The Scholars' Circle

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The Scholars' Circle episodes

April 13Scholars’ Circle – US Policy of Policing Immigrants; Author Interview on “Borders, Politics and Belonging” – April 12, 2026
Kristi Noem, the controversial Secretary of Homeland Security, was fired from her position in March of 2026. Her short tenure as secretary was marked by numerous accusations of overreach of power, violations of due process particularly with regard to immigrants without proper documentation, and killing of protesters, notably in Minnesota, at the hands of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. On today’s show we will review Secretary Noem’s tenure at the Department and the future of ICE and the immigration raids she instituted. [ dur: 35mins. ]
Naomi Paik is Associate Professor of Global Asian Studies and Criminology, Law and Justice at University of Illinois, Chicago. She is the author of Bans, Walls, Raids, Sanctuary: Understanding U.S. Immigration for the 21st Century and Rightlessness: Testimony and Redress in U.S. Prison Camps since World War II, winner, Best Book in History.
Luke William Hunt is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Alabama. He is the author of The Police Identity Crisis — Hero, Warrior, Guardian, Algorithm and Police Deception and Dishonesty – The Logic of Lying .
How does immigration and the border define identity and belonging? We revisit a book on borders and their impact on immigration, identity, and belonging. [ dur: 23mins. ]
Hiroshi Motomura is the Susan Westerberg Prager Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is the author of Americans in Waiting: The Lost Story of Immigration and Citizenship in the United States and his latest book Borders and Belonging: Toward a Fair Immigration Policy.
This program is produced by Doug Becker, Ankine Aghassian, Maria Armoudian, Anna Lapin and Sudd Dongre.
Politics and Activism, Human Rights, police, Refugees, immigrants
58 min
April 06Scholars’ Circle – Threat to Cuba and Cubans in US Examined – April 5, 2026
After attacking two countries in 2026, will the Trump administration attack Cuba? What is Cuba’s relationship with the US historically and today? In this segment, we explore the island nation’s history, its government and economy, and why the US is targeting Cuba. In addition, we look into the controversy of compensation for property loss for Cuban Americans, as well as the broader issues of appropriation and compensation in Cuba. Lastly, we discuss the country’s political and economic challenges and the potential need for reform, and, if reform is necessary, which should come first: political or economic reform. [ dur: 58mins. ]
Richard Feinberg is Professor Emeritus of International Political Economy at the School of Global Policy and Strategy at the University of California, San Diego. He is the author of Open for Business: Building the New Cuban Economy.
William LeoGrande is Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Professor of Government at American University, Washington. He is coauthor of Back Channel to Cuba: The Hidden History of Negotiations between Washington and Havana.
Guillermo J. Grenier is Professor of Sociology in the Department of Global & Sociocultural Studies at Florida International University. He is the co-author of This Land is Our Land: Newcomers and Established Residents in Miami.
Sebastián Arcos is Interim director of the Cuban Research Institute in the Florida International University. He was part of the Freedom House delegation to the U.N. Human Rights Commission in Geneva, Switzerland and advised the U.S. Department of State on issues concerning human rights in Cuba between 1998 and 2000.
This program is produced by Doug Becker, Ankine Aghassian, Maria Armoudian, Anna Lapin and Sudd Dongre.
Politics and Activism, Human Rights, Cuba
58 min
March 30Scholars’ Circle – Türkiye’s Interest in the War With Iran; Author Interview on “I Will Not Abandon You: Queer Women in Nazi Germany” – March 29, 2026
The Israeli and American war on Iran has vast regional implications with the potential to draw other countries into the conflict. Today we explore Türkiye’s interests in the war with a particular focus on the ramifications of arming the Kurds to fight against Iran. [ dur: 28mins. ]
Serhun Al is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Izmir University of Economics. He is the author of Patterns of Nationhood and Saving the State in Turkey , the co-editor of Comparative Kurdish Politics in the Middle East and the co-author of Demographic Anxiety in Turkey.
Mohammad Homayounvash is Founding Director of the Jaffer Institute for Interfaith Dialogue & Education at Miami-Dade College. He is the author of Iran and the Nuclear Question.
