Background Briefing

Background Briefing – October 26, 2023

Trump’s Christian Soldier MAGA Mike Johnson We begin with an autocrat and a kleptocrat joining forces with a theocrat and explore the role of white Christian nationalism as a vital component of the coalition to reelect Trump now bolstered by Trump’s Christian soldier MAGA Mike Johnson, the new Speaker of the House. Joining us is Clyde … Continued


Mick Herron, author of the Slough House series of spy novels (“Slow Horses”) discusses his latest novel, a stand alone in the same world as his series, “The Secret Hours” and his career.
Vauhini Vara, author of the novel “The Immortal King Rao,” a finalist for the 2022 Pulitzer Prize and now out in trade paperback, talks about her career and about reporting on the digital world.
Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.


A lecture by Professor Ilan Pappé, Professor of History, Director of the European Centre for Palestine Studies, University of Exeter, UK on October 19th, 2023 at Berkeley Law, UC Berkeley Campus. Special thanks to the Sponsors for providing the recording of the event: Center for Middle Eastern Studies, NorCal Sabeel, Department of History, Department of … Continued