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.
More than one million people have been driven from their homes in Lebanon, thousands of civilians have been killed, and children continue to die despite repeated calls for restraint and a declared ceasefire. Since March 2026, Israeli attacks have reportedly killed more than 3,700 people, including hundreds of children and medical workers. Entire towns, refugee camps, and neighborhoods have been emptied through evacuation orders, leaving families with nowhere safe to go. Human rights organizations warn that the scale of civilian deaths and displacement raises serious concerns under international law. Netanyahu and all officials responsible for violations of international humanitarian law should be held accountable. No leader, regardless of position or power, should be above the law. Justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators are essential if the cycle of violence is ever to end.
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Imagine living every day with the fear of being attacked, abducted, or even killed simply because of the color of your skin. That is the reality for many people with albinism in Malawi. Despite a decline in reported attacks, harmful myths and beliefs continue to fuel discrimination, violence, and social exclusion. Many people with albinism limit their movements, avoid job opportunities, and live in constant fear for their safety. A new report by Human Rights Watch and the African Albinism Network found that people with albinism face barriers to employment, education, healthcare, and social protection. Many are rejected for jobs because of prejudice, while others are forced to work in dangerous conditions that increase their risk of skin cancer. People with albinism are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for safety, dignity, equal opportunity, and the right to live and work without fear.
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The next episode of my podcast is this upcoming Tuesday, June 16, at 10:00am EDT with Ambassador Patrick Theros, former US Ambassador to the State of Qatar, and previously Deputy Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Political Advisor to the Commander-in-Chief of Central Command (CENTCOM). He is currently a Strategic Advisor and Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Gulf International Forum.
Listeners can register for the live podcast recording on Zoom at the following link: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/1917767007151/WN_18wzKEleSWag0P11HrMWWA
Archived episodes will be released the following day, on Wednesdays at noon. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, including Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Spotify, to be sure to always get the latest episodes.
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Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: On the Issues with Alon Ben-Meir, featuring Ambassador Patrick Theros. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Trump’s approach to Iran is not just misguided—it is dangerously delusional. Bombing Iranian military facilities, including water and civilian infrastructure, to “speed up” negotiations betray a profound ignorance of Iran’s strategic culture and national psyche. His defense secretary’s claim that “we negotiate with bombs” reduces diplomacy to coercion tantamount to demanding surrender—something Iran, with its 2,500-year history and fierce sense of sovereignty, will never accept. This reckless posture guarantees escalation, not compliance. Iran will respond to force with force, as it has repeatedly demonstrated. Serious negotiations with Tehran require patience, credibility, and respect for mutual interests; the original nuclear deal took years, not months. Trump’s impulsive timeline and coercive tactics are not just unrealistic—they are a formula for prolonged conflict. The priority must be to sustain the ceasefire and pursue steady, disciplined diplomacy.
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Iran's nuke program gone bye bye
Of course, terrorism supporters like you want Iran to have nuclear weapons. You were disappointed that only a couple thousand died on 9/11. You want millions of deaths.
He “negotiates” with Iran the same way he “negotiated” with women sitting beside him on airplanes.
