Black Diplomats

Today, I speak with two young Georgians under 30-years-old who have been hitting the streets every day in protest of their ruling government’s introduction of a “foreign agent” law that critics say will restrict the work of organizations and independent media that safeguard free and fair elections and other services that depend on foreign financial support. Read more about the controversial bill here. Ana Lazariashvili, 24 and Giorgi Vachnadze, 28, told Black Diplomats that it has mostly been young people who’ve been facing off aggressive police officers that target them with tear gas and rubber bullets. Both Ana and Giorgi say they will continue protesting even if the bill is signed into law. Host: Terrell Jermaine Starr Guests: Ana Lazariashvili and Giorgi Vachnadze Producer: Mike Hull Support us financially! Venmo: @BlackDiplomats CashApp: $BlackDiplomats PayPal: https://paypal.me/blackdiplomatspod About the guests Ana Lazariashvili and Giorgi Vachnadze are young Georgians who have been protesting for a European future for their country. More on this topic: Georgian Opposition See Opportunity in Tbilisi Protests (Black Diplomats Newsletter)

This week, I spoke with two Ukainians who support Palestine and why they feel it is important for their countrymen and women to understand colonialism in other parts of the world. Rita Adel, a humanitarian analyst, and Vladyslav Starodubtsev, a socialist leader and historian, and I talked about Ukrainian socialism, what progressives in the west don’t get about Ukraine and NATO and why Ukrainians aren’t privileged because they are “white.” Host: Terrell Jermaine Starr Guests: Rita Adel and Vladyslav Starodubtsev Producer: Mike Hull Support us financially! Venmo: @BlackDiplomats CashApp: $BlackDiplomats PayPal: https://paypal.me/blackdiplomatspod About the guests Vladyslav Starodubtsev is a left-wing Ukrainian activist and historian. He specializes in the history of Central Eastern Europe. Rita Adel, a humanitarian analyst. Rita is both of Ukrainian and Palestinian origin, having lived in Ukraine and Jordan. Currently based in Amman.

Warning: This week’s episode will focus on sexual violence committed by Russian soldiers. Reader, listener and viewer discretion is advised This week, I talk about Ukrainian civilians who survived sexual assault from Russian troops during the war. Ukraine is investigating nearly 300 cases of sexual assault, but that number is likely much higher. Today, I am talking with Nadiia Volchenska, co-founder of the Sylni foundation, which was founded soon after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 202s to support survivors of sexual assault. Translating for Nadiia is Vira Stadnyk - communications manager at the Sylni Foundation. FINANCIALLY SUPPORT Sylni’s work here. Host: Terrell Jermaine Starr Guest: Nadiia Volchenska Producer: Mike Hull Support us financially! Venmo: @BlackDiplomats CashApp: $BlackDiplomats PayPal: https://paypal.me/blackdiplomatspod Patreon: patreon.com/blackdiplomats Read about this subject Reparations to be paid to survivors of wartime sexual violence in Ukraine (The Guardian) Ukrainian survivors of sexual violence, torture say country will have to share burden of their trauma (CBC) Exclusive: Ukraine accuses Russian snipers of abusing child, gang raping mother (Reuters)

This week’s episode is about the ongoing protests in Georgia in response to the country’s ruling political party, Georgia Dream, moving forward with its “foreign agent.” Officially titled “On the Transparency of Foreign Influence," the bill, if passed into law, would require organizations in the country receiving more than 20% of their funding from overseas to register as “foreign agents” or face large fines. Protesters say it is similar to laws spearheaded in Russia by Vladimir Putin. Here this week to talk about the protests and why the bill is driving so many people to the streets around Georgia is Katie Shoshiashvili, Senior Corruption Researcher at Transparency International Georgia, who focuses on democracy reporting and research on democratization in the EU's Eastern Partnership region. Host: Terrell Jermaine Starr Guest: Katie Shoshiashvili Producer: Mike Hull Support us financially! Venmo: @BlackDiplomats CashApp: $BlackDiplomats PayPal: https://paypal.me/blackdiplomatspod Patreon: patreon.com/blackdiplomats Links to read about this subject: Georgia presses on with Putin-style ‘foreign agent’ bill despite huge protests (CNN) 2024 Is a Year of Opportunity for Georgia (National Interest) Georgians Call for Ex-Leader's Release on Revolution Anniversary (VOA) Georgians dream of EU membership as their leaders move closer to Putin (The Guardian)

