Loud & Clear

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After Daesh: The Future of The Middle East Oct 25, 2016

Show notes

As the battle for Mosul continues, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter co-chairs a meeting of the anti-Daesh coalition in France. But these are the powers that fragmented Iraq in the first place.
Syrian government forces continue their drive to liberate the eastern part of Aleppo from the opposition forces including al-Nusra and like-minded groups, as Russia says it is not considering a new truce. This comes after the UN said it was opening an inquiry into war crimes committed by Syria and Russia -- but is that just a western ploy for push for their intervention? Becker speaks to Syrian journalist Alaa Ebrahim who joins him from Damascus.
Venezuela is on edge as supporters of President Nicolas Maduro have been rallying to stop possible right-wing attempts at a coup against the United Socialist Party government. This came after the recall referendum against Maduro was put on hold amid allegations of widespread fraud on the part of the right-wing opposition. Becker speaks to Dr. Francisco Dominguez about what's ahead for Venezuela.

Battle for Mosul: What’s at Stake for Iraq and Syria? Oct 24, 2016

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by filmmaker Mojtaba Masood to discuss if the liberation of Mosul from Daesh will mean thousands of the group's fighters crossing the border to fight the Syrian government.
As a patchwork of forces continue the offensive to wrest control of Mosul from the so-called Islamic State, could thousands of Daesh fighters soon flood Syria? And what would such a development mean for mean for the war in that country?
Britain will begin reviewing its arms sales to Saudi Arabia in the wake of recent Saudi airstrikes on a funeral in Yemen that left 140 dead. But the military and political elites may value their relationship with the Saudi regime far too much to really make a break. Becker is joined by Alexander Mercouris, editor in chief of The Duran.
The migrant camp in Calais, France known as “the Jungle” is due to be razed in the coming days, but what will become of the thousands who have been living in the camp with the intention of coming to the UK? Salman Shaheen, edtor of The World Weekly, and Edward Jonkler, independent journalist, join Becker to discuss the issue.

Philippines' Duterte: "China, Philippines, Russia" Must Stand Together Oct 21, 2016

Show notes

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte announced his separation from the United States in Beijing, saying that the U.S. had “lost” and that he was aligning with China’s “ideological flow”. Will Duterte’s pivot to China be followed by closer cooperation with Russia?
Resistance continues to mount to the neoliberal coup government of Michel Temer in Brazil, as the politician who orchestrated the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff has been arrested on corruption charges. Becker is joined by Dr. Francisco Dominguez, senior lecturer at Middlesex University, and by Brazilian-British journalist Victor Fraga, to discuss what's next for the movement against neoliberalism in Brazil.
In an impressive show of hypocrisy, the European Union summit has condemned Russia for attacks on civilians in Syria despite being one of the early instigators of the civil war. With all its internal troubles, the bloc seems intent on projecting power around the world. John Wight, host of Radio Sputnik's Hard Facts, joins Becker to discuss if the EU is really as united on Russia, trade, migration and other issues as it claims to be.

Clinton calls Trump "Putin's Puppet", Trump calls for military buildup Oct 20, 2016

Show notes

The last presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump has taken place. As perhaps the most bizarre election cycle in U.S. history enters its final stretch, what will the lasting effects the country's politics be? Does Clinton really have it in the bag? No matter who emerges victorious, the people will need to be in the streets defending our basic rights - either from neo-liberal warhawk Clinton or hate-mongering bigot Donald Trump.
Brian is joined by Gloria La Riva, 2016 Presidential candidate for the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Peace and Freedom Party and Liberty Union Party; by Kevin Akin, the chair of the Peace and Freedom Party; and by Jeremy Kuzmarov, Professor of American History at the University of Tulsa and author of the book “Modernizing Repression: Police Training and Nation Building in the American Century”.

Last Presidential Debate: What's at Stake? Oct 19, 2016

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by political cartoonist and writer Ted Rall to preview tonight's presidential debate.
With election day now just under three weeks away, what will the candidates say about immigration, foreign policy, and the economy? Will tonight’s debate be another empty media circus for the two most unpopular candidates in a very long time?
The United States bombed Houthi positions after accusing the movement, which controls Yemen’s capital, of firing missiles at an American warship off the coast of the country -- but now the Pentagon has admitted that they are not sure that any missiles were ever launched by the Houthis. Mark Sleboda, international security and affairs analyst, discusses what may have taken place.
While the Syrian government is preparing to liberate eastern Aleppo from the last of the terrorist forces in the city such as al-Nusra, Hillary Clinton has said removing Bashar al-Assad from power is her number one priority in Syria, and over the weekend a “no bombing zone” was discussed in London. What would this entail and who would stand to benefit? Kevork Almassian, a Syrian journalist originally from Aleppo, joins Becker.

