Topic: South Sudan

The Trump administration is reportedly negotiating deals to deport violent criminals to African nations, including South Sudan and Eswatini. Al Jazeera reports suggest these countries may accept deportees in exchange for the lifting of US sanctions or direct financial payments. Critics in Africa argue the continent is being used as a "dumping ground" for America's problems, comparing it to historical deportation schemes to the Yucatan Peninsula.

Reports indicate a rise in self-deportation among illegal immigrants, potentially driven by rumors of harsh enforcement and the availability of a $1,000 incentive from CBP. In the Texas Hill Country, false alarms about ICE raids at luxury developments like Boot Ranch have caused temporary labor shortages. The segment discusses how "psychological operations" and mythical stories may be influencing migrant behavior.

The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to close several US embassies across Africa, including missions in Lesotho, Eritrea, and South Sudan. This move signals a significant retreat from the continent, with critics warning that the vacuum will be filled by Chinese influence. The hosts suggest this is part of a strategic shift to focus on South America and the "North Pole" rather than maintaining a presence in Africa.

The UN has warned that South Sudan is on the brink of civil war following the arrest of Vice President Riek Machar. In Pakistan, separatist insurgents carried out coordinated attacks in Balochistan, resulting in multiple fatalities. Meanwhile, former African Union ambassador Arekana Chihombori-Quao criticized USAID and other NGOs, claiming they often serve to destabilize African governments rather than providing sustainable healthcare or education improvements.

Unconfirmed reports suggest a Russian Kinzhal hypersonic missile struck a joint Ukrainian-NATO command center, resulting in significant casualties among Western personnel. Meanwhile, a violent conflict has erupted in Sudan between rival military factions, leading to the evacuation of foreign diplomats. The hosts speculate that weapons intended for Ukraine may be surfacing in the African conflict and note the strategic importance of South Sudanese oil.

A massive locust upsurge threatens East Africa, with swarms in South Sudan, Uganda, and Kenya expected to grow 500-fold if not contained. The insects are destroying crops and livestock feed, though a lighthearted note mentions that some in Israel consider them a "crunchy kosher snack."

Rival leaders Salva Kiir and Riek Machar have formed a unity government in South Sudan, aiming to end six years of civil war. The hosts note that this international news is largely ignored by US media outlets focused on domestic politics.

A producer report from Uganda details the Bidi Bidi settlement, the world's largest refugee camp, housing over a million South Sudanese people. Meanwhile, at Humboldt State University, faculty were encouraged to attend a four-hour "Whiteness and Microaggressions" training. The workshop explores how "whiteness" shapes everyday interactions and systems of advantage, a concept the hosts characterize as a modern academic obsession.

The civil war in South Sudan has created Africa's worst refugee crisis, leading to a rare meeting between the president and opposition leaders in Ethiopia. In Europe, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was seen wobbling during a speech, which he attributed to "sciatica" while jokingly stating he would "prefer to be drunk." The segment notes the contrast between serious global conflicts and the behavior of EU leadership.

The United Nations finally acknowledged its role in the 2010 cholera epidemic in Haiti, which killed over 9,000 people and infected 800,000. Despite the admission, the UN maintains legal immunity from billions of dollars in damages sought in federal court. Simultaneously, UN peacekeepers in South Sudan are under investigation for failing to prevent the gang-rape of civilians and the execution of a journalist during a hotel raid.

The U.S. has deployed 47 troops to South Sudan to protect the embassy and American citizens following a flare-up in the civil war. The conflict is described as an ethnic and religious struggle, but the hosts argue it is primarily driven by oil interests and the involvement of China. The UN reports that four million people in the region are currently threatened by famine.

The segment covers the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, where drought and famine are forcing mass migration. The hosts criticize George Clooney's role in the formation of the state. Additionally, the victory of Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippine presidential election is discussed, noting his controversial "death squad" rhetoric and comparisons to Donald Trump.

A UN report detailed horrific human rights violations in South Sudan, including systematic rape and the murder of civilians by government soldiers in lieu of wages. The report highlights the failure of the 2011 independence movement, which was heavily promoted by figures like George Clooney and the CIA-linked John Prendergast.

John Kerry's trip to Kabul to mediate an election audit between Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah is analyzed as a move to protect U.S. interests. The hosts also report on a cholera outbreak in South Sudan, noting the presence of UN "Blue Helmets" and drawing parallels to the UN-linked cholera outbreak in Haiti.

China is aggressively expanding its infrastructure in Africa, including a $13.1 billion railway project in Nigeria and the Lapset pipeline connecting South Sudan to the Kenyan coast. This competition for resources pits Chinese state interests against Western oil giants like Shell and Chevron. The U.S. strategy is described as "rubble-izing" regions to disrupt Chinese energy transport.

First Lady Michelle Obama participated in the annual NORAD Santa Tracker program, answering phone calls from children on Christmas Eve. Transcripts reveal the First Lady informed children that Santa was flying over South Sudan and Rwanda. Observers contrasted the high technical performance of the Santa tracking website with the significant technical failures of the Healthcare.gov rollout.

John Pendergrass, a former National Security Council official and director at the Center for American Progress, is identified as the handler for George Clooney's activism. Reports from South Sudan suggest an imminent "Rwanda-like" genocide between the Dinka and Luo tribes. The hosts note that Clooney has been quiet about the current violence as he promotes his new film, "Monuments Men."

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power discussed the deployment of additional peacekeepers to South Sudan following reports of mass graves and atrocities. The hosts criticize Power's performance, noting her use of "ums and ahs" and her description of military intervention as a "product." They suggest she is out of her depth and disconnected from the realities of war.

The UN Security Council authorized an increase of 5,500 peacekeepers for South Sudan. The hosts highlight the strategic importance of the oil pipeline running from South Sudan to the Red Sea, which is largely owned by Chinese interests. They suggest the U.S. intervention is motivated by a desire to control oil prices and regional influence.

UN Ambassador Samantha Power visited the Central African Republic to address the threat of genocide and oversee a military handover to African Union peacekeepers. Meanwhile, South Sudan is experiencing a violent internal power struggle. The U.S. has deployed 45 troops to the region, ostensibly to protect American interests and monitor the significant oil reserves.