Pod Save the World

Tommy and Ben discuss the latest news from Afghanistan, Tucker Carlson’s adventures with fascists in Hungary, the state of US-Iran relations, the shortcomings of the global coronavirus vaccination campaign, updates from Myanmar, the defection of a Belarusian sprinter at the Tokyo Olympics and more. Then Ben talks to German climate activist Luisa Neubauer about how Germany's summer of intense weather has impacted the politics of climate action there.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss the criminal charges against Trump’s inaugural committee chair Tom Barrack, President Biden's meeting with the prime minister of Iraq, why the Israeli government is attacking Ben and Jerry's, Xi Jinping's visit to Tibet and tons of Olympic news. Then Tommy talks to journalist Fadil Aliriza about why the Tunisian president dismissed the prime minister and Parliament.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss unrest and inequality in South Africa, the spyware for profit industry in Israel, Chinese cyberattacks, climate change news, updates from Haiti and Cuba, Jeff Bezos' trip to space, whether the Australian prime minister pooped his pants and more. Then Mohamed Soltan joins Ben to talk about claims the US government pledged to incarcerate him after he was released from Egyptian prison and why it is so critical that the Biden administration rethink American policy towards Egypt.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss the assassination of Haitian president Jovenel Moïse, the ongoing protests in Cuba, how President Biden should respond to ransomware attacks, new US ambassador nominations, the impact of heat waves on marine life, a new dating app in Iran, and soccer and Olympics news. Then Haitian journalist Widlore Meráncourt talks to Tommy about the political situation in Haiti and the context for American intervention in the country.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss the US withdrawal from Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, why billionaires are racing to ride rockets, Xi Jinping’s speech celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party, potential updates to American sanctions policy, the financial crisis in Lebanon, a meeting between Saudi and American government officials and more. Then Ben talks to journalist Rana Ayyub about why the Indian government is targeting her over a tweet and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s larger crackdown on free speech. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss updates on the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the discovery of hundreds of bodies at former residential schools for Indigenous children in Canada, Saudi mercenaries getting trained in the US, Russian war crimes in the Central African Republic, the ongoing civil war in Ethiopia, Hungary’s latest attack on LGBTQ rights, Boris Johnson’s big boat boondoggle, a helicopter rescue of naked sunbathers in Australia and more. Then former US ambassador to the UK and Sweden joins Tommy to tell some of his best stories from his time abroad and talk about his approach to leadership.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss the results of the presidential election in Iran, regional elections in France and why Justin Bieber went to visit the French president, the impact of the Putin-Biden summit, Bitcoin use in El Salvador, the latest from Afghanistan and Hong Kong, and rumors about a Chinese spy. Then Tommy talks to Congresswoman Norma Torres about how to make foreign aid programs more effective in Northern Triangle countries.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss President Biden’s first foreign trip and meeting with Vladimir Putin, the end of Bibi Netanyahu’s 15 year hold on power, a Twitter ban in Nigeria, a breakthrough in the fight against dengue fever, why Kim Jong-Un is railing against K-Pop and more. Then writer Yair Rosenberg joins Tommy for a deep-dive on Israel’s new coalition government.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss how Bibi Netanyahu has gone full Trump in an attempt to break up the opposition coalition in Israel, presidential elections in Nicaragua and Peru, crackdowns on journalists in Myanmar, how the US government seized money back from hackers, AI drones, controversial Ukrainian soccer jerseys and more. Then Ben talks to Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer about President Joe Biden's first international trip and why he is meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Ben and guest co-host journalist Afua Hirsch do a deep dive into the biggest stories in British politics including Dominic Cummings' damning testimony, Boris Johnson's secret wedding, why Viktor Orbán was at Number 10 Downing Street, and where the Labour party goes from its most recent defeat. They also talk about the latest deal that might oust Bibi Netanyahu from office, the coup in Mali, the humanitarian crisis in Tigray, German acknowledgment of a genocide in what is now Namibia, the new three-child policy in China, updates from Hong Kong, and Naomi Osaka's decision to withdraw from the French Open. Then Ben interviews the mayor of Budapest Gergely Karácsony about his run for Hungarian prime minister and how he plans to defeat Viktor Orbán.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss how the Belarusian president forced a plan to land so he could arrest a journalist, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, a spike in coronavirus cases in Japan ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, more theories about the origins of coronavirus, a coup in Samoa, why John Cena had to apologize for calling Taiwan a country and more. Then USAID Administrator Samantha Power joins Ben to talk about her development agenda and how the agency can actually help get coronavirus vaccines into arms around the world.