Loud & Clear

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Killing Fields: Yemen War Takes Major Turn with Ex-President's Killing Dec 04, 2017

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Massoud Shadjareh of the Islamic Human Rights Commission and by Kathy Kelly of Voices for Creative Non-Violence.
Yemen’s former president Ali Abdallah Saleh, was killed today in an explosion in the capital Sanaa, claimed by Houthi fighters after Saleh reportedly dropped out of their uneasy alliance. What does this mean for the ongoing war there? Is this the consolidation of power the Houthis have been working toward?
Then, Donald Trump may be set to announce that the United States will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Why and why now? This move that will be seen by the Palestinian people as an extreme provocation comes as Benjamin Netanyahu and his family are mired in serious corruption charges. Miko Peled, activist and author, joins the show.
As more and more evidence comes to light of collusion between the Trump campaign and the Israeli government, Israeli-American media billionaire Haim Saban is thanking presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner for his efforts to block a UN resolution that was at the heart of General Michael Flynn’s recent guilty plea.
The US and South Korea begin new massive war exercises simulating the invasion and destruction of North Korea. Author Stephen Gowans joins Brian and John to discuss the increased aggression on behalf of the Trump administration toward North Korea.
President Trump went on the attack again over the weekend, accusing the FBI of ruining its own reputation by continuing its Russia investigation. Brian and John speak with FBI whistleblower Darin Jones about waste, fraud, abuse, and illegality in the Bureau.
The head of NATO on Monday praised embattled US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for his "key role" in the North Korea crisis as rumours swirl that his position is under threat from the Trump White House. Mark Sleboda, international affairs and security analyst, joins the show.
Brexit negotiations -- setting the conditions whereby Britain leaves the European Union -- have entered a pivotal moment the outcome of which might have a huge impact on Britain’s place in Europe, on British internal politics and the fate of the conservative government of Theresa May, and the ongoing peace deal in Ireland. Brian and John speak with Robert Griffiths, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Britain.

What Michael Flynn's Guilty Plea Means for Mueller's Russia Probe Dec 01, 2017

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Ken Silverstein, the editor-in-chief and lead writer at WashingtonBabylon.com whose latest book is The Secret World of Oil.
In the biggest development yet in the Mueller investigation, former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn has pled guilty to one count of lying to the FBI. But the absence of any other serious charges has led to a whirlwind of speculation about what Flynn gave Mueller in return.
Then, this afternoon Senate Republicans were putting the finishing touches on a massive overhaul of the U.S. tax code to the benefit of the ultra-wealthy and corporations. Republican leaders expressed confidence that it will pass a vote today. Brian and John are joined by Jim Kavanagh, the editor of ThePolemicist.net, and Daniel Sankey, a financial policy analyst.
In recent days, Bitcoin has surged, crashed and surged again as the cryptocurrency becomes one of the most talked-about subjects in economics. Today, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange was given regulatory approval to even begin selling futures of the once-fringe project. Professor and author Steve Keen explains the surge of Bitcoin.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has taken the rare step of beginning an anti-dumping investigation directed at China not because of a complaint brought by a corporation or trade group, but on their own initiative. David Ewing, chair of the San Francisco branch of the China-America People's Friendship Association, discusses these developments.
Then, activist and author Miko Peled joins us to talk about his new book “Injustice: The Story of the Holy Land Foundation Five”.
The European Union and the UK have reportedly finally reached an agreement on the size of the so-called “divorce bill” as part of negotiations over the exit of the country from the EU. Is Brexit back on track, or is the hard part just beginning? Editor-in-chief of the The Duran, Alexander Mercouris, joins Brian and John to share his views on the issue.
Americans continue to be gobsmacked at the pace of sexual harassment allegations coming out of Washington, Hollywood, the media, and now even tech companies. Meanwhile, the New York Times is keeping a count of how many men are being accused of crimes ranging from sexual misconduct to sending lewd texts, to rape. Michelle Witte, Sputnik’s News Editor, talks about the ongoing scandals.

All Power to the NSA! Congress Set to OK Key Mass Surveillance Program Nov 30, 2017

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Bruce Fein, a constitutional lawyer and a former Assistant Attorney General of the United States, and by Bill Binney, a former NSA technical director and whistleblower.
A bill to renew the controversial Section 702 program -- a key part of the mass surveillance state -- has been introduced by the House intelligence committee. While members of the committee claim that the law would introduce new measures to safeguard Americans’ privacy, the core spying powers of the NSA would be left intact.
In the latest assault on alternative media, RT has had its congressional press credentials revoked. Meanwhile, the Mueller investigation moves forward as Jared Kushner is interviewed. Kevin Zeese, the co-director of Popular Resistance, as well as Paul Street, a journalist, historian and author, whose latest book is “They Rule: The 1% v. Democracy”, join the show.
Donald Trump is reportedly planning to replace Rex Tillerson as head of the State Department with Mike Pompeo, who would in turn be replaced as head of the CIA by Senator Tom Cotton. Hardline cold warriors continue to dominate military and foreign policy. Brian and John speak with Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK.
Donald Trump attacked British Prime Minister Theresa May after she condemned his retweets of a leader of the far-right Britain First organization. But May has yet to revoke her invitation to Trump for a meeting. Joining the show is George Galloway, a former member of the British Parliament.
Debate has begun on the floor of the Senate as Republicans attempt to push forward with a massive overhaul of the U.S. tax system that amounts to a huge giveaway to the rich and corporations. Daniel Sankey, financial policy analyst, joins the show.
Speaking to a gathering of African youth in Burkina Faso about the horrific reemergence of the slave trade in Libya, French President Emmanuel Macron said, “it’s your fault!” Dr. Gerald Horne, professor at the University of Houston, joins Brian and John to discuss.
Honduran military and police fired tear gas at crowds of demonstrators gathered outside of the electoral authority’s headquarters, and opposition candidate Salvador Nasralla denounces fraud allegedly carried out by the country’s right-wing president. Chuck Kaufman, the National Co-Coordinator of the Alliance for Global Justice, and Sputnik News analyst Walter Smolarek, join the show.

North Korea ICBM Test is a Game-Changer: Will U.S. Choose War or Peace? Nov 29, 2017

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Simone Chun, a fellow at the Korea Policy Institute and a member of the Korean Peace Network, and by Hyun Lee a member of the Solidarity Committee for Democracy and Peace in Korea and a writer for ZoominKorea.org.
The balance of forces in Korea was fundamentally changed yesterday with North Korea’s test launch of an ICBM capable of targeting the entire United States. Will the Trump administration move further along the path to war, or will it be forced to back down?
Cellphone corporations, through cell site information, possess a massive amount of increasingly precise data about its users’ movements. Can the government access it without a warrant? The Supreme Court is considering this question right now. Brian and John speak with Heidi Boghosian, the executive director of the A.J. Muste Memorial Institute and the former executive director of the National Lawyers Guild, as well as Brad Schlesinger, an appellate attorney licensed to practice in the Supreme Court.
Donald Trump retweeted three anti-Muslim videos that were shared from the account of Jayda Fransen, the deputy leader of the far-right, violent Britain First organization. Brian and John are joined by talk show host Lionel to discuss Trump's decision to retweet the videos.
The Geneva peace talks are underway as a delegation from the Syrian government arrives for talks with the opposition. With the government winning on the battlefield, attention is now shifting to the negotiating table. Peter Ford, former UK ambassador to Syria, joins the show.
NBC News anchor Matt Lauer has been fired for unspecified sexual misconduct. The uprising against sexual harassment continues, but are politicians being shielded from the consequences of their actions? Brian and John speak with Jane Cutter, editor of LiberationNews.org.
Bosnian Croat military leader Slobodan Praljak has died following a shocking courtroom suicide. Praljak drank a vial of poison as the judge was reading his verdict in a war crimes trial. Brian and John speak with Christopher Black, an international criminal lawyer who is on the list of counsel at the International Criminal Court.
According to testimony in court by a former employee, Uber hired former CIA agents to engage in industrial espionage against competitors. Just how common is this practice?

