Current Affairs

Rania Khalek, a Lebanese-American journalist reporting from Beirut, gives an on-the-ground update about Israel’s continued bombing, occupation, and village demolitions in southern Lebanon. Short segments cover the so-called ceasefire, destruction of homes and infrastructure, internal Lebanese divides, Hezbollah’s resilience, Western media framing, and U.S. material support and accountability.

Abdul El-Sayed, a physician and progressive public health leader running for U.S. Senate in Michigan. He takes on Gaza funding and AIPAC, criticizes Democratic leadership and corporate money in politics. He lays out a bold theory of electability, discusses persuading Trump voters, Medicare for All, and reining in presidential power.

Sam Miller McDonald, writer and author of Progress: How One Idea Built Civilization—and Now Threatens to Destroy It, challenges the triumphalist story of progress. He questions industrial growth, ecological collapse, and how progress rhetoric has justified violence and colonialism. Conversations probe wellbeing beyond metrics and imagine alternatives to growth-driven modernization.

A look at a socialist mayor using pragmatic municipal reforms to deliver quick, visible wins. Short-term fixes like reducing sidewalk scaffolding, fixing potholes, and expanding public services get center stage. Playful publicity stunts and historical comparisons show how competence can build political momentum for bigger changes.

A scathing look at a politician’s self-styled moral manifesto and its theatrical, corporate sheen. Critics dissect long speeches, humblebrags, and a virtue list that centers the author. Deep dives into ties with pharma, private equity, and fundraising networks. A sustained critique of pro-Israel stances, silence on Gaza, and alleged hypocrisy between words and actions.

Adam Johnson, media critic and co-host of Citations Needed, and author of How to Sell a Genocide, explores how liberal mainstream outlets framed Gaza. He discusses the neutrality myth, erasure of historical context, linguistic double standards, the “ISISification” of Hamas, and which voices were amplified or silenced in major news coverage.

🌹 Use the code "15OFF" for a discount on Current Affairs: https://www.currentaffairs.org/membership Mouin Rabbani is a Middle East analyst and researcher, and one of the most incisive commentators on U.S. foreign policy in the region. He joined Current Affairs Editor-in-Chief Nathan Robinson to discuss the latest escalation in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, and the broader Middle East, including ceasefire negotiations, U.S.-Israel relations, and the shifting balance of power. 🇵🇸 Buy Mouin's new book: https://orbooks.com/catalog/gaza-apocalypse/ 🇵🇸 Follow Mouin on Twitter: https://x.com/MouinRabbani 0:00–6:04 Trump’s ceasefire claim and what’s actually happening 6:04–10:15 Who controls U.S. policy, Washington or Israel? 10:15–14:39 Zionism and the crackdown on dissent 14:39–16:59 How criticism of Israel gets suppressed 16:59–24:46 Why the pro-Israel consensus is breaking down 24:46–29:40 The gap between Trump’s rhetoric and reality 29:40–32:26 What Trump’s threats reveal about the war 32:26–39:45 The moral case against the war 🦩Subscribe to Current Affairs: https://www.currentaffairs.org/membership 🦩 Merch: https://shop.currentaffairs.org/

Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s and longtime activist for peace and social justice, discusses militarism, Pentagon spending, and how U.S. policy fuels arms races. He explains vivid budget demos, the profit motives behind war, and the fight to preserve Ben & Jerry’s progressive mission after a takeover.

🌹 Use the code "15OFF" for a discount on Current Affairs: https://www.currentaffairs.org/membership Amy Goodman is the longtime host of Democracy Now!, the independent news program she helped launch 30 years ago, which has since grown from a small network of community radio stations into a global media institution. She spoke to Current Affairs Editor-in-Chief Nathan Robinson and Digital Editor John Ross, alongside filmmakers Carl Deal and Tia Lessin, about the new documentary Steal This Story, Please!, which traces the history of Democracy Now! and Goodman’s career in independent journalism. 🗽 Watch Steal This Story, Please!: https://stealthisstory.org/ 0:00–4:51 What makes Democracy Now! different from corporate media 4:51–9:14 Amy Goodman’s approach to journalism 9:14–12:48 How antiwar voices get sidelined in corporate media 12:48–20:26 Who corporate media really serves 20:26–25:15 Objectivity vs. taking a stance 25:15–36:53 What Democracy Now! adds to the historical record 🦩Subscribe to Current Affairs: https://www.currentaffairs.org/membership 🦩 Merch: https://shop.currentaffairs.org/

🌹 Use the code "15OFF" for a discount on Current Affairs: https://www.currentaffairs.org/membership Dr. Butch Ware is a historian, public intellectual, and the Green Party candidate for Governor of California. He is an associate professor at UC Santa Barbara, a former Green Party vice presidential nominee, and an advocate for universal healthcare, housing, and divestment from war. He spoke to Current Affairs Editor-in-Chief Nathan Robinson about his campaign to get on the ballot and what he describes as efforts by the Democratic Party to block third-party candidates. 🍊 Butch Ware's website: https://www.butchware4gov.com/ 🍊 Follow Butch on Twitter: https://x.com/butchware?lang=en 🍊 Follow Butch on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/butchware/?hl=en 0:00–11:37 ballot access battle 11:37–17:36 blocking third parties 17:36–23:58 UK Green Party surge 23:58–33:34 Gavin Newsom critique 33:34–37:21 abortion & trans rights 37:21–42:02 Butch Ware’s vision for California 🦩Subscribe to Current Affairs: https://www.currentaffairs.org/membership 🦩 Merch: https://shop.currentaffairs.org/