Slate News

Andrea Pitzer, author of 'One Long Night: A Global History of Concentration Camps,' dives into the troubling future of Guantanamo Bay as it prepares to house more detainees under a controversial immigration policy. She unpacks the facility’s contentious past and lack of oversight, exploring its implications on human rights and migrant treatment. By drawing historical parallels to past detention camps, Pitzer warns of repeating mistakes and emphasizes the importance of accountability in today's immigration landscape.

Franco Ordoñez, a White House correspondent for NPR, and Fred Kaplan, Slate’s war stories correspondent, dive into the turmoil surrounding USAID amid rising tensions with DOGE, linked to Elon Musk. They explore the legal implications of USAID's abrupt changes and its critical humanitarian missions. The conversation touches on the agency's historical role in diplomacy, the chaos from political pressures, and the potential impact of funding cuts on global stability. The complexities of USAID's dual mission of aid versus political agenda are scrutinized, revealing a delicate balance.

Dan Kois, a Slate writer and author of five books, discusses aviation safety in light of a recent tragic mid-air collision. He dives into the growing concerns of imminent airline crashes and the political dynamics that prioritize convenience over safety. Kois highlights the chronic understaffing in air traffic control and the historical context of the industry’s challenges. He also explores the public’s perception of air travel risks compared to more common dangers, raising questions about how society balances safety and risk acceptance.

Quinn Slobodian, a Boston University historian and author, dives deep into the intersection of capitalism and democracy in this insightful discussion. He examines how Silicon Valley influences politics, particularly during Trump’s second term. Topics include radical tech billionaires' impact, the concept of 'startup societies,' and the troubling relationship between democracy and capitalism. Slobodian also analyzes the effects of the pandemic on political fragmentation and the rise of autocratic governance, painting a stark picture of contemporary challenges.

Major Alivia Stehlik, a transgender Army Ranger and holistic health director, shares her unique perspective on serving in the military while navigating her gender identity. Kate Sosin, an insightful LGBTQ+ reporter, discusses the troubling implications of Trump-era policies on the transgender community. They emphasize personal stories of resilience amid restrictive regulations, the evolving visibility of trans rights, and the urgent need for advocacy. Their conversation reveals the stark reality of how political decisions affect those who serve and the fight for equality.

In this discussion, Zeyi Yang, a Senior Writer at WIRED specializing in Chinese tech and AI, unpacks the stir caused by DeepSeek's revolutionary AI chatbot. He dives into the implications of its low-cost, open-source model and how it measures up against American counterparts. Yang explores the U.S.-China tech race, critiques the American approach to AI, and discusses the potential geopolitical ramifications. He emphasizes the need for awareness of China’s rapid advancements and the call for collaboration in the evolving AI landscape.

This week: The Trump administration offered a resignation deal to millions of federal employees. Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers discuss why this plan seems like a bad idea – for everyone. Then, Invidia’s stock dropped this week when Deepseek proved AI can be done cheaper. But is this just steam engines and Jevons paradox all over again? Finally, the bookstore is back. The hosts discuss the recent success of Barnes & Noble and why they, and other bookstores, are the unexpected winners of the digital media age.In the Slate Plus episode: CVS has a new way of locking up their stuff.Want to hear that discussion and hear more Slate Money? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen.Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this enlightening conversation, Kim Lane Scheppele, a Princeton professor specializing in the law of autocracy, discusses the alarming implications of Trump’s emerging second administration. She highlights how executive orders echo global authoritarian tactics seen in countries like Hungary and Russia. The manipulation of legal systems to undermine democracy is explored, along with the chilling effects on marginalized groups, particularly the LGBTQ+ community. Scheppele warns of the urgent need for public engagement to combat the rise of autocracy in America.

Did the Chinese artificial intelligence start-up Deepseek just blow up the A.I. world as we know it? Or is it just a cheap knock-off?Guest: Lizzie O’Leary, host of the Slate podcast What Next TBD.This episode is member-exclusive. Listen to it now by subscribing to Slate Plus. By joining, not only will you unlock exclusive episodes of What Next—you’ll also access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the What Next show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme and Rob Gunther. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Diamond, a White House correspondent for The Washington Post with a decade of experience in healthcare coverage, joins to discuss Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s controversial Senate nomination. They dive into the tumult of the confirmation hearings, revealing the mixed reactions to RFK Jr.’s stance on vaccines. Diamond explores how Kennedy’s candidacy reflects broader goals to disrupt the healthcare establishment rather than genuine policy expertise. The conversation also highlights the complex interplay between political dynamics and public health during a turbulent era.