Ruth Ben-Ghiat

professor of history and Italian studies at New York University; author of the book “Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present”

Guest

Ruth Ben-Ghiat is a professor of history and Italian studies at New York University and a contributor to CNN. Her latest book is Italian Fascism's Empire Cinema.

Ruth Ben-Ghiat on KCRW

Donald Trump's presidential campaign speeches have become more vengeful and autocratic. Now experts are warning about a rise in fascism ahead of next year’s election.

Is Trump espousing fascism in his authoritarian campaign rhetoric?

Donald Trump's presidential campaign speeches have become more vengeful and autocratic. Now experts are warning about a rise in fascism ahead of next year’s election.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Giorgia Meloni is likely to become Italy’s first female prime minister and the country’s first far-right leader since World War II. Her coalition won the most votes over the weekend.

Fascist Giorgia Meloni to lead Italy, could be out in 1 year, says historian

Giorgia Meloni is likely to become Italy’s first female prime minister and the country’s first far-right leader since World War II. Her coalition won the most votes over the weekend.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The threat of war looms along the Russian-Ukrainian border, where nearly 100,000 Russian troops are stationed.  The White House says Russia could attack Ukraine at any point.

What are Putin’s motivations for threatening to invade Ukraine?

The threat of war looms along the Russian-Ukrainian border, where nearly 100,000 Russian troops are stationed. The White House says Russia could attack Ukraine at any point.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

More from KCRW

The race for two open supervisor seats is heating up in Orange County. Two candidates might compete in the November run-off election if no one receives more than 50% of votes.

from KCRW Features

The four leading Asian American groups in OC are uniting up to boost AAPI turnout at the polls. This demographic is growing the fastest, says the Pew Research Center.

from KCRW Features

Is there anything about Trump’s abortion position for Joe Biden to capitalize on? Will Biden’s change of tune on Israel win him more supporters?

from Left, Right & Center

In this episode of the Scheer Intelligence podcast, host Robert Scheer and The Grayzone editor-in-chief Max Blumenthal contextualize the events of Oct.

from Scheer Intelligence

How serious were Donald Trump’s NATO claims? Are skeptics of Biden and Trump’s ages missing the bigger picture? Plus, a legal DEI battle unearths difficult questions.

from Left, Right & Center

How will a continued offensive in Gaza affect Democratic support for Israel? Can SCOTUS clear up the lines between censorship and free speech?

from Left, Right & Center

On this episode of the Scheer Intelligence podcast, Heyday Books publisher and former LA Times book editor Steve Wasserman and host Robert Scheer commit themselves to this conversation…

from Scheer Intelligence

Lost Notes explores how Fela Kuti’s time in LA in 1969 was instrumental in the creation of his legendary Afrobeat sound.

from Lost Notes

Activists are calling on the LA Zoo to release its elephants to sanctuaries after an elephant was euthanized in January, the second to die within a year.

from KCRW Features