, and trying to cultivate, where we could, points of common interest. And even with the challenges of October 7 now, perhaps stalling some of those areas of progress, you still see that the Abraham Accords haven't fallen apart. You saw when Iran launched missiles at Israel. You saw other countries in the region come to, maybe they wouldn't say Israel's defense. It was their airspace defense. But you saw that still working. You see that still working now. And it's every day when we come to work at AJC, we're thinking about how to increase and strengthen Israel's place in the world. Manya Brachear Pashman: So Mira, your role encompassed both Israel and the Gulf for the first time, right? Mira Resnick: That was the first time at my level. Yes. Manya Brachear Pashman: Okay, so whose idea was that, and did that put you or the US in a position to work for the good of the neighborhood, rather than just Israel, or just the Gulf States? Mira Resnick: Yeah, this was an opportunity for the State Department to be able to see all of the different threads that were coming throughout the region. This is something that Dana did on a daily basis. This is something that our colleagues at the NSC did on a daily basis. The Secretary, of course, needs to be able to manage multiple threads at the same time. When I was overseeing arms sales, of course, I would have to consider Israel and the Gulf at the same time. So this wasn't a new idea, that our interests can be aligned within one portfolio, but it was particularly important timing for the United States to be able to see and to talk to and to hear our Gulf partners and our Israeli partners at the same time within the same prism, to be able to truly understand what the trends were in the region at that particularly critical moment, post-October 7. Manya Brachear Pashman: Dana, in your role as Assistant Deputy Secretary of Defense, you met with military leaders in the Middle East, around the world, and you were often the only woman at the table. What do women contribute to international conflict resolution that's missing when they're not given a seat at the table? Dana Strohl: Well, let me start out by stating the obvious, which is that women make up 50% of the global population of the world. So if 50% of the world is missing from the negotiating table, from the peacemaking table, from conflict prevention mechanisms, then you're missing 50% of the critical voices. There's evidence, clear evidence, that when women are part of peace processes, when they are part of negotiations, the outcomes on the other side are 35% more sustainable. So we have evidence and data to back up the contention that women must be at the table if we are going to have sustainable outcomes. When I think about the necessity, the imperative, of women being included, I think about the full range of conflict. So there's preventing it, managing it, and then transitioning to peace and political processes in a post-war or post-conflict situation. In every part of that, there's a critical role for women. As examples, I always think about, when you make policy, when you have a memo, when there's a statement that's really nice, in the big capital of some country, or in a fancy, beautiful palace somewhere in the Middle East or in Europe. But peace only happens if it's implemented at a local level. Everyone in the world wants the same things. They want a better life for their kids. They want safety. They want access to basic services, school, health, clean water and some sort of future which requires jobs. Confidence you can turn the light on. You can drive your car on a road without potholes. Those are details that often are not included in the big sweeping statements of peace, usually between men, that require really significant compromises. But peace gets implemented at a very local level. And at the local level, at the family level, at the community level, at the school level, it's women. So how those big things get implemented requires women to champion them, to advance them. And I will also just say, you know, generally we should aspire to prevent conflict from happening. There's data to suggest that in countries with higher levels of gender equality, they are less likely to descend into conflict in the first place. Manya Brachear Pashman: Can you recall a particularly consequential moment during your tenure, when you were at the table and it mattered? Dana Strohl: So my view on this is that it was important for me to be at the table as a woman, just to make the point. That women can serve, just like men. Do the same job. And frankly, a lot of the times I felt like I was doing a better job. So what was really important to me, and I can also just say sitting up here with Mira and Casey, is that all of us have worked together now for more than a decade, at different stages of, getting married, thinking through having kids, getting pregnant, taking parental leave, and then transitioning back to work. And all of us have been able to manage our careers at the same time. That only happens in supportive communities, in ecosystems, and I don't just mean having a really supportive partner. My friends up here know, I ask my mom for a lot of help. I do have a partner who really supported me, but it also means normalizing parenthood and being a woman, and having other obligations in the office space. I would make a point of talking about being a parent or talking about being a woman. To normalize that women can be there. And often there were women, really across the whole Middle East, there were always women in the room. They were just on the back wall, not at the table. And I could see them looking at me. And so I thought it was really important to make the point that, one, a woman can be up here, but I don't have to be like the men at the table. I can actually talk about, well, I can't stay for an extra day because I have a kindergarten, you know, theater thing, and I have to run back and do that. Or there were many times actually, I think Mira was Zooming for parent teacher conferences after we were having the official meeting. But I think it's important to actually say that, at the table, I'm going to leave now and go back to my hotel room because I'm making a parent teacher conference. Or, I have to be back by Friday because I'm taking a kid to a doctor's appointment. So all the women that come after us can see that you can do both, and the men at the table can understand that women have a right to be here. Can do the jobs just as effectively and professionally as the men, and do this other absolutely critical thing. Manya Brachear Pashman: But your point about, it requires a supportive network, a supportive work community. You told me a story before we got up here about just how supportive your colleagues were in the Department of Defense. Dana Strohl: I will give a shout out to Lloyd Austin, the Secretary of Defense. So one of the things you do in our positions is travel with the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Defense. And these are not the kind of things where they get on a plane and you land in whatever country. There's a tremendous amount of planning that goes into these. So on a particular trip, it was a four country trip, early in 2023. Secretary Austin was going to multiple countries. He had switched the day, not he, but his travel team, of his departure, which then caused us to switch the day of my son's birthday party. And then they switched the time of his departure from Andrews Air Force Base, and we could not change the birthday party. So I called Secretary Austin's office and said, Listen, I want to be at my son's birthday party. So I've looked and it looks like I can take this commercial flight. So I won't be on the Secretary of Defense's plane, but I can largely land around the same time as you all and still do my job in the region. And to their credit, they said, okay, and then one of the things that you do in my position is you get on the airplane and you talk to the Secretary of Defense about the objectives and the goals and the meetings. So they said, Okay, we'll just change that to earlier. You can do it the day before we depart, so that he can hear from you. You're on the same page. You can make the birthday party. He can do the thing. So we were actually going to Jordan for the first stop. And it turns out, in his itinerary, the first thing we were doing when we landed in Jordan, was going to dinner with the King. And it was very unclear whether I was going to make it or not. And quite a high stakes negotiation. But the bottom line is this, I finished the birthday party, had my mother come to the birthday party to help me clean up from the birthday party, changed my clothes, went to Dulles, got on the airplane, sort of took a nap, get off the airplane. And there is an entire delegation of people waiting for me as you exit the runway of the airplane, and they said, Well, you need to go to this bathroom right here and change your clothes. I changed my clothes, put on my suit, ran a brush through my hair, get in a car, and they drove me to the King's palace, and I made the dinner with the king. It's an example of a team, and in particular Secretary Austin, who understood that for women to have the opportunities but also have other obligations, that there has to be an understanding and some flexibility, but we can do both, and it took understanding and accommodation from his team, but also a lot of people who are willing to work with me, to get me to the dinner. And I sat next to him, and it was a very, very good meal. Manya Brachear Pashman: I find that so encouraging and empowering. Thank you so much. Casey, I want to turn to you. Mira and Dana worked under particular administrations. You worked with members of Congress from different parties. So how did the increasing polarization in politics affect your work, or did it? Casey Kustin: It's funny, I was traveling last week for an AJC event, and I ended up at the same place with a member of Congress who was on my subcommittee, and I knew pretty well. And he looked at me and he said, the foreign affairs committee, as you know it, is no longer. And that was a really sad moment for me, because people always described our committee as the last bastion of bipartisanship. And the polarization that is seeping through every part of society is really impacting even the foreign policy space now. As you see our colleague, our Managing Director of [AJC] Europe, Simone Rodan[-Benzaquen], who many of you know, just wrote a piece this week talking about how, as Israel has become to the progressive, when Ukraine has become to the far right. And I think about all the years I spent when Ted Deutch, our CEO, was the top Democrat on the Middle East subcommittee, and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), a great friend of AJC, was the chair of the subcommittee. And Ted and Ileana would travel around together. And when she was the chair, she always made a point of kind of joking like Ted's, my co chair, and we did so many pieces–with Mira's great support of legislation for the US, Israel relationship, for Syria, for Iran, that we worked on together, really together. Like at the table with my staff counterparts, trying to figure out, you know, what can your side swallow? What can your side swallow? And I hear from so many of our former colleagues that those conversations aren't really taking place anymore. And you know, the great thing about AJC is we are nonpartisan, and we try so hard to have both viewpoints at the table. But even that gets harder and harder. And Dana's story about the King of Jordan made me laugh, because I remember a very similar experience where I was on a congressional delegation and Chairwoman Ros-Lehtinen, and I was six months pregnant at the time, and I wanted to go on the trip, and the doctor said I could go on the trip. And we were seated around the table having the meeting. And I, as you won't be able to hear on the podcast, but you in this room know, look very young, despite my age. And you're self conscious about that. And I remember Ileana just being so caring and supportive of me the entire trip. And I wasn't even her staffer, and I remember she announced to the King of Jordan that I was six months pregnant, and you could kind of see him go, okay. That's very like, thank you. That's very nice. But even just having that moment of having the chairwoman on the other side of the aisle. That whole trip. I think I've told some AJC people another funny story of on that same trip, we met with the Greek Orthodox Patriarch in Jerusalem, and she pulled me up to him, and she said to the patriarch, will you bless her unborn child? Knowing I'm Jewish, she leaned over and said to me: Can't hurt. So I hope that we return to a place like that on Capitol Hill. I think there are really good staffers like us who want that to happen, but it is just as hard a space now in foreign policy as you see in other parts of politics. Manya Brachear Pashman: Mira, I want to ask you another policy related question. How did the Abraham Accords change the dynamics of your combined portfolio, and how could it shape the future? Mira Resnik: My first, one of my first trips, certainly my first trip to the Middle East, when I was the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Security, overseeing security assistance and security cooperation, was to Dubai, as the State Department representative for the Dubai Airshow. And it is a huge event that showcases the world's technology. And I remember walking into the huge hangar, that every country that has a defense industry was showcasing their most important, their most important munitions, their most important aircraft. And I remember seeing the enormous Israeli pavilion when I was there. And I was staying at a hotel, and I get to the breakfast and they said, Would you like the kosher breakfast or the non-kosher breakfast. And I'm like, Am I in Israel? And I was blown away by the very warm relationship–in the security space, in the humanitarian space. I agree with Casey that things have gotten a little tougher since October 7, and since the aftermath in Gaza. But what I would also point out is that April and October, during the time when when we witnessed Israel under cover, when we witnessed Iran's missiles and projectiles going toward Israel and going toward other regional airspace, our diplomats, our militaries, our intelligence officials, all had earlier warning because of the work of other Gulf governments, even those who have not joined the Abraham Accords. And that is a prime example of where this security cooperation really matters. It saves lives. Manya Brachear Pashman: So Casey, so much of what AJC does has to do with international diplomacy and maintaining that regional cooperation and security, and that sounds a lot like your previous role. So I'm really curious how much your job truly has changed since you came to AJC? Casey Kustin: You're absolutely right. There are so many similarities in what we do at AJC and what we did in the government. And the core of that is really those relationships that you build with partners and interlocutors in other countries and other governments, and the foundation, over decades that AJC has laid. Particularly in the Middle East, thanks to 30 years of quiet travel to the region. It struck me when I first came here, the access that AJC has is nearly the same that we had traveling as members of Congress. And the meetings and the quality and the level of meetings that AJC is afforded in these other countries. Our missions, which many of you have been on, often feel like congressional delegation trips to me, and the conversations and the candor with which partners speak to AJC is almost the same that was afforded to members of Congress. And that has been comforting, in a way, as you said Manya, Because there feels like there's continuity in the work that we're doing, and it has made me realize that organizations, non-governmental organizations, advocacy organizations, play such a crucial role in supporting the work of a government, of your country's government. And in reinforcing the values and the interests that we as AJC want to communicate that very much dovetail, with hopefully any US administration. I think that the role that an organization like ours, like AJC, can play in a particular moment, like we're in, where, as we've discussed, there's hyperpartisanship, and we hear a lot, Dana mentioned this. We hear a lot from foreign partners that the way our democracy works with a change in administration every four years is unsettling to some of them, because they don't know if a particular policy or agreement is going to continue the role that we can play, providing some of that continuity and providing a nonpartisan and thoughtful place to have conversations. Because they know that we have that kind of nuanced and thoughtful and nonpartisan insight. Manya Brachear Pashman: I really appreciate your insights on the roles that you've played, and I think the audience has as well. But I want to pivot back to your role as women. Dana, I mentioned that you were often the only woman at the table. Would you discover that when you arrived at meetings and events? Dana Strohl: In Washington, DC, and in particular, I'm very proud to have served in the Biden administration, where there were always women at the table. And I will also say that there was a network of women, and it was the same on the Hill. On the hill, there was actually a box of maternity clothes that was kept in then-Senate Leader Harry Reid's office. And his National Security Advisor called me when she heard I was pregnant the first time, which was during the 2015 JCPOA negotiations on the Hill, which meant that I was super tired and doing all of those congressional hearings and briefings, but there was a network of women who were supporting each other and giving me clothes as I got bigger and bigger. And it continued into the Pentagon and the State Department, where there were always women and when we saw each other at the White House Situation Room or in the different meetings, there was always the quiet pull aside. How are you doing? How are your kids? Are you managing? What's the trade off on your day to day basis? Can I do anything to help you? And in particular, after October 7, that network of people really kicked into high gear, and we were all checking in with each other. Because it was the most intense, most devastating time to work in the government and try to both support Israel and prevent World War III from breaking out across the Middle East. So that was DC. In the Middle East, I largely assumed that I was going to be the only woman at the table, and so I decided to just own it. There are some great pictures of me always in a pink jacket, but the point you know, was that I expected it, and there were always women, again, against the back walls. I made an effort whenever possible to make sure everyone at the table, regardless of your gender, had an opportunity to speak and participate, but I was also not just the only woman. A lot of times, I was the co-chair with whatever partner it was in the Middle East, so I had a speaking role, and I felt was incumbent upon me to present a model of leadership and inclusivity in how we engage with our partners, spoke to our partners, listened to our partners concerns, and that that was part of the job. And only once, I remember it very clearly. We were at a dinner after a big meeting, and somebody looks at me, it's a meeting with all, y7all men, all men for a dinner. And they said, Is this what it's like for you all the time? And I said, Yes, it is. And you know, it took two and a half years for somebody to notice, so. Manya Brachear Pashman: Mira, what have you experienced? And have you ever worried as a woman that you weren't being taken seriously? Mira Resnick: I think that every woman in one of these jobs has imposter syndrome every so often, and walking into the room and owning it, fake it till you make it right. That's the solution. I will. I agree with Dana wholeheartedly that in Washington, I was really proud to walk into the room and never fear that I was the only woman. And I even remember traveling where another delegation was all women, and our delegation was all women, and how surprising that was, and then how disappointing, how surprising that was, but to take notice of the moment, because they don't happen very often. I think that in Washington and throughout diplomacy, the goal is to pay it forward to other women. And I wasn't the last person to pump in the Ramallah Coca Cola factory, and I wasn't the first person to pump in the Ramallah Coca Cola factory. But that is, that was, like, my moment where I was like, Oh, this is a strange place to be a woman, right? But I do find that women really bring holistic views into our policy making, and whether it's meeting with civil society, even if your job is strictly security cooperation to understand the human impacts of your security decisions, or making sure that you are nurturing your people, that you are a good leader of people. I remember post-October 7, I was looking for some way that I could nurture in the personal life. And I see Nadine Binstock here, who goes to my shul, and Stephanie also. Stephanie Guiloff is also in the audience. She's my neighbor, and also goes to my shul. And after October 7, I took on the Kiddush Committee Coordinator at my shul. So that every week, no matter what I was experiencing at the office and no matter where I was in the world, our community would be a little bit more nurtured. And it was a way for me to like to give back to the community, and at the same time be able to continue to do the hard power work of security cooperation. Manya Brachear Pashman: So Mira, Casey, Dana, thank you so much for joining us, sharing your modern-day Miriam experiences. I want to open it up for questions from the audience. Just raise your hand and someone will bring you a microphone. Audience Member: Hi, I'm Maddie Ingle. I'm a Leaders for Tomorrow alum. What is some advice that any of you have for young women like me in the advocacy space and in general. Casey Kustin: First of all, thank you for taking the time to come to Global Forum and for joining LFT. You've already taken the first step to better arming yourself as an advocate. I think there is, I wish someone had said to me, probably before I met the two of them who did say it to me, that it was okay to take up space around the table. I remember sitting in secure facilities, getting classified briefings from ambassadors, male ambassadors who were 30 years my senior, and watching the two of you in particular i. Not be scared to challenge the back and forth when I as a probably still, you know, mid 20s, early 30s, did have fear of speaking up. And I wish someone, when I was your age as a teenager, had, and obviously, I had supportive parents who told me I could do anything, but it's different. It's different than seeing it modeled by people who are in the same space as you, and who are maybe even just a couple years older than you. So I would just say to you not to ever be afraid to use your voice. This is a memory that has stuck with me for 15 years. I was in a meeting, sitting next to my congressman boss, with two men who were probably in their 60s, and a vote was called. And you never know on the Hill when a vote is going to be called. So it interrupts a meeting. And he had to go vote, and he said, Casey will finish the meeting with you. And they looked at him and said, Does she know what we're talking about? Dana Strohl: We have all been there, Casey. Casey Kustin: We have all been there. So even if you're met with a response like that when you try to use your voice, don't let it deter you. Audience Member: Hi, guys. I'm Jenny. This has been my favorite session of the three days. Thank you guys. My mom is the first female, woman brakeman conductor on Amtrak. So you guys are just so empowering. As a long time Democrat, you guys talked about bipartisan issues. With how the Democratic Party is. I know you guys probably can't go fully into this. Do you have any inspiring words to give us hope when it feels very scary right now, as a Democrat, how divided our party is. Casey Kustin: I work for a nonpartisan organization now, so I'll let them handle that one. Dana Strohl: I, so were we all on the Hill during the first Trump administration? And there was still bipartisanship. And what I'm looking for right now is the green shoots of our democracy. And I see them. There is thinking through what does it mean to be in this country, to be an American, to live in a democracy? What does democracy do? I think, first of all, it is healthy and okay for Americans to go through times of challenge and questioning. Is this working for us? And you know, the relationship between the government, whether it's legislative, judicial, executive and the people, and it's okay to challenge and question, and I think it's okay for there to be healthy debates inside both the Republican and the Democratic Party about what what this stands for, and what is in the best interest of our country. And you can see both in polling data and in certain areas where there actually are members of Congress coming together on certain issues, like economic policy, what's in the best interest of our constituents and voters. That there is thinking through what is the right balance between the different branches of our government. I was talking to somebody the other day who was reminding me this actual, you know, we are, we are in a time of significant transition and debate in our society about the future of our country and the future role of the government and the relationship. But it's not the first time, and it won't be the last. And I found to be that part of my job was to make sure I understood the diversity of voices and views about what the role of the government should be, general views about American foreign policy, which was our job, was just such a humble reminder of democracy and the importance of this back and forth. Audience Member: [My name is Allie.] My question for you is, what are your hopes and dreams for generation alpha, who will be able to vote in the next election? Casey Kustin: I think we all have, all our kids are still in elementary, or Mira, your one is going into middle school now– Mira Resnik: To middle school. Casey Kustin: So the vast majority of our children are still elementary school age. And for me, I have a very interesting experience of moving my family out of a very diverse community in Washington, DC to Jacksonville, Florida. And it's a very different environment than I thought that my children were going to grow up in, because at the time, we didn't anticipate leaving DC anytime soon, and it's made me realize that I want them to live in a world where no matter what community They are growing up in, they are experiencing a world that gives them different perspectives on life, and I think it's very easy now that I have gone from a city environment to suburbia to live in a bubble, and I just, I hope that every child in this next generation doesn't have to wait until they're adults to learn these kinds of really important lessons. Dana Strohl: I have two additional things to add. I'm very concerned at what the polling suggests, the apathy of young people toward voting, the power of voting, why it matters. And participation, that you need to be an active citizen in your governments. And you can't just vote every four years in the presidential election, there's actually a ton of voting, including, like the county boards of education, you got to vote all the way up and down you continuously. And that it's okay to have respectful debate, discourse, disagreements in a democracy. So I would like this generation to learn how to have respectful discourse and debate, to believe that their votes matter and just vote. And three, on the YouTube thing, which is terrifying to me, so I'm hoping the educators help me with this is, how to teach our kids to separate the disinformation, the misinformation, and the fiction that they are getting because of YouTube and online. So mine are all elementary schoolers, and I have lost positive control of the information they absorb. And now I'm trying to teach them well, you know, that's not real. And do I cut off certain things? How do I engage them? How do I use books and when? So they need to not just be active participants in their society, all up and down the ballot, multiple times every year, but they need to know how to inform themselves. Manya Brachear Pashman: And Mira? Mira Resnick: I do hope that our children, as they approach voting age, that they see the value in cooperation with each other, that they see the value of face to face conversation. I think that honestly, this is the value of Shabbat in my household. That you take a break from the screens and you have a face to face conversation. My children understand how to have conversations with adults now. Which is, I think, a critical life skill, and that they will use those life skills toward the betterment of their communities, and more broadly, our Jewish community, and more broadly than that, our global community. Manya Brachear Pashman: Thank you so much. Thank you to everyone.
