Ruth Ben-Ghiat

professor of history and Italian studies at New York University; author of the book “Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present”

Guest

Contact: Website

Ruth Ben-Ghiat is a professor of history and Italian studies at New York University and a contributor to CNN. Her latest book is Italian Fascism's Empire Cinema.

Ruth Ben-Ghiat on KCRW

Donald Trump's presidential campaign speeches have become more vengeful and autocratic. Now experts are warning about a rise in fascism ahead of next year’s election.

Is Trump espousing fascism in his authoritarian campaign rhetoric?

Donald Trump's presidential campaign speeches have become more vengeful and autocratic. Now experts are warning about a rise in fascism ahead of next year’s election.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Giorgia Meloni is likely to become Italy’s first female prime minister and the country’s first far-right leader since World War II. Her coalition won the most votes over the weekend.

Fascist Giorgia Meloni to lead Italy, could be out in 1 year, says historian

Giorgia Meloni is likely to become Italy’s first female prime minister and the country’s first far-right leader since World War II. Her coalition won the most votes over the weekend.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The threat of war looms along the Russian-Ukrainian border, where nearly 100,000 Russian troops are stationed. The White House says Russia could attack Ukraine at any point.

What are Putin’s motivations for threatening to invade Ukraine?

The threat of war looms along the Russian-Ukrainian border, where nearly 100,000 Russian troops are stationed. The White House says Russia could attack Ukraine at any point.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

More from KCRW

Amidst the hype, excitement and nervousness of the election, the bigger picture of what the United States is and how it operates often gets lost on people.

from Scheer Intelligence

The outcome of congressional races in Orange County could determine whether Republicans keep their majority in the House of Representatives.

from KCRW Features

Does “working class” mean what it used to? Is fracking getting more attention than it deserves? Plus, KCRW examines what came out of one culture war in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

from Left, Right & Center

SoCal Democrats anxious to help win the presidential election for Kamala Harris are road-tripping to swing states where they can make a bigger impact.

from KCRW Features

The recent hurricanes unleashed a storm of conspiracies. Could Omaha voters decide the nation’s fate? Plus, an indie newsletter saved a politically divided marriage.

from Left, Right & Center

LA spends tens of millions of dollars settling sidewalk injury lawsuits each year. But the city says that actually fixing the sidewalks would cost more.

from KCRW Features

Though one can debate the reasons, statistics and precedent of nuclear war, what is often left out of the conversation is the reality of it: destruction of the world as a whole.

from Scheer Intelligence

Measure A – on LA County ballots this November – asks voters whether or not to approve a sales tax hike to fund homeless services and affordable housing.

from KCRW Features

Ten billion dollars doesn’t go far when it comes to adapting to climate change, but the state has a lot of projects planned, should this bond measure pass.

from KCRW Features