Romania’s Political Turmoil: Elections, Extremism, and Foreign Influence with Sorin Ioniță

In this episode of The Lowdown, Máté Holler delves into Romania’s deepening political crisis, where a canceled election, far-right surges, and foreign interference have shaken the country’s democratic foundations. Sorin Ioniță, director of the Think Tank, Expert Forum, and a seasoned political commentator, joins to unpack the turmoil - from Kremlin-backed disinformation to unexpected influence from Washington. They explore Romania’s fragile political landscape, the rise of extremist candidates, and the stakes of the rescheduled May 2024 presidential election in a country at the crossroads of European security and democratic resilience.

In this episode of The Lowdown, Maria Borysenko, a Ukrainian activist and expert in analytics and advocacy, joins us to discuss Russia’s war against Ukraine and the rights of Ukrainians in Germany. Maria shares her firsthand experiences of the conflict, the resilience of the Ukrainian people, and the transformations shaping Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty. She explores the war’s impact on Europe, the role of international support, and the power of advocacy in securing Ukraine’s future.

In this episode of The Lowdown, Judith Offenberg interviews Sarah Sackman, MP for Finchley and Golders Green and Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services. Sarah reflects on Labour’s transformation under Keir Starmer, the fight against antisemitism, and how the party regained the trust of Jewish voters. They discuss the 2024 landslide victory, the government’s response to the Israel-Gaza conflict, and the steps being taken to create safer, more inclusive campuses for Jewish students.

In this episode of The Lowdown, Máté Holler dives into the political upheaval in Serbia, where mass student-led protests have led to the resignation of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević. Dr. Danielo Mandić, Associate Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Harvard University, joins to break down the protest movement, the broader struggle for democratization, and the regime’s efforts to consolidate power. They explore Serbia’s political landscape, the parallels with other hybrid regimes, and what this crisis means for the country’s EU ambitions. Later, we hear from Serbian Jewish student Noa Fisher, who shares her personal experiences from the protests and reflects on how Jewish students in Serbia engage with the movement.

Join host Máté Holler on The Lowdown as we delve into the complexities of the Shoah with Dr. Natalia Aleksiun and Dr. Eliyana Adler, editors of the book Entanglements of War: Social Networks During the Holocaust. As International Holocaust Remembrance Day approaches, we explore the untold stories of resilience and social networks that shaped Jewish survival. The episode reminds us  how central human connections and resilience were, and in fact, still are in the Jewish story.

In this special episode of The Lowdown, host Hanna Veiler is joined by Professor Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, a leading voice in family law and international women’s rights, and the founding director of the Rackman Center at Bar-Ilan University. Professor Halperin-Kaddari opens up about her work in the wake of October 7, tackling the gendered atrocities carried out by Hamas, the global denial of these crimes, and the fight for justice through the DINAH Project. She also shares her thoughts on the challenges Jewish women face around the world and offers advice for young Jewish leaders on how to advocate for truth in today’s complicated and often polarized world.

In this special episode of The Lowdown, host Hanna Veiler welcomes Amie Liebowitz, an Australian journalist working for the BBC – live from Summer U Greece. Throughout the episode, Amie tells us about her career with media outlets, dealing with intense topics like far-right politics and antisemitism as well as her path into journalism, the highs and lows, and what it means to cover crucial Jewish topics in today's world, especially post-October 7th.

In this episode of The Lowdown, host Judith Offenberg welcomes Tom Khaled Würdemann, a German academic with Syrian heritage and Middle East scholar. They delve into the historical and contemporary aspects of antisemitism in Arab countries and Arab society, examining the intricate relationships between Jewish and Muslim communities. The discussion covers the evolution of these relations, particularly post-October 7th, and the impact of misinformation on public perceptions. Tom shares insights on campus dynamics, the challenges in fostering balanced discussions, and strategies for combating antisemitism.

In our 11th episode, host Judith Offenberg welcomes Eylon Levy, the former Israeli Government Spokesperson. Recorded five months after the horrors of the October 7th Massacre, he details the nation's collective mission to overcome trauma, return hostages, and secure a future free from threats, emphasizing a unified stance against adversity. Levy also discusses the alarming international response, critiques the UN's lack of impartiality, and shares personal insights, concluding with a lighter rapid-fire segment.

In our tenth episode of The Lowdown, host Judith Offenberg is joined by Shahrzad Osterer, an Iranian-Jewish activist and journalist. Released on March 8 to celebrate International Women's Day and the relaunch of the EUJS Women's Network, Shahrzad shares her insights into the Iranian women's resistance against the Islamic Republic. She also sheds light on how this struggle is intertwined with the battle against antisemitism and the denial of sexual violence since the October 7 Massacre, offering a powerful narrative of unity and resilience.