There were many victims of Nazi atrocities and genocide but one group has only recently been given recognition for the oppression they endured: the LGBTQ+ community. Today we explore the specific treatment and oppression of the lesbian community under Nazi Germany and how their experiences influence the larger conversation about women under Nazism. We interview the author on his new book titled, “I Will Not Abandon You: Queer Women in Nazi Germany” (Toronto University Press, April 2026). [ dur: 30mins. ]
Samuel Clowes Huneke is Assistant Professor of History at George Mason University. He is also the author of States of Liberation: Gay Men between Dictatorship and Democracy in Cold War Germany.
This program is produced by Doug Becker, Ankine Aghassian, Maria Armoudian, Anna Lapin and Sudd Dongre.
Politics and Activism, Human Rights, War / Weapons, Gender, Lesbian/Gay/Bi/Trans, Iran, Israel, Turkey, Refugee
58 min
March 22Scholars’ Circle – War Spreads to Lebanon – March 22, 2026
Recent escalations in Israel’s war kill or wound the equivalent of one classroom of children every day, according to the deputy chief of the UN Children Fund (UNICEF). The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said on Thursday that it has recorded more than 10,000 air and ground violations inside Lebanese territory since the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect at the end of 2024. Israel’s attack on Lebanon has created both a humanitarian crisis and a potential collapse of the Lebanese government. We explore this attack, the role of Hezbollah, and the future of Lebanon from two different expert perspectives. Our guests join us from Lebanon. [ dur: 58mins. ]
Yeghia Tashjian is the International Affairs Cluster Coordinator of Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy & International Affairs (IFI) and Instructor at American University of Beruit. He is the author of U.S. policy in the South Caucasus: Keep Turkey in, Russia down and Iran out.
Makram Rahab is lecturer of History at American University of Beirut & the Lebanese American University. He is the author of Conflict on Mount Lebanon: Collective Memory and the War of the Mountain.
This program is produced by Doug Becker, Ankine Aghassian, Maria Armoudian, Anna Lapin and Sudd Dongre.
Politics and Activism, War / Weapons, Refugees, Middle East, Israel, Humanitarian Crisis
58 min
March 16Scholars’ Circle – Iran War and War Crime Analysis; Insights on the Study “Powerful People Lack Empathy” – March 15, 2026
The Israeli/American War against Iran continues. On today’s panel we wrestle with the question of the war’s legality. In doing so, we reject US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s assertion that the US will fight this war with “no stupid rules of engagement,,” and his assertion that there will be “no politically correct wars,” and “no nation-building quagmire.” While he dismisses the importance of international laws on war, we do not. So, we ask, is this war legal? Are the tactics of Israeli and American militaries legal? Is Iran’s response aligned with international law? [ dur: 40 mins. ]
Gabor Rona is Professor of Practice at Cardozo Law School. He is the author of Iranian School Strike: Excusable? A Violation? A War Crime, Venezuelan Boat Attacks: Utterly Unprecedented and Patently Predictable, Is There a Way Out of the Non-International Armed Conflict Detention Dilemma? and State Responsibility to Respect, Protect and Fulfill Human Rights Obligations in Cyberspace .
Jennifer Trahan is a Clinical Professor and Director of the Concentration in International Law and Human Rights at NYU’s Center for Global Affairs. She is also Convenor of the Global Institute for the Prevention of Aggression, and is the author of Existing Legal Limits to the Use of the Veto in the Face of Atrocity Crimes. Her book forthcoming this spring is entitled: The Crime of Aggression and Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
Studies show that powerful people feel less empathy. What does that mean for societies? [ dur: 18mins. ]
Michael Inzlicht is Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto. He is co-author of Stereotype Threat: Theory, Process, and Application and co-author of the article Power Changes How the Brain Responds to Others.
This program is produced by Doug Becker, Ankine Aghassian, Maria Armoudian, Anna Lapin and Sudd Dongre.