#ukraine #russia #putin #warinukraine #blackdiplomats #ukrainianhistory #history #harvard Terrell J. Starr spoke with Havard Professor of Ukrainian History Serhii Plokhii about Putin’s obsession with fake Ukrainian history, Ukrainian resistance against Russian colonialism, Stepan Bandara, fighting Kremlin disinformation and more. Host: Terrell Jermaine Starr Guest: Serhii Plokhii Producer: Mike Hull Support us financially! Venmo: @BlackDiplomats CashApp: $BlackDiplomats PayPal: https://paypal.me/blackdiplomatspod Patreon: patreon.com/blackdiplomats Time stamps 00:00: Welcome 03:15: Mental Health Check-In 10:40: Teaching Ukrainian History At Harvard 15:32: Putin's Fake Ukrainian History 20:08: Similarities between Putin and Trump 26:00: Ukrainian Resistance Against USSR 31:40: Stepan Bandera 43:40: Russification Of Ukraine 49:20: How 2014/2022 Invasions Changed Ukraine

#crimea #crimeantatars #ukraine #russia #ukrainianhistory #history Terrell spoke with Tamila Tasheva, the Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea about liberating Crimea, human rights violations on the peninsula, Crimean history and what people get wrong about what’s happening there. Host: Terrell Jermaine Starr Guest: Tamila Tasheva Producer: Mike Hull Support us financially! Venmo: @BlackDiplomats CashApp: $BlackDiplomats PayPal: https://paypal.me/blackdiplomatspod Patreon: patreon.com/blackdiplomats Time Stamps 00:00:Welcome 00:51: Mental Health 02:28: Who are Crimean Tatars? 05:15: How Ukraine Monitors Crimea During Occupation 14:14: Human Rights Violations Against Crimean Tatars 19:40: Disinformation Over Crimea 28:38: What Happens To Transferred Russians In Liberated Crimea 31:25: Why Khrushchev Transferred Crimea To Ukraine 35:28: Crimean Liberation Will Happen 41:50: Message To House Speaker Mike Johnson

#ukraine #russia #putin #zelensky #warinukraine #blackdiplomats Terrell J. Starr spoke with Ukrainian security expert Maria Avdeeva about Russia’s ongoing missile attacks against civilian targets, Germany’s reluctance to send Taurus missiles, why Russia doesn’t want peace, her own work documenting war crimes and so much more. Host: Terrell Jermaine Starr Guest:. Maria Adveeva Producer: Mike Hull Support us financially! Venmo: @BlackDiplomats CashApp: $BlackDiplomats PayPal: https://paypal.me/blackdiplomatspod Patreon: patreon.com/blackdiplomats Time stamps 00:00: Welcome 01:30: Mental Health Check-In 07:30: Why Russia Targets Civilians 10:35: Russia Doesn't Want Peace 23:14: Attacks On Ukrainian Energy System 27:20: Why Ukraine Won't Stop Fighting 32:40: Ukrainian Military Surprised The World 46:10 Why Germany Won't Provide Taurus Missiles 58:20: Russian Opposition 01:04:34: Documenting War Crimes