In this episode of At Risk Radio, hosts Mark Stafford and David Witt chat with aerospace engineer and Eagles View Church volunteer Chuck Fielding to discuss his eye-opening journey across North Africa. Chuck shares candid stories from a grueling forty-hour road trip with fellow leaders, the personal lessons he learned as a Christian navigating a predominantly Muslim environment, and the powerful impact of encountering resilient local believers. From testimonies of answered prayers on the road to reflections on faith, suffering, and cross-cultural friendship, this episode is packed with encouragement for anyone interested in Christian leadership, missions, and how the Gospel is making inroads in some of the world's most challenging places. Don't miss these compelling firsthand accounts from the front lines of faith—perfect for listeners passionate about missions, discipleship, and the Global Church at risk. Links mentioned in the episode: Listen to other episodes: https://www.atriskradio.com Learn more about SOM International: https://spiritofmartyrdom.com Get David Witt's book for free in the SOM bookstore: https://sombookstore.com/product/fearless-love/
Today's episodes of Voices of the Middle East and North Africa and This Way Out are preempted by special programming for KPFA's 2025 Spring Fund Drive. Sasha Lilley and economist Rob Larson discuss the power and wealth of the capitalist class, how they rule, and how to fight against them. To support KPFA's mission and receive Rob Larson's book Mastering the Universe as a thank-you gift, please donate here or call (800) 439-5732 (800-HEY-KPFA). The post Special Winter Fund Drive Programming: Rob Larson on Today's Billionaires appeared first on KPFA.
Welcome to the 123rd episode of "Good Morning BSS World" podcast! Today we're heading straight to the heart of Africa's rapidly evolving BPO and GBS landscape. My special guest is Rod Jones, Owner of Rod Jones Contact Centre Consulting and a leading voice in Africa's outsourcing sector. Connecting with us from Johannesburg, Rod brings exclusive updates from the Africa Federation of GBS Associations and shares firsthand insights following his recent participation at the CxOutsourcers event in Munich.In this episode, Rod provides a comprehensive regional update on Africa's BPO and ITO sectors. We discuss the Federation's impressive growth-now boasting nine full member countries and seven candidates, with a vision to reach 20 members by the end of 2025. Rod highlights the collaborative spirit and knowledge sharing that are driving professionalization and best practices across the continent.We delve into the latest developments in Southern Africa, including South Africa's refreshed value proposition and ongoing government incentives, as well as emerging associations in Namibia and Zimbabwe. Rod also shares news from East Africa, where Kenya and Ethiopia are launching new initiatives and associations, and Central Africa, with Rwanda and Uganda making significant policy strides. West Africa's dynamic progress in Nigeria and North Africa's exciting developments in Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt round out a truly pan-African perspective.A major theme is the rise of ethical impact sourcing, empowering underprivileged communities and women, with strong support from the CxOutsourcers community. Rod also touches on the critical need for digital skills development to keep Africa competitive in the global outsourcing arena.Tune in for a unique, in-depth look at Africa's BPO future-its challenges, achievements, and the collaborative energy shaping the next chapter of global business services! Key points of the podcast:Africa's BPO sector is rapidly expanding, with significant growth in digital skills development and international investment across various regions.The Africa Federation now includes nine full member countries and seven candidate countries, aiming to have 20 member countries by the end of 2025.Ethical impact sourcing is becoming a fundamental pillar in the BPO industry, focusing on integrating underprivileged communities, women, and refugees into the workforce. Links:Rod Jones - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodjonessouthafrica/Africa Federation of GBS Associations - https://africagbsfederation.org/Africa Federation of GBS Associations on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/africa-gbs-federation/posts/?feedView=allTalk to AI about this episode - https://gmbw.onpodcastai.com/episodes/Dq05MYOX3bM/chatWebinar (May 29th, 2025): https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hedlE0itSsq-j9gOetomTQ#/registration **************************** My name is Wiktor Doktór and on daily basis I run Pro Progressio Club https://klub.proprogressio.pl - it's a community of many private companies and public sector organizations that care about the development of business relations in the B2B model. In the Good Morning BSS World podcast, apart from solo episodes, I share interviews with experts and specialists from global BPO/GBS industry.If you want to learn more about me, please visit my social media channels:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/wiktordoktorHere is also link to the English podcasts Playlist - https://bit.ly/GoodMorningBSSWorldPodcastYTLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wiktordoktorYou can also write to me. My email address is - kontakt(@) wiktordoktor.pl **************************** This Podcast is supported byPatrons: Marzena Sawicka https://www.linkedin.com/in/marzena-sawicka-a9644a23/Przemysław Sławiński https://www.linkedin.com/in/przemys%C5%82aw-s%C5%82awi%C5%84ski-155a4426/Damian Ruciński https://www.linkedin.com/in/damian-ruci%C5%84ski/Szymon Kryczka https://www.linkedin.com/in/szymonkryczka/Grzegorz Ludwin https://www.linkedin.com/in/gludwin/Adam Furmańczuk https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-agilino/ If you like my podcasts you can join Patrons of Good Morning BSS World as well. Here are two links to do so:Patronite - https://patronite.pl/wiktordoktor Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/wiktordoktor Or if you liked this episode and would like to buy me virtual coffee, you can use this link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wiktordoktor - by doing so you support the growth and distribution of this podcast.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/good-morning-bss-world--4131868/support.
On the Middle East with Andrew Parasiliti, an Al-Monitor Podcast
Talmiz Ahmad, a former Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, explains why Gulf nations led by Saudi Arabia tilt in favor of India despite long-running ties with Muslim Pakistan. Pakistan's refusal to join Saudi Arabia in its war against the Houthis — and a jihadi attack on Mumbai in 2008 — were a tipping point, he says.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Join thousands of other listeners on our Substack, The Foodletter! In this inspiring and wanderlust-filled episode, Brooke chats with Rome-based food and travel writer Livia Hengel. From a childhood spent across continents to building a career spotlighting Italy's culinary and cultural gems, Livia shares her serendipitous journey into travel writing and the creation of her digital magazine The Italy Edit. Listeners will gain an inside look into Italian culture, hidden gems across the country, Livia's top recommendations for off-the-beaten-path Rome, and why she believes solo travel can be transformational. Whether you're dreaming of Italy or planning your next big trip, this episode is packed with rich insights and practical inspiration. Key Takeaways [01:05] A Diplomatic Childhood: Livia grew up globally due to her diplomat father and Italian mother, sparking her lifelong love for travel and food. [04:00] The Accidental Italy Expert: After college, Livia moved back to Rome unexpectedly and began documenting her experiences—eventually leading to a career in travel writing and photography. [9:10] Founding The Italy Edit: Launched in 2020, The Italy Edit grew organically into a robust digital magazine with over 60 contributors covering all corners of Italy. [22:40] Underrated Gem: Naples: Naples surprised Livia and became one of her favorite cities for its raw beauty, culture, and unparalleled pizza scene. [27:45] Global Wanderer: Livia explains her passion for solo travel across Asia and North Africa, emphasizing the transformative power of pushing beyond your comfort zone. [35:25] Rome, Past & Present: Livia shares her ideal "off-the-grid" day in Rome, complete with coffee among statues, row boats in Villa Borghese, and a visit to the aqueducts. [41:17] The Power of a Solo Meal: Her most memorable meal? A solo Michelin-star experience in Hong Kong, where solitude heightened her awareness and joy. Notable Quotes (14:08) “I live my life because I don't want to have any regrets on my deathbed.” (19:30) “Italy nourishes the soul, but I do miss the forward motion and innovation of the U.S.” (28:02) “You grow the most at the edge of your comfort zone.” (41:40) “A solo meal can be one of the most enriching experiences—you taste every bite more deeply.” Resources The Best New Restaurants To Try In Rome In 2022 Check out Livia's column in Forbes Visit the official The Italy Edit website Pizzeria in Naples: Concettina Ai Tre Santi Follow Livia on Instagram Follow Female Foodie on Instagram
In this episode, bilingual Spanish-Quechua, we interview historian Charles F. Walker about his book Juan Bautista Túpac Amaru Ñak'ariran. Maqanakuy watakuna rikuq (Oxford University Press & Centro de Estudios Regionales Bartolomé De las Casas de Cusco, 2024 [originally published in English, 2020]). We also spoke with Rosalía Puma Escalante, who translated the book from the Spanish edition to Quechua. Juan Bautista Túpac Amaru, the half-brother of José Gabriel Condorcanqui (Túpac Amaru II), played a significant role in the rebellion against colonial authorities from 1780 to 1783. This uprising was the largest insurrection in the history of the Spanish Empire. While the prominent leaders, Túpac Amaru and his wife Micaela Bastidas, were brutally executed, Juan Bautista survived decades of imprisonment in Peru, Spain, and North Africa. He was finally released and moved to Argentina in 1822, but sadly, he died before he could return to Cusco, which had always been his dream. Thank you for listening to the Kuskalla Podcast.
Packed with personal accounts of the action, this is a vivid narrative history of the often-overlooked USAAF campaign in North Africa and Sicily in World War II.About the Author:Thomas McKelvey Cleaver has been a published writer for the past 40 years, with his work including the best-selling Osprey titles The Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club (2021), Going Downtown (2022), The Cactus Air Force (2022) alongside the late Eric Hammel, and most recently Clean Sweep (2023). Tom served in the US Navy in Vietnam.
