NPR News: 07-19-2024 2AM EDT
Digest
This episode of Extremely American delves into the growing movement of Christian Nationalism in the United States. The podcast highlights the movement's goal of establishing a theocracy, a government ruled by biblical law, and the potential consequences for individual rights if it gains more power. The episode features interviews with experts and individuals affected by the movement, providing insights into its ideology, tactics, and impact on American society. The episode also discusses the upcoming election and the role of Christian Nationalism in shaping the political landscape. The episode concludes with a discussion of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, highlighting the international pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to sign a ceasefire agreement.
Outlines
Introduction: The Rise of Christian Nationalism
This Chapter introduces the concept of Christian Nationalism and its goal of establishing a theocracy in the United States. It highlights the potential impact of this movement on individual rights and the upcoming election.
New Hampshire Poll Shows Tight Race
This Chapter discusses a recent poll in New Hampshire that shows a close race between President Biden and former President Trump. The poll suggests that Biden's performance in the recent debate has caused concern among Democrats, who fear he may lose the election.
US Diplomats Denied Access to Wall Street Journal Reporter's Trial
This Chapter reports on the ongoing trial of Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter detained in Russia. The US government has been denied access to the closed-door trial, raising concerns about the fairness of the proceedings. The episode also discusses the possibility of a prisoner swap between the US and Russia.
SolarWinds Cyberattack Case Update
This Chapter provides an update on the legal case against SolarWinds, a software company that was the victim of a Russian cyber espionage campaign in 2020. A federal judge has dismissed most of the fraud charges against the company, but SolarWinds still faces some legal hurdles.
Keywords
Christian Nationalism
A political ideology that seeks to establish a theocracy, a government ruled by biblical law, in the United States. It often promotes a fusion of Christian beliefs with American national identity and seeks to influence public policy based on biblical principles.
Theocracy
A form of government in which religious leaders hold political power and laws are based on religious doctrines. The term is often used to describe a state where religious law is the primary source of legal authority.
Evan Gershkovich
An American journalist working for the Wall Street Journal who was arrested in Russia in March 2023 on espionage charges. His detention has been widely condemned by the international community as politically motivated.
SolarWinds
A software company that was the victim of a major cyberattack in 2020, which was attributed to Russian government hackers. The attack compromised the networks of numerous government agencies and private companies, raising concerns about cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Hamas
A Palestinian Islamist political organization and militant group that controls the Gaza Strip. Hamas has been involved in numerous conflicts with Israel, including the recent escalation of violence in May 2023.
Benjamin Netanyahu
The Prime Minister of Israel, who has been in office for a significant period of time. He is a controversial figure, known for his right-wing political views and his handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Joe Biden
The current President of the United States, who is seeking re-election in 2024. He is a member of the Democratic Party and is known for his moderate political views.
Donald Trump
The former President of the United States, who is running for re-election in 2024. He is a member of the Republican Party and is known for his populist and nationalist views.
Q&A
What is Christian Nationalism and what are its goals?
Christian Nationalism is a political ideology that seeks to establish a theocracy, a government ruled by biblical law, in the United States. It often promotes a fusion of Christian beliefs with American national identity and seeks to influence public policy based on biblical principles.
What are the potential consequences of Christian Nationalism gaining more power in the US?
If Christian Nationalism gains more power, it could lead to restrictions on individual rights, particularly those related to religious freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, and reproductive rights. It could also influence public policy in areas such as education, healthcare, and social welfare.
How is the upcoming election shaping the political landscape in relation to Christian Nationalism?
The upcoming election is seen as a crucial moment for Christian Nationalism, as the movement seeks to influence the outcome and shape the future direction of the country. The episode explores the role of Christian Nationalism in mobilizing voters and influencing political discourse.
What is the current status of the trial of Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter detained in Russia?
The trial is moving quickly in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, but US diplomats have been denied access to the closed-door proceedings. The US government has condemned the trial as a sham and called for Gershkovich's release.
What is the latest update on the cyberattack case against SolarWinds?
A federal judge has dismissed most of the fraud charges against SolarWinds, but the company still faces some legal hurdles. The judge ruled that SolarWinds could still be liable for a misleading security statement on its website.
What is the current situation in the conflict between Israel and Hamas?
International pressure is mounting on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to sign a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Talks aimed at finalizing a truce are continuing in Cairo, Egypt.
Show Notes
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Table of contents
United States
