Loud & Clear

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and Walter Smolarek are joined by Marcia Stedman, President of Health Care for All - Washington, and by Marc Stier, Director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center. A dramatic new move from the Trump administration could totally upend insurance markets and lead to the collapse of the Affordable Care Act. Reaffirming its staunchly anti-Palestinian orientation, The Trump administration announced today that the United States was withdrawing from UNESCO, the cultural and social organization of the United Nations, citing supposed “anti-Israel bias”. Brian and Walter are joined by Jafar Ramini, a Palestinian writer, political analyst and commentator, and by Kim Ives, an editor for Haiti Liberte. The long Palestinian division between the West Bank and Gaza may finally be coming to an end as a result of an agreement signed today in Egypt. Alberto Garcia Watson, former senior Middle East correspondent for HispanTV, comments on the developments. Peshmerga br

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and Walter Smolarek are joined by Kevin Kamps, the Radioactive Waste Watchdog at Beyond Nuclear. Donald Trump seems to be in love with nuclear weapons. At a high-level summit of military and foreign policy officials, Trump reportedly requested a nearly ten-fold expansion in the U.S. nuclear arsenal. Controversy is swirling over cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab, which the New York Times reports has been hacked by Russian and Israeli intelligence agents. We take a look at the big picture of espionage and high tech giants with Jeffrey Carr, a cybersecurity consultant and author of “Inside Cyber Warfare”. In the second hour, editorial cartoonist and columnist Ted Rall joins the show to discuss California Senator Dianne Feinstein announcing that she plans to run for reelection, a move that has California Democrats in revolt. As the latest round of NAFTA negotiations begin, the Trump administration and business groups appear to be clashing over several key provis

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and Walter Smolarek are joined by John Wight, host of Radio Sputnik's Hard Facts, and by Dick Nichols, correspondent for Green Left Weekly. Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has taken a step back from the edge and declined to issue a declaration of independence in his much-anticipated address. Will there be international mediation, or will Madrid’s intransigence continue? Also in the first hour, Brian and Walter discuss the possibility of another Israeli attack on Lebanon, and are joined from Beirut by Jana Nakhal, an independent researcher and a member of the central committee of Lebanese Communist Party. The collision course initiated by the Trump administration against Iran continues at full speed, with the Iranian government promises a “crushing” response to the anticipated U.S. designation of the Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. Middle East analyst Robert Carter joins the show. The Republican Party civil war has flared up once agai

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and Walter Smolarek are joined by Gloria La Riva, the Coordinator of the Cuba and Venezuela Solidarity Committee, and by Attorney Michael Steven Smith, who is an author, activist and host of the radio show Law and Disorder.41 years ago today Cubana Flight 455 was blown up mid air in a terrorist attack carried out by operatives who had been employed by the CIA that killed all 73 passengers onboard. This year, the anniversary is marked with mounting concern over the extreme hostility towards Cuba displayed by the Trump administration. Is unrestrained aggression once again becoming the U.S. strategy?In the second hour, Brian and Walter are joined by Greg Mello of the Los Alamos Study Group to discuss this year’s Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.Right-wing Congressman Tim Murphy, a devoted opponent of abortion rights, plans to resign from office after being exposed pressuring a woman he was having an affai

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and Walter Smolarek are joined by Kathy Kelly, co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Non-Violence, to talk about the Trump administration’s plans to decertify the Iran nuclear deal as well as the death of U.S. special forces troops in Niger.Then, we are joined from London by Robert Carter, a journalist and political commentator on Middle Eastern politics, to discuss the historic summit between top Turkish and Iranian officials, including President Erdogan and Prime MInister Rouhani, to dial up the pressure on the Kurdistan Regional government of Iraq.In the second hour, Brian and Walter look at the last major population center held by Daesh in Iraq being retaken by Iraqi government forces and its allies. The so-called Islamic State is on the run, but remains a deadly threat. Mojtaba Masood, film maker and journalist, joins the show.Next, the Spanish government has sent a detachment of soldiers to Catalonia and the Supreme Court has suspended Monday’s sessio

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and Walter Smolarek speaks with Julie Hurwitz, activist and a partner with Goodman & Hurwitz, P.C., Bob Schlehuber, news analyst and the producer of the Radio Sputnik show By Any Means Necessary, by Camilo Matos of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party, and by financial policy analyst Daniel Sankey.In the first hour, they discuss the big issues of the day -- Donald Trump in Las Vegas in the aftermath of the horrific mass shooting, Rex Tillerson attempting to defuse tensions between himself and Donald Trump, and the outrage continues towards Trump’s ridiculous behavior in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico.In the second hour, Brian and Walter are joined by independent journalist Catherine Shakdam. Testifying to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Secretary of Defense James Mattis defended the Iran nuclear deal, putting him at odds with Donald Trump.Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has hit out at the United States over its military actions in Syria, and vo

On today’s episode of Loud & Clear, award-winning editorial cartoonist and columnist Ted Rall and journalist and filmmaker Dan Cohen join the show.In our first hour, we discuss two big issues. First we talk about Donald Trump’s trip to Puerto Rico and the outrageous statements he made there. Then, the panel talks about the landmark Palestinian cabinet meeting held in Gaza and efforts and Palestinian reconciliation. The U.S. government has expelled 15 diplomats from the Cuban Embassy in Washington, following the U.S. withdrawal of the bulk of its staff in Havana last week. Is the Trump administration attempting to undo any steps taken towards normalization of U.S.-Cuban relations? Arnold August, author of the book “Cuba-US Relations: Obama and Beyond,” talks about the issue.The “Russian Facebook ads” story has become a parody of itself. After turning over the ads to congressional investigators, Facebook has now announced that the majority of the ads in question were seen after election day. Gareth Porter,

On today’s episode of Loud & Clear, Coleen Rowley, a former FBI special agent and who in 2002 was named Time Magazine person of the year, by independent journalist Denis Rogatyuk and Sputnik News analyst Walter Smolarek, join the show.In our first hour, we discuss two big issues. First, the hosts talk about the massacre in Las vegas that has left scores dead and hundreds wounded. Then, a panel talks about the independence referendum in Catalonia and what comes next after the wide-scale repression on Sunday by the central government’s security forces.Donald Trump delivered a public rebuke to his own Secretary of State, scolding him for considering talks with North Korea. Is Trump on a warpath? Prof. Simone Chun, a fellow at the Korea Policy Institute, talks about the issue.The trial of the alleged mastermind of the 2012 Benghazi attack that killed the U.S. ambassador to the country begins today. But five years after the attack, Libya remains mired in civil war. Ben Norton, a journalist for AlterNet’s Grayz

On today’s episode of Loud & Clear, Medea Benjamin, the co-founder of CodePink, and Vicki Huddleston, a veteran U.S. diplomat and the former head of the United States Interests Section in Havana, join the show.In our first hour, we discuss two big issues. First, there is a rapidly growing pace of U.S. arms sales and the big changes going on in one of its top customers -- Saudi Arabia. Then, the panel talks about the alleged sonic attacks in Cuba.While the total number of deportations has fallen since the Trump administration took office, the number of arrests carried out by ICE is way up. Nearly one year since his election, what has President Donald Trump meant for immigrant communities? Angie Kim, a community organizer with the MinKwon Center for Community Action who received relief through the DACA program, talks about the issue.Is the uptick in airstrikes on Libya in recent days a prelude to an even greater expansion of the U.S. role in the country? More than six years after the U.S./NATO intervention

On today’s episode of Loud & Clear, Dr. Robert Epstein, Senior Research Psychologist at the American Institute for Behavioral Research and Technology, and Paul Street, a journalist, historian and author, join the show.In our first hour, we discuss the controversy over the so-called “Russian Facebook ads” that have now drawn a direct response from Donald Trump.The “Gang of Six” top Republicans have unveiled their proposal for an overhaul of the U.S. tax system. Corporations can look forward to a big tax break -- who are the other winners and losers? Financial policy analyst Daniel Sankey talks about the issue.FBI Director Christopher Wray has testified that there are 1,000 domestic terrorism investigations underway, mainly related to white supremacist groups and individuals. But has the federal government ever been serious about tackling violent, racist groups? Bill Ayers, an activist, educator and the author, discusses this development.UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn gave an impassioned speech at the