In Episode #60, we dive into one of the most brutal and decisive phases of World War II. What made the Battle of Stalingrad a nightmare for Hitler? How did the desert warfare in North Africa shape the fate of the war? And what was Operation Torch—and why was it a game-changer? From the fierce house-to-house fighting on the Eastern Front to Rommel's tactical genius in the sands of Libya, and the Allied landings in Morocco and Algeria, this episode unravels the battles that marked the beginning of the end for the Axis powers.Reference Material:The Second World War by John Keegan - https://www.amazon.com/Second-World-W...Hitler's Table Talk by Heinrich Heim - https://www.amazon.com/dp/191564514X?...The Second World War by Antony Beevor - https://a.co/d/buiOkUXInferno: The World at War by Max Hastings - https://www.amazon.com/Inferno-World-...The Storm of War: A New History of the Second World War by Andrew Roberts - https://a.co/d/eiI4n3ZWorld War II: The Definitive Visual History by DK & Smithsonian Institution - https://a.co/d/eUNHC1xThe Wages of Destruction: The Making and Breaking of the Nazi Economy by Adam Tooze - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RF19SJD?...The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany by William L. Shirer - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003X4R6GQ?...Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich by Norman Ohler - https://a.co/d/iSX2XkrThe Raj at War: A People's History of India's Second World War by Dr. Yasmin Khan - https://a.co/d/4dtZEC5The Second World War by Martin Gilbert - https://a.co/d/cdYTb7rThe World at War Documentary - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071075/ Dan Carlin Hardcore History - https://www.dancarlin.com/hardcore-history-series/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is based on historical research and open-source materials. It is not intended to glorify war or promote any political agenda.Keywords: ਸਟਾਲਿਨਗ੍ਰਾਦ ਦੀ ਲੜਾਈ, ਰੂਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਜੰਗ, ਉੱਤਰ ਅਫਰੀਕਾ ਯੁੱਧ, ਰੋਮਮਲ, ਡੇਜ਼ਰਟ ਫੌਕਸ, ਓਪਰੇਸ਼ਨ ਟੌਰਚ, ਅਫਰੀਕਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੈਂਡਿੰਗ, ਭਾਰਤੀ ਫੌਜੀ WW2, ਦੂਜੀ ਵਿਸ਼ਵ ਜੰਗ ਦੇ ਮੋੜ, ਐਲਾਈਡ ਹਮਲੇ, ਨਾਜੀ ਜਰਮਨੀ, ਰੂਸ ਜੰਗ 1942, ਸਟਾਲਿਨ, ਹਿਟਲਰ ਦੀ ਨਾਕਾਮੀ, Punjabi podcast WW2, ਇਤਿਹਾਸਕ ਪੋਡਕਾਸਟ, ਸਿੱਖ ਸੂਬੇਦਾਰ, Punjabi history podcast, WW2 turning points, Operation Torch Explained, Battle of Stalingrad podcast, North Africa WW2, Indian troops in Africa, #WW2History #Stalingrad #OperationTorch #Rommel #NorthAfricaWWII #IndianSoldiersWW2 #WWIIPodcast #PunjabiHistory #DesertFox #ThoughtProvoking #BestPunjabiPodcast #SecondWorldWar
President Trump has announced that his administration has reached a trade deal with the United Kingdom. Speaking in the White House, President Trump said the agreement would provide access to the British market for American beef and agricultural and industrial products.The presidents of Russia and China, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, have held what they described as productive talks at the Kremlin. China is Russia's biggest trading partner. It buys large amounts of oil and gas, helping to compensate for the loss of Western markets that followed Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.And Andrew Peach hears that Western Sahara, a disputed territory in North Africa, is experiencing a major economic change. Why? Well, it traces back to President Trump's 2020 decision to recognise Morocco's claim over the region, and now, with Trump back in power, highways, airports, and wind farms are rising from the desert in a multi-billion dollar development push.
The richly diverse and fascinating world of culture and politics of the Middle East and North Africa, co-hosted by Khalil and Malihe. The post Voices of the Middle East and North Africa – May 8, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.
On the Middle East with Andrew Parasiliti, an Al-Monitor Podcast
Charles Lister, the head of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute in Washington, argues that after five months in power Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the ultimate pragmatist, is adjusting to the complexity of governing his ethnically diverse and fractured country. This involves striking deals with the Kurds and Druze that fly in the face of the rigidly centralized model he once espoused. And contrary to popular belief he is not a "Turkish puppet,” Lister says.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On Tuesday President Trump said that the US would stop attacking the Houthis in Yemen because the group had "capitulated", adding that the Houthis had pledged to stop attacking ships in the Red Sea. This move comes after pressure from both regional players like Saudi Arabia - which President Trump is planning to visit - and from within the MAGA camp. Sean Mathews, a journalist for the Middle East Eye covering the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this announcement and break down what it means for the wider region - including Greece. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Exclusive: Saudi Arabia pressed Trump to stop attacks on Yemen ahead of visitTrump says the US will stop bombing Yemen's Houthis after rebels say they'll stop targeting shipsGreece aims to boost domestic defense industry's role, Dendias saysGreece leverages defense spending to underscore US alignmentMerz's messy path to power raises questions for future governmentMerz is weakened from Day 1. Europe will pay the price.
At least 30 million children are out of school in the Middle East and North Africa, with many displaced by conflict in Sudan and Gaza. Today we'll hear from Hanan Razek and Georgina Pearce, who are part of the team behind Dars Arabic, the BBC show that aims to connect these children with learning tools. Plus, BBC Arabic Xtra's Saif Rebai tells us about the teacher who travels 40km to reach a remote community in the Libyan desert, and Anil Kumar reports for BBC Telugu on the Indian school with just one student. We'll also learn how to say 'Once upon a time' in Turkish, Bengali, Korean and Kazakh, with Osman Kaytazoglu,Shahnewaj Rocky, Yuna Ku and Nurlibek Ukubaev. Presented by Faranak Amidi Produced by Alice Gioia, Hannah Dean and Caroline Ferguson(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
The 7th Infantry Regiment, known as the "Cottonbalers," is one of the oldest units in the U.S. Army, originally formed in 1812. It has fought in nearly every major American conflict, including the Civil War, both World Wars, Korea, and Iraq. Renowned for its bravery and deep traditions, the regiment remains an active combat unit to this day. I'm joined by Professor John McManus, whose 2009 book American Courage, American Carnage chronicles the unit's remarkable history. During World War II, the 7th landed in North Africa as part of Operation Torch, fought through Sicily and Italy, stormed the beaches of Southern France in Operation Dragoon, and ended the war as the first American unit to reach Hitler's mountain retreat at Berchtesgaden. The regiment also takes centre stage in the upcoming computer game Burden of Command, where John serves as the historical advisor. If you'd like to hear more about the game, head over to patreon.com/ww2podcast. patreon.com/ww2podcast
This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Dina Esfandiary, the Middle East Geoeconomics Lead at Bloomberg. Previously, Dr. Esfandiary served as a senior adviser for the Middle East and North Africa at the International Crisis Group and was a fellow at The Century Foundation. Her research focuses on security in the Persian Gulf and Iran's foreign relations. Together, they discuss why the United States and Iran are negotiating again, how Tehran's position has changed since 2015, and the different strategies both countries are likely to pursue at the negotiating table. Then, Jon continues the conversation with Ninar Fawal and Will Todman to discuss how regional and international actors are responding to the ongoing nuclear talks. Transcript: "Dina Esfandiary: Will Iran Make a Deal with Trump?," CSIS, May 1, 2025. Dr. Esfandiary's latest work: available via Bloomberg Terminal.
The richly diverse and fascinating world of culture and politics of the Middle East and North Africa, co-hosted by Khalil and Malihe. The post Voices of the Middle East and North Africa – May 1, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.
