On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti

Fatima Jamalpour, an Iranian journalist in exile who covers protests and human rights. Kian Tajbaksh, an international relations professor and former political prisoner who worked on civic projects in Iran. They discuss recent strikes, Iran’s deep security and intelligence infrastructure, how leadership losses may not collapse the system, and the limits of external military pressure.

David Beer, director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute and immigration policy analyst, breaks down how the Trump White House has sharply restricted legal pathways. He covers massive backlogs across visas, freezes on adjudications for dozens of countries, bans on employment and family entries, and policy moves that prioritize removals over due process.

Heather Roth, a DOD AI ethics researcher who helped write the Pentagon’s 2020 AI principles, and Stephen Levy, longtime Wired technology journalist, discuss the Anthropic–Pentagon dispute. They explore how the Pentagon uses generative AI in strikes and surveillance. They debate safety-first limits, supply-chain designations, legal lines around domestic surveillance, and where autonomy in weapons becomes dangerous.

Rachel Hartigan, journalist and former National Geographic editor and author, explores Amelia Earhart’s final flight. They trace her last radio transmissions and the risky navigation and weight decisions that shaped the trip. The conversation compares theories from capture to castaway to crash, and explains why many researchers still hunt for answers today.

Jack Beatty, longtime news analyst who brings historical and political perspective, warns about escalation risks with Iran. He questions the case for a strike and links current rhetoric to the Iraq run-up. They discuss troop moves, possible diplomacy in Geneva, legal and congressional limits, and the political calculations that could push or pull the U.S. toward conflict.

Anand Giridharadas, publisher of The Ink and author who studies the global ultra-elite, guides a tour through the networks that enabled Jeffrey Epstein. He outlines who comprised that class and how wealth, secrecy, and horizontal loyalties created protection and impunity. The conversation connects Epstein’s files to broader systems of elite power and secrecy.

Nancy Khalil, an assistant professor studying Muslim American communities and post‑9/11 policy, reflects on Ramadan under the shadow of ICE activity. She discusses how rituals and mosque life are reshaped by fear. Conversations cover surveillance legacies, mosque safety and legal risks, community organizing, and joy as a form of resistance.

Tens of thousands of Ukrainian children have been abducted by Russian forces in the past four years of war.  They have been placed in Russian re-education camps, adopted by Russian families, or sent for military training. What will it take to get them back? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Michael McNulty, policy director at Issue One and former USAID elections adviser, explains how election-denial tactics and federal power grabs could stress U.S. voting. He breaks down laws like the SAVE Act and MEGA, names officials spreading doubt, and describes steps to protect local election workers and democratic processes.

We all know jingles – those catchy tunes that have advertised products for decades from candy to car insurance. But how do they work, and more importantly, are they having a comeback? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint