Podcast / American Prestige / Nov 11, 2025

Silicon Valley and the Israeli Occupation

On this episode of American Prestige: Omar Zahzah on the consolidation of Big Tech with Israeli colonialism and genocide.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Silicon Valley and the Israeli Occupation w/ Omar Zahzah | American Prestige
byThe Nation Magazine

Derek is joined by Omar Zahzah, Assistant Professor of Arab Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas Studies at San Francisco State University, to talk about his book Terms of Servitude: Zionism, Silicon Valley, and Digital Settler Colonialism. They discuss the Sheikh Jarrah uprising and the digital front of the Palestinian struggle, the difference between “digital apartheid” and “digital settler colonialism,” Meta’s censorship, the IDF Unit 8200Silicon Valley pipeline, how AI and tech infrastructure are being weaponized, the legacy of Edward Said’s “Permission to Narrate,” and how Palestinians have used social media to change the narrative.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Protestors passing by the Google building during a rally for Palestine on October 4, 2025, in New York City.

(Stephanie Keith / Getty Images)

Derek is joined by Omar Zahzah, Assistant Professor of Arab Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas Studies at San Francisco State University, to talk about his book Terms of Servitude: Zionism, Silicon Valley, and Digital Settler Colonialism. They discuss the Sheikh Jarrah uprising and the digital front of the Palestinian struggle, the difference between “digital apartheid” and “digital settler colonialism,” Meta’s censorship, the IDF Unit 8200–Silicon Valley pipeline, how AI and tech infrastructure are being weaponized, the legacy of Edward Said’s “Permission to Narrate,” and how Palestinians have used social media to change the narrative.

Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Iran Talks Under Strike Threat, Mexico Cartel Killed, Pakistan Attack in Afghanistan | American Prestige
byThe Nation Magazine

Warner Brothers shamefully won’t consider Danny and Derek’s aggressive offer. In this week’s news: U.S.-Iran nuclear talks resume in Geneva amid reports that the White House is weighing strike options (0:54), plus Trump claims in his State of the Union that Iran is building nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles (9:58); on the fourth anniversary of the Ukraine invasion, the EU fails to advance new Russia sanctions and a Ukraine loan package due to Hungarian interference (12:28); fighting again intensifies in the eastern DRC (15:53); Mexican authorities kill alleged cartel leader El Mencho, triggering widespread violence (18:49); the Committee to Protect Journalists reports a record number of media workers killed in 2025, mostly killed by Israel (22:07); the UAE backs construction of Israeli-controlled camps in Rafah (23:25); the U.S. extends consular services to West Bank settlements (25:34); the so-called Islamic State declares a “new phase” of operations in Syria (27:37); Pakistan launches cross-border strikes into Afghanistan amid renewed tensions (29:16); the RSF massacres civilians in North Darfur (31:44); a diplomatic spat erupts between Washington and Paris over rhetoric on left-wing violence (33:22); Cuba faces a firefight off its coast and limited U.S. easing of fuel restrictions for private firms (35:44); Trump proposes sending a hospital ship to Greenland (38:51); and the Supreme Court overturns Trump’s tariffs as the administration moves to reimpose duties via alternative means (41:14).

Grab a copy of Danny and Michael Brenes’ edited volume Cold War Liberalism: Power in a Time of Emergency. Use the discount code BESSNER26.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Subscribe to The Nation to Support all of our podcasts

Derek Davison

Derek Davison is a writer and analyst specializing in international affairs and US foreign policy. He is the publisher of the Foreign Exchanges newsletter, cohost of the American Prestige podcast, and former editor of LobeLog.

Daniel Bessner

Daniel Bessner is an historian of US foreign relations, and cohost of American Prestige, a podcast on international affairs.

More from The Nation

The Luddite Club Is for Everyone—With Amanda Hanna-McLeer & Lucy Jackson

The Luddite Club Is for Everyone—With Amanda Hanna-McLeer & Lucy Jackson The Luddite Club Is for Everyone—With Amanda Hanna-McLeer & Lucy Jackson

Paris Marx is joined by Amanda Hanna-McLeer and Lucy Jackson to discuss the story of The Luddite Club and its growth into an international movement.

Paris Marx

Jesse Jackson and Carmelo Anthony in 2012.

How Rev. Jesse Jackson Understood Sports, and a Winter Olympics Roundup How Rev. Jesse Jackson Understood Sports, and a Winter Olympics Roundup

On the latest Edge of Sports.

Dave Zirin

State of the Union: Not Good—Plus, Jackie Robinson v. Paul Robeson

State of the Union: Not Good—Plus, Jackie Robinson v. Paul Robeson State of the Union: Not Good—Plus, Jackie Robinson v. Paul Robeson

Trump’s State of the Union speech was predictable, but revealing of his state of mind. John Nichols has our analysis.

Jon Wiener

On the Brink With Iran—Featuring Dalia Dassa Kaye

On the Brink With Iran—Featuring Dalia Dassa Kaye On the Brink With Iran—Featuring Dalia Dassa Kaye

Derek and Danny are joined by Dalia Dassa Kaye to talk about the decades-long hostility between the US and Iran and the current escalation between the two countries.

Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

Attendees interact with Elixis-W, a humanoid robot made by Addverb Technologies, at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, India, on February 20, 2026.

What’s Driving the Push for Humanoid Robots—With James Vincent What’s Driving the Push for Humanoid Robots—With James Vincent

Paris Marx and James Vincent discuss why we’re seeing humanoid robots everywhere, the motivations to pursue an all-purpose robot, and the social implications of achieving it.

Paris Marx

President Donald Trump gestures to members of the media after exiting Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport on February 13, 2026

Election Protection in the Midterms—Plus Slaves Escaping by Sea Election Protection in the Midterms—Plus Slaves Escaping by Sea

Harold Meyerson explains Democrats’ preparations for Trump’s threats to voting, and Marcus Rediker talks about Black America in the 1850s.

Jon Wiener

x