Mehdi Unfiltered

Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, coordinates global emergency responses. He discusses dire conditions in Gaza, barriers blocking aid and attacks on humanitarian workers. He warns of regional displacement, massive needs in Sudan and Somalia, funding shortfalls forcing brutal choices, and the wider humanitarian ripple effects of the Iran conflict.

Tom Steyer, billionaire investor turned progressive activist and California gubernatorial candidate, discusses prosecuting ICE abuses, his hedge fund's past fossil fuel ties, and how he plans to confront utilities, realtors, and corporate influence. Short, direct conversations cover single-payer health, housing plans, climate preparedness, and why he says his spending is needed to fight entrenched interests.

Anna Gomez, the FCC's sole Democratic commissioner, talks broadcast licensing, why Disney stations were hit with early renewal orders, and how those moves raise First Amendment and agency independence questions. She critiques politicized timing, explores limits of FCC content power, and warns about chilling effects on speech.

Karim Khan, International lawyer and ICC Chief Prosecutor, speaks about his voluntary leave, a UN inquiry he says cleared him, and allegations amplified by political actors. He discusses the court’s arrest warrants for Gaza, pressures from the US and UK, institutional fairness and due process, and risks to international justice from sanctions and politicization.

In this week's segment from Mehdi Unfiltered, Mehdi is joined by the creators of a new online game that's taking players on a quest back in time, where they must collect ancient artifacts and solve enigmatic puzzles to preserve the knowledge that came out of the Islamic Golden Age. It's called "Vanished: Puzzle Quest," made by Unity Productions Foundation, a group whose mission is to combat bigotry and Islamophobia through media. SUBSCRIBE TO ZETEO TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT AND UNFILTERED JOURNALISM: https://zeteo.com/subscribe WATCH 'MEHDI UNFILTERED' ON SUBSTACK: https://zeteo.com/s/mehdi-unfiltered FIND ZETEO: Twitter: https://twitter.com/zeteo_news Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeteonews TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zeteonews FIND MEHDI: Substack: https://substack.com/@mehdirhasan Twitter: https://twitter.com/@mehdirhasan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@mehdirhasan TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mehdirhasan To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/Zeteo

Sara (Sarah) Jacobs, a U.S. Representative active on foreign affairs and humanitarian crises, discusses Sudan’s humanitarian emergency and the foreign actors fueling the war. She outlines evidence of UAE backing for paramilitaries and the leverage of U.S. arms sales. The conversation also touches on legislation to block weapons transfers, parallels with Gaza policy, and balancing criticism of Israel with Jewish identity.

Graham Platner, a Marine and Army veteran, oyster farmer, and Maine Senate candidate, discusses organizing, economic justice, and anti-war principles. He challenges establishment politics and corporate money. He criticizes U.S. policy toward Israel and explains why he will be an engaged, plainspoken senator rather than a distant insider.

Peter Welch, U.S. Senator from Vermont known for economic policy and outspoken views on foreign affairs, joins to challenge U.S. war decisions and criticize powerful lobbying influence. He discusses limits on military action, shifting Democratic views on Israel, concerns about executive war powers, and a bill demanding accountability for civilian deaths. Short, pointed, and confrontational conversation.

Narges Bajoghli, Iranian-American scholar and filmmaker studying Iran and media. Noura Erakat, Palestinian-American legal scholar and activist focused on Palestinian rights. They dissect US-Iran tensions, Palestine’s long struggle and accountability, Israel’s regional aims, how social media reshaped narratives, and why the US keeps fighting protracted wars.

Susan Page, former U.S. ambassador with deep Africa policy experience, and Musa Baba, frontline reporter from Sudan, discuss the conflict's shifting battle lines and besieged cities. They describe drone strikes, collapsing healthcare, and how regional powers fuel the war. They debate why Sudan is overlooked internationally and which actors are shaping—and excluding—peace efforts.