The Round Room

In this episode of The Round Room, we examine how politics have overshadowed the 2026 Winter Olympics—from protests in Milan over the reported presence of U.S. ICE agents, to American athletes speaking out against immigration policies, and the disqualification of a Ukrainian athlete over a war memorial helmet. The episode explores the growing tension between athletic competition and political expression on the global stage.We would love to thank our writing team, who put together the script for this episode: Audrey Collison, Valeria Guerrero, and Nathan Igoe. And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editor Colten Gottlob.To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram.Sources:https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y29xzjdzvohttps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/6/anti-ice-protesters-rally-in-milan-ahead-of-olympics-openinghttps://www.nbcnews.com/world/italy/ice-role-winter-olympics-prompts-fury-italy-rcna256087https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/olympics/winter-olympics-2026-athletes-protest-ice-trump-minneapolis-shooting-rcna256219​​https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-criticizes-olympic-skier-hunter-hess-rcna258083https://www.npr.org/2026/02/09/nx-s1-5706017/as-us-olympians-call-for-tolerance-and-lgbtq-rights-some-face-trump-attacks-and-online-hate https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/olympics/live-blog/2026-winter-olympics-live-updates-rcna256602 https://www.axios.com/2026/02/06/olympics-2026-winter-games-trump-ice-protest https://www.npr.org/2026/02/19/nx-s1-5719335/alysa-liu-figure-skating-gold-olympicshttps://www.nbcnews.com/sports/olympics/ukraine-vladyslav-heraskevych-disqualified-winter-olympics-helmet-war-rcna258696 https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/2/12/ukraines-heraskevych-disqualified-from-olympics-skeleton-over-helmet https://www.nbcnews.com/world/ukraine/ukraine-boycott-winter-paralympics-russians-competing-flag-belarus-rcna259525

What makes a nation — and what happens when a nation doesn’t have a state of its own?In this episode of The Round Room, we explore communities like the Basques, Kashmiris, and Kurds who share a common identity, language, and history but lack full sovereignty. We break down nationalism, autonomy, and self-determination to understand how history, borders, and power shape global politics today, all in a clear, bite-sized format.We would love to thank our writing team, who put together the script for this episode: Audrey Collison, Valeria Guerrero, and Nathan Igoe. And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editor Colten Gottlob.To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram.Sources:Basque Countryhttps://aboutbasquecountry.eus/en/2021/09/08/the-anticolonialism-of-sabino-arana-the-founder-of-basque-nationalism-video/ https://www.buber.net/Basque/History/arana.php https://pantheon.world/profile/person/Sabino_Arana https://www.euronews.com/culture/2022/12/08/european-minority-languages-is-basque-the-most-unique-language-in-europe https://www.britannica.com/topic/Basque https://aboutbasquecountry.eus/en/2021/09/08/the-anticolonialism-of-sabino-arana-the-founder-of-basque-nationalism-video/ https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20170719-the-mysterious-origins-of-europes-oldest-language https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/bombing-of-guernica/ https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2012/04/25/inenglish/1335366383_825388.html Kurdistanhttps://www.britannica.com/place/Kurdistanhttps://www.britannica.com/topic/Kurdhttps://www.britannica.com/place/Turkey/The-Kurdish-conflicthttps://www.britannica.com/summary/Kurdistanhttps://www.reuters.com/world/middle-easthttps://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/kurdish-pkk-dissolves-after-decades-struggle-with-turkey-news-agency-close-2025-05-12/https://www.aljazeera.com/tag/kurds/https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/11/06/advancing-human-rights-justice-and-democracy-for-kurds-and-all-other-communities-inKashmirhttps://internationalviewpoint.org/Kashmir-India-Pakistan-on-the-history-and-internationalist-stakes-of-a-state-ofhttps://beltwaygrid.org/the-kashmir-conflict-historical-roots-and-current-challenges/?https://www.britannica.com/place/Kashmir-region-Indian-subcontinent?https://newsofkashmir.com/index.php/2026/01/31/kashmir/?Kashmir-geography-people-and-heritagehttps://theindosphere.com/history/kashmir-origins-history-invasion/?

In this episode of The Round Room, we examine stateless nations and what independence movements reveal about identity, sovereignty, and power in global politics. Through case studies on Catalonia, Scotland, and Quebec, we explore how history, culture, and political conflict shape demands for self-determination, from Catalonia’s independence push and Scotland’s post-Brexit debates to Quebec’s language-based movement and Indigenous perspectives.We would love to thank our writing team who put together the script for this episode: Audrey Collison, Valeria Guerrero, and Nathan Igoe. And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editor Colten Gottlob.To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram.Sources:Catalonia:https://www.britannica.com/place/Cataloniahttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41584864https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29478415Scotlandhttps://www.thoughtco.com/scotland-is-not-an-independent-country-1435433  https://www.open.edu/openlearn/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=68996&section=1 https://www.nowscotland.scot/why_independence https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/rp14-50/ Quebechttps://www.believeinscotland.org/why-quebecs-independence-dream-went-wrong-lessons-for-scotland  

In this episode of The Round Room, we unpack the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan. What began as a local conflict has escalated into a global one, with countries supplying troops and weapons to both sides. Caught in the middle are the people of Sudan, who are facing dwindling support as international actors scale back critical aid programs.We would love to thank our writing team who put together the script for this episode: Iselin Bratz, Audrey Collison, and Briana Cordon . And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editor Colten Gottlob.To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram.Sources:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wB4UHYZPTScbMox4xEDs-SPwmxmeLRKmMR_iERBVaug/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode of the Round Room we go over seas and explore several student protests occurring in Asia. Join us as we explore fights against corruption and political elitism, while also seeing the powerful role social media plays in protest and revolution in the 21st century. From Nepal to the Philippines there is something we can all learn from the efforts of these protesters. We would love to thank our writing team who put together the script for this episode: Iselin Bratz, Audrey Collison, Nathan Igoe and Briana Cordon . And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editor Colten Gottlob. To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram.Sources:https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/massachusetts-lawmakers-base-pay-just-tip-legislative-salary-iceberg/ZWVID6NMWFEKXAT3XSZYZV74OM/https://www.senate.gov/senators/SenateSalariesSince1789.htmhttps://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/AWI.htmlhttps://www.crisisgroup.org/asia-pacific/nepal/nepal-picks-pieces-after-protests-topple-governmenthttps://thediplomat.com/2025/09/nepals-gen-z-force-prime-minister-oli-to-resign/https://time.com/7315492/nepal-gen-z-protests-social-media-nepo-kids-corruption-explainer/https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/podcasts/in-solidarity-podcast/sri-lanka-bangladesh-nepal-south-asia-spring-in-solidarity-podcast-roman-gautam/https://www.himalmag.com/politics/nepal-gen-z-uprising-oli-resignationhttps://www.independent.co.uk/asia/south-asia/nepal-bangladesh-sri-lanka-protests-corruption-gen-z-b2831771.htmlhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/16/colombo-kathmandu-youth-movements-nepal-toppling-entrenched-eliteshttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4ljv39em7ohttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/21/protests-philippines-corruption-state-floodhttps://time.com/7319164/philippines-flood-control-projects-corruption/https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/23/timor-leste-gen-z-protests-regional-trend/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/09/01/asia/indonesia-protests-explainer-intl-hnkhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/02/indonesia-protests-explained-start-how-has-the-government-respondedhttps://thediplomat.com/2025/09/seablings-the-new-southeast-asian-transnational-solidarity-campaign/https://www.facebook.com/groups/unitegroupnepal/posts/4340678822835790/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG_dg3cLAD0https://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/en/analyses/nepal-elects-its-first-female-prime-minister-on-discord-what-it-reveals-about-social-media-and-democracy/https://www.aljazeera.com/where/nepal/https://openthemagazine.com/feature/tanuja-pandey-poster-girl-of-nepals-gen-z-protests-seeks-justice-for-fallen-comrades

In this episode of the Round Room we explore historical efforts of student protests all across the globe. Join us as we go back in time to Mexico in the 1960s and the Movimiento Estudiantil, China in the 80s and the Tianemen Square protests, Iran in 2022 and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement, and Kenya's current student movements starting on June 18th of last year. We would love to thank our writing team who put together the script for this episode: Styx Hatch, Audrey Collison, Ivan Andarza, and Sadie Scholl. And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editors Colten Gottlob, and Nik VyshinskiyTo keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram.Sources:https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/29/kenyas-youth-driven-protest-movement-at-crossroads-as-it-considers-futurehttps://apnews.com/article/kenya-protests-finance-bill-4f3389c9728a4db5c1cd5a91407a4c44https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/06/no-jobs-no-trust-young-africans-economic-struggles-fuel-protests-kenya-nigeria-ugandahttps://www.jstor.org/stable/20050041?seq=4 https://www.britannica.com/event/Tiananmen-Square-incident https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2008/10/no-truth-no-justice-40-years-after-mexico-city-massacre-20081002/https://www.npr.org/2018/10/02/653779935/whats-changed-in-mexico-since-the-1968-student-protestshttps://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB10/nsaebb10.htmhttps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/2/mexico-the-tlatelolco-massacre-50-years-onhttps://memoricamexico.gob.mx/es/memorica/Temas?ctId=7d88a1e7-5937-4990-98ea-691fae0362f6&cId=MDcwZGI2MjgtY2I3MC00MzY2LTk3ODctZWI5YWMxNTg4MmQ5&cd=falsehttps://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/mexican-students-protest-greater-democracy-1968https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/tlatelolco-massacre/https://oxfordre.com/latinamericanhistory/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780199366439.001.0001/acrefore-9780199366439-e-828#:~:text=It%20was%20in%20this%20context,those%20 responsible%20for%20the%20 repression%2Chttps://web.archive.org/web/20221002231449/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/24/world/middleeast/iran-protests-raisi-khamenei-hijab.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-protest-clerics-turbans/32126147.htmlhttps://web.archive.org/web/20221206043742/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/12/05/1200-university-students-poisoned-night-planned-anti-regime/https://www.globalstudentforum.org/the-mahsa-revolution-and-student-protests-in-iran/https://web.archive.org/web/20221020041242/https://theconversation.com/not-powerless-victims-how-young-iranian-women-have-long-led-a-quiet-revolution-192188https://time.com/6220554/students-iran-protests/https://iranhumanrights.org/2022/10/sharif-students-violently-attacked-arrested-by-security-forces-as-protests-in-iran-spread/

In this episode of the Round Room, we examine the evolving landscape of women's rights movements in the 21st century. We explore how transgender women are facing increasing violence and discrimination worldwide spotlighted by international incidents in China, Iran, and Afghanistan. We also explore global feminist responses, including South Korea’s radical 4B movement, mass women’s strikes across Europe and Latin America, and the urgent fight for reproductive rights. Join us as we trace how these movements challenge dominant norms, push back against gender based oppression, and reimagine what it means to be a woman today. We would love to thank our writing team who put together the script for this episode: Styx Hatch, Audrey Collison, Iselin Bratz, Ivan Andarza, Mathew Olaince, and Sadie Scholl . And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editors Colten Gottlob, and Nik VyshinskiyTo keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram.Sources:https://theconversation.com/a-woman-is-not-a-baby-making-machine-a-brief-history-of-south-koreas-4b-movement-and-why-its-making-waves-in-america-243355 https://www.npr.org/2024/11/08/nx-s1-5182888/4b-movement-trump-south-korea https://www.hrw.org/topic/womens-rights/reproductive-rightshttps://www.pih.org/article/global-gag-rule-impact https://reproductiverights.org/european-commission-commitment-sexual-reproductive-health-rights-roadmap/https://reproductiverights.org/maps/worlds-abortion-laws/ https://thesecuritydistillery.org/all-articles/south-koreas-4b-movement-how-patriarchy-undermines-demographic-securityhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/15/4b-south-korea-feminist-movement-donald-trump-election-backlashhttps://www.cnn.com/2024/11/09/us/4b-movement-trump-south-korea-wellness-cec/index.htmlhttps://harbingersmagazine.com/articles/from-south-korea-to-the-us-why-the-4b-movement-is-taking-over-by-ashley-solace/https://www.service95.com/4b-movement-explainerhttps://www.iar-gwu.org/blog/iar-web/south-koreas-4bhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/03/08/one-reason-women-strike-it-gets-results/https://apnews.com/article/iceland-women-strike-equal-pay-970669466116a2b1a5673a8737089d46https://wams.nyhistory.org/growth-and-turmoil/feminism-and-the-backlash/women-strike-for-equality/https://actionnetwork.org/groups/international-womens-strike-us

In this episode of the Round Room, we explore the rising political unrest in Georgia, a former Soviet republic at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. We unpack the recent consolidation of power by the ruling Georgian Dream Party, the controversial election of far-right president Mikheil Kavelashvili, and the government's authoritarian turn including media crackdowns, protest bans, and a postponed bid for European Union membership. As tensions mount, student-led protests are sweeping the country, demanding democracy, freedom of expression, and a return to Georgia’s pro-European path. Join us as we examine the parallels to Russian influence, the impact on Georgia’s civil society, and the growing urgency of international attention.We would love to thank our writing team who put together the script for this episode: Styx Hatch, Audrey Collison, Iselin Bratz, Ivan Andarza, Mathew Olaince, and Sadie Scholl . And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editors Colten Gottlob, and Nik VyshinskiyTo keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram.Sources:https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/georgias-new-president-is-inaugurated-complicating-countrys-path-to-joining-eu https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/3/georgia-protests-whats-behind-them-and-whats-next  ​​https://therecord.media/georgian-authorities-raid-homes-disinformation-researchers-electionhttps://oc-media.org/georgian-police-raid-homes-of-three-activists-detaining-one/https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/european-neighbourhood-policy/countries-region/georgia_enhttps://www.dw.com/en/georgias-path-to-the-eu-looms-large-in-2024-election/a-70590398https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/15/europe/georgia-protests-authoritarianism-fears-intl-cmd/index.htmlhttps://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/the-2008-russo-georgian-war-putins-green-light/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/3/georgia-protests-whats-behind-them-and-whats-nexthttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/02/georgia-opposition-leaders-arrested-anti-government-protesthttps://www.hrw.org/news/2025/03/26/georgia-drop-repressive-foreign-agents-billhttps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/17/georgia-court-hands-ex-president-saakashvili-further-4-5-years-in-prisonhttps://www.thenewfederalist.eu/georgian-students-at-the-front-line-three-months-of-struggle-for-europe?lang=frhttps://neweasterneurope.eu/2025/03/24/history-rhymes-intellectual-resistance-and-state-repression-in-georgia/

