Displacement is reshaping our world – from Ukraine to Venezuela to the streets of American cities. It has gone from a fringe issue to the topic of daily headlines. But there is a ton of misinformation out there, and most people don't know much about its causes – much less its solutions. On Forced from Home, we will talk to the people on the frontlines of global displacement and the global decision makers shaping how the world responds – about everything from life in a war zone to economics to politics. Listen in for smart, practical insights that will help make sense of these issues – and share ways that you can get engaged.
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The Refugee Convention at 75: An Important Legacy, an Uncertain Future
Season 1 · Episode 9
Thursday, August 6, 2026 • Duration 57:11
For 75 years, the 1951 Refugee Convention has served as a global commitment to protect refugees, and as a tool for states to manage global displacement. But today, many of the world's 41 million refugees face attacks on their rights and governments that seek to return them to harm.
We reflect on the history of the Convention, how this foundational document has served refugees and governments over the years, and the failure of many states to meet their obligations to protect refugees today.
In this episode, we hear from scholar James Hathaway about the objectives, intentions, and limitations of the Convention. He discusses how the Convention balances states' interests and refugee rights and offers ideas to improve international systems and enhance refugee protection considering current political realities. Then we sit down with Human Rights First's Eleanor Acer who unpacks how governments, including the Trump administration, are undermining the core tenets of refugee protection and mischaracterizing global displacement dynamics. She offers potential reforms to ensure the Convention is relevant to today's world.
Time Takeaways
[3:17] What is the Refugee Convention?
[5:06] Discretion v. obligation: states' roles in protecting refugees' rights
[8:04] There is no "right way" to become a refugee – because states haven't built one
[16:27] How multilateral cooperation and enforceable commitments can improve the global refugee system
[34:40] Unpacking the Trump Administration's critiques of the Refugee Convention
[39:15] Global trends: are other governments following the United States' lead or affirming their commitment to the Convention?
[48:17] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week
Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk.
This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Yael Schacher.
Compounding Crises: The Ebola Outbreak and Conflict in Eastern DRC with Dr. Craig Spencer, Julien Harneis, and Mvemba Dizolele
Season 1 · Episode 8
Thursday, July 23, 2026 • Duration 01:16:21
The Ebola outbreak surging throughout eastern Congo could be the largest in history and one of the most challenging to defeat. Ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, significant U.S. aid cuts, and overextended healthcare systems are complicating efforts to respond and contain the disease. Worse, this outbreak is fueled by a strain of Ebola–the Bundibugyo species– that does not have an approved vaccine to treat.
In this episode, we learn from Dr. Craig Spencer about how Ebola spreads and the factors fueling the current Bundibugyo outbreak. He shares his extensive experience treating patients during previous Ebola outbreaks and describes the ramifications of the United States' retreat from its leadership in global health. We then hear from UN Senior Ebola Coordinator Julien Harneis who is on the ground in eastern Congo. He talks about what he's seeing in affected communities and what is needed to end the outbreak. To round the episode, we sit down with Mvemba Dizolele who delves into the complex interplay between governance challenges, public health, and the legacy of conflict in eastern Congo and how these dynamics are impacting the international response today.
Timed Takeaways:
[5:53] Ebola 101: understanding the disease's transmission and symptoms
[7:49] A survivor's perspective on Ebola and the importance of quality healthcare
[15:12] Unpacking the current outbreak: tackling the Bundibugyo virus, Ebola response challenges in DRC, and the importance of U.S. leadership
[33:58] Dispatch from Bunia: On the ground with UN's Senior Ebola Coordinator Julien Harneis
[45:02] Understanding the context: past and present conflicts and governance challenges in eastern Congo
[51:15] The role of trust and good governance in mounting an effective Ebola response
[59:53] Prospects for a humanitarian ceasefire and the United States' role in ending the conflict
What do Venezuela's Earthquakes Mean for its Refugee Crisis and for U.S. Immigration Policy? With Ana Maria Diez
Season 1 · Episode 7
Thursday, July 9, 2026 • Duration 56:19
On June 24, two devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela, killing thousands and displacing countless more – driving the country into a deeper humanitarian crisis. This catastrophe occurs at a moment when many Venezuelan refugees are growing disillusioned; the U.S. tells them it is safe to return home even as it sits side-by-side with sanctioned leaders from the regime that they fled.
In this episode, we hear from Ana Maria Diez, a human rights lawyer and Venezuelan living in displacement, to understand the current earthquake response efforts and how this emergency is affecting people who have faced a longstanding humanitarian, economic, and political crisis. She talks about the false narrative that conditions have improved since Maduro's capture, how the Trump administration is cozying up with officials in the regime it claims to have overthrown, and the importance of advancing Venezuelan refugees' rights to participate in a democratic transition of the government.
Timed Takeaways:
[5:58] The fallout from the earthquakes and potential government interference in recovery efforts
[15:20] Turning back the clock: why have 8 million people fled Venezuela?