On today’s episode of Loud & Clear, Shawn Garcia, Executive Director of Revolutionary Fitness; Gloria La Riva, who was the Coordinator of the National Committee to Free the Cuban Five; and Greg Cruz, an activist who will soon be traveling to Puerto Rico to take part in relief efforts, join the show.In our first hour, we discuss the crisis in Puerto Rico. After the devastation of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, there are dire shortages of essential goods and services. On top of this, Puerto Rico is still suffocating under a mountain of debt and the colonial status imposed on it by the United States. The far right Alternative for Germany has made a breakthrough in last week’s election, securing nearly 13 percent of the vote and entering parliament. What’s behind the party’s stunning rise and deep internal divisions? Marcel Joppa, a journalist and Sputnik News analyst, talks about the issue.Incumbent Republican Senator Luther Strange has been defeated in a landslide by far right challenger Roy Moore in the Alabam

On today’s episode of Loud & Clear, Dan Kovalik, a human rights lawyer and author, joins the show for the first half hour. Then, the hosts are joined by Vijay Prashad, an author and professor of international studies.In our first hour, we discuss two big issues. First, the new McCarthyism in the United States continues to deepen. After Facebook released the so-called “Russian ads” it became clear that they were not in fact pro-Trump, so now the corporate media has gone back to an old Cold War smear. And then, we discuss the referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan that has upended the geopolitics of the Middle East. As Turkey and Iraq hold joint military exercises, how far could the conflict spiral?Could Alabama be on the verge of electing the most far right Senator in the country? The Republican establishment is lining up behind incumbent Senator Luther Strange in the Alabama primary election today, but former state supreme court Chief Justice Roy Moore is the frontrunner. The hosts are joined by award-winning edit

On today’s episode of Loud & Clear, Dr. Gerald Horne, a professor of history and author, and Danny Shaw, a professor and retired boxer, join the show for the first half hour. Then, the hosts are joined by Mojtaba Masood, a journalist and filmmaker, and Kani Xulam, founder of the American-Kurdish Information Network. In our first hour, we discuss two big issues. A wave of protest has hit the NFL as players kneel to protest racism and police brutality, sparking a furious reaction from Donald Trump. Are we on the cusp of another wave of Black athlete activism? And then, we discuss the referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan. Tensions in the region are heating up as Iraq’s Kurds vote, and neighboring states move to block any moves towards independence. Anthony Weiner is going to prison for nearly two years after being found guilty to send obscene material to a minor. We’ll take a look at the dramatic fall of this once-rising star of the Democratic Party. The hosts are joined by Anoa Changa, the host of the weekly radio

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kirakou are joined byJodie Evans, a filmmaker, activist and co-founder of Codepink, as well as by Kevin Zeese, co-director of Popular Resistance.The Trump administration is reportedly preparing a dramatic expansion of the so-called War on Terror. Drone strikes and special forces raids could soon be conducted with little oversight and in virtually any country.In the second hour, John and Brian look at the the Graham-Cassidy bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act that now appears to be dead. John McCain just hours ago announced his opposition to the measure, dealing a major blow to Congressional Republicans’ legislative agenda. Joining the show is Dr. Margaret Flowers, co-director of Popular Resistance.Next, Turkish president Erdogan says that his military will soon enter rebel-held Idlib province in Syria as part of a deal to establish a “de-escalation zone”. Is Syria headed towards partition? Kani Xulam of the American-Kurdish Information Network j

On today’s episode of Loud & Clear, Pepe Escobar, a writer and political analyst, Prof. Simone Chun, a fellow at the Korea Policy Institute and author and columnist Patrick Lawrence, join the show.The Russian and Chinese speeches at the United Nations General Assembly were delivered today, but neither Vladimir Putin nor Xi Xinping took to the podium. Is this a boycott? What else was discussed today at the General Assembly debate?Today is the International Day of Peace, but you wouldn’t know it from listening to Donald Trump’s rhetoric at the United Nations. Is the world on the verge of a major conflict? Can we step back from the brink?. The hosts are joined by activist, educator and author Bill Ayers.High ranking officials in the Catalonia autonomous community of Spain have been arrested by the central government as the region’s president denounces Madrid’s “totalitarian” actions and vows to go ahead with the October 1st independence vote. Journalist Alberto Garcia Watson talks about the issue.Is the Unit

On today’s episode of Loud & Clear, Greg Mello, Executive Director of the Los Alamos Study Group and Alexander Mercouris, editor in-chief of The Duran, join the show. The fiery tone at the United Nations General Assembly continues following Donald Trump’s threat to “totally destroy” North Korea, as the United States is accused of violating the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces agreement and the future of the Iran nuclear deal appears bleak. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the British Defense Minister have reached an agreement on a military cooperation accord, as billions of dollars of British weapons continue to pour into Saudi Arabia despite the country’s war crimes in Yemen. The hosts are joined by journalist Steve Topple. The death toll continues to rise in Mexico City and surrounding areas in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that killed over 200 people and devastated critical infrastructure. Clayton Conn, a freelance reporter in Mexico City, talks about the issue. Hurricane Mar

On today’s episode of Loud & Clear, Lucas Koerner, an activist and journalist for VenezuelaAnalysis.com, political analyst Ajit Singh, and former State Department official turned anti-war activist Ann Wright join the show.Donald Trump’s debut speech to the United Nations General Assembly drew gasps from the audience as he threatened the destruction of North Korea, slammed Iran and Venezuela, and boasted about U.S. military might.The Republican effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act was left for dead, but a last minute push by Senators Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy seems to have gained serious traction. We are joined from Nashville by Dr. Carol Paris, President of Physicians for a National Health Plan, joins the show.We do some pretty amazing things here at Sputnik News, including, according to three members of Congress, time travel. In a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai they claimed that we influenced the election through our broadcasts on 105.5 FM, which began eight months after election day. Dan Kova

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Christopher Black, an international criminal lawyer who is on the List of Counsel before the ICC, and Jim Jatras, a political analyst and former U.S. diplomat.The UN General Assembly debate opens today in New York. As world leaders grapple with the conflicts, crises and tensions that seem to be intensifying by the day, Donald Trump has slammed the United Nations as inefficient and unfair. Scores of people have been arrested as demonstrations and outrage continue in St. Louis against racism and police brutality following the acquittal of police officer Jason Stockley in the killing of Anthony Lamar Smith. Kofi Ademola, an organizer with the Black Lives Matter movement, joins the show from London to talk about the incident. Hamas has announced that it is prepared to dissolve its government in Gaza. Could a Palestinian unity government finally be formed after over a decade of bitter division between the West Bank and Gaza? Journ

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Walter Smolarek fills in for Brian Becker and is joined by co-host John Kiriakou.The fight against ISIS in Iraq seems to be in its last stages, but the fight over the future of the country is far from over.Dr. Dahlia Wasfi, an activist and internationally known speaker on anti-war and international solidarity issues, as well as Eugene Puryear, host of ByAny Means Necessary, join the show. An explosive device has detonated in the London subway, injuring over 20 people. Donald Trump wasted no time in taking to Twitter to criticize British authorities. Marcel Cartier, Sputnik political analyst, joins the show from London to talk about the incident.A groundbreaking investigative report shows that the Pentagon secretly funnelled billions of dollars of weapons to armed groups in Syria. Alexander Mercouris, editor-in-chief of The Duran, talks about if the U.S. policy of arming the Syrian opposition is really over.The fallout continues from the preliminary deal between Donald T

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Anoa Changa, Deputy Director of MPACT and the host of the radio show The Way With Anoa, and David Cobb, campaign manager of the 2016 Jill Stein/Ajamu Baraka presidential campaign. The newfound partnership between Donald Trump and congressional Democrats has upended politics in the United States. First the debt ceiling deal, now DACA, what’s next? Could we be set for a major realignment of political parties? In the second hour, John and Brian take a look at the breaking news of the day. First, the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq is determined to push ahead with an independence referendum. Kani Xulam, founder of the American-Kurdish Information Network, joins the show. Next, military exercises in Russia lead to a heating up of the rhetoric in the new cold war. They speak with Mark Sleboda, an international affairs and security analyst. In the third segment, the hosts talk to Ben Norton, a journalist with Alternet’s Grayz