Today’s guest is Dr. Anne Speckhard, Director of the International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism. She is an expert in rehabilitation and repatriation of terrorists and their families, and has consulted with foreign governments on issues of terrorist prevention, interventions and repatriation; and the rehabilitation and reintegration of ISIS foreign fighters, wives and children. Her latest book, Homegrown Hate: Inside the Minds of Domestic Violent Extremists, examines the deepening threat of domestic violent extremism in the U.S. through more than 50 in-depth interviews with current and former members of a wide range of domestic hate groups.
In this episode, we discuss the psychological and psychosocial dimensions of violent extremism, what attracts people to these ideologies, how terrorists and violent extremists have been able to utilize social media to draw people into their ideologies, and what can be done to try to prevent people from falling into these extremist ideologies.
Listen now; link in bio.
Global violence today is metastasizing, not contained; over 180,000 violent events are reported globally, signaling a world in which conflict has become a baseline condition rather than an exception. Yet the UN system and democracies appear increasingly paralyzed—trapped in vetoes, geopolitical rivalries, and hollow declarations—offering gestures of concern instead of enforcing accountability, which is desperately needed.
I recently spoke with Dimitris Eleas, a political scientist, writer, and independent researcher, on my podcast, discussing the human impact of global wars and violence. As Dimitris poignantly observes, the poor, the children, and women are those who suffer the most.
Listen to this and more in my latest podcast episode; link in bio.
Human rights groups warn that deporting people to countries experiencing armed conflict violates international law and fundamental humanitarian protections. As the war in Ukraine continues, governments should prioritize human dignity and civilian protection instead of facilitating removals that could place vulnerable people directly in danger.
The Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, were widely condemned and initially generated international sympathy for Israel. However, as the war in Gaza intensified, global perceptions began to shift dramatically. Images of devastated neighborhoods, overwhelmed hospitals, mass displacement, and the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians have led many governments, human rights organizations, and members of the public to question whether Israel’s response has remained within the bounds of international humanitarian law. What was once viewed primarily as a security conflict is now increasingly seen as a moral and political crisis. As civilian suffering continues and diplomatic criticism grows, Israel faces mounting international isolation and a profound challenge to its global reputation. Link to the article
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Trump will never admit it, but all factual accounts show that the United States and Israel have lost the war against Iran. Iran’s air force, navy, and air defenses were badly damaged, yet its regime stands intact, commands nearly one million soldiers still in the field, controls the Strait of Hormuz, and has severely disrupted global oil supplies. Despite Trump’s repeated existential threats and pressure, Iran has refused terms it deems unacceptable and is now dictating its own conditions, including sanctions relief and guarantees against future attempts at regime change. This unnecessary, ill conceived war has already cost tens of billions of dollars and 13 American servicemen's lives. It is a strategic debacle and a moral disgrace—and it will remain one of the darkest legacies of Trump’s presidency, whatever its final outcome.
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Today’s guest is Dr. Anne Speckhard, Director of the International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism. She is an expert in rehabilitation and repatriation of terrorists and their families, and has consulted with foreign governments on issues of terrorist prevention, interventions and repatriation; and the rehabilitation and reintegration of ISIS foreign fighters, wives and children. Her latest book, Homegrown Hate: Inside the Minds of Domestic Violent Extremists, examines the deepening threat of domestic violent extremism in the U.S. through more than 50 in-depth interviews with current and former members of a wide range of domestic hate groups.
In this episode, we discuss the psychological and psychosocial dimensions of violent extremism, what attracts people to these ideologies, how terrorists and violent extremists have been able to utilize social media to draw people into their ideologies, and what can be done to try to prevent people from falling into these extremist ideologies.
Listen now: soundcloud.com/alon-ben-meir/on-the-issues-episode-151-anne-speckhard
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Two Rwandan journalists are facing prosecution after reporting on Kwa Kabuga, a detention center in Kigali where human rights organizations have documented arbitrary detention and serious abuse. Augustin Nsanzimana and Emmanuel Niyonshuti were arrested shortly after publishing a video alleging detainee death at the facility and are now being held in pre-trial detention. Their case raises serious concerns about press freedom and freedom of expression in Rwanda, where journalists, commentators, and opposition voices continue to face intimidation, prosecution, and imprisonment for reporting on issues of public interest. A society cannot hold institutions accountable when those who investigate alleged abuses are silenced. Reporting on human rights concerns should be protected, not punished. Authorities should ensure due process, respect freedom of expression, and release all those detained solely for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights.
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