In this episode of the Round Room, we delve into the ongoing persecution of the Uyghur community, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group from China’s Xinjiang region. We unpack the Chinese government’s systematic repression, from mass internment in so-called "re-education camps" to forced labor, cultural erasure, and relentless surveillance. As nations grapple with how to respond, we examine Switzerland’s delicate political stance with Uyghur immigrants, the broader implications of China's actions, and the urgent need for sustained global awareness.We would love to thank our writing team who put together the script for this episode: Styx Hatch, Audrey Collison, Iselin Bratz, Ivan Andarza, Mathew Olaince, and Sadie Scholl . And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editors Colten Gottlob, and Nik VyshinskiyTo keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram.Sources:https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/china-xinjiang-uyghurs-muslims-repression-genocide-human-rights https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-22278037 https://thediplomat.com/2024/04/erasing-memories-concealing-evidence-chinas-efforts-to-obscure-the-uyghur-genocide/ https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/chinas-repression-in-xinjiang-is-entering-an-even-darker-phase-the-un-must-act/ https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-affairs/tibetans-and-uyghurs-in-switzerland-fear-long-arm-of-china/88885304https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/8/switzerland-summons-chinas-envoy-over-uighur-rights-concernshttps://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-affairs/china-rejects-report-on-tibetans-and-uyghurs-in-switzerland/88870890https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/02/china-uyghurs-living-abroad-tell-of-campaign-of-intimidation/https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/china-uighur/

In this episode of The Round Room, we explore the escalating humanitarian crisis in Colombia’s Catatumbo region, where armed groups, drug trafficking, and a lack of government control have fueled decades of violence. We break down the region’s complex history, from guerrilla movements and paramilitary forces to the failed 2016 peace agreement that left a power vacuum now filled by warring factions. With mass displacements, rising casualties, and reports of human rights abuses, the Colombian government has deployed thousands of soldiers, but internal divisions and military intervention complicate the situation. As the conflict continues to evolve, we discuss its devastating impact on civilians and the urgent need to stay informed.We would love to thank our writing team who put together the script for this episode: Styx Hatch, Audrey Collison, Iselin Bratz, Ivan Andarza, Mathew Olaince, and Sadie Scholl . And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editors Colten Gottlob, and Nik VyshinskiyTo keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram.Sources:https://newlinesmag.com/spotlight/a-rekindled-conflict-has-pushed-colombia-into-a-state-of-emergency/ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7vd7njv4zzo https://reliefweb.int/report/colombia/ongoing-violence-catatumbo-norte-de-santander https://www.eltiempo.com/justicia/conflicto-y-narcotrafico/crisis-humanitaria-en-el-catatumbo-pone-en-jaque-la-paz-total-que-ha-pasado-en-la-region-3420567https://www.elespectador.com/judicial/catatumbo-hoy-presidente-de-la-corte-suprema-de-justicia-se-reunira-en-cucuta-con-los-jueces-de-la-region-noticias-hoy/https://www.asuntoslegales.com.co/actualidad/mindefensa-publico-balance-de-la-situacion-en-el-catatumbo-hay-54-038-desplazados-4057186https://www.larepublica.co/economia/gobierno-de-petro-expidio-16-decretos-nuevos-de-conmocion-region-de-catatumbo-4055861

In this episode of the Round Room, we flash back to December 3, 2024, when South Korea was thrown into political chaos after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in an unprecedented move to suppress opposition power. As troops surrounded parliament and fear spread nationwide, the echoes of past military regimes loomed large. What followed was a dramatic chain of events—mass protests, Yoon’s impeachment, and his eventual arrest after a tense standoff. We examine how this six-hour declaration of martial law, the first in over 40 years, became a defining moment in South Korean politics, reigniting conversations about democracy, authoritarianism, and the country’s turbulent history. Tune in as we break down the legal and political consequences of Yoon’s downfall and what it means for South Korea’s future.We would love to thank our writing team who put together the script for this episode: Styx Hatch, Audrey Collison, Iselin Bratz, Ivan Andarza, Mathew Olaince, and Sadie Scholl . And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editors Colten Gottlob, and Nik VyshinskiyTo keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram.Sources:Press Democrat: South Korean prosecutors indict impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law, reports say Wikipedia: South Korean martial law crisisWikisource (translations): Declaration of Martial Law in the Republic of Korea Wikipedia: Pres. Yoon Suk Yeol Declaration of Emergency Martial Law Announcement Web Archive: Declaration of Emergency Martial Law Announcement https://www.reuters.com/graphics/SOUTHKOREA-POLITICS/GRAPHICS/lgpdjajkbpo/https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mrwnK1g5SUMhFLuUSAnn6oosSpkGVIr2-iTXj6JqNLs/edit?usp=sharing 

In this episode of The Round Room, we’re broadcasting from Barcelona, Spain, bringing a global lens to U.S. politics. As Donald Trump begins his second term as America’s 47th president, we analyze his foreign policy: Is it truly isolationist, or does it follow the “Madman Theory”? We break down his impact on immigration, international trade, climate agreements, and global diplomacy—covering NATO, Israel-Palestine, and China. Plus, we examine his early executive actions, including the TikTok ban and proposed tariffs. Join us for a deep dive into how Trump’s return to power is reshaping the world.We would love to thank our writing team who put together the script for this episode: Styx Hatch, Audrey Collison, Iselin Bratz, Ivan Andarza, Mathew Olaince, and Sadie Scholl . And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editors Colten Gottlob, and Nik VyshinskiyTo keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram.

In this episode, Monica and Rocio unpack Venezuela's tumultuous political history, tracing the rise of Hugo Chávez, the failed 2002 coup, and the ongoing struggles under Nicolás Maduro. They delve into U.S. intervention, economic collapse, and election controversies, shedding light on the role of misinformation, sanctions, and power struggles in shaping Venezuela’s current crisis. As the nation grapples with hyperinflation, migration, and humanitarian challenges, the hosts question what’s next for a country caught between political turmoil and survival.We would love to thank our writers who put together the script for this episode: Henry Jones, Melanie Pozo, Styx Hatch, and Audrey Collison. We'd also love to thank our team of script and research editors: Iselin Bratz, Adam Nuñez, and Claudia Mains. And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editors Axelle Yanakakis-Caroll, Colten Gottlob, Sandro Mercado, and Nik VyshinskiyTo keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram.Sources:https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-48121148https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/instability-venezuelahttps://apnews.com/article/venezuela-presidential-election-maduro-machado-edmundo-5ce255ae90614162590bfe1207d2e1d0https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuela-hunger-stalks-presidential-election-2024-07-09/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuela-presidential-election-be-held-july-28-electoral-council-2024-03-05/https://www.telemundo.com/noticias/noticias-telemundo/internacional/blog/crisis-en-venezuela-el-lider-de-la-oea-pedira-arresto-de-maduro-y-fall-rcna164642https://www.npr.org/2024/09/15/nx-s1-5110007/venezuelan-journalists-use-ai-to-avoid-government-scrutinyhttps://www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuelas-newest-news-agency-says-ai-anchors-protect-reporters-amid-government-2024-09-02/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/venezuela-crisis-us-support-miami-rally-rcna165182https://www.npr.org/2024/08/04/nx-s1-5060458/protests-over-election-results-in-venezuela-arent-losing-steamhttps://www.as-coa.org/articles/how-have-international-leaders-responded-venezuelas-2024-election https://acleddata.com/2024/08/29/venezuela-election-protests-harsher-repression-at-home-and-more-global-reach-than-in-2019/ https://english.elpais.com/international/2024-07-26/nicolas-maduros-government-plan-venezuelan-president-seeks-the-continuity-of-chavismo.html https://www.mpppst.gob.ve/mpppstweb/index.php/2024/02/19/rumbo-al-desarrollo-del-pais/

In this episode of The Round Room we dive into India's recent elections. India’s caste system, rooted in a 3,000-year-old social hierarchy, continues to shape every facet of life for millions, despite being officially outlawed. Dalits, or "Untouchables," face systemic oppression, disenfranchisement, and violence, compounded by government policies that suppress their votes and limit their opportunities. Recent elections reflect growing dissatisfaction with the ruling BJP, as opposition coalitions rise, signaling potential change but leaving deep-rooted caste inequities and voter suppression unresolved.We would love to thank our writers who put together the script for this episode: Henry Jones, Melanie Pozo, Styx Hatch, and Audrey Collison. We'd also love to thank our team of script and research editors: Iselin Bratz, Adam Nuñez, and Claudia Mains. And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editors Axelle Yanakakis-Caroll, Colten Gottlob, Sandro Mercado, and Nik VyshinskiyTo keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram.https://www.hrw.org/reports/2001/globalcaste/caste0801-03.htm#:~:text=A%20defining%20feature%20of%20Hinduism,among%20regions%20and%20over%20time. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1152/caste-system-in-ancient-india/https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2021/06/29/attitudes-about-caste/https://edition.cnn.com/asia/live-news/india-general-election-results-06-04-24-intl-hnk/index.htmlhttps://carnegieendowment.org/features/india-elects-2024https://www.npr.org/2019/05/03/706808616/the-powerful-group-shaping-the-rise-of-hindu-nationalism-in-indiahttps://apnews.com/article/india-election-results-2024-lok-sabha-modi-bjp-7893efecc83fa8225a611f174e6420eehttps://carnegieendowment.org/features/india-elects-2024

In this episode join our hosts as they examine the end of apartheid in South Africa, focusing on the ANC's historic rise to power and its recent electoral decline in 2024. Once a symbol of liberation, the party now faces growing public discontent over issues like corruption, inequality, and unemployment, signaling a significant shift in the country's political landscape. We would love to thank our writers who put together the script for this episode: Henry Jones, Melanie Pozo, Styx Hatch, and Audrey Collison. We'd also love to thank our team of script and research editors: Iselin Bratz, Adam Nuñez, and Cladia Mains. And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editors Axelle Yanakakis-Caroll, Colten Gottlob, Sandro Mercado, and Nik Vyshinskiy To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram. https://www.npr.org/2024/06/01/nx-s1-4987616/south-africa-election-results https://www.npr.org/2024/11/05/g-s1-32338/puerto-rico-holds-general-election https://apnews.com/article/puerto-rico-election-dalmau-pnp-ppd-cf7543357d219fb695a96b863b5fcf11 https://apnews.com/article/puerto-rico-governor-election-jenniffer-dalmau-2872ebb97209454754f2df68acfa5ebc https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/jenniffer-gonzalez-of-puerto-ricos-pro-statehood-party-edges-ahead-in-gubernatorial-election https://www.elnuevodia.com/elecciones-2024/resultados/ https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/nelson-mandela-fought-apartheid-work-not-complete https://apnews.com/article/south-africa-election-vote-anc-d9da7582ca98a4e00fec2da6a5fe1e91https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/14/south-africa-anc-pushing-coalition-government-before-election-presidenthttps://www.reuters.com/world/africa/key-issues-south-african-voters-wide-open-2024-election-2024-05-13/ https://www.npr.org/2024/06/01/nx-s1-4987616/south-africa-election-results https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/14/south-africa-anc-pushing-coalition-government-before-election-president https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/key-issues-south-african-voters-wide-open-2024-election-2024-05-13/ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14094760 https://cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/events/democracy-us-and-south-africa-two-elections-comparative-context https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8QopgqI-eg https://www.reuters.com/graphics/SAFRICA-ELECTION/ECONOMY/egpbonzrgvq/ https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/apartheid-1948-1994/ https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/history-apartheid-south-africa https://www.historicalafrica.org/what-was-apartheid-in-south-africa/ https://www.editology.co.za/list-of-apartheid-laws/https://www.editology.co.za/list-of-apartheid-laws/ https://apnews.com/article/south-africa-freedom-1994-elections-mandela-18393fe2f2eeb6f0217c3ca347c40453 https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/marikana-massacre-16-august-2012 https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2012/11/7/coal-miners-strike-deal-in-south-africa https://www.anc1912.org.za/ https://www.da.org.za/ https://mkparty.org.za/about-mk/ https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/umkhonto-wesizwe-mk https://effonline.org/ https://www.npr.org/2024/06/01/nx-s1-4987616/south-africa-election-results https://theconversation.com/cyril-ramaphosas-marikana-massacre-apology-is-disingenuous-and-dishonest-77485 https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/marikana-what-did-cyril-ramaphosa-do/

In this episode The Round Room dives into the complexities of Puerto Rico's November 5th gubernatorial election, where the question of political status — remaining a U.S. territory, pursuing statehood, or seeking independence — takes center stage. We explore the island's colonial past, enduring challenges with U.S. oversight, and recent controversies such as austerity measures imposed by La Junta, an unelected financial oversight board, and widespread power outages following privatization efforts. The two dominant political parties, the pro-statehood PNP and pro-commonwealth PPD, face growing public disillusionment, intensified by alleged voter fraud and recent tensions after racist remarks against Puerto Rico. Join us as we explore the political landscape of Puerto Rico, its complex relationship with the U.S., and what this election means for its future. *This episode was recorded before the election on Nov. 5th We would love to thank our writers who put together the script for this episode: Henry Jones, Melanie Pozo, Styx Hatch, and Audrey Collison. We'd also love to thank our team of script and research editors: Iselin Bratz, Adam Nuñez, and Cladia Mains. And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editors Axelle Yanakakis-Caroll, Colten Gottlob, Sandro Mercado, and Nik Vyshinskiy To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram.

In this episode, join The Round Room as we break down the recent win of Austria’s far-right Freedom Party and its implications. With a history rooted in nationalist ideology, this victory is a key part of a broader trend of rising far-right populism across Europe. Follow us as we explore how this movement echoes similar shifts in Germany, France, and beyond, and what it means for global politics. We would love to thank our writers who put together the script for this episode: Henry Jones, Melanie Pozo, Styx Hatch, and Audrey Collison. We'd also love to thank our team of script and research editors: Iselin Bratz, Adam Nuñez, and Cladia Mains. And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editors Axelle Yanakakis-Caroll, Colten Gottlob, Sandro Mercado, and Nik Vyshinskiy To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram. Find our research and notes here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RoHsFKFS25xwRc53US7kcNNn4E1Cvhy4bG-hr-TJ5_I/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode join The Round Room as we explore the long-standing conflict between Israel and Palestine, beginning with the founding of Israel in 1948 and key events like the Nakba, the Six-Day War, and the Intifadas. To the recent escalation on October 7, 2023, with Hamas' attacks and Israel's military response, as well as the resulting humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The discussion touches on the role of media, the involvement of international actors, and allegations of war crimes. Disclaimer: This is an extremely complex topic with many historical, political, and humanitarian dimensions, and this episode provides only a broad overview. We would love to thank our writers who put together the script for this episode: Henry Jones, Melanie Pozo, Styx Hatch, and Audrey Collison. We'd also love to thank our team of script and research editors: Iselin Bratz, Adam Nuñez, and Cladia Mains. And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editors Axelle Yanakakis-Caroll, Colten Gottlob, Sandro Mercado, and Nik Vyshinskiy To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram. Find our Research and notes here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V9rwJH0J_Zqq1pL56D3mG3Aq9aFeC0PhkKwN-spKjHc/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode join the Round Room as we revisit the current situation going on between Haiti and the United States. Amidst political turmoil back home, Haitians have kept immigrating to the United States in search of a better life. This has led to push back and racism from certain sectors of the American media. Join us as we revisit the history between Haiti and the US and the current issues facing Haitian immigrants. We would love to thank our writers who put together the script for this episode: Haley Clough, Hank Jones, and Melanie Pozo. We'd also love to thank our team of fact-checkers: Rocio Sola Pardo. And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editor Axelle Yanakakis-Caroll To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram. https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/haitian-immigrants-united-states-2022  https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/haitian-revolution-1791-1804/  https://concernusa.org/news/timeline-haiti-history/ https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/haiti-creates-council-hold-first-elections-since-2016-2024-09-18/ https://library.brown.edu/create/modernlatinamerica/chapters/chapter-14-the-united-states-and-latin-america/moments-in-u-s-latin-american-relations/a-history-of-united-states-policy-towards-haiti/ https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/americas/haiti#:~:text=Haiti%20Trade%20%26%20Investment%20Summary,up%2035%20percent%20from%202012.  https://ht.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/policy-history/ https://www.southcom.mil/News/PressReleases/Article/3705148/statement-us-marine-fleet-anti-terrorism-security-team-fast-deployed-to-maintai/  https://nacla.org/anti-haitianism-springfield-scapegoating   https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/24/vance-trump-haitain-immigrants-charges https://apnews.com/article/springfield-ohio-haitian-immigrants-threats-key-details-7594bae869fb05dc6f106098409418cc https://cbs12.com/news/local/124-haitian-migrants-repatriated-after-two-us-coast-guard-interceptions-immigration-illegal-haiti-florida-miami-september-22-2024

Join hosts Monica and Rocio for the first time in video!!! In today's episode our hosts will be reacting to and providing context for the statements made in comedian Ziwe's interview with former representative George Santos. Expect some laughs and shock as we fact check several statements throughout. We would love to thank our writers who put together the script for this episode: Iselin Bratz, Haley Clough, Hank Jones, and Melanie Pozo. We'd also love to thank our team of fact-checkers: Rocio Sola Pardo. And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editors, Avery Amaral and Axelle Yanakakis-Caroll To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjbkafIMdl8 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/16/nyregion/santos-botox-ferragamo-expenses.html#:~:text=Santos%3B%20he%20pocketed%20the%20money,giant%3B%20and%20purchases%20on%20OnlyFans. https://nypost.com/news/who-is-george-santos-husband-matt/ https://time.com/6245110/george-santos-lies-resume/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2023/10/11/here-are-the-crimes-george-santos-has-been-charged-with-and-the-prison-time-he-could-face/?sh=4ad3f9302bbf https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/12/01/us/politics/santos-expulsion-vote-tracker.html https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empathy https://www.vanityfair.com/news/george-santos-who-could-be-in-prison-by-next-year-announces-hes-running-for-congress-again

In this episode join the Round Room team on a deep dive into the historic tensions between China and Japan over islands in the pacific. This conflict has been present since even before the 20th century and still persists to this day. Expect to learn about the reasons behind the conflict and the political and influential tensions that have allowed the conflict to continue. This podcast is hosted by Monica Rivera Sosa and Rocio Sola Pardo. We would love to thank our writers who put together the script for this episode: Iselin Bratz, Haley Clough, Hank Jones, and Melanie Pozo. We'd also love to thank our team of fact-checkers: Paloma Castrillo and Rocio Sola Pardo. And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editors, Avery Amaral and Axelle Yanakakis-Caroll To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2024/02/21/samoa-fiji/    https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3253015/chinas-pacific-influence-grows-japan-eyes-deeper-ties-island-nations-amid-their-domestic-woes  https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/palm/index.html https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-china-japan-asia-tokyo-44df15b19e710fb8da38e69deae85b53 https://thediplomat.com/2017/09/45-years-of-normalized-sino-japanese-diplomacy/

In this episode, the Round Room team discusses Argentina's new president Javier Milei. Winning the election this past December, Milei has come to be a controversial figure. From his eccentricity involving the cloning of his dogs to his far right political views Milei has been a large topic of discussion in Latin America. With his presidency, Milei seeks to alleviate the Argentinian economy through several policy changes. In terms of international policy, he has already started taking stances on many global issues and voiced his opinions on several world leaders. In this episode expect to hear all about Milei and what his presidency could mean for Argentina, Latina America and the World. This podcast is hosted by Monica Rivera Sosa and Rocio Sola Pardo. We would love to thank our writers who put together the script for this episode: Iselin Bratz, Haley Clough, Hank Jones, and Melanie Pozo. We'd also love to thank our team of fact-checkers: Paloma Castrillo and Rocio Sola Pardo. And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editors, Avery Amaral and Axelle Yanakakis-Caroll To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram. https://www.npr.org/2023/11/19/1214092698/javier-milei-a-radical-libertarian-populist-elected-president-of-argentina https://apnews.com/article/javier-milei-profile-argentina-election-82488d49cca5aee10d4b911bde530922 https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/argentinas-struggle-stability https://www.icontainers.com/us/2020/01/31/argentina-main-exports-and-imports/#:~:text=The%20South%20American%20country%20is,%2C%20citrus%20fruits%2C%20and%20grapes.  https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?locations=AR  https://www.foreignaffairs.com/south-america/how-javier-milei-could-change-argentina  https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/es/actualidad/noticias/se-confirmo-el-record-historico-de-exportaciones-de-bienes-superando-los-88-mil  https://www.vozdeamerica.com/a/fmi-argentina-alcanzan-acuerdo-de-deuda-por-44-000-millones-de-dolares/7435446.html  

In this episode, the Round Room team explores the United Nations. Ever since its origins after World War II the UN has played a key role in numerous conflicts around the world. Despite this, a lot of the history of the UN and their previous operations are not well known. In this episode expect to dive into the good and bad of the UN and learn of its origins. This podcast is hosted by Monica Rivera Sosa and our new host Rocio Sola Pardo! We would love to thank our writers who put together the script for this episode: Iselin Bratz, Haley Clough, Hank Jones, and Melanie Pozo. We'd also love to thank our team of fact-checkers: Paloma Castrillo and Rocio Sola Pardo. And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editor and designer, Avery Amaral. To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram. Sources:  https://www.un.org/en/  https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-not-in-the-un  https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/united-nations-charter#:~:text=The%20United%20Nations%20was%20established,circumstances%20following%20World%20War%20I.  https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/role-peacekeeping-africa  https://www.dw.com/en/africa-un-peacekeepers-increasingly-unwelcome/a-66068581  https://www.dw.com/en/un-downsizes-peacekeepers-in-sudans-darfur/a-39493425  https://www.dw.com/en/mali-orders-un-peacekeeping-mission-to-leave/a-65945836  https://www.dw.com/en/why-un-peacekeeping-missions-have-failed-to-pacify-africas-hot-spots/a-57767805  https://www.dw.com/en/mali-orders-un-peacekeeping-mission-to-leave/a-65945836  https://www.voanews.com/a/un-security-council-agrees-to-early-withdrawal-of-peacekeepers-from-dr-congo-/7404213.html https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/opinions/2016/9/10/the-un-has-failed-its-peacekeepers-in-s-sudan https://apnews.com/article/un-peacekeeping-75-anniversary-successes-failures-challenges-5a18ab63c9d54104c6863b71aed552cb https://www.google.com/url?q=https://peacekeeping.un.org/mission/past/onumozS.htm&sa=U&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwixzpGX_62EAxXUlokEHVBwDbcQFnoECBcQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3um6w4S887v7bast5s3KC0 https://ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu/olj/sa/sa_mar01chs01.html