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben do a deep dive into the latest news on the fighting between Israel and Hamas and what the Biden administration has said about it. They also talk about proposed changes to how the military handles sexual assault case, the bourgeoning film industry in outer space, coercive birth control policies in Xinjiang and a prank pulled on those perpetuating the Big Lie. Then Congresswoman Betty McCollum joins Tommy to discuss her bill to condition military aid to Israel.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben talk about the escalating violence in Israel and Gaza, cyberattacks on American infrastructure, a deadly police raid in Brazil, updates on Alexey Navalny’s situation, President Biden’s decision to back coronavirus vaccine patent waivers and more. Then, foreign policy analyst Rula Jebreal joins Ben to discuss the context for the latest outbreak of fighting in Israel and Gaza and how we should be thinking about asymmetries of power.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss all the latest news out of Iran and the Iran deal negotiations, reports about mysterious directed energy attacks against Americans, the Biden administration’s North Korea policy, a deadly stampede in Israel, fighting on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, the fury of Manchester United Fans and more. Then journalist Rana Ayyub joins Tommy to talk about the devastating wave of coronavirus cases in India and how Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is making it worse.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss President Biden’s ambitious new climate goals, the coronavirus outbreak in India, American recognition of the Armenian genocide, Chloé Zhao’s Oscar win and censorship in China, leaked audio from the Iranian foreign minister and more. Then Ben talks to Pulitzer Prize winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen about cultural depictions of the Vietnam War and the links between colonialism and capitalism.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss the president of Chad’s mysterious death, Vladimir Putin's imprisonment of Alexei Navalny, the devastating coronavirus outbreak in India, updates on what actually happened at the Natanz nuclear facility, SPACE HELICOPTERS!!, a not so super idea for a soccer league and more. Then Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer joins Tommy for a conversation on the Biden administration's Russia policy and the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss the cyberattack on an Iranian nuclear facility, Biden's plans to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by September 11th, whether MBS spent almost half a billion on a forged painting, violence in Northern Ireland, escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, sports nationalism and more. Then Ben talks to journalist Afua Hirsch about how Boris Johnson's government has embraced racism and the complicated legacy of Prince Philip. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Nearly two dozen people are arrested in Jordan as confusion swirls about whether a coup was being plotted there. Calls to boycott the 2022 Olympics in Beijing pick up momentum, including from within the United States. New reporting sheds light on violence taking place in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. And more. Then, Tommy talks with Washington Post reporter Joby Warrick about his book, “Red Line: The Unraveling of Syria and America's Race to Destroy the Most Dangerous Arsenal in the World.”For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben walk through the inconclusive results of the latest Israeli election, how Covid and bad political leadership is devastating Brazil, the Suez Canal, news from Biden on Afghanistan, more military violence in Myanmar, plans for a Chinese-Russian moon base, pan-European progressivism, US-Bolivia policy, and whether Prince William is actually the sexiest bald man alive. Then, Ben talks to Ricardo Herrero, head of the Cuba Study Group, about how the Biden administration should reengage with Cuba.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben talk about what they are watching for in the Israeli elections, why Republicans are stalling the confirmation of a key Department of Defense official, the race for global vaccine distribution, Vladimir Putin challenging Joe Biden to a debate, a dramatic US-China summit in Alaska, proposed restrictions on protest in the UK, President Biden's position on drug eradication in Latin America and marijuana use in DC. Then Tommy talks to Canadian Member of Parliament and the leader of the New Democratic Party Jagmeet Singh about progressive politics in Canada and the US-Canada relationship.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss the intelligence community's new report on foreign interference in the 2020 election, America's role in getting the whole world vaccinated, why Jared Kushner's new op-ed is a joke, the Biden administration's posture towards North Korea and China, crackdowns on dissent in Uganda and Myanmar, the fight for women's safety in the UK and Australia, the surge of unaccompanied minors arriving at the southern border of the US, and more. Then Ben talks to Merav Michaeli, a member of the Knesset and leader of the Israeli Labor party, about how she's building back the Israeli left and the politics of Israel's upcoming election.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include which podcast you would like.

