Hollywood History

The Mamdani Machine (Video Version)

THIS WEEK: Zohran Mamdani is soaring after his allies won congressional primaries across the United States. Graham Platner is careening towards political disaster. And too many pundits are confusing 20th-century progressivism and populism! Dr. Rob and Jack unpack Mayor Mamdani's success, Oysterman Platner's fall, and the history of political machines. Plus, they offer another literary metaphor that's sure to infuriate those trained in literary analysis.

The Mamdani Machine

THIS WEEK: Zohran Mamdani is soaring after his allies won congressional primaries across the United States. Graham Platner is careening towards political disaster. And too many pundits are confusing 20th-century progressivism and populism! Dr. Rob and Jack unpack Mayor Mamdani's success, Oysterman Platner's fall, and the history of political machines. Plus, they offer another literary metaphor that's sure to infuriate those trained in literary analysis.

Coup at Downing Street (Video Version)

THIS WEEK: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his intention to resign. Andy Burnham, the freshly-elected MP for Makerfield, is now Starmer's likely successor.So how did this happen? Who is Andy Burnham? what does this mean for the UK? Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with British political observer and university student Tom Hodkinson to chat the matter over.

Coup at Downing Street

THIS WEEK: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his intention to resign. Andy Burnham, the freshly-elected MP for Makerfield, is now Starmer's likely successor. So what does this mean for the UK? Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with British political observer and university student Tom Hodkinson to chat the matter over.

Taliban 2.0 (Video Version)

THIS WEEK: Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with Sher Jan Ahmadzai of the University of Nebraska-Omaha to discuss the Afghan-Pakistan War and the Taliban governance of Afghanistan. Ahmadzai serves as the Director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies International Programs at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.