Politics and Activism, War / Weapons, Middle East, Iran, Israel, humanity
59 min
March 09Scholars’ Circle – Insights on US and Israel Bombing Iran and Its Wider Effects on the Middle East and the World – March 8, 2026
The attack on Iran by the US and Israel will have devastating consequences for Iran and the region. Is the intent to foment ethnic conflicts as a means to weaken Iran? What are the greater implications of this war, for Iran, the region, and the globe? What are the possibilities of successful resistance to American and Israeli aggression for an unpopular war, domestically and around the world? [ dur: 58mins. ]
Stephen Zunes is a Professor of Politics at the University of San Francisco. He is the author of numerous publications including Tinderbox: U.S. Middle East Policy and the Roots of Terrorism, Western Sahara: War, Nationalism and Conflict Irresolution co-authored with Jacob Mundy.
Ervand Abrahamian is Professor Emeritus at City University of New York. He is the author of A History of Modern Iran and Inventing the Axis of Evil: The Truth About North Korea, Iran and Syria.
Hawzhin Azeez taught at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS). She was Co-Director of The Kurdish Center for Studies. She has worked closely with refugees and Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Rojava while a member of the Kobane Reconstruction Board after its liberation from ISIS. Her articles can be found on The Kurdish Center for Studies website.
This program is produced by Doug Becker, Ankine Aghassian, Maria Armoudian, Anna Lapin and Sudd Dongre.
Politics and Activism, War / Weapons, Middle East, Iran, Israel, USA
58 min
March 02Scholars’ Circle – Book Author interviews : “L.A. Rebellion – Creating a New Black Cinema” ; “Breaking Down the Walls of Segregation : Mexican American Grassroots Politics in Orange County, CA.” – March 1, 2026
In the 1960s and 70s, a group of black filmmakers at UCLA produced a diverse collection of films to challenge Hollywood’s depiction of black communities.
The LA Rebellion presented films with uniquely black stories. What was this movement and what did it accomplish? [ dur: 30mins. ]
Allyson Nadia Field is Associate Professor of Cinema and Media Studies at the University of Chicago. She is the author of Acts of Love: Black Performance and the Kiss that Changed Film History and co-editor of L.A. Rebellion: Creating a New Black Cinema.
Bernard Nicolas holds a Master of Fine Arts in Film Production from UCLA during L.A. Rebellion era. He is a writer, producer, director, actor. Films he directed include Daydream Therapy and Gidget Meets Hondo.
UCLA archive of L.A. Rebellion for Black Cinema can be found here. Some films from this collective :
Killer of Sheep ( Charles Burnett )
Daughters of the Dust ( Julie Dash )
Bush Mama ( Haile Gerima )
Diary of an African Nun ( Julie Dash )
Grey Area ( Monona Wali )
A Day in the life of Wille Faust or Death on Installment Plan ( Jamma Fanaka )
California’s historic segregation of Mexican-Americans contrasted with the South’s version of segregation. In California, who did this segregation serve? Our guest confirms it was the interests of “citrus capitalism” in Orange County. The famous Supreme Court Case Broad v Board of Education challenged segregation in public schools. But there was another precedent, the Mendes et al case, that challenged segregation and education in California against Mexican-Americans. [ dur: 28mins. ]
David-James Gonzales is Assistant Professor of Histroy at Brigham Young University. He is the author of the book of discussion – Breaking Down the Walls of Segregation: Mexican American Grassroots Politics and Civil Rights in Orange County, CA.
This program is produced by Doug Becker, Ankine Aghassian, Maria Armoudian, Anna Lapin and Sudd Dongre.
Arts and Humanities, Family / Education, Politics and Activism, Society and Culture, Film, Civil Liberties, Racism, Schools
58 min
February 23Scholars’ Circle – What is Social Media addiction? Social Media Algorithm Biases Interfere With Online Interaction – February 22, 2026
How do people become addicted to social media and what are the implications of such an addiction? [ dur: 30mins. ]
Ofir Turel is Professor of Information Systems (IS) Management, IS group co-lead, University of Melbourne. He has published over 250 journal papers, two of those titles include The Benefits and Dangers of Enjoyment with Social Networking Websites and Followers Problematic Engagement with Influencers on Social Media and Attachment Theory Perspective.
Most of our activity on the internet interacts with posts, memes and videos that are driven by algorithms. How might algorithms be biased, racist, or sexist, and how might they amplify those biases in us? [ dur: 28mins. ] Full length of this interview can be found here.
Tina Eliassi-Rad is a Professor of Computer Science at Northeastern University. She is also a core faculty member at Northeastern’s Network Science Institute and the Institute for Experiential AI. She is the author of Measuring Algorithmically Infused Societies and What Science Can Do for Democracy: A Complexity Science Approach.