Exposed: How Newsweek Fabricated a Putin-Trump Conspiracy Theory Oct 18, 2016

Show notes

New information has come to light that shows the lows to which senior Newsweek writer Kurt Eichenwald and many other mainstream media outlets stooped to smear Sputnik news and deflect attention from Hillary Clinton’s mounting scandals. Former Sputnik editor Bill Moran’s piece “I Am Vladimir Putin: The First Victim of McCarthyism 2.0” sheds light on the truth.
Anti-Russia hysteria continues to intensify. Vice President Joe Biden has openly said that the U.S. will launch a cyber attack on Russia, remarks that drew a sharp rebuke from Moscow, and RT in the UK has had its bank accounts closed down.
The Iraqi Army and Kurdish forces are advancing on Iraq's second largest city under the cover of U.S. airstrikes. Is this the last stand for Daesh in Iraq? Brian is joined by journalist and political analyst Roshan Muhammad Salih to discuss the start of the military operation to retake Mosul.

Philippine's Duterte Visits China - Says "I Am No American Puppet" Oct 17, 2016

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Joelle Lingat, Secretary General of Anakbayan, to discuss Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's visit to China.
Is Duterte's trip a typical visit abroad, or is he in the midst of making a pivot to China? With his rhetoric towards the United States heating up, could the century old relationship with Washington actually be broken? What would it mean for the region and for Obama’s pivot to Asia?
President Obama will deliver a speech today at a high school in Washington, DC outlining what he says is the progress his administration has made to improve education over the past eight years. But does his narrative gel with the reality that many educators and students face across the country? Becker is joined by Curry Malott, a Professor of Education at West Chester University to discuss Obama's education legacy.
The Republican Civil War is still in full swing after perhaps the most disastrous stretch of Donald Trump’s campaign. The Republican donor class, which regularly injects hundreds of millions of dollars into election campaigns, seems to largely be sitting it out when it comes to the top of the ticket. Ted Rall, editorial cartoonist and writer, joins Becker.

Russia Bashing Becomes America's New National Pastime During Election Oct 14, 2016

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker discusses the fallout from the Podesta e-mail leaks and ongoing anti-Russia hysteria with Daniel McAdams of the Ron Paul Institute for Peace & Prosperity.
Without facts or evidence the mantra that Russia is trying to swing the election to Donald Trump is being promoted by Hillary Clinton, the mainstream media and the entire Democratic Party establishment. They also allege that Wikileaks is a tool of Russia, and are now up in arms about Donald Trump supposedly quoting what they call “Russian propaganda”.
After Brexit, is the United Kingdom heading for a split? Scotland could soon enough be independent, as the leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon signals that consultations on a second independence referendum will get underway next week. John Wight, host of Radio Spuntik's Hard Facts, discusses the prospects of Scottish independence and how the move by Sturgeon will be met by the government in London.
The United States bombed Yemen yesterday in what it called limited airstrikes targeting the positions of Houthis. The strikes came just days after Saudi Arabia bombed a funeral killing over 140 people. Does this point to a growing overt U.S. role in Saudi’s war on Yemen?

Seizing The New High Ground: Pentagon Races To Dominate Outer Space Oct 13, 2016

Show notes

On Tuesday, Russia said that the U.S. Global Missile Defence System is posing a threat to free and safe use of outer space. With Russia and China both opposed to the buildup of U.S. anti-missile systems around the world and the new arms race taking shape, will the new Cold War extend even beyond the earth?
Ahead of the battle to retake Mosul from the so-called Islamic State, Turkey has refused to withdraw its troops from Iraq. As confrontation heats up between Ankara and Baghdad, will the war against Daesh be followed by yet another bloody regional conflict? Becker is joined by journalists Alexander Mercouris and Alex Christoforou to talk about the plans of President Erdogan in Iraq.
During the protests in Ferguson and Baltimore against the murders of Michael Brown and Freddie Gray, the police got extra help from social media networks and a tech startup that helped them to track activists. What does the newest revelation about the surveillance state tell us about the war on dissent and protest? Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, executive director of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund, discusses the revelations.

Wikileaks' October Surprise: Is This The Real Clinton? Oct 12, 2016

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by journalist Ben Norton and former CIA analyst John Kiriakou to discuss the newest emails from Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman that have been released by WikiLeaks.
This is third batch of emails from John Podesta that WikiLeaks has revealed to the public, with Julian Assange saying the organization has over 50,000 total emails. Could the e-mails do serious damage to her campaign?
Russian President Vladimir Putin has cancelled his trip to France in the aftermath of Russia’s veto of a French UN Security Council Resolution on Syria and the failure of a resolution proposed by Russia. France also said it was looking at options for Russia at the International Criminal Court. Are we close to an extremely dangerous escalation in Syria’s five and a half year war? Peter Lavelle, host of RT's flagship program CrossTalk, joins Becker to discuss the where the France-Russia relationship is headed.
The release of an audio tape of Donald Trump revealing his vile misogynst comments about women has accelerated the implosion inside the Republican Party. To talk about where this is heading, Becker speaks with Anoa Changa, host of the weekly progressive talk show The Way with Anoa and a contributor to the Benjamin Dixon Show.

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