Is This Trump's Make or Break Day? Shutdown Looms, Will Tax Plan Fail? Nov 28, 2017

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by cartoonist and columnist Ted Rall, Pete Dolack, an organizer with Trade Justice New York Metro, and professor and economist Steve Keen.
A meeting between Donald Trump and top Congressional Democrats over the federal budget was abruptly cancelled today, making a government shutdown even more likely. Meanwhile, taxes, the Dream Act and other key priorities are piling up in what is shaping up to be a make-or-break moment for the Trump administration.
New footage of the slave markets in Libya are sparking outrage and protest across the globe. More than six years since the NATO-backed overthrow of the Libyan government, chaos continues to reign in what was once the most developed country in Africa. Ben Norton of AlterNet's GrayZone Project, joins the show.
Palestinian unity may finally be at hand as Hamas is scheduled to hand over administration of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority this week. But there are still serious obstacles in the way to lasting reunification. Amena El-Ashkar, a political analyst and part of the North America Nakba Tour, discusses the importance of this development.
A controversial new law in Israel that would help shield Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from corruption charges has passed an initial vote in Israel. Are Netanyahu’s days as Prime Minister numbered? Journalist Daoud Kuttab joins the show.
The right-wing billionaire Koch brothers are major players in the $2.8 billion takeover of big-name publications like Time and Fortune magazines. The concentration of the media in the hands of a tiny group of elites continues. Danielle Corcione, freelance journalist, joins the show.
Despite a report by the Defense Manpower Data Center, the Pentagon is stubbornly denying what has become obvious: there are thousands more U.S. troops in Syria and Iraq than previously claimed. Brian and John are joined by Jeremy Kuzmarov, professor of history at the University of Tulsa and author of Modernizing Repression: Police Training and Nation-Building in the American Century.
Dozens of police departments have been enlisted in the Trump administration’s war on immigrants under a greatly expanded program to expand powers normally reserved for ICE to local law enforcement. Angie Kim, immigrant rights activist, joins the show.
Tensions between the United States and Russia are heating up further as the Pentagon complains of an “unsafe intercept” of a U.S. spy plane operating near Russian borders. Mark Sleboda, international affairs and security analyst, discusses these developments.

Is Google Stepping Back from its Threats Against RT and Sputnik? Nov 28, 2017

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Dr. Jan Oberg, director of the Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research, and by Dr. Robert Epstein, Senior Research Psychologist at the American Institute for Behavioral Research and Technology.
The controversy over Google’s censorship of alternative media outlets continues, as the internet giant appears to be attempting to play both sides of the highly controversial issue.
The police state in America continues to grow, as more departments adopt the use of the controversial “stingray” surveillance system and the Trump administration escalates its war on immigrants by granting local police departments new powers to harass and arrest those suspected of being undocumented. Brian and John speak with Anoa Changa, host of the radio show The Way With Anoa, as well as Aislinn Borsini of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The high-stakes showdown over the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau intensified today as both Mick Mulvaney and Leandra English declared that they were assuming leadership of the agency today. Dave Lindorff, an investigative reporter and columnist, joins the show.
In a dramatic turnaround, the leader of Germany’s Social Democratic Party has expressed his openness to joining a coalition led by Chancellor Angela Merkel, throwing a lifeline to the embattled leader. Reiner Braun of the International Peace Bureau discusses the significance of these developments.
New information has come to light about the Keystone pipeline has leaked far more frequently than the company projected. Fred Magdoff, professor and author, joins the show.
An ally of Manuel Zelaya, the former leader of Honduras who was overthrown in a U.S.-backed coup, appears to have won the country’s presidential election. The corporate media is shocked at the result. Chuck Kaufman, the National Co-Coordinator of the Alliance for Global Justice, and Sputnik News analyst Walter Smolarek talks about what the results mean for the U.S. and for Latin America
Al Franken returned to the Senate today, John Conyers continues to resist calls to resign and Roy Moore continues to campaign in Alabama despite a mountain of sexual harassment allegations against them. Congress truly has no shame. Daniel Lazare, journalist and author of The Frozen Republic, The Velvet Coup, and America's Undeclared War, joins the show.

