Loud & Clear

Latest Episodes:

Trump, FBI, CIA: Who's Running the Show After FBI Director's Firing? May 12, 2017

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by former CIA analyst and political activist Ray McGovern.
The warfare among different factions of the political establishment in the aftermath of the firing of FBI director James Comey continues, as acting director Andrew McCabe took Comey’s seat at a Senate Intelligence hearing on Russia.
The final debate in Iran’s presidential election campaign will take place today. President Hassan Rouhani has come out swinging in recent days as he hopes for re-election next week. What’s at stake in this landmark election for the country, the region and the world? Brian is joined by Massoud Shadjareh, the co-founder of the Islamic Human Rights Commission.
The Arctic Council has been holding its summit in Alaska in which Rex Tillerson was present along with Russian foreign minister Lavrov. As the climate changes, is the Arctic a new site of geopolitical tension? Greg Mello, co-founder of the Los Alamos Study Group, joins the show.

Civil War Within U.S. Political Establishment as Trump Fires Comey May 11, 2017

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by former NSA analyst turned whistleblower William Binney and editorial cartoonist Ted Rall.
In a dramatic move, President Trump has unexpectedly
fired FBI director James Comey, prompting Democrats to change their tune about Comey and rush to his defense, accusing the administration of a cover-up. What’s really going on?
Donald Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov yesterday in Washington. Will there be U.S.-Russia cooperation over "de-escalation zones" in Syria?Kevin Zeese, co-director of Popular Resistance, joins the show.
Turkey has reacted angrily to the news that the Trump administration has agreed to provide heavy weapons to the Kurdish forces fighting in Syria. How much more stress can the U.S.-Turkey relationship take? Journalist Ben Norton joins Brian to discuss.

Progressive Wins South Korea Vote: Could Peace Break Out in Korea? May 10, 2017

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Hyun Lee of the Solidarity Committee for Democracy and Peace in Korea. Moon Jae-in has won the presidential election in South Korea in a historic win that is set to change the relationship with the North. But what will his victory mean for the plans of the Trump administration?
Is President Trump about to escalate the war in Afghanistan? Reports suggest Trump could be considering thousands of additional troops for Afghanistan as NATO’s Jens Stoltenberg arrives in London to ask the UK to commit more forces. Activist David Swanson of WarIsACrime.Org joins the show.
Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov is in Washington today for talks with his counterpart Rex Tillerson. The two are set to discuss “de-escalation zones” in Syria as the anti-Russia witch hunt continues in Washington. Dmitry Babich, independent political analyst, joins Brian.

France's Next President Macron Readies War Against Workers' Rights May 09, 2017

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Steve Hedley, the senior assistant General Secretary of Britain's Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union (RMT).
Emmanuel Macron has marched to victory in the French election, trouncing the far-right’s Marine Le Pen. The EU establishment breathes a sigh of relief as the French voters chose a pro-EU, neo-liberal capitalist banker over Le Pen. Absent a left wing choice a huge number of French voters abstained.
As violent right-wing opposition protests continue in Venezuela, a bill has been proposed in the U.S. Senate seeking $20 million for regime change efforts. But President Maduro and the Bolivarian revolution are also mobilizing their base of support. Dr. Francisco Dominguez, professor at Middlesex University, joins the show.
Today is Victory Day in Russia and the former republics of the Soviet Union, celebrating 72 years since the victory over fascism. But the post-World War Two political order is now being shaken at its foundations. Mark Sleboda, international affairs and security analyst, joins Brian.

South Korea Votes: A New Day for North-South Relations? May 08, 2017

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear Brian is joined for the full hour today to by activist Will Griffin, Korea Policy Institute fellow Simone Chun, and writer Bruce Gagnon.
South Korea holds its first presidential election since the impeachment of conservative Park Geun-hye tomorrow. Who are the candidates and what are they saying about peace on the Korean peninsula? Will any of them aim to forge a more diplomatic relationship with the North? And as the U.S. THAAD missile system is deployed, what are the candidates saying about the South Korean relationship with the United States? This election will have profound consequences for Korea, the region and the whole world.

