Loud & Clear

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by award-winning political cartoonist and columnistTed Rall, as well as by Glen Ford, the executive editor of Black Agenda Report. Donald Trump Jr. has released the full emails related to a meeting he set up with a Russian lawyer during the election campaign. She was introduced to him by someone who said she was part of the Russian government effort to help Trump who had dirt on Hillary Clinton’s dealings with Russia. Democrats are calling this treason and the smoking gun? Is it a blip or a big deal?The United States has deployed the highly advanced Patriot missile system to the Baltics for the first time as war exercises are set to commence. An arms race between the United States and Russia may be set to intensify.Daryl Kimball, the executive director of the Arms Control Association, joins the show. Was an award-winning CNN documentary on Syria actually filmed by a member of the country’s al-Qaeda affiliate? The CNN journalist behind the document

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by John Wight, the host of the weekly show Hard Facts on Radio Sputnik. A ceasefire in southwestern Syria brokered by Russia and the United States has taken effect and is said to be holding. As the last ISIS fighters in Mosul are defeated, are we finally seeing the beginnings of a resolution to the war?The mainstream corporate media is in another frenzy over a meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and a lawyer allegedly linked to the Russian government. Meanwhile, the political establishment is united in an effort to scuttle a proposed joint Russia-US commission on cybersecurity. Jim Kavanagh, editor of ThePolemicist.net, joins Brian. The GOP proposal to repeal and replace Obamacare seems to be losing steam as more Republicans raise their voices against the bill and grassroots resistance intensifies, but Senate Republican leadership is promising a revised bill this week. Dr. Margaret Flowers, the co-director of Popular Resistance, joins the show.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Jane Cutter, editor of LiberationNews.org; by Ray McGovern, activist and former CIA analyst; and by journalist Ben Norton. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have met for the first time on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. The meeting comes a day after Trump called on Russia to end what he called ‘destabilizing activities’, and referred to a clash of civilizations. But the two leaders have reached an agreement to establish a ceasefire in southwestern Syria.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Alexander Mercouris, editor-in-chief of The Duran. Donald Trump has made a major speech in Warsaw, using the platform promoting a clash of civilizations narratative. Hr also attacked Russia, Iran and Syria. The visit to Poland came just before Trump made his way to Germany for the start of the G20 Summit.Google has been handed a $2.7 billion fine by the European Union for manipulating search results to favor its own shopping service. Brian talks to Dr. Robert Epstein about what this means for the future of google.The Trump administration election integrity commission faces a backlash as at least 44 states have refused to fully give in to a sweeping information request. Trump says Voter Fraud is a huge problem and dramatic action needs to be taken but is this fact or political fiction? Brian is joined by Anoa Changa, the host of the weekly radio show The Way With Anoa and Deputy Director of MPACT; and by John Malcolm, Vice President for the Inst

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Hyun Lee of the Solidarity Committee for Democracy and Peace in Korea and a writer for ZoominKorea.org. North Korea says it has test launched an intercontinental ballistic missile. China and Russia have offered a plan to de escalate tensions, but the U.S. has convened the UN Security Council and is threatening war.Donald Trump leaves for Europe today, with his first stop scheduled to be Poland where he’ll make a major speech tomorrow before traveling to Germany for the G20. Can the right-wing Polish government flatter him into taking a more hardline position against Russia? Brian is joined by international affairs and security analyst Mark Sleboda. Arab foreign ministers have gathered in Cairo after the deadline passed for Qatar to respond to the list of 13 demands placed on it by Saudi Arabia and its allies. What does this mean for the ongoing rift in the Gulf? Journalists Catherine Shakdam and Ben Norton join the show.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Walter Smolarek fills in for Brian Becker and is joined by Kathy Kelly, co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Non-Violence; and by Derek Ford, a professor at DePauw University and the author of “Education and the Production of Space”.Are world leaders moving from appeasing Donald Trump to a position of confrontation? As the Trump administration’s extremely aggressive foreign policy meets resistance both domestically and internationally, will the U.S. find itself isolated on the world stage? Ahead of this year’s G20 Summit, protests are swelling in Hamburg, Germany. The EU leaders will include for the first time Emmanuel Macron, and confrontation looms on many fronts for the Trump administration. Reiner Braun, co-President of the International Peace Bureau, joins the show. Saudi Arabia and its allies have extended the deadline for Qatar to meet a list of demands by another 48 hours. The Saudis have said that their demands are non-negotiable. What will come next in the G