On the Middle East with Andrew Parasiliti, an Al-Monitor Podcast
Makram Rabah, an assistant professor at the American University in Beirut, says that Syria's interim president lacks the power to control his own army and that Washington needs to engage with Syria's new government to help defuse sectarian violence and for peace to prevail in the war-ravaged country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A quick update to let folks know that in honour of the 80th anniversary of VE Day I've made my grandfather's war memoir available in PDF for those so interested. A sergeant in the Royal Engineers, he saw action throughout North Africa and Italy.Just click on the link below and you can get it from the website. Download Albert's War here
“That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! ‘Peace be with you,’ he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!” (John 20:19–20 NLT) If we were telling the origin story of the Christian church, this would be a compelling first scene. A handful of Jesus’ followers hiding behind closed doors, shell-shocked, confused, and too scared to show their faces in public. Suddenly the risen Jesus miraculously appears in the flesh, victorious over sin and death, confirming the truth of everything He taught and promised them. At some point, either while Jesus was in the room or after He left, the truth must have dawned on them. If the One they served is more powerful than sin and death, then (1) they had nothing to fear, and (2) the world needed to know. We see their newfound boldness and sense of purpose in the passages that follow. That’s the power of the resurrection. Armed with that power, this small group of believers changed the world. And most of them sacrificed their lives to do it. According to church tradition, Peter took the gospel to Pontus, Galatia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, and Asia. He was crucified upside down because he told his executioners that he wasn’t worthy of being crucified in the same manner as Jesus. Andrew spread the gospel through what is now Russia, Turkey, and Greece. He, too, was crucified. Thomas wasn’t present when Jesus first appeared to the disciples in John 20. And he doubted their story. But when Jesus appeared again, and Thomas saw Him, his doubts disappeared. He took the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection all the way to India. He died after being impaled by the spears of four soldiers. Philip spread the gospel in North Africa and Asia Minor. After he converted the wife of a Roman official, the official had him put to death. Matthew, the tax collector, traveled to Persia and Ethiopia to spread Jesus’ message. He was stabbed to death. Bartholomew accompanied Thomas to India and also shared the gospel in Armenia, Ethiopia, and Southern Arabia. He was crucified. James, the son of Alphaeus, shared the Good News of Christ throughout Syria. He was stoned and then clubbed to death. Simon took the gospel to Persia. He was put to death there when he refused to make a sacrifice to the sun god. Matthias was the man chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. He shared the gospel in Syria, where he was burned to death. John is believed to be the only disciple who died a natural death. He was exiled to the penal colony of Patmos. The apostle Paul traveled extensively to share the gospel. He was beheaded in Rome. The apostle John ended his Gospel with these words: “Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25 NLT). Among the “many other things” was the impact Jesus had on a small group of ordinary people. He changed their lives forever. And, in turn, they changed the world in His name. As Jesus’ followers, we’re still called to change the world—one life at a time. We have Good News to share—the best news, in fact. If we’re faithful to our calling, we can impact lives for eternity. Reflection question: In what ways would you like to be bolder in sharing your faith with others? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The brothers welcome Sarah Leah Whitson, the Executive Director of Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) and former director of the Middle East and North Africa division of Human Rights Watch, to discuss the role of human rights advocacy amidst the ongoing genocide, the initiative to hold Blinken, Biden, and Lloyd Austin legally accountable, the failure of the ICC, and how Gaza has proven to be the "graveyard" of the "rules-based order." Watch the video edition on our YouTube channel Date of recording: April 8, 2025. Follow us on our socials: X: @MakdisiStreet YouTube: @MakdisiStreet Insta: @Makdisist TikTok: @Makdisistreet Music by Hadiiiiii *Sign up at Patreon.com/MakdisiStreet to access all the bonus content, including the latest one*
Dr. Edna Bonhomme, Phd speaks with Paul Krauss MA LPC about her new book "A History of the World in Six Plagues." Dr. Bonhomme discusses the history, the nuance, and difficulties that occur when a pandemic ravages an area. In particular, Dr. Bonhomme dives into six case studies including cholera, HIV/AIDS, the Spanish Flu, sleeping sickness, Ebola, and COVID-19. If you are curious about how power, status, language, narrative, economics, local laws, and health policies effect people during a pandemic--this episode is for you. Dr. Edna Bonhomme author of A History of the World in Six Plagues https://www.ednabonhomme.com https://x.com/jacobinoire https://bonhomme.substack.com/ Dr. Edna Bonhomme is a Berlin-based historian of science, writer, journalist, and multimedia artist whose work explores health, epidemics, and illness narratives. She holds a Ph.D. in the History of Science from Princeton University, an M.P.H. from Columbia University, and a B.A. in Biology from Reed College. Her writing has appeared in *The Atlantic*, *The Guardian*, *Frieze Magazine*, and *The Washington Post*. She is also a contributing writer for *Frieze Magazine* and co-editor of the anthology *After Sex*, which addresses reproductive justice. Her forthcoming book, *A History of the World in Six Plagues*, continues her exploration of health and society. Dr. Bonhomme's research and creative work have been featured internationally, including her dissertation on epidemics in North Africa and multimedia art installations at venues like Haus der Kulturen der Welt. She co-hosts the radio show *As We See It* with Refuge Worldwide and teaches on topics such as race, global medicine, and pandemics at institutions like Bard College Berlin. Born in Miami to working-class parents, she remains committed to critical storytelling and collective power, engaging audiences through her Substack newsletter *Mobile Fragments*. Get involved with the National Violence Prevention Hotline: 501(c)(3) Donate Share with your network Write your congressperson Sign our Petition Preview an Online Video Course for the Parents of Young Adults (Parenting Issues) Unique and low cost learning opportunities through Shion Consulting Paul Krauss MA LPC is the Clinical Director of Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids, home of The Trauma-Informed Counseling Center of Grand Rapids. Paul is also a Private Practice Psychotherapist, an Approved EMDRIA Consultant , host of the Intentional Clinician podcast, Behavioral Health Consultant, Clinical Trainer, Counseling Supervisor, and Meditation Teacher. Paul is now offering consulting for a few individuals and organizations. Paul is the creator of the National Violence Prevention Hotline as well as the Intentional Clinician Training Program for Counselors. Paul has been quoted in the Washington Post, NBC News, Wired Magazine, and Counseling Today. Questions? Call the office at 616-200-4433. If you are looking for EMDRIA consulting groups, Paul Krauss MA LPC is now hosting a weekly online group. For details, click here. For general behavioral and mental health consulting for you or your organization. Follow Health for Life Counseling- Grand Rapids: Instagram | Facebook | Youtube ”Alright" from the forthcoming album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify) "Living In Wartime" from Purple Heart by Michael Callen (Spotify) "The 1919 Influenza Blues" from Blues with a Message by Essie Jenkins (Spotify)
Organized crime groups in North Africa and Europe are increasingly using children as drug mules to transport illicit substances across borders. This disturbing trend involves several key aspects:Recruitment and Exploitation:Targeting Vulnerable Youth: Crime groups often recruit children from impoverished backgrounds or those with limited familial support.Coercion and Manipulation: Children may be coerced, manipulated, or lured with promises of money, safety, or a better future.Methods of Smuggling:Physical Concealment: Drugs are hidden on or inside the children's bodies, in their clothing, or in items they carry.Reduced Suspicion: Authorities may be less likely to suspect children of smuggling, making them attractive targets for traffickers.Routes and Networks:Transnational Operations: Children are used to move drugs between North Africa and Europe, exploiting porous borders and using various transportation methods, including boats, vehicles, and on foot.Complex Networks: Organized crime groups operate sophisticated networks that facilitate the movement of drugs and manage the logistics of using child mules.Risks and Consequences for Children:Legal and Physical Dangers: Children face significant risks, including arrest, imprisonment, and physical harm from handling dangerous substances.Psychological Trauma: The experience can lead to severe psychological trauma, impacting their mental health and future prospects.Law Enforcement Challenges:Detection and Prosecution: Identifying and prosecuting the adults responsible for exploiting children is challenging, as criminal organizations use various tactics to evade detection.Protection and Rehabilitation: Ensuring the safety and rehabilitation of child mules requires coordinated efforts between law enforcement, social services, and international organizations.International and National Responses:Policy and Legislation: Governments and international bodies are working to strengthen laws and policies to protect children and combat the exploitation by criminal groups.Awareness and Education: Efforts are being made to raise awareness about the issue and educate communities to prevent the recruitment of children by organized crime groups.(commercial at 8:18)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Feared drug cartels are using 'unlimited' supply of child migrants in Europe as foot soldiers to shift cocaine threaten them with rape and torture if they fail to sell enough, investigation finds | Daily Mail OnlineBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.
Organized crime groups in North Africa and Europe are increasingly using children as drug mules to transport illicit substances across borders. This disturbing trend involves several key aspects:Recruitment and Exploitation:Targeting Vulnerable Youth: Crime groups often recruit children from impoverished backgrounds or those with limited familial support.Coercion and Manipulation: Children may be coerced, manipulated, or lured with promises of money, safety, or a better future.Methods of Smuggling:Physical Concealment: Drugs are hidden on or inside the children's bodies, in their clothing, or in items they carry.Reduced Suspicion: Authorities may be less likely to suspect children of smuggling, making them attractive targets for traffickers.Routes and Networks:Transnational Operations: Children are used to move drugs between North Africa and Europe, exploiting porous borders and using various transportation methods, including boats, vehicles, and on foot.Complex Networks: Organized crime groups operate sophisticated networks that facilitate the movement of drugs and manage the logistics of using child mules.Risks and Consequences for Children:Legal and Physical Dangers: Children face significant risks, including arrest, imprisonment, and physical harm from handling dangerous substances.Psychological Trauma: The experience can lead to severe psychological trauma, impacting their mental health and future prospects.Law Enforcement Challenges:Detection and Prosecution: Identifying and prosecuting the adults responsible for exploiting children is challenging, as criminal organizations use various tactics to evade detection.Protection and Rehabilitation: Ensuring the safety and rehabilitation of child mules requires coordinated efforts between law enforcement, social services, and international organizations.International and National Responses:Policy and Legislation: Governments and international bodies are working to strengthen laws and policies to protect children and combat the exploitation by criminal groups.Awareness and Education: Efforts are being made to raise awareness about the issue and educate communities to prevent the recruitment of children by organized crime groups.(commercial at 8:18)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Feared drug cartels are using 'unlimited' supply of child migrants in Europe as foot soldiers to shift cocaine threaten them with rape and torture if they fail to sell enough, investigation finds | Daily Mail OnlineBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
The richly diverse and fascinating world of culture and politics of the Middle East and North Africa, co-hosted by Khalil and Malihe. The post Voices of the Middle East and North Africa – April 24, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.
This week on SceneNoise's Select series, we have the one and only DJ Habibeats. Born and raised in San Francisco's Bay Area, DJ Habibeats is an internationally acclaimed artist who has been actively pushing Middle Eastern sounds in the global clubbing scene. He has built up a reputation for his culturally-charged electrifying sets, combining club sounds from the Middle East with afrobeats, amapiano, house, baile funk, and Brazilian and Latin influences. For his Select set, DJ Habibeats cooked us a culturally-charged house mix, featuring a kaleidoscope of musical influences from the Middle East and North Africa, India, and Brazil all wrapped up in deep club cuts. Expect some fun detours, and tunes like ‘Walhala' - DJ Rony, ‘Merzzy', ‘Gqom Do Pam Pam' - Bronka, ‘State Off', as well as some original productions by Habibeats himself.
This episode was recorded at the 2025 Western Dairy Management Conference in Reno, Nevada. Gregg Doud, National Milk Producers Federation, begins with an overview of his talk regarding recent and ongoing investments in the dairy industry. Dan Siemers, Siemers Holsteins, notes they were able to build a new dairy and find a new milk market because Agropur built a new plant in their area. Corey Geiger, CoBank, describes that the US is approaching $9 billion of new investment in dairy plants coming online through 2027, over half of that in cheese. High-quality whey protein isolates are in equal demand as cheese, so that has been a large part of the investment as well. He mentions investment in class one beverage milk and extended shelf life, as well as growth in yogurt and Greek yogurt. The panel also discusses milk in schools. (1:35)Corey talks about the generational change on dairy farms regarding components. Dan mentions that in one generation, you can increase the fat percentage by 0.4 using bulls available today. The focus on pounds of fat and protein plus health traits has resulted in somewhat less milk. Dan feels that the industry needs to focus a bit more on pounds of milk as a carrier to get protein back in the business. Some plants indicate there might almost be too much fat, so a focus on protein pounds may be in order. (11:03)Corey states that 92% of dairy farmers get paid on multiple component pricing, and 90% of that milk check is butter fat and protein. While some cheese plants don't quite need all the butter fat that's coming from dairy farms, it's important to note that we are still not filling our butter fat needs domestically. There are definitely opportunities in the butter sector. The panel discusses some shuffling in domestic processing might also be needed to better use the sweet cream that's available. (13:01)Scott asks about export markets in developing countries. Gregg mentions that many Central American dairy products contain vegetable oil, so there is a lot of potential there. Corey agrees and states there is also similar potential in the Middle East and North Africa. He also notes that lack of refrigeration is still an issue in some parts of the world, so shelf-stable products are critical. Gregg mentions that drinkable yogurts are in demand in Latin America. (18:29)The panel dives into the way beef on dairy has changed the industry. Dan notes the baby calf market has been a huge profit center, where the dairy can essentially break even and the calves provide the profit. This may be creating a challenge where a lot of dairies aren't creating enough replacement dairy heifers. (23:16)Data and how we use it is the next topic the group discusses. Gregg shares a story of an MIT grad who is developing an artificial intelligence algorithm to combine cow genetics with different diet ingredients and feed additives to decrease methane production while improving cow productivity. (28:49)The panelists close out the episode with their take-home messages. Corey gives listeners a look at the impact of the domestic dairy market. Dan shares the sustainability story and climate impact of the dairy industry will continue to be important. Gregg is excited about new technologies, but asks for assistance in working with the federal government to get those technologies approved at the speed of commerce. The panel also discusses the impacts of tariffs on agriculture and how dairy farmers need to be communicating with their members of Congress. (32:56)Please reach out to your Congress members. Start the conversation, and help them understand!Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table. If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt.