In this episode, the Round Room team revisits and provides further context on the conflict between Iran and the US. Ever since the Iranian revolution in 1973 tensions have been high between the two countries. Further tensions grew after the 444 day long hostage crisis. With the war on terror tensions only continued to escalate between the two countries. Even in the present day the US is still clashing with Iran now over the country's atomic weapon development. Expect to hear about the many intricacies in the relations between Iran and the US and how the tensions between the two came to be. This podcast is hosted by Monica Rivera Sosa and our new host Rocio Sola Pardo! We would love to thank our writers who put together the script for this episode: Iselin Bratz, Haley Clough, Hank Jones, and Melanie Pozo. We'd also love to thank our team of fact-checkers: Paloma Castrillo and Rocio Sola Pardo. And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editor and designer, Avery Amaral. To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram. https://www.cfr.org/timeline/us-relations-iran-1953-2023  https://www.britannica.com/event/Iran-hostage-crisis https://www.cfr.org/timeline/oil-dependence-and-us-foreign-policy https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/confrontation-between-united-states-and-iran#RecentDevelopments-2 https://www.aol.com/despite-u-air-strikes-iran-193106560.html https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-02-06-24/h_14a7a3d9a2eb1fd668465b531c5c707d https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67614911 https://www.parstimes.com/history/algiers_accords.pdf  https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/6/29/iran-and-us-president-donald-trump-a-timeline-of-key-events  https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/2/us-launches-strikes-in-response-to-attack-that-killed-troops-in-jordan 

In this episode, the Round Room team explores the influence of Pope Francis on Catholicism. Besides being the first Latin American Pope, he is also considered to be one of the most liberal popes. From seeking to cut down the corruption in the Vatican and even making slight progress for LGBTQ+ people in the church calling to recognize and respect them. Despite this though, the Pope has still made several conservative statements against the LGBTQ+ community and has not committed fully to many of the subjects he talks about. In this episode you will have the pleasure to hear and learn about the interesting papacy led by Pope Francis. This podcast is hosted by Monica Rivera Sosa and our new host Rocio Sola Pardo! We would love to thank our writers who put together the script for this episode: Iselin Bratz, Haley Clough, Hank Jones, and Melanie Pozo. We'd also love to thank our team of fact-checkers: Paloma Castrillo and Rocio Sola Pardo. And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editor and designer, Avery Amaral. To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram. Sources:  https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-21777141 https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-francis-victim-ai-warns-against-its-perverse-dangers-2024-01-24/  https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-says-lgbt-blessings-are-individuals-not-approval-unions-2024-01-26/ https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-defends-same-sex-blessings-declaration-says-it-is-misunderstood-2024-01-15/   https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-calls-an-end-wars-urges-respect-civilians-2024-01-28/ https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-calls-an-end-wars-urges-respect-civilians-2024-01-28/ https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/can-the-curia-be-reformed/ https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-calls-universal-ban-deplorable-surrogate-parenting-2024-01-08/ https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/09/01/pope-francis-social-issues-abortion-gay-rights-climate-change/71520372/ https://time.com/3545844/pope-francis-evolution-creationism/

In this episode, the Round Room team explores the current situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While some may call the situation a genocide due to the ethnic components involved, it is hard to make this conclusion due to the several other factors at play like politics, religion and economy. Expect to hear about the historical factors at the base of this conflict and learn of the conflict currently playing out in the border between the DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi. This podcast is hosted by Monica Rivera Sosa and Natalie Vasileff. We would love to thank our writers who put together the script for this episode: Iselin Bratz, Haley Clough, Hank Jones, and Melanie Pozo. We'd also love to thank our team of fact-checkers: Paloma Castrillo and Rocio Sola Pardo. And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editor and designer, Aadi Sinha. To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram.

In this episode, the Round Room team continues onto the second part of episode 2: a continuation of taking a look at LGBTQ+ legislation from all around around the world. In our second and final part, the team explores legislation in Africa and Asia. Here, you will listen to see if laws affecting the queer community have progressed or regressed. This is another big episode with plenty of countries to discuss, so sit tight and get ready to listen. Why are so many African countries passing anti-gay legislation? How have the penal codes of countries in Asia affected the queer community? How has colonial rule affected queer policies in both Africa and Asia? All of these questions are answered here in this episode. This podcast is hosted by Monica Rivera Sosa and Natalie Vasileff. We would love to thank the writers behind this episode: Hank Jones and Melanie Pozo. We'd also love to thank our team of fact-checkers: Paloma Castrillo and Rocio Sola Pardo. And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editor and designer, Aadi Sinha. To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram. Sources for this episode: 1. https://www.reuters.com/world/us-monitors-indias-next-steps-after-court-declined-legalize-same-sex-marriage-2023-10-19/ 2. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-65525980 3. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korean-court-recognises-spousal-coverage-state-insurance-same-sex-couple-2023-02-21/ 4. https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/more-lgbtq-rights-could-help-asia-financial-hubs-draw-global-talent-2023-08-31/ 5. https://www.rainn.org/africa/uganda 6. https://nayakenya.org/2023/08/02/the-family-protection-bill-2023-harmful-law/ 7. https://www.humandignitytrust.org/country-profile/kenya/

In this episode, the Round Room team introduces the first part of episode 2: taking a look at LGBTQ+ legislation from all around the world. In this first part, we take a look into legislation in the Americas, Europe, and Australia. Here, you will listen to see if laws affecting the queer community have progressed or regressed. This is a big episode with plenty of countries to discuss, so sit tight and get ready to listen. While many consider the United States to be more progressive when it comes to LGBTQ+ legislation, could the upcoming election and recent laws in certain states affect what the country could look like for the queer community? Are post-Communist countries in Eastern Europe progressing with laws that match Western Europe? Have Latin American countries been more progressive than others from a much earlier start? And, is Australia as progressive as one might assume? All of these questions are answered here in this episode. This podcast is hosted by Monica Rivera Sosa and Natalie Vasileff. We would love to thank the writers behind this episode: Iselin Bratz and Haley Clough. We'd also love to thank our team of fact-checkers: Paloma Castrillo and Rocio Sola Pardo. And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editor and designer, Aadi Sinha. To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram. Sources for this episode: 1. https://capitolhistory.org/capitol-history-blog/a-summary-history-of-lgbtq-legislation-and-representation-within-congress/ 2. https://www.reuters.com/world/turkeys-erdogan-tells-supporters-he-does-not-recognise-lgbt-2023-10-07/ 3. https://ahvalnews.com/turkey-lgbti/turkish-clothing-chain-bans-lgbt-symbols-amid-growing-homophobia 4. https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/06/27/turkey-mass-detentions-pride-marches 5. https://capitolhistory.org/capitol-history-blog/a-summary-history-of-lgbtq-legislation-and-representation-within-congress/

