In this episode of The Pragmatic Idealist, host Mike Brand sits down with Dr. Saghar Shahidi-Birjandian for a candid conversation about the global state of atrocity prevention in the wake of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, challenges in the prevention and international humanitarian community with the dissolution of USAID, and advice for those seeking a career in the field of atrocity prevention and genocide studies. They discuss the bipartisan Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act and the Global Fragility Act, and how President Trump is dismantling these laws despite signing both bills into law. The fracture within the atrocity prevention community over Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank, with debate around the International Association of Genocide Scholars’ resolution declaring Israel’s conduct as genocide. And, funding pressures, accusations of antisemitism, and why many organizations stay silent on genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing.Like, comment, and subscribe to support more in-depth discussions on human security, conflict prevention, and global justice.

Join the Conversation! What stood out to you in this episode—donor dependency, US policy rollbacks, or the split among genocide scholars over Gaza? Share your thoughts, questions, or resources in the comments.If you value deep dives on atrocity prevention, peacebuilding, and human rights, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss a new episode of The Pragmatic Idealist.Subscribe and follow miketheIdealist for more: Tiktok:   / miketheidealist   Twitch:   / miketheidealist   Twitter:   / miketheidealist   Facebook:   / miketheidealist   Instagram:   / miketheidealist