On the Middle East with Andrew Parasiliti, an Al-Monitor Podcast
Starvation, disease, mutilation and death have become the norm for children in Gaza, says Arwa Damon, founder of the INARA charity. She warns that aid workers, journalists and medics are also being targeted, making it nearly impossible to deliver relief to children trapped in a cycle of despair.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This afternoon on the Jon Sanchez Show at 3pm, we will be joined by a very special guest, Dr. Caroline Freund, Dean of the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy. Dr. Freund is an expert in international trade and economic development and was the chief economist for the Middle East and North Africa at the World Bank. We'll find out her perspectives on the global tariff situation and what it means for the stock market and your money.
The extraordinary spread of Islam after 632 - from Central Asia to North Africa in a century - reached Europe from the eighth century, generating issues still energising to this day. Not ones of religion, though, but of technology.Within a few generations, the devices of the new civilisation hit the Iberian peninsula: vertical axis windmills, the clocks of Ibn Khalaf al-Muradi, astrolabes.Anxiety about machines, remaining to the present say, was born. Were we becoming uncoupled from the cosmos? How might our existence relate to our essence? Can the human mind still fit the divine mind?But with the technology came ideas, those discussed and disputed by Al-Ghazali, Avicenna, Averroes, Thomas Aquinas - all drawing on “the first teacher”: Aristotle.Their questions about occasionalism, the eternity of the cosmos, and unified intelligence can help us now. These reflections reveal how existence flows from divine being, the momentary nature of time reflects eternity, many minds echo the one intelligence.Their work offers us imaginative, spiritual space to refind participation with spirit and God as the millennia-long story of the machine continues.
Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès moderates a conversation between the hosts of season 4 of @khatt_chronicles. The discussion addressed the three main themes that are planned for this season, focusing on the overarching theme of Graphic Women from the SWANA region. The Khatt Foundation's latest research project that culminated in the publication "Revealing Recording Reflecting, Graphic Women from Southwest Asia and North Africa" published by Khatt Books at the end of 2024 will be used to guide the themes and selection of guests. The book is divided around the themes of "By Women About Women," "Engaged Image-Making," "Women of Letters," and "Women Designers in the Diaspora." The hosts Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès, Yasmine Nachabe Taan, Yara Khoury Nammour, and Roshanak Keyghobadi, introduce the potential designers they will each be speaking to and themes they will be discussing this season, extending a little further into the next season and more specifically some of the 90 women designers and visual artists featured. FOLLOW & RATE KHATT CHRONICLES:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/khatt-chronicles-stories-on-design-from-the-arab-world/id1472975206» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ATH0MwO1tIlBvQfahSLrB» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014374489THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5mMJ782dhW6yvfq0E0_HhAABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
Today on Unsupervised Learning Razib talks to Zineb Riboua, a research fellow and program manager of Hudson Institute's Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East. She specializes in Chinese and Russian involvement in the Middle East, the Sahel, and North Africa, great power competition in the region, and Israeli-Arab relations. Riboua's pieces and commentary have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Foreign Policy, the National Interest, the Jerusalem Post and Tablet among other outlets. She holds a master's of public policy from the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University. She did her undergraduate studies in France, where she attended French preparatory classes and HEC Paris' Grande Ecole program. Her Substack is Beyond the Ideological. Razib and Riboua discuss the Trump administration's theory of tariffs as a tool of foreign policy and his attitudes toward multilateral diplomacy. They explore whether any principle beyond power and dominance underlies the current administration's approach, and consider the role of principles and values in foreign policy. Riboua elaborates a realist perspective in line with the thinking of Henry Kissinger. States have interests and abilities to execute on those interests; idealism is secondary. Riboua also discusses the fact that Trump seems attuned to how foreign politicians relate to the American domestic scene. He seems willing to punish those abroad whom he perceives to be favorable to his political enemies and reward those who are personally favorable toward him. Razib then asks Riboua about the geopolitics of her native Morocco, a relatively stable monarchy on northwest Africa's edge that has promoted moderate Islam, a good relationship with Europe and maintained a stable democracy.
The richly diverse and fascinating world of culture and politics of the Middle East and North Africa, co-hosted by Khalil and Malihe. The post Voices of the Middle East and North Africa – April 17, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.
Episode 202: Moorish Refugees in the Early Modern Mediterranean In this podcast, Andrew Russo, Ph.D. candidate in History at the University of Rochester, discusses his current project on the Morisco community in early modern Morocco, Tunisia, and Sicily. Russo outlines current trends in the historiography of the Moriscos, including a focus on local sources and records that illuminate the broad range of identities arriving in North Africa. Presenting several of these sources, Russo compares Morisco communities arriving in Morocco and Tunisia as well as how interactions with local religious and political authorities affected their experiences. Russo describes how certain writers of the time shaped narratives of Morisco identity and concludes by highlighting sources in Tunisia, including many in Spanish. Andrew Russo is a scholar of mobility, migration, and diaspora. He graduated from the State University of New York in Brockport with a MA degree in Global History, and now lives in Rabat, Morocco. This interview was conducted by Luke Scalone, CEMAT Chargé de Programmes, and was recorded via on the 1st of November, 2023. To see related slides, visit our website www.themaghribpodcast.com We thank Mr. Souheib Zallazi, (student at CFT, Tunisia) and Mr. Malek Saadani (student at ULT, Tunisia), for their interpretation of el Ardh Ardhi of Sabri Mesbah, performed for the introduction and conclusion of this podcast. Souheib on melodica and Malek on guitar. Production and editing: Lena Krause, AIMS Resident Fellow at the Centre d'Études Maghrébines à Tunis (CEMAT).
It's Wednesday, April 16th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Christian lawyer highlights persecution of Christians in Egypt A lawyer with Alliance Defending Freedom International visited Egypt recently to highlight the persecution of Christians there. The country is about 10% Christian. That's the largest Christian minority in the Middle East and North Africa. However, believers often face persecution from the Muslim majority. Christians suffer employment discrimination, false accusations of blasphemy against Muhammad, sexual violence, and even bombing campaigns. Elizabeth Brink with Alliance Defending Freedom noted, “Yet, in the face of such hardship, the courage and resilience of Egypt's Christian community are a powerful testament to the enduring hope of the Gospel.” Egypt is ranked 40th on the Open Doors' World Watch List of nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian. Hungary bans events that celebrate sexual perversion On Monday, lawmakers in Hungary passed a constitutional amendment to ban events that celebrate sexually perverted lifestyles. The amendment also recognizes only two sexes: male and female. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán supported the legislation, saying, “We won't let woke ideology endanger our kids. … We're protecting children's development, affirming that a person is born either male or female.” Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Trump freezes $2.2 billion from Harvard over antisemitism In the United States, the Trump administration is taking on Harvard University. The U.S. Department of Education announced Monday that it is freezing $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and $60 million in multi-year contract value to Harvard. This came after Harvard refused to comply with demands from the Trump administration. Those demands included ending its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and screening students for issues like terrorism and anti-Semitism. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt spoke with passion at the press briefing. LEAVITT: “The President made it clear to Harvard, ‘Follow federal law. No longer break Title VI, which was passed by Congress, to ensure no student can be discriminated against on the basis of race, and you will receive federal funding. “Unfortunately, Harvard has not taken the President, the administration's demands seriously. “All the President is asking, ‘Don't break federal law, and then you can have your federal funding.' “I think the President is also begging a good question. More than $2 billion out the door to Harvard when they have a more than $50 billion endowment. Why are the American taxpayers subsidizing a university that has billions of dollars in the bank already? And we certainly should not be funding a place where such grave antisemitism exists.” Kansas pro-life legislature overrode pro-abort governor's vetoes Republican lawmakers in Kansas overrode vetoes from Democrat Governor Laura Kelly last Thursday to pass several bills related to unborn children. One bill recognizes children as dependents from conception for child support programs. The second bill requires public school courses on human development or sexuality to include the development of a baby in the womb. And the third bill provides millions of dollars in funding for pro-life pregnancy centers. Christian statesman new Ambassador-at-Large for religious freedom Last Thursday, President Donald Trump nominated Mark Walker as the U.S. Ambassador-At-Large for International Religious Freedom. Walker served as a U.S. House Representative for North Carolina's 6th congressional district from 2015 to 2021. Before working in politics, he served in pastoral roles at churches in Florida and North Carolina for 16 years. Listen to his advocacy of religious liberty not only here in America, but worldwide from the floor of the U.S. House back on July 24, 2015. WALKER: “Our commitment to allow people to live out their religious values, without fear of discrimination, is really the cornerstone that developed our country into a force for freedom. “But this liberty isn't just an American right. It should be a foundational element for all people groups. Ronald Reagan said it best. He said, ‘The most essential element of our defense of freedom is our insistence on speaking out for the cause of religious liberty.'” Walker thanked Trump in a post on X. He wrote, “I'll be relentless in fighting for those targeted who dare to live out their faith. I'm grateful to my beautiful wife and family for their support. May God provide the path and may we have the courage to follow.” More Millennials are reading their Bibles The American Bible Society released the first chapter from their 2025 State of the Bible report. The study identified Bible users as those who read the Bible on their own at least three times a year. Forty-one percent of U.S. adults qualified as Bible users this year, up from 38% last year but down from 49% in 2019. Younger adults are leading the recent growth in Bible users. Thirty-nine percent of Millennials qualified as Bible users this year, up from 30% last year. Bible users are also increasing among Millennial and Gen X men in particular. Archeologists unearthed first Christian hymn captured in new film And finally, Christian music artists revived an ancient hymn last Friday ahead of Resurrection Sunday. MOVIE NARRATOR: “Archeologists had no idea what they'd uncovered, an 1,800-year-old Christian hymn, the first to be discovered with words and music. It's not even a page, really. It's just 30 centimeters by 5 centimeters, but it provides amazing early evidence, not only of the beliefs and spread of Christianity, but also of its music.” The new recording is based on a papyrus discovered in Egypt in 1918. The manuscript dates from around the third century A.D. It's considered the earliest Christian song preserved with both words and musical notation. John Dickson, a Christian historian, has worked to bring back the hymn since 2022, hosting a new documentary called “The First Hymn.” Christian artists Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding collaborated to release a recording of the ancient song. Here are some of the lyrics from the recording: “All powers cry out in answer. All glory and praise forever to our God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen, we sing amen.” Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Watch the trailer through a special link in our transcript today at www.TheWorldview.com. You can stream “The First Hymn” movie on line for $15. Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, April 16th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe for free by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
I was given the honor of being able to collaborate with the Shangri La Musuem and Ubisoft and interview the executive director of Shangri La Musuem, Ben Weitz about this phenomanal collaboration.Shangri La Social MediaWebsite: https://www.shangrilahawaii.orgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hi_shangrilaX: https://x.com/hi_shangrilaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/shangrilahiInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hi_shangrilaCollaboration LinksShangri La: https://www.shangrilahawaii.org/visit/exhibitions/artifacts-in-play-with-assassins-creed-mirage/Hawaii News Now: https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2025/03/06/shangri-la-teams-up-with-assassins-creed-creator-ubisoft-new-exhibit/Constructed from 1935 to 1937 by philanthropist Doris Duke (1912-1993), Shangri La was inspired by her extensive travels throughout North Africa and Western, Central, South and Southeast Asia, and the landscapes of Hawai‘i. Over the course of 60 years, Duke assembled an impressive collection of nearly 4,500 artworks, cultural resources and architectural designs through commissions from artisans, purchases from dealers and bazaars, or received as gifts. The collection is particularly strong in ceramics, wood, glass, and textiles from 1600 to 1940 CE.As part of her lasting desire to promote the study and understanding of the art and cultures experienced during her travels, Doris Duke directed in her will that Shangri La be "available to scholars, students and others interested in the furtherance and preservation of Islamic art and make the premises open to the public.” In 2002, Shangri La opened as the only museum dedicated exclusively to Islamic art in the United States.SUPPORT THE SHOW AND FOLLOW USYOUTUBE: http://youtube.com/MekelKasanova TWITCH: http://twitch.tv/MekelKasanova TWITTER: http://twitter.com/MekelKasanova INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/MekelKasanova PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/MekelKasanova Be sure to visit www.MekelKasanova.com for updates, news, podcasts, and much more.All clips of audio and video used in this work are used for entertainment or education purposes under the fair use clause found in sections 107 through 118 of the copyright law (title 17, U. S. Code).
