Venezuela

After almost a decade in prison, Yevgeny Prigozhin was released into a new world. Gorbachev gave his last speech as leader of the Soviet Union; the Communist Party was outlawed. Soon, gangs were violently extorting new business owners and the murder rate doubled. But Prigozhin was comfortable with chaos. He started a hot dog stand and climbed his way up into the highest echelons of power… then decided to diversify.

In this episode, we look at a Russian businessman who takes on a new game, war in the shadows, and how we prepare for what we can’t see.

GUESTS: Anastasia Gorshkova, Russian Journalist; Sean McFate, Georgetown, Author, Former Mercenary

ADDITIONAL READING:

Putin’s Kleptocracy, Karen Dawisha.

The Future is History, Masha Gessen.

The New Rules of War, Sean McFate.

CEO of Company Housing Migrant Children Detainees Steps Down

The C.E.O. of Southwest Key, a private company that houses the plurality of migrant children in U.S. shelters, has resigned after facing scrutiny from a financial probe.

Racial Disparities Persist in Stillbirth Rates

According to new data, the black stillbirth rate in Ohio is twice the white stillbirth rate.

Diplomatic Situation in Venezuela Worsens Amid Countrywide Power Outages

Widespread power outages have escalated the tumultuous situation in Venezuela, where the U.S.-backed opposition has been attempting to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro since January.

Salacious College Admissions Scandal Highlights Commonplace Inequities 

A new FBI investigation takes cutthroat college admissions to a whole new level, but the 1% shelling out big bucks to get their kids into college is nothing new.

Guests:

Kim Barker

Katherine Hawkins

Anne Glausser

Andrew Rosati

Natasha Warikoo

Voices from Alabama: Working Through the Aftermath of a Deadly Storm

23 are confirmed dead after tornadoes struck Alabama on Sunday. The Takeaway hears from local leaders on how the community is working together in the aftermath of the storm.

What Jared Kushner’s Relationship with the Saudi Crown Prince Means for the U.S. 

A week after Jared Kushner’s trip to the Middle East, we provide a closer look at his relationship with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. 

U.S.-Backed Juan Guaido Returns to Conflict-Stricken Venezuela 

The U.S. has thrown its support behind the self-declared president of Venezuela, Juan Guaido. But who, exactly, is he?

World Wildlife Fund Accused of Supporting Guards Who Torture and Murder

According to a new investigation, the World Wildlife Fund is funding guards in Africa and Asia who have committed gross human rights abuses, including torture and murder.

Guests:

Pastor Jeff Meyers

Dr. Mac McCoy

Bill Harris

David D. Kirkpatrick

Ana Vanessa Herrero

Katie J.M. Baker

This week in Studio 360, Kurt Andersen talks with a songwriter whose words are being sung by protesters in the deadly clashes in Venezuela — he gives a firsthand account of life trapped behind barricades. A playwright explains why he moved Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra from Rome to colonial Haiti. And a former CIA man […]

August 08, 2017: Frank Thompson is the former superintendent of the Oregon State Penitentiary, where he oversaw and conducted executions. Now, he works as an advocate against the death penalty. He shares his story today. Plus, The Takeaway examines the turmoil in Venezuela, why some say the Trump Administration is playing politics with nursing homes, elections in Kenya and Detroit, and strategies for cutting the U.S. prison population in half. 

Coming up on today’s show: 

 On Wednesday, Secretary of State John Kerry delivered an impassioned speech from the State Department, reiterating his support for a two state solution and appearing to direct his remarks more at Israeli public opinion than the U.S. George Mitchell, President Obama’s former special envoy to the Middle East and retired Senator from Maine, shares his perspective on the history of the U.S.-Israeli relationship and what’s changing today.

Lori Lowenthal Marcus is a lawyer and the co-chair of the Jews Choose Trump organization. She lends insight into how Jewish supporters of Donald Trump are responding to the latest upheaval in U.S.-Israeli relations, and lays out her expectations for a Trump presidency.
 Dave Zirin, Sports Editor for The Nation magazine, gives a recap of the year in sports and social justice from Colin Kaepernick protests, to the failures and successes of the Olympics in Brazil, to the death of Muhammad Ali.
President Obama designated two national monuments yesterday in Utah and Nevada in an effort to preserve his green legacy before Trump takes office. While environmentalists are pleased, some elected officials oppose the measure. Vice President of Government Affairs at the National Parks Conservation Association Kristen Brengel explains.
An investigation by the Associated Press has found that the military is operating a major food trafficking scheme in a country with millions on the brink of starvation, operating illegal food markets and setting the price of goods. Hannah Dreier, Venezuela correspondent for The Associated Press, was part of that investigation. She shares what she found.
Thousands have been killed since Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte began his crackdown on drugs and drug users, but despite international condemnation, his approval ratings remain high. Reporter Aurora Almendral spent a night on patrol with the Manilla police department. She shares her experience and describes what the war on drug users and dealers looks like from the ground.
Pianist Holly Bowling has made a name for herself reinterpreting the music of Phish and The Grateful Dead for solo piano. She joins The Takeaway to talk about her new album Better Left Unsung, out this month.