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/c5y29xzjdzvo

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/6/anti-ice-protesters-rally-in-milan-ahead-of-olympics-opening

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/italy/ice-role-winter-olympics-prompts-fury-italy-rcna256087

https://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-rcna258083

https://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-olympics

https://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 Country

https://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 

Kurdistan

https://www.britannica.com/place/Kurdistan

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kurd

https://www.britannica.com/place/Turkey/The-Kurdish-conflict

https://www.britannica.com/summary/Kurdistan

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east

https://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-in

Kashmir

https://internationalviewpoint.org/Kashmir-India-Pakistan-on-the-history-and-internationalist-stakes-of-a-state-of

https://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-heritage

https://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/Catalonia

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41584864

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29478415

Scotland

https://www.thoughtco.com/scotland-is-not-an-independent-country-1435433  

https://www.open.edu/openlearn/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=68996§ion=1 

https://www.nowscotland.scot/why_independence 

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/rp14-50/ 

Quebec

https://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.htm

https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/AWI.html

https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia-pacific/nepal/nepal-picks-pieces-after-protests-topple-government

https://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-resignation

https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/south-asia/nepal-bangladesh-sri-lanka-protests-corruption-gen-z-b2831771.html

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/16/colombo-kathmandu-youth-movements-nepal-toppling-entrenched-elites

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4ljv39em7o

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/21/protests-philippines-corruption-state-flood

https://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-hnk

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/02/indonesia-protests-explained-start-how-has-the-government-responded

https://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_dg3cLAD0

https://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 Vyshinskiy

To 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-future

https://apnews.com/article/kenya-protests-finance-bill-4f3389c9728a4db5c1cd5a91407a4c44

https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/06/no-jobs-no-trust-young-africans-economic-struggles-fuel-protests-kenya-nigeria-uganda

https://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-protests

https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB10/nsaebb10.htm

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/2/mexico-the-tlatelolco-massacre-50-years-on

https://memoricamexico.gob.mx/es/memorica/Temas?ctId=7d88a1e7-5937-4990-98ea-691fae0362f6&cId=MDcwZGI2MjgtY2I3MC00MzY2LTk3ODctZWI5YWMxNTg4MmQ5&cd=false

https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/mexican-students-protest-greater-democracy-1968

https://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%2C

https://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.html

https://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-192188
https://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 Vyshinskiy

To 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-rights
https://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-security

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/15/4b-south-korea-feminist-movement-donald-trump-election-backlash

https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/09/us/4b-movement-trump-south-korea-wellness-cec/index.html

https://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-explainer

https://www.iar-gwu.org/blog/iar-web/south-koreas-4b
https://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-970669466116a2b1a5673a8737089d46

https://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 Vyshinskiy

To 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-election
https://oc-media.org/georgian-police-raid-homes-of-three-activists-detaining-one/

https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/european-neighbourhood-policy/countries-region/georgia_en

https://www.dw.com/en/georgias-path-to-the-eu-looms-large-in-2024-election/a-70590398

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/15/europe/georgia-protests-authoritarianism-fears-intl-cmd/index.html

https://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-next

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/02/georgia-opposition-leaders-arrested-anti-government-protest

https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/03/26/georgia-drop-repressive-foreign-agents-bill

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/17/georgia-court-hands-ex-president-saakashvili-further-4-5-years-in-prison

https://www.thenewfederalist.eu/georgian-students-at-the-front-line-three-months-of-struggle-for-europe?lang=fr

https://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 Vyshinskiy

To 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/88885304

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/8/switzerland-summons-chinas-envoy-over-uighur-rights-concerns

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-affairs/china-rejects-report-on-tibetans-and-uyghurs-in-switzerland/88870890

https://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 Vyshinskiy

To 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-3420567

https://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-4057186

https://www.larepublica.co/economia/gobierno-de-petro-expidio-16-decretos-nuevos-de-conmocion-region-de-catatumbo-4055861