Nothing is Foreign

Chile is on the cusp of replacing its Pinochet-era constitution with a radically progressive new alternative. Three years after mass protests swept the nation, an elected group of citizens have rewritten their constitution. It could replace the one enacted when a military dictatorship gripped the country from 1973 to 1990. The new document, which voters will have to decide on in September, brings Indigenous rights, environmental protections and public services to the forefront. But not everyone's on board with this bold new direction. We take a look at how Chile got to this point, and the obstacles that stand in the way of making it a reality. Featuring: Pablo Abufom, activist, Solidaridad

Afrobeats is taking over Western music charts with artists like Wizkid and Burna Boy. It's not just about commercial success but also self-acceptance and cultural pride. The genre is bringing the African diaspora back home and paving the way for cultural connections and collaborations.

Exploring how Russia's blockading of Ukrainian grain exports is causing food shortages in regions like North Africa and the Middle East. Discussions on the use of food as a weapon in war and potential solutions. Insights on the impact of the crisis on global food security and the challenges of shipping Ukrainian harvest amidst conflict.

The podcast delves into the emotional significance of homecoming and the challenges faced by those reconnecting with their roots. It explores spiritual connections to homeland, the impact of intergenerational trauma, and the journey of rediscovering cultural identity. Personal stories highlight the struggles of leaving home, reclaiming heritage languages, and longing for a sense of 'home' amidst changing landscapes.

On June 21, a new labour law comes into effect in the U.S. requiring all importing businesses to prove that nothing in their supply chain is made with forced labour in the Chinese province of Xinjiang. That's where human rights organizations say more than a million Uyghurs have been detained, with estimates of hundreds of thousands forced to produce cotton, apparel and electronics for some of the world's biggest brands. We speak with two Uyghur advocates who tell us stories of their family heartache, the struggle for the truth and whether this new law can end these crimes against humanity. Featuring: Rayhan Asat, human rights and business practices lawyer. Jewher Ilham, Uyghur human rights activist, Project to Combat Forced Labor.

Exploring North Korea's COVID crisis with millions affected but limited resources. Discussing challenges of interpreting data with skepticism on accuracy. Analyzing extreme measures like shoot-to-kill orders and border restrictions. Uncovering mysteries surrounding COVID spread in North Korea and their refusal of vaccines. Addressing difficulties in assessing the true impact of the pandemic in the isolated nation.

Colombia's pivotal presidential runoff features a leftist ex-guerilla and a right-wing TikTok star. Post-peace deal, the country faces income inequality, cartels, and militias. Insights on election violence, candidates Petro and Hernandez, and the shift towards addressing inequality over security concerns. Challenges in fulfilling promises of peace deal with FARC, disarmament of rebels, and rural security issues.

Ukrainian humanitarian aid worker Enrique and Al Jazeera journalist Mansur explore the shift in pro-Russia sentiments in Eastern Ukraine's Donbas region. They discuss the economic challenges post-annexation, impact of Russian media, life in conflict regions, and evolving loyalties towards Ukraine amidst differing perspectives.

An Israeli court decision could allow the government to evict around 1,200 Palestinians from the Masafer Yatta area in the southern West Bank. The May 4 High Court of Justice ruling rejected the prior appeals against eviction orders issued to residents of the area, which Israel declared a military firing zone in the 1980s. Palestinians say they have a right to remain on the land and have lived there for generations, but Israel argues they are squatting and do not have the right to establish permanent residence in the firing zone. The decision is being criticized by some legal experts in Israel, and the United Nations said in a statement that by upholding the eviction orders, the judicial system has given "carte blanche to the Israeli government to perpetuate the practice of systematic oppression against Palestinians." We speak to Israeli human rights lawyer Michael Sfard about how the land of Masafer Yatta became a legal and physical battleground and check in with Palestinian journalist Basel Adra about his experiences of reporting on the 20-year-long land dispute. Featuring: Basel Adra, Palestinian journalist Michael Sfard, Israeli human rights lawyer CLARIFICATION: This episode mentions reports from Israeli media stating that the Israeli military was “not planning to investigate the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh.” Those reports specifically pertained to a criminal investigation.

In the Philippines, Bonifacio Ilagan survived prison, political violence and the disappearance of his sister — all at the hands of the Ferdinand Marcos Sr. dictatorship. Despite decades of activism, he never expected to see the family he fought to overthrow return to power in his country. But that's what happened this week when Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. won a landslide presidential victory. Ilagan reflects on how his country has forgotten one of its darkest eras, the concerted effort the Marcos family and its supporters have made to accelerate that amnesia and what it all means for the Philippines' future. Featuring: Bonifacio Ilagan, playwright, activist and Philippines martial law survivor.