[18:16] Ana Maria's story: forced to flee her country
[21:47] Same regime, different face: how the U.S. is backing repressive Maduro-aligned leaders
[31:06] The power of collective action in the refugee-led movement
[39:29] What it really means to leave your country
[42:08] Maria's story: the toll of compounding crises on Venezuelans
[47:53] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week
Mentioned in This Episode:
- New York Times
- Refugees International
"My Freedom was Taken from me." Exposing Trump's Shady Third Country Deportation Deals
Season 1 · Episode 6
Friday, June 26, 2026 • Duration 01:01:26
Why did the famously corrupt Vice President of Equatorial Guinea ask Stephen Miller to visit his country? It's all about deportations. The Trump administration has cut numerous shady agreements with foreign governments to forcibly deport thousands of people granted protection by U.S. courts to countries where they have no ties and could be subject to detention, abuse, or deportation back to the countries they originally fled. These cruel deals are one of the administration's harshest tools to deter people from seeking refuge in the U.S. and funnel resources to governments with a track record of corruption and repression.
In this episode, we hear from Dr. Yael Schacher, Refugees International's Director for the Americas and Europe and co-lead with our partners at Human Rights First on the Third Country Deportation Watch project. She spells out the various deals the Trump administration has made with governments around the world and what toll they're exacting at a human level. We're also joined by Tutu Alicante, founder of Equatorial Guinea Justice, who offers insight into how corrupt governments – including Equatorial Guinea – are benefitting from third country deportation agreements.
Timed Takeaways:
[5:10] How did we get here? The Trump administration's assault on the right to refuge
[11:11] Setting the scene: the political landscape in Equatorial Guinea
[15:14] Exploring the transactional nature of these deals
[28:31] Costa Rica: the second largest recipient of deportees from the U.S.
[34:00] How is the U.S. legitimizing corrupt leaders with these agreements?
[41:04] Cruelty by design: the human impact of these forced transfers
[49:05] Khadija's story: the human toll of third country deportations
[53:26] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week
"You Promised Us Safety.": How the U.S. is Abandoning Afghan Refugees
Season 1 · Episode 5
Thursday, June 11, 2026 • Duration 59:16
Thousands of Afghans who once supported the U.S. government were promised refuge in the United States after the Taliban took control of the capital, Kabul, in 2021. The Trump administration has broken that promise, leaving Afghan refugees in a state of uncertainty and is reportedly considering deporting them to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The U.S. government has further harmed Afghans by suspending special refugee resettlement programs and eliminating U.S. foreign aid funding to organizations in Afghanistan.
In this episode, we hear from a young woman who the U.S. has left stranded in Qatar with her family and over a thousand other Afghan allies. She talks about the struggles of living in a state of limbo and how she hopes to rebuild her life in the United States. Then, we meet with Rina Amiri, former U.S. Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights, to learn about how the Trump administration's policy shifts have harmed Afghan families, undermined U.S. credibility on the global stage, and enabled the Taliban to impose a gender apartheid in Afghanistan.
Timed Takeaways:
[06:20] The realities of one family's experience fleeing Afghanistan
[10:42] Living in limbo in Camp As Sayliyah
[16:31] The shocking possibility that the U.S. might deport Afghans to DRC
[20:56] Broken promises and one Afghan's hope to pursue her education in the U.S.
[27:19] The toolkit the USG once had, and now dismantled, to support Afghan women and girls
[35:25] The Trump administration's brutal betrayal of Afghan allies and its implications for U.S. strategic interests
[45:49] How the United States' retreat has empowered the Taliban in its persecution of women
[51:31] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week
"They're everything it means to be American": Protecting Refugees in Minneapolis with Major Jacob Frey
Season 1 · Episode 4
Thursday, May 28, 2026 • Duration 42:39
Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration's aggressive anti-immigrant operation across the Minneapolis–St. Paul region in Minnesota, brutalized members of the local community, including lawful refugees, immigrants, and American citizens alike.
At this year's Refugees International Advocacy Awards, we presented the McCall-Pierpaoli Humanitarian Award to Mayor Jacob Frey, whose courageous leadership protected refugees and community members in the face of ICE and CBP's assaults across Minneapolis. In this episode, we hear from Mayor Frey about the city's legacy of welcoming refugees and immigrants, what it was like living through Operation Metro Surge, and the power of community action and local emergency response.
Timed Takeaways:
[02:36] The social fabric of the city of Minneapolis and the integral role of refugees and migrants
[07:44] On the ground during Operation Metro Surge
[14:32] Mounting a local response: municipal tools, mutual aid groups, and the power of a welcoming community
[22:25] The obstacles to engaging the Trump administration and the wrongful detention of U.S. citizens
[29:33] Accountability for ICE and CBP abuses
[31:49] Honoring the contributions of refugees and migrants in Minneapolis and the harms of scapegoating immigrant communities
[36:00] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week
"One Emergency After Another." The Assault on Medical Care in Gaza with Dr. Thaer Ahmad
Season 1 · Episode 3
Thursday, May 14, 2026 • Duration 01:00:44
Despite a nominal ceasefire, life for people in Gaza remains grim, Israel continues to obstruct humanitarian and medical aid, and enormous needs persist.
