In this episode of The Forum Plus, Jim Falk talks with bestselling author Robert McCaw about his new novel, Traitors. Best known for his Koa Kāne Hawaiian mystery series, McCaw's latest novel takes readers into the world of counterintelligence, Russian disinformation, and the complex legal and moral choices involved in protecting national security.McCaw believes one reason for the success of his books is that, while he strives to tell a compelling story, he also works to make his plots plausible and relatable to current events.Before becoming a full-time novelist, McCaw spent more than four decades as an attorney handling some of the nation's most significant cases involving money laundering, financial fraud, and national security. He discusses how those experiences shaped Traitors, why he built the novel around Robert Cooper, the Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Department of Justice's National Security Division, and why the spy genre has endured for generations.

Santa Fe's reputation as one of America's premier arts and cultural destinations is central to both its identity and its economy. But how are the city's galleries and performing arts organizations adapting to changing audiences, economic uncertainty, and new expectations?In this episode of The Forum, Jim Falk and co-host Daniel James, executive director of Santa Fe Pro Musica, explore the opportunities and challenges shaping Santa Fe's cultural future with two of the city's arts leaders: Joel Aalberts, executive director of the Lensic Performing Arts Center, and Ken Marvel, co-owner and CEO of LewAllen Galleries.

This coming Saturday is the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation.

Originally, this program was intended to be an in-depth discussion of Blackstone's proposed acquisition of PNM, New Mexico's largest electric utility, by Blackstone, the private equity firm that describes itself as the world's largest alternative asset manager. Unfortunately, shortly before we went on the air, one of the leading opponents of the proposal was unable to join us. Representatives of both Blackstone and PNM also declined our invitations to participate.Fortunately, Evan Buckingham, who had originally planned to join us for the first 15 minutes of the program, was able to remain with us for the entire hour. Together, we examined the proposed acquisition, summarized the principal arguments both for and against the deal, and explored the broader implications of private equity's expanding role in the American economy.

It is one of the most remarkable, and least known, stories of World War II. Under the leadership of William “Wild Bill” Donovan, founder of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), a group of American archaeologists set aside their scholarly pursuits to become intelligence operatives. After limited training at “The Farm,” they recruited Greeks and Greek Americans to carry out secret missions across Greece and the Middle East.During our conversation, Stephan Talty describes the extraordinary efforts undertaken to protect Greece’s ancient treasures from Nazi looters. He also explains how Hitler’s interest in Greece extended beyond military strategy. Hitler believed there was a racial and cultural connection between ancient Greece and the Aryan race, making Greece’s antiquities a matter of ideological as well as strategic importance.

Each summer, Santa Fe becomes a vibrant center of cultural activity, fueled by an extraordinary series of festivals that draw both residents and visitors from around the world. From classical music presented by the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, and the Santa Fe Opera, to celebrated arts traditions showcased through the Santa Fe Indian Market, Traditional Spanish Market, and the International Folk Art Market, the city offers a unique concentration of artistic experiences.This show focuses on the Santa Fe Desert Chorale and the International Folk Art Market, while also surveying the broader landscape of Santa Fe’s festival season and the role these institutions play in shaping the city’s cultural life.

Why are fewer women seeking political leadership today? In this episode of The Forum Plus, journalist and author Linda Robinson examines the growing threats, harassment, and intimidation that are driving many women away from public service both in the United States and around the world.As threats, harassment, and intimidation increasingly target women leaders, and often their families, many are deciding that the personal cost of public service is simply too high. Robinson explores how attacks on democracy and gender equality frequently go hand in hand, particularly under authoritarian movements. Drawing on her extensive interviews with women who have led their countries' defense against authoritarianism, she describes similarities among these inspiring leaders.

The primary campaign is over. The general election campaign has begun. With just over 150 days until Election Day, New Mexico’s two gubernatorial nominees, Deb Haaland and Gregg Hull, join Jim Falk and Patrick Davis in separate recorded interviews to discuss the road ahead. They reflect on lessons learned during the primary, explain how they hope to win the support of independents and voters beyond their party base, and make their case for why they should become New Mexico’s next governor.

In this episode of The Forum Plus, Nicholas Enrich and Rebecca Black discuss the far-reaching consequences of the dismantling of USAID, arguing that the loss of the agency will have lasting effects on global public health, including within the United States, and significantly damage America’s international standing.Enrich’s book, Into the Wood Chipper, has drawn praise for its detailed account of how DOGE systematically dismantled what had long been regarded as an effective and respected agency founded in 1961 to provide humanitarian and development assistance around the world. Drawing on both firsthand experience and broader analysis, Black and Enrich explain why many experts believe the loss of USAID funding and infrastructure has already contributed (and will continue to contribute) to preventable deaths and humanitarian suffering worldwide.

We apologize for the technical problems that occurred during the broadcast of this program.New Mexico is not poor because it lacks resources. As the nation’s second-largest oil and gas producer after Texas, it has benefited from revenues that many states would envy. Yet New Mexico continues to struggle with persistent poverty, lagging educational outcomes, and slow population growth.A recent report, Economic Freedom in the Land of Enchantment, argues that a lack of economic freedom is preventing the state from reaching its full potential. Co-authors Paul Gessing and Matthew Mitchell contend that reducing regulations, lowering taxes, expanding school choice, and limiting government spending would create the conditions for stronger economic growth and greater prosperity.