Damien Patrick Williams is Assistant Professor in Philosophy and Data Science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is the author of Why AI Research Needs Disabled and Marginalized Perspectives, Fitting the description: historical and sociotechnical elements of facial recognition and anti-black surveillance, and Constructing Situated and Social Knowledge: Ethical, Sociological, and Phenomenological Factors in Technological Design. Damien is a member of the Project Advisory Committee for the Center for Democracy and Technology’s Project on Disability Rights and Algorithmic Fairness, Bias, and Discrimination, and the Disability Inclusion Fund’s Tech & Disability Stream Advisory Committee.
Henning Schulzrinne is Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Colombia University. He is the co-author of Mobility Protocols and Handover Optimization: Design, Evaluation and Application, Bridging communications and the physical world and Future internets escape the simulator. He was nominated as Internet Hall of Fame Innovator in 2013. He was Chief Technology Officer for the FCC under the Obama Administration.
This program is produced by Doug Becker, Ankine Aghassian, Maria Armoudian, Anna Lapin and Sudd Dongre.
Politics and Activism, Science / Technology, Computers and Internet, Racism
58 min
February 16Scholars’ Circle – Health care disparities on the basis of race in the U.S.- February 15, 2026
Health care outcomes in the U.S. differ substantially depending on race. How much are health care discrepancies based on structural and historical racism? What needs to change to promote health justice in the U.S. and what kinds of policies are needed to promote this change? How important is diversity of health care providers in building a more just healthcare system? [ dur: 58mins. ]
Keisha Ray teaches Bioethics and Humanities as a tenured associate professor in Texas. She is the author of Black Health: The Social, Political, and Cultural Determinants of Black People’s Health.
Ruqaiijah Yearby is the Judge Clifford Scott Green Chair in Law at Temple University Beasley School of Law. She is also Co-Founder of the Institute for Healing Justice & Equity and one of the Co-Founders of the Collaborative for Anti-Racism & Equity. She is the book chapter author of “Gender Bias, Mental Health Inequities, and Health Justice” in the book Mental Health Equity.
Dylan H. Roby is the Chair and Professor of Health, Society, and Behavior at UC Irvine. He is the co-author of Ending Structural Racism in the US Health Care System to Eliminate Health Care Inequities.
This program is produced by Doug Becker, Ankine Aghassian, Maria Armoudian, Anna Lapin and Sudd Dongre.
Health, Politics and Activism, Medicine , Racism
58 min
February 08Scholars’ Circle – State and Nature : The Effects of Climate Change on Security; Insights on street protests in Iran – February 8, 2026
Under what circumstances might climate change lead to negative security outcomes? Over the past fifteen years, a rapidly growing applied field and research community on climate security has emerged. While much progress has been made, we still don’t have a clear understanding of why climate change might lead to violent conflict or humanitarian emergencies in some places and not others.
Busby develops a novel argument – based on the combination of state capacity, political exclusion, and international assistance – to explain why climate leads to especially bad security outcomes in some places but not others. This argument is then demonstrated through application to case studies from sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. This book will provide an informative resource for students and scholars of international relations and environmental studies, especially those working on security, conflict and climate change, on the emergent practice and study of this topic, and identifies where policy and research should be headed. [ dur: 38mins. ]
Joshua Busby is a Professor of Public Affairs and a Distinguished Scholar at the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law. He is the author of State and Nature : The Effects of Climate Change on Security ( The 2026 winner of the Grawemeyer Prize for Ideas Advancing World Order ) and many other publications.
With protests rocking Iran, how much are these protests historically consistent with the long history of protests in Iran. We explore this history in light of the new round of protests How much more violent has the Iran state been against protesters? [ dur: 20mins. ]
Ervand Abrahamian is Professor Emeritus at City University of New York. He is the author of A History of Modern Iran and Inventing the Axis of Evil: The Truth About North Korea, Iran and Syria.
This program is produced by Doug Becker, Ankine Aghassian, Maria Armoudian, Anna Lapin and Sudd Dongre.
Climate Change, Human Rights, War / Weapons, Refugees, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Security
58 min