The Tea with Myriam Francois

https://www.theteanetwork.coAre we headed for another Cold War?Four years into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, almost half a million people have been killed, rebuilding Ukraine could cost $588 billion, and there's still no clear endgame.And as the battle of narratives intensifies, the drumbeat for war is getting louder across Europe. Question that narrative and you risk being labelled a Russian propagandist. But is war really inevitable? And what happens when we start treating it that way?This week on The Tea, we’re joined by veteran journalist and author Luke Harding, author of Betrayal: Trump, Putin and The New Age of Conquest, to examine the growing confrontation between Moscow and the West.Also in the show:⚡ The war in Ukraine and the battle of narratives⚡ The human cost: can Russia really be defeated militarily?⚡ Trump & Putin: co-imperialists—or something more?⚡ Is Trump a Russian asset?⚡ Putin and the far right: a growing alliance?⚡ If war can’t be won, what comes next?As the UK edges closer to the frontline of this confrontation, we examine the risks, who benefits, and who pays the price.#ColdWar #Ukraine #Putin #TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #LukeHarding #Russia #NATO #Geopolitics #UkraineWar #Politics #UKPolitics #Trump #PeaceAUDIO CREDITSPresenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam FrançoisGuest: Luke HardingSenior Producer: Sara FarolfiProducers: Sanjna Selve and Constance Creswell Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs Research: Aliza Kayan-Ahmed and Saba Ahmadzadeh NoughaniVideo Editor: Max Bubnov An MPWR Productions show.00:00 Introduction – Are We Heading for Another Cold War? 02:30 Luke Harding on Russia and Being Expelled From Moscow 07:35 Can a Journalist Be Neutral on Russia? 10:23 Why Does the Ukraine War Matter to Britain? 17:22 Is Russia Already at War With the UK? 20:27 Should Britain Keep Arming Ukraine? 24:32 How Drone Warfare Has Changed War Forever 28:39 Did NATO Provoke Russia’s Invasion? 32:47 Putin, Ukraine and the Case Against the NATO Argument 35:58 Can the Ukraine War Actually Be Won? 39:39 Why Putin Won’t Back Down 40:04 Why Does Trump Treat Putin Differently? 45:11 Russia’s Role in Trump’s 2016 Election 47:16 Why Is Trump So Deferential to Putin? 48:15 Does Putin Have Leverage Over Trump? 53:01 Did Russia Interfere in Brexit? 55:20 Russian Influence in British Politics 57:23 Should Russian State Media Be Banned? 01:01:51 Can There Ever Be Peace With Putin? 01:03:17 Does Arming Ukraine Prolong the War?Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

https://www.theteanetwork.co What if the institutions created to stop genocide are helping to enable it? Gaza lies in rubble. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed, including thousands of children. Israel has seized more territory, while the prospect of an end to the occupation remains as distant as ever. And yet, after years of investigations and international rulings, the machinery of global justice is paralysed. So where is international law when it's actually needed? This week on The Tea, we’re joined by scholar and author Dr Norman Finkelstein, whose latest book, Gaza’s Grave Diggers: An Inquiry into Corruption in High Places, paints a damning picture of an international system that has done far more than simply fail Gaza — it has helped enable its destruction. Also in the show: 🔥 The UN resolution that handed Trump the keys to Gaza 🔥 Ed Miliband’s speech — a genuine attempt to hold Israel accountable, or political theatre? 🔥 UN and the others — the collapse of international accountability 🔥 Israel’s elections — could they bring real change, or is it all just cosmetic? 🔥 Can people change the balance of power? With international institutions seemingly paralysed, Finkelstein argues that Ed Miliband’s speech could be a chance to finally hold Israel accountable. But will this lead to real accountability—or another broken promise? 00:00 Introduction – Can International Law Still Stop Israel? 02:28 Norman Finkelstein on Speaking to the Political Right 07:47 What Has Changed in Gaza? 08:17 The UN Resolution That Changed Gaza’s Legal Status 11:20 Why Finkelstein Sees a New Opportunity 14:24 The ICJ Ruling Israel Must Answer 15:35 “Enforce the Law” 19:49 Can International Law Actually Force Israel to Withdraw? 23:35 Is the Two-State Solution Still the Answer? 26:03 How Popular Pressure Could Change British Policy 28:13 Has the International Legal Order Already Collapsed? 35:11 Has Finkelstein Changed His Mind on International Law? 36:16 The ICJ, Genocide and Finkelstein’s “Gravediggers” 38:41 Why He Calls the UN a “Rotting Corpse” 40:14 Could Israel’s Elections Change Anything? 42:15 Can Public Pressure Finally Shift the Balance? 45:12 Finkelstein’s Final Message: “Enforce the Law” #TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #NormanFinkelstein #Gaza #Palestine #Israel #ICC #ICJ #USPolitics #UKPolitics #Trump2026 #genocide #WarCrimes #FreePalestine Norman Finkelstein's new book is Gaza's Gravediggers: https://orbooks.com/catalog/gazas-gravediggers/ Myriam's T-shirt: https://www.suzytamimi.com AUDIO CREDITS Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François Guest: Norman Finkelstein Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi Producer: Nadege Bizimungu & Sanjna Selva Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs Video Editor: Max Bubnov An MPWR Productions show. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law. This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing. The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

https://www.theteanetwork.coWhat if tech companies had more power over your life than your own government?Big Tech isn't just business anymore. Silicon Valley now runs its own foreign policy. Over 60 countries have opened diplomatic missions there to negotiate with tech companies as if they were nation-states. AI CEOs sit at the same tables as world leaders. And the revolving doors between government and Big Tech are spinning faster than ever.This week on The Tea, former diplomat Dr Jennifer Cassidy, Lecturer in Diplomacy and Technology at the University of Oxford, joins us to break down how Big Tech quietly became more powerful than the states meant to govern it — and why almost no one is stopping it.Also in the show:⚡ Trump's AI deepfakes: a tool of mass confusion⚡ Big Tech: a techno-fascist takeover?⚡ Digital sovereigns: how Big Tech became more powerful than governments⚡ State embassies in Silicon Valley: the new corporate diplomacy⚡ Government officials to Big Tech: revolving doors and the old boys' club⚡ Why regulation keeps falling shortAs our guest argues, tech companies wield power that fundamentally compromises our national security and sovereignty. States should force these companies to be transparent. Right now, they're not.👉 Subscribe for independent, unfiltered conversations🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #AI #BigTech #TechPolitics #Trump2026 #SiliconValley #TechPower #Surveillance #Diplomacy #Democracy #Technofeudalism #news #currentaffairsAUDIO CREDITSPresenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam FrançoisGuest: Jennifer CassidySenior Producer: Sara FarolfiProducer: Nadege Bizimungu & Iman SalehAssistant Producer: Poppy JacobsResearcher: Constance CreswellVideo Editor: Max BubnovAn MPWR Productions show.Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

https://www.theteanetwork.coIs the AI apocalypse real or is Silicon Valley selling us a story?We're told AI could destroy jobs, outsmart humanity and even turn against us. At the same time, it's cracking 50-year-old scientific problems and pushing new drugs into human trials.So are we living through a genuine technological revolution that could transform humanity or is apocalyptic rhetoric fueling one of the biggest bubbles in tech history?This week on The Tea, we're joined by bestselling author Cory Doctorow to cut through the AI hype. In his latest book, The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI, Cory argues that AI isn't gonna replace us, but it'll trap us into serving machines instead of being served by them. Also in the show:⚡ Big Tech surveillance: they spy on us because we let them⚡ AI psychosis and the mythology of Silicon Valley⚡ OpenAI's agent "revolt" — bad code, or something bigger?⚡ Will AI take our jobs, or just make us babysit the machines?⚡ The hidden bubble behind the AI growth story ⚡ How do we actually change the balance of power?As Cory argues, shopping our way out of corporate power isn't politics. Real change can only come from organising, building solidarity and becoming citizens rather than consumers. #TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #CoryDoctorow #AI #BigTech #OpenAI #SiliconValley ##AIBubble #News #CurrentAffairs #USPolitics #Surveillance #FutureOfWorkAUDIO CREDITSPresenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam FrançoisGuest: Cory DoctorowSenior Producer: Sara FarolfiProducer: Nadege Bizimungu & Sanjna Selva Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs Research: Constance Creswell & Robyn MoffatVideo Editor: Max Bubnov An MPWR Productions show.00:00:00 Introduction – Is the AI Apocalypse Really Coming?00:03:16 Cory Doctorow on Technology, Surveillance and Corporate Power00:06:34 How Big Tech Monopolies Took Over the Internet00:09:29 Is AI the Latest Silicon Valley Bubble?00:11:48 What Science Fiction Teaches Us About Technology00:18:11 Why AI Doesn't Actually Understand Anything00:24:13 Could AI Ever Become Conscious?00:25:09 Why AI Insiders Believe Their Own Hype00:30:32 The Psychology Behind Silicon Valley's AI Obsession00:34:20 Are Rogue AI Agents Actually Dangerous?00:41:29 The Real Technological Threat Isn't AI00:48:38 Is AI Really Coming for Your Job?00:56:30 Can AI Really Replace Doctors?01:05:15 Why Cory Doctorow Thinks AI Is a Bubble01:14:21 Why Big Tech Keeps Pouring Billions Into AI01:20:59 What Actually Happens When the AI Bubble Bursts?01:27:01 How Ordinary People Can Fight Back01:28:37 Why Shopping Is Not Politics01:32:06 Building Solidarity in an Age of CrisisDisclaimer:The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

https://www.theteanetwork.co“The wound is the place where the light enters you.” You’ve probably seen those words plastered across a thousand sunset photos. What you certainly haven’t seen is the Islamic world that gave birth to them.Rumi is the best-selling poet in America. Yet the Rumi embraced by the West is a very different figure from the Muslim mystic who wrote the poetry a Rumi detached from Islam and the Quran, stripped of the faith that shaped his work.https://www.theteanetwork.coThis week on The Tea, we’re joined by leading Islamic scholar Omid Safi to reclaim the Rumi behind the Instagram quotes. We also explore what this erasure tells us about the West’s relationship with Islam—and the rising Islamophobia that shapes it.Also in the show:⚡ Rising Islamophobia: the double standards applied to Muslims and Islam⚡ The self-help industrial complex: when ancient spirituality becomes a wellness commodity⚡ The Filton 4: what happens when corporate property is treated as sacred, but human life is not?⚡ Gen Z and the crisis of hope: is the future still salvageable?⚡ Trump and Hegseth: when religion serves power⚡ Radical love: when spirituality becomes a force for social justiceAs Omid argues, the question is bigger than any one politician. If we don’t confront the systems that produce them, there will always be another Trump, another charlatan.👉 Subscribe for independent, unfiltered conversations🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts#TheTeawithMyriamFrancois #Rumi #Islam #Sufism #Spirituality #Islamophobia #Religion #Gaza #Palestine #politics #Trump2026 #currentaffairsAUDIO CREDITSPresenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam FrançoisGuest: Omid SafiSenior Producer: Sara FarolfiProducer: Nadège BizimunguAssistant Producer: Poppy JacobsResearch: Constance CreswellVideo Editor: Max BubnovAn MPWR Productions show.Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.