Tommy and Ben discuss the latest massive state-sponsored hack on American businesses and government email servers, Biden’s efforts to end the war in Afghanistan, the need to rethink counterterrorism policies, protests in Senegal, why pineapple is patriotic in Taiwan, Russian efforts to undermine confidence in American Covid vaccines, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s sit-down with Oprah, and more. Then, Tommy interviews Verónica Gago, a professor and a leader of Argentina’s Ni Una Menos movement that helped legalize abortion.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include which podcast you would like.

Tommy and Ben talk about the newly released report on the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and how President Joe Biden is approaching the US-Saudi relationship, US airstrikes on Syria, how Iran has responded to outreach from the Biden administration, why another French President is going to jail, Salvadoran elections, India and Pakistan reaching a ceasefire in Kashmir, Mike Pompeo’s bad stand up at CPAC and more. Then Ben talks to historian and author Thant Myint-U about where Myanmar goes from here and whether the US actually has a role to play in bringing democracy back to the country.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss the line between legitimate criticism of Israel and antisemitism, and how people like Mike Pompeo lie and blur that line to shut down policy debates, a former Trump aide’s claims about the origin of Covid-19, Biden’s moves to re-enter the Iran nuclear deal, US-Egypt policy, Australia’s attempts to regulate big tech, allegations that a Trump supporting mercenary-for-hire named Erik Prince violated an arms embargo on Libya, and more. Then Tommy interviews Uganda politician, former presidential candidate, and musician Bobi Wine about his brave fight against a military dictator and how US assistance can prop up anti-democratic leaders.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

Tommy and Ben talk through Biden’s options in Afghanistan, updates on the coup in Myanmar, censorship in China, the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine in Israel, government transparency in Mexico, LGBTQ+ rights in the UK, crackdowns on activists in India and Egypt, and royal baby updates. Then Ben interviews Congresswoman Ilhan Omar about the dangers of reflexively tightening domestic terrorism laws.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

Tommy and Ben discuss the farmers’ protests in India, updates on the situation in Myanmar, Biden’s big foreign policy speech, Canada’s classification of the Proud Boys as a terrorist organization, debate over definitions of anti-Semitism and the double standards when critiquing Israel, and the political situation in Haiti.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

Tommy and Ben discuss the military takeover in Myanmar and how President Biden should respond, Alexey Navalny's sentencing in Russia, Poland's near-total abortion ban, the Biden administration's pause on arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, textbook revisions in Saudi Arabia, and disparities in Israel's mass vaccination campaign. Then Ben talks to journalist and host of the Black Diplomats podcast Terrell Jermaine Starr about how domestic activism fits into American foreign policy.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss President Biden’s first call with Vladimir Putin as President and the US-Russia relationship, Rob Malley and the fight over Biden’s Iran policy, Biden’s approach to Venezuela, Chinese sanctions on former Trump officials, why Google might be leaving Australia, chaos in the Italian government and more. Then Russian journalist Alexey Kovalev joins to talk about the mass protests in support of Alexey Navalny and how the Kremlin is reacting

On the final Pod Save the World of the Trump presidency, Ben and Tommy talk about Joe Biden’s day-one foreign policy agenda, the arrest of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, why the US dropped charges against a Mexican general accused of working with a drug cartel, how Trump is trying to keep his loyalists in the government after he leaves office, elections in Uganda, a State Department designation of genocide in Xinjiang, and more. Then activist Nathan Law joins Ben to talk about where the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong goes from here.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss last week’s violent coup attempt and the call for new domestic terrorism laws, how world leaders are reacting to Trump’s Twitter ban, Netanyahu’s announcement of new Israeli settlements and how Biden should handle it, and all the things Mike Pompeo is trying to screw up for the incoming Biden administration. Then former US ambassador to the UN Samantha Power joins to talk about how to restore American credibility at international organizations, Bill Burns as CIA director, last week’s mass arrests in Hong Kong and refugee policy.

Tommy and Ben discuss Joe Biden’s latest foreign policy staffing decisions, the huge (likely) Russian hack of American government and private networks, Iran’s latest moves on uranium enrichment, a big win for abortion-rights in Argentina, Jack Ma mysteriously disappearing from public view, the latest coronavirus lockdown in the UK, the anticlimactic finalization of Brexit, and more.

Tommy and Ben talk with former President and current Worldo Barack Obama about some of the biggest foreign policy challenges and accomplishments addressed in his book, A Promised Land. Those include the financial crisis and the rise of nationalism, the decision to send more troops to Afghanistan and tensions with the Pentagon leadership, the Cairo speech, dealing with Russia and Vladimir Putin, the politics of terrorism, including GITMO and the drone program, the rise of China and climate change, and some of the absurdities of traveling abroad as President.For a transcript of this interview, visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld.

Tommy and Ben talk through Joe Biden’s decision to nominate General Lloyd Austin for Secretary of Defense, a new wealth tax in Argentina, the mass vaccination campaign underway in the UK, reporting on how a Chinese spy developed ties to California politicians, a former Israeli official’s disclosures about space aliens, new Olympic sports, and more. Then Ben interviews French activist Assa Traoré about the fight for racial justice and changes to policing in France and her work as the leader of the Committee for Justice and Truth for Adama.

Tommy and Ben talk about the assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist, what Biden’s national security team tells us about his foreign policy, protests over police brutality in France, infighting at the UN Human Rights Council, China picking (Twitter) fights, a soccer legend dying and Cher helping a lonely elephant find friends. Then Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy joins to talk Iran, Biden’s cabinet and how to make a more progressive foreign policy.

In the inaugural Pod Save the World Thanksgiving mailbag episode, Tommy and Ben take your foreign policy questions, and a trip down memory lane.

Tommy and Ben talk about reports that Trump asked his national security team for options to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities and has accelerated the drawdown of troops from Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. They also discuss the spiraling civil war in Ethiopia, reports that al Qaeda’s number two in command was assassinated in Iran, why Peru had three Presidents in a week, China pulling together a big trade deal, another blow for pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong, and Biden transition news. Then HuffPost’s Rowaida Abdelaziz joins to talk about reports that data from a Muslim prayer app was being sold to the US military and Islamophobia in the US and France post 9/11.

Tommy and Ben talk about President-elect Biden’s win, Trump’s refusal to start the transition, how world leaders reacted and who Biden should talk with first, why British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is a shapeshifting creep, some bizarre 11th hour Trump admin personnel moves and weapons sales, good news for science, civil war in Ethiopia, a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Iran and elections in Burma. Then former Mexican Ambassador to the US Arturo Sarukhan talks to Ben about the future of US-Mexico relations under a Biden administration.

Tommy and Ben talk with British Member of Parliament David Lammy about how the world views the US election. Then they talk about protests over abortion rights in Poland, fears of civil war in Ethiopia, reports about US cyber attacks against hackers to prevent election interference, how social media companies handled election disinformation and reports of a Royal covid coverup.

On the final Pod Save the World before the election, Tommy and Ben talk to Biden foreign policy advisor Tony Blinken about what Joe Biden’s foreign policy will look like, and how he will approach everything from getting America back in the Iran nuclear deal to how Biden will build momentum in the global fight against climate change. Then, they dig into the latest failed ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the latest wave of coronavirus in Europe, protests over police brutality in Nigeria, Chile’s vote to write a new constitution, Trump’s failed Venezuela policy, the normalization of relations between Sudan and Israel, and how Trump is making tensions between Ethiopia and Egypt worse.

Tommy and Ben break down what we know about the connection between foreign disinformation and the latest allegations about Hunter Biden, Russia’s proposal to extend the New START treaty, Sudan getting taken off the state sponsored terrorism list, and a win for Evo Morales’ party in Bolivia. They also talk about the future of escalation between China and Taiwan, attacks on American diplomats, the White House sending officials to negotiate with the Assad regime in Syria, and a blowout electoral win for Jacinda Ardern in New Zealand. Then Belarusian journalist Hanna Liubakova joins Ben to talk about what she has seen when reporting on the anti-Lukashenko protests in Belarus and why people have been so willing to stay in the streets.

The Trump administration argues with itself about troop withdrawal timelines in Afghanistan, Trump’s covid drug cocktail restarts a debate about the president’s unchecked nuclear authorities, K-pop stars BTS are criticized by China, questions about the New York Times’s reporting on terrorism, refugee policy, corruption in Angola, Facebook (finally) bans Holocaust denial, a Belarus update and new marijuana laws in Mexico. Then nuclear nonproliferation expert Jeff Lewis joins to explain what we should make of the gigantic new missile North Korea debuted over the weekend.