Baltimore Cop Gunned Down a Day Before Testimony on Police Corruption Nov 24, 2017

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Dominique Stevenson, Program Director for the American Friends Service Committee’s Friend of a Friend program, and by by Kofi Ademola, an organizer with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Baltimore detective Sean Suiter was killed with his own weapon the day before he was scheduled to testify against other police officers to a grand jury. The mysterious death is raising questions about systemic corruption within the Baltimore Police Department.
Will U.S. troops ever leave Syria? Now that ISIS is effectively defeated, the Pentagon is signaling that it will maintain its presence in the north of the country indefinitely. Rick Sterling, investigative journalist, joins the show.
More than 200 people were killed in a horrific terrorist attack on a mosque in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula today. Details are still emerging, but the massacre is sure to send shockwaves throughout the region. Brian and John speak with Sputnik News analyst Walter Smolarek.
The New York Times is reporting that former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn’s lawyers have cut off communication with Donald Trump’s legal team -- an indication that he may be planning to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller’s prosecution. Jim Kavanagh, editor of ThePolemicist.net, joins Brian and John.
In rambling addresses to U.S. troops on Thanksgiving, Donald Trump praised his own administration for a wide range of accomplishments in nearly every field. But perhaps his most amazing assertion was that the United States has turned the tide in Afghanistan and is now winning the war. Joining the show is Vijay Prashad, author and professor.
Thomas Friedman, the foreign policy establishment’s favorite pundit, has just published an op-ed singing the praises of de-facto Saudi leader Mohammed Bin Salman, despite the young Crown Prince’s reckless military and political offensive across the entire Middle East. Brian and John speak with Alexander Mercouris, editor in chief of The Duran.
Zimbabwe has a new president -- Emmerson Mnangagwa -- following the military takeover of the country that forced the resignation of long-time leader Robert Mugabe. What does Mnangagwa’s presidency mean for the future of the country? Dr. Gerald Horne, professor at the University of Houston, joins the show along with Eugene Puryear, host of By Any Means Necessary.

Corporate Dictatorship Over Internet, Mass Media? Time to Fight Back! Nov 22, 2017

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Tim Karr, Senior Director of Strategy at FreePress; Kevin Zeese, co-director of Popular Resistance; and by Ted Rall, an award-winning editorial cartoonist and columnist.
The face of the internet is set to change dramatically as FCC Chair Ajit Pai announces his intention to repeal net neutrality regulations. Meanwhile, telecom giants are hoping for another big win as AT&T and Time Warner fight to have their merger approved.
Saad Hariri made his much-anticipated return to Lebanon today, after being held in apparent captivity in Saudi Arabia where he was forced to resign as Prime Minister. Hariri announced that he was “suspending” his resignation -- what comes next for Lebanon and the Middle East as a whole? Marwa Osman, independent journalist and analyst, joins the show along with journalist Joyce Chediac.
Is a political solution possible in Syria? The leaders of Turkey, Iran and Russia are meeting in Sochi to lay the groundwork for what they hope to be a historic summit between the Syrian opposition and government. Brian and John are joined by war correspondent Ali Musawi.
The sexual harassment epidemic in Congress continues to dominate headlines, with Donald Trump doubling down on his support for Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore and Michigan Congressman John Conyers facing calls to resign. Tom Prigg, a Democrat running for Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District, joins the show.
Ratko Mladic, accused of orchestrating the Srebrenica massacre and other atrocities, has been convicted of genocide. But many have called into question the legitimacy of the court that tried him -- the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. Christopher Black, a lawyer who is on the list of counsel at the ICC, joins Brian and John.
After months of relative silence, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has now stated that he believes the military of Myanmar is conducting a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya minority. What is the true U.S. policy towards the country, and the region as a whole? Does one even exist? Ajit Singh, political analyst, discusses these developments.