At this year's Refugees International Advocacy Awards, we presented the Richard C. Holbrooke Leadership Award to Dr. Thaer Ahmad, in honor of Palestinian healthcare workers in Gaza whose extraordinary service has saved lives under unimaginable conditions. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Thaer Ahmad about his experience providing emergency medical care in Gaza, the consequences of the Israeli government's restrictions on medical supplies and attacks on hospitals, and the importance of advocacy in the face of inhumanity.
Timed Takeaways
[3:00] Inside Gaza's hospitals in the early days of the war
[14:27] "On the brink of collapse": the impacts of obstructing emergency medical equipment
[22:25] "A miserable process:" medical evacuations for Palestinians in and from Gaza
[27:33] Targeted violence on the health system in Gaza and the detention of Palestinian doctors
[40:07] The West Bank: navigating emergency care as checkpoints proliferate
[43:58] The power of advocacy: protesting the Biden administration's military support to Israel
[52:25] The harms of passive voice and the need to humanize Palestinian victims of violence
[56:06] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week
"No one was spared." The war in Sudan and the genocide in Darfur with Representative Sara Jacobs and Emi Mahmoud
Season 1 · Episode 2
Thursday, April 30, 2026 • Duration 56:32
The world just passed the three year mark of the war in Sudan - the largest displacement and humanitarian crisis in the world.
We spoke with U.S. Representative Sara Jacobs (D-CA) about the impact the war has had on Sudanese civilians and refugees, the role of external actors in fueling the conflict, and what the United States can do to help end it. Then, we met with Emi Mahmoud, a renowned poet, author, and humanitarian activist who grew up in Darfur to hear about the RSF's genocidal violence in Darfur and how local community groups are supporting each other across Sudan.
Timed Takeaways
[0:46] Setting the scene: unpacking the scale of the crisis and warring parties in Sudan
[4:24] Representative Jacobs on the impact of aid cuts for Sudanese refugees
[8:00] Representative Jacobs on the role of the UAE in fueling the conflict in Sudan
[13:35] Representative Jacobs on needed U.S. leadership and congressional engagement to end the war in Sudan
[19:20] Representative Jacobs on setting the record straight about migration management at the U.S. southern border
[24:03] Emi Mahmoud on the RSF's atrocities and siege of El Fasher, Darfur
[33:00] Emi Mahmoud on the role of racism and Arabization in the war in Sudan
[43:44] Preventing further deaths in Sudan and ways to take action
[52:08] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week
[54:30] Tribute to former Refugees International President Lionel Rosenblatt
Mentioned in This Episode:
–
The Human Cost of the War in Iran with Vali Nasr
Season 1 · Episode 1
Friday, April 17, 2026 • Duration 41:08
Forced from Home is proud to present our first-ever episode.
In just a month and half, the US/Israeli war with Iran has been felt across the Middle East, and millions of people have been forcibly displaced within their country and across borders. From Iran to Lebanon, civilians are experiencing grave harm from constant bombardment on critical civilian infrastructure, including power plants, schools, health care facilities, and historical sites.
Vali Nasr is a professor of international affairs and Middle East studies at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies and a New York Times bestselling author on Iran. Nasr is the author, most recently, of "Iran's Grand Strategy: A Political History by Vali Nasr." We sat down to discuss the human toll of the conflict and how Iranians are experiencing the war; the risk that state collapse in Iran could spark mass regional displacement; and how the erosion of international humanitarian law is ultimately a threat to regional stability.
[2:19] The outlook for the war
[7:12] Iranians are experiencing a deliberate "war against the people"
[12:44] "Gaza rules" and the implications for US strategic aims
[17:51] Is "state collapse" plausible?
[22:58] Displacement dynamics - where might Iranians seek refuge?
[25:09] Iran's regional proxies and their links to humanitarian crises
[31:02] Setting the record straight: the risks of destroying social fabrics
[36:30] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week
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If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome
For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast
Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk.
This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Priscilla Lecomte and Abdullahi Halakhe.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome
For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast
Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk.
This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Rachel Schmidtke and Eliza Leal.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome
For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast
Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk.
This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Yael Schacher, Rachel Schmitdke, and Eliza Leal.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome
For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast
Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk.
This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Devon Cone, Mohammed Naeem, Priyali Sur, and Shawn VanDiver.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome
For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast
Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk.
This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Kate Brick and Jen Schmid.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome
For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast
Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk.
This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Eliza Leal and Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome
For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast
Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk.
This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Etant Dupain, Eliza Leal, and Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Dan Sullivan and Mohammed Naeem.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome
For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast
Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk.
This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Etant Dupain, Eliza Leal, and Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Darya and Vali Nasr.