The foreign policy implications of Trump catching Covid, erosion of democracy in India, a possible coup in Kyrgyzstan, an update on fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan, a major dam project in Ethiopia, then weird military music videos, Subway subs and soccer. Then former CIA Director John Brennan joins to talk about Russia’s 2016 election interference, Saudi Arabia, the CIA’s darker history and his new book, Undaunted.

Trump’s taxes reveal foreign income and liabilities, why Armenia and Azerbaijan are at war, the White House’s efforts to bribe Sudan, politically-charged corruption charges in Pakistan, Europe’s Covid spike, the US threatens to close its embassy in Baghdad, new sanctions on Iran and Cuba, Bibi Netanyahu’s dirty laundry, why Yelp reviews are dangerous in Thailand and the story of a heroic rat. Then Ben’s interview with Ayad Akhtar, Pulitzer Prize winning playwright and author of the new novel Homeland Elegies, about what it means to be an American, and how global attitudes about the United States are affected by its foreign policy.

Tommy and Ben discuss the latest on Russian election interference, the case for dismantling DHS, a setback for LGBTQ+ rights and US military accountability in the Philippines, domestic terrorism in Australia, the new interim government in Mali, reports that Trump considered assassinating Bashar al-Assad, and much more. Then, Washington Post Afghanistan and Pakistan bureau chief Susannah George joins to break down the latest on the Afghan Republic-Taliban peace talks.

Tommy and Ben discuss the so-called “peace” deals between the UAE and Israel and Bahrain, the US/Taliban/Afghan peace talks, disturbing allegations from a whistleblower at the Department of Homeland Security, what needs to be done globally to combat climate change, the ongoing refugee crisis in Europe and an Iranian assassination plot. Then former US Ambassador to Russia Mike McFaul joins to talk about the protests in Belarus and how Biden should approach Russia if he wins.

Tommy and Ben discuss reports that Trump routinely denigrates American servicemembers and veterans, including those killed in battle, an update on the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, trouble for Brexit, the BLOB biting back, another Mulan controversy, a Twitter troll briefing the WH press corps, updates on Belarus and the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, why German nationalists and conspiracy theorists are rallying behind Trump, and a climate change scandal.

Ben and guest co-host Karen Attiah, the Global Opinions editor for The Washington Post, talk about Jared Kushner’s coddling of dictators and his trip to the United Arab Emirates, human rights in Egypt, the latest on the crackdown in Belarus and its implications for journalists, far-right protestors in Germany who threatened to storm the Reichstag, and the global impact of the late Chadwick Boseman.

Tommy and Ben talk about the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the foreign-policy focused elements of the Republican National Convention, including Mike Pompeo’s speech from Israel, great news about efforts to eradicate polio, an update on protests in Belarus, why the State Department is wasting money promoting anti-LGBT bigotry, a military coup in Mali, police brutality in the US and India and news from China. Then Ben talks with Brazilian politician Tabata Amaral about Bolsonaro’s response to COVID, his authoritarianism, and how she’s trying to engage women in Brazilian politics.

Foreign policy analyst and author Rula Jebreal joins to discuss the US-Israel-UAE diplomatic agreement announced last week. Tommy and Ben talk about the major Senate intelligence committee’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 election, the latest in Belarus, why thousands are protesting in Thailand, a US diplomatic humiliation at the UN, reports that Iran was also paying the Taliban bounties to kill US troops, and updates out of Lebanon, Portugal and Spain.

Now that Senator Kamala Harris is Joe Biden’s running mate, Ben and Tommy examine her foreign policy record. They also discuss growing concerns about foreign election interference, the disputed election and crackdown in Belarus, how the press is under attack in Hong Kong, Trump’s escalating fight with Chinese tech companies, allegations that Saudi Arabia tried to murder (another) critic abroad, an oil spill in Mauritius, protests in Zimbabwe, eruptions in Indonesia, Putin’s claim he has a Covid vaccine, more ambassadors gone wild and General (???) Bill Belichick. Then Tommy talks with Washington Post Beirut Bureau Chief Liz Sly about the massive explosion that rocked the city and the political and economic crisis in Lebanon before the blast.