International

Should the U.S. worry about post-Assad Syria? What’s behind the support for the man who fatally shot UHC’s CEO? Plus, KCRW discusses how sports fandom crossed into politics.

from Left, Right & Center

Hamas is reportedly willing to let Israel stage troops temporarily in Gaza as part of a ceasefire agreement. Could it lead to annexation of the Palestinian territory?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

“The Bibi Files” is a new documentary that features never-before-seen leaked footage of police interrogations of the Israeli Prime Minister, his family, and his associates.

‘The Bibi Files’ depicts Netanyahu corruption probe

“The Bibi Files” is a new documentary that features never-before-seen leaked footage of police interrogations of the Israeli Prime Minister, his family, and his associates.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Syrian rebels have taken Damascus. Their leader says he will protect minorities. What does the future look like in the war-torn state?

What’s next for Syria after the Assad regime?

Syrian rebels have taken Damascus. Their leader says he will protect minorities. What does the future look like in the war-torn state?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Local cooking instructor and food writer Sonoko Sakai explains the deep meaning of "Japanese in style" cuisine.

Bonito flakes in risotto? Miso in apple pie? Sonoko Sakai explores "Japanese in style" cooking

Local cooking instructor and food writer Sonoko Sakai explains the deep meaning of "Japanese in style" cuisine.

from Good Food

Will Donald Trump reduce U.S. interventionism? Did President Biden open a can of worms by pardoning his son Hunter? Plus, KCRW looks at what justice means post-election.

Can Americans trust justice and national security amid Trump transition?

Will Donald Trump reduce U.S. interventionism? Did President Biden open a can of worms by pardoning his son Hunter? Plus, KCRW looks at what justice means post-election.

from Left, Right & Center

Syrian rebels are advancing on Hama after capturing Aleppo, the country’s second-largest city. They’re challenging President Assad. Russia has joined the regime in counterstrikes.

Syria’s surprise rebel offensive creates havoc in Middle East

Syrian rebels are advancing on Hama after capturing Aleppo, the country’s second-largest city. They’re challenging President Assad. Russia has joined the regime in counterstrikes.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declares, then lifts, martial law. It marks the boiling over of more than two years of simmering political tensions.

South Korean president walks back martial law declaration

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declares, then lifts, martial law. It marks the boiling over of more than two years of simmering political tensions.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Nathan Park talks about the link between the Academy Award-winning film "Parasite" and fried chicken.

The link between fried chicken and middle-class meltdown in Oscar winner "Parasite"

Nathan Park talks about the link between the Academy Award-winning film "Parasite" and fried chicken.

from Good Food

Filmmaker Jason Wise joins Vahe Keushguerian in a conversation about making wine from Iranian grapes for the first time in half a century.

In "Cup of Salvation," a vintner smuggles grapes out of Iran to make forbidden wine

Filmmaker Jason Wise joins Vahe Keushguerian in a conversation about making wine from Iranian grapes for the first time in half a century.

from Good Food

“Porcelain War” is a new documentary that vividly portrays the lives of civilians-turned-soldiers on and off Ukraine’s battlefield against Russia.

‘Porcelain War’ juxtaposes war and art in Ukraine

“Porcelain War” is a new documentary that vividly portrays the lives of civilians-turned-soldiers on and off Ukraine’s battlefield against Russia.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a 60-day ceasefire after more than a year of costly fighting. Previous truces between the sides didn’t last. Will this one?

Will a ceasefire hold between Israel and Hezbollah?

Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a 60-day ceasefire after more than a year of costly fighting. Previous truces between the sides didn’t last. Will this one?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

In Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, women are forbidden from obtaining an education or even speaking loudly in public.

‘Down with poverty and misery’: Women continue fighting the Taliban

In Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, women are forbidden from obtaining an education or even speaking loudly in public.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

In addition to China, President-elect Trump proposed new tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Will he carry through with them, or is it a negotiating tactic?

Unfriendly neighbor? Trump’s tariff proposals on Canada and Mexico

In addition to China, President-elect Trump proposed new tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Will he carry through with them, or is it a negotiating tactic?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Israeli and Palestinian boy band, as1one, flew to LA to record their debut album the day before Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023.

As1one: Israeli-Palestinian boy band on Gaza war, unity, and listening

The Israeli and Palestinian boy band, as1one, flew to LA to record their debut album the day before Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Khushbu Shah forgoes the turkey for squash filled with biryani, a tikka masala-inspired mac and cheese, and Mexican food.

Growing up mostly vegetarian, Khushbu Shah uses side dishes as the stars of the show

Khushbu Shah forgoes the turkey for squash filled with biryani, a tikka masala-inspired mac and cheese, and Mexican food.

from Good Food

Gaza today symbolizes nothing but death, destruction and oppression.

Juan Cole: The antidote to Israeli propaganda

Gaza today symbolizes nothing but death, destruction and oppression.

from Scheer Intelligence

Mike Huckabee and Pete Hegseth, Trump’s picks for ambassador to Israel and defense secretary, have strong pro-Israel views that may trace back to the Bible.

Christian zionists could sway US policy in Middle East

Mike Huckabee and Pete Hegseth, Trump’s picks for ambassador to Israel and defense secretary, have strong pro-Israel views that may trace back to the Bible.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The annual conference fails to deliver, and activists have turned to defacing priceless paintings to raise the alarm. The fight to save the planet is flagging.

COP is ‘a joke,’ climate activists are desperate

The annual conference fails to deliver, and activists have turned to defacing priceless paintings to raise the alarm. The fight to save the planet is flagging.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

For nearly a decade, President-elect Trump has praised a 1954 program known as “Operation Wetback.” Now he’s proposing using the U.S. military to carry out larger mass deportations.

‘Operation Wetback’ inspires Trump’s plan for mass deportations

For nearly a decade, President-elect Trump has praised a 1954 program known as “Operation Wetback.” Now he’s proposing using the U.S. military to carry out larger mass deportations.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand