Podcasts about Policy studies

Karol Markowicz sits down with education researcher and policy expert Jay Greene, Director of Research at Do No Harm and Senior Fellow at the Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies, for a wide-ranging conversation about school choice, antisemitism, higher education, DEI, medicine, and the future of American education. Greene explains his research into antisemitism and challenges the idea that greater education necessarily reduces anti-Jewish attitudes. He discusses an experiment designed to measure differences in how respondents treated Jewish and non-Jewish subjects and offers his theory about the political and social forces that can sustain antisemitism. Karol and Jay also dive into the dramatic expansion of school choice, including Greene’s role in developing what he calls the “Red State Strategy.” Greene explains why advocates shifted their argument toward parental control over children's education and discusses the growth of universal school-choice programs following the pandemic. Plus, Greene discusses why he believes Jewish institutional life could experience a renaissance, his upcoming research, and why his advice for young people is simple: start adulthood early—work, marry, build a family, and avoid unnecessarily delaying adulthood. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did space just get short-shrift at this week's summit? Naming China as the No1 threat, U.S. military officials did just confirm the existence of on-orbit weapons and that it will prepare for combat on and around the moon. Or were there other less-sexy agenda items that directly affect the space industrial base? Laura Winter speaks with Dean Cheng, Senior Fellow, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies.

Julia Hartley-Brewer is joined by Dai Davies, former head of Royal Protection, who casts serious doubt on Charles Spencer's new memoir, branding his claims about King Charles and Princess Diana "scurrilous" and unreliable, pointing to Spencer's own troubled history. Plus, economist Liam Halligan, newly appointed director of the Centre for Policy Studies, warns Britain risks driving its economy over a cliff through soaring taxes, ballooning welfare spending and punishing bond yields. He explains why Andy Burnham's push for an early election could backfire spectacularly, and why the UK's debt interest bill now dwarfs its education budget.Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recent controversies over the Nepal-Tibet floods and the debate over Singapore Airlines’ investment into Air India have once again put Singaporeans’ attitudes towards race and immigration in the spotlight. Does this reflect growing racist views in society, or is social media amplifying the racism of a minority? Are we also up against something more sinister, like AI bots creating divisions? Can we have meaningful discussions about hot-button immigration or social issues without resorting to racism and stereotypes? And will the new racial harmony law – which took effect on Sep 15 – put the brakes on racist commentators online, or will it drive them underground? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with Dr Mathew Mathews from the Institute of Policy Studies and associate professor Natalie Pang from the National University of Singapore about what’s driving these conversations, where the lines should be drawn and how we can do better.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the Show: Phyllis Bennis of the Institute for Policy Studies, on the expanding war with Iran, as the Houthis jump in full force. Our weekly column PINKNOTES in collaboration with CodePink and Cynthia Papermaster of CodePink Bay Area. Today's special guest is Jenin— CODEPINK's Palestine Campaigner. An award winning front-line investigative news magazine focusing on human, civil and workers rights, issues of war and peace, Global Warming, racism and poverty, and other issues. Hosted by Dennis J. Bernstein. The post Phyllis Bennis of the Institute for Policy Studies appeared first on KPFA.

Singapore’s political salary debate has raised a broader question about leadership renewal. If success in business or the public service can offer valuable experience, does it necessarily translate into effective political leadership? On Viewpoint, Lynlee Foo speaks to Dr Gillian Koh, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies at NUS, about what Singapore should look for in its future leaders and whether the current approach to political recruitment is casting the net wide enough.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest Biography Dr. Closson brings over two decades of experience in special education and educational leadership. He began his career as a high school special education teacher in New York State, before continuing his work as a teacher in Tennessee. His dedication to inclusive education led him to a district-level administrative role, where he championed equity and inclusion across schools. Throughout his career, Dr. Closson has been a driving force behind the implementation of the co-teaching model and inclusive practices to foster collaborative environments that support diverse learners. He strives to prepare preservice teachers to create inclusive, student-centered classrooms. His work continues to shape the next generation of educators with a strong foundation in inclusive pedagogy. Article Featured in the Episode Closson, C. T., & Silver, C. F. (2026). Investigating the mindset of educators regarding students with disabilities. Journal of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, 10(1), 1–31. Article: https://go.southernct.edu/jelps/files/2026-spring/8p_Investigating_the_Mindset_of_Educators.pdf Journal of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies: https://go.southernct.edu/jelps/ Empire State University: https://www.sunyempire.edu/ IRIS Center at Vanderbilt University: https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/ National Center on Intensive Intervention: https://intensiveintervention.org/ CEEDAR Center: https://ceedar.education.ufl.edu/

Twenty-five years after 9/11, is the United States better prepared to prevent another terrorist attack?This week's podcast is an edited rebroadcast of the Center's panel held to examine that question, discussing the role immigration and border security played in the attacks, the major policy changes that followed, and the national-security challenges that remain.Former U.S. Senator and Attorney General Jeff Sessions introduced the panel and offered brief remarks. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and the National Interest at the time of the attacks, Sessions was deeply involved in congressional oversight of immigration and national security in the years following 9/11.The panel at examined how the attacks reshaped U.S. immigration policy, including the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, changes to visa screening and information sharing, and increased attention to border security. The panel also revisited the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission: What was implemented? What was left undone? In addition, a European security expert discussed how 9/11 affected policy there as well.HostMark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.GuestsGeneral Jeff Sessions, Former U.S. Senator and Attorney General.Andrew R. Arthur, CIS Fellow in Law and Policy, who served as immigration oversight counsel to House Judiciary Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner beginning in July 2001 and worked on major post-9/11 immigration and national-security legislation.George Fishman, CIS Senior Legal Fellow, who served for two decades as Republican Chief Counsel of the House Judiciary Committee's immigration subcommittee and worked on major post-9/11 immigration and national-security legislation.Jessica M. Vaughan, CIS Director of Policy Studies, who was at CIS on 9/11 and specializes in immigration screening, visa programs, immigration enforcement, and public safety.Viktor Marsai, CIS Fellow, Director, Migration Research Institute in Budapest, and professor of security studies at Ludovika University of Public Service.LinksPress Release and VideoStreams: YouTube, Facebook, XC-Span CoverageIntro MontageVoices in the opening montage:Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".

What would change if more women stopped waiting to feel completely ready and began stepping into the leadership roles they are already capable of leading?In this episode, Joshua Stamper is joined by Dr. Carrie Mugridge and Dr. Jennifer Perez Bessolo, coauthors of Leading Without Apology: Empowering Women in Educational Leadership, From Aspiration to Advancement. Together, they unpack the internal doubts and external barriers that can keep talented women from pursuing school and district leadership roles.Carrie and Jennifer explore why many women remain in the classroom longer, underestimate their qualifications, and hesitate to seek advancement without a direct invitation. They also discuss imposter syndrome, the likability conundrum, the pressure to be both strong and agreeable, and the value of embracing qualities such as emotional intelligence as leadership strengths.About Dr. Carrie Mugridge Dr. Mugridge is a nationally recognized educational leader and women's leadership advocate with more than 20 years of experience shaping school systems, developing leaders, and elevating women's voices in education. As Executive Director of Learning Services for a school district, Mugridge has led districtwide initiatives that strengthened instructional quality, elevated leadership capacity, and improved student outcomes—contributing to the 2024 National ESEA Distinguished School Award for Closing the Achievement Gap, one of the nation's highest honors. She has directed major efforts in curriculum design, MTSS implementation, federal programs, and professional learning, and she is widely known for creating supportive, high-expectation coaching systems for teachers and administrators. Dr. Mugridge's passion for advancing women in leadership extends beyond her district. She serves as a Program Advisor for a Women in Leadership Program, where she mentors aspiring female leaders across the country. She is also a published author in the Under the Umbrella USA series and a national presenter, with sessions such as “Empowering Women in Education: Navigating Leadership & Career Pathways” and “Women in K–12 Educational Leadership: Leaning In and Lessons Learned.” Throughout her career, Dr. Mugridge has been recognized for excellence in teaching and leadership, including being named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Kansas, a Kansas Teacher of the Year Region 3 Finalist, and a U.S. Department of Education Teaching Ambassador Fellowship Finalist. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in servant leadership, authenticity, and the belief that women thrive when they are supported, challenged, and unapologetically themselves. Now, as a consultant and women's leadership coach, Dr. Mugridge helps emerging and aspiring leaders build confidence, develop strategic clarity, and step boldly into leadership roles. Through personalized coaching, speaking engagements, and leadership development experiences, she equips women to lead with purpose, resilience, and impact. About Dr. Jennifer Perez Bessolo Dr. Jennifer Perez Bessolo is the Director of the University of Kansas Educational Administration Leadership and Policy programs at both the master's and doctoral levels. She also serves as a Professor of the Practice and Co-Director of Accreditation for the KU School of Education and Human Sciences. Dr. Bessolo earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Kansas. With more than two decades of experience in education, her professional background spans PK–12 leadership, teaching and learning, higher education, and educational consulting. She spent 17 years serving in public education across Kansas and North Carolina before transitioning to higher education, where she has served for the past six years. Throughout her career, Dr. Bessolo has held a variety of leadership roles, including Director of Curriculum, Federal Programs, and Virtual Learning; Middle and Secondary Director; Principal; Assistant Principal; Teacher; and Coach. As a mentor for the Kansas Educational Leadership Institute (KELI), she has coached first-year principals and supported leadership development across school districts. A certified HIGH5 Strengths and Kolbe Index consultant, Dr. Bessolo is passionate about helping individuals and teams maximize their strengths and effectiveness. She has served on multiple Kansas State Department of Education committees and has presented at state and national conferences on Open Educational Resources and personalized, problem-solving learning. She is also a featured guest on podcasts and women's leadership panels, where she advocates for empowering women to find their voice, purpose, and success in educational leadership. Through her work as a professor, consultant, mentor, and founder of the Women's Educational Leadership and Learning Alliance (WELLA), Dr. Bessolo has supported hundreds of aspiring and current leaders. Through her scholarship, mentoring, and leadership development work, she is dedicated to helping women navigate the realities of educational leadership and thrive in positions of influence and impact. Follow Carrie and Jennifer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cmugridge https://www.facebook.com/jenny.perezbessolo LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-perez-bessolo-ed-d-6b741815/https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-mugridge-ed-d-8ba367171/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H9SWXXNR?lv=shuf&redirect=true&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback&linkCode=ll2&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=e36b1b8d80fe06e208d7964c393537d2&language=en_US&gaOptInStatus=true&ref_=as_li_ss_tl — #1 New Release, "The Language of Behavior" is NOW Available! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DVT32KQ1?&linkCode=ll1&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=d18e5a44a6582a22d15ee23193af7bb8&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl The Language of Behavior is an essential guide for school leaders committed to transforming their school culture and addressing student behavior through a more compassionate, effective approach. Drawing on their extensive experience in education, Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper challenge outdated disciplinary practices and offer a clear, trauma-informed framework that empowers educators to interpret student behavior as a form of communication. Through three core tenets—Consider the Environment, Explore the Root Causes of Behavior, and Respond with Intentionality—this book equips leaders with actionable strategies to foster positive behavior, build stronger relationships, and cultivate a more supportive school climate. Packed with real-world case studies, evidence-based practices, and insights into the lasting effects of childhood trauma, The Language of Behavior provides school leaders with the tools to create lasting, meaningful change. It offers a roadmap to reduce behavior issues, re-engage students and staff, and establish a culture of accountability and empathy. This book is not just a reference—it's a call to lead with vision and transform how we approach discipline, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive. Bulk Orders: https://www.connectedd.org/bulk-orders — Need a Presenter for a conference or school PD? Contact Brad Waid to book Joshua Stamper for your next event on Improving Student Behavior, Impacting School Mental Health, or Creating healthy habits. Follow the Host, Joshua Stamper: Contact: https://joshstamper.com/contact/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/Joshua__Stamper Instagram: www.instagram.com/joshua__stamper Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-stamper Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AspirePodcast Subscribe: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aspire-the-leadership-development-podcast/id1384210762?mt=2 Aspire to Lead Won the FireBird Award! I'm happy to announce that my book, “Aspire to Lead”, won the 2022 Leadership Book Award from Speak Up Talk Radio! It is a great honor to get this kind of recognition and I really appreciate all your support! The book is available for purchase on Amazon....

Launch of Singapore's Financial Sector: How did we arrive, how do we thrive? by Institute of Policy Studies

More Singaporeans are living with or near their parents, as families juggle raising children while caring for ageing parents. But does our housing system make it easy enough for families who actually want to share a home? On We Are Family!, we speak to Dr Kalpana Vignehsa, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, about why multi-generational living could ease caregiving pressures, why existing housing options may not always fit how families live today, and what could make living under one roof a more practical and attractive choice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At some point in the next decade, a historian is going to look at the first quarter of the 21st century from the perspective of the national security establishment and the blessings it had as it rose to global power status, and will publish the foundational reference book for those trying to understand that moment in time.Its primary rivals distracted and drained themselves in unnecessary quixotic quasi-imperial police actions, one in Central and Southwest Asia (U.S.A.), the other bled itself white attempting to reconstruct at least part of its predecessor's empire (Russia). All the while, its economy grew, its diplomatic influence expanded, and its military became an impressive, if untested, colossus.Yes, the People's Republic of China (PRC) had its problems and setbacks: demographic collapse, massive debt, economic fragility, and poor messaging—but so did its greatest competitors.In 2026, while most have been focused on the Iranian-Israeli-American conflict and the Russo-Ukrainian War rooted in unsolved issues from the end of the 20th century, the PRC continues its march forward into the future.Returning to the Midrats Podcast to discuss will be Dean Cheng.Dean is a Non-resident Senior Fellow, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies and Non-resident Fellow, George Washington University Space Policy Institute.He recently retired after 14 years with the Heritage Foundation, where he was a senior research fellow on Chinese political and security affairs, and wrote on various aspects of Chinese foreign and defense policy.Prior to joining the Heritage Foundation, he was a senior analyst with the China Studies Division (previously, Project Asia) at CNA from 2001-2009. Before joining CNA, he was a senior analyst with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) from 1996-2001. From 1993-1995, he was an analyst with the US Congress' Office of Technology Assessment in the International Security and Space Division, where he studied the Chinese defense industrial complex.He is the author of the book Cyber Dragon: Inside China's Information Warfare and Cyber Operations (NY: Praeger Publishing, 2016), as well as a number of papers and book chapters examining various aspects of Chinese security affairs.SummaryIn this episode, Mark, Sal, and Dean Cheng discusses China's strategic challenges, space ambitions, AI development, and regional influence, providing insights into China's long-term plans and global impact.Show LinksTo A Louse, On Seeing One on a Lady's Bonnet at Church, Robert BurnsGreat Wall, movie with Matt Damon2012, movie Himalayas Tsunami SceneRed Cliff, movie (the good one)Chapters00:00: Introduction and overview of China's global strategy02:38: Dean Cheng's background and China's long-term planning04:46: China's strategic challenges beyond the US06:04: North Korea's shifting alliances and regional dynamics08:06: Russia, China, and North Korea cooperation10:27: Chinese perceptions of US and regional threats12:25: Japan, Korea, and China's regional ambitions14:29: China's post-COVID strategic posture and influence16:03: China's national messaging and global image17:28: Xi Jinping's strategic vision and military buildup19:57: China's influence in the Pacific and Arctic regions22:42: Canada, Greenland, and China's northern ambitions31:00: China's space program and lunar exploration49:58: The race to the moon and space dominance54:46: Future of space exploration and international standards55:33: Long-term US space strategy and Chinese competition59:36: US and Chinese space efforts and collaboration01:00:26: Conclusion

On today's Palestine Post episode, guest-host Nana Gyamfi talks with Khury Petersen-Smith about the latest developments in the Israel's genocidal assault on Palestine, the US complicity, and the people's resistance around the globe. Khury Petersen-Smith is the Michael Ratner Middle East Fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies, where he researches U.S. empire, borders, and migration. Our Resistance in Residence this week is director, teacher and solo-performer Kenny Yun. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons —- Subscribe to our podcast: https://plinkhq.com/i/1637968343?to=page Get in touch: lawanddisorder@kpfa.org Follow us on socials @LawAndDis: https://twitter.com/LawAndDis; https://www.instagram.com/lawanddis/ The post Palestine Post w/ Nana Gyamfi & Khury Petersen-Smith appeared first on KPFA.

Children of unmarried parents will now receive cash benefits under the new SG Child Support Package. But differences remain in tax reliefs and access to housing. Where should Singapore draw the line between supporting every child equally and encouraging parenthood within marriage? On Viewpoint, Lynlee Foo speaks with Dr Kalpana Vignehsa, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, National University of Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on CounterSpin: The US news media marked the anniversary of August 2021's nominal withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. A New York Times story explained that Taliban flags were “flying high along the streets of Kabul,” but that the deeper truth is that “the Taliban are holding Afghan society in a chokehold that spares no one.” But, the paper alleges, “The Taliban know the world wants a stable Afghanistan—one that isn't a source of refugees, drugs or terrorism.” I don't have enough breath to describe the hypocritical fantasizing in that sort of statement. But CounterSpin has hosted numerous reporters, researchers and activists over the course of the decades of devastating US intervention in Afghanistan—which did not, in fact, suddenly and righteously begin in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks. We'll hear some of those conversations this week. And I will say, there has been some attention rightfully paid to the abandonment of Afghans who, at great danger to themselves, helped US troops, and who are now treated as yet more brown hordes seeking to sneak into the US. But those historical, human rights–based conversations are being overwhelmed by storylines like that from the Times, that talks about Afghanistan's “fragile peace” being “already at risk,” every bit as though the United States hasn't played a monumental role in making that peace impossible. And while we're reimagining history, please recall Dan Rather, on David Letterman on September 17, 2001, describing his definition of his job as journalist: “George Bush is the president, he makes the decisions, and, you know, as just one American, if he wants me to line up, just tell me where.” We're going to hear from Phyllis Bennis from the Institute for Policy Studies; from Matthew Hoh, senior fellow with the Center for International Policy; and Sonali Kolhatkar, host/producer of Rising Up With Sonali, and author—most recently—of Breaking ICE: Community Defense Against State Terror and MAGA Fascism. And there is much more about Afghanistan on FAIR.org. CounterSpin provides a critical examination of the each week's major news stories, and exposes what the mainstream media may have missed in their own coverage. Produced by the national media watch group FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting). The post CounterSpin – Phyllis Bennis (2021), Matthew Hoh (2021) and Sonali Kolhatkar (2010) on Afghanistan CounterSpin appeared first on KPFA.

https://media.blubrry.com/counterspin/content.blubrry.com/counterspin/CounterSpin260821.mp3 Right-click here to download this episode (“Save link as…”). New York Times (8/15/26) This week on CounterSpin: The US news media marked the anniversary of August 2021's nominal withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. A New York Times story explained that Taliban flags were “flying high along the streets of Kabul,” but that the deeper truth is that “the Taliban are holding Afghan society in a chokehold that spares no one.” But, the paper alleges, “The Taliban know the world wants a stable Afghanistan—one that isn't a source of refugees, drugs or terrorism.” I don't have enough breath to describe the hypocritical fantasizing in that sort of statement. But CounterSpin has hosted numerous reporters, researchers and activists over the course of the decades of devastating US intervention in Afghanistan—which did not, in fact, suddenly and righteously begin in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks. We'll hear some of those conversations this week. And I will say, there has been some attention rightfully paid to the abandonment of Afghans who, at great danger to themselves, helped US troops, and who are now treated as yet more brown hordes seeking to sneak into the US. But those historical, human rights–based conversations are being overwhelmed by storylines like that from the Times, that talks about Afghanistan's “fragile peace” being “already at risk,” every bit as though the United States hasn't played a monumental role in making that peace impossible. And while we're reimagining history, please recall Dan Rather, on David Letterman on September 17, 2001, describing his definition of his job as journalist: “George Bush is the president, he makes the decisions, and, you know, as just one American, if he wants me to line up, just tell me where.” We're going to hear from Phyllis Bennis from the Institute for Policy Studies; from Matthew Hoh, senior fellow with the Center for International Policy; and Sonali Kolhatkar, host/producer of Rising Up With Sonali, and author—most recently—of Breaking ICE: Community Defense Against State Terror and MAGA Fascism. And there is much more about Afghanistan on FAIR.org. Phyllis Bennis: https://media.blubrry.com/counterspin/content.blubrry.com/counterspin/CounterSpin260821Bennis.mp3 Matthew Hoh: https://media.blubrry.com/counterspin/content.blubrry.com/counterspin/CounterSpin260821Hoh.mp3 Sonali Kolhatkar: https://media.blubrry.com/counterspin/content.blubrry.com/counterspin/CounterSpin260821Kolhatkar.mp3

Americans visiting beaches, neighborhood pools, summer camps, and resorts this summer are likely to encounter foreign workers filling jobs as lifeguards, ice-cream scoopers, housekeepers, counselors, and restaurant workers. Many may not realize that these workers are in the United States on J-1 exchange visas—a program the State Department promotes as an instrument of cultural exchange and public diplomacy.A new episode of the Center for Immigration Studies podcast Parsing Immigration Policy examines the findings of the recently published CIS report, Exchange Visa Programs Operate Mainly For Cheap Labor, Not Cultural Exchange, with Jessica Vaughan, the Center's director of policy studies.The report finds that the J-1 program has evolved into a major temporary foreign-worker program:About 75 percent of the 275,000 J-1 visas issued in 2025 went to workers, while only about 25 percent went to more traditional exchange programs.Summer Work Travel alone accounted for 105,000 visas, making it the largest J-1 category. Another 32,000 went to foreign camp counselors.The State Department has approved more than 1,500 third-party organizations to administer J-1 programs, effectively outsourcing much of the program's oversight to organizations that can benefit financially from placing foreign workers with U.S. employers.J-1 summer exchange workers are supposed to head home soon, but thousands will ignore the rules and overstay, joining the illegal population. The J-1 category has one of the highest overstay rates among U.S. entry categories, according to DHS overstay data.The episode also examines potential reforms, including stronger penalties for sponsors, greater scrutiny of countries with high overstay rates, the termination of the subcategories that have no meaningful public diplomacy value, and transferring work-based J-1 programs to the Department of Labor for appropriate labor-market oversight.HostMark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.GuestJessica Vaughan is the Director of Policy Studies at the Center for Immigration StudiesLinksExchange Visa Programs Operate Mainly For Cheap Labor, Not Cultural ExchangeJ-1 Visas: Cheap Labor as Cultural ExchangeIntro MontageVoices in the opening montage:Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".

As the climate crisis ravages the planet with wildfires, droughts and floods, the wealthy are using private jets, which spew carbon into the atmosphere, more and more frequently. Not only does this exacerbate the climate crisis, but it is putting a strain on air travel infrastructure. Through a powerful private jet lobby, the cost of private air travel has been shifted to those who use commercial airlines and taxpayers. Chuck Collins of the Program on Inequality and the Common Good at the Institute for Policy Studies, which recently launched its Tax Private Jet campaign, speaks with Clearing the FOG about the many reasons why we need to curtail private jet use and the growing movement to do that. For more information, visit PopularResistance.org.

On today's show, Palestine post the Tuesday edition, we look at Israel's genocidal assaults on the region, US complicity, the peoples resistance and the global impact around the globe with Khury Petersen-Smith. Khury Petersen-Smith is Michael Ratner Middle East Fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies, where he researches U.S. empire, borders, and migration. Our Resistance in Residence Artist this week is multi-hyphenated artist Robyn DeGuzman.   Photo credit: Ruins of Beit Lahia, in the Gaza Strip, destroyed by Israeli bombardments, Feb 23, 2025 on Wikimedia. —- Subscribe to our podcast: https://plinkhq.com/i/1637968343?to=page Get in touch: lawanddisorder@kpfa.org Follow us on socials @LawAndDis: https://twitter.com/LawAndDis; https://www.instagram.com/lawanddis/ The post Palestine Post (Tuesday Edition) w/ Khury Petersen-Smith appeared first on KPFA.

A new report by the Institute for Policy Studies, Forging a Democracy that Works For All, hones in on billionaire power as a central focus.

Eisenhower Media Network's Matthew Hoh: Without a Rational Strategy, Trump's Iran War Continues with No End in SightQuincy Institute's Annelle Sheline: U.S. and Israel to Integrate Military Budgets to Shield Funding from Congressional OppositionInstitute for Policy Studies' Khury Petersen-Smith: New Progressive Blueprint: ‘Forging a Democracy that Works for All'Bob Nixon's Under-reported News Summary• Silicon Valley workers organizing against war production and war crimes• 358 human rights defenders killed last year around the world• Populist Clayton Tucker running for Texas agriculture commissionerVisit our website at BTLonline.org for  more information, in-depth interviews, related links,  transcripts and subscribe to our BTL Weekly Summary and/or podcasts. New episodes every Wednesday at 12 noon ET,  website updated Wednesdays after 4 p.m. ETProduced by Squeaky Wheel Productions: Scott Harris, Melinda Tuhus, Bob Nixon, Anna Manzo, Susan Bramhall, Jeff Yates and Mary Hunt. Theme music by Richard Hill and Mikata. 

Eisenhower Media Network's Matthew Hoh: Without a Rational Strategy, Trump's Iran War Continues with No End in SightQuincy Institute's Annelle Sheline: U.S. and Israel to Integrate Military Budgets to Shield Funding from Congressional OppositionInstitute for Policy Studies' Khury Petersen-Smith: New Progressive Blueprint: ‘Forging a Democracy that Works for All'Bob Nixon's Under-reported News Summary• Silicon Valley workers organizing against war production and war crimes• 358 human rights defenders killed last year around the world• Populist Clayton Tucker running for Texas agriculture commissionerVisit our website at BTLonline.org for  more information, in-depth interviews, related links and transcripts and to sign up for our BTL Weekly Summary. New episodes every Wednesday at 12 noon ET,  website updated Wednesdays after 4 p.m. ETProduced by Squeaky Wheel Productions: Scott Harris, Melinda Tuhus, Bob Nixon, Anna Manzo, Susan Bramhall, Jeff Yates and Mary Hunt. Theme music by Richard Hill and Mikata. 

On today's show, we look at Israel's genocidal assaults on Palestine and the region, US complicity in those assaults, the people's resistance, and the impact across the globe. We invite Khury Petersen-Smith, the Michael Ratner Middle East Fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies, where he researches U.S. empire, borders, and migration, to unpack these questions.   Law & Disorder exposes the cracks in our system, agitates for resistance and collectively builds a new world where all of us thrive. Hosted by Cat Brooks. Produced by Diana Martinez. —- Subscribe to our podcast: https://plinkhq.com/i/1637968343?to=page Get in touch: lawanddisorder@kpfa.org Follow us on socials @LawAndDis: https://twitter.com/LawAndDis; https://www.instagram.com/lawanddis/ The post Palestine Post w/ Khury Petersen-Smith appeared first on KPFA.

You can watch this episode in full on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LYzZRwK5C0gThis week's journey in the rocket of right thinking opens with co-pilots Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson reflecting on Andy Burnham becoming Prime Minister.Liam warns that uncosted bungs and 10-year gilt yields staying above 5% threaten a fiscal crisis and discusses his upcoming appointment as Director of the Centre for Policy Studies, pitching the concept of conditional tax cuts to restore economic credibility. Allison dismantles Burnham's 5% VAT cut on energy bills that saves households a mere 86p a week, and shares her experience reporting on England's World Cup run, praising players like Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham while condemning the BBC's self-promotional halftime advert.Joining your co-pilots after her appearance at last week's CPAC is Laila Cunningham, who discusses her backstory, Reform UK's political platform, and the distress felt following the murder of Ann Widdecombe. HighlightsPlanet Normal: Andy and the Backstabbers make their debut to the CountryAllison dismantles Andy Burnham's energy bill relief as an unhelpful 86p-a-week gestureLiam discusses his upcoming appointment as Director of the Centre for Policy StudiesLaila Cunningham at CPAC discusses Reform UK and political securityAllison reflects on England's World Cup run.Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor |Read Allison ‘Struggling voters deserve better than Burnham's con tricks‘: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2026/07/21/struggling-voters-deserve-better-than-burnhams-con-tricks/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ | Read Liam ‘Burnham's ‘unashamedly Labour' push spells economic ruin': https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/07/19/burnhams-unashamedly-labour-push-spells-economic-ruin/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read Liam's Substack: https://liamhalligan.substack.com/ |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |For 30 days' free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While strict laws enforce behaviour, building a gracious society requires mutual trust rather than constant rules. Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Singapore seems to be introducing more laws to police everyday behaviour - from tray returns to using mobile phones while driving. But can legislation really make people more gracious, or does it simply expose a deeper trust deficit in society? And when should citizens confront bad behaviour themselves instead of reporting it to the authorities? Opinion Editor Lin Suling speaks with sociologist Dr Tan Ern Ser, Adjunct Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, about whether Singapore is becoming a nation that relies too heavily on rules, complaints and punishment — and what it would take to build a genuinely high-trust, "We First" society. Highlights (click/tap above): 3:35 Why does seemingly ordinary, considerate behaviour disappear once people get behind the wheel? 5:40 Does criminalising phone use while driving mean public education has failed? 12:25 Have we outsourced everyday conflict resolution to the state instead of correcting bad behaviour ourselves? 13:55 Is Singapore's complaint culture undermining trust and creating online vigilantism? 16:46 When is reporting someone the right thing to do? When should it be the last resort? 19:52 Thirty years after the Singapore Kindness Movement, have we become kinder or simply better at enforcing rules? 21:28 How can Singapore encourage people to speak up against antisocial behaviour without leaving them to stand alone? 23:11 Can Singapore realistically become a 'We First' society? What would a genuinely high-trust society look like? Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Follow Lin Suling on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/hiLQ Host: Lin Suling (linsuling@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Watch The Mother Load on YouTube: https://str.sg/HnaV --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #inyouropinionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

00:08 — Khury Petersen-Smith, Michael Ratner Middle East Fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies, where he researches U.S. empire, borders, and migration. 00:33 — David Dayen is the executive editor of The American Prospect and co-host of the podcast Organized Money. The post The US and Israel War with Iran and Strait of Hormuz Toll; Plus, CA Effort to Stop Biggest Media Merger in US History appeared first on KPFA.

This week on CounterSpin: One outlet says “it's unclear if war is back on”; another says “Trump mulls restarting war”—as though you can start and stop the harm bombs bring, to people, to power plants, bridges, airports, hospitals. US corporate news report the US war on Iran as if it were a playground altercation. And the Washington Post calls the illegal violation of another sovereign state  a “political problem” Trump “can't shake.” If war were a football match, we could have a different conversation, and who takes the L would be a different story. But war is not a sport, and dead people are not afterthoughts. As a corollary, people worry that the war on Iran has pushed the genocide in Gaza out of corporate media's attention. But media outlets make their own choices about what to present to us. And: Media attention isn't change. Being on the front page guarantees nothing. There will never be a substitute for our learning about what's being done in our name and with our resources, and if your paper of record isn't doing that, you should seek other sources. We hear about Iran, Gaza, Lebanon and the costs of war with Phyllis Bennis, fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies, international advisor with Jewish Voice for Peace and author of numerous books, most recently one called Understanding Palestine and Israel, out last year from Olive Branch Press.   CounterSpin provides a critical examination of the each week's major news stories, and exposes what the mainstream media may have missed in their own coverage. Produced by the national media watch group FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting). The post Phyllis Bennis on Iran War Costs appeared first on KPFA.

Newly published research at Georgia State University found that rental properties in historically Black, lower-income neighborhoods are mostly locally owned by absentee landlords in whiter, more affluent neighborhoods. But the rental properties in those more affluent neighborhoods are largely owned by landlords outside of the region and even the state of Georgia. Taylor Shelton, is an associate professor in the department of geosciences and Ryan Pardue, is a doctoral student in the Urban Studies Institute at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. Both Shelton and Pardue collaborated on the GSU study and discussed it on this edition of “Closer Look.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Palestine Post, we look at Israel's genocidal assaults on Palestine and the region, US complicity in those assaults, the people's resistance, and the impact across the globe. We invite Khury Petersen-Smith, the Michael Ratner Middle East Fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies, where he researches U.S. empire, borders, and migration, to unpack these questions. —- Subscribe to this podcast: https://plinkhq.com/i/1637968343?to=page Get in touch: lawanddisorder@kpfa.org Follow us on socials @LawAndDis: https://twitter.com/LawAndDis; https://www.instagram.com/lawanddis/   The post Palestine Post with Khury Petersen-Smith appeared first on KPFA.

Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh fobbed off talk that he would face a challenge to his position at the party’s proceedings on June 28. The results from the party’s internal meetings showed that most party members are still very much behind him. What does this mean for the WP, and has the party turned the page on the saga involving Raeesah Khan? In this episode, I chat with Tham Yuen-C, senior political correspondent at The Straits Times who has covered WP for about a decade, and Dr Teo Kay Key, a senior research fellow at IPS Social Lab at the Institute of Policy Studies, who studies public opinion, and political and social attitudes. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:54 Is Pritam Singh invincible? 5:50 Who are the unhappy cadres? 8:27 What the “supermajority” vote says 10:46 Cult of personality around Pritam Singh? 16:10 Party stability comes first 20:15 “Pretty much business as usual.” 23:57 End of Raeesah-gate? Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65 Edited by: Eden Soh & Natasha Liew Executive producer: Danson Cheong Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #tup #tuptrfSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Philip Maldari sits in for Brian Edwards-Tiekert. Philip speaks with John Feffer, director of Foreign Policy in Focus at the Institute for Policy Studies, about Russia's war in Ukraine. Then, Khury Petersen-Smith, Michael Ratner Middle East Fellow and co-director of the New Internationalism Project at the Institute for Policy Studies, joins the program to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East.   UpFront delivers a mix of local, state, and international coverage through challenging interviews, civil debates, breaking updates, and in-depth discussions with authors. The post UpFront – June 22, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

Phyllis Bennis, activist, author and program director of the New Internationalism Project at the Institute for Policy Studies, shares her thoughts on the tentative Iranian deal and tells why there is no bigger Trump lie right now than him saying the war is good for us or the world. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

This week on Talk World Radio we're talking about what the U.S. military does to Hawaii and what Hawaii could be without a massive military occupation. Our guest, Christine Ahn, is an Associate Fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies. She is the Founder and former Executive Director of Women Cross DMZ, a global movement of women mobilizing to end the Korean War and ensure women's leadership in peace building. In 2015, she led 30 international women peacemakers across the De-Militarized Zone (DMZ) from North Korea, which was the subject of the award-winning 2023 PBS documentary, Crossings. IPS and a number of partners have released a new report called "The True Cost Of The U.S. Military In Hawaiʻi: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Economic, Environmental, Strategic, and Social Impacts of the U.S. Military Presence in Hawai'i." See: https://www.ips-dc.org/report-true-cost-of-u-s-military-bases-in-hawaii

There's $326 billion sitting in charitable accounts that face no legal requirement to ever pay out a cent — and the 2026 IPO wave is about to add hundreds of thousands more. Donor-advised funds are now 11 of the top 20 charities in the US by contributions, and the same vehicle that could fund the climate transition has spent two decades quietly funding the movement against it.In this episode, Susan Su reveals how DAFs became the fastest-growing force in American philanthropy, why that should bother anyone who cares about climate, and what donors can actually do about it.We cover:How financialization turned a sleepy 1931 community-foundation tool into the biggest charity engine in the country, once Fidelity, Vanguard, and Schwab got involved in the 1990sWhy DAFs are a regulatory free pass — immediate tax deduction, no payout requirement, near-total anonymity, and a clean way to erase capital gains before an IPOThe real cost to everyone else: the Institute for Policy Studies estimate that every $1 in a DAF carries a $0.74 taxpayer subsidyWhat's hiding behind the headline 20% payout rate, and why the median account tells a different storyHow DonorsTrust and Donors Capital Fund moved $479 million in untraceable money into the anti-climate movement — and how Fidelity, Schwab, and Vanguard routed $171 million to the groups behind Project 2025Why the IPO wave won't just mint a few whales but half a million minnows — the median Fidelity DAF holds just $23,500, which makes this everyone's problemFour ways DAF capital is uniquely suited to climate: catalytic first-loss equity, concessionary debt for first-of-a-kind projects, pooled funds, and funding the public goods markets ignoreOnly about 3% of US charitable giving goes to all environmental causes combined. Religious causes got 28% in 2020. The tool takes no sides — but right now, only one side is using it at scale.Read the full essay at climatemoney.substack.com.Warning: this could radicalize you.

The latest episode of the Center for Immigration Studies podcast examines a recent U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) memo emphasizing that adjustment of status - the process allowing certain aliens, either temporary visa holders or unlawfully present, who are eligible for permanent residence to obtain it without leaving the United States - is a discretionary benefit and not a guaranteed alternative to consular processing abroad.The discussion between Senior Legal Fellow George Fishman and Director of Policy Studies Jessica Vaughan is accompanied by a new report and a policy blog on the subject.Among the key findings:Congress created adjustment of status under section 245 of the new Immigration and Nationality Act in 1952 largely to eliminate the need for temporary visa holders already in the United States to travel outside the U.S. for immigrant visa processing to permanent status.In FY2023, which is the most recent year for which statistics on adjustment of status admissions are available, the number of adjustments was 608,260 out of 1,172,910 total immigrant admissions, or 52 percent. Of these adjustments, by far the largest share were in the category of Immediate Relatives (315,830). In contrast, in 2023 only 146,880 people adjusted in all the employment categories combined, although this represented 75 percent of all employment LPR admissions.The policy change is expected to have its greatest impact on certain family-based applicants, including some who overstayed visas, violated the terms of admission, or entered illegally and received parole.While USCIS has broad discretion in adjustment decisions, courts have held that such discretion is not unlimited and may be reviewed for abuse of discretion.Existing legal precedent does not clearly support treating the mere act of seeking adjustment of status as a negative factor weighing against an applicant.USCIS has indicated that it may exercise discretion and offer some applicants the opportunity to adjust if it is in the national interest, such as in the case of applicants with meaningful employment or for humanitarian considerations.Fishman's report concludes that the legal significance of the directive will depend on how USCIS implements it in practice. If denial rates rise substantially or applications are denied absent meaningful adverse factors, litigation challenging those decisions is likely to follow (if federal courts allow legal challenges to adjustment denials outside of removal proceedings).Vaughan argues that the policy could strengthen the integrity of the immigration system as overstayers and parolees will no longer apply for fear of being caught for extended unlawful presence.HostMark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.GuestsJessica Vaughan is the Director of Policy Studies at the Center for Immigration Studies.George Fishman is a Senior Legal Fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies.LinksUSCIS Upends the Status Quo for Adjustment of StatusUSCIS Blocks Green Card Shortcut for Overstayers and ParoleesIntro MontageVoices in the opening montage:Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".

Iain Dale is joined on Cross Question this evening by Telegraph journalist and former Tory adviser Kirsty Buchanan, Alfie Stirling from the left-leaning Joseph Rowntree Foundation think tank, Emma Revell from the right-leaning Centre for Policy Studies think tank and former Labour Party official Richard Power-Sayeed.

Lord Michael Spencer on the CPS, Conservative Renewal, and Making the Case for Enterprise Jimmy interviews Lord Michael Spencer at the Centre for Policy Studies' Margaret Thatcher Enterprise Conference in London, discussing Spencer's career founding ICAP and his current role chairing the CPS as it recruits a new executive director to succeed Robert Colvile. Spencer explains what a think tank and its chair do, arguing the CPS should build detailed, sequenced pro-growth policy plans for a Conservative opposition and communicate them more effectively through broadcast media and podcasts. 00:00 Conference Setup 01:44 Meet Lord Spencer 01:52 Building ICAP 03:47 Conservative Party Years 06:42 Leading the CPS 10:17 Hiring New Director 14:36 Making Case for Business 17:38 Westminster Talent Problem 19:17 Think Tanks and Funding 24:15 Closing Thanks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ralph speaks to Dr. Marina Nord of the V-Dem Institute about this year's V-Dem Democracy Report and how the Trump Administration is dismantling democracy in the US. Then, Ralph welcomes Dr. Ralph Estes to discuss corporations' shady accounting practices.Dr. Marina Nord is a postdoctoral research fellow at the V-Dem Institute. She is co-author of V-Dem's Democracy Report 2026: “Unraveling The Democratic Era?”.Only six countries during the 21st century have registered larger one-year drops on the aggregate Liberal Democracy Index [than the United States] —and all of them are coups. If you look at the last almost 250 years (so for which we have data going back to 1789), there were only thirty-five instances of more rapid dismantling of democracy—almost all of them were either military coups or international interventions.Dr. Marina NordWe do not measure [Trump's] words. We measure how institutions function de facto. And what is a lot more important for us is not only what he says, but how other institutions (checks and balances) function to constrain him. And one of the things that we see, for example, is that Congress is not constraining him in any way. And this is very, very serious, because if you have a President who violates the law, who violates the Constitution, you should have the judiciary who stand up, the Supreme Court who should stand up to protect the Constitution. You should have the Congress who is not allowed to [abdicate power to the executive]. And this is something that is very, very concerning, a lot more concerning than what Trump is saying. What I find a lot more concerning is that there are no checks and balances to constrain him.Dr. Marina NordWhen looking at the data, we also looked at the countries who managed to stop autocrats similar to Trump. And we tried to analyze which factors contributed to stopping democratic backsliding and turning it around. So research shows that, of course, there is no single recipe, but there are several combinations of factors that may help. One of them is: use whatever institutional safeguards that you still have in the United States…The second thing that we know that still works quite well is robust societal action. And by that we mean not only demonstrations similar to the No Kings protests, but sustained protests, mass pro-democracy protests…And then, of course, one of the things that still should be a possibility to turn things around is the midterm elections.Dr. Marina NordDr. Ralph Estes is Emeritus professor of business and accounting at American University in Washington, D.C., co-founder and vice president of The Center for Advancement of Public Policy, and Emeritus Trustee at the Institute for Policy Studies. He is the author of several books, including Tyranny of the Bottom Line: Why Corporations Make Good People Do Bad Things and Fight the Corpocracy, Take Back Democracy: A Mad As Hell Guide for the 99%.The public has no way of fairly evaluating a corporation except through the press, what it sees in corporate press releases and their claims about being, for example, environmentally responsible and very favorable to customers. And there are no measures on that. Corporation doesn't give us any. Corporation produces a set of financial statements. You won't know how relevant those financial statements are to you and me. They're not relevant at all… In terms of social performance, there's nothing in the corporate reports, the formal reports, that is reliable. Again, you're stuck with what the corporation claims or what the politicians who are lobbying for contributions will admit corporations do… But this is a problem. If the corporation doesn't report it, if the citizens don't know about it, the politicians can try to do something, but they have to start from scratch.Dr. Ralph EstesNews 5/15/26* We begin this week with a bombshell story from Latin America. This week, El País broke what they are calling “Hondurasgate,” an expose centering on leaked audio recordings of conversations between President Donald Trump, Argentinian President Javier Milei and former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández – who was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison on drug trafficking charges in the U.S. but pardoned by Trump last year. In these leaked recordings, the three current and former heads of state discuss the creation of a “channel of spreading fake news with the intention of misinforming and destabilizing” Leftist governments in the region, including those of Gustavo Petro in Colombia and Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico. According to this report, the leaks reveal the involvement of another world leader – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – in the decision to pardon Hernández. El País writes the leaks prove the pardoning of Hernández was “not a gesture of clemency, but the down payment of a broader agreement.” Expect more damning information to come out as more recordings are unearthed, even if so far the American media has largely blacked out this stunning story.* At the same time the Trump administration is seeking to subtly undermine governments like Mexico's, they are executing considerably less subtle covert operations there as well. On March 28th, an explosion blew up the car of alleged narco Francisco Beltran just outside Mexico City. CNN now reports that, while “Mexican authorities have maintained extreme secrecy around the explosion,” multiple sources confirm that this was “a targeted assassination,” carried out by the CIA. Not only that, this operation is reportedly just one of several assassinations carried out by the CIA against rank-and-file cartel members on foreign soil which began last year. Troublingly, CNN notes these operations could be illegal under Mexican law, which prohibits foreign agents from participating in law enforcement operations without the express permission of the federal government. Omar Garcia Harfuch, Mexico's Secretary of Security released a statement indicating that the Mexican government has not granted any such permission, writing “The Government of Mexico categorically rejects any version that seeks to normalize, justify, or suggest the existence of lethal, covert, or unilateral operations by foreign agencies on national territory.”* One ironic aspect of the joint right-wing destabilization effort and CIA covert operations campaign both currently underway in Mexico is the fact that the Sheinbaum government has affected a stunning reduction in murders throughout the country. According to Mexico Solidarity Media, the daily average of intentional homicides has been reduced by 40% between the beginning of the Sheinbaum administration in October 2024 and April 30, 2026, with that last month hitting the lowest level in over a decade – comparable in fact to the United States. We can only hope that Sheinbaum is able to stay the course and continue to drive down the murder rate while simultaneously avoiding the destabilization campaigns being waged against her government.* In Colombia, another state targeted in the Hondurasgate plot, Ivan Cepeda continues to consolidate progressive forces in that country ahead of the presidential election, aiming for a first round victory. This week, Luis Gilberto Murillo, a center-left presidential candidate, dropped out and endorsed Cepeda. While Murillo never rose very high in the polls, he has held high positions in the Colombian government – including Minister of Environment and governor of the department of Choco as well as Colombia's ambassador to the United States and later foreign minister under Gustavo Petro.Colombia One notes that this is the second such withdrawal in recent weeks, with Senator Clara López doing the same, indicating a serious intention among the progressive forces in Colombia to stave off a second round of the presidential election, which could see the right-wing consolidate against Cepeda in a way they have thus far been unable to do ahead of the first round.* Meanwhile, El Salvador's Nayib Bukele, a standard bearer for the Latin American Right and a close ally of President Trump, is mired in a new scandal involving his dealings with the MS-13 gang and his ensuing attempts to silence the press. According to PBS, last month the Salvadoran outlet El Faro, in conjunction with PBS FRONTLINE released a documentary titled The Deal: Trump, Bukele & the Gangs of El Salvador, which “uncovered evidence that Bukele's administration had offered privileges to gang leaders in prison in exchange for a reduction in homicides and voter support in territories the gangs controlled.” Now, in retaliation for publishing this story, Bukele has reportedly “frozen the personal assets of two of [El Faro's] shareholders,” including editor-in-chief Carlos Dada who said in a press conference that “These are not fiscal measures…They are political measures trying to silence us.” This article notes that the facts presented in The Deal are particularly damning to Bukele, because of his public claims that he “would never negotiate with gangs” because it would grant them legitimacy. Just as it is ironic that the Trump administration is seeking to destabilize the Mexican government while it dramatically reduces murders, so too is it ironic that it is seeking to bolster the Bukele regime even as it carries out secretive deals with the very gangs the U.S. claims to be fighting.* In a wholly different part of the world, the centrist Labour Party government of Keir Starmer in the UK is teetering on the brink of collapse. Starmer's popularity has been declining precipitously ever since he entered office, but the crisis of confidence from within his own party accelerated after the disastrous results of the May 7th local elections. Now, according to CNN, over 100 members of his party in Parliament are calling for him to resign, but the only way to trigger a leadership challenge is for at least 81 Labour MPs to coalesce around a single challenger – and as yet, none have crossed that threshold. Starmer himself has refused to stand down, challenging any other claimants to come forward. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has come the closest to openly challenging Starmer, even resigning his post in the government but stopping short of formally announcing a leadership challenge, the BBC reports. For now, Starmer continues to cling to power but each day could be his last at No. 10.* Turning to American foreign policy news, this week the Senate voted down yet another War Powers Resolution on Iran – the seventh such attempt since the war began in late February. What is notable about this resolution is that it won the support of the most GOP Senators yet – Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska – yet still failed by a margin of 50-49 because Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania crossed party lines to vote against the resolution. This from CBS. Even with Fetterman's disloyalty, this vote is significant for the number of Republicans who broke ranks, perhaps indicating a growing unease with the war and particularly its impact on the price of consumer goods, beginning with gasoline and cascading from there.* In more congressional news, Southern states are scrambling to act in the wake of the Callais decision. In South Carolina and Mississippi, state officials have rejected attempts to call special sessions to redraw congressional maps before this year's midterms. But, NPR reports Alabama is moving towards a new map that, like Louisiana, will likely include just one single largely Black, Democratic-leaning congressional district. However, even though some of these states are holding off on redrawing these districts today, it does not mean those districts will be safe tomorrow. And in Tennessee, where the legislature is moving ahead with a plan to do away with the state's majority Black 9th congressional district in a special session – resulting in a revolt by Democrats in the legislature – the Republicans are retaliating by stripping all Democrats from their standing committee seats for “creating disorder,” per StateAffairs.com. Expect this process to get more contentious, and plain uglier, as it grinds ahead.* Next, a story in Fortune highlights the cost of data center construction. According to this story, the nearly 50,000 permanent residents of the California ski resort town of Lake Tahoe – which regularly attracts 25 to 28 million visitors annually – will soon be disconnected from their traditional power source, NV Energy. NV supplies the power to Liberty Utilities, which services the area directly, and NV has informed Liberty that it will stop providing power after May 2027. That power will instead be redirected to data centers, leaving Liberty Utilities less than a year to find another power source. This story notes that “Northern Nevada has become one of the fastest-growing data-center corridors in the country,” with Google, Apple, and Microsoft all having built or planning to build facilities in the area. Gallingly, just last fall NV Energy's director of business development said the company was “eager to serve the new industrial load” but that it would not “impact [their] existing customer base.” This is a troubling preview of what may come as data center expansion continues unchecked.* Finally, in a story that proves once again that corporate greed knows no limits, the Lever is out with a new report on a class-action lawsuit by consumers against “private equity-backed bowling giant Bowlero.” According to the Lever, the suit accuses Bowlero of executing a “‘multi-year anticompetitive scheme to consolidate bowling centers,' which has led to skyrocketing bowling prices, deteriorating lanes, and ‘the veritable destruction of the decades-old pastime of bowling in America.'” The numbers back up this narrative. Bowlero, which had just six locations in 2012, has exploded to 350 today. The company is said to control roughly 35 percent of U.S. bowling revenue – and 95% of all lanes in some markets – as well as acquiring the Professional Bowling Association itself. As with any monopoly, once it had cornered the market Bowlero proceeded to jack up prices, even using AI to do so algorithmically. In a sense, this is a story we have all heard too many times to be surprised, but we can still be shocked by the base greed of corporate executives, even in something as seemingly anodyne as the bowling industry.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Mike joins Dr. Choi Kang, President of the Seoul-based Asan Institute for Policy Studies, to break down the latest results from the Institute's annual public opinion poll and what they reveal about how South Koreans view today's most pressing security challenges. Why is Japan's Prime Minister the most popular global leader among South Koreans? What's driving record-high support for the U.S.–ROK alliance? And why is backing for an indigenous nuclear deterrent simultaneously rising to unprecedented levels? Mike and Dr. Choi unpack the data and what it means for South Korea's strategic direction on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.