Welcome back to the Round Room for Season 2! In this episode, the all-new Round Room team put together an episode on the recently eased sanctions imposed on Venezuela. As Venezuela's economy mainly relies on oil, the petrostate has fallen into an unfortunate economy which has furthered living poor conditions for many Venezuelan citizens. Additionally, as President Nicolas Maduro raises tensions in the country's election race, many residents have been faced with unfair election results and a questionable future for the country's government. More recently, the United States has eased its harsh sanctions which were imposed on Venezuela as the economy worsened and Maduro's party became stricter. Could this improve the relationship between the two countries, or will Venezuelans be the victims of unfairness? Listen to our new episode to learn more. This podcast is hosted by Monica Rivera Sosa and Natalie Vasileff. We would love to thank our writers who put together the script for this episode: Iselin Bratz, Haley Clough, Hank Jones, and Melanie Pozo. We would also love to thank our fact-checker for this episode, Paloma Castrillo. And, of course, we would additionally love to thank the Round Room's sound editor, Aadi Sinha. To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram. Sources for this episode: 1. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/venezuela-crisis 2. https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-Venezuela 3. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/u-s-imposed-sanctions-venezuela 4. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF10715 5. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-67153460 6. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-easing-venezuela-oil-sanctions-response-election-deal-official-2023-10-18/  7. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2023/10/20/lake-maracaibo-venezuela-oil-spill-hair-proyecto-sirena/ 8. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-easing-venezuela-oil-sanctions-response-election-deal-official-2023-10-18/   9. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-67153460 

In this episode, we take a deeper look into serious difficulties which woman migrant workers from Ethiopia continuously face. We first start by taking a look at the Tigray War, a conflict which raised tensions between the Ethiopian government and Eritrea while, most of all, increasing the ethnic cleansing of Tigrayans in Ethiopia. Refugees which have fled from Ethiopia have faced the hardships of becoming migrant workers in the almost neighboring country of Saudi Arabia. Throughout the episode, we explore more about the hardships women migrant workers have especially faced, ranging from poor living conditions to poor pay to threats of deportation. This podcast is hosted by Monica Rivera Sosa and Natalie Vasileff. To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram. Sources for this episode: 1. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/12/15/saudi-arabia-migrants-held-inhuman-degrading-conditions 2. https://theconversation.com/half-a-million-ethiopian-migrants-have-been-deported-from-saudi-arabia-in-5-years-what-they-go-through-195378 3. https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/conflict-ethiopia 4. https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2023/4/17/ethiopia-recruits-500000-women-for-domestic-work-in-saudi-arabia 5. https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2021/12/trafficked-and-returned-supporting-migrant-women-survivors-in-ethiopia-during-covid-19 6. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/12/saudi-arabia-ethiopian-migrants-forcibly-returned-after-detention-in-abhorrent-conditions/ 7. https://www.theafricareport.com/209683/ethiopian-detainees-report-being-mistreated-in-saudi-arabia/ 8. https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_protect/---protrav/---migrant/documents/briefingnote/wcms_533537.pdf 9. https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---africa/---ro-abidjan/---sro-addis_ababa/documents/publication/wcms_569654.pdf

In this episode, we take a look at the ongoing protests which have taken France by storm. After President Macron proposed a policy which would increase France's retirement age to 64 in order to avoid a national pension deficit, French citizens took to the streets to show opposition. Macron has faced national disapproval in raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030, especially after he used a bypass law in an article of the French constitution. However, France has been infamous in spending a large chunk of its GDP on the pension system. The Round Room team debates on whether Macron has done the right thing or not and if French protests have been taken to a level too far. By reviewing American cases, especially events surrounding the height of the Black Lives Matter movement and American police brutality, Monica and Natalie discuss why protesting in the United States is different and how it compares to current French protests. Sources for this episode: 1. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/28/strikes-protests-france-macron-pensions-clashes 2. https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-school-district-employees-teachers-strike-contract-877636676c3e67075ef784224d6965e4 3. https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/17/europe/french-pension-reforms-explainer-intl-cmd/index.html 4. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/10/french-retirement-age-reform-62 5. https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/03/20/heres-what-to-know-about-frances-controversial-pension-reforms-as-macron-survives-no-confidence-vote/?sh=35ad9465675f 6. https://www.ft.com/content/951e49de-69b4-4420-bcae-73a110a57171 This podcast is hosted by Monica Rivera Sosa and Natalie Vasileff. We'd like to thank the rest of our team who helped to create this episode which includes Oliver Glass, Jackson Bailey, Maddie Barron, and Manuel Trujillo. To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroom on Instagram.

In this episode, we discuss the ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Starting with the Armenian Genocide in 1915, we take a look at how events have changed throughout the last century and specifically focus on the conflicts and wars in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. While looking at the tensions within the region, we additionally discuss perspectives coming from Russia, Turkey, and the United States and how each of their relationships with both Armenia and Azerbaijan differ. Lastly, we got to sit down with Armenian Emerson student Becca Melkonian who has a family history tied to the Armenian side of the conflict. This podcast is hosted by Monica Rivera Sosa and Natalie Vasileff. To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram. Sources for this episode: 1. https://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/89157  2. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-armenian-genocide-1915-16-overview 3. https://www.crisisgroup.org/content/nagorno-karabakh-conflict-visual-explainer 4. https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/nagorno-karabakh-conflict 5. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/un-court-calls-for-end-to-nagorno-karabakh-roadblock-in-azerbaijan 6. https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-nations-azerbaijan-armenia-b13e2dba9bcb5df0e09536acb9c1b85d 7. https://www.dw.com/en/armenian-and-azerbaijani-border-clash-leaves-five-dead/a-64891575 8. https://time.com/6219263/armenia-azerbaijan-us-involvement/

In this episode, we discuss the Ohio train derailment which happened last month and the rippling effects we've seen in different aspects since the event occurred. Here, we look into the facts of what we so far know about the train derailment itself as well as the impacts it had left on East Palestine citizens. We additionally explore the politicization of incidents like these and take a closer look at the current debates surrounding Ohio with both American political parties fighting for the spotlight. More importantly, we dive into learning more about labor rights for railroad workers and the limitations which they have been facing for years. Lastly, we describe other train derailment accidents which have recently happened and look at a specific incident which happened right here in Boston. This podcast is hosted by Monica Rivera Sosa and Natalie Vasileff. To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram. Sources for this episode: https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/15/us/toxic-chemicals-train-derailments-explainer/index.html https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/23/us/ohio-train-derailment-east-palestine-thursday/index.html https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/fire-extinguished-overnight-at-braintree-waste-plant/2976428/ ​​https://nypost.com/2023/02/24/pete-buttigiegs-boots-at-east-palestine-ohio-train-derailment/ https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/news/phmsa-rescinds-ecp-brake-mandate-after-ria-finds-costs-outweigh-benefits https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/24/politics/joe-biden-east-palestine/index.html https://www.foxnews.com/politics/lawmakers-investigate-buttigieg-apathy-face-east-palestine-train-disaster https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/ohio-derailment-chemicals-people-diagnosed-bronchitis-rcna71839 https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/23597778/ohio-train-east-palestine-trainwreck-accident-chemical-norfolk https://www.businessinsider.com/railroad-unions-there-will-be-more-disasters-without-sick-pay-2023-2 https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/fire-extinguished-overnight-at-braintree-waste-plant/2976428/

