What is the United States' role in the war in Gaza — and how has the relationship between Washington and Israel evolved?In this episode of The Deep Focus Show, host Arn Menconi speaks with Institute for Policy Studies fellow Phyllis Bennis, an author and longtime analyst of U.S. foreign policy, the Middle East and the United Nations.Bennis discusses the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the history of the U.S.-Israel relationship, changing public opinion in the United States, the political impact of the war, and developments in the West Bank.The conversation also examines reporting about warnings surrounding the October 7 attack, the role of the United States in providing military assistance to Israel, and what Bennis believes could change U.S. policy.Bennis is the author and editor of 12 books, including her 2025 book Understanding Palestine and Israel, as well as Before and After: U.S. Foreign Policy in the War on Terror and Challenging Empire.00:00 Gaza, U.S. Policy & the Israel-Palestine Conflict01:30 Introducing Phyllis Bennis01:59 How Did We Get Here?03:34 The U.S. Role in Israel's Military Support07:35 Is Public Opinion Changing?10:55 The War With Iran & Its Impact on Palestine14:21 The Human Cost in Gaza17:51 What Is Happening in the West Bank?22:27 What Did Israel Know Before October 7?27:18 The U.S.-Israel Relationship29:42 What Can Change U.S. Policy?Note: This interview presents Phyllis Bennis's analysis, arguments and interpretation of events. Claims and characterizations discussed in the conversation are attributed to her and are not presented as independent findings by The Deep Focus Show.What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments.Subscribe to The Deep Focus Show for in-depth conversations with journalists, authors, newsmakers and leading voices on global politics, economics and the stories behind the headlines.#PhyllisBennis #Gaza #IsraelPalestine #USForeignPolicy #DeepFocus #TheDeepFocusShow

What happens when the climate crisis becomes a crisis of democracy?In this episode of The Deep Focus Show, Arn Menconi sits down with Roger Hallam, co-founder of Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil, to discuss climate change, political power, civil disobedience and the future of democratic society.Hallam argues that conventional protests and political reform are no longer enough to address the climate crisis. He makes the case for a fundamental transformation of political systems, including citizens’ assemblies and sustained nonviolent civil resistance.The conversation explores why Hallam believes the climate movement needs a new strategy, how ordinary people might influence political decision-making, and why he sees community, spirituality and a sense of service as essential to sustaining movements over the long term.Arn and Hallam also discuss the limits of traditional environmental advocacy, the role of mass mobilization, and the difficult question at the heart of the interview: Who gets to decide the future — political and economic elites, or ordinary people?Roger Hallam is a climate campaigner, author and co-founder of Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil. His books include Common Sense for the 21st Century and This Is Not a Drill contributor-related works, as well as Suicide: The Political and Legal Implications of Creating Endless Mass Death.This interview presents Hallam’s views and arguments. His claims and forecasts are discussed as part of the conversation and should not be taken as independently established conclusions simply because they are presented here.Subscribe to The Deep Focus Show for in-depth conversations with investigative journalists, authors, activists and leading voices on global politics, economics and the stories behind the headlines.00:00 Who Gets to Decide? Roger Hallam on Democracy00:50 Introducing Roger Hallam: Extinction Rebellion & Just Stop Oil02:41 Why Hallam Says the Climate Movement Isn’t Acting With Urgency08:56 Climate Change, Political Will & the Case for Revolution14:05 Citizens’ Assemblies: Can Ordinary People Lead?17:16 What Would a Nonviolent Political Revolution Look Like?23:23 Why Hallam Says One-Day Protests Aren’t Enough30:25 Climate Change, Political Power & Who Gets to Decide38:51 Spirituality, Community & Preventing Activist Burnout45:45 Building a Movement: What Hallam Wants People to DoLinks to Roger Hallam's work and how to get involved:https://rogerhallam.com/https://rebellion.global/Links to Arn Menconi's work:https://substack.com/@arnmenconihttps://x.com/ArnMenconihttps://arnmenconi.netThanks for tuning in!

The Epstein story dominated headlines — until the Iran war changed the news cycle.Investigative journalist Nick Bryant has spent 14 years digging into Jeffrey Epstein, and he says there are still major questions surrounding the case, the government’s handling of it, and what remains missing from the public record.In this interview with Arn Menconi, Bryant discusses the release of millions of pages of Epstein-related files, why he believes media coverage of the story faded, and what he found when his own name appeared in the newly released documents.We also discuss Epstein’s powerful connections, alleged intelligence ties, political blackmail, the people Bryant believes deserve greater scrutiny, and his call for an independent congressional investigation into the Epstein case.What is still missing from the Epstein story — and why did the public conversation go quiet?00:36 — Why the Epstein Story Disappeared From the News04:51 — Who Is Being Protected in the Epstein Files?08:18 — The Fight to Release the Remaining Files11:28 — The Moral Horror Behind the Epstein Files15:40 — What the Evidence Says About Epstein's Crimes18:08 — The Alleged Bipartisan Cover-Up20:59 — Trump, Epstein & the Allegations29:34 — Epstein, Intelligence & Political Blackmail36:13 — Why Bryant Wants an Independent Epstein Commission48:24 — Can the Right and Left Unite Over Epstein?53:09 — “Do We Deserve a Democracy?”56:24 — Political Blackmail Has Been Around for Centuries58:02 — The Franklin Scandal & Epstein Connection01:01:00 — Seymour Hersh, Intelligence & Epstein01:04:27 — Why Epstein's Network Matters TodayLinks to Arn Menconi's work:https://substack.com/@arnmenconihttps://x.com/ArnMenconihttps://arnmenconi.netTo Support Nick Bryant's work: https://epsteinjustice.com/#Epstein #JeffreyEpstein #NickBryant #EpsteinFiles #TheDeepFocusShow #ArnMenconi #InvestigativeJournalismEditorial note: This interview presents the views, analysis and allegations of the guest regarding the Epstein case and related individuals and institutions. Statements made by the guest are his own and do not necessarily represent the views of The Deep Focus Show. Viewers should evaluate claims and allegations discussed in the interview independently.Thanks for tuning in please like, subscribe and share!