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Walter Smolarek fills in for Brian Becker and is joined by author and journalist Patrick Lawrence. Confrontation between the U.S. and China looks set to intensify after the Trump administration approved a $1.4 billion arms sale to Taiwan, casting a shadow over Donald Trump’s meeting with South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in. Donald Trump’s travel ban came back into effect late Thursday night after a Supreme Court ruling lifted an injunction on parts of the executive order. What comes next in the fight against the ban? Ted Rall, columnist and political cartoonist, joins the show. A new escalation in Syria looks to be on the horizon with Turkey possibly preparing an invasion of regions held by the Kurdish YPG in the northern region of Afrin. But the Kurdish forces are warning that they will put up fierce resistance. Walter speaks with Kani Xulam, the executive director of the American-Kurdish Information Network.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Iraqi journalist and filmmaker Mojtaba Masood.The Iraqi government has proclaimed the liberation of Mosul as government forces take the mosque where the so-called Islamic State was declared three years ago to the day. Is this truly the end of the group’s Iraq?South Korea’s new President Moon Jae-in comes face to face with Donald Trump today at the White House. Moon has expressed optimism about talks on resolving the DPRK nuclear issue and skepticism about THAAD, but will he really be able to turn the tide in Korea away from confrontation and towards dialogue? Simone Chun, a professor and a fellow at the Korea Policy Institute and a member of the Korean Peace Network, joins the show. The U.S. State Department has announced that it is downgrading China to its list of the world’s worst offenders when it comes to human trafficking, accusing them of assisting alleged slave labor operations run by the North Korean government. But what’s the real rati

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Carlos Ron, the Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of Venezuela in Washington, D.C.Venezuela’s government has denounced a terrorist attack on the country’s Supreme Court by a former police official who hijacked a helicopter and then threw four grenades from it towards the building. The Venezuelan revolution and counter-revolution seem to be entering a new stage in their competition.Companies around the world have been crippled by another massive cyberattack, the second in just two months. What is the role of the NSA in this global outbreak? William Binney, former NSA intelligence analyst and whistleblower, joins the show.Brazil’s President Michel Temer has officially been charged with corruption, the first sitting leader of the country to be prosecuted for a crime. Is his amazingly unpopular presidency soon to be over? Brian is joined by Brazilian-British journalist Victor Fraga, as well as by Aline Piva of Brazilian Expats for Democracy.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Rick Sterling, an investigative journalist and member of the Syria Solidarity Movement, and by Ben Norton, a journalist with Alternet’s Grayzone Project.The White House has issued a public threat against Syria, saying that they believe the government is preparing a chemical attack. Are we on the verge of another war based on a lie?The Congressional Budget Office has said that a Republican bill to overhaul Obamacare would result in 22 million people losing their insurance by 2026. But the fight for healthcare as a right continues. Dr. Carol Paris, President of Physicians for a National Health Plan, as well as Sputnik News analyst Grant Ferowich, join the show.Qatar’s foreign minister has visited the State Department, as Rex Tillerson frantically tries to repair the rift among the United States’ long time proxies in the Middle East. Independent journalist Marwa Osman joins Brian to discuss what the spat is all about.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by author and economist Steve Keen. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited Donald Trump in Washington -- but underneath the surface, are Trump’s “America First” and Modi’s “Make in India” strategies incompatible? The injunction on Donald Trump’s travel ban has been partially lifted by the Supreme Court, and the case will be heard in full in October. What does this mean for the fight against the Trump agenda? Brian is joined by Trina Realmuto, an attorney with the National Lawyers Guild’s National Immigration Project. The FARC in Colombia is expected to officially complete its process of disarmament tomorrow, but a hunger strike begins today as political prisoners say the government has been dragging its feet in implementing its end of the bargain. Right-wing paramilitary violence continues to surge. James Jordan, a member of the Alliance for Global Justice, joins Brian with a first-hand account of what's been taking place in Colombia.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Walter Smolarek fills in for Brian Becker and is joined by Alexander Mercouris, editor-in-chief of The DuranSaudi Arabia and the other four Arab states that imposed a blockade against Qatar have given the country 10 days to comply with a list of demands including the closing of Al-Jazeera and a Turkish military base. What’s next in the ongoing crisis? A Washington Post investigation says that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin gave specific instructions to help get Donald Trump elected. But, as usual, these explosive allegations are backed up no named sources or hard evidence. Former CIA analyst and political activist Ray McGovern joins the show. Venezuela has struck back at attempts to overthrow its government as the U.S. and right wing governments in Latin America stepped up their aggression this week. But the country’s Bolivarian Revolution is moving forward as it prepares to convene a Constituent Assembly. Dr. Francisco Dominguez, head of the Latin American Studies

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by independent journalist Catherine Shakdam.An AP investigation has revealed that the United Arab Emirates is operating a series of black-site prisons in Yemen where horrific torture takes place, with the United States deeply involved. Senate Republicans have unveiled a bill to replace Obamacare. The brutal plan phases out the expansion of Medicaid and strips funding from Planned Parenthood, among other attacks on the right to healthcare. Margaret Flowers, the co-director of Popular Resistance, joins the show. New documents obtained by The Intercept reveal that a security firm called TigerSwan that spied on the Standing Rock protest movement was working with Illinois police to unconstitutionally surveil the ANSWER Coalition in Chicago while it organized anti-Trump protests this year. Brian is joined by John Beacham, coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition in Chicago.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Anoa Changa, host of the weekly radio show The Way With Anoa.Republican Karen Handel has won the special election in Georgia. The Democratic Party establishment has been expecting big electoral victories due to Trump’s unpopularity, but this is not materializing. In a dramatic shakeup, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia has been ousted and replaced by King Salman’s 31-year-old son, who has played a central role in the Kingdom’s genocidal war against Yemen. Massoud Shadjareh, co-founder of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, joins the show. Theresa May has laid out her government’s proposed laws in the annual Queen’s Speech -- but as protests swell in the streets in the aftermath of the Grenfell fire, are her days as Prime Minister numbered? Steve Hedley, assistant general secretary of the RMT Union, and activist Jacqueline Walker, join Brian to discuss if a Corbyn-led government could be around the corner.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by international affairs and security analyst Mark Sleboda.The U.S. coalition in Syria has shot down an Iranian drone, two days after it downed a Syrian jet near Raqqa. The U.S. says it is only interested in fighting Daesh, but do these incidents indicate a shift back to the goal of regime change?Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko met with Donald Trump at the White House earlier today, praising his country’s reforms and saying Ukraine is a story of success. Is Trump signaling that his administration will continue the policy of aggression towards Russia? Jim Jatras, political analyst and a former U.S. diplomat, joins the show. Donald Trump has tweeted about North Korea today, saying ominously that while he appreciates the efforts of China ‘it has not worked out’. The tweet comes just hours after he condemned the ‘brutality of the North Korean regime’. Will Griffin, an organizer with the U.S.-based Stop THAAD in Korea and US Militarism in Asia and

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Ray McGovern, an activist and a former CIA analyst; by Coleen Rowley, a former FBI special agent and whistleblower; and by Bill Binney, a former NSA technical director and whistleblower.Today marks five years since Wikileaks founder Julian Assange sought asylum in Ecuador. In the half a decade since then, Assange has been prevented by British authorities from leaving the Ecuadorian embassy in London despite the UN finding last year that he has been the subject of arbitrary detention. His case and the campaign against Wikileaks have caused a global debate over whistleblowing that rages to this day.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Ray McGovern, activist and a former CIA analyst; and by Jim Kavanagh, editor of ThePolemicist.net.The Washington Post is reporting that President Trump is being investigated for obstruction of justice by Robert Mueller, the special counsel in charge of the Russia investigation. What are the politics behind this latest revelation? Donald Trump is set to announce changes to U.S. policy toward Cuba today in Miami, and is expected to reverse the gains made in recent years and double down on the traditional U.S. policy of unmitigated aggression. Author and lecturer Arnold August joins the show. The U.S.-led coalition has admitted to the use of white phosphorus in Mosul, with evidence also pointing to its use in Raqqa. What is white phosphorus, and is this a blatant war crime? Alberto Garcia Watson, former senior correspondent for HispanTV, joins Brian.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Medea Benjamin, the co-founder of CODEPINK.Donald Trump has given the Pentagon the authority to determine troop numbers in Afghanistan, as Secretary of Defence James Mattis has admitted that the U.S. isn’t winning and many predict that thousands of additional U.S. troops will be sent to fan the flames of the war.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Jane Cutter, the editor of LiberationNews.org, and by Kevin Zeese, co-director of Popular Resistance.Attorney General Jeff Sessions has testified in a public Senate Intelligence committee hearing. What did he say about Comey, Trump and the investigation into alleged election meddling as the Russia witch hunt continues to roll on? Donald Trump celebrates his 71st birthday day as a political civil war continues to engulf Washington. We take a look at a life marked by extreme bigotry, extreme privilege and dumb luck. Brian is joined by Anoa Changa, the host of the weekly show The Way With Anoa and Deputy Director of MPACT, and by Ben Weaver, Political Director of MPACT The diplomatic crisis among Gulf monarchies continues to develop rapidly. Qatar has hired George W. Bush’s attorney general John Ashcroft as its lawyer and for ‘crisis response’. What’s next in the rift in the Gulf? Massoud Shadjareh, co-founder of the Islamic Human Rights Commissio

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by political cartoonist and columnist Ted Rall. Attorney General Jeff Sessions goes before the same Senate committee today that former FBI director James Comey testified to last week. What can we anticipate in the ongoing investigation anti-Russia witch hunt? Amid economic crisis, Puerto Rico voted Sunday in a referendum on joining the United States as a state, but with voter turnout at only 23 percent and most other parties boycotting it, does the vote really reflect the will of the people of Puerto Rico? Camilo Punsoda, spokesperson for Juventud Trabajadora, the youth wing of the Working People’s Party of Puerto Rico, joins the show. Bernie Sanders has gone on the offensive, at least a rhetorical offensive, in the aftermath of Jeremy Corbyn’s success in the UK election. Are radical, left wing ideas more successful in stopping the far right than establishment centrism? Julie Hurwitz, a lawyer and activist who was a Sanders activist and on the ru