The Intercept Briefing

Rami Jarrah, a Syrian journalist who has reported on the uprising and civil war, shares his mixed feelings about the recent fall of Assad's regime. He reflects on the celebrations of freedom but warns of the volatile aftermath. The podcast delves into the complexities of establishing governance, the emotional reunions of families, and the challenges of seeking justice for war crimes. Jarrah draws from his own traumatic experiences to discuss the potential risks of revenge-driven power shifts in the now-changing political landscape.

Noah Hurowitz is a journalist focusing on the ramifications of the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. Shawn Musgrave, senior counsel at The Intercept, tackles legal threats to press freedom. They discuss how this controversial bill can label nonprofits as terrorist supporters, chilling dissent and free speech. There's a focus on due process erosion, especially if Trump returns to power with loyalists in key roles. The potential implications for journalism and civil liberties are stark and concerning.

Akela Lacy and Jonah Valdez, Intercept reporters focused on campus activism and free speech, delve into the recent surge of student protests for Palestine. They discuss the heavy-handed measures universities have taken against students, including felony charges for nonviolent actions. The conversation highlights concerns over increasing censorship and the chilling effect on dissent as political tensions rise, especially anticipating a return of Donald Trump. This vital dialogue emphasizes the broader implications for civil rights and activism on college campuses.

In this engaging discussion, Rep. Summer Lee, a progressive force in Pennsylvania's congressional scene, emphasizes the urgency for immediate legislative action as the Biden presidency draws to a close. She tackles critical topics like the Gaza conflict and immigration reform, highlighting the importance of amplifying the voices of those most affected. Lee notes, "The people closest to the pain should be closest to the power," advocating for grassroots advocacy. With a fierce determination to push back against the impending Republican wave, she reminds us that now is not the time for any political pristine-ness.

Natasha Lennard, a columnist for The Intercept, shares her insights on navigating the political landscape post-Trump's victory. She critiques the Democratic Party for failing the working class, stressing the need for radical action and grassroots empowerment. Lennard highlights the resilience of a diverse, multi-racial working class, especially in care and service sectors. She emphasizes that true change comes from community building and local activism rather than mere electoral politics. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of progressive movements.

There will be much analysis and innumerable postmortems of what Kamala Harris and her campaign got wrong about the electorate this election.Already, the trends are becoming clear: She failed to reach Black and Latino men, who flocked to Donald Trump this cycle. She underperformed in cities, typically Democratic strongholds. And she even lagged among younger voters vital to her party’s present and future.What’s behind this dismal showing? One explanation is Harris’s inability to put forth a distinct agenda that would appeal to disaffected Democrats. Instead, she held steady to the policies of President Joe Biden, despite general voter dissatisfaction and anxiety about the economy and the direction of the country.“We see Democrats over and over turning to courting this mythical moderate voter,” says senior politics reporter Akela Lacy on this week’s episode of The Intercept Briefing. “We also see a big failure to account for the rightward shift among young people and figure out how to give young voters a reason to support the Democratic Party.”Listen to understand what Intercept reporters were hearing at the polls in Georgia and Pennsylvania this week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Intercept Briefing, a new podcast from our newsroom. In our first episode, politics reporters Jessica Washington and Akela Lacy break down The Intercept’s recent investigation on how the American Israel Public Affairs Committee has shaped U.S. foreign policy, as well as, as well as its record-breaking spending in the 2024 election cycle to unseat members of Congress who are who are insufficiently pro-Israel.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author Nathan Thrall discusses Israel's 'system of domination' over Palestinian land, detailing the strict permit system, movement restrictions, walls, fences, segregated roads, and punitive actions. The podcast explores violence in the West Bank, the future outlook for a negotiated solution, and possible escalation at Israel’s northern border. Thrall's Pulitzer Prize-winning book, 'A Day in the Life of Abed Salama,' sheds light on the struggles of Palestinians under Israeli control.

The podcast explores the devastating impact of Israel's war on Gaza, focusing on the high death toll and the stories of affected Palestinian families. It discusses the challenges faced by journalists covering the conflict and highlights the heartbreaking experiences of families like the Salim and Rajab families. The episode also delves into a forensic investigation of an ambulance shooting and highlights the documentary 'The Night Won't End, Biden's War on Gaza.'

The escalating military confrontation between Hezbollah and Israel now threatens to expand the conflict in Gaza into a full-blown regional war. For the past eight months, Israel and Hezbollah have traded missile attacks, leading to the evacuation of tens of thousands of civilians from northern Israel and southern Lebanon. The two sides have fought devastating wars in the past, but a cold peace has reigned for nearly 17 years. That peace is now in jeopardy, as Hezbollah has mobilized in sympathy with Hamas following Israel's invasion of the Gaza Strip. To discuss the situation this week on Intercepted is Sam Heller, a fellow with the Century Foundation and expert on Lebanon and Hezbollah. Heller spoke with host Murtaza Hussain on the prospects of the conflict escalating, as well as the potential impact on the Lebanese, Israelis, and the broader Middle East.If you’d like to support our work, go to theintercept.com/join, where your donation, no matter what the amount, makes a real difference.And if you haven’t already, please subscribe to the show so you can hear it every week. And please go and leave us a rating or a review — it helps people find the show. If you want to give us additional feedback, email us at Podcasts@theintercept.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.