A new Covid variant triggers global panic. The world imposes a travel ban on 8 African nations. New York declares state-of-emergency. Adama from Africa tells Tony why S Africa is being punished for being responsible. Kamran from Iran tells Tony why Iran believes it has a good chance in Vienna tomorrow when nuclear talks restart.

Austria becomes the 1st democratic nation to mandate that all citizens get vaccinated. A nationwide lockdown kicks in tomorrow, after a lockdown for the un-vaxxed is met with fierce blowback. Julia in Vienna tells Tony why Austria’s government is taking drastic measures. Natalyia in Kiev joins Tony to discuss the Russian troop buildup on Ukraine’s border.

Europe braces for massive Covid surge…Austria locks down un-vaccinated… Germany, Norway, Belgium reinstate behavior modification. . .Mar from Spain joins Tony with analysis.

In this special edition of VTA, Batya Ungar-Sargon joins Tony to discuss journalism’s decline. Discover if democracy can survive without it.

Iraq’s PM house is attacked by drones. PM survives. Nobody claims responsibility. Will US military intervene? Yonadam Khanna joins Tony from Baghdad.