In 1952, Palenstinian refugee Elia Nuqul started a trading business in Jordan. Nuqul Group subsequently grew into one of the country's largest family businesses. Its flagship company, Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), was a leader in hygienic paper products across the Middle East and North Africa. After Nuqul's death in 2022, his son Ghassan and three siblings decided to split the Group's assets so that each branch of the family could forge its own path. They were in discussions to finalize the details of the agreement. In this episode, FHH chairman Ghassan Nuqul and HBS Senior Lecturer Christina Wing join host Brian Kenny to discuss enduring family businesses, a founder's legacy, and how business decisions affect family ties in the case “Ghassan Nuqul and the Nuqul Group: Preserving a Father's Legacy.”
In this episode of Spirit Box, I sit down with Gabriel Kennedy to discuss his new book, Chapel Perilous: The Life and Thought Crimes of Robert Anton Wilson. We explore Wilson's life, influences, and enduring ideas, with a particular focus on his concept of Chapel Perilous—an initiatory state of uncertainty, where perception is destabilized, and transformation is possible.Our conversation takes us through Wilson's time in Ireland, his engagement with esoteric and mystical traditions, and the deep imprint of Irish history and culture on his work. We also examine the broader themes of language loss, intergenerational trauma, and how these forces shape identity and collective memory. Gabriel shares the extensive research that went into writing his book, including interviews with nearly 75 people, and how Wilson's ideas remain relevant in today's world of uncertainty and paradigm shifts.In the Plus show, we go deeper into Robert Anton Wilson's time in Ireland and the profound themes he explored in The Widow's Son. Gabriel and I discuss how Wilson's time in Ireland, following personal tragedies, shaped his later works and connected him to the country's cultural and historical complexities. Through the novel's protagonist, Wilson examines intergenerational trauma, Irish identity, and the lingering scars of colonial history—ideas that remain deeply relevant today.We also explore the lasting impact of language loss in Ireland, tracing its roots to the famine and the cultural suppression that followed. Drawing on Translations by Brian Friel, we discuss how language shapes perception and identity, and how its revival is an act of cultural reclamation. This ties into a broader conversation on intergenerational trauma, the epigenetic effects of famine and stress, and the ongoing resurgence of ancestral practices like stone lifting and the Irish language.The conversation weaves together mysticism, history, and deep cultural memory—tracing how the echoes of the past still shape the present.Show Notes:Book website Robert Anton Wilson Biography - Explore the Life of a Visionary AuthorProp's Substack | Gabriel Kennedy aka Prop Anon | SubstackAbout – Gabriel Kennedy – MediumChapel Perilous: The Life and Thought Crimes of Robert Anton Wilson – Gabriel Kennedy's biography of RAW.Cosmic Trigger: Volume One – Wilson's exploration of Chapel Perilous and his experiences with synchronicity, psychedelics, and the occult.The Widow's Son – A novel exploring Irish history, identity, and intergenerational trauma.Prometheus Rising – A deep dive into consciousness, psychology, and personal reality tunnels.The Illuminatus! Trilogy (co-written with Robert Shea) – A countercultural classic blending conspiracy, satire, and esotericism.Translations – Brian Friel's play about language loss and cultural identity in Ireland.The Graves Are Walking: The Great Famine and the Saga of the Irish People – John Kelly's historical account of the Irish Famine.The Atlantean Irish – Bob Quinn's exploration of Ireland's connections to North Africa and ancient maritime cultures.Grant Morrison Disinfo 2000 speech - Just epic.The White Boys - 18th century Irish direct action society.Coffin ships - a popular idiom used to describe the ships that carried Irish migrants escaping the Great Famine.Bloomsday - annual celebration of the life of James Joyce observed in Dublin on June 16th.Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka
J. B. Godfrey is a veteran missionary, pastor, and missions leader with decades of service around the globe. He and his wife Linda served for many years in North Africa and later helped mobilize missionaries across Asia and the Muslim world. Currently, he serves as the Vice President of BIMI's Far East and Southeast Asia Fields, encouraging and equipping the next generation of missionaries. A passionate speaker and storyteller, J. B. brings deep insight into cross-cultural missions, spiritual warfare, and the joys and costs of gospel work.
These African Christians suffered during the persecution of the Church by the emperor Decius, during which a great many Christians denied the faith rather than suffer. These faithful few boldly upheld the Faith and, after many torments, were condemned to death by beheading. The went to their execution singing psalms and hymns of thanksgiving, and received the crown of martyrdom in 250. In the early centuries of the Church, North Africa, especially the region of Carthage, was one of the centers of the Christian Faith, comparable to Asia Minor.
