When Iranians took to the streets to protest an abrupt hike in gas prices, the government turned off the internet. When it came back on, the world saw the devastating aftermath of the deadliest crackdown in Iran since the 1979 revolution. 

Why was the crackdown so severe? And what role dis U.S. sanctions really play in bringing the protests about? Jen talks to Karim Sadjadpour about what the unrest means for the Iranian regime and for U.S. strategy. 

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Growing protests are raging across South America. From Ecuador to Bolivia to Venezuela to Chile, the region is experiencing the largest outbreak of unrest in decades.

What is prompting these protests? Why are they happening now? And what does it say about leadership in the region? To help us better understand, Moisés Naím joined Jen in the World Unpacked studio.

Go deeper: In a recent article for Foreign Affairs, Moisés explains why Latin America was primed to explode.

The Chinese government’s long held strategy to control dissent within their borders has had enormous impact on members of the media—particularly foreign media.

Jen sat down Charles Hutzler, the former Beijing bureau chief at the Wall Street Journal, who has spent more than 20 years reporting in Beijing. He describes how even during massive social changes in China, the government’s view of media’s role has not changed.

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi shaped and led ISIS, defining its brutal ideology and establishing himself as a "caliph of all Muslims". What does his death mean for ISIS? Jen talks to Carnegie expert H.A. Hellyer about how Baghdadi shaped the ideologies of extremism, and what can be done to reverse the tides of radicalization.

Go further: https://carnegieendowment.org/2019/10/28/conditions-that-created-isis-still-exist-pub-80219

Protestors around Lebanon have already won many victories, including the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri. But can a deeply sectarian government really start afresh? Jen talks to Marwan Muasher about what the protestors are looking for and whether or not they're going to succeed. 

Carolyn Forché was an acclaimed twenty-seven year old poet in 1977 when a stranger persuaded her to travel to El Salvador, a country on the brink of war. What she saw there, recounted in her recent memoir, What You Have Heard Is True, changed her life and caused her to question everything she thought she knew about American foreign policy. Jen talks to Carolyn about what she saw, what she learned, and how the dynamics and dilemmas she so vividly portrays have re-emerged in Central America and U.S. immigration policy.

Interpol conjures up images of shady agents in sharp suits, jetting around the world to capture international criminals. But recently the international police agency has come under fire, as autocratic regimes around the world have used its Red Notice system to harass and arrest political exiles. Has Interpol become just an international extension of the regimes of Vladimir Putin and Xi Jin Ping? Should the organization be reformed? Or is the criticism too harsh for a one hundred year old organization with a history of tracking criminals across borders? Jen talks to New York Times reporter Matt Apuzzo about where things went wrong, and how they could get back on track.

Mohammad Bin Salman rose to power with the promise of reform and liberalizing Saudi society. The war in Yemen and the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi have changed his reputation dramatically - but has he suffered any real consequences? Jen talks with Yasmine Farouk about MBS's ambitions, recklessness, brutality, and miscalculations.

Tens of thousands of Indonesians took to the streets last week to protest a series of controversial moves undertaken by President Jokowi and his government. While Indonesians are no stranger to protests, these demonstrations come less than five months after Jokowi was re-elected with 55% of the vote. Jen talks to Dan Slater about why voters have turned against a seemingly popular, democratically-elected leader.