#ukraine #blackdiplomats #foreignpolicy #un #unitednations #nobelprize Terrell Jermaine Starr speaks with Ukraine’s first Nobel Peace Prize Winner Oleksandra Matviichuk about her work as a war crimes documentor, the broken United Nations system, why it’s not possible to have peace with Russia and building solidarity with Africans and Palestinians. Host: Terrell Jermaine Starr Guest:. Oleksandra Matviichuk Producer: Mike Hull Support us financially! Venmo: @BlackDiplomats CashApp: $BlackDiplomats PayPal: https://paypal.me/blackdiplomatspod Patreon: patreon.com/blackdiplomats Time stamps 00:00: Welcome 01:22: Mental Health Check-In 02:43: Path to Nobel Prize 09:09: Putin's Genocide Against Ukraine 12:55: Hopes For Palestinian and Ukrainian Solidarity 22:00: Making "Peace" With Russia 25:00: Maidan CIA Coup Myth 27:28: Ukraine's Democracy Since 2014

I spoke with Christopher Shell and Nola Haynes about Vladimir Putin’s nuclear threats, why Black people should care about foreign policy, Andrew Tate’s arrest, uncommitted voter movement and more. Host: Terrell Jermaine Starr Guests: Christopher Shell is a fellow at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Nola Haynes is a national security and foreign affairs analyst. Producer: Mike Hull Support us financially! Venmo: @BlackDiplomats CashApp: $BlackDiplomats PayPal: https://paypal.me/blackdiplomatspod Patreon: patreon.com/blackdiplomats Time stamps: 00:00: Welcome 01:48: Mental Health Check-In 05:55: Putin's Latest Nuclear Strike Threat 15:20: Black People and Foreign Policy 32:36: Biden's Response To Gaza 44:04: Romania To Extradite Andrew Tate To UK Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZY3_2uQzzrU

#ukraine #russianinvasion #foreignpolicy #trump #nato This week, Terrell Starr and Ukrainian journalist Olga Tokariuk discuss how Ukrainians are reacting to the possibility of Trump winning the U.S. election, her curiosity over Black support for Trump, NATO’s relationship with its Eastern European members and her trip to South Africa that convinced her Ukraine needs to build solidarity ties with Africa. Host: Terrell Jermaine Starr Guest: Olga Tokariuk Producer: Mike Hull Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BlackDiplomatsOfficial Support us financially! Support us financially on Venmo: @BlackDiplomats CashApp: $BlackDiplomats PayPal: https://paypal.me/blackdiplomatspod Patreon: patreon.com/blackdiplomats Time stamp: 00:00: Welcome 00:50: Mental Health Check-In 09:22: Ukraine and the 2024 Presidential Election 27:00: How Ukrainians Can Build Solidarity With Africa 43:36: Trump and Black Support

Terrell J. Starr and guest Kimberly St. Julian-Varnon discuss the second year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the African students who faced discrimination while fleeing the war, House Speaker’s Mike Johnson’s refusal to bring the U.S. Senate’s bill to the floor for a vote, how MAGA’s racism is blocking Ukraine military aid and Alexei Navalny’s death. Host: Terrell J. Starr Guest: Kimberly St. Julian-Varnon (Book her here) Producer: Mike Hull Support us financially on Venmo: @BlackDiplomats, CashApp: $BlackDiplomats, PayPal: https://paypal.me/blackdiplomatspod and Patreon: patreon.com/blackdiplomats Time Stamps 00:00: Welcome 03:32: Mental Health Check-in 04:08: Two-Year Mark of SECOND Russian Invasion of Ukraine 08:57: African Students Who Fled the War 23:25: Mike Johnson Refuses Vote on Ukraine Aid 44:20: Navalny’s Death How stalled U.S. aid for Ukraine exemplifies GOP’s softening stance on Russia (PBS) Foreign students fled Ukraine as war broke out. Some remain in limbo, while others fear deportation (CNN) More than 14 million people fled homes in Ukraine since Russia invasion: UN (Al Jazeera) Navalny's body returned to mother, spokeswoman says (BBC)

Greetings, everyone. This week, I was a guest on Andrea Chalupa’s Gaslit Nation podcast, where we discussed Alexei Navalny’s death and how we should all be reflecting on it. This recording is from her most recent episode. We also talked about how New York State Attorney General Tish James and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis are defending American democracy from Donald Trump’s attacks on our democratic institutions. Thanks for listening! Show notes: DEFIANT Fani Willis HITS BACK At Misconduct Claims In HEATED Testimony: ‘IT IS A LIE!’--Roland Martin Unfiltered (YouTube) Fani Willis’ testimony evokes long-standing frustrations for Black women leaders (AP) What we know about Alexei Navalny's death in Arctic prison (Reuters) Body of Alexei Navalny to be held for two weeks for 'chemical analysis', family told (BBC) We need to have a talk about Alexei Navalny (The Washington Post)

This week, we’re replaying our May 10 show about Palestine. We’re pretty sure you’re aware of the terrorist attacks Hamas committed against Israeli civilians October 7 and Israel’s response. What is making matters worse is the massive disinformation that is going around on social media. Twitter is a cesspool of disinformation, where even the best and most seasoned reporters are being tripped up by false accounts and videos. Black Diplomats wants to fight against the disinformation by resurfacing the May 10 episode we aired about Palestine. It features Palestinian human rights lawyer Diana Buttu and independent journalist Sharif Abdel Kouddous. We were talking about the then one-year anniversary of Shireen Abu Akleh’s killing, but we got into Israel’s apartheid government and why the West tolerates it. We hope this will add some much-needed context about what’s happening now. Thank you for listening and please stay safe. News articles: A timeline of Israel and Palestine’s complicated history (VOX) This Gaza war didn’t come out of nowhere (VOX) We cannot stand by and watch Israel commit atrocities (The Washington Post) Muslim members of Congress face spikes in death threats (NBC) Verified Accounts on Musk’s X Spread 74 Percent of Israel-Hamas War Misinformation (Rolling Stone) Who was behind the Gaza hospital blast – visual investigation (Channel 4)

The fifth and final episode of “Liberating Iran” features Priscillia Kounkou Hoveyda. She talks about being Black in Iran and the racism she and other Black Iranians face under Tehran’s brutal theocracy. This episode is one of the few pieces of reporting that deals with the lives of Black Iranians in any meaningful way. There is pretty much no reporting on Black Iranians, but this episode does address some aspects of how they are experiencing the uprisings in Iran. You can learn more about Priscillia’s work at the Collective for Black Iranians, which may very well be the only place where you can learn about Black Iranians. Please support Black Diplomats! Give us 5 star ratings on Spotify, iTunes or wherever you listen to us. Also support our work financially on CashApp at $BlackDiplomats, Venmo @BlackDiplomats and on PayPal at paypal.me/BlackDiplomats.

The fourth episode of “Liberating Iran” features Yegi Rezaian, who tells us about her life as a reporter in Iran and her efforts to free her husband Jason, with whom she was falsely imprisoned after he was accused of being a U.S. spy in July 0f 2024. Please go and buy his book, “Prisoner: My 544 Days in an Iranian Prison―Solitary Confinement, a Sham Trial, High-Stakes Diplomacy, and the Extraordinary Efforts It Took to Get Me Out” This is the fourth of five episodes that will publish each Saturday, with the final show airing September 9. Next week’s episode, the fifth and last of the series, will feature Priscillia Kounkou-Hoveyda., who’ll talk about being Black in Iran and how news around the protests have left Black Iranians voiceless. Please support Black Diplomats! Give us 5 star ratings on Spotify, iTunes or wherever you listen to us. Also support our work financially on CashApp at $BlackDiplomats, Venmo @BlackDiplomats and on PayPal at paypal.me/BlackDiplomats. Articles of note #FreeJason: The inside story of The Post’s role in global efforts to free Jason Rezaian from Iran Axis of Immigration TedTalk by Yegi Rezaian