The Center for Immigration Studies has released a new episode of its weekly podcast analyzing the Trump administration's use of travel restrictions and visa limitations affecting dozens of countries. In the episode, Jessica Vaughan, CIS's Director of Policy Studies, explains that the administration has implemented a series of “more expansive and more targeted” travel restrictions […]

The Center for Immigration Studies has released a new episode of its weekly podcast analyzing the Trump administration's use of travel restrictions and visa limitations affecting dozens of countries.In the episode, Jessica Vaughan, CIS's Director of Policy Studies, explains that the administration has implemented a series of “more expansive and more targeted” travel restrictions than seen in his first administration – affecting 75 countries through a combination of full bans, partial restrictions, and category-specific limitations.“These policies are not one-size-fits-all,” Vaughan notes. “They are tailored to specific concerns, including national security risks, weak identity verification systems, and high visa overstay rates, some exceeding 50 percent in certain categories. The restrictions are subject to periodic review.”Additionally, the podcast examines a January 2026 State Department pause on immigrant visa issuance for certain countries under public charge considerations, affecting nations with high rates of welfare use among immigrants.Vaughan's discussion with CIS Executive Director and podcast host Mark Krikorian covers how Congress has granted the president authority to restrict entry in the national interest, forming the legal basis for these measures. Currently, restrictions vary widely:Some countries face full entry bans;Others are subject to partial limits, such as restrictions on student or tourist visas;Waivers are available for compelling cases.Vaughan emphasizes that these policies coincide with a broader effort to strengthen vetting processes at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the State Department. This includes expanded fraud detection, a new National Vetting Center, and more special agents being hired.The policies are already reducing entries and agency workload, but their full impact remains unclear, as the administration has not yet released detailed data.In his closing commentary, Krikorian discusses two blog posts this week on assimilation in Miami, by Resident Scholar Jason Richwine. The experience of Miami shows that assimilation into the mainstream is not inevitable and automatic, and that large-scale admissions can make receiving communities unrecognizable. Keeping immigration low and slow is the key to successful assimilation.HostMark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.GuestJessica Vaughan is the Director of Policy Studies at the Center for Immigration Studies.LinksPublic Charge PauseExec Order on travel bansMiami: A Failure of the Assimilation ModelMore on Miami as a Failure of AssimilationIntro MontageVoices in the opening montage:Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".

This episode is a recording of a webinar panel hosted by International Allies Against Mining, moderated by Yvette Borja, with Vidalina Morales, President of the Association for Social and Economic Development of Santa Marta, John Kavanaugh, Senior Advisor at the Institute for Policy Studies, and Luis Parada, Senior Counsel for Sovereign Arbitration Advisors. They discuss the 12 year long fight to pass the historic 2017 metals mining ban and the continued interest that mining companies have demonstrated in El Salvador. Support the podcast by becoming a patron: https://patreon.com/radiocachimbona?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinkRead Yvette and Jorge's article describing their experience observing the Santa Marta 5 criminal trial: https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5q43k0hpFollow @radiocachimbona on Instagram, X, and Facebook

National Lawyers Guild former President Marjorie Cohn: Supreme Court Kills Voting Rights Act, Green-Lights Return of New ‘Jim Crow' EraInstitute for Policy Studies' Phyllis Bennis: Is the U.S.-Israel War on Iran About to Reignite?Coal River Mountain Watch Executive Director Vernon Haltom: As Trump Pushes to Extract More Coal, Mountaintop Removal Mining Linked to Severe Health ImpactsBob Nixon's Under-reported News Summary• Arizona's SNAP participation rate craters—portends crisis for most vulnerable in America• Islamist militants seize Mali's capital city after the defense minister is assassinated• Papua New Guinea human rights activist wins 2026 Goldman Environmental prizeVisit our website at BTLonline.org for  more information, in-depth interviews, related links,  transcripts and subscribe to our BTL Weekly Summary and/or podcasts. New episodes every Wednesday at 12 noon ET,  website updated Wednesdays after 4 p.m. ETProduced by Squeaky Wheel Productions: Scott Harris, Melinda Tuhus, Bob Nixon, Anna Manzo, Susan Bramhall, Jeff Yates and Mary Hunt. Theme music by Richard Hill and Mikata. 

National Lawyers Guild former President Marjorie Cohn: Supreme Court Kills Voting Rights Act, Green-Lights Return of New ‘Jim Crow' EraInstitute for Policy Studies' Phyllis Bennis: Is the U.S.-Israel War on Iran About to Reignite?Coal River Mountain Watch Executive Director Vernon Haltom: As Trump Pushes to Extract More Coal, Mountaintop Removal Mining Linked to Severe Health ImpactsBob Nixon's Under-reported News Summary• Arizona's SNAP participation rate craters—portends crisis for most vulnerable in America• Islamist militants seize Mali's capital city after the defense minister is assassinated• Papua New Guinea human rights activist wins 2026 Goldman Environmental prizeVisit our website at BTLonline.org for  more information, in-depth interviews, related links and transcripts and to sign up for our BTL Weekly Summary. New episodes every Wednesday at 12 noon ET,  website updated Wednesdays after 4 p.m. ETProduced by Squeaky Wheel Productions: Scott Harris, Melinda Tuhus, Bob Nixon, Anna Manzo, Susan Bramhall, Jeff Yates and Mary Hunt. Theme music by Richard Hill and Mikata. 

X: @simonedegale @americasrt1776 @ileaderssummit @NatashaSrdoc @JoelAnandUSA @supertalk @JTitMVirginia Join America's Roundtable radio co-hosts Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy with a guest from London, Great Britain - Simone de Gale, a Chartered Architect who qualified at the Architectural Association in Bedford Square, London. She has served on the Royal Institute of British Architects board as Honorary Treasurer and board trustee. Simone also engages with the Britain's Royal Family as her affiliation with organizations in the field of urban planning and architecture are connected to Kensington Palace, a royal residence situated within Kensington Gardens in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London, England. She is the driving force behind SGA's Westminster based organization, an Award Winning Architecture Practice which operates in UK and internationally. Simone is shaping innovative architecture throughout London and Internationally. She has won many awards and accolades including the Winner 'Architect of the Year' Women in Construction. The conversation is focused on America and Britain's challenges and opportunities in the housing sector as a new generation and first home buyers face skyrocketing prices and fewer choices. We are also looking for solutions and best practices in the areas of urban planning, infrastructure and long-term growth. In April 2026 via AP: WASHINGTON (AP) — White House economists estimate the United States has a shortage of 10 million houses, according to a new report — and say regulatory cuts could lead to more construction to stabilize prices, increase home ownership and fuel faster economic growth. From a UK think tank: New analysis by the Centre for Policy Studies reveals that the UK has a shortage of 6.5 million homes when compared to similar European countries. Britain has just 446 homes per 1,000 people, the second worst rate in Europe. This compares to 560 in France, 516 in Germany, and a European average of 542. americasrt.com https://ileaderssummit.org/ | https://jerusalemleaderssummit.com/ America's Roundtable on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/americas-roundtable/id1518878472 X: @simonedegale @ileaderssummit @americasrt1776 @NatashaSrdoc @JoelAnandUSA @supertalk @JTitMVirginia America's Roundtable is co-hosted by Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy, co-founders of International Leaders Summit and the Jerusalem Leaders Summit. America's Roundtable radio program focuses on America's economy, healthcare reform, rule of law, security and trade, and its strategic partnership with rule of law nations around the world. The radio program features high-ranking US administration officials, cabinet members, members of Congress, state government officials, distinguished diplomats, business and media leaders and influential thinkers from around the world. Tune into America's Roundtable Radio program from Washington, DC via live streaming on Saturday mornings via 68 radio stations at 7:30 A.M. (ET) on Lanser Broadcasting Corporation covering the Michigan and the Midwest market, and at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk Mississippi — SuperTalk.FM reaching listeners in every county within the State of Mississippi, and neighboring states in the South including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Tune into WTON in Central Virginia on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. (ET). Listen to America's Roundtable on digital platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Google and other key online platforms. Listen live, Saturdays at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk | https://www.supertalk.fm

Segment 1: The Corporate Welfare Problem Sarah Anderson, Global Economy Director at the Institute for Policy Studies, joins us to break down a staggering new report on America's 20 largest low-wage employers. While companies like Walmart, Amazon, and Home Depot report record profits and spend billions on stock buybacks, their median worker pay often falls below the threshold for Medicaid and SNAP. Key Discussion Points: The Buyback Betrayal: How Home Depot could have given every employee a $15,000 annual bonus with the money they spent on stock buybacks. Public Subsidies for Poverty Wages: Why taxpayers are effectively picking up the tab for corporate executives' ultra-wealth. The Policy Solution: Success stories from Portland's CEO pay-ratio tax and the movement to bring it to LA and San Francisco. Segment 2: Transportation Workers Under Fire Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department (AFL-CIO), returns for his monthly update on the legislative battles in D.C. From "clumsy" bill drafting to the ongoing struggle for TSA dignity, transportation workers are facing a multi-front war. Key Discussion Points: The Overtime Tax Flaw: Why workers covered by the Railway Labor Act are currently excluded from a $25,000 overtime tax deduction—and the coalition of 24 unions fighting to fix it. Second-Class Federal Employees: The urgent need for the TSA Workforce Rights Act to give TSOs the same Title 5 protections as their DHS colleagues. The Jones Act Smoke Screen: Why the administration's Jones Act waiver is "political theater" that won't actually lower your gas prices. Go Behind the Scenes of the Labor Movement Every victory at the bargaining table starts with workers standing together. Subscribe to the America's Work Force Union Podcast for daily interviews with the leaders and organizers building worker power across America.

https://media.blubrry.com/counterspin/content.blubrry.com/counterspin/CounterSpin260417.mp3 Right-click here to download this episode (“Save link as…”). Inequality.org (3/4/26) This week on CounterSpin:  Tesla reported $5.7 billion in US profits in 2025 and paid $0.0 in taxes. As Rebecca Crosby and Judd Legum at Popular Information report, there's little mystery to this miracle: Tesla used corporate tax breaks, proffered by Trump and co. in what reporters with straight faces call the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—including 100% bonus depreciation; and they exploited a long-standing deduction for executive stock options. At least 88 profitable corporations have reported paying $0 in federal income taxes last year, according to the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy. Citigroup, CVS, Walt Disney—they “made” billions but, weirdly it turns out, they somehow owe the federal government bupkis, whereas you and I are playing a chump's game, evidently. Cheaters cheat, grifters grift, but why do news media label companies “successful” when that success stems from cheating and grifting and, crucially, shafting their workers? Sarah Anderson directs the Global Economy Project at the Institute for Policy Studies and co-edits the site Inequality.org. She's written a new report that gets to the heart of America's “Low-Wage Employers and the Affordability Crisis.” We hear from her this week. https://media.blubrry.com/counterspin/content.blubrry.com/counterspin/CounterSpin260417Anderson.mp3 Fight for the Future (4/13/26) Also on the show: The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine is a nonprofit digital library with the fundamental mission of preserving web pages. For example, a union organizer used it to look up old job listings and check how what the company says it offers has shifted over time. When police edited a press release after a journalist reported on it, and then said her report was false, she was able to prove that the department had changed their statement. It's kind of Information 101. But it's under threat. We hear about that from artist and activist Lia Holland, campaigns and communications director at the group Fight for the Future. https://media.blubrry.com/counterspin/content.blubrry.com/counterspin/CounterSpin260417Holland.mp3

Income inequality in the U.S. is surging, reminiscent of the Gilded Age, according to Inequality.org, a project of the Institute for Policy Studies. According to the Congressional Budget Office, between 1979 and 2021 the average income of the top 0.1 percent of households grew almost 27 times as fast as that of the bottom 20 percent. Which brings us to a question being asked across the country today: Should the very rich be subject to a special tax? USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé joins The Excerpt to discuss the possibility of a wealth tax.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. Episode transcript available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do illegal aliens commit less crime than American citizens? To find the answer, we follow the stories of a legal immigrant and veteran whose lives were forever impacted by illegal aliens. Along the way, we speak to Jessica Vaughn, Director of Policy Studies for the Center of Immigration Studies. The media tells us that illegal aliens are better in almost every way than American citizens…but the reality tells a different story.Support the show: https://redpilledamerica.com/support/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.