The Lede

After a long career at the forefront of the struggle for human rights, Kenneth Roth has plenty of insight into the complex strategic and moral issues involved in building the movement. The former executive director of Human Rights Watch debates those issues on The Lede with New Lines’ Finbar Anderson in a discussion of Roth’s new book, “Righting Wrongs: Three Decades on the Front Lines Battling Abusive Governments.”

On this episode of the podcast, Faisal Al Yafai considers whether terms like “oligarchy” can fully describe Donald Trump’s presidency or drive resistance to it. Featuring on the episode are the writer Sarah Chayes and New Lines’ Politics Editor Danny Postel. Produced by Finbar Anderson

New Lines’ Faisal Al Yafai wonders whether making AI models that are truly fair for all users and uses can be possible. Hilke Schellmann joins to offer insights from her book “The Algorithm.” Further listening: AI Is Transforming Geopolitics — with Bruno Maçães and Faisal Al Yafai America’s Era of the Entrepreneur — with Erik Baker and Faisal Al Yafai Produced by Finbar Anderson

On this week’s episode of Global Insights on The Lede, editor and researcher Raga Makawi and former nonresident fellow at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy Hamid Murtada discuss the situation in Sudan two years after the outbreak of the civil war, with New Lines’ Kwangu Liwewe.   Produced by Finbar Anderson

Journalist Gabriel Gatehouse, host of The Coming Storm and the new documentary “Seeking Satoshi,” joins New Lines’ Faisal Al Yafai on the podcast to discuss how exploring America’s fringe movements is the key to understanding the modern United States.   Produced by Finbar Anderson

Journalist and humanitarian Arwa Damon returns to the podcast to discuss with New Lines’ Faisal Al Yafai why she was recently denied entry into Gaza, why wars vanish from the public eye, and the personal cost of her years witnessing conflict.   Produced by Finbar Anderson

Historian Selena Wisnom and New Lines’ Lydia Wilson discuss how the legacy of the Assyrian King Ashurbanipal, as set out in Wisnom’s book “The Library of Ancient Wisdom,” might be an integral part of the West’s cultural heritage, and consider why Mesopotamian history is almost completely overlooked in the modern world. Produced by Finbar Anderson

On this episode of Global Insights on The Lede, economist James Shikwati and New Lines’ North Africa Editor Erin Brown consider the impact of drastic cuts to American aid in Africa with host Kwangu Liwewe, and wonder what the continent’s future might look like without such aid. Produced by Finbar Anderson

On this week’s episode of The Lede, the acclaimed writer and journalist Omar El Akkad joins New Lines’ Faisal Al Yafai for a frank, difficult and moving discussion about the personal impact and wider implications of the war in Gaza.   Produced by Finbar Anderson

Historian Alex Hobson, the Financial Times’ Laura Pitel and New Lines’ Danny Postel join Faisal Al Yafai on the podcast to explore the optics and impact of Donald Trump’s political showmanship. Further reading: “The Humiliation Is the Point” by Alex Hobson Produced by Finbar Anderson