The third episode of “Liberating Iran” features Nahid Siamdoust, who takes us through the history of Iranian feminism and the decades of female musical expression that defines today’s protests in Iran. Please go and buy her book, “Soundtrack of the Revolution: The Politics of Music in Iran.” This is the third of five episodes that will publish each Saturday, with the final show airing September 2. Next week’s episode, the fourth of the series, will feature Yegi and Jason Rezaian , who’ll talk about the role of media in Iran. Jason’s story is well know, so Yegi will be the primary subject of the episode and discuss her behind-the-scenes role and helping to secure Jason’s freedom from Iranian imprisonment and how this impacted her life personally. Please support Black Diplomats! Give us 5 star ratings on Spotify, iTunes or wherever you listen to us. Also support our work financially on CashApp at $BlackDiplomats, Venmo @BlackDiplomats and on PayPal at paypal.me/BlackDiplomats. Some links to stories used in episode She’s a Professional Iranian Singer But is Banned from Singing on Stage in Her Country (Center for Human Rights in Iran) What the Success of Women-Led Protests Tell Us About Iran’s Future (TIME) The History of Women's Rights in Iran (Brut America)

The second episode of “Liberating Iran” deals with the 1953 CIA coup that overthrew Iran's leadership and how that event provides better context for Washington’s relationship with Tehran—not the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover. Historian Pouya Alimagham helps us understand how devastating the West’s role in undermining has been to fostering better relations with Tehran’s leadership and why Americans have been fed a false narrative on Iranian people and its history. Please go and buy Pouya’s book, “Contesting the Iranian Revolution: The Green Uprisings.” This is the second of five episodes that will publish each Saturday, with the final show airing September 2. Next week’s episode will feature Nahid Siamdoust, who’ll talk about the role of women in Iranian history and the role music has played in the current protests. Please support Black Diplomats! Give us 5 star ratings on Spotify, iTunes or wherever you listen to us. Also support our work financially on CashApp at $BlackDiplomats, Venmo @BlackDiplomats and on PayPal at paypal.me/BlackDiplomats. Notable links to stories used in episode: CIA involvement in 1953 Iranian coup (CNN) U.S. Secretly Gave Aid to Iraq Early in Its War Against Iran (NYT) Iran is surrounded by US military bases and facilities. Here's a snapshot (ABC)

The first episode of “Liberating Iran” drops today. Assal Rad breaks down the Iran Deal and the political history between the U.S. and Iran that explains why relations between the two nations are so frayed. Please go and buy Assal’s book “State of Resistance: Politics, Culture & Identity in Modern Iran." This is the first of five episodes that will publish each Saturday, starting August 5 and ending September 2. Next week’s episode will feature historian Pouya Alimagham who’ll break down the West’s efforts to undermine Iran’s democracy and why so many Americans have bought into false narratives about Tehran’s leadership. Please support Black Diplomats! Give us 5 star ratings on Spotify, iTunes or wherever you listen to us. Also support our work financially on CashApp at $BlackDiplomats, Venmo @BlackDiplomats and on PayPal at paypal.me/BlackDiplomats. Notable links to stories used in episode Fact-Checking Donald Trump’s Reasons For Leaving Iran Deal. (Washington Post) Chris Cuomo Interview with Benjamin Netanyahu (CNN) Is Maximum Pressure Working Against Iran? (NBC)

Coming July 29: A five-part series about Iran through the eyes of Iranians - protest, history, music, Black Iranian struggle, what the U.S. always gets wrong, and how we can get it right this time. Join host Terrell J. Starr as he unlearns years of media hype to find out the real history of Iran.

Good evening from Kyiv! Today’s show is all about the ongoing and ever-changing newscycle revolving around the aftermath of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s failed mutiny of the Russia’s Ministry of Defense. I break down the aftermath of how Russian President Vladimir Putin is responding to everything and the need to not try and predict what’s coming next. The following segment deals with Ukraine’s top intel chief’s claim that Russia mined the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and there is a real chance they might blow it up. Today’s show will feature Dina Urich, Head of department of temporarily occupied and unoccupied territories and a Board Member at Helping to Leave, an organization that has helped more than 20,000 people flee Russian captivity. Thank you all for tuning into this week’s episode of Black Diplomats. Please give us 5 star ratings on Spotify, iTunes or wherever you listen to us. Also support our work financially on CashApp at $BlackDiplomats, Venmo @BlackDiplomats and on PayPal at paypal.me/BlackDiplomats.