Today I welcome back to the program Al Fadi and Amy McClintock, with the Strategic Resource Group, an organization that funds projects to reach unreached people groups in the Middle East and North Africa, the so-called MENA region of the world. Both Amy and Al have been on the program before to discuss a bible translation project for Hejazi speaking people. This is an Arabic language spoken by more than 11 million people. More than three years ago, I started reporting on a new initiative by the Strategic Resource Group that – if successful – could have a dramatic impact on the way we do Bible translation. They are using a so-called Translation Service Provider – an organization that normally translates contracts, treaties, movie scripts, books, and all manner of other material – to translate the Bible. I wrote my first article about this process in August of 2021. But one aspect of this project that is different from those undertaken by traditional Bible translation organizations is the remarkable degree of transparency SRG has shown to me in the process. Since this project began, I have been checking in with them every six months to get updates, and to hear lessons learned. And that's what we are doing today. The very fact that Al and Amy and SRG are allowing me to have these regular check-ins is dramatically different from the way the Bible translation industry normally operates. It's an industry cloaked in secrecy and layers of bureaucracy. In fact, for the past four years or so, I've written about 50 articles on the industry and its practices, and I'll have links to some of those articles in today's show notes. I encourage you to check them out: https://ministrywatch.com/bible-translations/
It's Wednesday, April 9th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus Ugandan Muslim husband kills newly converted Christian wife A Muslim man in Uganda stabbed his wife to death after she converted to Christianity last month. Forty-one-year-old Nasiimu Mirembe was the mother of six children. She put her faith in Christ on March 21st after hearing the Gospel from a friend. On March 23rd, she attended a church service for the first time. Tragically, her husband attacked her on her way home from church. Mirembe's friend told Morning Star News, “Immediately he started slapping his wife. I started screaming and shouting for help. [He] then removed a long knife and started cutting her with it.” She died from her wounds the next day. Psalm 116:15 says, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” Church attendance up in United Kingdom A new report from the Bible Society found that church attendance is growing in the United Kingdom. Twelve percent of adults in England and Wales attended church at least monthly last year, up from 8% in 2018. Young people, especially young men, are leading the growth. Sixteen percent of 18 to 24-year-olds attend church monthly, up from 4% in 2018. Church attendance by young men grew from 4% to 21% over the same time period. In Titus 2:1, 2, and 6, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience. … Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded.” Supreme Court blocks reinstatement of fired federal workers for now In the United States, the Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked an order that the Trump administration rehire 16,000 federal employees who were let go in mass firings aimed at dramatically downsizing the federal government, reports The Associated Press. The justices acted in the administration's emergency appeal of a ruling by a federal judge in California ordering that the probationary employees at six federal agencies be reinstated while a lawsuit plays out because their firings didn't follow federal law. Appearing on NBC News, legal analyst Danny Cevallos spoke to the practical fallout of the Supreme Court decision on the 16,000 federal workers who were let go. CEVALLOS: “When it comes to these probationary workers, functionally, if they're not being reinstated for a certain period of time, they're going to go find other work. So, this is one of those situations where a stay in this case may eventually lead to them just going off and getting other jobs, and they may never return, even if they someday are entitled to return.” President Trump boosts coal production President Donald Trump signed an executive order yesterday to boost coal as an energy source. The order allows some older coal-fired power plants to stay online instead of being retired. This comes as data centers, artificial intelligence, and electric cars increase the demand for electricity in the U.S. The order also removes some restrictions on coal mining and encourages coal leasing on U.S. lands. Georgia passed Religious Freedom Restoration Act Last Friday, Georgia became the 30th state to enact a Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The act protects people from unjust government punishment for living out their faith. Greg Chafuen with Alliance Defending Freedom said, “Our laws should protect the freedom of every person to live and worship according to their faith. This law provides a sensible balancing test for courts to use when reviewing government policies that infringe upon the religious freedom rights of Georgians.” IRS ends investigation into church praying for school board candidate First Liberty Institute announced Monday that the Internal Revenue Service ended its investigation of a church in Florida recently. New Way Church in Palm Coast, Florida came under investigation after praying for a local school board candidate during a service last year. Jeremy Dys with First Liberty Institute said, “We are pleased that the IRS not only closed its investigation, but affirmed that this church's activities of praying for political candidates during its church service do not threaten its tax-exempt status.” Planned Parenthood closes 3 Michigan abortion mills Planned Parenthood of Michigan announced last Wednesday that it will close three locations in the state. Appearing on Fox 2 in Detroit, Michigan Planned Parenthood President Paula Greear was upset. GREEAR: “A lot of people have reached out to me, and they are angry and they are hurt. And you know what? We are too!” The abortion group blamed funding cuts by the Trump administration. GREEAR: “They are trying to do everything to defund Planned Parenthood.” Young pro-lifers have been praying outside one of the abortion mills for years. Kevin Weed, the headmaster for St. Michael High School in Petoskey, Michigan, told CatholicVote, “Many people are attributing the closing to the Trump administration's cutting of funds, which I'm sure makes a big difference. Our students have been praying there, and those prayers have been answered. However that came to be, we're just happy that this facility is closed.” Space flight around Earth's poles And finally, a cryptocurrency billionaire and his crew of three people completed the first space flight around the Earth's poles last week. Chun Wang is a Chinese-born investor of Malta, the island country located in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and North Africa. The bitcoin billionaire funded the mission aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. The crew launched last Monday and returned Friday. Together, they accomplished the first crewed orbit over the north and south poles. Before the launch, Chun said, “My own journey has been shaped by lifelong curiosity and a fascination with pushing boundaries. As a kid, I used to stare at a blank white space at the bottom of a world map and wonder what's out there. … We hope our mission will further inspire later people to do the same.” Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, April 9th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe for free by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
It's Tuesday, April 8th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson Horrific Muslim persecution of Christians in Sub-Saharan Africa The Gatestone Institute's International Policy Center has released its report on the persecution of Christians in Africa. The report claims that the West is ignoring the carnage playing out in Sub-Sahara Africa, and that Muslim “Jihadists are murdering, raping, torturing, kidnapping, enslaving, and, in some instances, burning people alive — across Africa, and now in Syria.” The newly-installed Syrian government and the al-Qaeda-affiliated HTS terrorists, are still conducting door-to-door purges, massacring religious minorities in cruel, sadistic ways. Reliable reports indicate they have massacred 7,000 Christians and Alawites, a sect of Islam. And the death toll is still rising. Jihad is spreading in at least twelve African nations. Muslim jihadists beheaded 70 Christians in the Congo in February. Church leaders are targeted, abducted, tortured, and murdered. Christian villages have been burned down. Plus, pastors, priests and lay Christians have been abducted by the Islamist Allied Democratic Forces. More than 16.2 million Christians in Sub-Saharan Africa have been driven from their homes by jihadist violence and conflict. Women and girls are abducted, forced into "marriage," forced to convert to Islam, raped, and subjected to forced labor. Some are forced to act as suicide bombers or human shields at the hands of jihadis. Boko Haram and the Islamic State West African Province regularly attack, abduct, and murder Christians in Cameroon located in Central Africa. Churches have been set on fire and church leaders and seminary students kidnapped. Plus, the report claims that no Christian is safe in Burkina Faso, a country in West Africa. Hundreds of churches there have been closed. The Muslim-run nation of Libya, in North Africa on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, countenances widespread slavery, forced labor, and human trafficking. Sharia law is strictly upheld. For a Muslim to convert to Christianity is a crime punishable by death. Any Libyan woman suspected of associating with Christians faces house arrest, sexual assault, forced marriage, or even death. Nigeria remains the worst example of Jihadist murder and mayhem. Tens of thousands of Christians have been murdered and thousands of women and girls have been abducted and subjected to sexual violence. But, do keep in mind what Jesus said in Matthew 16:18. He declared, “On this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” British Christian nurse in trouble for referring to confused man as man More outrageousness from the United Kingdom. A nurse has lost her job with the National Health Service because she was caught referring to a pedophile transgender person as a “Mister.” Nurse Jennifer Melle, age 40, was fired from her job in Carshalton, Surrey, after having to endure the patient hurling racial slurs at her. She added, “I am devastated to have been suspended. … Despite being the one placed at risk, I am the one being punished. The message I have received is clear: I am expected to tolerate racism, deny biological reality, and suppress my deeply-held Christian beliefs." Appearing on Free Speech Nation, she shared her Biblical convictions. MELLE: “I thank Jesus for giving me the courageous spirit, standing on the Word of God. According to the Word of God, Genesis 1:27 said, ‘God created a male and female.' I just stood by it. I said, ‘Well, I'm a Christian woman, and I love the Lord, and I know beyond male and female is an abomination to the Lord. And I can't do that.'” Represented by the Christian Legal Centre, Andrea Williams, its chief executive, criticized the National Health Service for allegedly focusing on trans ideology instead of protecting its staff from racial and physical abuse. U.S.-China tariff war heats up The tit-for-tat tariff war with China is heating up. On Friday, China announced a 34% tariff on U.S. imports as an answer to President Trump's 34% reciprocal tariff. Yesterday, the U.S. president announced an additional tariff of 50% effective tomorrow, unless China backs down, reports CBS News. Aboard Air Force One on Sunday night, President Trump did not pull any punches. TRUMP: “When you look at the trade deficit that we have with certain countries, way over a billion [dollars] per country. With China, it's a trillion dollars. And we have to solve our trade deficit with China. We have a trillion dollar trade deficit with China. Hundreds of billions of dollars a year we lose with China. And unless we solve that problem, I'm not going to make a deal. “Now, I'm willing to deal with China, but they have to solve their surplus. We have a tremendous deficit problem with China. They have a surplus of at least a trillion dollars a year. And I want that solved. No other President has taken it on.” New Yorkers need “good moral character” before carrying handgun The U.S. Supreme Court let stand a New York law that requires residents to demonstrate “good moral character” before they are permitted to carry a handgun. The law requires applicants to have “the essential character, temperament and judgement necessary to be entrusted with a weapon and to use it only in a manner that does not endanger oneself or others.” Stocks, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq down U.S. stocks are down over the last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 4,000 points, 11% down for the year. And the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite was down by about 2,000 points, settling around 15,570 points on Monday evening. The Nasdaq is down 19% on the year, about where it was in November 2021. Court awards 7,000 sexual abuse victims $4 billion in Los Angeles While the state-controlled foster care system is supposed to protect children, the unaccountable system, made up of sinful men and women, has become the predator. Last week, the courts awarded a record $4 billion against the Los Angeles County's juvenile detention and foster care system. The settlement was the largest of this kind, distributed to 7,000 plaintiffs — victims of unspeakable sexual abuse. L.A. officials have issued concerns that the fine might bankrupt the county. The rise of America's “assassination culture” The Network of Contagion Research Institute and Rutgers University's Social Perception Lab have issued a report concerned with a rising “assassination culture” in the United States. Especially troubling is the view that 31% of respondents stated it would be at least somewhat justifiable to murder Elon Musk. And 38% said it would be at least somewhat justifiable to murder President Donald Trump. Among those who identify left of center, 48% to 55% would justify these assassinations. 22 million watched House of David finale And finally, the producers of the Amazon-released program, House of David, announced over the weekend, that the season finale had achieved #1 on Prime. WatchWonderProject took to Instagram with a message: “All glory to God!” Thus far, the program has brought in 22 million viewers. Of Amazon's new releases in 2025, House of David has taken the top position, holding its own in the top 10 for 38 days. Producer and writer for House of David, Jon Erwin, previously produced Christian films like October Baby, I Can Only Imagine, and American Underdog. The studio has announced a forthcoming Season 2. Let us not forget David's greater Son who reigns today, over all. Luke 1:32 declares, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of his father David.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, April 8th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ. Print stories British Prime Minister: Time to focus on Britain British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke yesterday, indicating an end to globalization, and a return to nation's focusing in on their own national interests, reports The Independent. He called the present times “a completely new world.” Former Brazilian president thanked God for Trump's re-election Brazil's previous president Jair Bolsonaro addressed a peaceful protest of 40,000 in Sao Paulo over the weekend, thanking God publicly that Donald Trump was re-elected in the United States, reports Breitbart. Bolsonaro told the crowd, “I have nothing but gratitude for the two years we spent together in our respective presidencies.”
Eric and Eliot discuss VP Vance's trip to Greenland and his appointment by the President to oversee the purging of American history at the Smithsonian and other museums. They also discuss who the biggest loser will be from Signalgate. They consider an excellent diplomatic memoir from the 1960s written by former Ambassador and Under Secretary of State Robert "Bob" Murphy -- Diplomat Among Warriors. Murphy pioneered the role of Political Advisor (POLAD) for military leaders working closely with Generals Dwight Eisenhower and Mark Clark on the invasion and subsequent governance of North Africa, Sicily and Italy and then worked with General Lucius Clay on the military government of Germany. They note Murphy's controversial role in maintaining diplomatic relations with the Vichy government of France and negotiating a deal with French Admiral Darlan to smooth the way for the invasion of North Africa. They also discuss critics like AJP Taylor who complained that the US had no policy during World War II and whether FDR's desire to postpone political decisions until after the war was naive or reflected a higher realism given the likely dominant role the US would have at the end of the war. They conclude that Murphy represents an important tradition of professionalism and subject matter expertise in government that is well worth preserving. Diplomat Among Warriors: The Unique World Of A Foreign Service Expert: https://a.co/d/742sKIz Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.