Radio Free Mike
Radio Free Mike
Podcast Description
Freedom and its Discontents, a politics and culture podcast with author & journalist Michael Scott Moore michaelscottmoore.substack.com
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on various themes in politics and culture, with episodes discussing subjects like neo-Nazi movements in Germany, the impact of political legislation on nonprofits, and the experiences of journalists in oppressive regimes, including a deep dive into the forthcoming documentary on terrorism and rehabilitation. Specific episodes cover topics like Jacob Kushner's insights on a neo-Nazi gang, Meg Smaker's canceled documentary, and Jason Rezaian's captivity in Iran.
Freedom and its Discontents, a politics and culture podcast with author & journalist Michael Scott Moore
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit michaelscottmoore.substack.com
Roger Carstens’ first job at the State Department covered Austin Tice’s strange disappearance in Syria. Austin, a former Marine, had been kidnapped in 2012 as a journalist covering the Syrian civil war. When Damascus fell on December 8, 2024, the prisons began to empty, and there was some hope that Austin might be found. Roger talks about the search for him in late December; about the evidence of Austin’s escape attempt in 2012 or ’13, and what the chances are now of finding him alive.
Roger served as SPEHA under two presidents — a Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs — so we talk about his role at the State Department for the first few minutes of the show. He was re-hired by President Biden after his appointment by President Trump, and he’s been a fine example of consistent, nonpartisan hostage policy under the newish framework designed by President Obama.
Resources:
The family of Austin Tice, their official website
The Unforgotten, Mike’s essay about Austin for New Lines, republished on Radio Free Mike
Part 3 of a very good Economist podcast about Austin’s case
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