France's Unhappy Choice May 05, 2017

Show notes

In today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by independent journalist Denis Rogatyuk.
The run-off to determine the next President of France takes place on Sunday. Will it be the former banker Macron or National Front's Marine Le Pen, and how high are the stakes for the future of Europe?
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has set a timeline for the overhaul of the country’s pacifist constitution as tensions heat up in the region. Author and writer Patrick Lawrence joins the show.
President Trump met with the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Washington this week as the White House has said moving its embassy to Israel to Jerusalem is a serious prospect. Palestinian solidarity activist Joe Catron speaks with Brian about the importance of the visit and if any progress has really been made toward the peace process resuming.

Marwan Barghouti's Son Speaks on Mass Hunger Strike in Israeli Prisons May 04, 2017

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Arab Barghouti, the son of Marwan Barghouti who is leading the hunger strike of Palestinian prisoners.
Marwan Barghouti is often referred to as the “Nelson Mandela of Palestine”. In this exclusive interview, his son discusses the importance of the ongoing hunger strike in Israeli jails and the fight for dignity for all Palestinians.
Peace talks aimed at ending Syria’s six year war were cut short when the group representing the so-called armed opposition walked out on the first day. This came as Vladimir Putin and President Erdogan have said de-escalation zones in Syria have been discussed with Donald Trump and the Syrian government. Brian speaks with Alexander Mercouris, Editor-in-Chief of The Duran.
Congress is expected to pass a spending bill this week that Democrats are flaunting as a victory over Trump, but the country’s budget director disagrees. Does the bill have much at all in common with Trump’s proposed ‘America First’ budget?
Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic Policy and Research, joins the show.

Hamas Shifts on Israel as Trump Meets with Mahmoud Abbas May 03, 2017

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Massoud Shadjareh, co-founder of the Islamic Human Rights Commission.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is meeting with Donald Trump today, shortly after Hamas announced its new charter which calls for a Palestinian state with 1967 borders and disassociated itself from the Muslim Brotherhood.
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Donald Trump over the phone yesterday in the first communication between the two leaders since Trump launched a cruise missile strike on Syria. Where are Russia’s relations with the west heading? Brian is joined by independent political commentator Dmitry Babich.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has announced the convening of a constituent assembly to the fury of the country’s right-wing opposition. Will this be a turning point for the country’s Bolivarian Revolution? Political analyst and author Arnold August joins the show.

"A War Within a War" Turkey's Stepped Up Aggression in Syria May 02, 2017

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by geopolitical analyst and author Catherine Shakdam.
Turkish airstrikes on the Kurdish YPG militia has deepened the rift between Turkey and the United States. Meanwhile, fighting rages between opposition groups in Eastern Ghouta and near the de-facto capital of ISIS -- Raqqa.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is in Sochi today where she will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. As tensions between the West and Russia remain high, will the two leaders be able to make any progress? Geopolitical analyst Rainer Rothfuss joins Brian to discuss the significance of the talks.
May Day demonstrations and protests took place across the United States yesterday. We bring you assessments from the frontlines of the struggle, with Juan Jose Gutierrez of the Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition and Preston Wood of the ANSWER Coalition.

May Day's Revival: Mass Protests To Take Place Across the U.S. May 01, 2017

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by activist, educator and author
Bill Ayers; by Juan Jose Gutierrez, the executive director of the Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition; and by Nathalie Hrizi, editor of the magazine “Breaking the Chains:
A Socialist Perspective on Women’s Liberation.”
Today is May Day, or International Workers’ Day,
which is marked around the world as a day to celebrate the achievements of the labor movement and to continue the fight for social justice. In many countries, it’s an official holiday. Here in the United States, where the holiday began, the memory of the day’s origins has long been suppressed by the powers that be. But on the first May Day under the Trump administration, a resurgence of both the workers’ movement and the immigrant rights movement looks set to hit the streets today in huge numbers.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected