Current Affairs

When pompous pundits and politicos begin to rationalize crimes against humanity, it’s no longer possible to laugh at them. The correct reaction is horror, disgust, and a determination to end their influence.🤡 Read the article: https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/the-clowns-arent-funny-anymore🦩SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT AFFAIRS MAGAZINE: https://www.currentaffairs.org/membership🦩 PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/c/CurrentAffairs🦩THE MYTH OF AMERICAN IDEALISM: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738224/the-myth-of-american-idealism-by-noam-chomsky-and-nathan-j-robinson/

Yasmine Taeb, Legislative and Political Director of MPower Change Action Fund—the largest Muslim digital activist organization in the U.S.—joins Current Affairs editor Alex Skopic to discuss the bipartisan complicity in the Gaza genocide, the rise of progressive challengers like Omar Fateh and Zohran Mamdani, and the Islamophobic attacks Muslim candidates continue to face.✊ MPower Change Website: https://www.mpowerchange.org/✊ MPower Action Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpoweraction/?hl=en✊ MPower Action Twitter: https://x.com/MPowerAction0:00–4:32 Origins of MPower Action and the No Muslim Ban Ever Campaign4:32–7:37 Gaza Genocide and U.S. Complicity7:37–10:49 Democratic Party Silence and Support for Israel10:49–16:47 Progressive Challengers Taking on Pro-War Democrats16:47–20:45 Islamophobia and Attacks on Muslim Candidates20:45–24:24 Kamala Harris, the DNC, and Palestinian Exclusion24:24–29:57 Iran, the JCPOA, and the Push for Diplomacy🦩SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT AFFAIRS MAGAZINE: https://www.currentaffairs.org/membership🦩 PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/c/CurrentAffairs🦩THE MYTH OF AMERICAN IDEALISM: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738224/the-myth-of-american-idealism-by-noam-chomsky-and-nathan-j-robinson/

Jason Woods, national spokesperson for Starbucks Workers United, joins Current Affairs associate editor Alex Skopic and contributor Stephen Prager to discuss the Starbucks union drive and the fight for fair wages.☕ Mutual Aid for Jason Woods: https://www.instagram.com/p/DM3UFBvxNq8/☕ SBWU's Website: https://sbworkersunited.org/☕ SBWU's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbworkersunited/☕ SBWU's Twitter: https://x.com/SBWorkersUnited0:00-5:24 Why Starbucks Workers Unionized5:24-11:20 The Reality of Barista Pay11:20-16:11 Dress Codes as Union-Busting16:11-20:45 Sip-Ins20:45-23:50 Organizing in the South vs. North23:50-28:00 Every Job Requires Skill28:00-32:01 Steps to Unionize🦩SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT AFFAIRS MAGAZINE: https://www.currentaffairs.org/membership🦩 PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/c/CurrentAffairs🦩THE MYTH OF AMERICAN IDEALISM: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738224/the-myth-of-american-idealism-by-noam-chomsky-and-nathan-j-robinson/

Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, discusses her book, detailing why some see her as 'the most dangerous person in the world.' She tackles the manufactured distrust in education by right-wing figures and the vital role of teachers in fostering democracy and empathy. Weingarten also highlights the weaponization of anti-Semitism against academic freedom, the crisis in Gaza’s schools, and the essential role of teachers’ unions as defenders of democracy and the labor movement.

From BetterHelp to bourbon, A-list celebrities are cashing in on our trust. Why is there no longer any stigma for sellouts? 💰 Read the article: https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/how-we-stopped-caring-about-selling-out 🦩SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT AFFAIRS MAGAZINE: https://www.currentaffairs.org/membership 🦩 PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/c/CurrentAffairs 🦩THE MYTH OF AMERICAN IDEALISM: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738224/the-myth-of-american-idealism-by-noam-chomsky-and-nathan-j-robinson/

Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, physician, former Detroit health commissioner, and candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan, joins Current Affairs editors Nathan J. Robinson and Alex Skopic to discuss the Democratic Party’s deep unpopularity, why Medicare for All remains a moral and economic imperative, the bipartisan silence surrounding the genocide in Gaza, and why all U.S. military aid—offensive and defensive—should end.🌹Abdul's Website: https://abdulforsenate.com/🌹Abdul's Book: https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/2021/02/the-definitive-case-for-medicare-for-all🌹Abdul's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abdulelsayed/?hl=en🌹 Abdul's Twitter: https://x.com/AbdulElSayed0:00-5:42 Unpopularity of the Democratic Party5:42-14:01 Medicare for All14:01-17:19 Labor17:19-27:23 Gaza27:23-31:31 Islamophobia31:31-40:28 Abdul's Senate Race🦩SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT AFFAIRS MAGAZINE: https://www.currentaffairs.org/membership🦩 PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/c/CurrentAffairs🦩THE MYTH OF AMERICAN IDEALISM: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738224/the-myth-of-american-idealism-by-noam-chomsky-and-nathan-j-robinson/

Nathan J. Robinson delivers remarks during the Current Affairs 10th anniversary party on the evening of August 8th, 2025 in New Orleans. 🦩SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT AFFAIRS MAGAZINE: https://www.currentaffairs.org/membership 🦩 PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/c/CurrentAffairs 🦩THE MYTH OF AMERICAN IDEALISM: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738224/the-myth-of-american-idealism-by-noam-chomsky-and-nathan-j-robinson/

Saikat Chakrabarti, co-founder of Justice Democrats and former chief of staff to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, shares insights on his campaign to challenge Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco. He highlights the Democratic Party's failure to respond to urgent issues like the Gaza conflict and criticizes decades of complacency that have left the party adrift. The conversation emphasizes the need for bold and effective political action, the necessity of grassroots mobilization, and a fresh approach to reinvigorate Democratic leadership and policies.

In a compelling discussion, Dr. Elisabeth Potter, a reconstructive surgeon and healthcare advocate, reveals her viral TikTok criticism of UnitedHealth, shedding light on the cruel tactics of insurance companies. She digs into the absurdities faced by patients with breast cancer when navigating insurance, sharing personal anecdotes. Dr. Potter also discusses the intimidation tactics used against doctors who challenge the system and advocates for necessary reforms to empower healthcare professionals and improve patient care.

The podcast dives into the alarming trend of interviewing powerful figures without adequate research, leading to embarrassing outcomes. It critiques a recent high-profile interview for its lack of tough questions and accountability. The discussion highlights the importance of journalists challenging influential personalities, especially on critical issues like climate change and geopolitical violence. Witty commentary underscores the need for informed discourse, emphasizing the responsibilities of interviewers in shaping public understanding.