Putin Meets Assad, Talks With Trump: Can the Syrian War Come to an End? Nov 21, 2017

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Peter Ford, former British Ambassador to Syria, and by Mark Sleboda, international affairs and security analyst.
A high profile meetings between Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad in Russia today, followed by a phone conversation between Putin and Donald Trump, has raised hopes that the bloody civil war may be approaching an end. After so much suffering, can there be a negotiated peace?
A rare leaked State Department internal dissent memo slams the Trump administration for shielding allies from sanctions related to the Child Soldiers Prevention Act. Does the U.S. government really turn a blind eye to the use of child soldiers? And does this practice extend beyond the current administration? Jim Jatras, former U.S. diplomat and political analyst, joins the show.
Charlie Rose has been dropped by CBS and PBS following revelations about years of sexual harassment and assault as it becomes even clearer that abuse by powerful men is endemic in all parts of society. Brian and John are joined by Heidi Boghosian, the executive director of the A.J. Muste Memorial Institute and the former executive director of the National Lawyers Guild.
Robert Mugabe has resigned, ending nearly four decades as president of Zimbabwe following a military takeover. As the country enters a new era, what can the world expect? Eugene Puryear, host of Radio Sputnik's By Any Means Necessary, discusses this major development.
The value of Bitcoin is skyrocketing, breaking $8,000 this week. What is Bitcoin? Is this a bubble, or are investors in for a historic pay day? Brian and John speak with Daniel Sankey, financial policy analyst.
Tens of thousands of Haitians who fled to the United States following the devastating 2010 earthquake had their Temporary Protected Status revoked today by order of the Trump administration, sparking outrage and uncertainty. Meanwhile, a federal judge has suspended an executive order aimed at cutting off funding to so-called Sanctuary Cities. Angie Kim, an immigrant rights advocate, joins Loud & Clear.

Censored! Google Will Now "Engineer" Algorithm to Suppress RT, Sputnik Nov 21, 2017

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Jana Nakhal an independent researcher and a member of the central committee of the Lebanese Communist Party, and by Middle East political analyst Robert Carter.
Saudi Arabia continues to push its regional offensive against Iran. The Saudis have denounced Iran at an extraordinary Arab League summit held in Cairo yesterday, and the region awaits the imminent return of Saad Hariri to Lebanon, where he is expected to explain the mysterious events surrounding his resignation.
New accusations have hit Jared Kushner and Donald Trump Jr. over communications pertaining to Russia, are more indictments on the way? Plus, Sputnik has once again been the target of fake news, with the Daily Beast and several other outlets falsely claiming that we have registered as a foreign agent. Dan Kovalik, a human rights and labor lawyer who is the author of “The Plot to Scapegoat Russia”, Jim Kavanagh, editor of ThePolemicist.net, and Dr. Robert Epstein, Senior Research Psychologist at the American Institute for Behavioral Research and Technology, join the show.
Coalition talks in Germany have collapsed, with the Free Democratic Party withdrawing from negotiations led by Chancellor Angela Merkel. As political uncertainty deepens, will the country have to call another election? Reiner Braun, chair of the International Peace Bureau, discusses these developments.
On the heels of a controversy over a NATO war game where the enemy units were designated “Ataturk” and Erdogan, a top advisor to the Turkish president has called into question Turkey’s membership in NATO altogether. Ceyda Karan, a Columnist at Cumhuriyet Daily, and Alexander Mercouris, the Editor in Chief of The Duran, join the show.
The Trump administration has officially designated North Korea to be a state sponsor of terror, ratcheting up tensions days after the head of U.S. Strategic Command openly discussed the possibility of the military refusing illegal orders to launch a nuclear strike. Kevin Kamps, the radioactive waste watchdog at Beyond Nuclear, discusses the issue with Brian and John.

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