In this episode, we discuss the police-caused shooting of UMass Boston student Arif Sayed Faisal and the lack of consequences that the Cambridge Police Department has been facing. We also look into the limited information coming from the ongoing investigation and why that information might be limited in the first place, ranging from the CPD not having body cameras to varying claims of what had happened to Faisal that day. Additionally, we sat down with Boston's Party of Socialism and Liberation organizer Rafeya Raquib to discuss her experiences participating in PSL and what you can personally do to help achieve justice for Faisal.  Please also consider donating to this Go Fund Me in order to support Faisal's family: https://www.gofundme.com/f/Support-Sayed-Arif-Faisals-Family This podcast is hosted by Monica Rivera Sosa and Natalie Vasileff. To keep up with podcast updates, please follow @theroundroompod on Instagram.  Sources for this episode: 1. https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2023/1/30/sayed-faisal-protest/ 2. https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2023/01/10/cambridge-fatal-police-shooting-sayed-faisal/ 3. https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/01/13/cambridge-arif-sayed-faisal-police-shooting-community-mourns 4. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/01/cambridge-officials-have-always-wanted-body-cameras-for-police-so-why-dont-they-still-have-them.html 5. https://berkeleybeacon.com/hundreds-rally-for-answers-over-fatal-police-killing-of-arif-sayed-faisal/ 6. https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/cambridgepolice/News/2023/02/communityupdatefromcambridgepoliceonjanuary4thfatalshooting 7. https://twitter.com/MaryWCVB/status/1611080744369020950 8. https://tuftsdaily.com/news/2023/01/24/cambridge-reels-after-police-killing-of-sayed-arif-faisal/ 9. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/01/29/metro/protesters-demand-names-cambridge-officers-who-shot-killed-20-year-old-arif-sayed-faisal/ 10. https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/mayorsoffice/News/2023/01/statementonthedeathofsayedariffaisal

In this episode, we pinpoint the human rights violations surrounding the World Cup hosted in Qatar and how politics and human rights meet together with sports, including a discussion on anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and violations against migrant workers seen in the sports tournament.  This podcast is hosted by Monica Rivera Sosa and Natalie Vasileff. To keep up with podcast updates, please follow us @theroundroompod on Instagram. Sources for this episode: 1. “Everything You Need to Know about Human Rights in Qatar .” Amnesty International, https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/middle-east-and-north-africa/qatar/report-qatar/. 2. Halabi, Ghallia. “Qatar: Human Rights Violations in One of the Wealthiest Countries.” Qatar: Human Rights Violations in One of the Wealthiest Countries : Leeds Human Rights Journal, 23 Mar. 2022, https://hrj.leeds.ac.uk/2022/03/23/qatar-human-rights-violations-in-one-of-the-wealthiest-countries/. 3. Olley, James. “Why Did FIFA Ban the LGBTQ Onelove Armband at the World Cup?” ESPN, ESPN Internet Ventures, 21 Nov. 2022, https://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-world-cup/story/4808986/why-fifa-banned-lgbtq-onelove-armband-at-world-cup-in-qatar. 4. Ramsay, George. “How Qatar Ended up Hosting the World Cup.” CNN, Cable News Network, 23 Nov. 2022, https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/23/football/qatar-fifa-world-cup-explainer-spt-intl/index.html. 5. Sullivan, Becky. “Why Qatar Is a Controversial Host for the World Cup.” NPR, NPR, 18 Nov. 2022, https://www.npr.org/2022/11/18/1137204271/qatar-world-cup-controversies#:~:text=Qatar%20also%20frames%20the%20World%20Cup%20as%20an,say%20the%20new%20regulations%20are%20not%20always%20enforced%29. 6. “World Cup Bidding Process Explained: How the 2018 & 2022 World Cup Hosts Are Chosen.” World Cup Bidding Process Explained: How The 2018 & 2022 World Cup Hosts Are Chosen | Goal.com, https://www.goal.com/en/news/world-cup-bidding-process-explained-how-the-2018-2022-world/bltd33cf9bccc1447f3. 7. “World Cup.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/sports/World-Cup-football.

In this episode, we discuss the current political, economical, and social issues which Haiti has and continues to face and how involvement from the United States has affected the country. This podcast is hosted by Monica Rivera Sosa and Natalie Vasileff. To keep up with podcast updates, please follow us @theroundroompod on Instagram.  Sources for this episode: 1. Harris, Mary. “What Haitians Really Need Right Now.” Slate Magazine, Slate, 25 Aug. 2021, https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/08/haiti-earthquake-moise-aid-history-disaster.html. 2. Katz, Jonathan M. “U.S. Intervention in Haiti Would Be a Disaster-Again.” Foreign Policy, 13 July 2021, https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/07/13/haiti-moise-invasion-washington-revolution-occupation-black-republic/. 3. North, James. “Haitians Have United against Foreign Intervention-and One Former U.S. Diplomat Agrees.” The New Republic, 13 Dec. 2022, https://newrepublic.com/article/168102/haiti-daniel-foote-ariel-henry. 4. Staff, Al Jazeera. “Haiti: One Year since President's Killing, Where Do Things Stand?” Politics News | Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 8 July 2022, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/7/haiti-one-year-since-presidents-killing-where-do-things-stand. 5. Weindling, Jacob. “Haiti Is Poor Because Colonial Powers like the United States Made It That Way.” Pastemagazine.com, Paste Magazine, 12 Jan. 2018, https://www.pastemagazine.com/politics/haiti/haiti-is-poor-because-colonial-powers-like-the-uni/.

In this episode, we discuss the current revolution in Iran and provide historical context as to what is going on and why. This podcast is hosted by Monica Rivera Sosa and Natalie Vasileff. To keep up with podcast updates, please follow us @theroundroompod on Instagram.  Please note that we also have this episode's transcript located in our Linktree which you can find on our Instargam page.  Sources for this episode:  1. De Witte, Melissa. “Understanding Protests in Iran.” Stanford News, 4 Oct. 2022, https://news.stanford.edu/2022/09/26/understanding-protests-iran/. 2. Engelbrecht, Cora, and Farnaz Fassihi. “What's Driving the Protests in Iran?” The New York Times, The New York Times, 22 Sept. 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/22/world/middleeast/iran-protests.html. 3. Fassihi, Farnaz. “Iran Protests Surge to Dozens of Cities.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 24 Sept. 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/24/world/middleeast/iran-protests.html. 4. “Iran: Security Forces Fire on, Kill Protesters.” Human Rights Watch, 18 Oct. 2022, https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/10/05/iran-security-forces-fire-kill-protesters. 5. Ostovar, Afshon. “Iran's Revolutionary Guards Will Never Stand Down.” Foreign Policy, Foreign Policy, 18 Oct. 2022, https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/10/18/irans-revolutionary-guards-will-never-stand-down/. 6. Parvini, Sarah. “Iranian Women at Home and Abroad Cut Their Hair to Protest Mahsa Amini's Death.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2022, https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-10-06/la-me-iran-protests-diaspora. 7. Summers, Juana, et al. “The History of Iran's So-Called Morality Police.” NPR, NPR, 30 Sept. 2022, https://www.npr.org/2022/09/30/1126281355/the-history-of-irans-so-called-morality-police. 8. Wright, Robin. “Iran's Protests Are the First Counter-Revolution Led by Women.” The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2022, https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/irans-protests-are-the-first-counterrevolution-led-by-women.